Anxiety Stress Research Articles

Depression, anxiety and stress, comorbidity evaluation among a large sample of general adults: results from SEPAHAN study

Depression, anxiety and stress are common psychological disorders (PDs). This study aimed to assess the odds of co-occurrence of mentioned PDs in total sample and different levels of socio-demographic characteristics, specifically among a large sample of general adults. In a cross-sectional, community-based study conducted among 4763 Iranian adults, depression and anxiety were assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and stress with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The loglinear analysis was applied to investigate their comorbidities. Based on selected models with pair-comorbidity of anxiety with stress, depression with stress, and anxiety with depression, the results showed the odds of comorbidity between anxiety and depression (odds ratio (OR) =12.29, 95%CI: 9.58-15.80), depression and stress (OR = 7.80, 95%CI: 6.55-10.18), and stress and anxiety (OR = 4.62, 95%CI: 3.71-5.75). Also, ORs of pair-comorbidities were the same, except between stress and anxiety for men compared to women (adjusted-OR = 6.47, 95%CI: 4.44-9.49 versus 3.85, 95%CI: 2.95-5.00) and comorbidity between stress and depression for the participants with lower than 40 years compared to others (adjusted-OR = 9.03, 95%CI: 7.17-11.36 versus 6.41, 95%CI: 4.90-8.41), p< 0.05. Stress comorbidity with depression was higher level than other pair-comorbidities. Obvious discrepancies were also observed in terms of ORs of pair-comorbidities between three mentioned disorders in different levels of SDCs.

ICU bereaved surrogates\u2019 comorbid psychological-distress states and their associations with prolonged grief disorder

Background/objectiveBereaved ICU family surrogates’ psychological distress, e.g., anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is usually examined independently, despite the well-recognized comorbidity of these symptoms. Furthermore, the few studies exploring impact of psychological distress on development of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) did not consider the dynamic impact of symptom evolution. We identified surrogates’ distinct patterns/states of comorbid psychological distress and their evolution over the first 3 months of bereavement and evaluated their associations with PGD at 6-month postloss.MethodsA longitudinal observational study was conducted on 319 bereaved surrogates. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and PGD were measured by the anxiety and depression subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised scale, and the PGD-13, respectively. Distinct psychological-distress states and their evolution were examined by latent transition analysis. Association between psychological-distress states and PGD symptoms was examined by logistic regression.ResultsThree distinct comorbid psychological-distress states (prevalence) were initially identified: no distress (56.3%), severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress (30.5%), and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD distress (13.3%). Except for those in the stable no-distress state, surrogates tended to regress to states of less psychological distress at the subsequent assessment. The proportion of participants in each psychological-distress state changed to no distress (76.8%), severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress (18.6%), and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD distress (4.6%) at 3-month postloss. Surrogates in the severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD-distress state at 3-month postloss were more likely to develop PGD at 6-month postloss (OR [95%] = 14.58 [1.48, 143.54] and 104.50 [10.45, 1044.66], respectively).ConclusionsA minority of family surrogates of ICU decedents suffered comorbid severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD symptoms during early bereavement, but they were more likely to progress into PGD at 6-month postloss.

In silico study of dimethyltryptamine analogues against 5-HT1B receptor: Molecular docking, dynamic simulations and ADMET prediction

Introduction: The 5-HT1B receptor has a potential role in various psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The objective of this study was to perform docking and molecular dynamics simulation to evaluate at atomic level the behavior of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) on 5-HT1B receptor.Methods: In this study, initially, a search for DMT was performed using the PubChem database. Subsequently, molecular docking was executed using AutoDock Vina based in PyRx 0.8 with a 95% analogy. Additionally, ergotamine (ERG) and serotonin were used as control. Then, it ran a total of 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations on 5-HT1B bound with DMT, serotonin, 112814775, and ERG. Finally, pharmacokinetic prediction and IV acute toxicity for analogues and DMT were performed.Results: It was possible to show that 112814775 had the lowest binding energy with the receptor. In addition, 112814775 presented great conformational stability, low mobility, and stiffness compared to the control ligands: ERG, serotonin, and DMT subsequent dynamic analysis. With respect to the free energy calculation, contributions such as Van der Waals, electrostatics, and nonpolar interactions for all systems, were highlighted.Conclusion: 112814775 showed affinities with 5-HT1B receptor and evidenced notable behavior by molecular dynamic simulation according to root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), the radius of gyration, number of hydrogen bond, and free energy calculated. These results established the possible relevance of in-silico studies in search of DMT analogues against the 5-HT1B receptor, which may be associated with alterations such as depression and anxiety, and may become future study molecules for the treatment of this type of disorder.

Anxiety as Major Cause of Back Pain in Post Covid -19 Affected Individuals –from Practitioner’s View

Anxiety is usually transient in nature, but if the symptoms are severe and persistent in the absence of stressor, then it is considered as anxiety disorder. Medical health practitioners have been connected with the patients and hence can better speculate the psychology of human beings. The present study was designed to find out the manifestation of anxiety as repercussion of back pain in the post COVID scenario examined in the setup of a medical practitioner. A survey was conducted among the medical practitioners from India to find out the possibility of anxiety as after-effect of back pain post COVID-19 through questionnaires. Results of the study showed that 95% of patients were in the view to have chances of anxiety with more possibility to have social anxiety and post-traumatic stress anxiety disorder as a consequence of COVID-19. Female and male genders have equal chances, whereas transgender have lesser chances to have anxiety disorders as a consequence of COVID-19. Population above 50 years age might have maximum chance of having anxiety as after-effect of COVID-19. The study concludes to have chances of anxiety as repercussion of COVID-19

COVID-19 Mental Health Stressors of Health Care Providers in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) Intervention: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundSince the pandemic, more Canadians have reported poorer mental health. A vital group experiencing a high level of stressors consists of health care providers (HCPs) caring for COVID-19 patients, carrying out public health responses, or working with vulnerable populations. The mental health of HCPs is negatively affected by the pandemic, not only at work but also at home and in the community. Intersecting stressors at multiple levels contribute to HCPs’ experiences of fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms.ObjectiveThe aim of this qualitative study was to explore the pandemic stressors experienced by HCPs at work, at home, and in the community before participating in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) online intervention.MethodsInformed by a social ecological approach, we used a qualitative reflective approach to engage 74 HCPs in diverse roles. Data were collected during the first 2 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 to February 2021) in Canada.ResultsInformed by a social ecological framework, 5 overarching themes were identified in our thematic analysis: (1) personal level stressors that highlight HCPs’ identities and responsibilities beyond the workplace; (2) interpersonal level stressors from disrupted social relationships; (3) organizational stressors that contributed to unsettled workplaces and moral distress; (4) community and societal stressors attributed to vicarious trauma and emotional labor; and (5) the multilevel and cumulative impacts of COVID-19 stressors on HCPs’ health.ConclusionsCOVID-19 is not merely a communicable disease but also a social and political phenomenon that intensifies the effects of social inequities. Current understanding of pandemic stressors affecting HCPs is largely partial in nature. Although workplace stressors of HCPs are real and intense, they need to be explored and understood in the context of stressors that exist in other domains of HCPs’ lives such as family and community to ensure these experiences are not being silenced by the “hero” discourses or overshadowed by professional demands.

Association of morningness-eveningness with psychiatric symptoms among pregnant women

ABSTRACT In the present study, we examined associations between circadian preference and psychiatric symptoms among 1,796 pregnant women from Lima, Peru. One quarter were classified as evening types. Compared to morning types, evening type pregnant women had increased odds of generalized anxiety (OR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.12–1.86) and posttraumatic stress disorder (OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.07–1.78). Although there was a positive trend, evening chronotype was not significantly associated with elevated odds of depression (OR = 1.23; 95%CI: 0.94–1.61). Future studies are warranted to help understand the underlying behavioral, biological, and genetic pathways of these associations. Assessing circadian preference may help clinicians identify pregnant women at risk for psychiatric symptoms.

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Amputees Attending Jaipur Foot Trust Artificial Limb Centre in Kenya

Background: Amputees have been noted to present various psychiatric disorders including anxiety, body image disturbances, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, there is limited data available on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among amputees in Kenya despite the high incidences of amputations in Kenyan hospitals. This study aimed at finding out the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among amputees attending the Jaipur Foot Trust Centre in Kenya. Method: This study took a cross-sectional descriptive study design. One hundred and forty-one patients attending the Jaipur Foot Trust were recruited to participate in the study after giving informed consent using a non-probability purposive sampling method. A socio-demographic questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the patient's depression. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale was used to assess the patient's anxiety level and The Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) was used to assess the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Results: Findings from this study showed high rates of psychiatric morbidity where two-thirds of the patients reported PTSD (65%) with more than three-quarters of patients being diagnosed with depression (89.4%) and anxiety (91.5%). Also, there was a significant correlation between depression, anxiety, and PTSD, such that participants who had higher scores on anxiety and depression had significantly higher PTSD scores. Conclusion: Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD are very common psychological reactions in patients who have undergone amputation. The researchers expected that some of the sociodemographic factors and some amputation-related characteristics would have a relation with psychiatric comorbidity. However, the findings of this study did not show any such relationship except the relation between anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Early psychological assessment and interventions after amputations will help alleviate psychological distress.

Measuring Devices of Non-Invasive Form for the Study of the Psychophysiological State of the Driver of Motor Vehicles

The necessity of psychophysiological selection of a motor vehicle driver is substantiated. Among the types of professional selection, psychophysiological selection has a special place due to the fact that psychophysiological studies make it possible to quickly and objectively measure a large number of psychophysiological properties. Psychophysiological characteristics of a person can be a quantitative measure of professionally important qualities, and have a sufficiently high prognostic value for occupations related to "man—machine" systems. The necessity of using non-invasive measuring devices to determine the degree of reliability of a motor vehicle driver is justified. Analysis of the statistics of road accidents gives reason to believe that the biggest number of accidents is observed on road sections where the drivers experience biggest tense anxiety and mental stress. This confirms that the reliability of the driver’s work is consistent with one of the main laws of psychophysiology: the outcome of the work correlates with mental stress. According to this pattern, there is optimal level of emotional tension of a person, at which he or she performs the work with the greatest efficiency. Exceeding this optimal level, as well as reducing it, is accompanied by deterioration in performance. In psychophysiological studies, the assessment criteria of the impact of various road conditions on the driver are the values of psychophysiological indicators corresponding to the optimal level of emotional stress. Based on this, one can determine the degree of reliability of the driver’s actions. When conducting an experiment to determine the psychophysiological characteristics of the driver, the use of non-invasive measuring devices makes it possible to assess the degree of reliability of the driver. The review of measuring devices for psychophysiological measurements of noninvasive form is given. The article also describes the most popular measuring methods, such as electroencephalography, electrocardiography, electromyography, eye tracking. The principle of operation of each non-invasive measuring methods is considered in detail, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are described. It is proposed to synchronize the measuring devices and use them comprehensively regarding the functional power of universal computing tools for a more accurate assessment of the psychophysiological condition of the driver of the vehicle.

Prevention Strategies for Secondary Victimization of Sexual Harassment Victims in the Workplace

Most Korean organizations and companies have tried to solve the sexual harassment problem through compulsory sexual harassment prevention education and formal grievance handling procedures. Nevertheless, many women still say they have been sexually harassed at work. Moreover, secondary victimization of sexual harassment in the workplace has been reported constantly. After the damage, sexual harassment victims at work experience negative experiences such as mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and overall stress. This affects not only individual problems but also organizations. The strategies to prevent secondary victimization of sexual harassment in the workplace are as follows. First, laws, policies and agencies related to secondary victimization of sexual harassment in the workplace should be unified. Second, the victim and supporters must be actively protected. Third, it is necessary to train a dedicated supervisor with expertise in handling sexual harassment and gender discrimination cases in the workplace. Fourth, Specific guidelines for secondary victimization of sexual harassment in the workplace should be prepared. Fifth, a gender equality in the workplace culture should be created.

Depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder six months following preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy: a P4 study

BackgroundMental health is an integral part of overall health. Mental health disorders following childbirth are common and poor maternal mental health has consequences for both the mother and her infant. Preeclampsia is also relatively common in pregnancy but there is little known about the intersection between these two important conditions. Gaining a better understanding of the psychological consequences following preeclampsia is important, especially the link with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. If women who experience preeclampsia are recognised as being at increased risk of poor mental health, targeted screening in the postpartum period should be implemented.AimsTo describe the prevalence and symptom severity of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder at six months postpartum in women, who had a diagnosis of preeclampsia, compared to those who had normal blood pressure in pregnancy.MethodsThe mental health component of the prospective cohort study, the Postpartum, Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric follow-up study (P4 Study) was used. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia (n = 90) and those who were normotensive during pregnancy (n = 302) completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, General Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale or Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Sclae-5 at six months postpartum.ResultsAt six months postpartum, depressive scores were similar in both groups but a higher proportion of women from the preeclampsia group scored above the threshold for depression (2% v 7% p = 0.04). There were no differences between the groups in the prevalence or severity of anxiety or PTSD. However, more women in the preeclampsia group reported their birth experience as a traumatic event (1% vs 7%, p = 0.01). On correlation testing and modelling, booking Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score, any mental health history, experiencing birth as traumatic and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale score were independent predictors of postpartum Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores.ConclusionThe postpartum clinical care of women with preeclampsia often focusses on the immediate physical health issues, but these women may also benefit from mental health screening. Targeted screening of preeclamptic women in the postpartum period may lead to more timely referral and initiation of treatment.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered on 18/11/2013 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Registration Number: ACTRN12613001260718.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health assessment of seafarers working on ocean-going vessels during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThere are increasing concerns about mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among seafarers. This study aims to assess the effects of the current global health pandemic on life satisfaction and adverse psychological outcomes among seafarers.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 470 multinational seafarers working on board ships of two international shipping companies were assessed. Mental health outcomes were assessed by the general anxiety disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-8) questionnaire, and patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) depressive severity score. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association of demographic and work-related variables with mental health outcomes.ResultsOverall, 439 out of 470 invited seafarers with a mean age of 34.5 (SD: 8.05) years participated in this study (participation rate: 93.4%). The prevalence of anxiety, depressive, and post-traumatic stress symptoms was 12.4, 14.1, and 37.3%, respectively. In the multivariate model, the current vessel’s signing duration was directly associated with the odds of depressive and intrusion symptoms. Moreover, the duration of work per week was inversely associated with hyper-vigilance and avoidance. Also, non-officers, compared to officers, experienced significantly lower anxiety and depressive symptoms, hyper-vigilance, and avoidance.ConclusionThe present study revealed a high prevalence of mental health problems among seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that more evidence is generated regarding psychosocial health issues for this vulnerable occupation.

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Children and Adolescents with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Assessment of psychological and emotional disorders is an important indicator of well-being among children and adolescents with cancer. This review aimed to determine the prevalence rates of three major psychological disorders in this population, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Various databases were searched to identify cross-sectional studies assessing anxiety, depression, and PTSD among children and adolescents with cancer. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess research quality. Of the 40 studies included in the literature review, 33 measured anxiety, 28 focused on depression, and nine assessed PTSD. A total of 18 studies were incorporated into the meta-analysis, with pooled prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and PTSD found to be 13.92% (n = 1,971; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.23-18.07%), 20.43% (n = 1,990, 95% CI = 13.85-27.93%), and 20.90% (n = 755, 95% CI = 13.28-29.73%), respectively. Mental health and psychological interventions are essential for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Future work should be undertaken in different regions, such as the Middle East or Africa, or South America when assessing the prevalence of psychological disorders in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer.

Effects of noise on anxiety related to dining in restaurants

The noise environment impacts wellbeing, and most research focuses on hearing, sleep, performance and cardiovascular health. Investigations of detrimental effects of noise on mental health show conflicting evidence in relation to depression, anxiety and chronic stress. Furthermore, studied about noise impacts on everyday activities such as restaurant dining are lacking. Our study investigates the relationship between noise exposure and anxiety in the indoor restaurant environment, exploring the predictive value of individual noise sensitivity, noise annoyance and personality factors on self-reported anxiety levels while dining in a restaurant. This mixed methods survey using validated measures with a random sample (n=274, >18 years), predicts high scores in noise sensitivity and noise annoyance corresponding with increased levels of anxiety, and anxiety levels in attending a restaurant predicted by Big Five Personality characteristics of Extraversion and Neuroticism. Regression analysis results show statistically significance for noise sensitivity and noise annoyance as strong predictors of self-reported anxiety. Neuroticism predicted anxiety, while Extraversion and Agreeableness did not uniquely predict of anxiety. Conscientiousness had a significant negative relationship with anxiety experienced in restaurant dining. Individual characteristics of personal experiences of restaurants diners are discussed, suggesting design and layout implications for restauranteurs in addressing noise effects in their establishments.

Retrospective Recall of Psychological Distress Experienced During the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy: Results From the ALT RISCOVID-19 Survey.

Objectives: To estimate psychological distress experienced during the Italian lockdown (March-May 2020) by assessing, in the transition period of the pandemic (June-September 2020), participants’ recalling of their psychological state. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis on 1,880 adults (mean age 48.9 ± 14.5 years) from the web-based ALT RISCOVID-19 survey. Participants were asked to retrospectively recall their psychological state during lockdown concerning symptoms of depression (Patients’ Health Questionnaire), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder), stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and post-traumatic stress (Screening Questionnaire for Disaster Mental Health). Results: Experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress was recalled by 15.8, 15.3 and 13.1% of respondents, respectively. These psychometric scales tended to decrease during the 4-month period of assessment (p < 0.05), while perceived stress levels did not (p = 0.13). Men and older individuals reported lower symptoms of depression (β = −0.42 and β = −0.42; p < 0.0001, respectively), anxiety (β = −0.41 and β = −0.45; p < 0.0001, respectively), stress (β = −0.36 and β = 0.50; p < 0.0001, respectively) and post-traumatic stress (β = −0.42; p < 0.0001, men vs women). Conclusion: Recalled psychological distress experienced during COVID-19 lockdown tended to decrease during the transition period of the pandemic, except for stress. Women and younger people were at higher risk to recall psychological distress.

Yognidra to Minimizing Stress during Pandemic: A Meta Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an influence on people's physical, emotional, and social health all across the world. Due to mental health issues that resulted in anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among a variety of demographic groups, including healthcare staff, the general public, patients, and those who were confined. Yoganidra Meditation is an excellent meditative relaxation method for relieving stress and tension and achieving profound psychological and physiological benefits. According to studies, Yognidra can also be utilized as a therapeutic approach to treat psychological problems such as anxiety, anger, and sleeplessness, as well as psychosomatic illnesses such as asthma, coronary heart disease, cancer, and hypertension. The purpose of the study is to critically analyze the findings of other researchers on the application of Yognidra to reliving the stress of an individual. The study is a conceptual and qualitative Meta-analysis, and it deals with global stress management.

Mental health of clinic-attending Syrian refugee women in Jordan: associations between social ecological risks factors and mental health symptoms

BackgroundThe mental health of refugee women is often affected by multiple risk factors in their social ecology. Assessing these risk factors is foundational in determining potential areas for intervention. We used the social ecological model to examine risk factors associated with self-reported mental health symptoms among clinic-attending Syrian refugee women in Jordan. We hypothesize that individual (older age, unmarried, have more children under 18, difficulty reading/writing with ease), interpersonal (intimate partner violence [IPV]), community and societal level risk factors (greater number of postmigration stressors), will be associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.MethodsWe surveyed 507 women using a cross-sectional clinic-based systematic sampling approach between April and November 2018. We used multivariable regressions to examine associations between different risk factors in the social ecology on depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Additional multivariable regressions explored associations between specific postmigration stressors and mental health conditions.ResultsWe found rates of depression among our sample to be 62.92%; anxiety 57.46%; and PTSD 66.21%. Our hypothesis was partially supported. At the individual level, age was directly associated with anxiety (aOR 1.04, 95% CI [1.02, 1.06]) and PTSD (aOR 1.03, 95% CI [1.01, 1.06]), while marriage decreased odds for depression (aOR 0.41, 95% CI [0.19, 0.92]) and PTSD (aOR 0.36, 95% CI [0.15, 0.87]). IPV was associated with depression (aOR 2.78, 95% CI [1.72, 4.47]); anxiety (aOR 3.30, 95% CI [2.06, 5.27]); and PTSD (aOR 5.49, 95% CI [3.09, 9.76]). Each additional community and societal risk factor (postmigration stressor) increased the odds for depression (aOR 1.32, 95% CI [1.22, 1.42]), anxiety (aOR 1.28, 95% CI [1.19, 1.39]), and PTSD (aOR 1.46, 95% CI [1.33, 1.60]).ConclusionUnderstanding social ecological risk factors associated with mental health conditions of Syrian refugee women is vital to addressing their mental health needs. IPV and postmigration stressors are consistently impactful with all mental health conditions. IPV resulted in the largest odds increase for all mental health conditions. Multilevel interventions are needed to address mental health risk factors at multiple levels of the social ecology.

Impact of Exposome Factors on Epidermal Barrier Function in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Exposome factors, such as sleep deprivation and diet, could affect skin barrier function. The objectives of this study are to compare skin barrier function between patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and healthy individuals, and to evaluate the effect of other exposome factors on skin. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients with OSAS and healthy volunteers matched by age and sex were included. OSAS severity was assessed by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Validated questionnaires were used to assess diet, anxiety, depression, and psychological stress. Skin barrier function parameters including temperature, erythema, melanin, pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) were measured on the volar forearm. A total of 86 participants were included, 56 patients with OSAS and 30 healthy volunteers. TEWL was higher in OSAS patients than in healthy individuals (8.01 vs. 8.68 g·m−2·h−1). Regarding disease severity, severe patients had higher TEWL values (9.31 vs. 8.46 vs. 7.08 g·m−2·h−1) compared to moderate and mild patients. Patients with OSAS had significantly lower sleep quality (11.89 vs. 6.47 Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score; p < 0.001), poor adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (8.46 vs. 9.77; p = 0.005), and significantly higher anxiety and depression levels than healthy individuals. In conclusion, patients with OSAS may have skin barrier impairment, reflected in higher TEWL values. These patients also have higher levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and a lower adherence to a Mediterranean Diet, all exposome factors that might impact on skin barrier function.

The Effect of Pilates Exercises on Anxiety and Job Stress of COVID-19 Nurses. A Quasi-experimental Study

Aim: To determine the effect of Pilates exercises on nurses’ job anxiety and stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The results of the present study showed that 63.3% of subjects had moderate to severe job stress and 30% had severe job stress. In the intervention group, the mean (standard deviation) of anxiety was 13 (8.35) before intervention, which reached 8.33 (5.87) after the intervention (p=0.062). Moreover, the mean (standard deviation) of job stress in the control group decreased from 188.67 (28.98) to 176.46 (28.84) (P=0.530). Conclusions: The results showed that Pilates exercises alone do not affect the anxiety and job stress of nurses and other supplements are needed in stressful environments.

Mass Trauma and Long-Term Psychological Distress

Abstract. Older widowed women in postconflict and postdisaster settings are a potentially vulnerable group due to both exposure to multiple potentially trauma events and ongoing stressors. Drawing from conservation of resources theory, in this study, we tested a model predicting variation in psychological distress among a sample of widows over 50 years of age ( N = 256) in Eastern Sri Lanka. Exposure to traumatic events and degree of damage from the 2004 tsunami were hypothesized to be associated with psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress) indirectly through two contextual stressors (unmet physical needs and economic strain). We fit an unconstrained path model including direct effects from trauma exposure and tsunami damages to mental health distress, followed by a constrained model removing direct effects. We retained the constrained model as the most parsimonious based on a nonsignificant χ2 difference test. In that model, higher exposure to trauma was significantly associated with more problems with unmet physical needs (β = .11, p = .054) and greater economic strain (β = .28, p &lt; .001). Higher levels of tsunami damages are significantly associated with greater economic strain (β = .04, p &lt; .05). These two intermediary variables were, in turn, associated with more severe symptoms of distress. Health problems were controlled in both the intermediary and outcome variables revealing significantly higher distress in association with more health problems. The results highlight the importance of assessing both the impacts of trauma and loss and the ongoing economic deprivation among this population.

Examining the Relationship between Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Kidney Cancer Patients.

Cancer of the kidney is one of the 10 most common cancers found globally. Overall, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. Many kidney cancer patients experience psychologic problems and reactions. The present study examined relationship between anxiety, depression, and perceived stress symptoms in kidney cancer patients. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the patients diagnosed with kidney cancer. All participants completed sociodemographic form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression form, and Perceived Stress Scale. Statistical analysis was exercised using the Student's t-test, Chi-squared test (χ2), Fischer's exact test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis one-way variance analysis. A total of 250 patients participated in the study. The mean age was 57.4 years (SD 6.4, range = 25-76 years). The majority of patients were males (73%) and married (218). Anxiety symptoms were determined in 91.2% patients, depression symptoms in 87.2% patients, and perceived stress symptoms in 93.6% patients. The mean scores of Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS)-Anxiety, HADS-Depression, and HADS-Perceived Stress were significantly different between age (P < 0.05), gender (P < 0.05), and income groups (P < 0.001). Kidney cancer patients showed poorer psychologic health. The overall levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress symptoms were higher among the studied kidney cancer patients. Findings of the current study could improve both psychologic well-being of patients and health-related quality of life.