Síntomas psiquiátricos asociados al consumo de pasta base de cocaína en niños y adolescentes: un estudio exploratorio en Montevideo, Uruguay

Abstract

Since the years 2000, the consumption of Cocaine Paste (CP) has become an important issue for clinicians and public health actors in Uruguay. In spite of the importance of the phenomenon few studies have focused on psychiatric conditions associated with CP consumption, especially in the paediatric population yet the most vulnerable and the one that could benefit from early effective interventions. The aim of this work was to determine the association between psychiatric problems and CP consumption in inpatients youths. Methods: We conducted an observational and comparative study between 2008 and 2010, in a paediatric population consulting in the child psychiatric emergency room of Montevideo (Uruguay). A group consuming CP (N = 20) was compared to a group not consuming psychoactive substances (N = 20) with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results: The group consuming CP showed significantly higher levels of externalizing and internalizing problems, particularly oppositional behaviors. Conclusions: CP consumption is associated with higher levels of psychiatric symptoms in youths. Early interventions to prevent CP consumption and treat externalizing problems is of utmost importance to improve the health of youths in Uruguay.