Risky sexual relationships, reckless driving or initiating drug use are examples of health-related risk behaviours that are often related to poor emotional abilities (emotional identification, emotional understanding, facilitating thought and emotional regulation). However, the mechanisms by which this relationship operates have been relatively little studied. It is well known that certain personality traits such as impulsivity and sensitivity to reward are strongly related to risk-taking behaviour.

The aim of this work was to explore the role of these two traits in the relationship between each of the different abilities/ branches of emotional intelligence and health risk behaviour, as well as to identify the emotional ability that best predicts this relationship.

A community sample of 250 participants (Mage = 23.60; 72% women) was used to measure levels of emotional intelligence in each of its branches (through the performance-based ability test MSCEIT), and levels of health risk behaviour, impulsivity and sensitivity to reward.

The results supported the existence of a negative relationship between the four emotional abilities and health risk-taking. Mediation analyses that included all four MSCEIT branches as predictors revealed an indirect effect of the “managing” branch on risk-taking, being the most important branch in predicting health-related risk-taking, due to its effects through impulsivity and sensitivity to reward.

Our results suggest that a strong negative relationship exists between emotional management ability and health risk-taking, highlighting that the emotional components of impulsivity and levels of sensitivity to reward have been shown to be among the mediating factors underlying this relationship. Further experimental research is needed to confirm the role of emotional intelligence, and in particular emotional management, as a protective factor for risk-taking behaviour.

None Declared

A 30-item confrontation naming test was developed in Argentina for Spanish speakers, The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT). The Boston Naming Test is an established confrontation naming task in the United States. Researchers have used the Boston Naming Test to identify individuals with different clinical pathologies (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). The current literature on how Spanish speakers across various countries perform on confrontational naming tasks is limited. To our knowledge, one study investigated CNT performance across three Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala). Investigators found that the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentine and Mexican groups. The purpose of this study was to extend the current literature and investigate CNT performance across five Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, United States). We predicted that the Argentine group would outperform the other Spanish-speaking countries.

The present study sample consisted of 502 neurologically and psychologically healthy participants with a mean age of 29.06 (SD = 13.41) with 14.75 years of education completed (SD = 3.01). Participants were divided into five different groups based on their country of birth and current country residency (i.e., United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, & Colombia). All participants consented to voluntary participation and completed the CNT and a comprehensive background questionnaire in Spanish. The CNT consisted of 30 black and white line drawings, ranging from easy to hard in difficulty. An ANCOVA, controlling for gender, education, and age, was used to evaluate CNT performance between the five Spanish-speaking country groups. Meanwhile, a Bonferroni post-hoc test was utilized to evaluate the significant differences between Spanish-speaking groups. We used a threshold of p < .05 for statistical significance.

Results revealed significant group differences between the five Spanish speaking groups on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .48. Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed that the United States group significantly underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. Next, we found the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentinian, Mexican, and Colombian groups. Additionally, we found the Argentinian group outperformed the Mexican, Guatemalan, and United States groups on the CNT. No significant differences were found between the Argentinian group and Colombian group or the Mexican group and Colombian group on the CNT.

As predicted, the Argentinian group outperformed all the Spanish-speaking groups on the CNT except the Colombian group. Additionally, we found that the United States group underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. A possible explanation is that Spanish is not the official language in the United States compared to the rest of the Spanish-speaking groups. Meanwhile, a possible reason why the Argentinian and Colombian groups demonstrated better CNT performances might have been that it was less culturally sensitive than the United States, Mexican, and Guatemalan groups. Further analysis is needed with bigger sample sizes across other Spanish-speaking countries (e.g., Costa Rica, Chile) to evaluate what variables, if any, are influencing CNT performance.

Primary health care (PHC) supported long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in attending COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study is to describe the role of PHC in LTCFs in Europe during the early phase of the pandemic.

Retrospective descriptive study from 30 European countries using data from September 2020 collected with an ad hoc semi-structured questionnaire. Related variables are SARS-CoV-2 testing, contact tracing, follow-up, additional testing, and patient care.

Twenty-six out of the 30 European countries had PHC involvement in LTCFs during the COVID-19 pandemic. PHC participated in initial medical care in 22 countries, while, in 15, PHC was responsible for SARS-CoV-2 test along with other institutions. Supervision of individuals in isolation was carried out mostly by LTCF staff, but physical examination or symptom’s follow-up was performed mainly by PHC.

PHC has participated in COVID-19 pandemic assistance in LTCFs in coordination with LTCF staff, public health officers, and hospitals.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has serious physiological and psychological consequences. The long-term (>12 weeks post-infection) impact of COVID-19 on mental health, specifically in older adults, is unclear. We longitudinally assessed the association of COVID-19 with depression symptomatology in community-dwelling older adults with metabolic syndrome within the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus cohort.

Participants (n = 5486) aged 55–75 years were included in this longitudinal cohort. COVID-19 status (positive/negative) determined by tests (e.g. polymerase chain reaction severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, IgG) was confirmed via event adjudication (410 cases). Pre- and post-COVID-19 depressive symptomatology was ascertained from annual assessments conducted using a validated 21-item Spanish Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models assessed the association between COVID-19 and depression symptomatology.

COVID-19 in older adults was associated with higher post-COVID-19 BDI-II scores measured at a median (interquartile range) of 29 (15–40) weeks post-infection [fully adjusted β = 0.65 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–1.15; p = 0.011]. This association was particularly prominent in women (β = 1.38 points, 95% CI 0.44–2.33, p = 0.004). COVID-19 was associated with 62% increased odds of elevated depression risk (BDI-II ≥ 14) post-COVID-19 when adjusted for confounders (odds ratio; 95% CI 1.13–2.30, p = 0.008).

COVID-19 was associated with long-term depression risk in older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome, particularly in women. Thus, long-term evaluations of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and preventive public health initiatives are warranted in older adults.

Psychiatric illnesses are related with a reduced life expectancy and an increase of mortality rates (around 60%) mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases [1]. The high prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and tobacco use among these patients undoubtelly predispose to the impairment in physical health and mortaility increase. Regular physical activity in the general population is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular risk but litle is know about iss influence in some chronic and severe mental disorders like schizophrenia [2].

To quantify the physical activity performed by a sample of subjects with psychosis, borth males and female, compared to a control group.

A sample composed of 141 patients with schizoprenia was compared to 103 healthy subjects as a control group. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ) scale was applied to all participants. The time (minutes) of physical activity performed in a week (METs) was collected by each participant [3].

The differences in the total physical activity Mets for the patients with schizophrenia were highly significant (p = 0.001), showing a lower degree of physical activity compared to the control group. A higher and significant percentage of sedentary lifestyle among the psychiatric group (64.5%), compared to 35.5% in the control group was found.

The group of pateints with Schizophrenia showed a significant higher sedentary lifestile including less physical activity. This finding could be highly related with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and deterioration of the physical health.

No significant relationships.

In 1990, Latin American countries committed to psychiatric reforms including psychiatric bed removals. Aim of the study was to quantify changes in psychiatric bed numbers and prison population rates after the initiation of psychiatric reforms in Latin America.

We searched primary sources to collect numbers of psychiatric beds and prison population rates across Latin America between the years 1991 and 2017. Changes of psychiatric bed numbers were compared against trends of incarceration rates and tested for associations using fixed-effects regression of panel data. Economic variables were used as covariates. Reliable data were obtained from 17 Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The number of psychiatric beds decreased in 15 out of 17 Latin American countries (median −35%) since 1991. Our findings indicate the total removal of 69 415 psychiatric beds. The prison population increased in all countries (median +181%). Panel data regression analyses showed a significant inverse relationship −2.70 (95% CI −4.28 to −1.11; p = 0.002) indicating that prison populations increased more when and where more psychiatric beds were removed. This relationship held up when introducing per capita income and income inequality as covariates −2.37 (95% CI −3.95 to −0.8; p = 0.006).

Important numbers of psychiatric beds have been removed in Latin America. Removals of psychiatric beds were related to increasing incarceration rates. Minimum numbers of psychiatric beds need to be defined and addressed in national policies.

To analyse the consequences of broadening DSM-IV criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) on the utilization of health care resources and corresponding costs.

Multicentre, prospective and observational study conducted in outpatient psychiatric clinics selected at random and weighted by geographical density of population. Patients with GAD according to DSM-IV criteria and subjects with anxiety symptoms fulfilling broader criteria were compared. Broadening criteria was considered 1-month of excessive or non-excessive worry and only 2 associated symptoms listed on DSM-IV for GAD. Socio-demographic data, medical history and health care resources and corresponding costs were recorded during a 6-month period.

A total of 3,549 patients were systematically recruited; 12.8% excluded because not fulfilling inclusion criteria, 1,815 patients in DSM-IV criteria group (DG) and 1,264 in broad criteria group (BG). Both groups were similar on their sociodemographic characteristics at baseline. Type of treatments prescribed at psychiatric clinics during the study were similar in frequency; anti-depressives (77.0% in DG vs. 75.3% in BG, ns), benzodiazepines (71.5% vs. 67.2% respectively, ns), and anti-convulsants (72.1% vs. 67.0% respectively, ns). Health care resources utilization were statistically reduced to a similar extent in both groups as a consequences of treatments yielding to a cost-of-illness in the 6-month period of 1,196 (1,158) and 1,112 (874), respectively; p=0.304.

In a large sample of subjects, broadening of GAD criteria could lead to earlier diagnosis that would not be associated necessarily to an increase in health care resources utilization or costs to the National Health System.

To evaluate the effect of pregabalin as a tapering therapy over the subjective sleep quality of patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program.

This was a secondary analysis of a 12-week, prospective, and observational study carried out in patients aged 18 years or over, who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for benzodiazepine dependence without other major psychiatry disorder. Evaluations included the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression scale, and the MOS-Sleep Scale. Changes from baseline to the endpoint in the different scales’ scores as well as correlations of these changes with those of the MOS-Sleep scores were calculated.

282 patients met the criteria for analysis. Mean pregabalin dose was 315 (166) mg/day at end-of-trial. We observed a significant and clinically relevant improvement in sleep outcomes at the study endpoint as measured with the MOS-Sleep Summary Index, that was reduced from 55.8 (18.9) pts at baseline to 25.1 (18.0) pts at week 12 (55% reduction), as well as with the six dimensions of the MOS-Sleep Scale. Moderate correlations were observed between Summary Index and sleep domains with improvements in the anxiety symptoms and in the disease severity as well. Also, sleep ameliorations were observed in the 52% successfully benzodiazepines withdrawals but, although to a lesser extent, in the remaining failures as well.

Pregabalin treatment improves subjective sleep quality in patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program and this effect appears partly independent of the improvement of anxiety or withdrawal symptoms.

To analyse the effect of Pregabalin (PGB) on anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with refractory-severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and severe concomitant depressive disorder.

Post-hoc analysis of a multicentre, prospective and observational study conducted in outpatient psychiatric clinics to ascertain the impact of broadening GAD criteria. Men and women above 18 years, with GAD (DSM-IV criteria), PGB naïve and refractory to a previous course of benzodiazepines and/or anti-depressive drugs (minimum 3 months) and severe symptoms of anxiety (HAM-A ≥ 24) and depression (MADRS ≥ 35) were included. Changes in HAM-A and MADRS were assessed after 6 months of receiving PGB as per psychiatrist's judgement.

159 patients [69.2% women, 45.9 (12.6) years] fulfilled criteria for analysis. Respectively, 92% and 90% of subjects were previously exposed to benzodiazepines and anti-depressives before adding PGB [mean dose: 223.1 (126.3) mg/day]. PGB therapy reduced both anxiety and depressive baseline symptoms by a mean of, respectively in HAM-A and MADRS scales, 57.9% (from 35.5±5.8 to 14.8±9.4; p< 0.001, effect size: 3.57) and 58.1% (from 39.4±4.3 to 16.5±10.3; p< 0.001, effect size: 5.33). As a result, the percentages of patients without symptoms of both anxiety and depression were 34.4% and 40.9%, respectively at the 6 month visit (p< 0.001 in all cases). Similarly, responder rates (≥ 50% reduction of baseline scoring) were 63.1% and 62.9%.

Despite limitations, Pregabalin therapy had a meaningful and significant effect of symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with severe refractory GAD and concomitant severe depressive disorder.

To know prevalence of depression in Spanish nursing home(NH) by analysing the clinical profile of residents from RESYDEM study (Identification of patients with cognitive deterioration and dementia in NH).

A multicentral, transversal, observational study was carried out in April 2005. 71 geriatrician from 54 NH representing the Spanish state participated. Depression was analysed in patient´s history and determined by NPI of Cummings, NH version.

1037 residents were randomized, 1020 were used by clinical data analysis. 941 were used to determine depression prevalence. Median age 83,4yo, 66.6% were women, 70.9% with basic educational level, 57.4% widows, 25.7% single, 41.5% had some degree of functional deterioration, 22.1% had delirium. In 26.4% were documented Stroke(17,9% TIA). 61.7% had dementia.

Depression appears in 31.4% of elderly institutionalized with the only diagnosis of depression or independent of others. There were no significant differences in age groups. However, was most frequent in women. 95.7% of patients with diagnosis of dementia had at least one drug for depression. Most used anti-depressants were trazadone (23%), citalopram (20.9%), sertraline (15.8%), fluoxetine (10.1%). No tricyclical anti-depressant reached 1% of consumption.

Depression affects practically one in three institutionalized elderly in Spain

Institutionalized elderly with depression are largely treated with ISRS. It is believed that the use of trazadone is linked with the effects on sleep and anxiety.

The high prevalence of depression, its overlapping with other processes and the comorbility of residents requires a careful search and approach in NH which implies a challenge for professionals in order to treat it.

To carry out cultural adaptation and validation into Spanish of the 7-items self-administered GAD-7 scale; a tool to identify probable patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The adaptation, conducted by an eight-expert panel, was performed by means of a conceptual equivalence process, including forward and backward translations in duplicate to the original language. The content validity was assessed by inter-ratter-agreement (item-goal congruence index of Rovinelli-Hambleton). The adapted version was administered to patients with GAD according to DSM IV criteria and their respective controls, matched by age and sex, who were recruited at random in Mental Health and Primary Care centres to verify scale feasibility and potential understanding problems.

The inter-ratter reliability confirmed the correct inclusion of items in the corresponding dimension of GAD. The study sample consisted of 8 patients with GAD and 8 controls (62.5% male), mean age 50.38 years (SD=16.76). The average time to completion was 2’30”. No items of the scale were left blank. Floor and ceiling effects were negligible. No patients with GAD had to be assisted to fill in the questionnaire. All the items, except item 5 (p=0,105), showed statistically significant differences among groups (p< 0.05).

After the adaptation process, a Spanish version of the GAD-7 scale was obtained, confirming its content validity, pertinence and adequacy of items in the Spanish cultural context. The brief time to completion precluded a fast and easy self-administration in the routine medical practice to promptly detect probable cases of GAD.

The purpose of this research was to analyse the effect of adding Pregabalin (PGB) on severe symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder refractory to duloxetin in daily medical practice in Spain.

This is a post-hoc analysis of a 6-month multicentre, prospective and observational study carried out in outpatient psychiatric clinics in Spain. Men and women, above 18 years, with a diagnosis of GAD according with DSM-IV-TR criteria, pregabalin naïve and refractory to a previous course of duloxetin (3 months or more) and severe symptoms of anxiety (HAM-A ≥ 24) and depression (MADRS ≥ 35) were considered eligible for analysis.

A total of twenty-five patients [76% women, mean age; 49.3 (11.8) years, 82% with a comorbid depressive disorder] fulfilled criteria for analysis, and were previously exposed to duloxetin [mean dose: 71.7 (26.7) mg/day] for an average of 6.7 (3.7) months. Adding pregabalin [mean dose: 172.8 (75.5) mg/day], during 5.2 (1.8) months, reduced both anxiety and depressive symptoms by a mean of, respectively in HAM-A and MADRS scales, 54.1% (from 36.5 ± 4.3 pts to 16.6 ± 9.1 pts; p < 0.001, effect size: 4.63) and 52.8% (from 40.4 ± 4.6 pts to 19.0 ± 11.0 pts; p < 0.001, effect size: 4.65). As a result, the percentages of patients without symptoms of either anxiety or depression were 30% and 24%, respectively.

Despite small sample, adding pregabalin had a meaningful and significant effect on severe symptoms of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with severe GAD and concomitant depressive disorder resistant to duloxetin.

Determine the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), using the NPI-NH(Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home(NH) Version),in order to provide a multidimensional profile in behavioural symptoms in residents and to calculate its prevalence in Spanish NH.

From randomized population of RESYDEM study (Identification of patients with cognitive deterioration and dementia in NH) a multi-central, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out. 71 geriatrician from 54 NH representative the Spanish state participated.NPS was determinated by NPI Cummings NH version. This version includes upsets in sleep and feeding patterns.

992 residents were examined (Median age 83.4yo, 66.6% women, 91.8% received at least one type of treatment, 61.7% with dementia). 523 (52.7%) presented at least one type of NPS. In order of greatest frequency, the following were noted: alterations in sleep patterns (41.7%), depression/disphoria (31.4%), anxiety (31.2%), agitation/aggressiveness (29.6%), apathy/indifference (25.8%), delirious ideas (23.7%), irritability (22.4%), feeding/appetite upsets (18.5%), anomalous motor behaviour (15.3%), hallucinations (13.8%), desinhibition (11.1%), euphoria (4.4%).

35.9% of residents received benzodiapines, 26.7% antidepressants. Atypical neuroleptics were used in 15.8%, in contrast with 7.4% of the use of classic ones.

NPS ´s reached a high prevalence in NH and it is usual that more than one co-exists in the patients.

Alterations in sleep patterns, depression, anxiety, agitation/aggressiveness affect approximately one in three residents.

It is useful and recommendable to evaluate the 12 behavioural areas from the NH version of the NPI scale. This instrument was chosen as a sifting measure to establish neuropyschiatric symptomology in residences.

To explore the consequences of broadening DSM-IV criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on patient's disability.

A multicentre and observational study was carried-out in outpatient psychiatric clinics in Spain between years 2007 and 2008. Naïve diagnosed patients with GAD according to DSM-IV criteria or with anxiety symptoms fulfilling broadened criteria were compared. At least 1-month of excessive or non-excessive worry along with only two of the associated symptoms listed on DSM-IV for GAD were considered as broadened GAD criteria. Socio-demographic data, medical history and functional outcome measures were recorded.

A total of 3,549 patients were systematically recruited, 12.8% excluded because not found eligible for inclusion in analysis; 1,815 in the DSM-IV group (DG) and 1,264 in the broadening criteria group (BG). Both groups were similar on their sociodemographic characteristics. Total disability score in the WHO-DAS II scale was slightly, but statistically significant, higher in DG; 41.9 (17.1) versus 38.9 (16.0) points, p < 0.05. These weak differences were observed in all of the scale domains but mainly in domains “Getting around” [34.5 (23.6) versus 29.4 (22.8), p< 0.05] and “Life activities” [55.5 (27.1) versus 52.1 (26.2), p< 0.05], since differences in the other domains, even statistically significant, were negligible.

Patients with standard DSM-IV criteria for GAD appears to show slightly, but significant, worst level of disability than subjects with broadening diagnostic GAD criteria. Life-activities and participation in society domains seems to be the functional domains most impacted by symptoms of anxiety.

to examine short and middle-term effectiveness of a group cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBT) in pathological gambling (PG) and to analyze predictors of therapy outcome.

Two hundred and ninety PG patients consecutively admitted to our Unit participated in the current study. All participants were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-criteria. Manualized outpatient group CBT [16 weekly sessions] was given. Specific assessment before and after the therapy and at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up was conducted. Logistic regression analyses and survival analysis were applied.

outpatient group CBT was effective with abstinence rates by the end of therapy of 76.1%, and 81.5% at 6 months follow-up. The dropout rate during treatment decreased significantly after the fifth treatment session. Psychopathological distress (p = 0.040) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were identified as factors predicting relapses and drop-outs respectively.

our findings suggest that group CBT is effective for treating PG individuals. Several psychopathological and personality traits were identified as outcome predictors.

To compare healthcare costs from the perspective of the Spanish National Healthcare System (NHS) of initiating treatment with pregabalin or SSRI/SNRI as add-on therapies in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), who are resistant to benzodiazepine-based therapy (BR).

BR patients with GAD (DSM-IV criteria) included in a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study carried out in outpatients attending mental health centers, were selected in this post-hoc analysis. BR was defined as insufficient response with persistence of symptoms of anxiety (HAM-Anxiety scale≥ 16) after a 6-month course of BR (standard dose). Healthcare resource utilization (HRU) associated with GAD included drug treatments, medical visits, hospitalization and non-pharmacologic therapies which were collected twice (baseline and end-of-trial visits) during a 6-month period. Related costs were estimated in each visit and adjusted changes between visits compared using ANCOVA models.

A total of 128 patients received pregabalin and 126 SSRI/SNRI. Compared with SSRI/SNRI, pregabalin was associated with significantly lower adjusted mean increment use of anxiolytics; 0.55 vs. 1.12, p < 0.001, and greater reduction in medical visits; −15.12 vs.−12.99, p = 0.029. Mean adjusted healthcare costs were significantly decreased in both medication cohorts; −€;289: pregabalin (p = 0.003) and −€95 (p = 0.052) with SSRI/SNRI. Drug acquisition costs for SSRI/SNRI were lower than pregabalin, however adjusted healthcare cost reduction was numerically higher with pregabalin; −€289 versus −€194, p = 0.488.

Initiating treatment with pregabalin was associated with significant reduction in HRU and total cost for GAD compared to SSRI/SNRI in BR patients in the Spanish NHS setting.

To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of pregabalin in the management of the discontinuation of benzodiazepines in long-term users.

We performed a 12-week, prospective, uncontrolled, non-interventional, and observational study in patients aged 18 years old or above, who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for benzodiazepine dependence without other major psychiatry disorder. Evaluations included the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, and the Sheehan Disability Scale. A urine drug screen for benzodiazepines was performed at baseline and every 4 weeks thereafter. The primary effectiveness variable was success rate, defined as achievement of benzodiazepine-free status at week 12 according to the urine drug screen.

The mean dose at week 12 was 315 (±166) mg/day. The success rate of the benzodiazepine taper in the primary efficacy population (n = 282) was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46–58). Success rates for women and men were 58% (95% CI, 49–67) and 46% (95% CI, 38–55), respectively. The success rates did not differ according to either the benzodiazepine of abuse or the presence of other substance use disorders. Significant and clinically relevant improvements were observed in withdrawal and anxiety symptoms, as well as in patients’ functioning. At week 12, tolerability was rated as good or excellent by 90% and 83% of the clinicians and patients, respectively.

Our results suggest that pregabalin is an efficacious and well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for benzodiazepine withdrawal.

To carry out the psychometric validation of the Spanish version of the 2-items self-administered GAD-2 scale for screening probable patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The content validity was assessed by inter-ratter-agreement (item-goal congruence index of Rovinelli-Hambleton). The GAD-2 was self-administered to patients with GAD according to DSM IV criteria and their respective controls, matched by age and sex, who were recruited at random in Mental Health and Primary Care centres. Criteria validity was explored using ROC curve analysis, and sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive value and negative value for different cut-off values were determined. Concurrent validity was also explored using the HAM-A, HADS, and WHO-DAS-II scales.

The study sample consisted of 212 subjects (106 patients with GAD) with a mean age of 50.38 years (SD = 16.76). No items of the scale were left blank. Floor and ceiling effects were negligible. No patients with GAD had to be assisted to fill in the questionnaire. Reliability (internal consistency) was high; Cronbach′α = 0.875. A cut-off point of 3 showed adequate values of sensitivity (91.5%) and specificity (85.8%), with AUC being statistically significant [AUC = 0.934; p < 0.001] to distinguish GAD patients from controls. Concurrent validity was also high and significant with HAM-A (0.806, p < 0.001), HADS (anxiety domain, 0.825, p < 0.001), and WHO-DAS II (0.642, p > 0.001) scales.

The Spanish version of the GAD-2 scale was shown to have appropriate psychometric properties to promptly detect probable cases of GAD in the Spanish cultural context under conditions of routine clinical practice.

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of caffeine with or without biperiden in the treatment of cocaine dependent patients.

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial has been carried out in an inpatient regime during up to 13 days. Eligible patients were randomized to caffeine plus biperiden or caffeine plus biperiden placebo or caffeine placebo plus biperiden placebo.

Eighty five treatment-seeking patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were stabilized with a mean caffeine dose up to 15 mg/Kg. Results show that all three treatments are well tolerated and a clear reduction in cocaine withdrawal and craving was observed. Nevertheless, no statistically significant differences were found between groups in any outcome.

This study shows that inpatient cocaine detoxification with high caffeine doses, with or without biperiden, is well tolerated and allows further research on the usefulness of caffeine in the treatment of cocaine withdrawal and craving. Nevertheless, the selection of an inpatient hospital regime hampered the demonstration of the superiority of caffeine treatment versus placebo.