Disorders In Population Research Articles

COVID-19 Deaths in Transnational Settings: Disrupted Bereavement and Pandemic-Related Prolonged Grief Disorder in the Latinx Immigrant Population.

The Latinx immigrant population experienced one of the highest COVID-19 death rates. Those left behind have exhibited rising rates of mental illness, particularly, pandemic-related prolonged grief disorder. The Latinx immigrant population is uniquely vulnerable to this disorder as a result of disrupted culturally appropriate bereavement practices, constrained social support, and concurrent COVID-19 stressors and immigration-related trauma. Despite a rising call for research on pandemic-related prolonged grief disorder, little is known about the true prevalence, cause, and appropriate treatment protocol behind this disorder in the Latinx immigrant population. Four areas of research critical to the identification and understanding of pandemic-related prolonged grief disorder in this population are recommended: 1) death and bereavement in transnational settings, 2) immigrant social networks and disrupted bereavement, 3) COVID-19 stressors and grieving, and 4) prolonged grief disorder and mental illness comorbidities. An understanding of these four contributing areas to Latinx immigrants' vulnerability to prolonged grief disorder is imperative to providers' development of assessments and treatment protocols needed to identify and treat prolonged grief disorder in this population.

The Clinical Challenge of Identifying Postural Changes Associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Population of Adolescents: The Evaluation of a Diagnostic Approach.

Background/Objectives: Inappropriate posture, overweight, and physical inactivity are common causes of pathologies on muscles, ligaments, joints, and bone structures, which could negatively impact the quality of present and future life. The challenge of this work was to develop a diagnostic approach to identify the causes of musculoskeletal disorders in an adolescent population in order to implement preventive procedures. Methods: A total of 147 subjects aged between 14 and 18 years who were affected by musculoskeletal disorders and who accessed the Clinical Posturology unit of the IRCCS San Gerardo hospital, Monza, Italy, from 2015 to 2023, were enrolled. The clinical evaluation of each subject included a posturology visit, a physical examination, instrumental devices, such as stabilometric platform, gait analysis, MuscleLab, and imaging tests, such as Radiographic and Magnetic resonance, and a final diagnosis. Results: Ninety-eight (66.6%) subjects reported pain at the lumbar spine (33.3%), followed by knee/lower limb (22.4%), cervical spine (13%), and dorsal spine (12.3%). Imaging diagnostics underlined alterations in the musculoskeletal components, bone dimorphism, and asymmetry of the skeleton in 68% of cases. Thirty-one (21%) subjects received a diagnosis of postural dysfunction, seventy-two (49%) received a diagnosis of somatic dysfunction, and ten (7%) received a diagnosis of both postural and somatic dysfunctions. Conclusions: Our work highlighted that the three instrumental devices used allowed us to detect somatic and postural functional changes that cause musculoskeletal pathologies in adolescents.

Longitudinal analysis of anxiety and sleep disorders in the Korean population with disabilities, from 2006 to 2017: Incidence, prevalence, and association with disability type and severity

BackgroundIndividuals with disabilities often face a higher risk of concurrent psychological problems, yet comprehensive assessments of the anxiety and sleep disorders in this population remain limited. This study examined longitudinal trends in the incidence and prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders among people with disabilities and explored their associations with disability type and severity. MethodsUtilizing claim data from the National Health Insurance database and the National Disability Registry, which cover the entire Korean population, we estimated the age-standardized incidence and prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders between 2006 and 2017. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between disability type and severity and these disorders. ResultsThe unadjusted incidence and prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders were consistently higher among individuals with disabilities during the study period. A significant gap in the prevalence of these disorders persisted between individuals with and without disabilities in both sexes, even after accounting for socioeconomic status and comorbidities. However, the incidence showed mixed results, with some categories of disabilities showing lower likelihood of developing the conditions compared to individuals without disabilities. ConclusionsActions should also be taken to identify undiagnosed cases of anxiety and sleep disorders among individuals with disabilities. Moreover, individuals with disabilities who are diagnosed with these disorders should be more actively managed to avert the progression to the chronic stage.

Novel trends of frequency, demographics and clinical presentation of skin disorders in only public hospital in south of Lahore: A Descriptive observational study over 1 year.

Objective: To study the pattern of skin diseases in our population with respect to different age groups, gender and seasonal variations. Study Design: Observational Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Dermatology, Lahore General Hospital, a tertiary care referral hospital situated in second big city of Pakistan i.e Lahore. Period: July 2021 to June 2022. Methods: A total of 65284 patients presenting to skin OPD were studied. Demographic details were noted and diagnosis was made after detailed history, examination and appropriate investigations like scraping or smears. Data was analyzed for various age groups, gender distribution and effect of variables on diagnosis. Results: Out of 65284 patients, 38 %were male & 62% were female. Most of the patients (43%) were in age group of 21-40 years. Scabies was the most prevalent dermatosis and affected 27% of study population. Three most common dermatosis were tinea, scabies and acne. The maximum number of dermatosis was seen in the months of summer. Conclusion: Infectious diseases pose a major burden to skin health of most of the population suffering from dermatological problem. Fungal infections and scabies are treatable but very common diseases contributing in burden of dermatological disorder in population presenting to hospitals.

National Survey on bladder and bowel dysfunctions in Autism Spectrum Disorder population.

To evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bowel disorders in a population of young subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ADS) by a national survey and to assess the relationship between the occurrence, frequency, and type of LUTS and the severity of behavioral and neuropsychiatric characteristics. A survey on LUTS and bowel disorders in the ASD population was sent by mail and social media through the main Italian Associations of ASD between February and September 2022. The correlation between LUTS and ASD severity was also assessed. The survey was completed by 502 subjects with a mean age of 16.6 years ± 10 years: male participants were 413 (mean age: 16.5 years ± 9.8 years), while female participants 89 (mean age: 17.2 years ± 10.9 years). ADS severity was found low in 29.9%, moderate in 27.1%, and severe in 43%. LUTS were reported by 77.1%, storage symptoms in 51.4%, and voiding symptoms in 60.6%. Urinary incontinence was reported by 12.5%. Enuresis was reported by 14.3% (72/502) of the respondents: primary enuresis in 70.8% (51/72), secondary in the remaining. Pads were used by 40 subjects with a median of 2.9 pads/day (range, 0-8). A toilet training program was performed by 61 of the respondents, with satisfactory results in 40/61 (65.6%). A significant correlation was found between greater ASD severity and higher LUTS rates. The mean VAS score on the impact of LUTS on family relationships was 2 ± 2.9. Regular bowel function was reported by 57.4% (288/502) of the respondents, while increased daily defecations were present in 11.2% (56/502), constipation in 31.5% (158/502), and fecal incontinence in 7.9% (40/502). This survey demonstrated that LUTS are very common in the young ASD population and that the prevalence of urinary symptoms is related to higher severity of the ASD condition. Bowel disorders are often associated with urinary symptoms and dysfunctions. Urologists should be aware of the frequent occurrence of urological disorders and symptoms in individuals with ASD and should be involved in their clinical management in a multidisciplinary team that cares for these people.

Non-psychotic Outcomes in Young People at Ultra-High Risk of Developing a Psychotic Disorder: A Long-Term Follow-up Study.

The majority of individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis do not transition to a full threshold psychotic disorder. It is therefore important to understand their longer-term clinical and functional outcomes, particularly given the high prevalence of comorbid mental disorders in this population at baseline. This study investigated the prevalence of non-psychotic disorders in the UHR population at entry and long-term follow-up and their association with functional outcomes. Persistence of UHR status was also investigated. The sample comprised 102 UHR young people from the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) Clinic who had not transitioned to psychosis by long-term follow-up (mean = 8.8 years, range = 6.8-12.1 years since baseline). Eighty-eight percent of participants at baseline were diagnosed with at least one mental disorder, the majority of which were mood disorders (78%), anxiety disorders (35%), and substance use disorders (SUDs) (18%). This pattern of disorder prevalence continued at follow-up, though prevalence was reduced, with 52% not meeting criteria for current non-psychotic mental disorder. However, 35% of participants developed a new non-psychotic mental disorder by follow-up. Presence of a continuous non-psychotic mental disorder was associated with poorer functional outcomes at follow-up. 28% of participants still met UHR criteria at follow-up. The study adds to the evidence base that a substantial proportion of UHR individuals who do not transition to psychosis experience persistent attenuated psychotic symptoms and persistent and incident non-psychotic disorders over the long term. Long-term treatment and re-entry into services is indicated.

Prevention of obesity and carbohydrate metabolism disorders in the population at an industrial facility.

One of the urgent tasks of modern healthcare is the development of measures aimed at preventing obesity in the able-bodied population, including in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which would reduce economic losses and increase the coefficient of life expectancy in the population. To identify measures for the early prevention of excess weight, obesity, and carbohydrate metabolism disorders in the able-bodied population at an industrial facility in Kazakhstan. The study involved 662 people (574 men and 88 women) aged 19 to 64 years. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: the main group - persons with obesity (242 people) and the control group - relatively healthy persons (422 people). The diagnosis of obesity was made based on the medical history of a patient, external examination, and physical, laboratory, and instrumental assessment. Three main factors influencing the development of obesity have been identified: a significant level of inactivity; serum glucose; the presence of comorbidities. Other factors (gender and age, smoking) do not have a significant effect on the increase in the body mass index of persons working at an industrial facility. Accordingly, a priority in the prevention of obesity is a healthy lifestyle, involving regular physical activity and a healthy balanced diet.

Mitochondrial depletion syndrome type 3: the Lebanese variant.

Introduction: Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome type 3 is an emerging disorder linked to variants in the deoxyguanosine kinase gene, which encodes for mitochondrial maintenance. This autosomal recessive disorder is frequent in the Middle East and North Africa. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the non-specificity of clinical presentation with cerebro-hepatic deterioration. The only therapeutic option is liver transplantation, although the value of this remains debatable. Methods: We describe the clinical, biochemical, and molecular profiles of Lebanese patients with this rare disorder. We also present a review of all cases from the Middle East and North Africa. Results: All Lebanese patients share a unique mutation, unreported in other populations. Almost half of patients worldwide originate from the Middle East and North Africa, with cases reported from only 7 of the 21 countries in this region. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous, with early-onset neurological and hepatic signs. Liver failure and lactic acidosis are constants. Several variants can be identified in each population; a unique c.235C>T p. (Gln79*) pathogenic variant is found in Lebanese patients. Outcome is poor, with death before 1year of age. Conclusion: The pathogenic nonsense variant c.235C>T p. (Gln79*) in the deoxyguanosine kinase gene may be considered a founder mutation in Lebanon. Further genotypic delineation of this devastating disorder in populations with high consanguinity rates is needed.

The epidemiology of upper respiratory tract disorders in a population of insured Swedish dogs (2011–2014), and its association to brachycephaly

Upper respiratory tract (URT) disorders are common in dogs but neither general nor breed-related epidemiological data are widely reported. This study´s aims were to describe the epidemiology of URT disorders in a Swedish population of dogs and to investigate whether brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented among high-risk breeds. A cohort of dogs insured by Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden (2011–2014) was used to calculate overall and breed-specific incidence rate (IR), age at first URT diagnosis and relative risk (RR) for URT disorders. For breeds with high RR for URT disorders, co-morbidities throughout the dog’s insurance period and age at death were investigated. The cohort included approximately 450,000 dogs. URT disorders had an overall IR of 50.56 (95% CI; 49.14–52.01) per 10,000 dog years at risk. Among 327 breeds, the English bulldog, Japanese chin, Pomeranian, Norwich terrier and pug had highest RR of URT disorders. Eight of 13 breeds with high RR for URT disorders were brachycephalic. The median age at first URT diagnosis was 6.00 years (interquartile range 2.59–9.78). French bulldogs with URT diagnoses had a significantly shorter life span (median = 3.61 years) than other breeds with URT diagnosis (median = 7.81 years). Dogs with high risk for URT disorders had more co-morbidities than average.

Sleep Disturbances in At-Risk Mental States and First Episode of Psychosis: A Narrative Review on Interventions.

Sleep disturbances are a common yet often overlooked symptom of psychosis that can drastically affect the quality of life and well-being of those living with the condition. Sleep disorders are common in people diagnosed with schizophrenia and have significant negative effects on the clinical course of the illness and the functional outcomes and quality of life of patients. There is a limited number of studies addressing this question in first-episode psychosis (FEP). In this narrative review, we aimed to provide an overview of sleep disorders in populations with FEP and at-risk mental states (ARMS). The review was focused on the various treatments currently used for sleep disorders, including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments. A total of 48 studies were included. We found that sleep disturbances are associated with attenuated psychotic symptoms and other psychopathological symptoms in ARMSs. The association of sleep disturbances with the transition to psychosis has been poorly investigated. Sleep disturbances have an impact on the quality of life and the psychopathological symptoms of people suffering from FEP. The non-pharmacological treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, bright light therapy, cognitive restructuring techniques, sleep restriction therapy, basic sleep hygiene education, and the provision of portable sleep trackers. Other treatments include antipsychotics in acute phases and melatonin. The early intervention in sleep disturbances may improve overall prognosis in emerging psychosis populations.

Mental health disorders in population displaced by conflict in Colombia: Comparative analysis against the National Mental Health Survey 2015

Background and objectivesColombia is one of the countries with the highest levels of internal displacement resulting from armed conflict. This population has greater chances of experiencing a mental health disorder, especially in territories historically affected by armed conflict. Our objective was to compare the levels of possible mental health disorder in people experiencing internal displacement in Meta, Colombia, a department historically affected by armed conflict, compared to the internally displaced population in the National Mental Health Survey of 2015. MethodsAnalysis of data collected in the National Mental Health Survey (ENSM) of 2015, study with representative data at national level and the Conflict, Peace and Health survey (CONPAS) of 2014, representative study of the degree of impact of the conflict on the municipality, conducted in the department of Meta, Colombia. To measure possible mental health disorder, the Self-Report Questionnaire-25 (SRQ-25) was used. Internal displacement is self-reported by people surveyed in both studies. An exploratory analysis is used to measure possible mental health disorders in the displaced population in the ENSM 2015 and CONPAS 2014. Results1089 adults were surveyed in CONPAS 2014 and 10,870 adults were surveyed in the ENSM 2015. 42.9% (468) and 8.7% (943) of people reported being internally displaced in CONPAS 2014 and ENSM 2015, respectively. In both studies, internally displaced populations have greater chances of experiencing any mental health disorder compared to non-displaced populations. For CONPAS 2014, 21.8% (95%CI, 18.1−25.8) of this population had a possible mental health disorder (SRQ+) compared to 14.0% (95%CI, 11.8−16.3) in the ENSM 2015. Compared with the ENSM 2015, at the regional level (CONPAS 2014), displaced people had a greater chance of presenting depression by 12.4% (95%CI, 9.5−15.7) compared to 5.7% (95%CI, 4.3−7.4) in the ENSM 2015, anxiety in 21.4% (95%CI, 17.7−25.3) compared to 16.5% (95%CI, 14.2−19.1) in the ENSM 2015, and psychosomatic disorders in 52.4% (95%CI, 47.5−56.7) in CONPAS 2014 compared to 42.2% (95%CI, 39.0−45.4) in the ENSM 2015. At the national level (ENSM 2015), displaced people had greater possibilities of presenting, compared to the regional level, suicidal ideation in 11.9% (95%CI, 9.3–14.1) compared to 7.3% (95%CI, 5.0−10.0) in CONPAS 2014 and bipolar disorder in 56.5% (95%CI, 53.2−59.7) compared to 39.3% (95%CI, 34.8−43.9) in CONPAS 2014. ConclusionsThe greater possibilities of displaced populations at the regional level of experiencing a mental health disorder, compared to this same population at the national level, may represent and indicate greater needs in mental health care services in territories affected by conflict. Therefore, and given the need to facilitate access to health services in mental health for populations especially affected by armed conflict, there is a need to design health care policies that facilitate the recovery of populations affected by war and, simultaneously, that reduce inequities and promote the fulfilment of one of the most important and, at the same time, least prioritised health objectives in international development: mental health.

Assessing Substance Use Disorder Among Social Security Administration Disability Applicants.

Co-occurrence of substance use disorder and mental illness complicates treatment and is associated with increased disability. However, identification of substance use disorder in populations recently engaged in treatment can be challenging. This study aimed to examine traditional screening tools for substance use disorder and proxy characteristics (i.e., demographic characteristics, behaviors, and diagnoses) as predictors of clinician-observed substance use disorder. The Supported Employment Demonstration, funded by the Social Security Administration, studied 2,960 adults whose applications for disability benefits because of mental illness were recently denied. In a subsample (N=1,354) for whom substance use disorder was determined by community-based teams during follow-up, the authors used logistic regression to identify baseline predictors of observed substance use disorder and compared the sensitivity and specificity of detection by using standardized screening tools (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT], 10-item Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST-10]) with detection via decision trees based on proxy characteristics. Using decision trees based on a combination of personal characteristics (sensitivity=0.47, specificity=0.83, area under the curve [AUC]=0.71) or personal characteristics including diagnostic data (sensitivity=0.54, specificity=0.81, AUC=0.72) provided more accurate identification of substance use disorder than using a combination of the AUDIT and DAST-10 (sensitivity=0.34, specificity=0.88, AUC=0.61). Adding the combined AUDIT and DAST-10 substance use disorder indicator to either tree negligibly improved accuracy. In populations recently engaged in treatment, for whom standardized substance use disorder screening tools are less accurate than expected, consideration of personal characteristics could improve the detection of substance use disorder essential for treatment planning.

Pharmaceutical Potential of High-Altitude Plants for Fatigue-Related Disorders: A Review.

Natural plants from plateaus have been the richest source of secondary metabolites extensively used in traditional and modern health care systems. They were submitted to years of natural selection, co-evolved within that habitat, and show significant anti-fatigue-related pharmacological effects. However, currently, no review on high-altitude plants with anti-fatigue related properties has been published yet. This study summarized several Chinese traditional high-altitude plants, including Rhodiola rosea L., Crocus sativus L., Lepidium meyenii W., Hippophaerhamnoides L., which are widely used in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and surrounding mountains, as well as herbal markets in the plains. Based on phytopharmacology studies, deeper questions can be further revealed regarding how these plants regulate fatigue and related mental or physical disease conditions. Many active derivatives in high-altitude medical plants show therapeutic potential for the management of fatigue and related disorders. Therefore, high-altitude plants significantly relieve central or peripheral fatigue by acting as neuroprotective agents, energy supplements, metabolism regulators, antioxidant, and inflammatory response inhibitors. Their applications on the highland or flatland and prospects in natural medicine are further forecast, which may open treatments to reduce or prevent fatigue-related disorders in populations with sub-optimal health.

Hereditary Hyperekplexia in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundHyperekplexia is a rare disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses to unexpected sensory stimuli, recurrent apneas, and stiffness. Only few studies have been published on this disorder in populations with high rates of consanguinity. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed Saudi patients with genetically confirmed hereditary hyperekplexia using a standard questionnaire that was sent to nine major referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia. ResultsA total of 22 Saudi patients (11 males, 11 females) from 20 unrelated families who had hereditary hyperekplexia were included. Based on molecular studies, they were classified into different subtypes: SLC6A5 variant (12 patients, 54.5%), GLRB variant (seven patients, 31.8%), and GLRA1 variant (three patients, 13.7%). All patients were homozygous for the respective causal variant. The combined carrier frequency of hereditary hyperekplexia for the encountered founder mutations in the Saudi population is 10.9 per 10,000, which translates to a minimum disease burden of 13 patients per 1,000,000. ConclusionOur study provides comprehensive epidemiologic information, prevalence figures, and clinical characteristics of a large cohort of patients with hereditary hyperekplexia.

Crippled By Fear: Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents In Nigeria

More than half of all lifetime psychiatric disorders begin by the early adolescent period, with anxiety and depressive disorders responsible for a significant part of this disease burden [1]. Collectively referred to as childhood emotional disorders, juvenile-onset anxiety and depressive syndromes are widely recognized to be the most prevalent group of mental disorders in this population, as they are in adults [2-6]. The prevalence of anxiety disorders in adolescent populations is estimated to range between 8.3% to 27.0% [7]. The National Comorbidity Replication Survey - Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A) in the United States found a lifetime rate of 31.9% for any anxiety disorder [8]. In comparison, a study in rural Uganda demonstrated a 26.6% prevalence rate of anxiety disorders amongst children and adolescents [9]. In a local study conducted among adolescents aged 13–18 years in a semi-urban Nigerian town, anxiety disorders’ estimated 12-month prevalence rate was 15% [10].

ExomeChip-based rare variant association study in restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep-related movement disorder in populations of European descent and disease risk is strongly influenced by genetic factors. Common variants have been assessed extensively in several genome-wide association studies, but the contribution of rarer genetic variation has not been investigated at this scale. We therefore genotyped a case–control set of 9246 individuals for mainly rare and low frequency exonic variants using the Illumina ExomeChip. However, standard single variant and gene-level association tests were negative. This does not preclude a role of rare variants in RLS, but is likely due to the small sample size and the limited selection of rare genetic variation captured on the array. Therefore, exome or whole genome sequencing should be performed rather than increasing the sample size of ExomeChip studies in order to identify rare risk variants for RLS.

Case Report on Bipolar Affecting Disorder with Hypertension

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the foremost frequent chronic disorders in populations where depression is usually present; however, in chronic cases, it can raise the danger of death. Bipolar major Affective Disorder (BPAD) may be a common and recurrent psychiatric disorder that affects people everywhere on the planet. Tt's characterized by episodes of mania, hypomania, hyperactivity, and depression.
 Findings of Clinical: A 45-year-old woman from Chandrapur is admitted to the (AVBRH) Archarya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital Sawangi Meghe (Wardha), in a mental health ward(Psychiatric ward) with a known case of Bipolar major Affective Disorder. Her relatives brought her to AVBRH, where she is admitted with the chief complaint of low mood, muttering to herself, violent and abusive behavior. A case of bipolar major affective disorder is been identified. Both manic and hypomanic episodes are feasible. Bouncy, jumpy, or wired unusually. Increased activity, excitement, or energy. Feelings of satisfaction and self-assurance that are exaggerated (euphoria). Thyroid function testing and urine analyses were done with a A/B testing A simple randomized controlled experiment was done. A variety of procedures is used, including (CBC) complete blood count, (MRI)Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (CT) scan Computed Tomography, Mental Status Examination, and (ECT)Electroconvulsive Therapy with Psychotherapy.
 Therapeutic Intervention: Olanzapine, sodium valproate, capacitance, and cloze, chlorpromazine are examples of pharmacological therapy given. 
 Conclusion: After treatment, the patient's manic episodes stop and her symptoms began to fade.

Associations of parental and perinatal factors with subsequent risk of stress-related disorders: a nationwide cohort study with sibling comparison

Little is known about the contribution of pregnancy-related parental and perinatal factors to the development of stress-related disorders. We aimed to investigate whether parental/perinatal adversities entail higher risks of stress-related disorders in the offspring, later in life, by accounting for genetic and early environmental factors. Based on the nationwide Swedish registers, we conducted a population-based cohort study of 3,435,747 singleton births (of which 2,554,235 were full siblings), born 1973–2008 and survived through the age of 5 years. Using both population- and sibling designs, we employed Cox regression to assess the association between parental and perinatal factors with subsequent risk of stress-related disorders. We identified 55,511 individuals diagnosed with stress-related disorders in the population analysis and 37,433 in the sibling analysis. In the population-based analysis we observed increased risks of stress-related disorders among offspring of maternal/paternal age <25, single mothers, parity ≥4, mothers with BMI ≥ 25 or maternal smoking in early pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and offspring born moderately preterm (GA 32–36 weeks), or small-for-gestational-age. These associations were significantly attenuated toward null in the sibling analysis. Cesarean-section was weakly associated with offspring stress-related disorders in population [hazard ratio (HR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.12] and sibling analyses (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.20). Our findings suggest that most of the observed associations between parental and perinatal factors and risk of stress-related disorders in the population analysis are driven by shared familial environment or genetics, and underscore the importance of family designs in epidemiological studies on the etiology of psychiatric disorders.

СОСТОЯНИЕ И ТЕНДЕНЦИИ ЗАБОЛЕВАЕМОСТИ БОЛЕЗНЯМИ МОЧЕПОЛОВОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ВЗРОСЛОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ АРХАНГЕЛЬСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В 2010-2019 ГГ

Significance. A significant level of prevalence of diseases of the genitourinary system and a high level of incidence in working-age population are one of the leading factors determining high socio-economic significance of this pathology. However, analytical data on incidence of uronephrological disorders in population of the Russian northern regions are scarce. Purpose. To analyze incidence of diseases of the genitourinary system in adult population of the Arkhangelsk region in 2010-2019 in comparison with the Russian Federation (RF) and the Northwestern Federal District. Material and Methods. The level of prevalence and incidence of diseases of the genitourinary system in adult population of the Arkhangelsk region, Northwestern Federal District and the Russian Federation in 2010-2019 were analyzed on the basis of official statistics. Results. The study has identified increase in the prevalence of diseases of the genitourinary system in adult population of the Arkhangelsk region across almost all nosologies (except for glomerular and tubulointerstitial kidney diseases). At the same time, the incidence decreased (except for male infertility). The study shows that the average values ​​of prevalence and incidence across almost all categories of uronephrological disorders in the region are lower than in the country as a whole. The average total prevalence in the Northwestern Federal District is higher compared to the one in the Arkhangelsk region, while the incidence rates across most of the analyzed nosologies are comparable. Conclusion. Dynamics in incidence of the diseases of the genitourinary system demonstrates deterioration of their detection, defects in organization of primary and urological-neurological care delivery in the region. Changes in prevalence, especially against the background of the decreased incidence, suggests a significant "accumulation" of this pathology against the background of the demographic aging of the population.

Perceptions about mental healthcare for people with epilepsy in Africa

BackgroundMental illness is commonly comorbid with epilepsy. In sub-Saharan Africa there exists limited access to neurological and psychiatric services predisposing to a “treatment gap” in epilepsy and mental healthcare. AimsTo understand healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and management practices toward epilepsy and comorbid mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey following the STROBE guidance was conducted among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa. Eleven questions looking to ascertain clinician demographics, knowledge of epilepsy, and comorbid mental illness as well as management practices were developed. FindingsOf 203 responses most (92%) respondents recognized a bi-directional relationship between mental health and epilepsy. However, mental illness screening in people newly diagnosed with epilepsy was infrequently performed (14%). Only 1 in 7 (16%) respondents had high confidence in their clinical competence at managing psychiatric comorbidities. Most would value further training (74%) and improvements to be made in current management practices within their local healthcare settings (94%). ConclusionsThis pilot study highlights the need to improve the awareness of management of mental disorders in populations with epilepsy within sub-Saharan Africa in health providers there.