Higher Rates Of Depression Research Articles

A Prospective Study on Neural Biomarkers in Patients with Long-COVID Symptoms.

this prospective observational study aims to assess serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), s100b, and total Tau in long-COVID patients, exploring correlations with symptoms, cognitive decline, mental health, and quality of life. Long-COVID patients visiting our outpatient clinic (February 2021-December 2022) were screened alongside age- and sex-matched controls. GFAP, s100b, and total Tau in serum were measured with ELISA. Cognitive function, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and quality of life were evaluated using MoCA, HADS (depression and anxiety), IES-R, and SF-36, respectively. Sixty-five long-COVID patients and 20 controls were included. GFAP levels were significantly higher in long-COVID patients (p = 0.031), though not correlating with the presence of long-COVID symptoms. S100b and total Tau showed no significant differences between patients and controls. Nervous system-related symptoms were reported in 47% of patients. High rates of cognitive decline (65.9%), depression (32.2%), anxiety (47.5%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (44.1%) were observed. Over 80% of the study population scored below normative cutoffs for SF-36, indicating a significant impact on quality of life. in this long-COVID cohort with substantial psychological and cognitive symptoms, GFAP levels were elevated compared to controls, though not correlating with the presence of long-COVID symptoms.

The Longitudinal Association between Multiple Frailty Criteria and Depressive Symptomatology Five Years Later in Older Adults: A Decision Tree Modelling Approach.

Background: To examine the longitudinal association between frailty criteria and depression (DEP) in a large sample of older Europeans using decision tree models, and to examine complex relationships between frailty criteria and DEP symptomatology. Methods: Data come from waves six and eight of the Population Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. DEP was assessed using the EURO-D scale (wave 8) and frailty (wave 6). We included 27,122 people (56.9% women), aged 50 or over. Results: Women indicated a higher rate of DEP (29.0%), as well as a higher prevalence of pre-frailty (21.6%) and frailty (10.8%) than men. For both sexes, fatigue, weight loss, and slowness indicated an increased chance of DEP 5 years later. MPA (moderate physical activity) and grip strength were considered longitudinally protective factors for DEP. The highest prevalence of DEP symptomatology 5 years later was 50.3%, pointing to those with fatigue and slowness. Among women, the highest incidence of DEP was 66.8%, identified through fatigue, slowness, and low MPA. Conclusions: Strategies to reduce frailty and DEP in older European adults may include the creation of policies that encourage the promotion of physical capacity to reach MPA levels, as well as an improvement in muscular strength.

Prevalence of Rome IV Pediatric Diagnostic Questionnaire-Assessed Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction, Psychopathological Comorbidities and Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food in Pediatric Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder primarily affecting children and adolescents. Disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) have gained recognition as significant symptoms in individuals with AN. However, limited studies have explored GI symptoms in pediatric populations with AN using age-specific diagnostic tools. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of DGBIs, their associated psychopathological aspects and their potential correlations with ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among pediatric AN patients. The study included AN patients who were under the care of a specialized multidisciplinary team. We assessed DGBI-related symptoms using the Rome IV Pediatric Diagnostic Questionnaire on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (R4PDQ) and conducted psychological evaluations. Dietary intake and UPF consumption were evaluated. Among 56 AN patients, we observed a lower prevalence of DGBIs (functional constipation: 61%; functional dyspepsia: 54%; irritable bowel syndrome: 25%) compared to the existing literature. The psychological assessments revealed high rates of depression (72%) and anxiety (70%). UPF consumption was inversely related to depression levels (p = 0.01) but positively correlated with functional constipation (p = 0.046). This study highlights the importance of using age-specific diagnostic tools and emphasizes the crucial role of a specialized multidisciplinary team in the treatment of AN.

Mental health in persons with von Willebrand disease in the United States – a large national database study

BackgroundThere are very few large population-based studies studying mental health in persons with von Willebrand disease (PwVWD). ObjectivesWe aim to assess prevalence of depression and anxiety in PwVWD over a period of 20 years and identify bleeding symptoms that may be more likely associated with depression and anxiety in PwVWD. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study using a deidentified national dataset from 1118 hospitals with 176 million patients. Cases were defined as patients aged 0-110 years, both male and female, with von Willebrand disease (VWD), without hemophilia. Controls were defined as patients aged 0-110 years, both male and female, without VWD or hemophilia. We compared rates of depression and anxiety in cases and controls and by type of bleeding symptoms. ResultsWe identified 66 367 PwVWD and 183 890 766 controls. The prevalence of depression (23.12% vs 8.62%; p ≤ .00093; relative risk = 2.68) and anxiety (32.90% vs 12.29%; p ≤ .00093; relative risk = 2.68) was higher in PwVWD. Most of the bleeding symptoms were associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety in PwVWD with the highest rates with abnormal uterine bleeding, hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematuria, and melena. ConclusionOur study shows that mental health disorders in PwVWD are a significant health burden, and that burden is increased with documented bleeding symptoms. It is important that primary care physicians and hematologists caring for this population recognize this increased risk and appropriately screen and refer to mental health professionals.

The Prevalence of Depression in Patients With Epilepsy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objective Among patients with epilepsy (PWE), the prevalence of depression ranges from 30% to 50%, with a 5-25% prevalence of suicide. Depression and epilepsy affect daily tasks such as driving, employment, and physical activity. Depression is the most common comorbidity among patients with epilepsy. Because both conditions involve pathophysiological changes, treating mood disorders helps treat epilepsy and vice versa. Studies about epilepsy and depression in Saudi Arabia are scarce, and no study has been conducted on this topic at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC); hence, we aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among PWE who were followed up at KFMC. Methods This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at KFMC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This investigation spanned a period of 10 years, from 2008 to 2018. The study included patients with PWE who were diagnosed with depression. Results According to a study of individuals aged 18 to 69, 73.7% of patients had been diagnosed with chronic depression (i.e., for more than a year); most of these patients had completed elementary school. Higher rates of depression were also observed among elementary school pupils, divorced women, and non-Riyadh residents. A correlation was observed between the severity of depression based on the Patient's Health Questionnaire( PHQ-9) score, which was used to screen for depression and diabetes mellitus (DM), the number of antidepressant medications (ADM) used, the duration of antidepressant use, suicidal ideation or attempts, and the duration of depression. Epilepsy was most prevalent in the temporal lobe, accounting for 22.6% of all cases, and it was managed in 78.2% of the patients. The duration of epilepsy was significantly associated with the severity of depression.

Does depression influence the postoperative result of total hip arthroplasties?

Chronic pain and functional limitations caused by coxarthrosis are important factors in the onset of depression, as there are higher rates of depression in this group of patients than in the general population. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been shown to decrease pain and improve function in these patients, which may positively influence the patient's depressive symptoms. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the differences between patients with depression and patients without depression in the immediate postoperative period (pain and hospitalization time) and to evaluate functional outcomes one year after surgery. Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study in which all patients with indications for primary total hip arthroplasty during 2018 were included. Preoperatively, patients completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire, and were classified into patients with depression (if preoperative PHQ-9 > or = to 10) and patients without depression (pre PHQ-9 < to 10). During the hospital stay, postoperative pain was assessed by VAS, and the need for analgesic rescue with major opioids. One year after surgery, the PHQ-9 test was retaken, and functional outcomes were assessed. The results showed that both groups were comparable in terms of sex, age, BMI, and ASA. No differences were found in postoperative pain or hospitalization time. There were also no differences between the two groups of patients in functional outcomes one year after surgery. Therefore, we can conclude that patients with a diagnosis of depression do not present worse postoperative pain after THA. In addition, they show a significant improvement in their depressive symptoms one year after surgery.

Neurodevelopmental problems in adulthood following severe early deprivation: A qualitative analysis of clinical needs and service user experiences

Severe, prolonged early deprivation is associated with later neurodevelopmental difficulties. Despite elevated levels of contact with service providers, these problems often persist into adult life and are associated with impairment in adulthood (e.g., unemployment, higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms and poorer subjective wellbeing). Here, we aimed to explore the ongoing service needs and experiences of adoptees and their parents from the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study, in those with a history of early deprivation and neurodevelopmental problems. Our descriptive thematic analysis highlighted difficulties with independent living, particularly financial management and problems with decision-making. Where specific forms of support had been accessed (e.g., medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) they were often helpful, although there was some ambivalence towards taking medication due to side effects. However, the neurodevelopmental problems were not well understood and were often overlooked by service providers. There is a need for greater awareness among frontline service providers of the neurodevelopmental impact of early adversity. Participants also identified that their support needs were largely unmet and that their parents were having to fill this gap. Similarities and differences between the experiences highlighted here and those identified with idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorders are discussed, as are several recommendations for educational improvements for service providers.

Relationship between social isolation and glycaemic control of people previously diagnosed with diabetes: secondary analysis from the CHARLS

ObjectivesSocial isolation may affect diabetes self-management. This study aimed to explore the relations between social isolation and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes and to explore lifestyle differences among individuals...

Parental stress, depression, anxiety and participation in care in neonatal intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study in Italy comparing mothers versus fathers

BackgroundThis study aimed at documenting the levels of stress, depression, anxiety and participation in care among mothers versus fathers of newborns hospitalised in a third-level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)...

Prevalence of Depression Among the Adult Population in Southwestern Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional, Community-Based Study.

Background Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, which is increasing globally with higher prevalence among women. Many factors contribute to the etiology and risk factors for depression, including biological and psychosocial factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression among the adult population in Al-Qunfudah governorate, southwestern Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1036 participants among adults in Al-Qunfudah governorate, southwestern SA, using a validated Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)during the period from October1st, 2022 to the end of December 2022. The PHQ-9 contains nine items, with a total score ranging from 0 to 27. A score of 1-4 represented minimal depression, while a score of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represented mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. The sample size was estimated to be 375 participants, by considering a margin of error of 5%, and a 95% confidence interval, calculated using Raosoft calculator (Raosoft Inc., Seattle, WA).Data collection was performed through an online survey of the PHQ-9 on a Google form and distributed using different social media platforms. The eligible participants' responses were kept confidential and analyzed using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The study showed that the overall prevalence of depression among the 1036 adult study participants was 68.1%. Mild, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe depression was diagnosed among 28.2%, 21.9%, 12%, and 6% of the participants, respectively. Several factors were significantly associated with PHQ-9 diagnosed depression including being younger (p<0.0001), a female (p<0.0001), single (p<0.0001), a student (p<0.0001), and non-employed (p<0.0001)and having a lower educational level (p<0.0001). Conclusions There is a high prevalence rate of depression among the adultpopulation of Al-Qunfudah governorate in southwestern SA, which highlights the need for interventions to address this issue, and to reduce the incidence of depression in the region among the high-risk groups.

Time is ticking for TikTok tics: A retrospective follow-up study in the post-COVID-19 isolation era.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an influx of adolescents presented worldwide with acute onset of functional tic-like behaviors (FTLBs). Our goal was to evaluate psychosocial factors around onset, to elucidate outcomes after pandemic isolation protocols were lifted, and to examine therapy and medication management. A retrospective review was performed of 56 patients ages 10-18 years with new-onset FTLBs seen at Boston Children's Hospital beginning in March 2020. Demographic factors, medical history, and treatment were evaluated. Patient outcomes were determined retrospectively based on the Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S) scales from follow-up visits. CGI-I scores assessed the progression of FTLBs; CGI-S assessed overall function. Ninety-six percent of patients were female-assigned at birth with high rates of comorbid anxiety (93%) and depression (71%). Forty-five percent were gender-diverse. Based on scales that assessed FTLBs (CGI-I) and overall functioning (CGI-S), up to 79% of patients improved independent of comorbid diagnosis or treatment. Evidence-based tic-specific treatments were not more effective than other treatments. A subset of patients had improvement in their FTLBs but not in their general functioning and continued to have other psychosomatic presentations. While many patients' FTLBs improved, it is critical to remain alert to patients' overall function and to assess for other functional neurological disorders and mental health concerns. The tendency of FTLBs to improve in this population, independent of treatment, highlights the unique pathophysiology of FTLBs. Future research on contributing psychosocial factors and specific treatment protocols will allow optimal support for these patients.

Problematic alcohol use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada: the role of proximal stressors and anxiety

BackgroundGay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report high rates of problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. This may, in part, be due to stressors related to their sexual identity (i.e., minority stressors). However, few studies have examined both distal and proximal stressors, as well as the specific psychological mechanisms by which these stressors may be related to alcohol use outcomes, in a representative sample of GBM. We explored the relationship between distal and proximal stressors and alcohol use outcomes, as well as the role of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of these relationships.MethodsWe analyzed the baseline data of 2,449 GBM from Engage, a cohort study of sexually active GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver from February 2017 to August 2019. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations between distal minority stressors (i.e., experiences of heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination), proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homonegativity, concerns about acceptance, concealment, and lack of affirmation), anxiety and depression, and alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. RDS-adjusted analyses controlled for age, income, sexual orientation, ethnicity, recruitment city, and HIV serostatus.ResultsThere were positive direct associations between distal stress and proximal stress, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use outcomes. Proximal stress had a positive direct association with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use problems, but not alcohol consumption. Anxiety was positively associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. Depression was negatively associated with alcohol consumption but not alcohol use problems. Regarding indirect effects, distal stress was associated with alcohol use outcomes via proximal stress and anxiety, but not via depression.ConclusionsWe found support for a minority stress model as it relates to alcohol use outcomes among GBM. Findings suggest that proximal minority stress and anxiety differentially impact the problematic alcohol use among GBM who experience heterosexist discrimination. Clinical providers should consider incorporating the treatment of proximal minority stressors and anxiety into existing alcohol interventions for GBM.

Psychological Distress Associated with Enforced Hospital Isolation Due to COVID-19 during the "Flatten the Curve" Phase in Morocco: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: although much research has highlighted the mental health challenges faced by patients in hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, data from low-middle-income countries, including Morocco, are lacking. The main objective of this study was to assess the psychological distress of patients undergoing enforced hospital isolation during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study between 1 April and 1 May 2020, among patients hospitalized in isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 at the Ibn Sina University Hospital of Rabat, Morocco. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Binary logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with anxiety and depression, with a cutoff of ≥8 used for both scales to create dichotomous variables. (3) Results: among 200 patients, 42.5% and 43% scored above the cut-off points for anxiety and depression, respectively. Multiple logistic regression identified female gender, a higher education level, a longer duration of isolation, and a poor understanding of the reasons for isolation as significant factors associated with anxiety. Conversely, female gender, chronic disease, a longer duration of isolation, and a poor understanding of the reasons for isolation were factors significantly associated with depression. (4) Conclusions: our study underscores high rates of anxiety and depression among patients forced into hospital isolation during the initial phase of COVID-19 in Morocco. We identified several factors associated with patients experiencing psychological distress that may inform future discussions on mental health and psychiatric crisis management.

Depression Among Medical Students at West Bank Universities

This study investigated the propensity for medical students to experience symptoms of depression, relative to other students, at West Bank Palestinian universities. In addition, the study evaluated the socio-demographic or academic factors that might influence this propensity. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 medical and non-medical students from Al-Quds and Al-Najah Universities. Data were generated through a questionnaire that included sociodemographic parameters and academic status, and measured depression using the Beck Depression Inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS (v. 20). About a third of the sample’s medical students suffered from some form of depression. Moderate depression appeared to be relatively high among medical (18.7%) and non-medical students (25.5%). At all depression levels, there was a significantly lower prevalence of depression among medical students compared to non-medical, with the exception that the medical students suffered a higher rate of mild mood disturbances (25.1%) than the non-medical (14.6%). Furthermore, there were significant correlations (α ≤0.05) between a higher prevalence of depression and being female, lower grade point average (GPA), lower economic status, and a lack of psychological support. Other variables, such as accommodation and year of study, showed insignificant relationships with depression. Depression was highly prevalent among the students, regardless of their university or field of study, which probably reflects the high depression rates in the wider Palestinian society. Nevertheless, the lower prevalence of depression among the medical students may be attributed to the fact that higher quality students are accepted by medical schools and their level of adaptation to stress and hard work. Finally, our results challenge the perception of a higher depression rate among medical students.

Home Visits for Postpartum Depression Intervention among Low-Income Latinas: Results from the PST4PPD Project

ABSTRACT Research shows that U.S. Latinas are at risk for high rates of postpartum depression (PPD) but have low rates of treatment compared to non-Hispanic White mothers. This study examined the feasibility of a multi-site home-visiting intervention (PST4PPD) conducted by bilingual community health workers (CHW) among low-income Latina mothers. A one-group, pre/posttest design and paired sample’s t-test were used to measure changes in depressive symptoms and self-efficacy for participants (n = 76) across five sites. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to assess depression; the New General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Maternal Efficacy Questionnaire measured general self-efficacy and parenting self-efficacy. Depression scores decreased significantly from pretest to posttest. Participants’ general self-efficacy, maternal self-efficacy, and PPD knowledge increased. With a 76% completion rate, demonstrable improvements were seen in participants’ depression and self-efficacy. Implications for addressing modifiable factors such as self-efficacy and stress management are discussed.

Hovering Is Not Helping: Relationships among Helicopter Parenting, Attachment, Academic Outcomes, and Mental Health in College Students

Helicopter parenting (or overparenting) refers to developmentally inappropriate or intrusive tactics to control a child’s behavior. Helicopter parents are usually trying to help their children, but their behavior has been associated with adverse academic, adjustment, and mental health outcomes in older children (i.e., adolescents, young adults), who should be developing more autonomy. The current study examined potential associations between helicopter parenting, attachment security, and academic and mental health outcomes in college students, hypothesizing that higher rates of helicopter parenting would be associated with more insecure attachment with parental figures and closest friends, poorer mental health (i.e., higher rates of depression and/or anxiety), and reduced academic motivation, performance, and self-efficacy. Our sample of 135 college students completed measures of anxiety, depression, and somatization, academic self-efficacy and motivation, perceptions of parental involvement, and dimensions of attachment in multiple relationships (i.e., mother, father, and closest friend). As expected, the bivariate and regression analyses revealed that higher levels of parental involvement (i.e., helicopter parenting) predicted significantly more insecure parental and peer attachment, greater internalizing, and lower effort regulation among college students.

Understanding the effects of nutrition and mental health conditions for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).

The ravaging effects of the opioid epidemic have affected our communities locally and nationally and are multifaceted in their cause and treatment. It is imperative to locate multiple modalities of treatment options and care for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) including developing healthy nutrition habits and addressing mental health concerns. Understanding patient perceptions of their personal nutrition habits and mental health status is imperative to providing holistic care in the OUD patient population. An anonymous 31-question Likert-scale and multiple-choice survey was administered to patients with an International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) code in their electronic medical record of OUD (N = 124). χ2 and Fisher's exact test where appropriate were performed to determine the demographics of survey participants who acknowledged history of OUD compared to those who did not acknowledge a history of OUD. Log-binomial models were used to generate adjusted prevalence ratios. Of the 117 patients identified using ICD-10 codes from their medical records as having OUD, only 63 patients acknowledged having a history of OUD, while 54 patients did not. A univariate analysis showed differences in marital status for patients with a self-identified history of OUD. They were also more likely to not be married (divorced or single) (p < 0.01). Patients also tended to be younger than 50 years of age (p < 0.01) and non-White (p < 0.01). There were no differences seen for patients with a history of OUD in the categories of employment (p = 0.31) status or sex (p = 0.51). Patients who acknowledged a history of OUD were significantly more likely to understand the relationship between a healthy diet and reducing the intensity of opioid cravings (p = 0.01) and more likely to consider using nutrition to help combat opioid cravings (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in overall health or the use of supplements as a part of opioid use treatment. Significant differences were found between those acknowledging a history of OUD having higher rates of depression (p = 0.02) and anxiety (p = 0.02) treatment, despite there not being differences in condition rates for these two conditions (depression, p = 0.08; anxiety, p = 0.27) between the groups. Patients with patient-confirmed OUD were more likely to receive medication treatment (p = 0.03) than those without this acknowledgment. A similar disease burden of anxiety and depression existed for patients acknowledging OUD as opposed to patients denying OUD. However, significant differences existed between these groups in medication treatment, with those acknowledging OUD having higher rates of being treated for both depression and anxiety. Understanding a patient's mental health condition(s) can be impactful for the treatment of OUD. Multifaceted treatment options should include addressing nutritional deficiencies that impact cravings and long-term healing for patients. Nutrition and mental health are key parts of a multifaceted treatment modality for patients dealing with OUD. Assisting patients in treatment for depression and anxiety as well as nutrition can change the trajectory of a patient's opioid use recovery.

Mental health burden among females living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, are common in women and young girls living with HIV/ AIDS particularly in low- and middle-income (LMICs) countries where women's vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms is heightened due to the prevalent intersectional stressors such as stigma and intimate partner violence. However, no synthesized evidence exists on the mental health burden of females living with HIV/AIDS (FLWHA) in Africa. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the mental health burden among FLWHA in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic literature review of articles published from 2013-2023 was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Five electronic databases; PubMed, MEDLINE with full text, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, and Health Source: Nursing Academic Edition were searched for articles published in English. Nineteen articles (15 quantitative, 3 qualitative, and 1 case study) from over 7 African countries met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies' quality was determined to be moderate. The prevalence of depression ranged from 5.9 to 61% and anxiety from 28.9 to 61%. Mental health burden was a logical outcome of HIV diagnosis. Predictors of mental health outcomes in the context of HIV/AIDS were identified as intimate partner violence (IPV), stigma, childhood traumas, sexual abuse, poverty, unemployment, and social isolation. Social support and resilience were identified as protective factors against mental illness in FLWHA. Mental illness had a deleterious effect on viral suppression rates among FLWHA, resulting in delayed initiation of antiretroviral therapy treatment and increased mortality but had no impact on immune reconstitution in the face of ART adherence. Given the high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety and their relationship with HIV progression, it is crucial that mental health care services are integrated into routine HIV care.

EPA and DHA Alleviated Chronic Dextran Sulfate Sodium Exposure-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors in Mice and Potential Mechanisms Involved.

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have higher rates of depression. However, the mechanism of depression development remains unclear. The improvements of EPA and DHA on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC have been verified. Therefore, the present study mainly focused on the effects of EPA and DHA on UC-induced depression in C57BL/6 mice and the possible mechanisms involved. A forced swimming test and tail suspension experiment showed that EPA and DHA significantly improved DSS-induced depressive-like behavior. Further analysis demonstrated that EPA and DHA could significantly suppress the inflammation response of the gut and brain by regulating the NLRP3/ASC signal pathway. Moreover, intestine and brain barriers were maintained by enhancing ZO-1 and occludin expression. In addition, EPA and DHA also increased the serotonin (5-HT) concentration and synaptic proteins. Interestingly, EPA and DHA treatments increased the proportion of dominant bacteria, alpha diversity, and beta diversity. In conclusion, oral administration of EPA and DHA alleviated UC-induced depressive-like behavior in mice by modulating the inflammation, maintaining the mucosal and brain barriers, suppressing neuronal damage and reverting microbiota changes.

Poverty in Older Adulthood: A Health and Social Crisis

In the transition to older adulthood, people often experience health, social, and economic challenges related to increased chronic health conditions, retirement, decreased social connections, a reduction in income and earning capacity, and increased health related costs. These factors can contribute to financial insecurity, social instability, and even poverty for older adults. In the United States, one in ten older adults is living in poverty. However, standard poverty measures do not account for inflation and many costs specific to older adulthood, and thus underestimate the number of older adults living in poverty. Older adults in poverty conditions experience early mortality and high rates of disability, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. It is estimated that more than a third of older adults experience loneliness. Loneliness within this population is associated with poor physical and mental health, cognitive decline, and early mortality. Poverty and loneliness are independently detrimental to older adults and when experienced together impact the health and wellbeing of older adults in ways that are unique compared to other age cohorts. Nurses are well positioned to address these intersecting issues. The purpose of this article is to discuss the challenges of poverty in older adults, with particular focus on the intersection of poverty and loneliness within this population. Nursing implications for education, practice, research, and policy implications are discussed.