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INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted students on health care courses, including evidence of associations between anxiety or depression and inadequate coping mechanisms or unhealthy habits. However, little is known about possible predictors of mental health or psychiatric symptoms in Brazilian health care students during this period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate possible factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, used to measure psychiatric outcomes, and quality of life, used as a parameter of overall functionality, in Brazilian students on health care courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with Brazilian students on health care courses from May to December 2020. Participants were recruited through social media and answered a 71-item open online questionnaire exploring demographic characteristics and personal behavior during the pandemic, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. We searched for variables potentially associated with psychiatric symptoms and mental health in these individuals using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Multivariate models showed depression and anxiety were associated with poor quality of life and medication abuse was associated with greater anxiety and poor quality of life. Psychotherapy was an effective coping strategy for anxiety and meditation or mindfulness practice and physical activity improved the students' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Our study presents important information about the factors associated with psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies for coping with them that should be helpful to reflect on and for designing appropriate interventions.

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INTRODUCTION: Metacognitive beliefs about worry may trigger anxiety. However, the effect of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment on metacognition has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To validate the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in a Brazilian GAD sample and verify whether different interventions reduce metacognitive beliefs. METHOD: We recruited 180 GAD individuals and randomized them to Body in Mind Training (BMT), Fluoxetine (FLX), or an active control group (Quality of Life [QoL]) for 8 weeks. The MCQ-30 was assessed for internal consistency, was evaluated with confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and was tested for convergent validity with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to analyze differences after the interventions. RESULTS: The MCQ-30 demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptability; the original five-factor model was supported. There was a positive moderate correlation between MCQ-30 scores and worry. GEE showed a significant group x time interaction (p < 0.001). Both BMT (mean difference [MD] = -6.04, standard error [SE] = -2.39, p = 0.034) and FLX (MD = -5.78, SE = 1.91, p = 0.007) reduced MCQ-30 scores. FLX was superior to QoL, but not BMT, at weeks 5 and 8. There were no differences between BMT and QoL. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian-Portuguese version of MCQ-30 showed good psychometric properties. Furthermore, the positive effect of FLX and BMT on metacognition suggests it may represent a potential therapeutic target.

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Abstract Introduction There is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted students on health care courses, including evidence of associations between anxiety or depression and inadequate coping mechanisms or unhealthy habits. However, little is known about possible predictors of mental health or psychiatric symptoms in Brazilian health care students during this period. Objective To evaluate possible factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, used to measure psychiatric outcomes, and quality of life, used as a parameter of overall functionality, in Brazilian students on health care courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with Brazilian students on health care courses from May to December 2020. Participants were recruited through social media and answered a 71-item open online questionnaire exploring demographic characteristics and personal behavior during the pandemic, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. We searched for variables potentially associated with psychiatric symptoms and mental health in these individuals using Poisson regression models. Results Multivariate models showed depression and anxiety were associated with poor quality of life and medication abuse was associated with greater anxiety and poor quality of life. Psychotherapy was an effective coping strategy for anxiety and meditation or mindfulness practice and physical activity improved the students' quality of life. Conclusions Our study presents important information about the factors associated with psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies for coping with them that should be helpful to reflect on and for designing appropriate interventions.

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Abstract Introduction Metacognitive beliefs about worry may trigger anxiety. However, the effect of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment on metacognition has not yet been investigated. Objectives To validate the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in a Brazilian GAD sample and verify whether different interventions reduce metacognitive beliefs. Method We recruited 180 GAD individuals and randomized them to Body in Mind Training (BMT), Fluoxetine (FLX), or an active control group (Quality of Life [QoL]) for 8 weeks. The MCQ-30 was assessed for internal consistency, was evaluated with confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and was tested for convergent validity with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to analyze differences after the interventions. Results The MCQ-30 demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptability; the original five-factor model was supported. There was a positive moderate correlation between MCQ-30 scores and worry. GEE showed a significant group x time interaction (p < 0.001). Both BMT (mean difference [MD] = -6.04, standard error [SE] = -2.39, p = 0.034) and FLX (MD = -5.78, SE = 1.91, p = 0.007) reduced MCQ-30 scores. FLX was superior to QoL, but not BMT, at weeks 5 and 8. There were no differences between BMT and QoL. Conclusion The Brazilian-Portuguese version of MCQ-30 showed good psychometric properties. Furthermore, the positive effect of FLX and BMT on metacognition suggests it may represent a potential therapeutic target.

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Objective: Skin picking disorder (SPD) affects up to 5.4% of the population. Less than half of patients are correctly diagnosed and treated. Developing tools to recognize SPD can help professionals and patients alike. This trial aimed to validate the Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R) for the Brazilian population and assess the psychiatric and dermatological comorbidities of patients with SPD. Methods: Brazilians with a primary diagnosis of SPD, 18 years or older, were recruited from a community sample by media advertising and evaluated by a dermatologist and a psychiatrist. Self-report instruments were used: SPS-R, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the SPS-R, and Pearson correlation (r) was used to assess the relationship between instruments. Results: Overall, 124 patients were included. The SPS-R demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient = 0.84). CFA found a good fit to the model according to all indices (χ2 = 29.67; degrees of freedom [df] = 19; p = 0.056; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.067; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.969; non-normed fit index [NNFI] = 0.954). SPS-R correlated with DLQI (r = 0.73), GAD-7 (r = 0.51), and PHQ-9 (r = 0.43). The sample had a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, mainly generalized anxiety disorder (62.1%) and current (32.3%) and past (37.1%) depressive episodes. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the SPS-R presents good psychometric properties. The severity of SPD is related to severity of depression, anxiety, and impairment in quality of life. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04731389

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OBJECTIVE: Skin picking disorder (SPD) affects up to 5.4% of the population. Less than half of patients are correctly diagnosed and treated. Developing tools to recognize SPD can help professionals and patients alike. This trial aimed to validate the Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R) for the Brazilian population and assess the psychiatric and dermatological comorbidities of patients with SPD. METHODS: Brazilians with a primary diagnosis of SPD, 18 years or older, were recruited from a community sample by media advertising and evaluated by a dermatologist and a psychiatrist. Self-report instruments were used: SPS-R, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the SPS-R, and Pearson correlation (r) was used to assess the relationship between instruments. RESULTS: Overall, 124 patients were included. The SPS-R demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient = 0.84). CFA found a good fit to the model according to all indices (?2 = 29.67; degrees of freedom [df] = 19; p = 0.056; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.067; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.969; non-normed fit index [NNFI] = 0.954). SPS-R correlated with DLQI (r = 0.73), GAD-7 (r = 0.51), and PHQ-9 (r = 0.43). The sample had a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, mainly generalized anxiety disorder (62.1%) and current (32.3%) and past (37.1%) depressive episodes. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the SPS-R presents good psychometric properties. The severity of SPD is related to severity of depression, anxiety, and impairment in quality of life.

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Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a multidimensional construct associated with the etiology and maintenance of panic disorder (PD) symptoms. However, only a few studies have evaluated whether cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) can modify the condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CBGT on AS in patients with PD and to analyze AS and its dimensions as predictors of response to CBGT. In the present clinical trial, an intervention group (n = 37) attended 12 CBGT sessions, while a control group (n = 52) did not receive any intervention. The severity of symptoms and of AS were evaluated before and after CBGT in the intervention group and once in the control group. Significant improvement occurred in all specific PD symptoms and in general anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, AS scores reduced significantly after intervention. This study confirmed that AS is higher in patients with more severe PD. The effectiveness of CBGT for reducing the physical, cognitive, and social dimensions of AS was also observed, supporting the hypothesis of a positive impact of therapy.

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BACKGROUND: Skin picking disorder is a prevalent disorder frequently comorbid with depression and anxiety, which is underdiagnosed mainly by dermatologists. Assessment of skin picking disorder is based on instruments influenced by the awareness about skin picking disorder and comorbid symptoms. To date, there is no validated instrument for Brazilian individuals nor an instrument to evaluate the severity of skin lesions in an objective way. OBJECTIVES: Validate the Skin Picking Impact Scale for Brazilian Portuguese and create a photographic measurement to assess skin lesions. METHODS: The sample was assessed through the Skin Picking Impact Scale translated into Brazilian Portuguese, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale. The patients' skin lesions were photographed. Photos were evaluated regarding active excoriation, crust/bleeding, exulceration, and linear lesions. RESULTS: There were 63 patients included. The Skin Picking Impact Scale translated into Brazilian Portuguese had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.88), which tests of goodness-of-fit, showing a suitable model. The reliability of photographic measurement was 0.66, with a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.87). Photographic measurement was not correlated with the Skin Picking Impact Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, or comorbid symptoms. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Lack of a previously validated instrument to evaluate dermatillomania in the Brazilian population for comparison. CONCLUSION: The Skin Picking Impact Scale validated in Brazilian Portuguese is a good instrument to evaluate skin picking disorder. Photographic measurement is a consistent way of assessing skin lesions, but it does not reflect the impact of skin picking disorder on the individual's life.

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Abstract Background Skin picking disorder is a prevalent disorder frequently comorbid with depression and anxiety, which is underdiagnosed mainly by dermatologists. Assessment of skin picking disorder is based on instruments influenced by the awareness about skin picking disorder and comorbid symptoms. To date, there is no validated instrument for Brazilian individuals nor an instrument to evaluate the severity of skin lesions in an objective way. Objectives Validate the Skin Picking Impact Scale for Brazilian Portuguese and create a photographic measurement to assess skin lesions. Methods The sample was assessed through the Skin Picking Impact Scale translated into Brazilian Portuguese, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale. The patients' skin lesions were photographed. Photos were evaluated regarding active excoriation, crust/bleeding, exulceration, and linear lesions. Results There were 63 patients included. The Skin Picking Impact Scale translated into Brazilian Portuguese had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88), which tests of goodness-of-fit, showing a suitable model. The reliability of photographic measurement was 0.66, with a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87). Photographic measurement was not correlated with the Skin Picking Impact Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, or comorbid symptoms. Study limitations Lack of a previously validated instrument to evaluate dermatillomania in the Brazilian population for comparison. Conclusion The Skin Picking Impact Scale validated in Brazilian Portuguese is a good instrument to evaluate skin picking disorder. Photographic measurement is a consistent way of assessing skin lesions, but it does not reflect the impact of skin picking disorder on the individual's life.

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