Current Symptoms Research Articles

Abstract – People often struggle to access reliable and timely health information about diseases and viruses, as relevant data is scattered across multiple sources such as WHO, health portals, and government websites. This leads to delays in awareness, misinformation, and difficulty in understanding disease symptoms, affected regions, and preventive measures. Current health information systems are typically static and do not provide real-time, consolidated insights. To solve these issues, we propose MediScope: Spot Sickness Before It Spreads, an intelligent healthcare web crawling and analytics system. This system automatically extracts health data from trusted sources using web scraping techniques, processes and analyzes information using Natural Language Processing (NLP) for entity recognition and symptom extraction, and presents insights through interactive dashboards. It uses a combination of web crawling frameworks (BeautifulSoup, Scrapy), NLP libraries (spaCy, NLTK), and data visualization tools to collect, standardize, and display disease information including current outbreaks, symptoms, geographic distribution, and prevention strategies. By offering centralized access, real-time updates, and user-friendly visualization, this solution aims to improve public health awareness, enable early disease detection, and support informed decision-making, providing a powerful tool for modern healthcare information management. Keywords: Web Crawling, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Disease Surveillance, Named Entity Recognition, Healthcare Analytics, Data Visualization.

Adolescence is a sensitive period of social, biological, and cognitive development. Prolonged suffering from psychiatric symptoms during this important phase of development has well-established social, health, and occupational costs in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers to engaging in mental health treatment among symptomatic, community-dwelling adolescents. In a cross-sectional study, barriers to mental health service use and psychiatric symptoms, including depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbance, were self-reported by 277 adolescents (age 15.14 ± 2.21 years; 52% female; 93.5% Hispanic or Latino). Clinically elevated psychiatric symptoms were common in this sample; 26% self-reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, 41% self-reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms, and 46% self-reported clinically significant sleep disturbance. Having clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety was associated with more barriers overall, p < 0.001. Having more exposure to early life adversity (ELA), being in high school or college relative to middle school, and having clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety were each independently associated with more cost concerns, ELA p = 0.02, school p = 0.01, anxiety p = 0.006. Adolescents in this sample with clinically elevated psychiatric symptoms disproportionately reported barriers to seeking mental health treatment pertaining to not wanting to discuss their mental health concerns with a physician, depression p < 0.001 and sleep disturbance p = .005, not knowing how to access a mental health provider, anxiety p < 0.001, and feeling like their symptoms were not pathological given their current circumstances, for both depressive and anxiety symptoms p < 0.001. Among at-risk youth-predominantly Hispanic/Latino-both intrinsic (normalization, fear/limited knowledge) and extrinsic (cost, transportation, physician referral) barriers shape perceived access to care, with anxiety and sleep problems most strongly tied to overall barriers. Social ecological approaches to addressing these barriers may reduce the time at-risk adolescents delay seeking support or intervention.

A random sample was drawn from the Icelandic National Register and 1766 individuals responded to a survey (mean age 49 years). They were asked questions about lifetime domestic violence victimization, as well as questions about their current symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress and happiness, and social support from friends and family. We tested relationships between victimization, symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress, happiness and social support, as well as whether they were moderated by gender. 15% of participants had experienced domestic violence, which was more common among women (20%) than men (10%). Domestic violence survivors had significantly greater symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress and lower happiness than non-victimized people, but this effect depended on sex. Women survivors reported significantly greater symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety andstress and lower happiness, and poorer social support than other women, and men survivors reported greater symptoms of PTSD, depression and stress, lower happiness and lower family support than other men. It should be noted that all group means were below clinical cutoff scores. Social support was related to lower symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress, as well as greater happiness. A considerable portion of the Icelandic population has experienced domestic violence, which is related to greater symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress, and lower happiness. It is important to systematically intervene to boost social support, especially among survivors of domestic violence.

Infant emotionality and maternal depression at 6months postpartum.

Disentangling nature and nurture: Exploring the genetic background of depressive symptoms in the absence of recent stress exposure using a GWAS approach.

Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the CONSTANCES cohort.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is recognized as a condition that can persist into adulthood, often with psychiatric comorbidities that worsen the overall prognosis. ADHD has been associated with substance use disorders (SUDs), especially through symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity, while the role of inattentive symptoms remains more difficult to judge. This study aimed to estimate the likelihood of ADHD in a sample of young adults with SUDs undergoing opioid agonist treatment, and to evaluate how inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive traits affect their clinical, psychological, and social functioning. 57 individuals were evaluated using comprehensive clinical interviews and self-administered questionnaires to assess characteristics of SUDs, current and childhood ADHD symptoms, levels of impulsivity, and psychiatric comorbidities. Overall, 22.8% of participants were classified as possible ADHD cases (p-ADHD). Compared to the comparison group, p-ADHD patients exhibited more severe SUDs symptomatology and greater impairments in specific domains of adaptive functioning. They also had a higher lifetime prevalence of social anxiety disorder, unspecified Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnoses, and clinically relevant impulsivity. Further, p-ADHD individuals were more likely to experience limitations and craving, with the inattentive symptoms significantly mediating these associations. ADHD frequently co-occurs in SUDs patients in OAT and can worsen the SUDs clinical presentation. Moreover, inattentive symptoms may play a prominent role in SUDs development. This study suggests that different ADHD presentations influence SUDs manifestations, challenging the idea that impulsivity is the main contributor in SUDs.

Context: Recent meta-analyses and cross-sectional studies propose that insulin resistance (IR) is not a lasting feature of depression. However, longitudinal evidence is lacking, particularly in midlife women across menopause and ethnically diverse cohorts. Objective: To assess the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and IR among midlife women and determine if this association varies by menopausal status and ethnicity. Methods: The study population comprised 2,829 White, Black, Hispanic, Chinese, and Japanese women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation followed for approximately 20 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and IR was obtained from the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to estimate the association between depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥16, indicating risk for clinical depression) and HOMA-IR, adjusting for important confounders. Results: In multivariable analyses simultaneously including current depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms from the prior visit in the model, the estimated effect of current CES-D score ≥16, but not prior CES-D score ≥16, was statistically significantly associated with higher log-HOMA-IR levels (β = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.06). The relationship between current depressive symptoms and IR was strongest among Hispanic women (interaction p = 0.005; β = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.27). Conclusion: Current reporting of CES-D score ≥16, but not prior reporting, was associated with elevated IR over time among midlife women. This study provides longitudinal evidence in support of IR as a temporary feature of depression. Moreover, the results suggest that Hispanic women with higher depressive symptoms may be particularly susceptible to IR.

Background: In June 2024, urinary tract infections (UTIs) were added to the list of conditions that could be treated by community pharmacists providing the national Common Ailments Service in Wales. The aim of this study was to describe patient-reported experiences of UTI management by pharmacists. Methods: A positivist research paradigm was selected, with data collection through a survey. Results: In total, 309 surveys were received between 29 June 2024 and 14 July 2025. Patients rated their experience using a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (excellent), with a median score of 10 (IQR = 10 to 10, range 6 to 10). High satisfaction was independent of age and provision of antibiotics, with the same median and IQR and a similar range between the groups who received and did not receive antibiotics (7–10 and 6–10, respectively). Of the 309 respondents, 297 (96.1%) stated that the next time they had a UTI, they would return to the pharmacy instead of trying to see a GP, and 253 (81.9%) that they understood why antibiotics are not always recommended. Conclusions: Community pharmacists managed patient expectations, improved patient confidence in managing current symptoms and provided information on self-care strategies for preventing future infections, demonstrating their valuable role in health promotion and antimicrobial stewardship.

Abstract Purpose While links between chronic pain and childhood trauma or PTSD symptoms are well-established, less is known about how these factors are related in individuals experiencing different types of pain. This study explores associations among childhood trauma, PTSD symptoms, and pain coping strategies interact in individuals with chronic versus acute pain. Methods A total of 159 participants (chronic and acute pain groups) completed an online survey assessing childhood trauma pain coping strategies and current PTSD symptoms. Correlations between variables within each group, and differences between chronic and acute pain groups were evaluated using z-tests. Results Pain intensity was positively associated with childhood trauma, particularly emotional ( r = .32) and physical abuse ( r = .24). PTSD symptoms, specifically re-experiencing ( r = .29) and hyperarousal ( r = .28) were also linked to greater pain intensity. Adaptive coping strategies like distraction and coping self-statements were negatively associated with pain intensity. These strategies showed stronger negative correlations with childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms in the chronic pain group ( z = − 2.57 to z = 5.43), suggesting more complex coping dynamics. Associations between trauma, PTSD symptoms, and pain were more pronounced in chronic pain sufferers. Conclusions These results have important clinical implications, emphasising the need for trauma-informed care in pain management interventions. Further research should explore effective strategies for managing the intersection of pain and trauma, particularly in chronic pain populations.

Evidence links infant antibiotic exposure to asthma, but data from North Africa are limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 100 children aged 0–5 years in Sebha, Libya. Early exposure was defined as any systemic antibiotic use before the age of 2 years, and intensity was grouped as 0, 1, 2–3, or ≥4 courses. The primary outcome was the presence of current asthma-like symptoms (wheezing, persistent cough, nocturnal cough, or shortness of breath). Proportions were compared using chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression was adjusted for age, sex, family history of atopy, household smoking, and residence. Sensitivity analysis excluded children with physician-diagnosed asthma. Results: Seventy percent of children received antibiotics by the age of 2. Overall, 25% had current asthma-like symptoms; the prevalence was 30% among the exposed and 10% among the unexposed (unadjusted OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.05–14.2; adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.11–11.2). A dose–response relationship was observed: symptoms in 15% with 1 course, ~30% with 2–3 courses, and 50% with ≥4 courses (p-trend &lt;0.01). The first antibiotic before 6 months showed a higher symptomatic proportion among the exposed, but this was not statistically significant. Family history was strongly associated with symptoms (aOR ~4.0), whereas household smoking showed a non-significant trend (aOR ~1.8). The model fit was acceptable (Hosmer–Lemeshow p=0.88). The sensitivity results were similar (25% vs. 8%, p=0.04). Respiratory infections were the most common indication for use, and 57% of exposed children received broad-spectrum agents. In this Libyan cohort, early-life antibiotics were associated with a higher burden of asthma-like symptoms by age five years, with a graded increase across course counts. Although confounding by indication and cross-sectional design limit causal inference, the findings are biologically plausible and clinically relevant. Prudent stewardship in infancy and targeted respiratory follow-up for repeatedly treated children are warranted, and larger prospective cohorts with validated exposure and microbiome profiling are needed

BackgroundCognitive theories suggest that anxiety symptoms are associated with increased recall of threatening information, but previous evidence has been inconsistent. We examined whether recall of socially rewarding or threatening information was associated with concurrent and subsequent generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms.MethodsWe used data from a cohort study (N = 530, 68% female) and the baseline of a randomised controlled trial (N = 653, 58% female). All participants had a history of depressive symptoms. Both studies included a computerised task assessing incidental word recall and measured GAD symptoms using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7). We tested concurrent associations in both samples and lagged associations in the cohort, which measured GAD scores at four time-points (two weeks apart) and recall at the first three time-points. We used multilevel linear (cohort) and linear (RCT) regression models, before and after adjusting for confounders.ResultsIn the cohort, there was strong evidence that better recall of socially rewarding information was associated with lower GAD scores concurrently (coef=-0.18; 95% CI=-0.31–0.04). There was no evidence for an association with recall of socially threatening words (coef=-0.04, 95% CI=-0.20-0.12). Longitudinally, there was no evidence that recall of socially rewarding or threatening information was associated with subsequent GAD scores. In the RCT, there was evidence that better recall of socially rewarding information was associated with lower concurrent GAD scores (coef=-0.32; 95% CI=-0.56–0.08).ConclusionsGAD may be characterised by difficulty in recalling socially rewarding information but not memory for socially threatening information. Our findings indicate that recalling less socially rewarding information may be a marker of current GAD symptoms, but not a risk factor longitudinally.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07402-1.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) genetic liability, quantified by polygenic scores (PGS), may influence clinical phenotypes in major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated the effect of the SCZ-PGS derived from the latest SCZ genome-wide association study (GWAS) on MDD symptom severity, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes. The study included 1060 adults diagnosed with MDD from the GSRD sample, with replication in the STAR*D sample (n = 1503 MDD). Baseline and current depressive symptoms were assessed along with functional impairment and comorbid conditions. SCZ-PGS was calculated based on the latest SCZ GWAS summary statistics. Higher SCZ-PGS was associated with more severe baseline depressive symptoms, including apparent sadness, inner tension, lassitude, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidality. Functional impairment in social, familial, and work domains also increased with higher SCZ-PGS. Multivariable models suggested a small but significant independent association between elevated SCZ-PGS and poorer outcomes, confirmed in the STAR*D sample. Elevated SCZ-PGS correlated with a series of features suggesting more severe depression in both samples. Our findings confirm that the latest SCZ genetic liability scores contribute to MDD clinical heterogeneity, increasing depressive severity, functional impairment, and anxiety comorbidity. Although its influence on treatment response appears modest, SCZ-PGS may serve as a marker for more severe depressive presentations.

ABSTRACTIntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by depressed mood and a loss of interest or pleasure. Treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) is clinically defined as the failure to achieve an adequate therapeutic response following trials of two or more antidepressant medications of sufficient dose and duration. The neuroinflammation hypothesis proposes that hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction and glucocorticoid resistance contribute to TRD pathophysiology, distinct from monoaminergic mechanisms. Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV‐6B) reactivation, triggered by stress, increases the risk of depression. Small protein encoded by the Intermediate stage Transcript of HHV‐6‐1 (SITH‐1), a latent HHV‐6B protein, may serve as a neuroinflammation biomarker. Previous studies showed elevated SITH‐1 antibody titers in depression patients compared to healthy controls. This study investigated the relationship between SITH‐1 antibody titers and clinical characteristics, particularly current symptoms and longitudinal depression trajectory, in patients with TRD.MethodsTwenty‐five patients with TRD and 18 healthy individuals were registered for the present study. Blood samples were collected from each participant, and clinical characteristics of TRD were assessed. The quantity of SITH‐1 was assessed by measuring antibody titers as SITH‐1 and calcium‐modulating ligand complex.ResultsSITH‐1 antibody titers were significantly elevated in the TRD group compared to healthy controls. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that SITH‐1 antibody titers were significantly associated with TRD diagnosis, with the odds ratio for TRD of 15.7. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value for TRD classification was 2.07, yielding a sensitivity of 82.6% and a specificity of 94.4%. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the number of depressive episodes was significantly associated with SITH‐1 antibody titers, whereas 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total scores showed no significant association.ConclusionThese findings suggest that SITH‐1 may reflect chronic neuroinflammatory processes and represent a promising novel biomarker for TRD.

BackgroundIndividuals with mental illnesses are disproportionately incarcerated in jails, which have become de facto mental health institutions across the US. Yet there is limited research describing mental healthcare practices from entry to release among multiple jails and states.MethodsWe conducted 34 semi-structured interviews with jail healthcare personnel across five Southeastern states and used the Framework Method to guide analyses.ResultsWe report results on challenges and practices related to mental health staffing, screening, additional evaluations and services, and discharge planning in jails. Initial mental health screenings were often restricted to the detection of suicidality and history of treatment and medications as opposed to current mental health symptoms. Use of validated mental health screening forms was uncommon. We found delays in care between the initial health screening and being evaluated by a mental health professional. Most jails reported primary responsibilities for mental healthcare as preventing suicides and managing psychiatric medications. Jails reported mental healthcare as challenging to manage, with high volumes of individuals with mental health needs, yet limited resources, especially regarding staffing. Discharge planning was limited despite reports of poor continuity of mental health services.ConclusionsJails have a constitutional duty to provide adequate healthcare to individuals with mental illnesses, yet practices are insufficient and resources are limited across jails. Based on our findings, we recommend 1) greater adoption and revisions of jail health standards 2) system improvement that expands identification of mental illnesses and quicker, less variable follow-up mental health evaluations, 3) improved linkages and supports for community resources that prevent incarceration of this population.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13507-w.

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) substantially revised its diagnostic criteria for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in 2023, encompassing acute symptoms and positive clinical and laboratory examinations, in addition to immediate signs of injury. This study aimed to apply these criteria to a large, diverse cohort and compare the diagnostic determination to physician impression of injury. A network of 3 concussion specialty clinics in Ontario, Canada. A total of 1447 patients (61.0% female; median age=26 years [IQR: 15-42 years, range: 3-87 years]; days post-injury (median: 23 IQR: [13-47, 0-349]) completed initial evaluations between June 28, 2024 and June 18, 2025. Prospective observational study. Occurrence rates were calculated, and binary/ordinal logistic regressions were applied to determine if individual criterion endorsement or diagnostic outcome ("Definite," "Suspected," and "No mTBI") was associated with age, sex, symptoms at clinical presentation, or days post-injury. Additionally, concordance with physician impression was assessed similarly. Criteria for signs, symptoms, and clinical examinations were all more likely to be endorsed with increasing symptom severity at presentation, as was an ACRM diagnostic outcome of definite mTBI. Shorter time post-injury was associated with positive clinical/laboratory examinations and the presence of confounding factors, in addition to a definite diagnostic outcome. A total of 18.4% of cases were classified less definitively as mTBI by physician impression than by the updated ACRM diagnosis, with physicians tending toward underdiagnosis, particularly in patients reporting lower current symptom severity. Use of the ACRM criteria clinically to determine if an injury qualifies as mTBI may be less susceptible to bias from ongoing symptom reporting than the physician impression of the injury.

ABSTRACT Introduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) have an elevated risk of trauma exposure, which can adversely affect health outcomes and create barriers to engaging with services. While high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among PWID have been well-documented, less is known about the prevalence of complex PTSD (C-PTSD) in this cohort, or how symptom severity might relate to perceived barriers to alcohol and drug treatment. Methods: Participants (n = 102; 74.5% male) were recruited from the Melbourne Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) in Victoria, Australia, as part of a larger study examining the health needs of MSIR attendees. Participants completed a survey that included assessment of potentially traumatic life events (Life Events Checklist; LEC), past 30-day symptoms of PTSD/C-PTSD (International Trauma Questionnaire; ITQ), and perceived barriers to drug and alcohol treatment (Barriers to Treatment Inventory; BTI). Results: Ninety-one participants (89.2%) had directly experienced at least one potentially traumatic event, with 24 participants (23.5%) endorsing events in 10 or more categories. Thirty participants (29.4%) met criteria for past 30-day PTSD; of these, 25 (83.3%) also met criteria for C-PTSD. C-PTSD symptom severity was associated with greater perceived barriers due to privacy concerns, lack of treatment availability, and time constraints, but lower barriers relating to perceived absence of a drug problem. PTSD symptom severity was associated with greater perceived barriers due to negative social support and lack of treatment availability. Females reported significantly greater trauma exposure and were more likely to meet PTSD/C-PTSD criteria than males. Discussion: Cumulative trauma exposure and current C-PTSD symptoms were common among people attending a supervised injecting facility. Potentially, these PWID may recognise their need for drug treatment or services despite greater perceived structural and interpersonal barriers to treatment. Further research is needed to identify and address the unique barriers to accessing support services in these settings.

Intimate partner violence from current or former marital partners and the risk of depressive symptoms in China: A national cross-sectional study.

Sadness-specific speech-in-noise impairments and subregional left insular volume reduction in schizophrenia with auditory verbal hallucinations.

sTREM2 as a mediator in the association between life-threatening events and depression.