Anxiety symptoms in crack cocaine and inhalant users admitted to a psychiatric hospital in southern Brazil Translated title: Sintomas de ansiedade em usuários de crack e inalantes admitidos em uma unidade psiquiátrica na Região Sul do Brasil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of psychiatric comorbidity among individuals with crack or inhalant dependence is frequently observed. The objective of this study was to investigate anxiety symptoms among crack cocaine and inhalant users in southern Brazil. METHODS: The study investigated two groups of volunteers of equal size (n = 50): one group consisted of crack cocaine users, and the other group consisted of inhalant users. Research volunteers completed the Portuguese versions of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ). RESULTS: Both crack and inhalant users experience significant symptoms of anxiety. Inhalant users presented significantly more anxiety symptoms than crack users according to the HAM-A questionnaire only. In contrast to the results of the HAM-A, the STAI failed to demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups of substance users. SRQ scores revealed that crack and inhalants users had significant degrees of morbidity. CONCLUSION: A significant difference regarding anxiety symptomatology, especially state anxiety, was observed among inhalant and crack users. Anxiety and overall mental psychopathology were significantly correlated in this sample. The results indicate that screening initiatives to detect anxiety and additional psychiatric comorbidities among crack and inhalant users are feasible and relevant.

Translated abstract

OBJETIVO: Investigar sintomas de ansiedade em usuários de crack e inalantes no Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Oestudo investigou dois grupos de voluntárioscomomesmonúmero de indivíduos (n = 50): um grupo consistiu de usuários de crack e o outro grupo, de usuários de inalantes. Os voluntários da pesquisa completaram as versões em português das escalas de ansiedade State-Trais Anxiety Inventory (STAI) e Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), e o Questionário de Autoavaliação (SRQ). RESULTADOS: Ambos os grupos apresentaram sintomas significativos de ansiedade. Os usuários de inalantes apresentaram escores quanto a HAM-A significativamente superiores aos usuários de crack. Ansiedade e psicopatologia geral se apresentaram significativamente correlacionados. CONCLUSÃO: Sintomas de ansiedade são frequentes entre usuários de crack e inalantes. Um processo de triagem de sintomas de ansiedade entre usuários de crack e inalantes deve facilitar ainda mais as intervenções terapêuticas nesta área.