Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire Research Articles

Evaluation of symptoms of anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer after breast amputation or conservation treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in women treated for breast cancer who underwent surgical procedure using one of two alternative methods, either radical mastectomy or breast conserving treatment (BCT). A questionnaire survey involved 85 patients treated in a conservative way and 94 patients after breast amputation. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and depression degree evaluation questionnaire were used in the study. The patients' esponses were statistically analyzed. Based on the HADS questionnaire, the total anxiety level in the group of women treated with BCT was 6.96 points, while in the group of patients who had undergone mastectomy the value was 7.8 points. The observed results were statistically significant. In the case of depression, the following values were found: patients after amputation had 8.04 scale value points, and those after BCT had 6.8 scale value points. The observed differences were statistically significant. Negative correlation was found between the level of anxiety and depression. The total level of depression evaluated using the Beck scale was 16.3 points in the BCT group, which means that they suffered from mild depression, while in the mastectomy group the level was 19.6 points, which corresponds to moderate depression. The level of anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer was influenced by the type of the applied surgical procedure and adjuvant chemotherapy. Demographic variables did not influence the level of anxiety and depression.

Acceptance and commitment therapy on parents of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

Aim: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that hinder the normal developmental process and pose enormous challenges to the parents in terms of their role expectations and adjustment with the irreversible conditions of their child. However, little attention has been paid to their psychological needs and wellbeing. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting things that are beyond control and commit to changing those things, which are possible to change, by increasing the psychological flexibility of the person, thereby aiding to better realistic adjustments. The present study aims at studying the effectiveness of ACT on parents of children and adolescents with ASDs. Materials and Methods: It followed a repeated measures design, comprising five parents having children and adolescents with ASDs receiving treatment from inpatient and outpatient services of Child Guidance Clinic, Central Institute of Psychiatry, to test the effect of 10 session protocol spanned over 2-month. Assessment measures were done along state anxiety, depression, psychological flexibility and quality of life using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-BREF respectively. Baseline measures were taken prior to the treatment and follow-up measures were taken after nine treatment sessions. Results: Pre- to post-treatment improvements were found on state anxiety, depression, psychological flexibility and quality of life. Conclusion: Findings implied that ACT may have promise in helping parents better to adjust to the difficulties in rearing children diagnosed with ASDs.

Association of erectile dysfunction with depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

To investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its association with depression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. This single center cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2013 through January 2014. All outpatients with chronic viral hepatitis in our liver clinic between 18 and 80 years of age were considered eligible for this study. The exclusion criteria included well-established causes of ED, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, alcohol abuse, liver cirrhosis, ischemic heart disease, renal disease, neurologic disease, and malignancy. We also excluded the patients who had incompletely answered the questionnaires. ED was assessed using the validated Korean version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scale. The Korean version of the self-administered Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was used to assess depression in the patients. Demographic and medical data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Current or past history of psychiatric diagnosis and drug history including the use of an antiviral agent and an antidepressant were also recorded. A total of 727 patients met the initial eligibility criteria. Six hundred seventeen patients were excluded because their medical records contained one or more of the previously determined exclusion criteria. The remaining 110 patients were assessed based on the BDI and IIEF-5 questionnaires. Based on the IIEF-5 scale, the prevalence of ED among patients with chronic viral hepatitis was 40%. Compared with the non-ED group, patients in the ED group were older. The proportion of patients in the ED group who had a job or who were naïve peg-interferon users was lower than that in patients in the non-ED group. Patients with ED had significantly lower scores on the IIEF-5 scale than patients without ED (11.75 ± 4.88 vs 21.33 ± 1.86, P = 0.000). Patients with ED rated significantly higher scores on the BDI scale compared with patients without ED (12.59 ± 7.08 vs 5.30 ± 4.00, P = 0.000). Also, the IIEF-5 scores were negatively correlated with age, employment, and BDI scores. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, age and depression were independently associated with erectile dysfunction (P = 0.019 and 0.000, respectively). Patients with chronic viral hepatitis have a high prevalence of ED. Age and depression are independent factors for ED in male patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Depression among medical students of Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Medical students are future of health care but depression in them may lead to less productivity, reduced quality of life, learning difficulties, and may negatively affect patient care. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression among first-, second-, and third-year medical students and factors associated with it in Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among first-, second-, and third-year male and female students at the Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A systematic random sampling technique with proportional allocation was adopted to select students from both genders. Screening of medical students for depression was conducted using the Arabic version of Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. Another questionnaire was used including all necessary variables that could be associated with depression among medical students. Results: The study included 136 medical students aged between 19 and 24 years (mean age 20.9 ± 1.1 years). Slightly more than half of them (53.7%) were women. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students was 30.9%: mild among 18.4%, moderate among 9.6%, and severe among 2.9%. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among women than men (34.2% versus 27%). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that medical students of the third academic level were 70% less likely to have depression compared to those of first academic level. Those who reported a history of loss of first-grade relative were at almost threefold risk of developing depression opposed to those who had no such history in the last year. Those who had moderate and high performance in examination were 70% and 84%, respectively, less likely to develop depression compared to those who had low performance. Those who had a history of depression or current depression were at almost threefold risk of developing depression than those who had no such history. Conclusion: Depression is a significant hidden problem among medical students of Saudi Arabia. Almost one-third of medical students enrolled in the first three academic years of Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah had symptoms suggestive of depression.

일 도시지역 청소년의 자살사고 유병률과 위험인자에 대한 연구

목 적 : 본 연구에서는 한국의 청소년을 대상으로 자살사고 고위험군의 비율과 청소년에서 자살사고와 관련된 예측인자에 대해서 조사해 보았다. 방 법 : 일 도시지역 중고등학생 3,691명(남자 2,159명, 여자 1,532명, 평균연령 <TEX>$15.31{\pm}1.46$</TEX>)을 대상으로 하였다. 대상자들은 사회인구학적 정보를 비롯한 학급성적, 신체적 혹은 정신 질환유무, 평일 평균수면시간, 평일과 주말 사교육시간, 주관적인 상담의 필요성, Beck 우울척도(Beck depression inventory, 이하 BDI), Reynolds 자살생각척도(Reynolds' suicide ideation questionnaire, 이하 SIQ)에 대한 자가보고식 설문지를 작성하였다. 결 과 : 전체 대상자 중 168명(4.6%)이 SIQ 62점 이상의 자살사고 고위험군으로 분류되었다. 다중로지스틱 회귀분석에서는 여성(p = 0.002), 더 어린나이(p < 0.001), 낮은 학교성적(p = 0.043), 높은 BDI 척도 점수(p < 0.001)가 자살사고 고위험군의 예측인자로 나타났다. 자살사고 고위험군에서는, 더 어린나이(p = 0.045)와 높은 BDI 점수(p < 0.001)가 높은 SIQ 점수와 연관된 것으로 나타났다. 결 론 : 본 연구 결과는 여성, 어린나이, 낮은 학교성적, 우울감이 청소년 자살사고의 고위험군의 예측인자였고, 특히 자살사고 고위험군 중에서는 어린나이와 우울감이 심한 청소년들에게 더 많은 관심을 기울여야함을 보여주었다. 따라서 청소년 자살을 예방하기 위해서는, 이러한 위험요인을 가지고 있는 청소년들에 대해 적극적인 관심과 개입이 필요할 것으로 생각된다. Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence and related risk factors of suicide ideation among middle and high school students in an urban area. Methods: We surveyed 3,691 middle and high school students (2,159 male, 1,532 female, 11-19 years of age) using a self-report questionnaire that covered basic socio-demographic data, academic achievements, presence of physical or psychiatric illness, sleep duration on weekdays, time spent at private academies on weekdays and weekends, and subjective needs for counseling. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Reynolds' Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) were included in the survey. Results: The prevalence of students with high suicide ideation (<TEX>$SIQ{\geq}62$</TEX>) was 4.6%. In a logistic regression model, female sex (p = 0.002), younger age (p < 0.001), poor academic achievement (p = 0.043) and higher score of BDI (p < 0.001) were associated with a higher SIQ score. In addition, younger age (p = 0.045) and a higher BDI score (p < 0.001) were associated with a higher SIQ score adolescents having high suicide ideation (<TEX>$SIQ{\geq}62$</TEX>). Conclusion: Related risk factors of suicide ideation in adolescents were female sex, younger age, poor academic achievement, and a depressive mood. It would be especially helpful to pay more attention to younger adolescents and a depressive mood as a high-risk group. The understanding of these factors will be helpful for providing an effective suicide screening and prevention program for adolescents.

Central poststroke pain in young ischemic stroke survivors in the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry.

We describe the frequency, duration, clinical characteristics, and radiologic correlates of central poststroke pain (CPSP) in young ischemic stroke survivors in a prospective study setting. A questionnaire of pain and sensory abnormalities and EQ-5D quality-of-life questionnaire were sent to all 824 surviving and eligible patients of the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry. Patients (n = 58) with suspected CPSP were invited to a clinical visit and filled in the PainDETECT, Brief Pain Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires. Of the included 824 patients, 49 had CPSP (5.9%), 246 patients (29.9%) had sensory abnormality without CPSP, and 529 patients (64.2%) had neither sensory abnormality nor CPSP. The median follow-up time from stroke was 8.5 years (interquartile range 5.0-12.1). Patients with CPSP had low quality of life compared to those with sensory abnormality without CPSP (p = 0.007) as well as to those with no sensory abnormality and no CPSP (p < 0.001). Forty (82%) of the patients with CPSP had concomitant other pain. CPSP was associated with moderate (p < 0.001) and severe (p < 0.001) stroke symptoms, but there was no difference in age at stroke onset or subtype of stroke according to the TOAST classification between the groups. Stroke localization was not correlated with CPSP. Late persistent CPSP was found in 5.9% of young stroke survivors and was associated with concomitant other pain, impaired quality of life, and moderate or severe stroke symptoms.

Effectiveness Of An Instructional Brochure On Relieving Postpartum Blues

AbstractBackground: Postpartum blues is a transitional depressive state that viewed as a highly prevalent mental health problem.Setting of the study: the study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Mansoura University Hospitals. Aim of this study: is to assess the effectiveness of an instructional Brochure on relieving postpartum blues. Research Hypothesis: The intervention group who will receive informational instructions brochure about postnatal blues within the first day of giving birth will experience lesser blues at end of 1st week postpartum than the control group. Study Design: Intervention study design carried out between of January 2013 to July 2013. Methods: Intervention study design was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Mansoura University Hospitals on 184 postnatal women. Women divided into two groups: control group; received routine discharge instructions and intervention group received information on postpartum blues, on top of routine discharge instructions. Socio-demographic data questionnaire and Arabic version of Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire (BDI) are used for data collections. Participants filled in both tools on first day of birth and BDI alone at end of 1st and 2nd week postpartum. Results: The study findings revealed that frequency of blues at end of 1st week postpartum is lower in the intervention group than the control group (20.7% versus 69.5%). Conclusion: Instruction information about postnatal blues within the first day of giving birth is an effective method on relieving postpartum blues. Recommendations: The educational brochure was recommended to be distributed and implemented in all maternity health services and MCH center in Mansoura Governorate.

Melatonin acts as antioxidant and improves sleep in MS patients.

The relationship between the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and sunlight’s ultraviolet radiation was proved. Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenic traits of MS. Melatonin possesses antioxidative properties and regulates circadian rhythms. Sleep disturbances in MS patients are common and contribute to daytime fatigue. The aim of study was to evaluate 5 mg daily melatonin supplementation over 90 days on serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and its influence on sleep quality and depression level of MS patients. A case–control prospective study was performed on 102 MS patients and 20 controls matched for age and sex. The Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale, magnetic resonance imaging examinations, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires were completed. Serum TOS and TAC levels were measured. We observed higher serum levels of TOS in all MS groups, while after melatonin treatment the TOS levels significantly decreased. The TAC level was significantly lower only in mitoxantrone-treated group and it increased after melatonin supplementation. A strong positive correlation between T1Gd(+) number lesions and TAC level in interferon-beta-1A group was observed. AIS group mean score above 6 defining insomnia were observed in interferon-beta-1B-group, glatiramer acetate-group and mitoxantrone-group: 6.62 ± 2.88, 8.45 ± 2.07, 11.1 ± 3.25, respectively. After melatonin treatment the AIS mean scores decrease in glatiramer acetate-group and mitoxantrone-group achieving 5.25 ± 1.14 and 7.08 ± 2.39, respectively (p < 0.05). Finding from our study suggest that melatonin can act as an antioxidant and improves reduced sleep quality in MS patients.

Is There Chronic Brain Damage in Retired NFL Players? Neuroradiology, Neuropsychology, and Neurology Examinations of 45 Retired Players.

Background:Neuropathology and surveys of retired National Football League (NFL) players suggest that chronic brain damage is a frequent result of a career in football. There is limited information on the neurological statuses of living retired players. This study aimed to fill the gap in knowledge by conducting in-depth neurological examinations of 30- to 60-year-old retired NFL players.Hypothesis:In-depth neurological examinations of 30- to 60-year-old retired players are unlikely to detect objective clinical abnormalities in the majority of subjects.Study Design:A day-long medical examination was conducted on 45 retired NFL players, including state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; susceptibility weighted imaging [SWI], diffusion tensor imaging [DTI]), comprehensive neuropsychological and neurological examinations, interviews, blood tests, and APOE (apolipoprotein E) genotyping.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:Participants’ histories focused on neurological and depression symptoms, exposure to football, and other factors that could affect brain function. The neurological examination included Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) evaluation of cognitive function and a comprehensive search for signs of dysarthria, pyramidal system dysfunction, extrapyramidal system dysfunction, and cerebellar dysfunction. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) measured depression. Neuropsychological tests included pen-and-paper and ImPACT evaluation of cognitive function. Anatomical examination SWI and DTI MRI searched for brain injuries. The results were statistically analyzed for associations with markers of exposure to football and related factors, such as body mass index (BMI), ethanol use, and APOE4 status.Results:The retired players’ ages averaged 45.6 ± 8.9 years (range, 30-60 years), and they had 6.8 ± 3.2 years (maximum, 14 years) of NFL play. They reported 6.9 ± 6.2 concussions (maximum, 25) in the NFL. The majority of retired players had normal clinical mental status and central nervous system (CNS) neurological examinations. Four players (9%) had microbleeds in brain parenchyma identified in SWI, and 3 (7%) had a large cavum septum pellucidum with brain atrophy. The number of concussions/dings was associated with abnormal results in SWI and DTI. Neuropsychological testing revealed isolated impairments in 11 players (24%), but none had dementia. Nine players (20%) endorsed symptoms of moderate or severe depression on the BDI and/or met criteria for depression on PHQ; however, none had dementia, dysarthria, parkinsonism, or cerebellar dysfunction. The number of football-related concussions was associated with isolated abnormalities on the clinical neurological examination, suggesting CNS dysfunction. The APOE4 allele was present in 38% of the players, a larger number than would be expected in the general male population (23%-26%).Conclusion:MRI lesions and neuropsychological impairments were found in some players; however, the majority of retired NFL players had no clinical signs of chronic brain damage.Clinical Relevance:These results need to be reconciled with the prevailing view that a career in football frequently results in chronic brain damage.

Symptom Clusters Predict Mortality Among Dialysis Patients in Norway: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

ContextPatients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis have reduced survival rates compared with the general population. Symptoms are frequent in dialysis patients, and a symptom cluster is defined as two or more related co-occurring symptoms. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the associations between symptom clusters and mortality in dialysis patients. MethodsIn a prospective observational cohort study of dialysis patients (n = 301), Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form and Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires were administered. To generate symptom clusters, principal component analysis with varimax rotation was used on 11 kidney-specific self-reported physical symptoms. A Beck Depression Inventory score of 16 or greater was defined as clinically significant depressive symptoms. Physical and mental component summary scores were generated from Short Form-36. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used for the survival analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank statistics were applied to compare survival rates between the groups. ResultsThree different symptom clusters were identified; one included loading of several uremic symptoms. In multivariate analyses and after adjustment for health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms, the worst perceived quartile of the “uremic” symptom cluster independently predicted all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.47, 95% CI 1.44–4.22, P = 0.001) compared with the other quartiles during a follow-up period that ranged from four to 52 months. The two other symptom clusters (“neuromuscular” and “skin”) or the individual symptoms did not predict mortality. ConclusionClustering of uremic symptoms predicted mortality. Assessing co-occurring symptoms rather than single symptoms may help to identify dialysis patients at high risk for mortality.

Efficacy of Cognitive Therapy in Reducing the Rate of Depression in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

The present study attempts to examine the impact of cognitive therapy in reducing depression in diabetic women. It is an experimental method research and pre-test - post-test and follow-up type together with the control group. 16 of diabetic women are randomly selected and homogeneously placed in two 8-member groups. Background information questionnaire and standard questionnaire Beck Depression Inventory, 2 nd Edition, (BDI II) are used for data collection. In this study, Cronbach's Alpha obtained for the questionnaire is 83/0. For treating depression, 8 sessions of group therapy are implemented based on the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) consistent with cognitive therapy protocol of Wales and Papa Georgiou. The findings demonstrate that cognitive therapy has some impacts in reducing depression. The results of multivariate covariance analysis test show that there exists a significant difference between mean of depression in follow-up stage in proportion to that of pre-treatment stage; and reducing depression at three-month follow-up stage is stable.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors in hemodialysis patients

Introduction : Given the effect of psychological factors on patients with chronic renal failure, it has been received more attention recently. Depression is one of the most common disorders in patients with chronic renal failure. This study aimed at examining the prevalence of depression and its associated factors in hemodialysis patients in the hospital of Bojnurd. Material : In this case - control study 120 cases of hemodialysis patients in the hospitals of Imam Ali and Iran Mehr were selected in 2012. Data collecting tools were demographic sheet and the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (V18) and presented with statistical t-test, and Pearson correlation Results: The results showed that the severity of depression and depression rate in the studied population are 93.3 % (BDI more often than nine) and 90.8 (BDI more than fifteen) respectively.42.7 % of them were women and 57.3% were men. There was meaningful association between gender, age, education level, marital status, history of drug use and underlying disease with degree of depression (p <0/05). There was not significant relationship between occupation, history of kidney transplant and income. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a significant percentage of hemodialysis patients are depressed. Therefore psychological assessment should be performed in patients with early stage and the presence of a psychiatrist, psychologist and social worker and psychiatric consultation services in hospitals are strongly recommended. Keywords : hemodialysis, depression, Beck test

Clitoral Vascularization and Sexual Behavior in Young Patients Treated with Drospirenone–Ethinyl Estradiol or Contraceptive Vaginal Ring: A Prospective, Randomized, Pilot Study

Oral contraceptives (OC) are effective for birth control and have good cycle control and tolerability. However, the hormonal components could modify mood and libido. The aim of this study is to evaluate the genital vascular effects and sexual behavior of an OC containing 30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone in comparison with a flexible combined contraceptive vaginal ring. Forty women underwent a sonographic assessment of the clitoral anatomy and vascularization and were administered the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and the Beck's Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI). Estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and SHBG were assayed. Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Free Estrogen Index (FEI) were calculated. The patients were randomly submitted to OC (group I; n = 21) or vaginal ring (group II; n = 19). Ultrasonographic clitoral volume, pulsatility index (PI) of dorsal clitoral arteries, MFSQ, BDI, and hormonal and biochemical assays were analyzed. After therapy, the testosterone levels were reduced in both groups, whereas estradiol decreased only in group I women. The SHBG increased in all the subjects, and both FAI and FEI decreased. The clitoral volume decreased in all the women. The PI of the dorsal clitoral artery increased only in patients on OC. The hormonal contraception was associated, in both studied groups, with a significant decrease of the two-factor Italian MFSQ score, which was more marked in OC users. In group I subjects, there was a reduction of the number of intercourse/week and a reduction of orgasm frequency during intercourse. The pain during intercourse worsened after OC use. The vaginal ring users reported a vaginal wetness. Six-month treatment with hormonal contraception is associated with a diminished MFSQ score. However, the frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm was reduced only by the use of OC. The OC use was associated with increased pain during intercourse.

Anhedonia among patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A comparison between patients on escitalopram and healthy controls.

Escitalopram has widely been recognized as one of the most frequently used antidepressants, with superior tolerability and great efficacy in preventing major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse and recurrence. However, anhedonia, which is a core symptom of MDD, remains difficult to treat. This study investigates the hedonic levels of MDD patients treated with Escitalopram. A total of 108 participants, 26 of whom with MDD on Escitalopram, were recruited in this cross sectional study. They were evaluated using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires to assess their hedonic state, general mental health condition and level of depression. Our study shows that most items in the SHAPS scores are significantly different between MDD patients on Escitalopram and the controls. The hedonic capacity remains different between the two groups despite patients with MDD are put on Escitalopram treatment. Escitalopram fails to alleviate the hedonic state of MDD patients. Antidepressants that improve both depressive symptoms and hedonic states should be considered when treating MDD patients in clinical settings.

EPA-0030 – The effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on cognitive and neuropsychiatric functions in parkinson's disease: a case-control study

Introduction Parkinson's disease is one of the most disabling neurological diseases; however much progress has been made in the treatment of drug resistant patients through electrode implantation and stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). This new neurosurgical method may lead to some neuropsychological side effects in patients. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric effects of this treatment. Method This case-control study was designed to compare two groups of patients with Parkinson's disease. Thirty patients who underwent electrode implantation and deep brain stimulation were compared with 60 patients treated with antiparkinson drugs. These two groups were matched for age, sex, duration and severity of Parkinson's disease. Measurements The UPDRS was used to assess the severity of Parkinson's disease. The Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were used to evaluate depression and anxiety as a consequence of DBS. The Mini Mental Status Examination and Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were used to evaluate the cognitive and executive function. Results Thirty months after STN stimulation, a lower level of anxiety and depression were seen in the DBS patients compared with drug treated subjects, but the differences were not significant. However, cognitive status deteriorated to a greater extent in study subjects compared to the control group. The MMSE results were not significantly different, but the differences in CDT scores were significant. Conclusion Patients who have undergone DBS surgery must be followed up for neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly for subcortical cognitive deterioration in the long term.

Adequacy of the Simplified Version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-S) to Measure Tinnitus Handicap and Relevant Distress

Background and ObjectivesThe Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) often requires patients to devote their time to complete the questionnaire than they expect. Given that it limits the effectiveness of THI in a busy clinical practice that desires a quick and easy assessment of tinnitus handicap, this study evaluated clinical usefulness of a Simplified version of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-S) in measuring the severity of tinnitus handicap as well as predicting the psychological distress associated with tinnitus.Subjects and MethodsA total of 129 outpatients suffering from tinnitus (61 with normal hearing and 68 with hearing loss) participated in this study. The responses of THI-S (10 items) and THI (25 items) were evaluated to quantify the subjective handicap of tinnitus. The self-perceived level of stress, anxiety, and depression of all participants was measured with a series of self-report questionnaires such as Korean version of Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. All the questionnaire responses were analyzed using non-parametric analyses to examine the convergence, comparability, internal consistency reliability and validity of THI-S.ResultsThe severity of tinnitus handicap and the relevant psychological distress greatly varied across individuals. The THI-S responses were comparable to original THI responses, regardless of hearing status of patients. The internal consistency of THI-S responses was found to be good for total score (Cronbach's α=0.83-0.91), with moderately high consistency for the emotional, functional, and catastrophic subscales. Significant (p<0.01) correlations of the THI-S with the THI (rs=0.95) as well as with the BEPSI, STAI, BDI questionnaires (rs=0.40-0.45) suggest that the THI-S questionnaire appeared to be useful to provide objective data of subjective tinnitus handicap as well as predict psychological distress. Three factors were extracted through factor analysis, which explained 73% of the total variance.ConclusionsDespite reducing the length of 25 items of THI to 10 items, the THI-S can be used as s a simple but reliable and valid tool for evaluating severity of tinnitus handicap as well as detecting its negative impact on psychological functioning.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity of the Revised Korean Version of Ruminative Response Scale

ObjectiveRumination is a negative coping strategy defined as repetitive and passive focusing on negative feelings such as depression. The Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) is a widely-used instrument to measure rumination, but there is continuing argument about the construct validity of the RRS, because of probable overlap between the measurement of depression and that of rumination. The RRS-Revised (RRS-R), which removed 12 items of the RRS, is suggested as a more valid instrument for measuring rumination. Therefore, we translated RRS-R into Korean and explored the reliability, validity and factor structure in patients with major depressive disorders.MethodsSeventy-nine patients with major depressive disorder took the Korean version of RRS, RRS-R, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Penn State Worry Questionnaire. We performed exploratory factor analysis of RRS-R, and tested construct validity, internal reliability and test-retest reliability.ResultsThe internal and test-retest reliability of RRS-R was high. Factor analysis revealed that RRS-R is composed of two factors. 'Brooding' factor explained 56.6% and 'Reflection' factor explained 12.5%. RRS-R, especially 'Brooding factor', was highly correlated with other clinical symptoms such as depression, anxiety and worry.ConclusionIn this study, we find out the RRS-R is more reliable and valid than the original RRS in Korean patients with depression because the RRS-R is free from the debate about the overlap of item with BDI. We also revealed that 'Brooding' is highly correlated with depressive symptoms. RRS-R may be a useful instrument to explore the implication of 'Brooding' in depression.

Mental Health of Adults Treated in Adolescence with Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Program or Observed for Idiopathic Scoliosis

Objective. To examine general mental health in adult males and females, who in adolescence participated in a scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercise program or were under observation due to diagnosis of scoliosis. Design. Registry-based, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. Methods. Sixty-eight subjects (43 women) aged 30.10 (25–39) years, with mild or moderate scoliosis (11–36° Cobb angle), and 76 (38 women) nonscoliotic subjects, aged 30.11 (24–38) years, participated. The time period since the end of the exercise or observation regimes was 16.5 (12-26) years. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) scores were analyzed with the χ 2 and U tests. Multiple regression analyses for confounders were also performed. Results. Intergroup differences of demographic characteristics were nonsignificant. Scoliosis, gender, participation in the exercise program, employment, and marital status were associated with BDI scores. The presence of scoliosis and participation in the exercise program manifested association with the symptoms. Higher GHQ-28 “somatic symptoms” subscale scores interacted with the education level. Conclusions. Our findings correspond to the reports of a negative impact of the diagnosis of scoliosis and treatment on mental health. The decision to introduce a therapeutic program in children with mild deformities should be made with judgment of potential benefits, risks, and harm.

Evidence of higher oxidative status in depression and anxiety.

We use a simple method for evaluating antioxidative status, by measuring the redox potential of urine, and correlate the findings with measures of anxiety and depression. We include 63 individuals (28 males and 35 females aged between 20 and 65 years). The validated anxiety State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and the validated BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) questionnaire were used to evaluate anxiety and depression. Antioxidative status was determined by measuring the redox potential of urine collected in standard conditions. Correlation of the antioxidant capacity of urines evaluated using the ferric ion/specific dye method or through redox potential using the platinum electrode demonstrated the suitability of this last procedure. We found that normal anxiety state values corresponded to low urine redox potentials, whereas higher anxiety states were associated with high urinary redox potential. We also found that individuals with normal BDI values had significantly lower urine redox potentials than individuals with higher BDI values.

Psychotherapy Improved the Sleep Quality in a Patient Who Was a Victim of Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Report

Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) often experience symptoms such as recurrent nightmares, which affect their adult life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychotherapy on the quality of life and sleep in a female patient with a previous history of CSA. The patient was climacteric (menopausal transition) and treated in an outpatient clinic. She underwent 40 sessions of psychotherapy and was evaluated before and after the sessions using questionnaires and polysomnography (PSG). Measurements were taken using the following: Kupperman Index (KI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, and PSG. Reports of dream content were also evaluated during the study. After psychotherapeutic intervention, the frequency of nightmares and their attendant suffering decreased. Additionally, the context of the nightmares changed, and a decrease was noted in the KI, BAI, and BDI parameters. The PSG indicated an increase in rapid eye movement sleep. Psychotherapeutic intervention combined with zolpidem and fluoxetine treatment contributed to a resignification of the dreams of a patient with a history of CSA. The treatment also improved the quality of her dreams and her quality of life.