Depressive Symptoms In Men Research Articles

Associations between different types and sources of dietary fibre intake and depressive symptoms in a general population of adults: a cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between dietary fibre (DF) intake and depressive symptoms in a general adult population in Tianjin, China. A total of 24306 participants (mean age 41 years; range 18-91 years) were enrolled. DF intake was assessed using a validated self-administered FFQ. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale. Associations between DF intake and depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression analysis. Socio-demographic, behavioural, health status and dietary factors were adjusted. In men, compared with participants in the lowest quartiles for total, soluble, vegetable and soya DF, OR for depressive symptoms in the highest were 0·83 (95 % CI 0·69, 0·99), 0·74 (95 % CI 0·63, 0·87), 0·79 (95 % CI 0·65, 0·96) and 0·69 (95 % CI 0·60, 0·81), respectively. In women, compared with participants in the lowest quartiles for vegetable and soya DF, the OR for depressive symptoms in the highest were 0·77 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·93) and 0·82 (95 % CI 0·70, 0·95), respectively. No association was found between total or soluble DF intake and depressive symptoms in women. No association was found between insoluble, cereal, fruit or tuber DF intake and depressive symptoms in men and women. Linear associations between DF intake and depressive symptoms were only detected for soya DF (men, β = -0·148, P < 0·0001; women, β = -0·069, P = 0·04). Results suggest that intake of soluble, vegetable and soya DF was inversely associated with depressive symptoms. These results should be confirmed through prospective and interventional studies.

Subclinical macro and microvascular disease is differently associated with depressive symptoms in men and women: Findings from the SABRE population-based study

Background and aimsMechanisms underlying the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression are unknown, and sex differences understudied. We investigated associations between a comprehensive set of measures of macro and microvascular disease and depressive symptoms in older men and women. MethodsWe performed cross-sectional analyses of the SABRE (Southall And Brent REvisited) population-based study. Participants (1396) attended clinic between 2008 and 2011 for assessment of subclinical macrovascular (carotid ultrasound, echocardiography, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging) and microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy) disease, and depression. ResultsMean age of 1396 participants was 69.5 years, and 76.2% were male. The median (interquartile range) of depression score was 1 [0, 2] for men and 1 [0, 3] for women. All measures of subclinical macro and microvascular disease were adversely associated with depressive symptoms, even when known CVD was excluded. Physical activity partly explained some of these relationships. The association between left atrial dimension index (LADI), a measure of chronic elevated left ventricular filling pressure, and depressive symptoms was stronger in women (regression coefficient 0.23 [95% CI 0.11, 0.35]) than men (0.07 [-0.01, 0.15]), p for interaction 0.06, on multivariable adjustment. ConclusionsSubclinical macro and microvascular disease is associated with depressive symptoms, even in the absence of established CVD. These were in part accounted for by physical activity. We observed stronger association between LADI and depressive symptoms in women than in men. The beneficial role of physical activity in abrogating the association between subclinical CVD and depression warrants further investigation.

Gender differences in resources related to depressive symptoms during the early years of retirement: A Swedish population-based study.

To examine levels of depressive symptoms during the early years of retirement in men and women and to investigate potential gender differences in associations with self-reported health, financial insecurity, social network and psychological resources. Data was drawn from the first wave in the Health, Aging and Retirement Transitions in Sweden-study (HEARTS) including a total sample of 1148 retirees, aged 60 to 66. Level of depressive symptoms and associations with health, financial insecurity, social network and psychological resources were investigated in regression analyses in the total sample and in bivariate correlation analyses in the subgroup at risk of depression as defined by a cut-off ≥9 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Mean CES-D scores were similar in men and women in the entire sample. The CES-D identified 144 individuals at risk of depression (men 14%, women 11%, n.s.). Although the pattern of related resources was similar in men and women, a greater proportion of the variance was explained in the male group (51% vs 37%). Health, quality of social network, social support and competence satisfaction were all correlated with depressive symptoms in men in the high risk group, but no associations were seen in women. Similar levels of depressive symptoms were observed in women and men in the retirement transition. However, the relevance of the selected resources may be greater in men. Research on the management of depressive symptoms in the transition between midlife and aging needs to take gender into consideration.

Associations of serum chromogranin A with depressive symptoms in men with unipolar depressive disorder

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine the changes of serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels upon depression by investigating the relationship between serum CgA levels and the depressive symptoms assessed by 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24). MethodSerum CgA levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 133 male patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and were compared with those of 47 healthy controls. Then generalized linear regression, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to examine the association between serum CgA levels and depressive symptoms. ResultsSerum CgA levels were lower in MDD patients than in controls (P < 0.001) and were inversely associated with scores on HRSD-24 in unadjusted, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, traumatic life events and family history of depression-adjusted and fully adjusted linear regression model. The fully adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence intervals was −0.028 (−0.045, −0.010) for serum CgA levels and HRSD-24 score. Serum CgA levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms (HRSD ≥20) in each logistic regression model. ConclusionSerum CgA decrease was noted in male patients of MDD and may be inversely associated with depressive symptoms.

The potential pathophysiological role of aldosterone and the mineralocorticoid receptor in anxiety and depression – Lessons from primary aldosteronism

High levels of aldosterone appear to be related to depressive and anxiety related behavior as demonstrated in therapy refractory depression and primary aldosteronism (PA). We analyzed data from a large register of patients with PA in order to clarify mediators and moderators of this influence. Up to 624 subjects were analyzed, however not all subjects had a complete dataset. Due to the known gender differences in subjects with PA we performed the analyses adjusted for gender. We compared subjects with (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) vs. no depressive symptomatology. 56% of men and 61% of women met this depression criterion. In women aldosterone concentration was significantly higher in depressed patients and renin levels were significantly increased with higher anxiety scores. This was not found in men. Depressive symptoms in men and women were significantly associated to BMI (men: dep vs non-dep: 29.6 vs. 28.4, p < 0.05; women: 26.9 vs. 24.5) and body weight (p < 0.05). Neither blood pressure nor electrolytes were different between depression groups. The relationship of these parameters to anxiety was less pronounced and partially unexpected: only in men higher anxiety (GAD ≥ 5) was related to lower systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, higher aldosterone appears to be associated with depressive symptoms in women, but less so in men with PA. BMI appears to be strongly and independently associated with depressive symptoms in patients with PA, independent of gender. Further studies are required to clarify the causal relationship.

Serum Vitamin D Concentrations Are Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Men: The Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014.

ObjectiveThere is increasing evidence of an inverse association between serum vitamin D concentrations and depression, but whether there are sex-specific differences remains controversial. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D concentrations and specific domains of depressive symptoms by each sex in the Korean general population.MethodsThe study sample comprised 820 men and 916 women, aged from 19 to 76, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014. Participants completed health interviews and health examinations providing data of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and certain covariates. Associations were analyzed using negative binomial regression.ResultsAfter adjusting for various covariates, the association between log-transformed serum 25(OH)D concentrations and total PHQ-9 scores was statistically significant {incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–0.93]} only in men. Additionally, the association between log-transformed serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the PHQ-9 cognitive/affective subscore was statistically significant [IRR = 0.56 (95% CI = 0.40–0.80)] only in men. There was no association for the somatic subscore.ConclusionsSerum vitamin D levels were inversely associated with cognitive/affective depressive symptoms only in men.

Does community-level social capital mitigate the impact of widowhood & living alone on depressive symptoms?: A prospective, multi-level study.

Widowhood and living alone are linked to increased risk of depression. We examined prospectively whether community-level social capital can mitigate the adverse impact of widowhood and living alone on depressive symptoms. We used data of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study of functionally independent adults aged 65 years or older. Three waves of surveys were collected in 2010, 2013 and 2016. We conducted gender-stratified multilevel linear regression to examine the moderating effects of community-level social capital on depressive symptoms (as assessed by the 15-point Geriatric Depression Scale) associated with widowhood and living alone. Widowhood in the past 12 months in combination with living alone was associated with a marked worsening in depressive symptoms among men (beta coefficient=1.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.38, 1.95). Community-level civic participation, but not social cohesion or reciprocity, was associated with lower depressive symptoms in men and women. In addition, community-level civic participation moderated the association between depressive symptoms and recent widowhood/living alone among men (coefficient per 1 standard deviation=-0.30; 95% confidence interval: -0.59, -0.02). We found no significant effect modification of community-level social capital on depressive symptoms associated with widowhood and living alone among women. Communities with greater civic participation appear to mitigate the onset of depressive symptoms among recently widowed men living alone. Promotion of community activities might be an effective community-level intervention to promote mental health in this vulnerable group.

Distress Concealment and Depression Symptoms in a National Sample of Canadian Men: Feeling Understood and Loneliness as Sequential Mediators.

Men's tendency to conceal their distress has been linked with increased depressive symptoms. Although interpersonal connectedness has been associated with distress concealment and depression, it is unclear how connectedness mediates this association. The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating effects of feeling understood and loneliness-two facets of interpersonal connectedness-in the association between distress concealment and depressive symptoms in men. A sample of 530 Canadian men was selected based on age- and region-stratification that reflects the national population. Participants completed measures of depression symptoms, distress concealment, loneliness, and feeling understood. Mediation analyses were conducted. Results supported a sequential mediation model: concealing distress was associated with not feeling understood, not feeling understood was associated with loneliness, and loneliness was associated with depressive symptoms. These findings shed light on how distress concealment is associated with depressive symptoms among men. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.

The Relationship between Selected Bioelements and Depressiveness Associated with Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome in Aging Men.

Background and Objectives: Abnormal concentrations of bioelements (magnesium, manganese, chromium, copper, zinc) have been associated with physical and emotional dysfunctions, including depression. This association, however, has not been analyzed in testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) or patients with depressiveness, i.e., when individual symptoms do not form the picture of a full-syndrome depressive disorder. This study aimed to assess the relationship between concentrations of selected bioelements and the incidence of depressive symptoms in men aged 50 years and older with a concurrent testosterone deficiency syndrome. Material and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 314 men; the mean age of the population was 61.36 ± 6.38 years. Spectrophotometric method for biochemical analysis of magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) was used. The diagnosis of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) was based on the total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels by ELISA. Each participant completed the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-Ia) measuring the severity of depressive symptoms. Results: Emotional disturbances manifested as depressive symptoms were diagnosed in 28.7% of all participants and testosterone deficiency syndrome in 49.3%. In the TDS group, the analysis showed a significant correlation between the level of manganese (R = 0.225, p = 0.005) and chromium (R = 0.185, p = 0.021) with the incidence of depression. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated a relationship between manganese and chromium concentrations with the incidence of depression in men aged 50 years and older with a concurrent testosterone deficiency syndrome. This may indicate that there is a correlation between these bioelements, as well as emotional disorders manifested as depressive symptoms in aging men with a diagnosed testosterone deficiency.

Transactional Associations Between Couple Relationship Intimacy and Depressive Symptoms Across 10 Years

AbstractObjectiveThis study tested a transactional model of associations between couple relationship intimacy and one's own and one's partner's depressive symptoms across 10 years.BackgroundDepressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy are important aspects of individual functioning and family well‐being. Partners' mental health and experiences in couple relationships may be interdependent.MethodSix waves of data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. At each wave, 654 couples (654 men and 654 women all married and/or living together) reported their relationship intimacy and depressive symptoms. An actor–partner interdependence random intercept cross‐lagged panel model was estimated to examine reciprocal relations between men's and women's depressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy.ResultsThe cross‐lagged paths showed that higher than personal average couple relationship intimacy perceived by men and women predicted intraindividual increases in their partner's perceptions of couple relationship intimacy at the next time point. Moreover, for women, higher than personal average relationship intimacy predicted subsequent intraindividual decreases in their depressive symptoms (while the reverse was not true), whereas for men, lower than average depressive symptoms predicted intraindividual increases in self‐perceived relationship intimacy (while the reverse was not significant).ConclusionWe found reverse temporal precedence of depressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy for men and women. Partners' relationship intimacy was interdependent.

Gender Differences in Superior-memory SuperAgers and Associated Factors in an Australian Cohort.

Background: Despite expectations of deterioration in memory function with age, some older adults demonstrate superior memory performance and have been defined as SuperAgers. Method: SuperAgers were identified in a population-based prospective cohort in Australia (n = 1,679; 49.4% female; mean age = 70.6 ±1.5 years) as participants who, over a 12-year period, consistently scored at or above the median of participants 40 years younger on recall tasks. Chi-square and t tests and logistic regression models measured associations between risk factors and being a SuperAger. Results: The prevalence of SuperAgers was higher in women (8.6%) than men (5.3%). Education was associated with being a SuperAger for women (adjusted odds ratio [OR] =1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01, 1.26]) and men (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI = [1.05, 1.40]). Other associated factors were investigative activities and alcohol consumption for women and social activities and depressive symptoms for men. Conclusion: Adults over 60 can sustain superior memory recall; however, associated factors may vary between genders.

Prevalence and factors associated with male postnatal depression in China

Background and Objective: Male postnatal depression has recently begun to attract more research attention. However, it often remains unrecognized despite affecting not only the health of the child but also the spousal relationship and family welfare. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of male postnatal depressive symptoms in Guangzhou, South China. It also explored sociodemographic factors and psychological variables as predictors of postnatal depression symptoms. Materials and methods: Chinese men whose children had been born within the last six months were screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for depressive symptoms, the Vulnerable Personality Style Questionnaire for personality, and the Social Support Rating Scale for social support. Sociodemographic and psychosocial variables were descriptively analyzed and logistic regression was also employed to analyze the predictive impact of factors associated with depression. Results: A total of 212 new Chinese fathers participated in the study. The prevalence of postnatal depression was 24.1% assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale cutoff score of 10. Depressive symptoms were found to be significantly associated with employment status and vulnerable personality traits. Higher family income, wanted pregnancy, having a child of the desired gender, more family support and objective support (OR = 0.598, 95% CI = 0.312-0.896) were all protective factors for depressive symptoms among new Chinese fathers. Conclusion: This study indicated that there is a need to routinely screen for postnatal depressive symptoms in men. Early identification and timely referral to healthcare professionals may prevent postnatal depression and improve the mental health of new fathers. It is important for healthcare providers to develop and evaluate information resources in print and online so as to establish how best to identify and manage paternal postnatal mental health needs. This study also suggests that new fathers need to be provided with targeted resources concerning postnatal mental health and informed as to how to access them and who can be approached for professional support.

Course of depressive symptoms in men and women: differential effects of social, psychological, behavioral and somatic predictors

In this study, we aimed to identify the most important and sex-specific social, psychological, behavioral and somatic predictors of recurrent depressive symptoms. Data was obtained at two measurement points within five years by the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Out of N = 12,061 individuals, a sample of 877 (age 52.3 ± 9.9) who reported clinically relevant depressive symptoms at baseline was analyzed. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Almost half of participants depressed at baseline also reported depressive symptoms five years later. Sex-stratified multivariate analyses revealed that solely social support remained a significant protective predictor against recurrence of depression in men (OR = 0.93; CI95% = 0.87–0.99), whereas in women smoking (OR = 1.97; CI95% = 1.23–3.22), and Type D personality (OR = 1.65; CI95% = 1.10–2.49) were significant risk factors. However, when analyzing the entire sample, no interaction effect between sex and each predictor turned out to be significant. Only social support was retained as an overall predictive factor. As depressive symptoms recur, depressive vulnerability is established involving personality, health behavior and social factors. Although no significant sex-specific interactions were observed, sex-stratified analyses point out different patterns for relevant predictors of recurrent depressive symptoms in men and women.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT EXERCISE DOSES ON PREVENTING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER ADULTS

Regular exercise is potentially an effective way to prevent or reduce depressive symptoms for older adults. However, little research has focused on gender differences in exercise dose effects on depressive symptoms in older people. The purpose of this study was to test gender differences in the preventive effects of different exercise doses on depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. This study was a secondary analysis of a longitudinal cohort study in a sample of older Taiwanese adults (N = 2,673; mean age 74.2 ± 5.7 years). Four different doses of moderate-intensity exercise were examined including three 15-min sessions/week, three 30-min sessions/week, six 15-min sessions/week, and six 30-min sessions/week. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze characteristics of the sample and hypotheses testing. All analysis models were adjusted according to age, gender, education, marital status, smoking, social participation, and chronic conditions. The results indicated that regular exercise with at least 15 min per session, 3 times a week of moderate intensity was significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms for women, but there were no significant preventive effects on depressive symptoms for men. This study suggests that moderate-intensity exercise may play a protective role in depression prevention for older women, even with a very low dose (three 15-min sessions/week). Gender differences should be considered for future research and clinical practice when designing exercise interventions on preventing depression for older adults.

THE IMPACT OF INTERGENERATIONAL SUPPORT ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER MEXICAN AMERICANS: DOES GENDER MATTER?

The study examined gender differences in the impact of living alone and intergenerational support on depressive symptoms among Mexican American older adults. The sample included 335 parent-adult child dyads which were nested within 92 Mexican American respondents in a city in West Texas. Each respondent reported their specific relationships with each child. The results from clustered regression showed that men provided and received less intergenerational support than women, but their depressive symptoms were more susceptible to living alone and different types of intergenerational support. Factors such as living alone, and receiving instrumental support were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms among Mexican American older men than among in their female counterparts, whereas emotional closeness with children was associated with lower level of depressive symptoms in men than in women. The findings can be used to develop and target a gender-specific approach for depression interventions among older Mexican Americans.

Exploring the differentiated relationship between appearance and fitness-related social anxiety and the risk of eating disorders and depression in young adults.

Appearance-related social anxiety has been identified as a relevant risk factor in the development of eating disorders (ED) and depression in young adults. However, less is known about the role that fitness-related social anxiety may play on the emergence of these two psychopathological conditions. The present study aimed to examine whether appearance/fitness social anxiety may independently contribute to explaining the increased risk of ED and depressive symptoms in young adults. A total of 545 undergraduate students (46% women, Mage =21.36, SDage =2.93) recruited in two Spanish public universities completed a self-reported questionnaire. After controlling for self-reported BMI and appearance-related social anxiety, the results from the regression analyses revealed that fitness-related social anxiety positively and significantly (p<0.05) contributed to explaining both the risk of ED (in women and men) and depressive symptoms (in women). The inclusion of the interaction term within the appearance/fitness-related term positively contributed to explaining additional variance for both the risk of ED and depressive symptoms in men, but not in women. The regression models explained 48% (women) and 35% (men) of the ED risk and 25% (women) and 19% (men) of depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that not only appearance, but also fitness-related social anxiety experiences may contribute to explaining the emergence of ED and depression in young adults.

Prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare services utilization regarding paternal depression in Germany: study protocol of a controlled cross-sectional epidemiological study

BackgroundWhile postpartum depression is a well-researched disorder in mothers, there is growing evidence indicating that some fathers also develop depressive symptoms (paternal postpartum depression, PPD). A recent meta-analysis revealed a total prevalence of paternal depression during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum of 8.4%, with significant heterogeneity observed among prevalence rates. International studies suggest that PPD is characterized by additional symptoms compared to maternal postpartum depression. Furthermore, various risk factors of PPD have been identified. However, the prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare situation of fathers affected by PPD in Germany are unknown.Methods/designThis study comprises a controlled, cross-sectional epidemiological survey administered via postal questionnaires. The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms in fathers with a 0–12-month-old infant to the prevalence of depressive symptoms in men without recent paternity. Two structurally differing regions (concerning birthrate, employment status, socioeconomic structure, and nationality of inhabitants) will be included. A random sample of 4600 fathers (2300 in each region) in the postpartum period and 4600 men without recent paternity matched by age, nationality and marital status will be assessed regarding depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Contact data will be extracted from residents’ registration offices. As secondary objectives, the study aims to provide insights into symptoms and risk factors of PPD in fathers and to assess the current healthcare situation of fathers with PPD in Germany. In an add-on study, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of PPD will be explored.DiscussionThis study will conduct the first direct comparison between fathers in the postpartum period of one year after childbirth and a matched sample of men without a newborn child. Besides closing this research gap, the findings will provide prevalence estimates as well as insights into specific symptomatology, risk factors, and the current healthcare situation regarding fathers with PPD in Germany. The results will identify low-threshold approaches as a relevant issue for healthcare. Moreover, the findings should inform the development of PPD-specific screening instruments and healthcare offers addressing fathers with PPD.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00013339; Trial registration date: August 20, 2018; Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111–1218-8185.

Gender-specific associations between activities of daily living disability and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

PurposeTo evaluate the associations between BADL/IADL disability and depressive symptoms from the perspective of gender among older adults in China. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the data from the second wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The sample included 3463 older adults aged 60 years and older across China. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. ResultsAmong 3463 older adults, 1240 (35.8%) were classified as depressed, the prevalence of BADL and IADL disabilities were 756 (21.8%) and 1194 (34.5%), respectively. After controlling for covariates, BADL/IADL disability was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression prevalence both in men and women among older adults. Compared with IADL independent, IADL disability was about two times more likely to develop depressive symptoms in men (OR = 2.165, 95% CI = 1.661–2.822), which was much higher than that in women (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.415–2.160). In contrast, the odds of being depressed for women with BADL disability (OR = 1.824, 95% CI = 1.447–2.299) were much higher than the odds for men with BADL disability (OR = 1.791, 95% CI = 1.348–2.379). ConclusionsOlder adults with BADL/IADL disability were more likely to have depressive symptoms both for men and women. However, the associations between depressive symptoms and BADL/IADL disability were different in gender. Our results suggest that differential institutional care service and appropriate strategies for improvement in mental health are required.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and depressive symptoms in the general population in China: The TCLSIH cohort study.

Depressive symptoms are a common, debilitating, and costly public health issue. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection cause changes in the normal physiological state of the gastrointestinal (GI) flora. Although the physiological state of the GI tract is closely related to mental disorders, few population studies have examined the relationship between H pylori infection and depressive symptoms in the general population. The aim of this study was to examine whether H pylori infection is related to depressive symptoms among the general adult population. This cross-sectional study included 5558 inhabitants of Tianjin, China. H pylori infection was diagnosed with the carbon 13 breath test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Chinese version of 20-item Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) with three cutoffs (45, 48, and 50) to indicate elevated depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the association between H pylori infection and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (SDS≥45) was 12.7% in men and 17.4% in women. In multivariable models, the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval of having depressive symptoms by H pylori infection were 1.25 (1.01-1.56), 1.46 (1.11-1.91), and 1.46 (1.05-2.06) for three cutoffs: 45, 48, and 50 in women. However, no significant difference was found between H pylori infection and depressive symptoms in men. This study firstly suggested that H pylori infection was related to depressive symptoms in women in the general adult population. Further prospective studies or randomized trials are required to clarify the causality.

Religious Attendance, Religious Importance, and the Pathways to Depressive Symptoms in Men and Women Aged 50 and Over Living in Ireland.

We aimed to explore the relationship between religiosity and depressive symptoms longitudinally. We used four waves (2009-2016) of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) to create growth curve models (GCM) of depressive symptoms and religious attendance/importance in a sample aged 50+ in Ireland and structural models to assess the longitudinal associations between religious attendance/importance and depressive symptoms. We tested whether this relationship was mediated by social connectedness. GCM showed that higher religious attendance at baseline was associated with lower baseline depressive symptoms, while higher religious importance was associated with higher baseline depressive symptoms. Social connectedness partially mediated the baseline associations between religious attendance and lower depressive symptoms. There were no associations between religious factors and the development of depressive symptoms over time. This study found that the relationship between religion and depressive symptoms is complex, and any protective effect was driven by religious attendance.