RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Many forms of mental disorders, especially psychotic disorders are characterized also by a worsening of sexual functioning. The main aim of this study was to validate in the Italian context the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), a very useful international tool to assess sexual dysfunction in people suffering from mental illness. METHODS: Seventy-three patients suffering from psychotic spectrum disorders were recruited. We administered the Italian version of ASEX, adequately translated by two expert bilinguals. After 15 days we administered once again the test for test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Validation of ASEX revealed Cronbach's coefficients >0.70 in both single items as in the total score. In addition, the test-retest reliability revealed Pearson's coefficients >0.50 in the various domains. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indexes for the two factors model of ASEX (SRMR=0.54; CFI=0.974; RMSEA=0.135). DISCUSSION: This study represents the first validation in the Italian psychiatric context of a very useful specific tool for the sexual assessment in people suffering from mental illness. Our analysis after the ASEX administration revealed good psychometric characteristics in terms of confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our results and consideration, we strongly suggest the use of ASEX in clinical context to assess the sexual function of patients with severe mental disorders.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Psicóticos , Arizona/epidemiología , Humanos , Psicometría , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Clinical correlates of plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) have been investigated in a clinical population with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and healthy control subjects who survived to the L'Aquila 2009 earthquake. Twenty-six outpatients and 14 control subjects were recruited. Assessments included: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I disorders Patient Version, Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR) for post-traumatic spectrum symptoms. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as Full PTSD and 13 as Partial PTSD. The subjects with full-blown PTSD showed lower BDNF level than subjects with partial PTSD and controls. Different relationship patterns of BDNF with post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms have been reported in the three samples. Our findings add more insight on the mechanisms regulating BDNF levels in response to stress and further proofs of the utility of the distinction of PTSD into full and partial categories.
Asunto(s)
Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/sangre , Desastres , Terremotos , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/sangre , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales , Femenino , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Autoinforme , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/psicologíaRESUMEN
This study investigated the use of the facilities for the mental health by the population affected by the L'Aquila (Italy) 2009 earthquake. The data about the activities of the Mental Health Centre of L'Aquila during the years from 2008 to 2010 were obtained by the service Information System. In the months following the event the percentage of referrals was reduced. Failure to use specialized facilities after disasters should not be seen as reassuring. It is conceivable that a relevant rate of frank or sub-threshold psychopathology is present that the traditional mental health facilities may not be able to intercept.