Genome-Wide Analysis of Disordered Eating Behavior in the Mexican Population
Alterations in eating behavior characterized eating disorders (ED). The genetic factors shared between ED diagnoses have been underexplored. The present study performed a genome-wide association study in individuals with disordered eating behaviors in the Mexican population, blood methylation quantitative trait loci (blood-meQTL), summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis, and in silico function prediction by different algorithms.
Co-administration of morphine and levamisole increases death risk, produces neutropenia and modifies antinociception in mice
Levamisole is a veterinary anthelmintic drug and a common adulterant of misused drugs. This study analyses the lethal, antinociceptive and haematological effects produced by acute or repeated levamisole administration by itself or combined with morphine. Independent groups of male Swiss Webster mice were i.p. injected with 100 mg/kg morphine, 31.6 mg/kg levamisole (lethal doses at 10%, LD10) or the same doses combined. Naloxone pretreatment (10 mg/kg, i.p.)
Changes in Attitudes toward People with Substance Use Disorder: A Comparative Study of the General Population in Mexico
Background: Substance use disorders are among the most stigmatized conditions worldwide. People with substance use disorder (PWSUD) are often considered responsible for their use of drugs. The objectives are to analyze changes in Mexican attitudes toward PWSUD in the general population over the period 2011 to 2016 and to use the latest Mexican household survey to determine which segments of the population are most likely to have negative attitudes. Methods: Two representative national household surveys employing similar methodologies were conducted in Mexico in 2011 and 2016 with persons aged 12–65 years
Eliminación de la hepatitis C en usuarios de drogas inyectadas en México durante la pandemia de COVID-19
En 2019, México fue uno de los primeros países en Latinoamérica en comprometer recursos para eliminar la hepatitis C antes de 2030. Un año después de este compromiso, la pandemia mundial de COVID-19 desvió la atención hacia las necesidades inmediatas de salud para combatir la propagación de esta última. Como resultado, los esfuerzos para implementar programas de prevención y manejo de la hepatitis C se suspendieron indefinidamente. Asimismo, las poblaciones con alto riesgo de contraer el virus de la hepatitis C y que representan el mayor peso de la epidemia nacional, como las personas que se inyectan drogas y las personas que viven con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficia humana, permanecen expuestas a disparidades de salud extremas que potencialmente se han exacerbado durante la pandemia de COVID-19.
Sobredosis fatales y no fatales por consumo de opioides en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID- 19 en el norte de México
En 2019, el consumo de opioides representó 70% de los 18 millones de años saludables de vida perdidos por discapacidad y muerte prematura atribuidos a trastornos por consumo de drogas.1 La pandemia por COVID-19 acentuó la vulnerabilidad de las personas que se inyectan drogas, afectó negativamente el acceso a tratamiento y aumentó el riesgo de sobredosis. México enfrenta grandes retos en torno al registro de las sobredosis y sus desenlaces, lo cual no permite conocer la magnitud real de este problema de salud pública.
Substance use stigma mechanisms scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity in Mexican adults that use drugs
Studies among the Mexican population have suggested that stigma towards persons who use drugs (PWUD) may act as a barrier to treatment seeking and contribute to negative health consequences. However, there has not been a validated scale to measure this construct. This paper aims to validate the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults who use drugs. This 18-item scale was developed to differentiate substance use stigma mechanisms and learn their impact on the health and wellbeing of persons who use drugs (PWUD) in the United States.
An Ethnographic Assessment of COVID-19‒Related Changes to the Risk Environment for People Who Use Drugs in Tijuana, Mexico
Objectives. To characterize the effects of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risk environment of people who use drugs (PWUD) in Tijuana, Mexico. Methods. We used intensive participant-observation ethnography among street-based PWUD and key informants, such as frontline physicians and harm reductionists.
Barriers to treatment for mental disorders in six countries of the Americas: A regional report from the World Mental Health Surveys
Mental health treatment is scarce and little resources are invested in reducing the wide treatment gap that exists in the Americas. The regional barriers are unknown. We describe the barriers for not seeking treatment among those with mental and substance use disorders from six (four low- and middle-income and two high-income) countries from the Americas. Regional socio-demographic and clinical correlates are assessed.
The associations between traumatic experiences and subsequent onset of a substance use disorder: Findings from the World Health Organization World Mental Health surveys
Exposure to traumatic events (TEs) is associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, most studies focus on a single TE, and are limited to single countries, rather than across countries with variation in economic, social and cultural characteristics. We used cross-national data to examine associations of diverse TEs with SUD onset, and variation in associations over time.
Patterns and correlates of patient-reported helpfulness of treatment for common mental and substance use disorders in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys
Patient-reported helpfulness of treatment is an important indicator of quality in patient-centered care. We examined its pathways and predictors among respondents to household surveys who reported ever receiving treatment for major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or alcohol use disorder. Data came from 30 community epidemiological surveys - 17 in high-income countries (HICs) and 13 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) - carried out as part of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys. Respondents were asked whether treatment of each disorder was ever helpful and, if so, the number of professionals seen before receiving helpful treatment. Across all surveys and diagnostic categories, 26.1% of patients (N=10,035) reported being helped by the very first professional they saw.
¿Cómo impactó a la salud mental de los estudiantes mexicanos la retracción de la economía resultado del largo periodo del confinamiento por COVID-19?#
En México se ha escrito poco sobre el impacto del incremento de los problemas económicos en el bienestar mental de estudiantes. Objetivo. Estudiar la relación entre problemas económicos y la salud mental. Método. Participaron 1,324 estudiantes quienes buscaron ayuda en forma virtual en una clínica especializada. Resultados. Los estudiantes que reportaron problemas económicos en sus hogares reportaron más casos de COVID-19 en personas cercanas y menor apoyo social, sufrieron u ocasionaron más actos de violencia, tuvieron más riesgo de gestos suicidas y usaron más alcohol o drogas.
Artículos científicos enviados
The Prevalence of Symptomatology and Risk Factors in Mental Health in Mexico: The 2016–17 ENCODAT Cohort
There is little recent information about the prevalence of symptomatology of mental health disorders in representative population samples in Mexico. To determine the prevalence of mental health symptoms in Mexico and its comorbidity with tobacco, alcohol, and drug use disorder (SUD), we used the 2016–17 National Survey of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use (Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas, Alcohol y Tabaco, ENCODAT 2016–2017). The data were collected from households using a cross-sectional, stratified, multistage design, with a confidence level of 90% and a response rate of 73.6%.
First drug-checking study at an electronic festival and fentanyl detection in the central region of Mexico
Perception of drug adulteration has increased in Mexico, but there is little research on adulterants and toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify drug composition in an electronic music outdoor festival nearby Mexico City.