CES-D Questionnaire Research Articles

Comparison of Aerobic and Pilates Exercises on Depression and Sleep Quality in Primigravida Females

Aim: To compare effects of Aerobics and Pilates exercises on depression and sleep quality in primigravida females. Methods: The study was randomized clinical trial and was conducted in children hospital and Mehmooda Hospital Sheikhupura. This study completed in 10 months and convenience sampling technique was used. Total thirty-eight subjects were assigned randomly by using lottery method into two groups. Group A and B received Aerobics and Pilate exercises respectively. Data was collected from all participants at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment by using CES-D and PSQI questionnaire. After checking the normality of data as p value was greater than 0.05 it was analyzed by using parametric test (independent T test and paired sample T-test) by using SPSS-25. Results: The result of the study showed that in group analysis, improvement in CES-D scale and PSQI were observed in both groups as p value was significant p<0.05.But between the groups significant improvement was seen in CES-D and Quality of Sleep in Pilates training group as p<0.05. Implication: Research on incorporating aerobic exercises during antenatal periods for pregnant women is recommended, with proper follow-up and long-term groupings to ensure treatment efficacy preservation. Conclusion: It was concluded that Aerobics and Pilates exercise training both had significant effects in treating the symptoms of depression and in improving the quality of sleep in antenatal primigravida females. Keywords: Aerobic exercises, Antenatal depression, Pilates exercises, Primigravida females, Sleep quality.

Significant contribution of chronotype to emotional well-being in chronic psychiatric outpatients in Greece

Circadian rhythms are pivotal for human functioning, and their disruption holds significant implications for well-being. One common source for circadian disruptions is circadian misalignment that can be related to chronotypes. Chronotypes refer to an individual's preferred timing for sleep and wakefulness. Individuals with late chronotypes are at a disadvantage in the morning-oriented modern world and are demonstrated to have negative consequences in many aspects of life. In the context of psychiatric disorders, chronotypes are related to prevalence of disorders and to treatment effects but less attention is given to the relationship between chronotype and well-being in chronic psychiatric patients. The current study aims to elucidate the extent to which individual chronotypes contribute to emotional well-being within a cohort of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorder in outpatient clinic.Participants (n = 100) were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the 3rd Department of Psychiatry, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, and the AX Mental Health Outpatient Clinic in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Most participants were diagnosed within the F2 cluster, Psychotic disorders (n = 38), or F3 cluster, Mood (affective) disorders (n = 48). The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was employed to assess chronotype. The STAI-Y1, CES-D, QoL Uniscale and RASS Questionnaires were used to assess aspects of emotional well-being. A single measure of emotional well-being was generated using Z-score transformation. Student's t-test, ANOVAs and Pearson's correlations were used to identify parameters contributing to emotional well-being, followed by a comprehensive regression model.Results show a significant contribution to emotional well-being by “psychiatric diagnosis” with schizophrenia/schizoaffective patients showing better emotional well-being compared with the “other” group, “receiving treatment” with patients receiving treatment showing higher score than ones who do not receive treatment, and “morningness/eveningness preference” where morningness was associated with higher score of emotional well-being. No other demographic or health-related parameters were significantly associated with emotional well-being score.These findings clearly indicate the critical importance of chronotypes to the emotional well-being of chronic psychiatric patients. Additional thought and research should explore possible chronotherapy interventions that will address this issue in patients.

Симптомы тревоги и депрессии у больных с доброкачественным пароксизмальным позиционным головокружением

The article presents the results of assessing the psychoemotional status and the content of serotonin in peripheral blood in patients with the most common cause of systemic peripheral vertigo–benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). 35 patients with otolithiasis accompanied by BPPV were examined. The control group of the study consisted of 15 healthy individuals. The assessment of the psychoemotional status and the level of quality of life of patients was carried out using specialized scales and questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the CES-D Questionnaire Scale (depression), the Spielberger–Hanin test (situational and personal anxiety), a questionnaire to identify signs of autonomic changes (Vane A. M., 1998), Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire (VRBQ). Quantitative determination of serotonin (ng/mL) in peripheral blood serum was carried out by enzyme immunoassay. Statistical data processing was carried out using the program Statistica 10.0 (USA). In the conducted study, clinically significant signs of anxiety and depression according to the HADS and CES-D scales were not detected in patients with BPPV, a moderate level of reactive and personal anxiety was observed according to the Spielberger–Hanin test. There was a significant decrease in the quality of life (48.6%). A significant decrease in the level of peripheral blood serotonin was revealed in BPPV, a statistically significant correlation with the indicator of personal anxiety of this group of patients was obtained. Features of personal and reactive anxiety (as a background state) in patients with BPPV should be considered as a risk of developing functional dizziness. It is likely that a decrease in serotonin in the blood serum may contribute to the pathogenetic mechanisms of vertigo, considering the diverse connections of the serotonergic and vestibular functional systems. The results obtained require further research.

Habilidades empáticas, fortaleza personal y ánimo depresivo en población española en tiempo de la COVID-19

The present research aims to analyze the impact on depressed mood of the confinement decreed by the COVID-19 pandemic, based on empathic capacities and personal strength in Spain. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational research with quantitative methodology. 2112 people over 18 years of age participated. For the analysis of depressed mood, the CES-D questionnaire was administered and to empathic capacities and personal strength the resilience scale for the study of resilient protective factors. The results of the ANOVA statistic and the linear regression carried out indicate the high degree of association and predictive capacity of the dimensions, empathic capacities and personal strength, with respect to the depressed. In conclusion the depressive mood in the Spanish population during confinement caused by COVID-19 is determined by empathic capacities and personal strength.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION AND THE INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSION

Background: Depression is a mood disorder that causes loss of motivation to stay or to do daily activities. Research on depression prevalence indicates that approximately 4.4% of the worldwide population suffers it. The mechanism in which depression occurred due to fast foods is the excessive fat content disturbs neurogenesis in the brain. This research is carried out to look into the connection among fast food intake with the incidence of depression.
 Method: An analytical study with a cross-sectional design is the method chosen to conduct this research. The samples include college students from the Faculty of Medicine in University of Sumatera Utara admitted in 2018 and acquired with total sampling. The tools used in this research were the CES-D and FFQ questionnaire.
 Results: The incidence of depression among applicants in 2018 was 48.3%.The statistical calculations indicates that there is a significant relationship between fast food consumption and depression (p=0,043); but not significant to family income (p=0,684) and physical activity (p=0,289).
 Conclusion: Excessive consumption of junk food can increase the risk of depression.

Psychometric Properties of the PHQ-9, HADS, and CES-D Questionnaires and the Prevalence of Depression in Patients with Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy

Objective: The primary aim was to compare the psychometric properties among the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (both including and excluding somatic symptom items), the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in detecting depression in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The secondary aim was to investigate the prevalence of depression in this group of patients.Materials and Methods: Overall, 198 participants with cancer diagnosis from a radiology clinic took part in the study. They completed PHQ-9, HADS-D, and CES-D questionnaires and were interviewed in line with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) to confirm the diagnosis. The PHQ-9 was analyzed for three scoring methods: sum-score, inclusive (including all items), and exclusive (excluding 4 somatic symptom items) methods. The psychometric properties of each questionnaire were analyzed. The prevalence of depression measured by the M.I.N.I. was evaluated.Results: The sum-score method of the PHQ-9 had an equal sensitivity (100%) to the HADS-D and CES-D, and had a slightly higher specificity (91.1%) than the HADS-D (87.4%) and CES-D (90.6%). When compared results within the PHQ-9, the sum-score method had greater sensitivity than the inclusive (71.4%) and exclusive (42.9%) methods, and had a slightly lower specificity than the inclusive (96.9%) and exclusive (97.4%) methods. The prevalence of depression assessed by the M.I.N.I was 3.5%.Conclusion: The sum-score method of the PHQ-9 seemed to be the best tool to use for depression screening in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy due to its excellent sensitivity and specificity.

The Association Between Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Psychiatric Distress Among Naturally Pregnant Women and Pregnant Women After Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: a Birth Cohort Study.

Second-hand smoke (SHS) has been shown to be associated with psychiatric distress in pregnant women spontaneously conceived (SC), but this has never been investigated in pregnant women with assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This study aimed to investigate and compare the associations of SHS with psychiatric distress among SC and ART pregnant women. Participants (1467 SC and 857 ART women) were from the sub-study of Chinese National Birth Cohort (CNBC) in Anhui Province. SHS was assessed by the self-reported questionnaire. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and poor sleep quality were assessed using CES-D, SAS, CPSS, and PSQI questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine the association between SHS and psychiatric distress in each trimester. In SC women, SHS (yes or no) was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in the 3rd trimester (β = 0.90, 95% CI 0.07-1.73 for depression and β = 1.21, 95% CI 0.39-2.04 for anxiety) and stress symptom and poor sleep quality in both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (β = 0.85, 95% CI 0.20-1.49 in the 2nd trimester and β = 0.69, 95% CI 0.07-1.32 in the 3rd trimester for stress, and β = 1.32, 95% CI 0.68-1.96 in the 2nd trimester and β = 1.38, 95% CI 0.64-2.11 in the 3rd trimester for poor sleep quality). By contrast, in ART women, SHS was associated with depression and stress symptoms in the 1st trimester (β = 1.97, 95% CI 0.59-3.35 for depression and β = 1.18, 95% CI 0.24-2.12 for stress) and poor sleep quality throughout the pregnancy (β = 0.64, 95% CI 0.22-1.06 in the 1st trimester, β = 0.77, 95% CI 0.35-1.18 in the 2nd trimester, and β = 0.99, 95% CI 0.50-1.48 in the 3rd trimester, respectively). Our findings indicate a universal and detrimental effect of SHS on psychiatric health among both SC and ART pregnant women. However, the SHS impact may be more substantial at the early stage of pregnancy for ART women and at later stages for SC women. This implies the importance of reducing SHS exposure during pregnancy and the necessary to be aware of the difference in the effect of SHS on psychiatric distress between SC and ART women.

The factor structure of the Center for Epidemiological Study - Depression Scale in people with multiple sclerosis

Background: Depression is common in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, its assessment is complicated by biological processes. In this context it is important to consider the performance of depression screening measures including that their factor structure is consistent with expectation. This study sought to identify the factor structure of the Center for Epidemiological Study - Depression Scale (CES-D) in people with MS (PwMS). Methods: Participants (N = 493) were those who had consented to take part in a large three-phase longitudinal study of depression in PwMS. CES-D questionnaires completed at phase 1 of the study were utilised. An error in the questionnaire meant it was most appropriate to consider data for 19 of the 20 CES-D questionnaire items. The data was split into two samples by a random selection process to create an exploratory, model development sample and a validation sample. The first sample was subject to confirmatory factor analysis. Following examination of model fit and specification errors, the original model was modified. The revised model was tested in the confirmation sample to assess reproducibility. Results: The analysis results supported the original four factor solution for the CES-D, that is: Depressed Affect, Positive Affect, Somatic Complaints/Activity Inhibition, and Interpersonal Difficulties. Conclusions: The CES-D appears to have a coherent structure with which to examine depression in PwMS.

The factor structure of the Center for Epidemiological Study - Depression Scale in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Depression is common in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, its assessment is complicated by biological processes. In this context it is important to consider the performance of depression screening measures including that their factor structure is consistent with expectation. This study sought to identify the factor structure of the Center for Epidemiological Study - Depression Scale (CES-D) in people with MS (PwMS). Methods: Participants (N = 493) were those who had consented to take part in a large three-phase longitudinal study of depression in PwMS. CES-D questionnaires completed at phase 1 of the study were utilised. An error in the questionnaire meant it was most appropriate to consider data for 19 of the 20 CES-D questionnaire items. The data was split into two samples by a random selection process to create an exploratory, model development sample and a validation sample. The first sample was subject to confirmatory factor analysis. Following examination of model fit and specification errors, the original model was modified. The revised model was tested in the confirmation sample to assess reproducibility. Results: The analysis results supported the original four factor solution for the CES-D, that is: Depressed Affect, Positive Affect, Somatic Complaints/Activity Inhibition, and Interpersonal Difficulties. Conclusions: The CES-D appears to have a coherent structure with which to examine depression in PwMS.

1022: Association between extremely preterm cesarean delivery and maternal depressive symptoms: a national population-based cohort study

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cesarean delivery before 26 weeks was associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms of mothers of preterm infants in comparison with cesarean deliveries between 26 and 34 weeks. The Etude Epidémiologique sur les petits ages gestationnels (EPIPAGE) 2 is a national prospective population-based cohort study of preterm birth in 2011. We included mothers who delivered between 22 and 34 weeks and whom mothers' self-reported depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: CES-D) and state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: STAI) symptoms were assessed at the moment of neonatal discharge. To assess the association of cesarean delivery before 26 weeks with depression (CES-D ≥ 16) and anxiety symptoms (STAI ≥ 45), we used univariate and cluster (to take into account a potential center effect) multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among 2270 women completing CES-D and STAI questionnaires at the moment of neonatal discharge, 38 (0.6%) had cesarean delivery and 61 (0.9%) had vaginal delivery before 26 weeks whereas 1415 (62.7%) women had cesarean delivery after 26 weeks and 744 (40.1%) had vaginal delivery after 26 weeks. Depression symptoms occurred in 25 (65.8%) women having cesarean delivery before 26 weeks versus in 748 (50.6%) women having cesarean delivery after 26 weeks (p=0.03). Cluster multivariate logistic regression showed significant association of cesarean delivery before 26 weeks and depression symptoms compared with cesarean delivery after 26 weeks (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.61 ; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-6.02) whatever neonatal birth weight and severe neonatal morbidity. Univariate and cluster multivariate analysis did not show significant association between preterm mode of delivery and anxiety symptoms. Cesarean delivery before 26 weeks is an independent factor of depressive symptoms in mothers of preterm infants. Perinatal professionals should be aware of maternal psychological morbidity and take special preventive care to these women.

Caregiver Burden and Related Factors Among Caregivers of Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Multi-systemic symptoms of varying severity in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) may pose difficulties in caregiving. However, the factors which affect their care burden are yet to be sufficiently understood. We investigated care burden and its correlates among caregivers of patients with DM1. General demographic information was obtained from patients with DM1, as well as Barthel index (ADL), body mass index, and genetic information. Patients completed SF-36v2 (health-related quality of life), CES-D (depressive symptoms), and ESS (daytime sleepiness) questionnaires. Caregivers reported their perception of patient's status through these questionnaires, and completed Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). Correlation analysis of these variables were performed, and regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between caregiver burden and other variables. Forty-three patient-caregiver dyads participated. Mean ZBI score was 20.7±17.4, and 32.6% reported a significant care burden. ZBI correlated with caregiver-reported CES-D, but not with patient-reported CES-D. Both patient-reported and caregiver-reported physical QoL of patients correlated with patient ADL. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the combination of caregiver-reported CES-D, caregiver-reported mental QoL, and genetic characteristics predicted caregiver burden. Caregiver burden was felt although patients were relatively well-functioning. Patients' and caregivers' assessment of patients' physical condition were similar. However, they did not agree on the evaluation of the patients' psychological state. Cognitive characteristic of the patients and the caregivers' perception of the patients' state may have affected the results. Future DM1 care strategies need to work on improvement of patient-caregiver communication and provide support for the caregiver's psychological health.

Prophylactic SSRI treatment for women suffering from mood and anxiety symptoms undergoing in vitro fertilization-a prospective placebo-controlled study.

To explore the mood protective effect of prophylactic SSRI treatment on women undergoing IVF suffering from moderate affective and anxiety symptoms. In a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study, 41 women diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder, who were undergoing IVF treatments, were randomized into two groups; a study group (n = 22) administered escitalopram 10mg/day, and a control group (n = 19) administered placebo for a total of 8weeks before and during the IVF treatment cycle. Patients were assessed at the onset of drug treatment and at embryo transfer. The main outcome measure was the difference in mean score severity rating of depression and anxiety symptoms on the CES-D and Zung questionnaires between groups at the time of embryo transfer. Secondary outcome measures included the MHI rating subscales addressing aspects of psychological distress and coping. At the day of embryo transfer (6weeks of drug treatment), the CES-D average score for the treatment group was 6.40 (6.71) and 27.47 (4.29) on the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, while the placebo group scored an average of 15.83 (8.69) and 33.17 (6.95) receptively. These findings were significant (p = .004, p = .015 receptively) and were endorsed by the scoring on the MHI questionnaire subscales. Short-term treatment with SSRI may serve as a prophylactic treatment against the perpetuation and possible worsening of depressive and anxiety symptoms in women undergoing IVF treatments. Further studies concerning pharmacological interventions in larger samples and studies addressing screening for psychological stress indicators in this population are warranted.

Wszczep ślimakowy dla pacjentów z głuchotą postlingwalną – szansa na poprawę jakości życia

Permanent hearing damage, which was diagnosed in the postlingling period - prevents “normal” life. Adult, mature people who until now had certain social roles and activities, suddenly experienced the phenomenon of exclusion as a result of hearing loss, which leads in many cases to personal dramas. The aim of the research was to determine the possibility of improving the quality of life of patients with postlingual deafness after implanting the cochlear implant. The study involved 96 patients aged 30-75 years, postlingally deaf, equipped with a cochlear implant. The study used the CES-D questionnaire, the PANAS-PL questionnaire and the diagnostic survey method (questionnaire survey). The results of the study show that in the majority of patients after implantation, there was a subjectively evaluated improvement associated with activity in various spheres of life. The use of the cochlear implant in post-lethal hearing impaired patients allowed to achieve satisfactory auditory functioning, which contributed to the improvement of the quality of life.

METEOSENSITIVITY AMONG MENTAL WORKERS

<strong>This study</strong> investigates the incidence of meteosensitivity (MS) and its manifestations among intellectual workers, and the correlation between MS and psychological states of the patients. Patients were administered a standardized questionnaire of risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including MS; CES-D questionnaire to reveal depression; and self-monitoring map. Incidence of MS was established in 99 of 196 intellectual workers (50.5%): 34 men (40%) and 65 women (58.6%). In a group of 33 volunteers with MS, 45.5% were revealed to have various degrees of depression. Among people who exhibited manifestations of depression, the number of days of feeling unwell Physiological meteosensitivity (MS) - the property of the body to maintain its health by harmonizing life-supporting processes with solar, geophysical, meteorological and other processes in the environment. In a healthy person with good reserve capabilities of adaptation mechanisms, internal processes caused by physiological MS do not cause any painful sensations. In the case of the weakening of the body due to illness, stress, or exhaustion person may experience pathological meteopathic reactions, often complicating the course of the underlying disease, reducing the effectiveness of treatment, and worsening the patient’s quality of life. Differences in atmospheric pressure, especially spasmodic, negatively affect the circulatory system, vascular tone, and arterial pressure. High humidity also has negative effects on health. During periods of so-called “magnetic storms”, a deterioration of wellbeing is even possible in a completely healthy person, manifested by disturbance in memory and concentration and occurrence of nervous breakdowns. Cardiac patients are most sensitive to various changes in weather conditions [1-5]. It is noticed that people living in cities suffer from meteorological dependence much more than those who live in rural areas. This is in relationship to weather conditions significantly exceeded that of people who exhibited no depressive signs. Most people in the observation group complained of worsening in self-perceived well-being during the days in which the combination of northern or southern winds, high atmospheric pressure, and high humidity was registered. Sensitivity to showers was recorded in 69.7% of individuals with MS. <strong>Results</strong> of this study confirm the potential utility of providing self-management education to patients with MS and development of personalized programs for alleviating severity of individual’s reaction to fluctuations in certain meteorological parameters.

Relationship between depression and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes in Medan

Depression is a mental problem whichifnot handled properly will cause uncontrolled diabetes that affects the quality of life and increase the risk of complications. This study aimed to determine the relationship between depressionwith glycemic control among patients with type 2 Diabetes in Amplas Primary Health Care (PHC) Medan. The study design was a cross-sectional analytic approach. The study population was patients with Type 2 diabetes that is in the region Amplas PHC with a sample of 100 people with consecutive sampling method. We collected data by interviewing and blood analysis. Adapted CES-D questionnaire assessed the depression status. AFull Automatic Spectrophotometer Colorimeter method measured the Blood Sugar Level (BSL),and a Modified HPLC with Doronad affinity measured the HbA1c in avenous blood sample. We used Chi-square test and SPP to analyze and process the data. The results showed 57 (57%) subjects had depression, based on BSL as many as 69 subjects (69%) were not well-controlled diabetes, HbA1c levels showed that 79 subjects (79%) were uncontrolled diabetes. Chi-Square test found a significant relationship between the incidence of depression with glycemic control in diabetic patients in the Amplas PHC (p <0.05).

Ocena jakości życia pacjentów z przewlekłą białaczką szpikową w chwili ustalenia rozpoznania i po leczeniu imatinibem

Wstęp: Celem pracy była ocena jakości życia (JŻ) pacjentów z przewlekłą białaczką szpikową (PBSz) w chwili ustalenia rozpoznania, po 1 miesiącu i 12 miesiącach leczenia imatinibem oraz próba wybrania z postępowania terapeutycznego elementów, które w sposób istotny wpływają na obniżenie JŻ pacjentów.Materiały i metody: Ocena JŻ była przeprowadzona wśród dorosłych pacjentów z ustalonym rozpoznaniem PBSz hospitalizowanych w Klinice Hematologii, na Oddziale Dziennej Chemioterapii iPoradni Hematologicznej Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie, obecnie Pomorskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Szczecinie (Polska). Do oceny JŻ były wykorzystane 2 kwestionariusze: EORTC QLQ-C30 oraz EQ-5D, natomiast do oceny objawów depresji wykorzystano kwestionariusz CES-D. Analizy JŻ dokonano w 3 przedziałach czasowych: w chwili ustalenia rozpoznania (A1), po 1 miesiącu leczenia (A2) oraz po 12 miesiącach leczenia (A3). Wszyscy pacjenci byli leczeni imatinibem.Wyniki: Funkcjonowanie emocjonalne i JŻ oraz ogólny stan zdrowia uległy istotnej poprawie od A1 do A3. Pacjenci mówili o istotnym zmniejszeniu objawów dotyczących zmęczenia i dolegliwości bólowych. Objawy depresji znamiennie zmniejszyły się w trakcie leczenia. Grupa pacjentów cierpiąca na inne poważne choroby odnotowała wyższy wskaźnik objawów depresji. Chorzy nieposiadający stopnia naukowego i innych dodatkowych kwalifikacji oraz pacjenci cierpiący na inne poważne choroby znamiennie gorzej ocenili funkcjonowanie poznawcze.Wnioski: Na podstawie pomiaru różnych aspektów JŻ z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza EORTC QLQ-C30 oraz EQ-5D wykazano istotną poprawę już po 1. miesiącu leczenia w porównaniu zestanem przy rozpoznaniu PBSz. Ze względu na wysoki wskaźnik depresji CES-D pacjenci z PBSz wymagają stałej opieki psychologicznej, a w niektórych przypadkach także psychiatrycznej.

Depression in systemic lupus erythematosus: gender differences in the performance of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) varies widely between different cohorts (17-75%), primarily due to factors such as the heterogeneity of the samples and the instruments used to detect depressive symptoms. Most of these instruments are self-administered questionnaires that have different characteristics and approaches to depressive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate gender differences in the performance of three questionnaires used to assess depressive symptoms in patients with SLE: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study included 54 male and 54 female SLE patients. Depressive symptoms were assessed using BDI (cutoffs 13 and 15), CES-D and HADS. The gold standard method used was the diagnostic criteria of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Regarding the performance of the BDI questionnaire, no significant differences in sensitivity or specificity were found between the genders. The specificity of the CES-D questionnaire was significantly greater for the male group (83% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.0309), and its sensitivity was non-significantly higher for the female group (92.9% for women and 71.4% for men; p = 0.2474). Regarding the performance of the HADS, we found similar sensitivities between the genders (71.4%) but a higher specificity among the men (95.7% in men and 82.5% in women, p = 0.0741). In conclusion, our results suggest the presence of gender differences in the performance of the questionnaires in SLE patients. The BDI had the most similar performances between the male and female groups. In contrast, the CES-D and HADS-D showed considerable variation in performances between men and women with SLE.

Urban Residential Greenness and Depressive Symptoms: Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

Background Previous research suggests that contact with nature and access to green spaces may benefit mental health; however, only limited evidence exists from population-based data. Aim of this study was to analyze the association between residential greenness and depressive symptoms, each assessed using standardized measures. Methods We analyzed data of 4,662 participants from the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, aged 45–75 years and residing in the metropolitan Ruhr area, Germany. Baseline examinations took place in 2000–2003 (t0), with follow-up examinations after five (t5) and ten years (t10). Additionally, participants received annual mailed follow-up questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the 15-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). The CES-D ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms. CES-D questionnaires were handed out at t0, t5 and t10. Further, the questionnaires were annually mailed following t5 (from t6 to t13), which resulted in up to nine CES-D measurements per participant. We defined cases of high depressive symptoms as those with a CES-D score ≥17 at all measurements and/or intake of antidepressant medication at all visited examinations. Level of greenness within a 100-meter buffer of each participant’s baseline residence was defined by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI, range: 0–1), which was calculated from satellite imagery using a geographic information system. The association between NDVI and high depressive symptoms was analyzed by logistic regression. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusting for age, sex, employment status, relationship status, neighborhood socioeconomic status, road traffic noise, co-morbidities and body mass index. Results Mean NDVI within 100m of the residence was 0.36±0.09 in the study population, ranging from 0.02 to 0.66. High depressive symptoms were observed in 5.2% of the participants (women: 6.6%; men: 3.7%). An interquartile range (0.1) increase in NDVI showed an adjusted odds ratio of 0.86 (95% CI 0.74-1.00; crude OR 0.80, 0.70-0.92) for high depressive symptoms. Conclusions The study results indicate that higher levels of residential greenness may be associated with less depressive symptoms. Our next steps will include sensitivity analyses using repeated measurement and panel approaches. Future studies should further aim to explore the influence of the quality of greenness. Improved understanding of how greenness is connected with mental health will help urban planners to create healthy urban environments.

Actor and partner effects of coping on adjustment in couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Infertility is a shared experience as it affects both partners. However, mutual dependencies between coping and adjustment at the couple level remain to be fully elucidated. The study attempted to address this issue using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to examine the actor effect (the extent to which an individual’s score on coping predicted their own level of depressive symptoms and life purpose) and the partner effect (the extent to which an individual’s score on coping predicted the level of adjustment in the partner) in couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART).&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Participants and procedure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Coping strategies, depressive symptoms, and life purpose were assessed among 31 married couples (aged 27-38 years) undergoing ART. The Brief COPE, CES-D, and PIL questionnaires were used. Data were analyzed by multilevel modeling (MLM).&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The results of MLM indicated that focus on positive and active coping had an actor effect with depressive symptoms and life purpose, respectively. The actor effect of evasive coping on depression was moderated by gender and significant only in women. The partner effect was demonstrated for evasive coping, social support seeking, and substance use – the first two were gender moderated and significant in men.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Coping efforts in the couple during infertility treatment are not only associated with the individual but also the partner’s adjustment to that situation. Although the focus on positive and active coping was associated with individual benefits, other coping strategies which have the function of a protective buffer may also result in the occurrence of side effects, especially in females.

Somatic symptoms, drinking, and mental distress among Russian female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study

IntroductionDrinking has been shown to be a protective factor against the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On the other hand, high prevalence of depressive symptoms has been observed among RA patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between depressive symptoms and somatic factors as well as drinking habits in RA patients.MethodsDrinking habits and physical symptoms in 182 female RA outpatients in Ivanovo, Russia (average [standard deviation] of age, 62.0 [11.7] years), were investigated. Drinking status was classified as current drinkers (alcohol consumption within the previous 12 months) and others. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with MINI, HADS and CES-D questionnaires. Outcomes were (a) presence or history of major depressive disorder, presence of melancholic major depressive disorder, presence of dysthymia, or 1 point or greater of suicidal risk score in MINI, (b) 8 points or greater in HADS-depression, (c) 8 points or greater in HADS-anxiety, and (d) 16 points or greater in CES-D. Stepwise logistic regression was used to evaluate somatic factors associated with depressive symptoms, with age and drinking status included.ResultsDrinking was rather protective against depression, but did not reach statistical significance. Symptomatic parts in the extremities associated with the outcomes were shoulders for MINI, elbows and knees for HADS-depression, shoulders for HADS-anxiety, and hands, elbows and shoulders for CES-D. In the stepwise selection, some symptoms in the extremities were positively associated with the outcomes.ConclusionSymptoms chiefly in large joints contributed to depressive symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.