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Introduction Deficits in executive functioning, especially in inhibitory control, are present in children born very premature and/or with very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objective To evaluate whether ADHD imposes additional inhibitory control (IC) deficits in preschoolers born VP/VLBW. Methods 79 VP/VLBW (4 to 7 years) children were assessed for ADHD using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children – Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). IC was measured with Conners’ Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT 2) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF-P).Results: No significant differences were found between ADHD (n = 24) and non-ADHD children (n = 55) for any of the measures (p = 0.062 to p = 0.903). Both groups had deficits in most K-CPT 2 scores compared to normative samples, indicating poor IC and inconsistent reaction times. Conclusions ADHD does not aggravate IC deficits in VP/VLBW children. Either neuropsychological tasks and parent reports of executive functions (EFs) may not be sensitive enough to differentiate VP/VLBW preschoolers with and without ADHD, or these children’s EFs are already so impaired that there is not much room for additional impairments imposed by ADHD.

CONTEXT: Although very preterm (VP), extremely preterm (EP), very low birth weight (VLBW), and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) newborns seem to have a higher risk of later attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the magnitude of the risk is not well-defined. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and meta-analyze the risk of VP/VLBW and EP/ELBW individuals to develop a ADHD categorical diagnosis or dimensional symptomatology compared with controls with normal weight and/or birth age. DATA SOURCES: We used PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. STUDY SELECTION: We selected cross-sectional, prospective, or retrospective studies with no time or language restriction. DATA EXTRACTION: Independent reviewers screened and extracted data using predefined standard procedures. RESULTS: In 12 studies (N = 1787), researchers relying on a categorical diagnosis showed that both VP/VLBW and EP/ELBW subjects have a higher ADHD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04 higher than controls; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.19 to 4.21). In subgroup analyses, we demonstrated that the more extreme the cases, the higher the ORs (VP/VLBW: OR = 2.25 [95% CI 1.56 to 3.26]; EP/ELBW: OR = 4.05 [95% CI 2.38 to 6.87]). We drew data from 29 studies (N = 3504) on ADHD symptomatology and found significant associations with inattention (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.31, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.96), hyperactivity and impulsivity (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.13), and combined symptoms (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.68) when compared with controls. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity was significantly high for all analyses involving the 3 ADHD dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: With our results, we provide evidence that VP/VLBW subjects have an increased risk of ADHD diagnosis and symptomatology compared with controls, and these findings are even stronger in the EP/ELBW group. Future researchers should address which risk factors related to prematurity or low birth weight lead to ADHD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and impairing condition. A very small percentage of patients become asymptomatic after treatment. The purpose of this paper was to review the alternative therapies available for OCD when conventional treatment fails. Data were extracted from controlled clinical studies (evidence-based medicine) published on the MEDLINE and Science Citation Index/Web of Science databases between 1975 and 2012. Findings are discussed and suggest that clinicians dealing with refractory OCD patients should: 1) review intrinsic phenomenological aspects of OCD, which could lead to different interpretations and treatment choices; 2) review extrinsic phenomenological aspects of OCD, especially family accommodation, which may be a risk factor for non-response; 3) consider non-conventional pharmacological approaches; 4) consider non-conventional psychotherapeutic approaches; and 5) consider neurobiological approaches. O transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) é uma doença crônica e incapacitante. Uma pequena porcentagem de pacientes se torna assintomática após o tratamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar as alternativas terapêuticas para o tratamento de TOC quando os tratamentos convencionais falham. Os dados foram extraídos de estudos clínicos controlados (medicina baseada em evidências) publicados nas bases de dados MEDLINE e Science Citation Index/Web of Science entre 1975 e de 2012. Os resultados são discutidos e sugerem as seguintes abordagens para profissionais que lidam com TOC refratário: 1) rever aspectos fenomenológicos intrínsecos ao TOC, o que pode levar a entendimentos diferenciados e à escolhas terapêuticas distintas; 2) rever aspectos fenomenológicos extrínsecos ao TOC, principalmente acomodação familiar, que pode ser fator de risco para a não resposta; 3) considerar abordagens farmacológicas não convencionais; 4) considerar abordagens psicoterapêuticas não convencionais; e 5) considerar abordagens neurobiológicas.

General psychiatric symptoms may interfere with the ability of individuals to take care of their health, to get involved with activities and develop social abilities, thereby increasing risk of death. Objective: To evaluate general psychiatric symptoms as predictive factors for mortality in a community elderly cohort in Southern Brazil. Methods: 345 healthy elderly, aged ³60 years, from the catchment area of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre were followed from 1996. Data for the present study were drawn from the period 1996-2004. General psychiatric symptoms (Self-Reporting Questionnaire - SRQ), depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Asberg depressive rating scale), and Mini Mental State Examination scores at baseline were included in the study. Socio-demographic, medical conditions, and functional capacity were also analyzed. The outcome was vital status at follow-up obtained from family members, hospital records and checked against official death registers. Results: Of the 345 baseline individuals, 246 were followed-up. The global mortality rate over the study period was 36.9% (N=90). Those who deceased during the period were older (73.5±7.5), more dependent overall, and more cognitively impaired than the living elderly (univariate analyses). In the logistic regression, only age (OR=0.93; p=0.003) and functional capacity (OR=0.22; p=0.007) remained significant in the final equation. Conclusion: Psychiatric symptoms presented no association with mortality in the present sample. Older age and functional incapacity were risk factors for mortality. Resumo Sintomas psiquiátricos gerais podem interferir com a capacidade do indivíduo cuidar de sua saúde, de envolver-se com outras atividades e desenvolver habilidades sociais, aumentando o risco de morte. Objetivo: Avaliar se os sintomas psiquiátricos são preditores de mortalidade em uma coorte de idosos de uma comunidade do sul do Brasil. Métodos: 345 idosos saudáveis, com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, da área de abrangência de um hospital universitário de uma cidade do sul do Brasil foram acompanhados desde 1996. Os dados desse estudo representam o período de avaliação de 1996 a 2004. Os sintomas psiquiátricos na avaliação inicial foram medidos através do Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) e da Escala Montgomery-Asberg para sintomas depressivos (MADRS) e as variáveis independentes foram desempenho cognitivo no Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Dados sócio-demográficos, questionário sobre condições sociais e de saúde, e capacidade funcional também foram analizados. O desfecho principal foi mortalidade durante o seguimento, obtida através de familiares e registros de óbito. Resultados: Dos 345 idosos "baseline", dados foram obtidos de 246 no seguimento. Taxa de mortalidade global no seguimento foi de 36.9% (N=90). Aqueles que faleceram durante o período de avaliação eram mais idosos (73,5±7,5), mais globalmente dependentes e comprometidos do ponto de vista cognitivo do que os idosos que permaneceram vivos (análises univariadas). Na regressão logística, apenas idade (RC=0,93; p=0,003) e capacidade funcional (RC=0,22; p=0,007) mantiveram significância na equação final. Conclusões: Sintomas psiquiátricos não mostraram efeito preditor para mortalidade na presente amostra. Maior idade e incapacitação foram fatores de risco para mortalidade.