Search

We prove phase-space mixing for solutions to Liouville's equation for integrable systems. Under a natural non-harmonicity condition, we obtain weak convergence of the distribution function with rate ⟨time⟩−1. In one dimension, we also study the case where this condition fails at a certain energy, showing that mixing still holds but with a slower rate. When the condition holds and functions have higher regularity, the rate can be faster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is used widely internationally. Data on population age and gender distribution of MMSE scores outside of the US is rare. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), which incorporates the MMSE, was administered to a household sample of 2978 individuals age 15 and older in Chile. DSM-III-R lifetime prevalence rates were estimated. The average MMSE score ranged from 16-29 depending on the level of educational attainment. Sociodemographic variables, including age marital status, urban-rural and income, impacted MMSE scores. When the MMSE scores were controlled for sociodemographic variables, those with any psychiatric disorder had significantly lower scores; however, specific diagnoses did not affect MMSE scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Although several epidemiological studies of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders have been conducted in Latin America, few of them were national studies that could be used to develop region-wide estimates. Data are presented on the prevalence of DSM-III-R disorders, demographic correlates, comorbidity, and service utilization in a nationally representative adult sample from Chile. METHOD: The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to a stratified random sample of 2,978 individuals from four provinces representative of the country's population age 15 and older. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were estimated. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (31.5%) of the population had a lifetime psychiatric disorder, and 22.2% had a disorder in the past 12 months. The most common lifetime psychiatric disorders were agoraphobia (11.1%), social phobia (10.2%), simple phobia (9.8%), major depressive disorder (9.2%), and alcohol dependence (6.4%). Of those with a 12-month prevalence diagnosis, 30.1% had a comorbid psychiatric disorder. The majority of those with comorbidity had sought out mental health services, in contrast to one-quarter of those with a single disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates in Chile are similar to those obtained in other studies conducted in Latin America and Spanish-speaking North American groups. Comorbidity and alcohol use disorders, however, were not as prevalent as in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although antipsychotic drugs have been effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, issues with adherence to these agents continue to be a barrier to the implementation and delivery of a successful treatment plan. An estimated 25% of patients with schizophrenia are partially adherent or non-adherent within 7–10 days of beginning therapy. There are some ways to evaluate the pharmacotherapy adherence of the patients: evaluation of the disease symptoms and/or the side effects of the drugs, questionnaires to evaluate quality of life, patient attitude toward his (her) drugs and pill counts. Although these methods represent a good option, they are subjective; for example, if the patients lie this leads to false results. Drug monitoring of patients’ biological fluids can be a useful tool to evaluate adherence by relating the serum or plasma levels of drugs with pharmacotherapy compliance. The aim of this study was to determine if serum clozapine levels are a suitable method for evaluating patient adherence to clozapine therapy. Clozapine concentration was determined in serum of 26 volunteer patients who were using this drug as pharmacotheraphy for 6 months to 5 years (steady state conditions at 7–10 days of treatment with the drug). The analysis was done for 6 months, with three samples taken for each patient during this time, relating clozapine serum concentration of lower than therapeutic range with pharmacotherapy non-adherence of patients. Moreover, we compared the evaluation of the pharmacotherapy adherence from serum levels of the drug, with the evaluation of the pharmacotherapy adherence from an indirect tool to evaluate symptoms of disease. Twelve patients were found non-adherent by clozapine serum concentration (46.15%), whereas eight patients were found non-adherent using clinician questionnaire (30.76%). After to evaluate some factors (cigarettes, co-medication, inter-individual variability) that could give different results of adherence from evaluation of serum concentrations and from indirect methods, we can conclude that the clozapine serum concentration is a more objective method of evaluating pharmacotherapy adherence of patients receiving this drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In this study we examined the prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), types of trauma most often associated with PTSD, the co-morbidity of PTSD with other lifetime psychiatric disorders, which disorders preceded PTSD, and gender differences in PTSD and trauma exposure in a representative sample of Chileans.Method. The DSM-III-R PTSD and antisocial personality disorder modules from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and modules for a range of DSM-III-R diagnoses from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were administered to a representative sample of 2390 persons aged 15 to over 64 years in three cities in Chile.Results. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 4.4% (2.5% for men and 6.2% for women). Among persons exposed to trauma, rape was most strongly associated with PTSD. Onset of PTSD significantly increased the risk of developing each of the 10 other tested disorders. Among those exposed to trauma, women were significantly more likely to develop PTSD, after controlling for assaultive violence.Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of investigating the prevalence of PTSD, patterns of co-morbidity of PTSD, and gender differences in PTSD in non-English-speaking countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of children and adolescents living in Santiago, Chile, as part of a national sample. Method: subjects from 4 to 18 years of age were selected in an aleatory stratified multistage fashion. As part of a national sample, 10 counties in Santiago were selected, then blocks, homes and the child or adolescent to be interviewed. Psychology graduate students applied the Spanish computer version of DISC-IV, as well as a questionnaire on family risk factors, socioeconomic index and service use. Results: a sample of 792 children and adolescents was evaluated, obtaining 76.7% of participation. Using the most stringent impairment algorithm, the prevalence for any psychiatric disorders was 25.4%, being 20.7% in boys and 30.3% in girls, mainly explained by anxious and affective disorders. Prevalence was higher in the 4-11 years of age than in the 12-18 (31.9% and 18.2% respectively). This difference was mainly accounted for by disruptive disorders. Prevalence of anxious disorders was the highest, but less associated with impairment, while most of the children and adolescents with affective disorders were impaired. Conclusions: prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Santiago is high in this age group, and this study will be used for improving mental health services. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]