History Of Addiction Research Articles

Assessment of everyday functioning in Swedish forensic mental health services

Individuals in forensic mental health services (FMHS) commonly exhibit greater cognitive deficits and unmet health needs than those in general psychiatric care. Despite the central role of functional disability in FMHS treatment objectives, the assessment in this domain remains underexplored. This study examines current practices of functional assessment in Swedish FMHS through the combination of a survey and analysis of register data. The survey covered the presence and content of procedure manuals regarding functional assessment and the clinical use of assessment results. Frequency of assessment and relation to individual factors (age, gender, place of birth, psychiatric diagnosis, and history of addiction) and contextual factors (FMHS site, size and security level at the site, and administrated risk assessment) were investigated through statistical analysis of register data. Results indicate significant variability in functional assessment practices across different FMHS sites. Contextual factors such as site and the use of risk assessment instruments demonstrate a positive association with assessment frequency. Functional assessments were primarily used with in-patients, raising concerns about applicability beyond hospital settings and preparation for community re-entry. Despite professionals’ belief in the potential benefits of functional assessment for tailoring interventions, its impact on individual treatment plans was limited. The study underscores the need for improved assessment accuracy and ongoing monitoring of functioning, particularly considering the disparate practices observed across FMHS sites. Moreover, there is a call for national coordination and evidence-based guidelines to enhance functional assessment practices in Swedish FMHS.

Machine learning analysis of the relationships between traumatic childbirth experience with positive and negative fertility motivations in Iran in a community-based sample

BackgroundPsychologically traumatic childbirth leads to short and long-term negative impacts on a woman’s health and impacts future reproductive decisions. Considering the importance of fertility growth and strengthening positive fertility motivations in …, this community-based study was conducted to investigate the relationship between traumatic childbirth history and positive and negative fertility motivations.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted on 900 women of reproductive age. Sampling lasted from March 21 to September 23, 2023, using multi-stage and convenient sampling from health-treatment centers in …. History of pregnancy and childbirth, DSM-A criterion, and Miller’s questionnaire were used to collect data. For data analysis, Python software was used for machine learning and elastic net analysis was conducted in a nested cross-validation framework.ResultsOf the 900 women participating in this study, 387 reported a history of traumatic birth and 513 reported no history of traumatic birth. The positive and negative fertility motivations have a significant relationship with the previous history of traumatic childbirth. Elastic network modeling predicts using RMSE, MAE and R-squared that religious beliefs, married duration, and women’s education have the greatest increasing effect on positive fertility motivation. Drug addiction, traumatic childbirth, and abortion history have the greatest effect on increasing negative fertility motivation.ConclusionsPositive and negative fertility motivations are significantly affected by the history of traumatic childbirth. Therefore, in countries that want to grow their population, preventing traumatic childbirth and providing counseling interventions should be placed in the priorities of maternal care.

The Use of Motivational Interviewing with Chronically Unhoused Veterans

Abstract The Housing First model is embedded in a supportive housing federal program aimed at reducing homelessness by offering housing vouchers and case management services to chronically unhoused veterans with co-occurring disorders. Despite the successes Housing First programs have achieved with the chronic unhoused population, including veterans, the cycle of homelessness continues to exist in this subgroup. These veterans have significant vulnerabilities, such as severe mental health and addiction histories, that contribute to their housing instability. The case narrative in this paper illustrates the story of a chronically unhoused veteran who cycled through episodes of homelessness due to ongoing substance use and evictions. On the veteran's third entry into a Housing First program, the social worker utilized the transtheoretical model (TTM) to evaluate the veteran's readiness to change and applied motivational interviewing (MI) principles to find a representative payee who would support housing stability, even if the veteran experienced a relapse. This approach can be considered harm reduction in supportive housing. Through the application of MI, the veteran exercised self-efficacy, opted for implementing a protective factor, and experienced long-term stable housing.

What constitutes a women’s recovery from addiction? Examining lived experiences and recovery capital of women from diverse European backgrounds

The majority of research on addiction recovery has been based on male samples using traditional, structured methods and interviews. This study brings the voices of women from diverse European countries to bring authentic lived experience voices into the research and showcase their perspectives on what constitutes their recovery journey and how these sources are intertwined. This study employs the Photovoice method as a participatory, arts-based approach to examine the recovery experiences of 17 women from diverse backgrounds in the UK, Sweden, and the Balkans, engaging participants throughout the research process. By engaging women with histories of substance addiction in discussing their photographs and linked narratives, we identified 11 themes that illuminate recovery complexities. Our findings highlight the interplay between personal, social, and community recovery capital, revealing the significant influence of gender-specific challenges and stigma. The collaborative nature of this study generated lived experience insights into recovery capital and enhanced visibility and participation, underscoring the method’s potential to capture nuanced recovery dynamics. Recognizing that recovery is not a straightforward process and often involves ongoing barriers, the study adds diverse women’s perspectives to the literature, emphasizing the importance of developing effective gendered and culturally-sensitive approaches to support systems.

An Assessment of High-Risk Sexual Behavior and Associated Factors Among Self-identified Hijras Residing in an Urban Slum of Mumbai, India

Background: A high proportion of sexual minorities like Hijras/Eunuch engage in sex work and thus become a high-risk population for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hence, we conducted a study with objective to assess prevalence of high-risk behavior among self-identified Hijras/Eunuch and associated factors. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a field practice area of Tertiary Care Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020. All participants in the age group of 18 to 45 years were interviewed. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done to determine the correlates. Results: Out of 163, 85% of participants were involved in high-risk sexual behavior and 46.63% did only sex work, 51.5% of participants had comprehensive knowledge about HIV/STI. On applying logistic regression, the factors associated with high-risk sexual behavior include 18–24 years of age group, history of addiction, practicing paid sex, using psychotropic substances, comprehensive knowledge regarding HIV/STI, and comprehensive exposure to preventive measures. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest the urgent need for appropriate preventive measures to understand and address sexual health and risk behavior vulnerabilities faced by Hijras to make significant progress against the HIV epidemic in the country.

Development and Validation of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for the Determination of Fentanyl and Butyryl Fentanyl in Oral Fluid.

Synthetic opioids are lab-synthesized substances that target the brain's opioid receptors, offering analgesic and sedative effects. Amongst them, fentanyl is one of the most widely used to intervene in chronic pain in moderate to severe cancer situations. Butyryl fentanyl (BF) is a novel synthetic opioid whose use is growing. Its potency is seven times that of morphine and, unlike fentanyl, BF can only be obtained through illegal sources. Fentanyl and its analogues are related to harmful intoxications and an increase in opioid-related mortality in many countries, such as in the United States and Europe in recent years. This work developed and validated an effective and sensitive method based on solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of fentanyl and BF in oral fluid samples. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first successful attempt to quantify these analytes using GC-MS with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1ng/mL in OF. Intra-day and inter-day percentage coefficient of variation were found within 1%-3% and 1%-14%, respectively, while accuracy ranged from 92% to 102% at four concentration levels (lower LOQ [LLOQ], 3, 20, 40ng/mL) in accordance with the established criteria. The absolute recovery values were in the range of 80.0%-100.0%. The method was linear for all analytes, with quadratic regression of calibration curves always higher than 0.99. The validated method demonstrated its great potential to detect and quantify fentanyl and its analogue in OF and it can be useful not only in forensic investigations of addiction histories but also in epidemiological studies on the spread of fentanyl and BF among workers and/or drivers.

HCV Treatment Outcomes in PWID: Impact of Addiction History on SVR12.

People who inject drugs (PWIDs) experience high rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, primarily due to needle sharing and limited healthcare access, resulting in a disproportionate disease burden within this population. This prospective study evaluated treatment outcomes in 432 adult patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) at the University Clinical Center of Serbia. Patients were categorized into two groups based on a history of drug addiction: PWIDs (163, 37.7%) and non-PWIDs (269, 62.3%). The PWID group was further categorized into subpopulations of problematic PWIDs (39, 23.9%), ex-PWIDs (124, 76.1%), and PWIDs on OST (96, 58.9%). The PWID group demonstrated significantly lower treatment adherence, with an intention-to-treat (ITT) rate of 82.8%, compared to 96.3% in the control group (p < 0.001). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in per-protocol (PP) outcomes between the two groups. Additionally, PWIDs were significantly younger (p < 0.001) and had higher rates of psychiatric disorders (p < 0.001), alcohol abuse (p < 0.001), and HCV genotype 1a (p < 0.001). Advanced fibrosis was predictor of PP treatment failure among PWIDs, while mood disorders and alcohol use disorder were associated with interruptions before the scheduled completion time. For non-PWIDs, older age and advanced fibrosis emerged as key predictors of PP treatment failure. The loss to follow-up was most commonly observed in the problematic PWID subgroup (p = 0.001). These findings highlight the importance of addressing barriers in PWIDs through integrated care strategies that concurrently manage addiction and HCV.

The Impact of Methamphetamine on Liver Injury in Iraqi Male Addicts

Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful stimulant that affects neurochemical processes controlling heart rate, appetite, blood pressure, body temperature, and wakefulness, making it highly susceptible to abuse. Liver enzymes such as ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT are crucial for liver function. Albumin, a protein synthesized by healthy liver cells, serves as an indicator of chronic liver disease. Additionally, hepatocytes produce bile acids, which are essential for the secretion of bile salts into the bile canaliculi. Disruption in this secretion results in the accumulation of bile salts in the canaliculi, leading to intrahepatic cholestasis. METH-induced liver toxicity involves disruptions in hepatic metabolism, oxidative stress, and increased body temperature, affecting cellular processes such as cell division and the cell cycle and potentially accelerating liver cell apoptosis. The study explores the link between liver toxicity and hepatocyte damage in Iraqi males suffering from addiction. This is a case-control study, conducted at Ibn-Rushed Psychiatric Hospital in Baghdad from July 2023 to February 2024, involved 196 males, with addiction durations exceeding 24 months with varying degrees of methamphetamine (METH) addiction. The study included 187 healthy male controls with no history of drug addiction. Participants were aged 18 to 40 years. Diagnosis was confirmed using a drug test screening card administered by a specialist. The study included liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT), total bilirubin, and albumin concentration assessments. Significant differences were observed between the addicts and controls, particularly a marked decrease in serum albumin concentration in the addicted males. The ROC curve classification model at various thresholds demonstrated that liver enzymes, especially ALT, ALP, and GGT, exhibited increased sensitivity to METH addiction. A histopathological examination was conducted on a deceased 38-year-old male who had a six-year history of chronic amphetamine addiction to confirm liver injury and the resulting elevation of liver enzymes. The findings of this study indicate that METH greatly affects liver function, suggested to the importance of following a preventative measures and effective treatment approaches for monitoring METH addiction progress.

Homicide-suicide: geriatrics aspects in forensic medicine

Homicides-suicides within couples are rare situations but can be considered preventable deaths. Various studies have identified risk factors for these couples, regardless of their age, such as a history of domestic violence, psychiatric disorders, addictions, or substance abuse. However, it appears that homicides-suicides among elderly couples have specific characteristics unique to this population. The objective of this study is to draw on recent scientific literature and concrete cases to raise awareness and consider preventive measures for these fatal acts among older individuals. It appears that particular attention should be given in cases where the man is the primary caregiver, when there is a recent deterioration in one partner's health, when hospitalization or institutionalization is being discussed, or when a firearm is present in the household.

Incarceration and Addiction: Women’s Lived Experiences of Deprivation

Aims: This research examined the incarceration experiences of adult women with histories of drug addiction, aiming to fill knowledge gaps regarding how these women subjectively interpret their incarceration experiences. Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 formerly incarcerated women from the Northeast and Midwest United States. A phenomenological approach was used to explore the meaning of incarceration for the participants, with the deprivation model of imprisonment guiding the analysis. Findings: Women with drug addiction reported being treated differently while incarcerated because of their addiction. They experienced a lack of physical and psychosocial security, limited autonomy in health-related decisions, and diminished freedom to act and express themselves, often as a result of their mental health and drug addiction issues. Additionally, they experienced a loss of identity, stigma, and internalized stigma due to the way they were treated in prison. Conclusions: Incarceration is a critical life event that deprives women of many basic human needs, shaping their health, self-perception, and understanding of the criminal justice system. Further research is necessary to explore how the experience of incarceration impacts women’s mental health, drug addiction recovery, and overall well-being.

Predictive factors of cognitive impairment in alcohol use disorder inpatients.

Cognitive impairments are common in patients with AUD and worsen the prognosis of addiction management. There are no clear guidelines for screening cognitive impairments in hospitalized patients with AUD. Fifty-seven patients with an AUD history who were admitted to an acute hospital and assessed by the addiction care team were included. Those patients were screened for cognitive impairments using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. We collected clinical information regarding addiction history, comorbidities, and current treatments. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to determine factors associated with a pathological MoCA score (<26). A pathological MoCA score was positively associated with spatial-temporal disorientation, difficulty in recalling addiction history, patient underreporting of AUD and a date of last alcohol consumption lower than 11days ago, and negatively associated with a reason for hospitalization due to alcohol-related health issues. No medication was associated with cognitive impairments. Clinical elements from assessment by the addiction care team allow for relevant indication for screening cognitive impairments.

Special Needs in Substance Use Treatment for Women Who Use Drugs: Social and Mental Health Factors

Women who receive substance use treatment have a particular classification of sensitivity to European drugs and drug use (according to the EMCDDA). The average level of women’s treatment is lower than men’s across Europe, while women’s abandonment is higher than men’s. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with problems for women who use drugs, analyzing several psychological and social factors (gender, substance use, mental health, source of economic support, legal status, and abuse). Methodology: This was a quantitative study. Data on 2179 people receiving rehabilitation treatment were obtained from the EuropASI survey. The dependent variables in this study were (1) a patient’s known history of addiction and mental illness; (2) primary drug use; (3) drug use in their lifetime and the past month; (4) mood in their lifetime and the past month, physical condition, and sexual abuse history; (5) mental illness in their lifetime and the past month (including suicide attempts); (6) legal status in their lifetime and the past month; (7) and source of income in the past month and (8) and the number of patients. The factor of gender was taken as a dichotomous variable (male–female). The confidence interval used was 95%. Results: In summary, we found that women had consumed more alcohol, used more drugs, and suffered more from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than men, both during their lifetimes and in the past month. In addition, women were more likely than men to be stigmatized for prostitution because their financial support came mainly from colleagues, friends, and family, as well as from prostitution. Finally, women had experienced more violence (emotional, physical, and sexual) during their lifetimes and in the last month than men. Conclusion: There appears to be a need to develop a comprehensive treatment network for addictive behaviors from a multifactorial perspective, including harm reduction, psychosocial support, and recovery programs; furthermore, targeting specific groups with special needs, such as women, especially those with mental health problems, women with alcoholism, and abused women, it also seems important to develop adaptive recovery programs within addictive behavior treatment networks.

Cervical kyphoscoliosis due to substance abuse: a case series on introduction and neurosurgical treatment.

A prospective case series. To investigate the possible associations of multi-directional cervical kyphoscoliosis (CKS) with substance abuse and evaluate treatment outcomes. CKS is a rare medical situation without a well-established pathology. Still there are many obscurities in treatment paradigms and outcomes. To our knowledge, there is no published report on the association between CKS with addiction. Besides the novel report of such a rare etiology for CSK, the complexity of the neurosurgical treatment makes this report the first of its kind. In this series, we presented three patients with a history of crack cocaine addiction who suffered CKS due to prolonged hand-over-neck posture and treated all of them with a complex neurosurgical protocol. All cases were operated on and restored their normal spine alignment. Their long-term outcomes showed independent neurological status with no major surgical complications. Crack cocaine addiction might be associated with CKS in long-term cocaine abuse. A complex neurosurgical approach can achieve a sustainable clinical outcome.

Playful Resilience: Empowering Recovery through Autobiographical Game-Based Storytelling in the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is a persistent public health problem throughout Canada, with opioid-related deaths spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on Brantford and Hamilton, Ontario, which have high rates of opioid poisoning, this participatory game jam project examines how 21 adults (ages 18+) with a history of opioid addiction make sense of their life experiences through the processes of autobiographical game-based storytelling, including ideation, narrative design, and environmental storytelling. Phenomenological interviews, processual artifacts like concept sketches, doodles, and reflections, and game prototypes generated through Scratch, Twine, and Bitsy facilitated the exploration of six key phenomena representing autobiographical game-based storytelling: maze metaphors, decision-making, compact games, morality and religion, resilience, and social communion. This interdisciplinary project explores how game-based storytelling supports recovery and restores dignity among adults experiencing opioid addiction while raising awareness of health inequities, thereby humanizing the opioid crisis.

Risk of Suicide in a Sample of Egyptian Male Patients with Substance Use Disorder during Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background Suicide is a global burden among the leading causes of death. Aim of the Work This study aimed to investigate the suicide risk in male substance abuse patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods This study is a Cross-sectional descriptive study was approved by the ethical committee of the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, conducted at Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospitals which is located in Cairo and serves a catchment area of about the third of Greater Cairo. It serves both urban and rural areas, including areas around Greater Cairo as well. Results Personality disorders, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder were significantly associated with death wish, ideation, and suicide attempts. Individuals with polysubstance were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Family history of addiction was significantly associated with increased suicide risk. Conclusion It is important to underscore the importance of comprehensive assessment, early intervention, and ongoing support to mitigate this risk and promote long-term recovery and well-being.

The contribution of addictovigilance data to the French medical cannabis experimentation

In France, cannabis is the most widely used illicit psychoactive substance. Recently, a new market for cannabidiol (CBD) products has emerged called "cannabis light" or "cannabis well-being". In parallel, the experimentation of medical cannabis began on March 26, 2021, for specific indications. Some clinical effects of cannabis have been put forward for medical purposes; however, these are counterbalanced by adverse events (AEs). Data from addictovigilance and international literature on the risks associated with non-medical cannabis use have helped establish exclusion criteria for patients at risk of complications when using medical cannabis (such as those with psychotic disorders, severe cardiovascular, renal, or liver conditions). This also enables the early identification of AEs. Cannabis-based medications are composed of cannabidiol (CBD) and/or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in varying concentrations. We aimed to present the contribution of the addictovigilance data regarding cannabis-related reports to the ongoing French experimentation on cannabis used for medical purposes, to anticipate potential adverse drug reactions in the treated patients. Among the 3164 patients included in the French experimentation, 1186 of them presented at least one AE. Some of the AEs reported in addictovigilance surveys on non-medical cannabis and CBD were observed during the experimentation of medical cannabis such as cardiovascular AEs (myocardial infarction, strokes, transient ischemic attack), psychiatric AEs (suicidal idea and attempt, depression), worsening of epilepsy, cognitive and/or sedative disorders. Given the potential for pharmacodependence of cannabis medications, it seems important for clinicians to gather the addiction history of their patients (past or present), particularly the use of non-medical cannabis (illicit) and non-medical CBD, to prevent and early detect any risk of abuse. The generalization of the use of medical cannabis was adopted and defined in the 2024 Social Security Financing Act. These medications will be accessible to patients by medical prescription for defined indications. Addictovigilance as well as pharmacovigilance monitoring is crucial in this context of continuing to make medical cannabis available in France. Adverse effects of interest will need to be monitored in particular, including neurological disorders (epilepsy exacerbation, cognitive disorders), psychiatric disorders (substance use disorder, suicidal behaviour), and cardiovascular disorders as well as any unexpected AEs. Close addictovigilance monitoring contributes to increasing the awareness of professionals involved in the clinical management of patients treated with medical cannabis.

“The Soul Recognizes Itself in Somebody Else”: The Healing Value of Forgiveness among Formerly Incarcerated People in the Profession Practice of Peer-Support

The present study focuses on perceptions of forgiveness among formerly incarcerated people engaged in peer-support roles, based on their lived experience and referred to as wounded healers. Participants were 26 men and women with a history of addiction, trauma, and incarceration who are employed in formal peer-support positions and in the community. The participants reported achieving personal and social forgiveness through their peer work, expressing their social acceptance which is relevant to their recovery. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed from the perspective of convict therapy and Enright's forgiveness therapy.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Bupropion and Amantadine on the Improvement of Sexual Function in Methadone-Dependent Males

Background: Methadone-induced sexual dysfunction in men can significantly impair their quality of life and reduce methadone adherence, thereby interfering with its therapeutic benefits. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of bupropion and amantadine on reducing sexual dysfunction in methadone-dependent males. Methods: This clinical trial included 47 methadone-dependent males attending the Addiction Treatment Center in Babol, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the amantadine group (n = 23) or the bupropion group (n = 24). Demographic data and addiction history were collected using a checklist, and sexual dysfunction was assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-squared tests were used to compare the two groups. Results: Both groups had similar demographic variables and sexual function scores before the intervention (P &gt; 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of total sexual dysfunction scores (52.13 ± 13.07 for bupropion vs. 60.79 ± 4.47 for amantadine; P = 0.006). Additionally, significant differences were observed in sexual desire (P = 0.003), satisfaction with intercourse (P = 0.001), and overall satisfaction (P = 0.034), with higher scores in the bupropion group. Adverse medication-related effects were less prevalent in the bupropion group (54.2%) compared to the amantadine group (60.9%). Conclusions: Bupropion appears to be more effective in improving sexual function in methadone-dependent males undergoing methadone treatment, with patients in the bupropion group achieving better scores than those in the amantadine group. Additionally, the occurrence of adverse effects was lower in the bupropion group compared to the amantadine group.

Role of the FDG PET CT Scan in Pretreatment Evaluation of Oral Carcinomas.

Pre-treatment role of FDG PET CT scan to evaluate- the extent of the primary lesion, nodal staging and distant metastasis in oral carcinoma in various TNM stages. Additionally, our study investigated the Correlation between SUVmax values on FDG-PET CT scans and histopathological proven positive nodes in patients undergoing surgery. In this study, all suspected cases of oral carcinoma in adults who visited the ENT clinic were examined and evaluated using various methods, including clinical examination, cytology, histopathology, and imaging tests like CECT scans, ultrasound, and CEMRI. Based on the results of these evaluations, the patients were staged. The patients were then given FDG-PET CT scans (done within 2weeks of CECT/MRI scans), for restaging and treatment plans, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these methods, were developed. After surgery, the patients were restaged based on the histopathology report, and the results of the FDG-PET CT scans were compared to the histopathological findings and the histopathological positive nodes were compared to the SUV max value on the FDG PET CT scan and were correlated. In our study, the mean age of patients was found to be 50years with a male: female ratio of 3.5:1. Maximum tumors presented at the buccal mucosa region. 92% of patients gave a history of tobacco addiction, and 18% were smokers. As per initial biopsy reports, maximum (62%) tumors were detected to be WDSCC, 2% were MDSCC and 6% were PDSCC. All 50 patients had normal findings on the chest x-ray and USG abdomen. 41 patients underwent CECT scans and 9 patients got CEMRI scans done. Staging after FDG PET CT scan was compared with that of radiological staging. It was found that in T staging there was upstaging in 36% of cases and downstaging in 14% of cases following the FDG PET CT scan. Likewise, N staging showed upstaging in 36% of cases and downstaging in 16% of cases after the FDG PET CT scan. In M staging, there was upstaging in 10% of cases after the FDG PET CT scan. In our study 15 cases got operated on. All 8 (53.3%) cases of postoperative histopathological positive lymph nodes had SUV max values greater than their reference value (> 2.5), and all negative histopathological lymph nodes had a low SUV max (< 2.5) value in the PET CT scan. The FDG PET CT scan is a highly effective tool for accurately diagnosing, staging, and predicting the outcome of oral cancers at all stages of the disease. The SUV max value (> 2.5) of the PET CT scan is positively correlated with the likelihood of nodal metastasis, as higher values were found to correspond with histopathological evidence of positive neck nodes.

A cross-sectional analysis on the patterns and prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression in patients at diagnosis with cancers of the oral cavity: A single institutional study

Background: It is a truth universally acknowledged that the diagnosis of cancer is a huge stress for both individuals and families. While many psychosocial variables have been shown to influence the mental well-being, these factors are so complicated and interlinked with each other, that their integrated effect on oral cancer patients, who constitute a large morbid group of patients, is yet to be recognized. Aims and Objectives: The present research work aims to find more about the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among patients with cancers of the oral cavity and work out on some key potentially predictive factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out for patients of oral cancer, attending the radiation oncology out-patient department (OPD) at Medical college, Kolkata, between April 2022 and March 2023, a 1-year period. A total of 89 patients with oral cancer were interviewed with questionnaires on demographic variables, depression anxiety stress scale 21, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer. Chi-square tests and Spearman Correlation tests were conducted where appropriate to explore relationships between different variables. Results: The prevalence of stress symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms was 44% (39/89), 60% (53/89), and 84% (75/89), respectively, among the patients interviewed. Addiction history of the patients was an important association found in this study. Conclusion: The prevalence of stress and depressive symptoms was high among the oral cancer patients attending the Radiation Oncology OPD at our institution as well as levels of anxiety. Certain social variables such as relationship with spouse, children, and other family members had a profound effect on the mental well-being of the patients. Furthermore, certain factors such as addiction to tobacco and its different forms reduced the coping up capability of the patients.