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Introduction: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is common in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Few studies have compared the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with and without MCI due to PD (PD-MCI), and its correlation to patients' subjective cognitive and communicative difficulties has not been explored., Objective: We aimed to compare HRQoL in PD-MCI and PD without MCI (PD-nMCI), and explore its possible relationship to subjective cognitive and communicative complaints., Methods: We included 29 PD-nMCI and 11 PD-MCI patients. The HRQoL was assessed with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39): its Cognition dimension was used as a measure of subjective cognitive complaints, its Communication dimension for subjective communicative complaints, and the summary index (PDQ-39 SI) as an indicator of HRQoL. Non-parametric partial correlations between the Cognition and Communication dimensions, and the adjusted PDQ-39 SI were conducted., Results: PD-MCI patients had greater subjective cognitive and communicative complaints and worse HRQoL than PD-nMCI patients. In the PD-MCI group, both subjective cognitive and communicative complaints exhibited significant direct correlations with the adjusted HRQoL scores., Conclusions: HRQoL seems to be affected in PD-MCI, and it might be influenced by greater subjective cognitive and communicative complaints. Including patient-reported outcome measures of HRQoL, and providing cognitive and speech rehabilitation, as well as psychotherapeutic strategies to face these deficits can enhance the patient-centred approach in PD., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Studies that have compared the cognitive alterations of the children of parents with bipolar disorder (CPBD) versus the children of control parents (CCP), present heterogeneous results due to the studies' methodological differences, the age of the population studied, and the lack of standardisation of the measures used for the different neurocognitive domains. The objective was to compare the neurocognitive profile of CPBD versus CCP to observe if there are differences that could be proposed as possible endophenotypes of BD., Results: A total of 107 individuals (51 CPBD, and 56 CCP) with ages between 6 and 16 (mean, 12.2±2.80) years of age were evaluated. Seventy-four point five percent of the CPBD group had some disorder compared to 67.9% of the CCP group. Tests such as letter-F phonemic verbal fluency, letter-S phonemic verbal fluency, overall F-A-S phonemic verbal fluency, story recall and retrieval, and Wisconsin perseverative errors showed a difference with a small effect size, but with a high degree of uncertainty., Conclusions: The CPBD did not have differences in their neurocognitive profile in comparison with CCP. Both groups have a high prevalence of psychopathology, which is a factor that could explain the lack of differences in neurocognitive performance., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To classify the staff of two reference institutions for COVID-19 care in Antioquia according to the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms, and to determine the factors associated with these classes., Methods: Cross-sectional study in which the GAD-7, PHQ-9, fear of COVID-19, and the Copenhagen Burnout scale were used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the classes, and the factors associated with these were determined using multinomial logistic regression., Results: 486 people participated. The three-class model had the best fit: class I with low scores on the scales; class II with mild degrees of anxiety and depression, and intermediate levels of fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress; and class III with moderate and severe degrees of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The factors associated with belonging to class III were age (OR = 0.94; 95%CI, 0.91-0.96), change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 4.01; 95%CI, 1.99-8.09), and a history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.10; 95%CI, 1.27-7.56), and anxiety (OR = 5.5; 95%CI, 2.36-12.90). Factors associated with class II were age (OR = 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95-0.99), history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.41; 95%CI, 1.60-7.25), living with someone at risk of death from COVID-19 (OR = 1.86; 95%CI, 1.19-2.91), family member being healthcare staff (OR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.01-2.47), and change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 1.99; 95%CI, 1.11-3.59)., Conclusions: Three classes of participants were obtained, two of them with anxiety and depression symptoms. Younger age and a history of mental disorder were factors associated with the two classes of symptomatic patients; other factors may be causes or consequences of the symptoms., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aim to determine the prevalence of mental disorders in siblings of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to determine how psychosocial adversity factors relate to this psychopathology, in a low-middle income country (Colombia)., Methods: We evaluated subjects with ADHD diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria, one of their parents and one of their siblings (ages 8-19). We used the ADHD rating scale and a set of instruments to assess the presence of mental disorders as well as psychosocial adversity., Results: We evaluated 74 trios formed by the index case with ADHD, one sibling and one of the parents. We found that 24.3% of the participating siblings also met the criteria for ADHD and another 24.3% for other psychiatric disorders. The risk of these siblings having ADHD increased further when one of the parents reported a history of ADHD. We also found that 28.3% of the families faced high levels of psychosocial adversity as per their scores in the Rutter Adversity Index., Conclusions: Siblings of subjects with ADHD showed a significant risk for ADHD and other mental disorders. That risk increased if a parent reported a history of ADHD and also when two or more psychosocial adversity factors were present. This study supports the importance of early detection in efforts to decrease the risk for other siblings., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Lithium treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with less cognitive impairment and fewer changes in structural brain anatomy compared to other treatments. However, the studies are heterogeneous and few assess whether these effects are related. The objective of this study was to evaluate and relate cognitive performance and structural neuroanatomy in patients treated with and without lithium., Methods: Cross-sectional study that included 48 subjects with BD-I, of which 22 were treated with lithium and 26 without lithium. Performance was assessed on Wechsler III (WAIS III), TMT A and B (Trial Making Test) neuropsychological tests, California verbal learning test (CVLT), Rey complex figure test and Wisconsin card sorting test. Brain structures obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between both groups was calculated, adjusted for confounding variables using a propensity score, and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance and neuroanatomical regions., Results: Compared to the group without lithium, the group with lithium had fewer perseverative errors in the Wisconsin test (SMD = -0.69) and greater left and right cortical areas (SMD = 0.85; SMD = 0.92); greater surface area in the left anterior cingulate (SMD = 1.32), right medial orbitofrontal cortex (SMD = 1.17), right superior frontal gyrus (SMD = 0.82), and right and left precentral gyrus (SMD = 1.33; SMD = 0.98); greater volume of the right amygdala (SMD = 0.57), right hippocampus (SMD = 0.66), right putamen (SMD = 0.87) and right thalamus (SMD = .67). In the lithium group, a correlation was found with these errors and the thickness of the left precentral gyrus (ρ = -0.78), the volume of the right thalamus (ρ = -0.44), and the right amygdala (ρ = 0.6)., Conclusions: The lithium group had better cognitive flexibility and greater dimension in some frontal and subcortical cortical regions. Furthermore, there was a moderate to high correlation between performance in this executive function and the thickness of the right precentral gyrus, and the volumes of the thalamus and the right amygdala. These findings could suggest a neuroprotective effect of lithium., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The offspring of bipolar parents (BO) is a high-risk population for inheriting the bipolar disorder (BD) and other early clinical manifestations, such as sleep disturbances., Objective: To compare the presence of psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbances of BO versus offspring of control parents (OCP)., Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted that compared BO versus OCP. The participants were assessed using valid tools to determine the presence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders. The "Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire" and "School Sleep Habits Survey" were used to determine sleep characteristics and associated factors. Sleep records (7-21 days) were also obtained by using an actigraphy watch., Results: A sample of 42 participants (18 BO and 24 OCP) was recruited. Differences were found in the presentation of the psychiatric disorder. The BO group showed a higher frequency of major depression disorder (MDD; P = .04) and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD; P = .04). The OCP group showed a higher frequency of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; P = .65), and Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD; P = .46). Differences were also found in sleep by using subjective measurements. Compared to the OCP group, BO had a worse perception of quality of sleep (P = .02), a higher frequency of nightmares (P = .01), a shorter total sleep time, and a higher sleep latency. Nevertheless, no differences were found between groups in the actigraphy measurements., Conclusions: The BO group had a higher frequency of Mood Disorders, and at the same time a higher number of sleep disturbances in the subjective measurements. It is possible that there is an association between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and coffee intake. No differences were found in the sleep profile by using actigraphy., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Bipolar disorder (BD) has a large hereditary component. It is a disorder that begins in early adulthood, but about which it has been described a premorbid period preceding the onset of BD. During this herald expression psychiatric disorders and symptoms, such as depressive, manic, psychotic, anxious and others, may appear., Objective: To determine the psychopathological profile of a Bipolar Offspring (BO) group compared with the Community Control Offspring (CCO) group, and its evolution over time, including subthreshold symptoms and mental disorders., Methods: We conducted an observational mixed cohort study, with a prospective design. We included subjects from six to 30 years of age, from the region of Antioquia, Colombia. A total of 131 subjects from the risk group BO and 150 subjects from the CCO group were evaluated through validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews (K-SADS-PL and DIGS) at baseline and at 4 years follow up. All interviews were carried out by a staff blind to parent diagnoses. Follow-up assessment were complete in 72% of the offspring. Forty-two subjects were excluded as they surpassed the age of 30 years, and only 46 subjects were not followed (change of address or did not consent to participate)., Results: Compared with the CCO group, the BO group had a higher frequency of affective disorder, psychotic disorder, externalizing disorders and use of the psychoactive substances during both assessments at time 1 and 2. The magnitude of the differences between the groups increased when they reach time 2. The BO group had a greater risk for presenting subthreshold symptoms and definitive psychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, psychotic disorders and externalizing disorders. In addition, the BO group had a younger age of onset for psychoactive substances consumption., Conclusion: During the follow-up period, the BO group had a higher risk of presenting mental disorders compared with the CCO group. The most relevant symptoms and disorders that could precede the onset of BD were depressive, bipolar not otherwise specified, psychotic and substance use., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Studies that have compared the cognitive alterations of the children of parents with bipolar disorder (CPBD) versus the children of control parents (CCP), present heterogeneous results due to the studies' methodological differences, the age of the population studied, and the lack of standardisation of the measures used for the different neurocognitive domains. The objective was to compare the neurocognitive profile of CPBD versus CCP to observe if there are differences that could be proposed as possible endophenotypes of BD., Results: A total of 107 individuals (51 CPBD, and 56 CCP) with ages between 6 and 16 (mean, 12.2±2.80) years of age were evaluated. Seventy-four point five percent of the CPBD group had some disorder compared to 67.9% of the CCP group. Tests such as letter-F phonemic verbal fluency, letter-S phonemic verbal fluency, overall F-A-S phonemic verbal fluency, story recall and retrieval, and Wisconsin perseverative errors showed a difference with a small effect size, but with a high degree of uncertainty., Conclusions: The CPBD did not have differences in their neurocognitive profile in comparison with CCP. Both groups have a high prevalence of psychopathology, which is a factor that could explain the lack of differences in neurocognitive performance., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is common in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Few studies have compared the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with and without MCI due to PD (PD-MCI), and its correlation to patients' subjective cognitive and communicative difficulties has not been explored., Objective: We aimed to compare HRQoL in PD-MCI and PD without MCI (PD-nMCI), and explore its possible relationship to subjective cognitive and communicative complaints., Methods: We included 29 PD-nMCI and 11 PD-MCI patients. The HRQoL was assessed with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39): its Cognition dimension was used as a measure of subjective cognitive complaints, its Communication dimension for subjective communicative complaints, and the summary index (PDQ-39 SI) as an indicator of HRQoL. Non-parametric partial correlations between the Cognition and Communication dimensions, and the adjusted PDQ-39 SI were conducted., Results: PD-MCI patients had greater subjective cognitive and communicative complaints and worse HRQoL than PD-nMCI patients. In the PD-MCI group, both subjective cognitive and communicative complaints exhibited significant direct correlations with the adjusted HRQoL scores., Conclusions: HRQoL seems to be affected in PD-MCI, and it might be influenced by greater subjective cognitive and communicative complaints. Including patient-reported outcome measures of HRQoL, and providing cognitive and speech rehabilitation, as well as psychotherapeutic strategies to face these deficits can enhance the patient-centred approach in PD., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aim to determine the prevalence of mental disorders in siblings of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to determine how psychosocial adversity factors relate to this psychopathology, in a low-middle income country (Colombia)., Methods: We evaluated subjects with ADHD diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria, one of their parents and one of their siblings (ages 8-19). We used the ADHD rating scale and a set of instruments to assess the presence of mental disorders as well as psychosocial adversity., Results: We evaluated 74 trios formed by the index case with ADHD, one sibling and one of the parents. We found that 24.3% of the participating siblings also met the criteria for ADHD and another 24.3% for other psychiatric disorders. The risk of these siblings having ADHD increased further when one of the parents reported a history of ADHD. We also found that 28.3% of the families faced high levels of psychosocial adversity as per their scores in the Rutter Adversity Index., Conclusions: Siblings of subjects with ADHD showed a significant risk for ADHD and other mental disorders. That risk increased if a parent reported a history of ADHD and also when two or more psychosocial adversity factors were present. This study supports the importance of early detection in efforts to decrease the risk for other siblings., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Validate the Self Stigma Of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale in a population of students of a medical school for its use in Colombia., Methods: We included 384 medical students from the city of Medellín. Initially, two direct translations were made, two back translation and one pilot test. The internal consistency, test-retest repeatability and structural, convergent, divergent and discriminative construct validity were then evaluated., Results: A easy-to-understand and to fill out Spanish version was obtained. The internal consistency of the scale was adequate (Cronbach's alpha=.80; 95%CI, .77-.83) as well as the test-retest repeatability (CCI=.77; 95%CI, .63-.86). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a good fit with the one-dimensional structure (RMSEA=.073; IC90%, .056-.089; CFI=.968; TLI=.977; WRMR=.844). The convergent validity was supported by the correlation with the Public Stigma scales (ρ=.39) and Attitudes towards Seeking Help (ρ= -0.50) and the divergent validity with the Social Desirability scale (ρ=-0,05). When examining the discriminative validity, differences were found between the scores of those who would be willing to seek professional help when having a mental health problem and those who probably would not (Difference of means=4.9; 95%CI, 2.99-6.83)., Conclusions: The Colombian version of the SSOSH is valid, reliable and useful for the measurement of the Self-stigma associated with seeking professional help in the university population of the Colombian health sector. Its psychometric properties must be investigated in populations of other programs and outside universities., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Validate the Self Stigma Of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale in a population of students of a medical school for its use in Colombia., Methods: We included 384 medical students from the city of Medellín. Initially, two direct translations were made, two back translation and one pilot test. The internal consistency, test-retest repeatability and structural, convergent, divergent and discriminative construct validity were then evaluated., Results: A easy-to-understand and to fill out Spanish version was obtained. The internal consistency of the scale was adequate (Cronbach's alpha = .80; 95%CI, .77-.83) as well as the test-retest repeatability (CCI = .77; 95%CI, .63-.86). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a good fit with the one-dimensional structure (RMSEA = .073; IC90%, .056-.089; CFI = .968; TLI = .977; WRMR = .844). The convergent validity was supported by the correlation with the Public Stigma scales (ρ = .39) and Attitudes towards Seeking Help (ρ = -0.50) and the divergent validity with the Social Desirability scale (ρ = -0,05). When examining the discriminative validity, differences were found between the scores of those who would be willing to seek professional help when having a mental health problem and those who probably would not (Difference of means = 4.9; 95%CI, 2.99-6.83)., Conclusions: The Colombian version of the SSOSH is valid, reliable and useful for the measurement of the Self-stigma associated with seeking professional help in the university population of the Colombian health sector. Its psychometric properties must be investigated in populations of other programs and outside universities., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Predominant polarity (PP) has been proposed as a specifier of bipolar disorder (BD) due to its relationship with clinical and prognostic variables. It is possible that this is due to a different underlying neurobiology, in such a way that the changes found by structural nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in BD are different and specific., Objectives: To explore findings of structural neuroimaging in patients with BD type I (BD-I) according to PP., Methods: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 77 patients with BD-I using the DIGS interview. PP was established using the operative definition of two-thirds of all affective episodes throughout life to classify PP as manic (MPP), depressive (DPP) or indeterminate (IPP). MRIwas performed during the euthymia phase to measure intracranial structures. The data obtained was analysed using a linear regression model adjusted for confounding variables (drug use, alcohol use, psychoactive substance use) and were compared between the three groups finding the standardised mean difference (SMD)., Results: Differences with adequate effect size were found in three brain structures after adjusting for confounding variables, specifically in the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, which were greater in the DPP group than in the MPP group (SMD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.49 and SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.21 to 1.35). Likewise, in the right thalamus, it was shown to be greater in the IPP group compared to MPP group (SMD 0.89, 95% CI = 0.31 to 1.46)., Conclusions: A reduction in the thickness of the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, as well as the right thalamic volume was observed in patients with BD-I with PPM, which supports the hypothesis that PP has a plausible neurobiological correlate and could have potential utility as a BD specifier., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To explore the role of cardiovascular risk factors and the different NOTCH-3 mutations to explain the variability observed in the clinical presentation of CADASIL., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 331 individuals, 90 were carriers of four mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. These four mutations are the ones identified in our region from the genetic evaluation of probands. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate the effect of genetic and cardiovascular factors on the onset of migraine, first stroke, and dementia. Competing risk regression models considered death as risk., Results: Noncarriers (healthy controls from the same families without NOTCH3 mutations) and NOTCH3 mutation carriers had similar frequencies for all cardiovascular risk factors. Diabetes (SHR 2.74, 95% CI 1.52-4.94) was associated with a younger age at onset of strokes among carriers. Additionally, a genotype-phenotype relationship was observed among C455R mutation carriers, with higher frequency of migraines (100%), younger age at onset of migraine (median age 7 years, IQR 8) and strokes (median age 30.5 years, IQR 26). Moreover, fewer carriers of the R141C mutation exhibited migraines (20%), and it was even lower than the frequency observed in the noncarrier group (44.8%)., Conclusions: This study characterizes extended family groups, allowing us a comparison in the genotype-phenotype. The results suggest a complex interplay of genetic and cardiovascular risk factors that may help explain the variability in the clinical presentation and severity of CADASIL., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The offspring of bipolar parents (BO) is a high-risk population for inheriting the bipolar disorder (BD) and other early clinical manifestations, such as sleep disturbances., Objective: To compare the presence of psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbances of BO versus offspring of control parents (OCP)., Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted that compared BO versus OCP. The participants were assessed using valid tools to determine the presence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders. The "Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire" and "School Sleep Habits Survey" were used to determine sleep characteristics and associated factors. Sleep records (7-21 days) were also obtained by using an actigraphy watch., Results: A sample of 42 participants (18 BO and 24 OCP) was recruited. Differences were found in the presentation of the psychiatric disorder. The BO group showed a higher frequency of major depression disorder (MDD; P=.04) and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD; P=.04). The OCP group showed a higher frequency of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; P=.65), and Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD; P=.46). Differences were also found in sleep by using subjective measurements. Compared to the OCP group, BO had a worse perception of quality of sleep (P=.02), a higher frequency of nightmares (P=.01), a shorter total sleep time, and a higher sleep latency. Nevertheless, no differences were found between groups in the actigraphy measurements., Conclusions: The BO group had a higher frequency of Mood Disorders, and at the same time a higher number of sleep disturbances in the subjective measurements. It is possible that there is an association between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and coffee intake. No differences were found in the sleep profile by using actigraphy., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Bipolar disorder (BD) has a large hereditary component. It is a disorder that begins in early adulthood, but about which it has been described a premorbid period preceding the onset of BD. During this herald expression psychiatric disorders and symptoms, such as depressive, manic, psychotic, anxious and others, may appear., Objective: To determine the psychopathological profile of a Bipolar Offspring (BO) group compared with the Community Control Offspring (CCO) group, and its evolution over time, including subthreshold symptoms and mental disorders., Methods: We conducted an observational mixed cohort study, with a prospective design. We included subjects from six to 30 years of age, from the region of Antioquia, Colombia. A total of 131 subjects from the risk group BO and 150 subjects from the CCO group were evaluated through validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews (K-SADS-PL and DIGS) at baseline and at 4 years follow up. All interviews were carried out by a staff blind to parent diagnoses. Follow-up assessment were complete in 72% of the offspring. Forty-two subjects were excluded as they surpassed the age of 30 years, and only 46 subjects were not followed (change of address or did not consent to participate)., Results: Compared with the CCO group, the BO group had a higher frequency of affective disorder, psychotic disorder, externalizing disorders and use of the psychoactive substances during both assessments at time 1 and 2. The magnitude of the differences between the groups increased when they reach time 2. The BO group had a greater risk for presenting subthreshold symptoms and definitive psychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, psychotic disorders and externalizing disorders. In addition, the BO group had a younger age of onset for psychoactive substances consumption., Conclusion: During the follow-up period, the BO group had a higher risk of presenting mental disorders compared with the CCO group. The most relevant symptoms and disorders that could precede the onset of BD were depressive, bipolar not otherwise specified, psychotic and substance use., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) have a high risk of unwanted pregnancies and abortions, due to their condition of vulnerability or hypersexuality (common in BD). This is associated with difficulty in planning their actions and lack of sex education and counselling by medical personnel, and can lead to adverse obstetric outcomes and inability to care adequately for their children., Objective: To describe the characteristics in terms of sexual and reproductive health, and the use of contraception and counselling in psychiatric consultations, in a sample of patients with BD and schizophrenia in Medellin, Colombia., Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. We included the 160 participants from the clinical trial, "The effects of a multimodal intervention programme in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia", who were recruited from the mood and psychosis disorders group clinic at Hospital Universitario de San Vicente Fundación in Medellin. They were contacted by phone by a third-year psychiatry resident, who applied a survey about the characteristics of their sex life, contraception and reproduction., Results: Almost all of the patients with schizophrenia were single, had no undergraduate studies and were unemployed. No significant differences were found regarding the age of starting sexual relations when comparing by diagnosis and gender. Almost all patients with schizophrenia and almost half of the patients with BD reported not having an active sexual life. Almost all of those who admitted to having an active sexual life claimed to always use contraception; in the BD group, only 48.8% of single women admitted to using contraception and a little over half of men stated that they used a condom when having sex. A quarter of the pregnancies were unplanned. Although the majority of the patients stated that they had never received information about family planning in the consultations with their psychiatrist, 57.4% of the patients with BD and 78.8% of those who had schizophrenia, considered themselves to be well informed on the subject., Conclusions: Patients with mental illness have cognitive and behavioural alterations that affect their sexual and reproductive lives. Psychiatrists should therefore address this issue, to ensure education in areas such as contraception, family planning and sexually transmitted diseases and help safeguard the safety and quality of life of their patients., (Copyright © 2018. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)