Preventive Health Research Articles

Assessing the Evidence Base for School-Based Promotion and Prevention Interventions: Introduction to the Series.

Schools are an important component in the mental health system of care for youths. Teachers and other school staff have unique opportunities to promote emotional wellness and prevent mental health conditions. Although numerous programs are available, identifying evidence-based and effective options is a significant challenge. This introduction lays out the rationale and methodology of the Assessing the Evidence Base (AEB) Series, a collection of systematic reviews of school-based mental health promotion and prevention approaches recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Authors of the current AEB Series used the rating criteria derived from the 2014 AEB Series, which provided systematic reviews of a wide spectrum of interventions for mental and substance use disorders. Like its predecessor, the current series upholds a high standard of scientific rigor while ensuring that the information is easily accessible to various stakeholders in education, behavioral health, and communities. It describes the universal features included in each systematic review, such as a rating of the level of evidence for interventions, intervention program components, identification of interventions that have yielded positive outcomes for students from underserved populations, and a review of cost data. The AEB systematic reviews will serve as an important tool for decision makers involved in managing limited resources for various programs in school-based mental health services by synthesizing large bodies of research for use by leaders in education and behavioral health.

The role of community pharmacists as oral health advisors in the management of oral effects of asthma medications: an exploratory survey.

To investigate community pharmacists' attitudes, confidence, practice, knowledge, and barriers towards the management of oral side effects of asthma medications. A paper-based questionnaire was developed from previous research, trialled, and validated. Convenience sampling through web search was used to identify pharmacy practices across Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Practices were contacted by email and phone before hand-delivering and collecting questionnaires. Thirty eight community pharmacist responses were descriptively analysed. Community pharmacists surveyed within the Cairns region feel that it is within their role to help manage the side effects of asthma medications. Many feel this is best conveyed during inhaler dispensing and instruction. Current advice is more prompted rather than preventative. Pharmacists routinely advise patients of mouth-rinsing following inhaler use, however the link to preventing side effects is not clearly communicated. Pharmacists are confident in recognizing and managing common side effects such as oral thrush and dry mouth, but fewer are aware of dental decay and gingivitis. Many identify a lack of guidelines as the largest barrier to providing preventive oral health advice. Cairns community pharmacists already self-perceive their role in the management of oral side effects of asthma medications. Advice given to patients is practical but does not clearly convey the causative associations between asthma medications and their potential oral side effects. Patient education is prompted more by enquiry rather than a preventative approach. The development of standardized practice protocols and integration within undergraduate degrees or continuing education may benefit the community-pharmacist delivered care.

The Media and Sexual Violence Among Adolescents: Findings from a Qualitative Study of Educators Across Vietnam.

Growing access to technology and media has presented new avenues of influence on youth attitudes and norms regarding sexuality and sexual violence, as well as new technological pathways through which to perpetrate sexual violence. The aim of this research was to understand contextual influences on and needs for scale-up of sexual violence prevention programming in the media-violence context of Vietnam. We conducted 45 interviews with high school teachers (n = 15), university lecturers (n = 15), and affiliates from youth-focused community service organizations (n = 15) from across Vietnam. Additionally, we conducted four sector-specific focus groups with a sub-sample of interview participants (k = 4, n = 22). Media and technology were brought up consistently in relation to sexual violence prevention and sexual health information. Key informants noted that, in Vietnam, generational differences in acceptability of sex and lack of comprehensive sexuality education intersect with new technological opportunities for exposure to sexual information and media. This creates a complex landscape that can promote sexual violence through priming processes, instigate mimicry of violent media, and presents new opportunities for the perpetration of sexual violence though technology. Development of comprehensive sexual education, including violence prevention education, is imperative, with consideration of age-specific needs for Vietnamese youth.

Attitudes towards snakebite health education and associated factors among residents in China: A national cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate attitudes towards health education on snakebites and to identify the influencing factors among Chinese residents. Additionally, we proposed effective health education strategies for snakebite management. Between May 2022 and February 2023, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey using a multistage sampling method with supplementary snowball sampling. We used descriptive analysis, χ2 tests, and univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models to analyse the data. We included 56 669 respondents in the analysis. The average score for snakebite knowledge was 12.13 ± 5.26 points, with a maximum score of 28. Among the respondents, 72.66 and 63.03% of the residents believed that it was necessary to disseminate knowledge about snakebites and expressed a willingness to receive snakebite training, respectively. Respondents from the northeast region, respondents with a higher education level, and respondents with higher scores for snakebite knowledge, health knowledge, health skills, and social-psychological adjustment skills exhibited more positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. Conversely, respondents from eastern or southern China, respondents older than 60, and respondents who lived in rudimentary housing conditions showed a lower perception of the need for snakebite knowledge dissemination and were less willing to participate in snakebite knowledge and skill training. Generally, Chinese residents have positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. However, the public lacks sufficient knowledge about snakebites. Therefore, we should pay close attention to areas south of the Yangtze River to strengthen snakebite health education using engaging formats that align with residents' interests, such as short videos or television programmes, in an attempt to and ultimately improve health literacy and prevention awareness.

Biochar in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Productivity and Disease Resistance

Biochar, derived through pyrolysis, presents a promising solution to the challenges faced in sustainable agriculture. This review delves into the diverse advantages of employing biochar to enhance crop yields while promoting environmental responsibility. Its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly nature not only enrich soil fertility but also contribute to carbon capture, aiding in the fight against climate change. Additionally, while its effectiveness in disease control may vary, biochar shows potential in bolstering crops against environmental pressures. By altering soil characteristics, it encourages the growth of beneficial microbes and improves nutrient availability, ultimately supporting plant vitality. Moreover, integrating biochar into agricultural systems may prompt biochemical and physiological changes that activate plant defences against pathogens. This study thoroughly assesses biochar's impacts on soil health, crop output, and disease prevention, emphasizing its crucial role in advancing sustainable farming practices. Embracing biochar as a strategic resource offers great potential for cultivating resilient and environmentally friendly farming methods, marking a significant step towards sustainable crop disease management.

Multi-repeat sequences identification using genome mining techniques for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2019, the World Health Organization reported about 131 million infections. The majority of infected patients are asymptomatic with cases remaining undetected. It is likely that missed C. trachomatis infections contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes in women and children. Consequently, there is an urgent need of developing efficient diagnostic methods. In this study, genome-mining approaches to identify identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) distributed throughout the C. trachomatis genome were used to design a primer pair that would target regions in the genome. Genomic DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (100pg/μL to 1×10-3pg/μL) and used as DNA template for PCR reactions. The gold standard PCR using 16S rRNA primers was also run as a comparative test, and products were resolved on agarose gel. The novel assay, C. trachomatis IMRS-PCR, had an analytical sensitivity of 4.31 pg/µL, representing better sensitivity compared with 16S rRNA PCR (9.5 fg/µL). Our experimental data demonstrate the successful development of lateral flow and isothermal assays for detecting C. trachomatis DNA with potential use in field settings. There is a potential to implement this concept in miniaturized, isothermal, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory-on-a-chip diagnostic devices for reliable point-of-care testing.

Retraction: Prevalence and public health significance of rabies virus in bats in the North Region of Cameroon.

Retraction: Prevalence and public health significance of rabies virus in bats in the North Region of Cameroon.

Vitamin D levels and its influencing factors in pregnant women in mainland China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Maternal vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent public health issue worldwide. While isolated reports from certain cities in China have highlighted the existence of maternal vitamin D deficiency, no nationwide investigation has been conducted on this topic. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to examine the prevalence and associated influencing factors of maternal vitamin D deficiency in mainland China. This study aims to provide a theoretical foundation for future prevention and supplementation strategies for maternal vitamin D. Methods We retrieved relevant Chinese and English literature on the status of maternal vitamin D deficiency in mainland China from databases such as CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The literature search and database construction were conducted until September 8, 2023. Data were extracted and synthesized following PRISMA guidelines.After literature screening and quality assessment, we performed meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and identified publication bias using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 26 articles were reviewed, involving 128,820 pregnant women. Among them, 108,768 had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, resulting in a prevalence of 84% (95% CI: 81%~88%). Subgroup analysis revealed the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among pregnant women in mainland China to be in the northwest region (94%, 95% CI: 94%~95%). Furthermore, the highest prevalence was observed during the winter and spring seasons (80%, 95% CI: 77%~83%) and in the early stages of pregnancy (93%, 95% CI: 90%~95%). Significant statistical differences (P<0.05) were found among these three subgroups. No publication bias was detected, and sensitivity analysis indicated the stability of the meta-analysis outcome. Conclusion This study provides evidence of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among pregnant women in mainland China. To improve the overall health and well-being of the population, relevant health authorities should develop policies aimed at alleviating this phenomenon.

The Uncontrollable Mortality Risk Hypothesis: Theoretical Foundations and Implications for Public Health

Abstract The ‘Uncontrollable Mortality Risk Hypothesis’ employs a behavioural ecological model of human health behaviours to explain the presence of social gradients in health. It states that those who are more likely to die due to factors beyond their control should be less motivated to invest in preventative health behaviours. We outline the theoretical assumptions of the hypothesis and stress the importance of incorporating evolutionary perspectives into public health. We explain how measuring perceived uncontrollable mortality risk can contribute towards understanding socioeconomic disparities in preventative health behaviours. We emphasise the importance of addressing structural inequalities in risk exposure, and argue that public health interventions should consider the relationship between overall levels of mortality risk and health behaviours across domains. We suggest that measuring perceptions of uncontrollable mortality risk can capture the unanticipated health benefits of structural risk interventions, as well as help to assess the appropriateness of different intervention approaches.

A systematic review to determine the effect of strategies to sustain chronic disease prevention interventions in clinical and community settings: study protocol

BackgroundThe primary purpose of this review is to synthesise the effect of strategies aiming to sustain the implementation of evidenced-based interventions (EBIs) targeting key health behaviours associated with chronic disease (i.e. physical inactivity, poor diet, harmful alcohol use, and tobacco smoking) in clinical and community settings. The field of implementation science is bereft of an evidence base of effective sustainment strategies, and as such, this review will provide important evidence to advance the field of sustainability research.MethodsThis systematic review protocol is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. Methods will follow Cochrane gold-standard review methodology. The search will be undertaken across multiple databases, adapting filters previously developed by the research team, data screening and extraction will be performed in duplicate, strategies will be coded using an adapted sustainability-explicit taxonomy, and evidence will be synthesised using appropriate methods (i.e. meta-analytic following Cochrane or non-meta-analytic following SWiM guidelines). We will include any randomised controlled study that targets any staff or volunteers delivering interventions in clinical or community settings. Studies which report on any objective or subjective measure of the sustainment of a health prevention policy, practice, or programme within any of the eligible settings will be included. Article screening, data extraction, risk of bias, and quality assessment will be performed independently by two review authors. Risk of bias will be assessed using Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2). A random-effect meta-analysis will be conducted to estimate the pooled effect of sustainment strategies separately by setting (i.e. clinical and community). Sub-group analyses will be undertaken to explore possible causes of statistical heterogeneity and may include the following: time period, single or multi-strategy, type of setting, and type of intervention. Differences between sub-groups will be statistically compared.Discussion/conclusionThis will be the first systematic review to determine the effect of strategies designed to support sustainment on sustaining the implementation of EBIs in clinical and community settings. The findings of this review will directly inform the design of future sustainability-focused implementation trials. Further, these findings will inform the development of a sustainability practice guide for public health practitioners.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42022352333.

Chronotoxici-Plate Containing Droplet-Engineered Rhythmic Liver Organoids for Drug Toxicity Evaluation.

The circadian clock coordinates the daily rhythmicity of biological processes, and its dysregulation is associated with various human diseases. Despite the direct targeting of rhythmic genes by many prevalent and World Health Organization (WHO) essential drugs, traditional approaches can't satisfy the need of explore multi-timepoint drug administration strategies across a wide range of drugs. Here, droplet-engineered primary liver organoids (DPLOs) are generated with rhythmic characteristics in 4 days, and developed Chronotoxici-plate as an in vitro high-throughput automated rhythmic tool for chronotherapy assessment within 7 days. Cryptochrome 1 (Cry1) is identified as a rhythmic marker in DPLOs, providing insights for rapid assessment of organoid rhythmicity. Using oxaliplatin as a representative drug, time-dependent variations are demonstrated in toxicity on the Chronotoxici-plate, highlighting the importance of considering time-dependent effects. Additionally, the role of chronobiology is underscored in primary organoid modeling. This study may provide tools for both precision chronotherapy and chronotoxicity in drug development by optimizing administration timing.

A Method of Skin Disease Detection Using Image Processing and Machine Learning

Skin conditions are prevalent health issues globally. The dangers posed by these infections are unseen, leading to physical discomfort and mental anguish. In severe cases, skin diseases can even progress to skin cancer. Consequently, the identification of skin diseases from clinical images remains a significant challenge in medical image analysis. Furthermore, manual diagnosis by medical professionals is time-consuming and subjective. Therefore, there is a need for automated skin disease prediction to expedite treatment planning for both patients and dermatologists. These studies presents a digital hair removal method and de-blurs or denoise the images. To extract essential patterns from the skin imagesand statistical features techniques are utilized. Two efficient machine learning algorithms, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) classifiers, are employed with the extracted features to accurately classify skin images as melanoma (MEL), melanocytic nevus (NV), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), actinic keratosis (AK), benign keratosis (BKL), dermatofibroma (DF), vascular lesion (VASC), and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The models are validated using the ISIC 2019 challenge and HAM10000 datasets, with SVM demonstrating slightly superior performance compared to the other classifiers. Furthermore, a comparison with state-of-the-art methods is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Nurse educators' knowledge and opinions about the "One Health" approach.

This study was conducted to reveal the knowledge and opinions of Turkish nurse educators about the One Health approach. One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach working at local, regional, national, and global levels to achieve optimal health (and well-being) outcomes recognizing the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Despite nurses' unique position to address inequities in health care for all people around the world, the concept of One Health is a relatively new concept in nursing. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study involving a total of 272 nurse educators from various universities in Turkey. The email addresses of nurse educators were obtained from university websites, and the questionnaire form (created using the survey tool Google Forms) was then sent to them. Open-ended questions underwent content analysis, while multiple-choice questions were analyzed in terms of numbers and percentages. Eighty-two percent of nurse educators had never heard of or encountered the One Health approach before. Ninety-six percent of nurse educators think that the One Health approach should be included in nursing education. Nurse educators asserted that nursing should be included as a discipline in the One Health approach due to its relationship with the environment, health prevention and promotion, and its close contact with society. The results of this study underscore the necessity of enhancing One Health knowledge among nursing educators. It is particularly significant that the majority of nurse educators had not previously encountered or been aware of the One Health approach, highlighting an important gap in awareness and understanding. Nursing, silent in the realm of One Health, should integrate this approach, which encompasses human, animal, and environmental health, into nursing education, research, and practice. It is time for action to incorporate One Health into both undergraduate and graduate nursing education programs, conducting research in this area, and fostering collaborations.

Innova4Health: an integrated approach for prevention of recurrence and personalized treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

BackgroundMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, cognitive and physical symptoms, anhedonia (loss of interest in activities), and suicidal ideation. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts depression will become the leading cause of disability by 2030. While biological markers remain essential for understanding MDD's pathophysiology, recent advancements in social signal processing and environmental monitoring hold promise. Wearable technologies, including smartwatches and air purifiers with environmental sensors, can generate valuable digital biomarkers for depression assessment in real-world settings. Integrating these with existing physical, psychopathological, and other indices (autoimmune, inflammatory, neuroradiological) has the potential to improve MDD recurrence prevention strategies.MethodsThis prospective, randomized, interventional, and non-pharmacological integrated study aims to evaluate digital and environmental biomarkers in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with MDD who are currently taking medication. The study implements a sensor-integrated platform built around an open-source “Pothos” air purifier system. This platform is designed for scalability and integration with third-party devices. It accomplishes this through software interfaces, a dedicated app, sensor signal pre-processing, and an embedded deep learning AI system. The study will enroll two experimental groups (10 adolescents and 30 young adults each). Within each group, participants will be randomly allocated to Group A or Group B. Only Group B will receive the technological equipment (Pothos system and smartwatch) for collecting digital biomarkers. Blood and saliva samples will be collected at baseline (T0) and endpoint (T1) to assess inflammatory markers and cortisol levels.ResultsFollowing initial age-based stratification, the sample will undergo detailed classification at the 6-month follow-up based on remission status. Digital and environmental biomarker data will be analyzed to explore intricate relationships between these markers, depression symptoms, disease progression, and early signs of illness.ConclusionThis study seeks to validate an AI tool for enhancing early MDD clinical management, implement an AI solution for continuous data processing, and establish an AI infrastructure for managing healthcare Big Data. Integrating innovative psychophysical assessment tools into clinical practice holds significant promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and developing more specific digital devices for comprehensive mental health evaluation.

The Prevalence of Anemia Among Vietnamese Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

While anemia constitutes a prevalent health issue among children in Vietnam, comprehensive aggregate data remain scarce. Consequently, the objective of this meta-analysis is to establish the pooled prevalence of anemia in the pediatric population of Vietnam. A comprehensive systematic search of existing prevalence studies was conducted up until June 2022, encompassing databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, as well as reference list analysis. Pooled prevalence estimates, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated using a random-effects model. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger regression test and funnel plot inspection. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify potential variations in anemia prevalence across study groups. The pooled prevalence estimate for anemia among children under 10-year-olds amounted to 35.5% (95% CI = [23.9, 49.1]). Notably, gender-specific analyses unveiled distinct prevalence rates, with 37.8% among males and 33.4% among females. Furthermore, variations in anemia prevalence among Vietnamese children were evident across different demographic strata, encompassing gender, age groups, and rural or poor rural residency. The calculated pooled prevalence of anemia among children in Vietnam revealed a significant burden. Addressing this issue necessitates targeted interventions within specific regions and the implementation of government policies aligned with global targets for the eradication of childhood anemia.

Development of Oral Healthcare Plan for Children with Congenital Anomalies

Development of Oral Healthcare Plan for Children with Congenital Anomalies

Association of general anxiety and pediatric dental preventive examination utilization, National Survey of Children's Health, 2021.

Many factors influence preventive dental health service access for children. The objective of this research was to examine one factor, general anxiety, in accessing at least one preventive dental examination in the past 12 months in children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) and children without special healthcare needs (CWSHCN). National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2021 were obtained for this cross-sectional research. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine association of anxiety and past 12-month preventive dental examinations. The sample included 10493 CSHCN, and 35675 CWSHCN. Overall, 72.7% had past 12-month preventive dental examinations, and 9.9% had a healthcare provider indicate they had general anxiety. CSHCN with anxiety, CWSHCN with anxiety, and CSHCN without anxiety were more likely to have a past 12-month preventive dental examination visit than CWSHCN without anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratios: 1.86, 1.39, 1.32, respectively). Our results suggest children with general anxiety (both CSHCN and CWSHCN) are more likely to have had at least one regular preventive dental visit within the past 12 months than CWSHCN and without general anxiety. There is a need for further understanding the relationship of general anxiety and dental health to improve the health of all children. CWSHCN without anxiety need individualized, comprehensive care with enough time, attention, instruction, and rewards to demonstrate to parents/guardians the importance of making routine preventive dental examinations a priority for their child.

Physically demanding occupations among females and sex-related differences to develop osteoarthritis of the hip: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (HOA) is a leading cause of disability increasing with age and is more prevalent in women and in various physically demanding occupations. This systematic review identifies and summarises occupational exposures for women in physically demanding occupations and discusses sex differences and consequences.MethodsIn this systematic review, we searched various electronic databases for reports published between date of database inception and October 2022. We included cohort studies and case-control studies that assessed the association between exposure to physically demanding occupations and the development of HOA. We then assessed the methodological quality of selected studies, extracted relative effects, compared the risk for women and men and meta-analytically reviewed the effects of physically demanding occupations. All steps were based on a study protocol published in PROSPERO (CRD42015016894).ResultsWe included six cohort studies and two case-control studies in this systematic review. These studies showed a considerably increased risk of developing HOA in both sexes. Women working in traditionally female-dominated occupations such as cleaning, sales, catering, childcare and hairdressing that are physically demanding, have a higher risk of developing HOA than men in similarly physically demanding occupations. Conversely, in traditionally male-dominated occupations with a high heterogeneity of work activities, such as agriculture, crafts, construction, as well as in low-skilled occupations, the risk was higher for men. One exception are health occupations, which are grouped together with a wide range of other technical occupations, making it difficult to draw conclusions.ConclusionsExisting studies indicate an association between various occupations with a high physical workload and an increased risk of developing HOA. Occupational prevention and individual health promotion strategies should focus on reducing the effects of heavy physical workloads at work. The aforementioned as well as early detection should be specifically offered to women in female-dominated occupations and to people working in elementary occupations.

Long-Term Disinfection in Operating Rooms Affects Skin Microbiota and Metabolites of Medical Personnel.

Disinfectants play a critical role in reducing healthcare-associated infections by eliminating microorganisms on surfaces. However, prolonged use of disinfectants may adversely affect the skin microflora, essential for skin health and infection prevention. This study investigates the impact of disinfection on the skin microbiota and metabolites of medical personnel in operating rooms, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for safeguarding their skin health. We conducted 16S sequencing and metabolomic analysis to assess the effects of disinfection on the skin microbiota and metabolites of medical personnel. Samples were collected from operating room personnel after disinfectant exposure to identify changes in microbial communities and metabolite profiles. Our analysis revealed that prolonged use of disinfectants led to alterations in skin microbial communities and microbial metabolites. These alterations included the production of harmful metabolites that could potentially promote skin infections and other health issues among medical personnel. The findings underscore the importance of minimizing disruptions to skin microbiota and metabolites caused by long-term disinfectant use to preserve the overall health of medical personnel. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between disinfectant use, skin microbiota, and metabolites, highlighting the necessity for further research in this area.

Alcohol Consumption Is a Coping Mechanism for Male Patients with Severe Anxiety Disorders Treated with Antidepressants Monotherapy.

Background: Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions often accompanied by various comorbidities. The association between anxiety and liver disease, as well as fluctuations in blood sugar levels, highlights the importance of carefully evaluating patients with anxiety undergoing antidepressant therapy. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative assessment of liver function and blood glucose levels in patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders while considering potential gender-specific differences. Methods: An analysis was conducted over a 24-month period. This study included 88 patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders, with symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization, aged 18 or older, undergoing antidepressant monotherapy, without any additional pathologies. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT), AST/ALT ratio, and blood glucose levels were measured and compared. Results: While no significant differences were found between antidepressant classes, increased GGT levels were observed in men older than 40 years compared to women of the same age, suggesting that alcohol consumption may be a coping mechanism for anxiety. This gender difference was not observed among young patients. Conclusions: Early detection of alcohol consumption is essential in patients with anxiety disorders in order to prevent alcohol-related liver damage and to adjust the management of both conditions accordingly.