Disorders In Medical Students Research Articles

Prevalence and influencing factors of sleep disorders in medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, fewer studies have been conducted on sleep disorders among medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the prevalence and factors influencing sleep disorders among Chinese medical students after COVID-19.MethodsA total of 1,194 Chinese medical students were included in this study from 9th to 12th July 2023. We used the Self-administered Chinese scale to collect the demographic characteristics. In addition, we used the Chinese versions of the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess subjects’ depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, respectively. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors influencing sleep disorders. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to assess the predictive value of relevant variables for sleep disorders.ResultsWe found the prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students after COVID-19 was 82.3%. According to logistic regression results, medical students with depression were 1.151 times more likely to have sleep disorders than those without depression (OR = 1.151, 95% CI 1.114 to 1.188). Doctoral students were 1.908 times more likely to have sleep disorders than graduate and undergraduate students (OR = 1.908, 95% CI 1.264 to 2.880).ConclusionThe prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students is high after COVID-19. In addition, high academic levels and depression are risk factors for sleep disorders. Therefore, medical colleges and administrators should pay more attention to sleep disorders in medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular assessment of sleep disorders and depression is essential.

Relationship between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with Quality of Sleep

Background. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder caused by reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, as a result, it causes various symptoms or complications . GERD is a commonly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in medical students. Based on data from the 2006 US National Health and Wellness survey observing respondents who experienced heartburn at least twice a month, 89% of respondents experiencing nightime GERD symptoms, it showed that the presence of nighttime GERD was associated with decrease quality of sleep. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between GERD and students’ sleep quality in Faculty of Medicine USU 2020-2022. Method. Cross sectional design with total sampling method. Data collection was carried out using an online questionnaire in the form of a google form. The questionnaires used were GERD-Q, FSSG, PSQI, and ISI. The analysis used was univariate and bivariate analysis with Chi-square. Results. This study involved 378 respondents, 114 people (30.2%) with GERD, 67 people (58.8%) with severe of GERD, 286 people (75.7%) had a bad quality of sleep, and 43 people (15%) with moderate and severe of insomnia. The results of statistical analysis showed an association between GERD and quality of sleep. Conclusion. There was a correlation between GERD and quality of sleep of USU Faculty of Medicine students class 2020-2022

The effect of anxiety on sleep disorders in medical students: a moderated mediation model.

The relationship between anxiety and sleep disorders is a key research topic in the academic community. However, evidence on the mechanism through which anxiety influences sleep disorders remains limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of flourishing and neuroticism in the mechanism through which anxiety influences sleep disorders in medical students. We constructed a moderated mediation model and tested the mediating role of flourishing and the moderating role of neuroticism in medical college students. The results showed that: (1) anxiety was significantly and positively related to sleep disorders and significantly and negatively related to flourishing; flourishing was significantly and negatively related to sleep disorders; neuroticism was significantly and positively related to sleep disorders; (2) flourishing had a mediation effect on the relationship between anxiety and sleep disorders; (3) neuroticism moderated the process through which flourishing mediated the effect of anxiety on sleep disorders. Our research expands the literature on the mechanism underlying the effects of anxiety on sleep disorders and provides insights into the potential prevention and intervention of sleep and emotional problems in medical students.

Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in Medical Students

Objective: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a cluster C personality disorder, and the most prevalent one. It is mainly characterized by perfectionism and can cause distress and functional impairment in the individual. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OCPD in medical students, investigate the effect of this disorder on students’ academic performance, and discover any possible related factors.
 Methods: This cross-sectional observational study consisted of 508 medical students enrolled at the University of Jordan in 2021. It utilized a questionnaire that enquired about their sociodemographic information, academic information, and study habits. It also contained questions about the diagnostic criteria of OCPD from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and questions from the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) to assess the presence of the rigid perfectionism personality trait.
 Results: Fifty-one percent of the studied sample either fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria or showed moderate or high expression of rigid perfectionism, according to the PID-5. More than two-thirds of the students able to be diagnosed with OCPD reported being overwhelmed with anxiety and stress at times of exams, and 41.5% stated that they skip sleep before exams even though they have finished studying.
 Conclusion: The reported prevalence of 51.18% in medical students is ten times the prevalence of OCPD in the general population. There was no association between OCPD and the students’ gender or academic performance. Students affected by OCPD seem to experience overwhelming amounts of stress and may need mental health support in the form of regular check-ups and counseling services.

Letter to the Editor regarding the Article 'A Pilot Study of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder in Medical Students at an Osteopathic Medical School Before and After High-Stakes Examinations' [Letter

Letter to the Editor regarding the Article 'A Pilot Study of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder in Medical Students at an Osteopathic Medical School Before and After High-Stakes Examinations' [Letter

Internet gaming disorder in medical students: Is it a risk factor for poor educational outcomes?

Background: Today, computer games have taken a prominent place in the lives of children and teenagers, and statistics indicate that online gaming constitutes the majority of computer usage. Numerous studies have explored the detrimental effects of internet gaming on individuals. However, to date, no comprehensive research has been conducted specifically investigating the effect of online gaming on academic performance within a medical education context. To address this gap, we have conducted this study, focusing on the impact of online gaming on the academic performance of Iranian medical students. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 185 medical students from four disciplines ((basic sciences, Physiopathology, extern, intern) were selected through a multi-stage sampling method at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) test as well as the grade point average (GPA) of the last academic semester, the average study hours on normal days and near the exam, the efficiency of study hours, the number of failed semesters, and academic satisfaction were assessed. Results: In this study, a total of 185 medical students participated, of which 62.2% (115 students) were females. The prevalence of IGD was found to be 3.8%. Interestingly, the prevalence of IGD was approximately four times higher in males than in females (7.1% vs. 1.7%, P=0.106). Furthermore, both the overall daily study time (P<0.001) and the daily study time on days near exams (P=0.031) were found to be significantly higher in students without IGD compared to those with IGD. However, factors such as age, gender, being native to Mashhad, discipline level, last GPA, number of failed semesters, and satisfaction with education showed no correlation with IGD. Conclusion: These findings may serve as a cautionary signal for educational authorities within the Iranian medical education system. However, to obtain more robust results, further investigations are recommended, particularly in other academic majors.

A Pilot Study of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder in Medical Students at an Osteopathic Medical School Before and After High-Stakes Examinations.

Given the high prevalence of symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) in medical students, identifying factors that impact the development of such symptoms is important. Previous data suggest that medical students can experience symptoms of MDD after medical school exams. It is not known if medical students experience more symptoms of MDD directly before or after exams. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of symptoms of MDD in first- and second-year medical students directly before and after high-stakes medical school examinations. Two anonymous surveys were sent via REDCap to first- and second-year medical students at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. A pre-exam survey on the day of the exam asking about the past three days' MDD symptoms, and a post-exam survey sent three days after the exam asking about MDD symptoms experienced after the exam was sent out to a total of 391 students with a response rate of 23%. First- and second-year medical students regardless of gender experienced symptoms of MDD at higher rates before exams than afterwards. Female students experienced symptoms of MDD (as defined by the DSM-5) including sadness, sleep disturbances, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness at a greater rate compared to males before exams. After exams, females were more likely to experience sleep disturbances and decreased energy. Second-year male students were the least likely to experience symptoms of MDD. First- and second-year medical students can experience symptoms of MDD surrounding exams. This study highlights the emotional burden that students may carry near exams. It underscores the importance of further research on this topic to evaluate the effect exams have on the mental health of medical students during their training.

Estimated prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders in medical students of Hebei Province, China: A cross-sectional study.

In China, the identification rate and treatment rate of mental disorders are low, and there are few surveys on the prevalence of mental disorders among college students using diagnostic tools such as Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), so the prevalence and treatment of mental disorders among college students are unclear. To estimate prevalence of mental disorders among medical students in Hebei Province, and provide guidance for improving their mental health. This was a cross-sectional study based on an Internet-based survey. Three levels of medical students in Hebei Province were randomly selected (by cluster sampling) for screening. Using the information network assessment system, the subjects scanned the 2D code with their mobile phones, clicked to sign the informed consent, and answered a scale. A self-designed general status questionnaire was used to collect information about age, gender, ethnicity, grade, and origin of students. The MINI 5.0. was used to investigate mental disorders. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Statistically significant findings were determined using a two-tailed P value of 0.05. A total of 7117 subjects completed the survey between October 11 and November 7, 2021. The estimated prevalence of any mental disorders within 12 mo was 7.4%. Mood disorders were the most common category (4.3%), followed by anxiety disorders (3.9%); 15.0% had been to psychological counseling, while only 5.7% had been to a psychiatric consultation, and only 10% had received drug therapy in the past 12 mo. Although the estimated prevalence of mental disorders in medical students is lower than in the general population, the rate of adequate treatment is low. We determined that improving the mental health of medical students is an urgent matter.

Medical students’ syndrome among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Medical students’ syndrome (MSS) refers to health complaints resulting from medical expertise rather than genuine pathology. It is a hypochondriasis or illness anxiety disorder in medical students that occurs while studying a medical condition whena medical student repeatedly develops fears and symptoms of illness relating to the diseases that they are looking at at the time, and as a consequence, it affects their performance. Objective: To assess the prevalence of medical students’ syndrome and measure the impact of the syndrome on the GPA among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: The current cross-sectional study was conducted over six months on Riyadh’s medical students. Data was collected by using an online self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire included two sections; the sociodemographic and mental health sections. MSD-5 and HAI-18 tools were used to assess mental health and the medical students’ syndrome. Results: Four hundred and thirteen (413) medical students completed the study questionnaire. About half (50.8 %) were female, and 96.6 % were single. According to the Medical Students’ Disease Distress scale (MSD-5), 88.9 % of the students had at least one mental health disorder. Anxiety was the major mental disorder found in 83.9 % of the medical students, followed by depression (73.6 %). According to the Health Anxiety Inventory tool (HAI-18) short-tool, the prevalence of medical students’ syndrome (MSS) among medical students was 22.3 %. Marital status is a significant factor affecting the prevalence of MSS; being married significantly increases MSS among medical students (53.8 % vs. 21.3 %, P=0.018). There is a significant negative correlation between the score of HAI-18 and the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) (r=-0.111, P=0.024). Conclusion: Medical students are more vulnerable to mental conditions like medical students’ syndrome, which has negatively impacted their academic achievement. Since students face stress and pressure in their college life, medical students’ mental and psychological health should be the top priority to overcome and prevent the occurrence of MSS among students. Key words: medical student syndrome, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Medical Students

Objective and background: Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in medical students. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among 1st to 3rd year MBBS students. Place and duration: The study was conducted at Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan from 15th of August o 15th of September 2022. Methodology: A Google form was developed by authors of the study that comprised demographic questions as well as items of post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C). The form was posted in the official WhatsApp group of each class and the rationale and purpose of the study were communicated to students. Confidentiality of the data was ensured and anonymity of the participants maintained at all stages. The study was formally approved by the Institutional review board of Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore. Descriptive statistics, independent samples T-test and the ANOVA test were employed to analyze and report the findings. SPSS version 26 was used for reporting and analyzing the data. Results: A total of 223 medical students (45.4% males) participated in the study. Nearly three quarters of medical students (73.4%) had either moderate, (29.1%) or severe (44.3%) PTSD symptoms. No significant difference was found between the students with regards to gender, age group and year of study. Students who belonged to a mixed rural/urban background had significantly higher PTSD symptoms as compared to students from a predominantly rural or urban background. Practical Implication Medical students should be routinely assessed for the presence of anxiety/depressive disorders, as successful treatment of these disorders may improve the quality of life as well as the academic performance of the students. Conclusions: The prevalence of PTSD symptoms in medical students participating in this study is very high. Future studies should investigate the reasons as well as the risk factors associated with PTSD in medical students. Keywords: Post Traumatic stress disorder, Medical students, Anxiety

Lifestyle and depression related factors among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey

ABSTRACT The reports of prevalence of depression in Thai medical students were high. The medical student’s lifestyle factors may relate to their depression, especially, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and lifestyle factors related to depression disorder in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1st–5th year medical students, at a Medical University in Southern Thailand, from June to December 2021. Demographic data, the Thai version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Thai-Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were evaluated. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to indicate the significant factors related to depression disorder. There were 162 responders who participated in this study. The prevalence of moderate to moderately severe depression among preclinical and clinical students was 18.1%. The related factors associated with depression disorder comprised living at home (OR 5.12, p-value 0.003), poor sleep quality (OR 3.86, p-value 0.029), medical students who live with families in financial debt (OR 4.31, p-value 0.007). However, regular milk consumption was a significant protective factor with depression (OR 0.19, p-value 0.023). These findings indicated medical students in the first to fifth year had moderate to moderately severe depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The important factors associated with depression were the place of residence while learning, the family’s financial status and quality of sleep. For a reduction in their depression level, milk consumption should not be neglected.

Association Between Sitting Position and Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Medical Students During Study from Home

During the COVID-19 pandemic, learning at educational institutions continued, even though it is carried out online. Limited learning facilities affect the sitting position of students, increasing the potential for musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the lower extremities. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sitting position and musculoskeletal disorders in some parts of the lower extremities. It was quantitative, analytical observational, with a cross-sectional design study. Respondents are students at one of the medical faculty in West Java and includes 158 people. Data collection was carried out in 2020. The sitting position category was determined based on observation of the results of taking photographs while studying, and musculoskeletal complaints in 12 areas of the lower extremities were determined based on filling out the Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire. The data was analysed by Chi Square using SPPS 20 software. Results showed that most of the respondents sit in a certain position using a special chair and desk for studying. The knee of the respondent is mostly in a flexed position. Most respondents felt lower extremity musculoskeletal complaints in the buttocks and lower buttocks. There is an association between sitting position and musculoskeletal complaints in the knees, calves, and ankles. The ergonomic sitting position helps reduce musculoskeletal complaints in various parts of the body, including the lower extremities.
 Keywords: lower extremity, medical students, musculoskeletal disorders, sitting position

FAMILY MEALTIME AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Introduction: Family mealtimes provide an opportunity for healthy interaction among the members of a family. A decrease in mental health disorders has been reported with the increasing frequency of family meals. Objective: Our cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency of the depressive disorder in medical students of Karachi and investigate its relationship with family mealtime frequency. This study will help raise awareness about the significance of family connectedness and its relation to depressive disorder. Design: This study analyzed 376 males and females. A self-administered proforma formulated from the literature review, and PHQ-9 scale was used to assess family dynamics and depressive disorder respectively. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Karachi from September 2019 to April 2020. Methodology: Proforma was circulated online using the snowball sampling technique. Students who were non-consenting, married, hostel residents, already diagnosed with depressive disorder, taking any psychotropic drugs, or witnessed any emotional trauma within the last one month were excluded. The data was evaluated using IBM SPSS Statistics v20. Results: Overall 93.9% of students showed depressive disorder of various severities. A significant relationship was found between family mealtime frequency and depressive disorder with a p-value of 0.025. Conclusion: Findings suggest that family mealtimes may have a positive influence on mental health disorders and can serve as a milieu for intrafamilial bonding, thus lowering the depressive scores and enhancing mental health.

Usefulness of a Mobile Application (Mentali) for Anxiety and Depression Screening in Medical Students and Description of the Associated Triggering Factors.

The impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the mental health of the population requires the implementation of new primary screening strategies of mental health disorders to intervene in a timelier manner, and technology may provide solutions. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the mobile app Mentali (version 1.1.2; creators: Jorge Alfonso Solís Galván Sodel Vázquez Reyes, Margarita de la Luz Martínez Fierro, Perla Velasco Elizondo, Idalia Garza Veloz, Alejandro Mauricio González and Claudia Caldera Villalobos, Zacatecas, México) as a primary screening tool for anxiety and depression disorders in medical students and to assess the triggering risk factors. This was a descriptive and longitudinal study and included 155 Mexican medical students. Participants interacted with Mentali for 6 months. The mobile app integrated the Beck anxiety and depression inventories together with a mood module. At the end of the interaction, the students received psychological and psychiatric interventions to confirm their primary diagnoses. Symptoms of moderate/severe anxiety and depression were present in 62.6% and 54.6% of the studied population. When corroborating the diagnoses, Mentali obtained a sensitivity of 100%, 95%, and 43% to classify a mental health disorder, anxiety, and depression, respectively. The most important triggers found were as follows: belonging to a dysfunctional family, being introverted, and having suffered from bullying. The proportion of users with excellent/good mood decreased from 78.7% to 34.4% at the end of the semester, and the proportion of users who claimed to have bad/very bad mood increased from 7.4% to 34.4% at the end of the semester (p < 0.05). Mentali was useful for identifying users with anxiety and/or depression, and as an auxiliary tool to coordinate the provision of specialized interventions, allowing us to increase the proportion of patients who needed psychological care and received it by 30%. The efficacy of Mentali in identifying activities through time with an impact on the mood and mental health of the users was confirmed. Our results support the use of Mentali for the primary screening of mental health disorders in young adults, including medical students.

Soft Drinks Intake is Associated with Obesity and Urine Disorders in Medical Students

Aim: To determine the ramifications of soft drinks on Body Mass Index and effects on various renal parameters. Study design: Cross-sectional study Place and duration of study: HBS Medical and Dental College from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021. Methodology: One hundred and ten students from first year to final year MBBS were recruited from Medical Colleges of Islamabad. We assessed caffeinated sugar beverage consumption (Sprite, Mountain Dew, Coke, Pepsi &amp; 7-Up). Inclusion criteria consisted of users (n=48) who took caffeinated soft drinks at least 5-7 glasses/week. Those who took less than this drink was labelled non-users (n=62). Questionnaire we used was self-administered about sociodemographic data, height, weight, soft drinks consumption frequency, and a record of urine R/E Combi 10 strip test. Results: There were 41(37.3%) males and 69(62.7%) females. The percentage of underweight, normal, overweight and obese students was 31.8%, 36.4%, 22.7% and 9.1% respectively. Out of total females (62.7%), the group overweight (30.4%) and obese (10.1%) was highly significant. (p=0.008). The user students n=48(43.6%) took caffeinated drinks more than 5-7 glasses/week and were found to be significantly obese p=0.17 as compared to non-users n=62(56.4%).Soft drink consumption was significantly associated with proteins appearance in urine (p=0.00) and leucocytes (p=0.17) and the mean PH of urine of soda users was highly significantly acidic (p=0.00) by using combi-10 test strips. Conclusion: Very high sugar contents and other ingredients in soft drinks can be associated with obesity, metabolic and kidney disturbances in young students which in chronic cases exacerbate the condition. Keywords: Obesity, Urine disorder, Caffeinated drinks

Depression and Anxiety in Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical students are prone to anxiety and depression, largely due to the nature of their coursework. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many medical students were required to study from home without being involved in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), plus possible risk factors in medical students around the world during the pandemic. A primary search was conducted using PubMed, limited to the period 2020–2021. A second search was conducted to acquire studies published before the pandemic, aiming to have a baseline prevalence value for these disorders in medical students. During the pandemic, the prevalence of depression in the USA (31.7%, 12.5%, and 10.8% for mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively) was higher than the reported prevalence in Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran, although the four countries used different psychiatric instruments, making comparison difficult (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, Self-rating Depression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression [HADS-D], and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II). The prevalence of GAD in the USA was also higher (35.3%, 19.5%, and 11.1%, for mild, moderate, and severe GAD) than the prevalence in China (21.3%, 2.7%, and 0.9%, for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety), and the overall prevalence in Brazil, (46.2%), using the same instrument (GAD-7). The prevalence of GAD in the USA was also higher than the prevalence in Nepal, Pakistan, and Iran, although the researchers used a different psychiatric instrument (HADS-A, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory instruments, respectively). Before the pandemic, the reported prevalence of depression in the USA was lower (11.6%, 9.0%, and 3.0% for mild, moderate, and severe depression), than in Pakistan (31.0%, 13.6%, and 4.8%), using the BDI instrument. In Nepal, the prevalence of depression (5.2%) was higher than in Portugal (2.3%), ascertained with the HADS-D instrument. The prevalence in Egypt (65% using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS-21]) and India (14.7%, 19%, and 17.5% mild, moderate, and severe depression, using DASS 42) were the highest prevalence values reported before the pandemic. For anxiety, the prevalence of overall GAD in Nepal (16.2%) was comparable to the one reported in Portugal (14.2%), both identified with the HADS-A instrument. The prevalence of GAD reported in India and in Egypt were the highest values, determined with the DASS 42 and DASS 21, respectively. Studies have reported that general social isolation and loneliness are risk factors contributing factors toward depression. Other risk factors identified with depression and/or anxiety disorders were being female, having a lower GPA, lower COVID-19 awareness, and having more experience with COVID symptoms. High prevalence of depression and GAD was identified in medical students in various countries. It is imperative that during any crisis such as the one experienced in the present COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable populations to mental health disorders, such as medical students, are identified and supported. Further research needs to be done to explore other possible factors, such as living conditions, marital status, social-cultural influences, financial issues, and their relationship to depression and anxiety in this population, to further understand the best interventions to support this population.

Dynamics of emotional disorders in students of medical university in the context of the covid-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the mental health of the entire population.ObjectivesTo determine the dynamics of emotional disorders in medical students in the context of the covid-19 pandemic.MethodsMethods of research. An online survey of medical university students was conducted during the covid-19 pandemic. The Beck scale was used.ResultsResults and its discussion. According to a dynamic study of emotional disorders in medical students, which was held during 12 months of covid-19 pandemic, emotional disturbance in the form of depressive manifestations associated with the covid-19 pandemic did not reduced. In addition, the results of the study indicated a change in the structure of depressive manifestations in the surveyed in favor of milder depressive manifestations (27.2%; 24.0%) and a decrease in the prevalence of moderate and severe manifestations of depression (3.0%; 5.3%).ConclusionsThe long-covid pandemic has a negative effect on the mental health of medical students and lead to emotional disturbances in the form of depressive manifestations of varying severity. The compensatory possibilities of mental activity proceed unilaterally with a change in the structure of emotional disorders; adaptation to a stress factor is not formed. Disclosure of interest.– The authors have not supplied a conflict of interest statement.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Central sensitization and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in medical students with chronic back pain: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChronic back pain is a common health complaint among university students. A subset of chronic back pain patients suffer from increased pain sensitivity, a process termed central sensitization. Chronic pain is also associated with cognitive dysfunction, involving attention, memory, and learning. Those are key features of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study aimed to assess the associations between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and central sensitization in students with chronic back pain.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-seven students completed the survey, and 90 (39.6%) had back pain for more than 3 months. Students with back pain had significantly higher central sensitization (P<0.01) and higher attention deficit scores (P=0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between scores of the two questionnaires (r= 0.55, P<0.01). Regression analysis adjusted for age and gender showed that higher attention deficit scores were associated with back pain (odd’s ratio:1.025, P=0.05). The odd’s ratio was attenuated after adding central sensitization to the model (odd’s ratio: 0.99, P=0.70).ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with elevated central sensitization in patients with chronic back pain. Our results support the hypothesis that central sensitization mediates the effect of attention deficit on back pain.

STRESS LEVELS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS ON EXPOSURE TO ONLINE LEARNING

Background: Adolescence is a time of significant psychosocial and physiological changes, such as changes in the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which causes an increase in stress-induced hormonal responses. Mental health disorders in medical students are often reported. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, most medical schools have changed the pre-clinical learning curriculum to online learning, hence most of the student's needs cannot be fulfilled. This study aims to determine the overview of the stress level among undergraduate medical students in Indonesia on exposure to online learning.Methods: This research uses a descriptive cross-sectional design. The primary data was taken with Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire, with undergraduate medical students, especially semester III-VII, as the target population. The minimal population was calculated using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using the descriptive method.Results: In this study, most of the students experienced moderate stress (49.1%). Based on their age, the highest stress level was found in students aged 20 years (37%). Based on their gender, a higher stress level was found in female students (61.1%), compared to male students (38.9%). Based on the year, the highest stress level was found in the class of 2019 students (35.2%).Conclusion: Most of the students of the Faculty of Medicine in Indonesia experienced moderate stress during online learning. There is no significant difference between the stress levels of undergraduate medical students before and after the implementation of the online learning system

Prevalence and risk factors associated with mental health disorders among medical students

The mental health care of medical students is a complex process influenced by various innate or personal characteristics of the student, stressors related to medical training, social, economic, demographic and many other factors. Therefore, it is important to identify both the prevalence and the main risk factors that can trigger mental disorders in medical students, such as stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide, among others. Specifically in these students, the prevalence of depression ranges between 2.9% and 38.2% respectively; likewise, exhaustion ("burnout") prevails in 28-45% of them. Most students do not seek the necessary support to solve such problems, which leads to serious consequences, such as the abuse of substances harmful to health, in addition to environments, situations or actions that lead to mental destabilization. The following paper is a review that emphasizes the prevalence and risk factors that can trigger these mental disorders, in order to make an early detection and timely intervention, such as attending psychiatric therapy and/or receiving support from the educational system itself.