BACKGROUND At present, the influencing factors of social function in patients with residual depressive symptoms are still unclear. Residual depressive symptoms are highly harmful, leading to low mood in patients, affecting work and interpersonal communication, increasing the risk of recurrence, and adding to the burden on families. Studying the influencing factors of their social function is of great significance. AIM To explore the social function score and its influencing factors in patients with residual depressive symptoms. METHODS This observational study surveyed patients with residual depressive symptoms (case group) and healthy patients undergoing physical examinations (control group). Participants were admitted between January 2022 and December 2023. Social functioning was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and scores were compared between groups. Factors influencing SDS scores in patients with residual depressive symptoms were analyzed by applying multiple linear regression while using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and these factors’ predictive efficacy on social function impairment was assessed. RESULTS The SDS scores of the 158 patients with depressive symptoms were 11.48 ± 3.26. Compared with the control group, the SDS scores and all items in the case group were higher. SDS scores were higher in patients with relapse, discontinuous medication, drug therapy alone, severe somatic symptoms, obvious residual symptoms, and anxiety scores ≥ 8. Disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, and residual symptoms correlated positively with SDS scores (r = 0.354, 0.414, 0.602, and 0.456, respectively). Independent influencing factors included disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, somatic symptoms, residual symptoms, and anxiety scores (P < 0.05). The areas under the curve for predicting social functional impairment using these factors were 0.713, 0.559, 0.684, 0.729, 0.668, and 0.628, respectively, with sensitivities of 79.2%, 61.8%, 76.8%, 81.7%, 63.6%, and 65.5% and specificities of 83.3%, 87.5%, 82.6%, 83.3%, 86.7%, and 92.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION The social function scores of patients with residual symptoms of depression are high. They are affected by disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, degree of somatic symptoms, residual symptoms, and anxiety.

In this editorial, we comment on the recent article by Fei et al exploring the field of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) research in schizophrenia from a bibliometrics perspective. In recent years, NIRS has shown unique advantages in the auxiliary diagnosis of schizophrenia, and the introduction of bibliometrics has provided a macro perspective for research in this field. Despite the opportunities brought about by these technological developments, remaining challenges require multidisciplinary approach to devise a reliable and accurate diagnosis system for schizophrenia. Nonetheless, NIRS-assisted technology is expected to contribute to the division of methods for early intervention and treatment of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Traumatic injuries, such as falling, car accidents, and crushing mostly cause spinal fractures in young and middle-aged people, and > 50% of them are thoracolumbar fractures. This kind of fracture is easily combined with serious injuries to peripheral nerves and soft tissues, which causes paralysis of the lower limbs if there is no timely rehabilitation treatment. Young patients with thoracolumbar fractures find it difficult to recover after the operation, and they are prone to depression, low self-esteem, and other negative emotions. AIM To investigate the association between anxiety, depression, and social stress in young patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures and the effect on rehabilitation outcomes. METHODS This study retrospectively analyzed 100 patients admitted to the orthopedic department of Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University who underwent thoracolumbar spine fracture surgery from January 2022 to June 2023. The general data of the patients were assessed with the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), life events scale, and social support rating scale (SSRS) to identify the correlation between anxiety, depression scores, and social stress and social support. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) was utilized to evaluate the rehabilitation outcomes of the patients and to analyze the effects of anxiety and depression scores on rehabilitation. RESULTS According to the scores of HAMD and HAMA in all patients, the prevalence of depression in patients was 39% (39/100), and the prevalence of anxiety was 49% (49/100). Patients were categorized into non-depression (n = 61) and depression (n = 39), non-anxiety (n = 51), and anxiety (n = 49) groups. Statistically significant differences in gender, occupation, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and monthly family income were observed between the non-depression and depression groups (P < 0.05). A significant difference in occupation and PSQI score was found between the non-anxiety and anxiety groups. Both depression (r = 0.207, P = 0.038) and anxiety scores (r = 0.473, P < 0.001) were significantly and positively correlated with negative life events. The difference in negative life event scores as well as SSRS total and item scores was statistically significant between patients in the non-depression and depression groups (P < 0.05). The difference between the non-anxiety and anxiety groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the negative life event scores as well as the total SSRS scores. Additionally, JOA scores were significantly lower in both anxious and depressed patients. CONCLUSION Young patients with thoracolumbar fractures are prone to anxiety and depression. Patients’ anxiety and depression are closely associated with social pressure, which reduces the life pressure of young patients with thoracolumbar fractures, enhances social support, and improves the psychology of anxiety and depression., which affects patients’ recovery.

A recent study by Wang et al , published in the World Journal of Psychiatry , provided preventative and therapeutic strategies for the comorbidity of obesity and depression. The gut- brain axis, which acts as a two-way communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Evidence suggests that metabolic byproducts, such as short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide and bile acids, which are generated by the gut microbiota, along with neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators within the gut-brain axis, modulate the host's metabolic processes, neuronal regulation, and immune responses through diverse mechanisms. The interaction between obesity and depression via the gut- brain axis involves disruptions in the gut microbiota balance, inflammatory immune responses, and alterations in the neuroendocrine system. Modulating the gut-brain axis, for example, through a ketogenic diet, the use of probiotics, and the supplementation of antioxidants, offers new remedial approaches for obesity and depression. Future research that explores the mechanisms of the gut-brain axis is needed to provide more evidence for clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND Frailty has become a significant public health issue. The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to psychological care services in communities. The social isolation of pre-frail older adults can impact their psychological distress. AIM To explore the mediating effect of health literacy between social isolation and psychological distress among communitydwelling older adults with pre-frailty. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 pre-frail older individuals aged 60 years and over. Social isolation, health literacy, and psychological distress were comprehensively measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, 12-item Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10. Data were evaluated using the SPSS 27.0 package program and the PROCESS macro tool. Descriptive statistical analyses, correlation analyses, and bootstrap mediation tests were used to assess associations between the variables. RESULTS The results showed that social isolation had an effect on health literacy among pre-frail older adults (β = 0.240, P < 0.001), social isolation impact on psychological distress pre-frail older adults (β = -0.415, P < 0.001); health literacy was identified effect on psychological distress among pre-frail older persons (β = -0.307, P < 0.001). Health literacy partially mediated the relationship between social isolation and psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty, with a mediation effect of -0.074, accounting for 17.83% of the total effect. CONCLUSION Health literacy significantly affects the relationship between social isolation and psychological distress among pre-frail older adults. Apart from fostering social connections, improved health literacy measures should be considered.

BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has a high risk of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is often accompanied by sleep disorders, and whether sleep disorders have an effect on brain function in patients with MCI is unclear. AIM To explore the near-infrared brain function characteristics of MCI with sleep disorders. METHODS A total of 120 patients with MCI (MCI group) and 50 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. All subjects underwent the functional near-infrared spectroscopy test. Collect baseline data, Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale, fatigue severity scale (FSS) score, sleep parameter, and oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration and peak time of functional near-infrared spectroscopy test during the task period. The relationship between Oxy-Hb concentration and related indexes was analyzed by Pearson or Spearmen correlation. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the FSS score of the MCI group was higher (t = 11.310), and the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index, sleep time, sleep efficiency, nocturnal sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction were higher (Z = -10.518, -10.368, -9.035, -10.661, -10.088). Subjective sleep quality and total sleep time scores were lower (Z = -11.592, -9.924). The sleep efficiency of the MCI group was lower, and the awakening frequency, rem sleep latency period, total sleep time, and oxygen desaturation index were higher (t = 5.969, 5.829, 2.887, 3.003, 5.937). The Oxy-Hb concentration at T0, T1, and T2 in the MCI group was lower (t = 14.940, 11.280, 5.721), and the peak time was higher (t = 18.800, 13.350, 9.827). In MCI patients, the concentration of Oxy-Hb during T0 was negatively correlated with the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index, sleep time, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency (r = -0.611, -0.388, -0.563, -0.356). It was positively correlated with sleep efficiency and total sleep time (r = 0.754, 0.650), and negatively correlated with oxygen desaturation index (r = -0.561) and FSS score (r = -0.526). All comparisons were P < 0.05. CONCLUSION Patients with MCI and sleep disorders have lower near-infrared brain function than normal people, which is related to sleep quality. Clinically, a comprehensive assessment of the near-infrared brain function of patients should be carried out to guide targeted treatment and improve curative effect.

BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by significant mood swings. Effective drug treatment modalities are crucial for managing BD. AIM To analyze the current status and future trends of global research on BD drug treatment over the last decade. METHODS The Web of Science Core Collection database spanning from 2015 to 2024 was utilized to retrieve literature related to BD drug treatment. A total of 2624 articles were extracted. Data visualization and analysis were conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Pajek, Scimago Graphica, and R-studio bibliometrix to identify research hotspots, key contributors, and future trends. RESULTS The United States, China, and the United Kingdom have made the most significant contributions to research on BD drug treatment and formed notable research collaboration networks. The University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Michigan have been identified as the major research institutions in this field. The Journal of Affective Disorders is the most influential journal. A keyword analysis revealed research hotspots related to clinical symptoms, drug efficacy, and genetic mechanisms. A citation analysis identified the management guidelines published by Yatham et al in 2018 as the most cited paper. CONCLUSION This study provides a detailed overview of the field of BD drug treatment, highlighting key contributors, research hotspots, and future directions. The study findings can be employed as a reference for future research and policymaking, which may enable further development and optimization of BD pharmacotherapy.

There is growing evidence that interleukin (IL)-6 plays an important role in neurological and psychiatric disorders. This editorial comments on the study published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Psychiatry , which employed Mendelian randomization to identify a causal relationship between IL-6 receptor blockade and decreased epilepsy incidence. The purpose of this editorial is to highlight the dual effects of IL-6 in epilepsy and its related neuropsychiatric comorbidities. IL-6 plays a critical role in the facilitation of epileptogenesis and maintenance of epileptic seizures and is implicated in neuroinflammatory processes associated with epilepsy. Furthermore, IL-6 significantly influences mood regulation and cognitive dysfunction in patients with epilepsy, highlighting its involvement in neuropsychiatric comorbidities. In summary, IL-6 is not only a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of epilepsy but also significantly contributes to the emergence of epilepsy-related neuropsychiatric complications. Future research should prioritize elucidating the specific mechanisms by which IL-6 operates across different subtypes, stages and neuropsychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy, with the aim of developing more precise and effective interventions. Furthermore, the potential of IL-6 as a biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of epilepsy warrants further investigation.

Antidepressants are the main drugs used to treat depression, but they have not been shown to be effective in the treatment of child and adolescent depression. However, many adolescent depression treatment guidelines still recommend the use of antidepressants, especially specific serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. Previous studies have suggested that antidepressants have little therapeutic effect but many side effects, such as switching to mania, suicide, and non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), in the treatment of child and adolescent depression. In the process of developing guidelines, drug recommendations should not only focus on improving symptoms, but they should also consider potential side effects. This review discusses the serious side effects of antidepressants, including switching to mania, suicide, and NSSI.

BACKGROUND The imbalance of hormone levels in the body is closely related to the occurrence and progression of schizophrenia, especially thyroid hormones. AIM To study the relationship between triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and schizophrenia. METHODS In this study, 100 schizophrenia patients were selected from our hospital between April 2022 and April 2024. Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, patients were divided into mild (1-3 points, n = 39), moderate (4 points, n = 45), and severe groups (5-7 points, n = 16). Additionally, 55 healthy individuals served as a control group. Venous blood samples were collected to measure T3, T4, FT3, FT4, TSH, and cortisol concentrations, analyzing their relationship with PANSS scores. RESULTS The serum levels of T3, FT3, FT4, TSH and cortisol in the schizophrenia group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). With the increase of the severity of the disease, the concentrations of T3 and T4 decreased, while the concentrations of TSH and cortisol increased (P < 0.05). The concentrations of TSH and cortisol were positively correlated with the PANSS score, while T3 and T4 were negatively correlated with the PANSS score (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve results showed that T3, T4, TSH, and cortisol had good efficacy in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Logistic results showed that decreased T3 level, decreased T4 level, decreased TSH level and increased cortisol level may be independent risk factors for schizophrenia. CONCLUSION Thyroid hormone levels are associated with the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, which can provide new solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.