Higher Rates Of Depression Research Articles

Abstract TMP94: Mental Health Outcomes In Parents with Children with Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Previous single-center studies have found a higher prevalence of mental health disorders in parents of children with pediatric stroke compared to general population prevalences of 5% with depression and 6% with anxiety. Social determinants of health may influence mental health outcomes. We aimed to measure associations between social determinants of health and parental report of mental health symptoms following their child’s diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Methods: We performed a multicenter, international prospective study through the International Pediatric Stroke Study (IPSS). From 2016 to 2021, parents of children within 3.5 years after arterial ischemic stroke enrolled and completed validated and standardized surveys on anxiety (Beck’s Anxiety Inventory II), depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5), severity of their child’s stroke deficits (Recovery and Recurrence Questionnaire), and social determinants of health. For our statistical analysis we employed a linear mixed-effects model, both unadjusted and adjusted. Results: Fifty-two parents (13 fathers, 39 mothers) of 39 children enrolled. Of the 39 children 21 (54%) had perinatal stroke and 18 (46%) had childhood stroke. Median time from stroke diagnosis to parental survey completion was 1.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.0-2.0). On parental surveys, parents scored in the clinical range for: depression in 35% of mothers and 23% of fathers; anxiety in 2% of mothers and 0% of fathers; PTSD in 26% of mothers and 8% of fathers. Lower parental education was significantly associated with higher levels of depression both in our unadjusted (0.02) and adjusted (0.03) models. Interestingly, the child’s functional outcome and parental income were not significantly associated with any parental mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Among social determinants of health, parental education level may be associated with depression in parents of children with pediatric arterial ischemic stroke and needs further exploration. Parents of children with pediatric arterial ischemic stroke had higher rates of depression and PTSD compared to general population estimates. Further research in this area will help facilitate understanding and development of interventions to prevent these mental health outcomes.

P-493. Decreasing Depressive Symptoms among Adults Living with HIV - United States Medical Monitoring Project (MMP), 2015-2022

Abstract Background People with HIV (PWH) have higher rates of depression than people without HIV. We assessed trends in prevalence of depression among PWH in the United States (U.S.). Methods We analyzed the weighted prevalence and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI), of DSM-IV criteria-defined major or other depression (depression) based on self-reported answers to Patient Health Questionnaire-8 questions from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults with diagnosed HIV. Data were collected in 7 annual cycles (2015-2021) from June 01 of the indicated year to May 31 of the following year. Results From the 2015 through 2021 data collection cycles, prevalence of depression symptoms decreased an average of 8% annually (EAPC = -8.0%, CI -8.1%, -7.9%). Prevalence declined across most sociodemographic groups examined. Particularly large declines were seen among PWH self-identifying as heterosexual men (EAPC = -12.4%, CI -12.6%, -12.2%) or Black/African American persons (EAPC = -11.7%, CI -11.9%, -11.6%), particularly Black/African American cisgender women (EAPC = -13.8%, CI -14.0%, -13.6%; Fig 1a-1b). In contrast, prevalence of depression increased an average of 3% (EAPC = 3.0%, CI 2.2%, 3.8%) among transgender women (measured 2016-2021 due to small 2015 sample size) and changed minimally among people who injected drugs (PWID; EAPC = 0.4, 95% CI 0.1%, 0.8%; Fig 1a-1c). Further, in 2021 high prevalence of depression persisted among adult PWH who self-identified as transgender women (27.9%), PWID (39.5%) or aged 18-24 years (24.4%); experienced food insecurity (33.1%), homelessness (29.7%) or unemployment (22.8%); or self-reported disability (27.9%). Conclusion Overall, prevalence of depression among PWH declined an average of 8% per year during 2015-2022. However, this positive outcome was not observed among certain National HIV/AIDS Strategy priority groups; depression increased in transgender women and did not change among PWID. Understanding reasons for the decline could inform interventions to further reduce depression among PWH and address unique needs of transgender women and PWID who are most affected by persisting high levels of depression. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Preliminary effectiveness of a trauma-informed mind-body intervention for survivors of human trafficking in the Philippines

ABSTRACT Human trafficking survivors report high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite growing attention to the mental health needs of this population, there is a dearth of evidence-based mental health interventions and reintegration support programs for survivors in low-resource settings. We report findings from a pilot study exploring the preliminary effectiveness of a trauma-informed, mind-body intervention for survivors in Cebu, Philippines. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Findings show significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among survivors over time. Findings demonstrate the promise of culturally-responsive, low-technology mind-body interventions to address survivors’ mental health needs.

Depression and anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia and Malaysia: do age, diabetes duration, foot ulcers, and prescribed medication play a role?

ABSTRACT Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are susceptible to mental health issues, impacting medication adherence and diabetes control. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with depression and anxiety among T2DM patients in Indonesia and Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Indonesia and Malaysia from October 2022 to April 2023 among T2DM patients. The study utilised an instrument with patient and disease data and three validated tools to assess depression, anxiety, and medication adherence. Statistical analysis, including binary logistic regression, was performed using SPSS® version 28 software. A study of 606 T2DM patients revealed that 56.5% were at risk of depression, while 41.6% were at risk of anxiety. Older patients with T2DM had lower rates of depression (AOR = 0.41, 0.25–0.68) and anxiety than younger patients. Normal-weight patients were less likely to experience depression and anxiety (AOR = 0.44, 0.27–0.72) than overweight patients. Patients without diabetic foot ulcers had a lower risk of depression (AOR = 0.34, 0.21–0.55) and anxiety than those with foot ulcers. Patients with a shorter duration of diabetes had a higher risk of depression (AOR = 3.27, 1.70–6.30) and anxiety than those with a longer duration. Patients on insulin-based regimens had higher rates of depression and anxiety (AOR = 2.28, 1.20–4.30) than those on metformin-based regimens. Nonadherent patients were more likely to experience depression and anxiety (AOR = 4.30, 2.22–8.32) than patients who adhered to their medication. The prevalence of depression and anxiety is concerning and influenced by factors such as age, diabetes duration, the presence of diabetic foot ulcers, and the prescribed medication regimen. Further efforts are necessary to enhance the mental health of T2DM patients and improve management outcomes.

Epidemiology of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in children and young people attending primary care practices in England: retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo examine trends in diagnosis of gender dysphoria and related conditions in children and young people attending primary care practices in England.DesignLongitudinal analysis of electronic primary care records from the...

Depression and Incident Hypertension: The Strong Heart Family Study.

Compared with White Americans, American Indian adults have disproportionately high depression rates. Previous studies in non-American Indian populations report depression as common among people with uncontrolled hypertension, potentially interfering with blood pressure control. Few studies have examined the association of depressive symptoms with hypertension development among American Indians despite that population's high burden of depression and hypertension. We examined the association of depressive symptoms with incident hypertension in a large cohort of American Indians. We studied 1,408 American Indian participants in the Strong Heart Family Study, a longitudinal, ongoing, epidemiologic study assessing cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among American Indian populations. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, 2001-2003. At each study examination in 2001-2003 and 2007-2009, blood pressure was measured 3 times. The average of the last 2 measurements taken at baseline and follow-up examinations was used for analyses. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg, or use of hypertension medications at follow-up. To account for within-family correlation, we used generalized estimating equations to examine the association of depressive symptoms with incident hypertension. During follow-up, 257 participants developed hypertension. Participants with symptoms consistent with depression (CES-D ≥16) at baseline had 54% higher odds of developing hypertension during follow-up (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.23) compared with those without depression (CES-D <16) at baseline after adjustment for other risk factors. These data suggest that participants who experienced symptoms consistent with depression were at increased odds of incident hypertension.

Prediction, Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in Recent Ten Years

Depression is the second leading cause of disability in the world and has become one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the world. Due to the high recurrence rate of depression and the fact that it is a disease that can be accompanied by the development of suicidal and bipolar tendencies, it is a great challenge to society and the financial and energy resources of hospital patients' families. However, there is no complete diagnosis and treatment system for depression, so this paper is committed to comprehensively review the contributions of the current studies of the depression diagnosis and treatment in the field of neural activity analysis, machine learning detection technology and neuromodulation, and discusses the development of prediction-diagnosis-treatment path in the future.

PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN NON-PRACTICING FEMALE DOCTORS OF PAKISTAN

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in non-practicing female doctors of Pakistan and the factors associated with it. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College. A self-administered questionnaire with demographic details and questions related to the objectives of the study was used to collect data via online social media platforms, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale were used for screening. Results: 384 doctors included. Mean (±SD) age of participants was 33.6(7.8) years. Anxiety was more prominent among non-practicing female doctors (prevalence = 73.9%, p-value &lt;0.01). 272 doctors had depression (70.8%, p-value: &lt;0.04). Chi-square statistic applied for correlation analysis. Both married and lived single participants had high rates of depression. 94.01% completed their house job. A large number of participants (n=186, 48.44%) did not acquire any postgraduate qualification. A significant correlation between the prevalence of anxiety/depression and time lag from medical practice was found (p-value &lt;0.005). The highest prevalence of depression was noted for women who had a break of 5 to 15 years from medical practice (74.22%). Lack of childcare facilities in the hospital, moving abroad and the heavy working hours were the reported barriers to practice. Arranging childcare facilities in the hospital among other suggestions were proposed by the non-practicing female doctors to overcome this problem. Conclusion: The alarming rates of anxiety and depression point to the urgent need for potential policy changes to prevent this catastrophe.

Impact of anemia on the six-month trend of anxiety and depression in women with threatened abortion: A case-control retrospective cohort study.

Anemia in pregnancy is associated with psychiatric symptoms and poor psychiatric symptoms, this study investigates the 6-month trends of anxiety and birth outcomes. Considering the controversies surrounding the impact of anemia on psychiatric symptoms, this study investigates the 6-month trends of anxiety and depression in anemic pregnant women with threatened abortion (TA). A case-control retrospective cohort study conducted among 282 participants who enrolled in a registry of pregnant women with TA in Babol city from December 2022 to October 2023. Fifty individuals with anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) who were matched with 50 without anemia based on age, pregnancies, education, and gestational age, were included. The BSI-18 (Brief Symptom Inventory) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and psychological distress at the beginning, three and six-month follow-ups. The prevalence of anemia among women diagnosed with TA was found to be 17.7%. At the beginning, compared to normal individuals, anemic women had higher rates of depression (32% vs. 14%), anxiety (34% vs. 22%), and psychological distress (66% vs. 48%). Moreover, at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the frequency of psychiatric symptoms in anemic women was significantly higher. The Generalized Estimating Equations model showed that although both groups had a decreasing trend of frequency anemic women experience a slower rate of decrease in psychiatric symptoms compared to non-anemic women. Anemia in women with TA is associated with high rates of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, as well as a slow recovery rate.

Marital satisfaction and its impact on frailty in Korean older adults: a longitudinal analysis

AbstractBackgroundDespite a wealth of literature on marital dissatisfaction and adverse health outcomes, little is known about the relationship between marital dissatisfaction and frailty in older adults.MethodsThis longitudinal study utilised the data of 11 174 individuals who participated in the biennial Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing survey from 2006 to 2020 and were aged ≥45 during the initial wave. Frailty was measured using a frailty instrument, which utilised exhaustion, social isolation, and handgrip strength weakness. Marital dissatisfaction was defined as a decrease in marital satisfaction of at least 10 points compared to the previous wave. Lagged generalised estimating equation analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of marital dissatisfaction on frailty.ResultsFrail participants were more likely to be older, female, have higher rates of depression, lower socioeconomic status (as indicated by lower household income and education level), and with more comorbidities. Multivariate logistic model analysis revealed that individuals who became dissatisfied with their marriage had higher odds ratios for being frail than those who did not, and this trend was true in women and individuals with a low socioeconomic status. However, the development of frailty was not significantly associated with dissatisfaction with marriage.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that marital dissatisfaction is a robust predictor of frailty in older adults. Efforts aimed at addressing marital dissatisfaction have the potential to prevent frailty in women and individuals of low socioeconomic status.

Depression among people living in rural and urban areas of Thailand: A cross-sectional study.

Depression has a growing trend in the population worldwide. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence and associated factors of depression among individuals residing in rural (Ban Luang district, Nan Province) and urban (Lak Si, Bangkok) areas of Thailand. Understanding the differences in depression between these two settings can provide insights for specific targeted interventions and mental health policies. The multistage stratified random sampling was applied to select the study participants. We recruited participants from rural and urban communities in Thailand using a structured survey questionnaire through either face-to-face interviews or in paper or electronic form. We collected data on depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) tool and sociodemographic characteristics and conducted descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Of 867 survey participants, 420 were from rural areas (Nan) and 447 were from urban areas (Bangkok). Participants' mean age was 55.9±9.5 years in rural areas and 56.0±12.0 years in urban areas. Most participants in urban areas were women, married, and had lower education levels (71.1%, 50.3%, 58.8%, respectively). The overall prevalence of depression across both settings was 18.6%. We found a higher prevalence of depression in the urban (31.8%) than the rural (4.5%) setting. In multiple logistic regression analysis, urban residence was significantly associated with higher rates of depression compared with rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 9.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.08-17.52). Nuclear family and using social media were associated with lower levels of depression in urban areas (AOR 0.50 and 0.43, 95% CI 0.27-0.93 and 0.22-0.84, respectively). Higher education level was significantly associated with higher levels of depression in rural areas (AOR 3.84, 95% CI 1.19-12.42). This study emphasized the difference in depression and related factors between rural and urban areas of Thailand, highlighting a greater prevalence in urban areas. To help prevent depression, it is important to address specific challenges in each setting, such as those faced by highly educated individuals living in rural areas with high depression rates, exploring social media use patterns in urban populations, and understanding dynamics of the nuclear family. Our findings can inform the development of public health policies aimed at effectively mitigating the burden of depression and improving overall mental well-being in specific settings.

Relationship between sleep pattern dysfunction with psychological stress, anxiety and depression among pregnant women.

To determine the relationship between sleep pattern dysfunction with stress, anxiety and depression among pregnant women in a tertiary care hospital. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau at Civil Hospital, Karachi from December, 2021 till January, 2022 in which total three hundred pregnant women were included. The association between maternal psychiatric symptoms with the sleep pattern was explored using the Chi- square test. The multivariable logistic regression technique was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and to estimate the association of sleep pattern dysfunction with psychiatric illnesses. Sleep disorder was found in 49.3% of the pregnant women. Among these women, 54.0% had antepartum depression, 31.3% had stress and 44% reported anxiety. Women with sleep pattern dysfunction were nine times more likely to develop antepartum depression as compared to women without sleep pattern dysfunction (OR: 9.25, 95% CI: 5.45-15.70). Similarly, stress was five times more likely to develop in women with sleep pattern dysfunction (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 2.92-8.76). Furthermore, Anxiety is also four times likely to develop in women with sleep pattern dysfunction (OR: 4.76, 95% CI: 2.91-7.80) compared to women without any sleep disturbances. During pregnancy, sleep disturbances were related to the increased risk of developing psychiatric illnesses. It was found that women with disturbed sleep patterns had high rates of antepartum depression followed by stress and anxiety as compared to women without disturbed sleep patterns.

LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION AMONG SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Abstract Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults are at elevated risks of cognitive impairment (CI). High rates of loneliness and depression are particularly concerning for SGM older adults living with CI as they are linked to decreased physical health, lower life satisfaction, and accelerated cognitive decline. Yet little is known about the risk and protective factors of loneliness and depression for SGM older adults with CI. This study, utilizing the Health Equity Promotion Model, analyzes the Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study to examine socioeconomic status, adverse life course experiences, and psychological and social factors that predict depressive symptomatology and the mediating role of loneliness. Data were a sub-sample of 160 participants with CI assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Approximately 50% reported feeling isolated from others, 33% were experiencing depression, 40% reported physical or sexual child abuse, 70% were single, and 25% had a network size of 3 or less. A bootstrapped mediation analysis using Mplus revealed that child abuse, day-to-day discrimination, perceived stress, not being partnered, reduced network size, and lack of social support and community engagement were indirectly associated with depressive symptomatology via loneliness. Those with adverse childhood experiences, ongoing distressing stigma, and social isolation are of major concern. Improving support networks may reduce the risk of loneliness and depression. These findings can be utilized to develop culturally tailored interventions to enhance the mental health and overall quality of life of this understudied and underserved population.

The experiences of students with mental health difficulties at medical school: a qualitative interview study

ABSTRACT Background High rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression in medical students are widespread, yet we have limited knowledge of the medical school experiences of students with mental health issues. The aim of the study is to understand the impact of mental health issues on students’ experience and training at medical school by adopting a qualitative approach. Methods Qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 students with mental health issues from eight UK medical schools of varying size and location. Students were purposefully sampled to gain variety in the type of mental health issue experienced and demographic characteristics. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed using NVivo software. Results Three themes were identified. 1) Culture of medicine: medical culture contributed to causing mental ill-health through study demands, competitiveness with peers, a ‘suck it up’ mentality where the expectation is that medical school is tough and medical students must push through, and stigma towards mental ill-health. 2) Help-seeking: students feared others discovering their difficulties and thus initially tried to cope alone, hiding symptoms until they were severe. There were multiple barriers to help-seeking including stigma and fear of damage to their career. 3) Impact on academic life: mental health issues had a detrimental impact on academic commitments, with students’ unable to keep up with their studies and some needing to take time out from medical school. Conclusion This study provides insight into how medical culture contributes both to the cause of mental health difficulties and the reluctance of medical students to seek help. Mental health issues had a considerable negative impact on medical students’ ability to learn and progress through their degree. Addressing the medical culture factors that contribute to the cause of mental health issues and the barriers to help-seeking must be a priority to ensure a healthier medical workforce.

Stress Due to Inflation and Its Association with Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in the United States.

Inflation generates stress, which may lead to high rates of anxiety and depression. Given the recent surge and subsequent decline in the inflation rate in the United States, the prevalence of stress due to inflation may vary, as well as its relationship with anxiety and depression. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of stress due to inflation and its association with anxiety and depression over time among working-age adults in the United States. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis using Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data for the following weeks: Week 50 (5-17 October 2022) and Week 57 (26 April-8 May 2023). The HPS includes questions about individuals' stress levels due to price increases in the past two months. We used logistic regressions to examine the association of stress (moderate or high stress versus little or no stress) due to inflation with depression and anxiety among working-age adults controlling for several factors, including demographic factors and social determinants of health. From October 2022 to April-May 2023, the prevalence of stress due to inflation affected more than three quarters of the population (77.7% and 78.7%, respectively). In logistic regressions, we found a significant positive association of stress due to inflation with depression (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% CI] = 2.22 [1.92, 2.57]) and anxiety (AOR [95% CI] = 2.50 [2.18, 2.86]). Despite a decline in the prevalence of both depression and anxiety by three percentage points over the study period, the associations between stress, due to inflation on the one hand, and anxiety and depression, on the other, persisted over time. Stress due to inflation affects more than three-quarters of Americans, and is significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Stress due to inflation is a significant and persistent public health issue.

Temporomandibular Disorders in Psychiatric Outpatients: A Hidden Epidemic?

ABSTRACTBackgroundTemporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a multimodal group of orofacial pain syndromes that rank behind only chronic low back pain in the list of most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions causing pain and disability. Previous studies have recorded high rates of comorbid anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among TMD patients.MethodsEighty five outpatients recruited from Rhode Island Hospital's Latino and Portuguese Mental Health Programs completed the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI). The latest meta‐analysis of TMD prevalence in the general population was used for the reference population (n = 3159).ResultsThe most prevalent psychiatric disorders were depressive disorders (75.3%), anxiety disorders (57.6%), and sleep–wake disorders (47.1%). Fifty patients (58.8%) met criteria for TMD, versus 29.3% in the reference population (p &lt; 0.001). In our sample, the PSQI cut‐off for poor sleep was crossed in 96.2% of patients with TMD and 82.9% of those without TMD (p = 0.041).ObjectivesWe sought to establish the prevalence of TMD in a significant sample of psychiatric outpatients, considering their psychiatric diagnoses and sleep quality.ConclusionThe very high prevalence of TMD among patients with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders reinforces their association and alerts us to the possibility of TMD constituting a widespread, though largely ignored, comorbidity of psychiatric outpatients that may be impacting their mental health outcomes. Further studies are needed to clarify the value of screening this population for TMD and to establish which cases merit treatment.

Psycho-Social Morbidity And Its Determinants Among Geriatric Population In A Rural Field Practice Area –A Cross –Sectional Study

Introduction: One in four older adults worldwide, suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and dementia, according to the WHO. Studies indicate high rates of depression, anxiety, and dementia among older adults, emphasizing the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies. Addressing psychosocial morbidities through early identification and intervention is crucial for improving the quality of life for elderly individuals in India.The objective of the present study is to study the prevalence and determinants of psychosocial morbidity in elderly patients in the geriatric clinicTop of ForBottom of Form Methodology : This is a cross-sectional community based study conducted in a rural field practice area of Government Vellore Medical College,Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. The study population constituted of individuals aged &gt;60 years .The study used a sample size of 91. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of significance for the statistical tests. Depression and dementia were screened using standardized scales, and data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results :About 39 (42.8%) were habituated to alcohol. 47 (51.65%) sometimes faced social maladjustment and 3 (3. 2%) always live with social maladjustments. 41[45.1%] reported anxiety. Dementia was diagnosed in 25.3% and 56% of the people reported depression according to a psychological assessment. Conclusion:Early identification and intervention for mental health conditions, along with programs promoting social engagement and healthy lifestyles, are crucial in enhancing the quality of life for the growing elderly population.

Afghan refugee population in Austria: exploring mental health service utilization and attitudes toward seeking psychological help

The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan, is a critical concern due to their high exposure to violence, trauma, and displacement-related stressors. Despite the significant prevalence of mental health problems, Afghan refugee populations exhibit low help-seeking behaviors and resistance to professional psychological support. This study examines the mental health status and psychological help-seeking behaviors of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria, focusing on how sociodemographic and sociocultural factors influence attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Data were collected from 305 Afghan participants (155 asylum seekers and 150 refugees) using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 for anxiety and depression, the International Trauma Questionnaire for ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form. Results indicated high prevalence rates of anxiety (52.8%), depression (57.7%), ICD-11 PTSD (10.5%), and CPTSD (20.7%). Nearly half of those with mental health symptoms had never sought professional help, highlighting significant underutilization of services. Participants who came directly from Afghanistan exhibited significantly more negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help compared to those from Iran or Pakistan. Young adults and individuals who had never received mental health services also displayed more negative attitudes. Multiple linear regression analysis identified not having received mental health services, arriving directly from Afghanistan, and being a young adult as significant factors associated with negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, culturally sensitive approaches, and educational efforts to improve mental health service utilization among Afghan refugee populations in Austria.

Factors Associated With Depression in Caregivers of Adults With Down Syndrome.

Family caregivers of those with developmental disabilities have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with caregivers of those without development disability. Few studies have examined factors that contribute to caregiver depression, including the appraisal of caregiving responsibilities and the physical fitness and daily function of the care recipient. The purpose of this study was to identify intrapersonal (caregiver) and interpersonal (care recipient) factors associated with depressive symptoms in caregivers of adults with Down syndrome (DS). Twenty-four adults with DS participating in a 12-month physical activity trial completed physical fitness and function tests (VO2peak, hand grip strength, timed up and go, five times sit to stand) and activities of daily living (ADL) surveys at their baseline visit. Caregivers (n = 24) of the adults with DS completed surveys on caregiving distress, quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms. We evaluated the associations of these assessments on caregiver depressive symptoms using Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations. Adults with DS were 23 ± 7.5 years, 58% female; caregivers were 54 ± 10 years, 100% female, 96% family members. Caregiver depressive symptoms were significantly associated with caregiving distress (p = 0.024) and caregiving QoL (r = -0.58, p = 0.003). Hand grip strength of care recipients was inversely correlated with caregiver depressive symptoms (r = -0.45, p = 0.03), but other assessments of physical function and ADL were not associated with caregiver depressive symptoms. Caregiver depressive symptoms were related to modifiable factors related to the caregiver and care recipient. Intervening to improve caregiving appraisal and functional strength of the care recipient may positively impact caregiver mental health.

High Prevalence of Severe Depression in Mexican Patients Diagnosed with HIV Treated with Efavirenz and Atazanavir: Clinical Follow-Up at Four Weeks and Analysis of TPH2 SNPs.

Efavirenz (EFV) causes neuropsychiatric effects such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in people with HIV (PWH). Depressive disorders have been associated with the Tryptophan hydroxylase type 2 (TPH2) gene. Objectives: This study determines the genotypes and allelic frequencies of three TPH2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a Mexican cohort of HIV-1 treatment-naïve-patients and the severity of depressive symptoms at baseline and after a four-week clinical follow-up of antiretroviral treatment. Methods: In a pilot prospective study, eighty-one antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients were recruited from the Infectious Disease Hospital, National Medical Center "La Raza", in Mexico City. Of these, 39 were treated using a set-dose combination regimen of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) plus EFV and 42 were treated with TDF/FTC plus atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r), and fifty-nine control volunteers. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All DNA samples underwent qPCR utilizing TaqMan probes for the three TPH2 SNPs studied. All participants underwent evaluation utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Of the three SNPs examined, none exhibited any notable differences in the distribution of the alleles between the groups; nevertheless, rs4570625 TT and rs1386493 GG presented a twofold and fivefold greater risk of severe depression in PWH, respectively, independently of the treatment. Among PWH, those treated with EFV experienced severe depression at a higher rate of 90.4% after four weeks, compared to 87.5% in those treated with ATV/r. Conclusions: High rates of severe depression were identified in PWH, who presented the rs4570625 TT and rs1386493 GG polymorphic variants. Depression increased after four weeks of treatment and was higher with EFV than ATV/r. It is crucial to emphasize the necessity of conducting psychiatric monitoring for every patient with HIV and administering prompt antidepressant treatment.