Acta Medica Port
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Previous studies have found an increase in the incidence rate of depression between 2007 - 2013 in Portugal, with a positive correlation with the unemployment rate, namely, in men. So, it was hypothesized that this increase is related with the situation of economic crisis. This study aimed to investigate if the correlation between unemployment rates and the incidence of depression is maintained in the post-crisis period of economic recovery in Portugal (2016 - 2018). ⋯ This study highlights the need to monitor the occurrence of mental illness in the Portuguese population, especially in moments of greatest social vulnerability in order to establish preventive measures, as a way to mitigate the impact of future economic crises.
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Review Practice Guideline
[Recommendations about the Use of Psychotropic Medications during the COVID-19 Pandemic].
The COVID-19 pandemic is a particularly relevant threat to mentally ill patients, and it constitutes a new challenge for health care providers. To the best of our knowledge, there is not any embracing published review about the use of psychotropic drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges in clinical practice. Psychiatric patients are a vulnerable population and often a careful clinical, laboratorial and electrocardiographic evaluation may be needed, particularly in those diagnosed with COVID-19. The regular treatment of mentally ill patients with COVID-19 presents increased complexity.
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In Portugal, patients still believe they should perform a periodic check-up. The present study was designed to study the prescription pattern of "routine" laboratory tests in the Family practice in Portugal. ⋯ Our results suggest that there is an excessive request of laboratory tests which can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment that requires global Social Marketing strategies to change the prevailing culture.