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OBJECTIVE: Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) affects 3.1-6.3% of women after childbirth. The City Birth Trauma Scale (City-BiTS) is a questionnaire designed to evaluate and diagnose this disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) criteria, including the following groups of symptoms characteristic of posttraumatic stress: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and hyperarousal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language version of this questionnaire (City-BiTS-S), based on a community sample of Spanish women. METHOD: A total of 207 mothers, recruited at three health centers in southern Spain, completed the City-BiTS-S questionnaire and provided sociodemographic and obstetric data. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the data replicated the two-factor structure reported in previous studies that explained 47.9% of the variance: Factor 1 of general symptoms and Factor 2 of birth-related symptoms. Both City-BiTS-S (Cronbach's alpha = .90) and the two factors (Cronbach's alpha for Factor 1 = 0.89; Cronbach's alpha for Factor 2 = 0.82) presented high internal consistency. Rasch analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the two factors as valid subscales of the PP-PTSD. Results suggested reducing response options, reviewing Item 8, and rewording Item 3 in the Spanish version. CONCLUSIONS: The City-BiTS-S presents appropriate psychometric properties to measure symptoms of PP-PTSD. Nevertheless, further research is recommended to confirm its validity in a clinical population and in different medical approaches to the birth process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

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OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy for stress management in pregnant women in the reduction of psychological stress and hair cortisol levels. METHODS: The trial was controlled and randomised, with a total of 78 pregnant women: control group (n-39) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group (n-39). To test the therapy's efficacy, an evaluation of the primary outcome (hair cortisol levels) and secondary outcomes (psychological stress, psychopathological symptomatology and resilience) was conducted before and after the treatment. The therapy was conducted during 8 sessions (one per week) in a group setting. The study was registered as a Randomised Controlled Trial with the code NCT03404141. RESULTS: The results showed a group time interaction between hair cortisol levels, psychological stress (perceived and pregnancy-specific), and in the exacerbation and severity of psychopathological symptoms. These variables presented reductions after treatment only in the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel way of assessing chronic stress (psychological and objective measures as hair cortisol levels), this is the first study that has shown a decrease in both the levels of cortisol in hair and in psychological stress. This decline could have implications for maternal and fetal health.

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INTRODUCTION: Apraxia is regarded as neurological disorder characterized by a loss of ability to execute and carry out skilled movements and gestures despite intact motor and sensory systems, coordination, and comprehension. As reflected in the specialized literature, there are currently few tests that provide a global evaluation of this syndrome. This research created and designed a test for the Evaluation of Upper Limb Apraxia (EULA), based on theoretical models of apraxia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A sample of 57 patients was selected with subjective cognitive manifestations (complaints of cognitive impairment) and 39 subjects without cognitive impairment. Both groups were given the EULA test as well as other tests. The structure of the EULA was verified with principal components factor analysis, and the reliability and validity of this instrument were also calculated. RESULTS: The factor analysis classified all of the items in the test in nine factors with an explained total variance of 69.91%. The high reliability of the test was reflected in a Cronbach's alpha of 0.929 and a Guttman split-half coefficient of 0.870. The construct validity was also satisfactory as shown in the significant correlation of six of the nine factors in the test with two other well-known apraxia subtests. CONCLUSIONS: The healthy subjects had a higher test score than the subjects with complaints of cognitive impairment, which confirmed the reliability and construct validity of the EULA.

TITLE: Creacion y diseño de un test para la evaluacion de la apraxia de los miembros superiores (EULA) basado en un modelo cognitivo: un estudio piloto.Introduccion. La apraxia es un trastorno neurologico caracterizado por la dificultad en la ejecucion de habilidades gestuales aprendidas a pesar de tener preservados los sistemas motores y sensoriales, la coordinacion y la comprension, asi como de una adecuada colaboracion. Actualmente, existen pocas herramientas validadas que evaluen este sindrome de manera global. En el presente estudio, se ha creado y diseñado un test para la evaluacion de la apraxia de los miembros superiores (EULA), basado en modelos teoricos. Sujetos y metodos. Se selecciono una poblacion de 57 pacientes con quejas subjetivas de deterioro cognitivo y 39 personas sin quejas ni deterioro cognitivo, a las cuales se les administro el test EULA, entre otros tests. Se realizo un analisis factorial de componentes principales y un calculo tanto de la fiabilidad como de la validez de dicho instrumento. Resultados. El analisis factorial agrupo en nueve factores todos los items de la prueba, con una varianza total explicada del 69,91%. El test ha mostrado una alta fiabilidad, con un alfa de Cronbach de 0,929 y un coeficiente de Guttman de 0,870 con el metodo de las dos mitades. El test tambien mostro tener una adecuada validez de constructo, al existir correlacion significativa entre seis factores del test y dos subtests de apraxia. Conclusiones. El test EULA, surgido de las propuestas de evaluacion a nivel teorico desarrolladas por diferentes autores, muestra una puntuacion superior en personas sanas respecto a personas con manifestaciones subjetivas de deterioro cognitivo, ademas de tener una alta fiabilidad y validez de constructo.

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Introducción. La apraxia es un trastorno neurológico caracterizado por la dificultad en la ejecución de habilidades gestuales aprendidas a pesar de tener preservados los sistemas motores y sensoriales, la coordinación y la comprensión, así como de una adecuada colaboración. Actualmente, existen pocas herramientas validadas que evalúen este síndrome de manera global. En el presente estudio, se ha creado y diseñado un test para la evaluación de la apraxia de los miembros superiores (EULA), basado en modelos teóricos. Sujetos y métodos. Se seleccionó una población de 57 pacientes con quejas subjetivas de deterioro cognitivo y 39 personas sin quejas ni deterioro cognitivo, a las cuales se les administró el test EULA, entre otros tests. Se realizó un análisis factorial de componentes principales y un cálculo tanto de la fiabilidad como de la validez de dicho instrumento. Resultados. El análisis factorial agrupó en nueve factores todos los ítems de la prueba, con una varianza total explicada del 69,91%. El test ha mostrado una alta fiabilidad, con un alfa de Cronbach de 0,929 y un coeficiente de Guttman de 0,870 con el método de las dos mitades. El test también mostró tener una adecuada validez de constructo, al existir correlación significativa entre seis factores del test y dos subtests de apraxia. Conclusiones. El test EULA, surgido de las propuestas de evaluación a nivel teórico desarrolladas por diferentes autores, muestra una puntuación superior en personas sanas respecto a personas con manifestaciones subjetivas de deterioro cognitivo, además de tener una alta fiabilidad y validez de constructo (AU)

Introduction. Apraxia is regarded as neurological disorder characterized by a loss of ability to execute and carry out skilled movements and gestures despite intact motor and sensory systems, coordination, and comprehension. As reflected in the specialized literature, there are currently few tests that provide a global evaluation of this syndrome. This research created and designed a test for the Evaluation of Upper Limb Apraxia (EULA), based on theoretical models of apraxia. Subjects and methods. A sample of 57 patients was selected with subjective cognitive manifestations (complaints of cognitive impairment) and 39 subjects without cognitive impairment. Both groups were given the EULA test as well as other tests. The structure of the EULA was verified with principal components factor analysis, and the reliability and validity of this instrument were also calculated. Results. The factor analysis classified all of the items in the test in nine factors with an explained total variance of 69.91%. The high reliability of the test was reflected in a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.929 and a Guttman split-half coefficient of 0.870. The construct validity was also satisfactory as shown in the significant correlation of six of the nine factors in the test with two other well-known apraxia subtests. Conclusions. The healthy subjects had a higher test score than the subjects with complaints of cognitive impairment, which confirmed the reliability and construct validity of the EULA (AU)

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Summary Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototype of the autoimmune diseases, is a multi-systemic disease characterized by an alteration in the immunological response, where the production of antibodies is directed against nuclear antigens, thus affecting many organs and systems. The course of this disease includes a wide range of clinical manifestations, different anatomo-pathological findings, and a series of immunological abnormalities. It is characterized by outbreaks and remissions. SLE can be manifested by general malaise, fever, fatigue, weight loss, skin rashes or joint inflammation, anemia, inflammation of the lymphatic glands, lowering of the defenses against infection, and cardiac, kidney, pulmonary and neurological alterations. In chronic dermatological lupus, only the skin is affected; this condition can present rash erythemas, etc. The recent introduction of new immunological diagnostic methods (antinuclear antibodies, anti-DNA antibodies, complementary fraction, etc.) has made it possible to recognize less severe forms of the disease, as well as its outbreaks and therapeutic guidelines. Different psychological variables have been associated with the exacerbation of the disease; one of the most notable is stress, and many patients with lupus also suffer diverse psychiatric and personality disorders associated with the disease, with a prevalence oscillating between 20% and 60%. Furthermore, these alterations have been associated with a lower quality of life, poorer evolution and psychiatric antecedents. In the specific case of personality alterations, previous research has found the existence of a "triad of personality" characteristics in patients with lupus. Depression, hysteria and hypochondria are the factors making up this triad. However, it has not been shown whether these personality disorders are just another symptom of the disease or a consequence of the emotional disorders produced by it. The purpose of this study was to test the possible existence of personality disorders and their relationship with other affective disorders in SLE. Methods: In order to do this, we studied 30 patients with lupus and evaluated their possible personality disorders with the MMPI and their levels of depression and anxiety with the BDI and STAI, respectively. Then, after analyzing the results obtained on the tests administered, three groups were established: patients with lupus who had no emotional disorders, patients with lupus who presented clinical anxiety, and patients with lupus who presented clinical depression. These categories were represented graphically. In order to test the effects of anxiety and depression in the psychopathological personality profile, 10 between-group univariate variance analyses (ANOVA) were carried out, one for each subscale of the MMPI. The variable "presence or non-presence of emotional disorders" was the two-level factor. Results: In the graphic representation of the personality patterns of the three groups, it can be seen that patients with lupus who did not present emotional disorders (neither depression or anxiety) did not show any alterations in their personality patterns. However, this pattern was altered in those who presented depression or anxiety. Later, the results found show statistically significant differences on the subscales of Hypochondria [F=9.795, df=1, 29, ±0.004)], Psychasthenia [F=15.266, df=1, 29, p±0.001], and Schizophrenia [F=4.97, df=1, 29, p±0.001)] among those patients who presented emotional disorders and those who did not present any emotional disorder, with the latter receiving higher scores. Conclusion: We can state that the development of personality disorders in patients with lupus is associated with emotional alterations, which probably relate more to processes of adaptation to the disease than to the disease itself.

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