Treatment Of Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Abstract TP150: Association of Stroke Severity with Post-Stroke Depression and Household Size

Introduction: Stroke is a significant global health challenge, impacting physical and mental well-being, with many neuropsychiatric symptoms contributing to worse functional outcomes. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke, affecting approximately one third of stroke survivors. PSD is associated with worse functional outcomes, higher mortality rates, and reduced quality of life. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that patients with higher stroke severity scores on admission will have higher levels of immediate depressive symptoms and have a smaller household population. Methods: This study examines the predictive power of immediate post-stroke depressive symptoms and functional outcomes at 3- and 12- months post hospitalization. 130 patients with Ischemic stroke were enrolled and completed a standard battery of questionnaires during their hospitalization. Post-stroke depression was measured via PHQ-9 scores, with scores above 5 denoting moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Acute stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), with increasing scores indicating more severe strokes. Results: Analyzing stroke severity and PSD development among patients with ischemic stroke, our statistical analyses revealed that larger household size significantly protects against PSD. For acute stroke injury, we found that patients living with fewer people at baseline are more likely to have a higher NIHSS score (p<0.05). Furthermore, after controlling for injury severity, increased household size at baseline was associated with significantly lower occurrence of PSD immediately after, and 3- months after stroke (p<0.05). When controlling for household size, female stroke patients are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms at 3- months, in comparison to their male counterparts (p<0.005). Conclusion: PSD emerged as a statistically significant factor for impaired functional outcomes, highlighting the importance of early intervention and management of depression in stroke care. These findings underscore the necessity of integrating early identification and treatment of depressive symptoms in stroke patients, particularly those with smaller household size and female patients. Future research aimed at exploring mechanisms behind the protective effects of larger households and sex differences in PSD is necessary to inform targeted therapeutic strategies.

P1195 Ecological momentary assessment of fatigue and depressive symptoms reveals significant daily variability in IBD

Abstract Background In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), symptoms of depression and fatigue overlap to great extent, making it difficult for medical practitioners to differentiate between these symptoms and provide patients with proper treatment options. In this study, we prospectively monitored multiple factors including mood, sleep, physical and psychological wellbeing, quality of life and stress perception, and explored the effects of these factors on symptoms of depression and fatigue in IBD. Our aim was to define specific combinations of symptoms helping to better distinguish between depression and fatigue in IBD populations. Methods Sixteen patients with IBD provided daily indices of sleep duration and quality as well as ratings of depressive symptoms, fatigue, stress perception, mood and IBD-related symptoms 6 times per day for 7 consecutive days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) monitoring. Additionally, participants were provided with a series of questionnaires, stool samples were collected, as well as ambulatory physiological monitoring was performed. Multiple linear regression analyses were computed to explore how these specific factors can predict depression and fatigue in IBD. Network analyses were applied to identify and analyse distinct patterns of statistical associations related to depression and fatigue in IBD. Results Self-reported sleep quality (pFDR = .034) and feelings of sadness (pFDR = .045) significantly predicted symptoms of depression in IBD, while fatigue could only be predicted by poor sleep quality (pFDR = .030). Network analyses revealed two distinct patterns: symptoms of depression were associated with less positive (pFDR = .024) and more negative affect (pFDR = .012), as well as stronger feelings of tiredness (pFDR = .014) in daily life. Fatigue was characterized by an inability of feeling relaxed (pFDR = .002), more severe tiredness (pFDR = .013) and exhaustion (pFDR = .022). Conclusion Our preliminary results indicate that depressive symptoms are associated with the experience of negative emotions in daily life, which could affect patients‘ motivation to engage in activities and social interactions and thus, resulting in a stronger perception of tiredness. In contrast, the manifestation of fatigue in IBD is characterised by a stronger perception of tiredness and exhaustion, but not with the experience of negative affect. Additionally to the improvement of patient’s sleep quality, treatment of depressive symptoms should focus on fostering daily activities linked to positive emotions, while relaxation techniques and regular amount of moderate exercise can be a good treatment option for fatigued patients, if these associations could be found in larger studies as well.

DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH IN MEXICAN AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS: SEX DIFFERENCES

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the role of sex in the relationship between depressive symptoms and handgrip strength decline among Mexican American older adults aged ≥65 who scored normal or high in handgrip strength (≥17 Kg in females and ≥27 Kg in males) at baseline over 23 years of follow up. Participants (N=1226) were from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (1993/1994-2016). Measures included high depressive symptoms as the independent variable assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Study Depression Scale (CES-D ≥16), handgrip strength in kilograms as outcome variable, and socio-demographics, comorbidities, body mass index, cognitive function, physical function, and disability as covariates. General linear mixed models were used to estimate the population average change in handgrip strength as a function of high depressive symptoms over time. Female participants with high depressive symptoms experienced a greater [β= -1.34, Standard Error (SE)= 0.26, p-value= < 0.0001] decline in handgrip strength over time than females without high depressive symptoms after controlling for all covariates. No significant decline (β= - 0.52, SE= 0.39, p-value= 0.1812) in handgrip strength as a function of high depressive symptoms was found among male participants over time after controlling for all covariates. In conclusion, we found that the effect of high depressive symptoms was greater among female than male participants. Screening and treatment of depressive symptoms may delay decline in muscle strength to further delay disability, maintain independence, prevent institutionalization, and reduce the risk of mortality in this underserved population.

Depression in middle-aged and older adults with hearing loss: the use and construction of a nomogram tool.

This study aims to explore the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adult patients with hearing loss and to construct a nomogram risk prediction model. A total of 2,729 middle-aged and older adult patients with hearing loss from the community were selected as the study subjects. Single-factor and multifactorial stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to screen influencing factors. Based on these predictive factors, a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The model's efficacy was validated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and 1,000 bootstrap resamples. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, pain, cognitive abilities, daily living abilities, sleep duration, and self-rated health status are the main influencing factors for depressive symptoms. Based on these factors, the constructed nomogram model demonstrated good calibration (χ2 = 3.367, p = 0.909), with an AUC value of 0.741 (95% CI: 0.723-0.759), and a sensitivity of 0.683, showing good discriminative ability and accuracy. The incidence of depressive symptoms is relatively high among middle-aged and older adult individuals with hearing loss. The model developed in this study can effectively identify middle-aged and older adult patients with hearing loss who are at risk of depressive symptoms. This provides strong empirical support for the early detection, diagnosis, and intervention of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adult patients with hearing loss.

When Hope Fades: Considering Self-Esteem, Depression, Social Support, Loneliness in The Context of Suicide Prevention

Individuals engaging in suicidal ideation or making suicide attempts are a substantial demographic group to investigate preventive mental health due to inherent high risks associated with potential outcomes of suicidal behaviors for public health. Factors increasing the likelihood of suicide might include self-esteem, depression, social support, loneliness, or certain demographic profiles, and the purpose of this study is to synthesize these variables to advocate for effective strategies to intervene in cases of suicide. Specifically, this commentary aims to identify suicidal coping mechanisms and psychological resilience factors among suicidal individuals through the enhancement of self-esteem, intervention of depressive symptoms, and promotion of connectedness. Through discussing the determinants that might play a role in the onset of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, this paper has important implications for suicide prevention strategies and the identification of psychological resilience factors that can predict suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in individuals.

The comparison of efficacy of Escitalopram and Bupropion in treatment of depression symptoms in patients with heart failure: randomized clinical trial.

This study aims to compare the effects of two medicines, Escitalopram and Bupropion, on HF patients who have depression symptoms. This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on HF patients with depression symptoms at the Heart Failure Clinics affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences. In this study, 80 participants were examined for depression based on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). They were randomly allocated into two groups of 40 participants treated with Bupropion 75mg and Escitalopram 5mg. Following the intervention, the individuals were assessed in terms of their depression score at 4, 8, and 12-week intervals. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In the examination of Beck and Hamilton scores in the two research groups during different follow-ups, a significant decrease was found over time (P<0.001 for both medicines). While the effectiveness of the two medicines was the same at different times (P>0.05 in all cases). Comparing the side effects between the two intervention groups, the orgasm disorder (P=0.018) and sexual dysfunction (P<0.001) were reported significantly more in the Escitalopram group than in the Bupropion group. The findings of this study showed that Escitalopram has the same efficacy as Bupropion in the treatment of depression symptoms in HF patients.

Social inequalities in the prevalence and treatment of depressive symptoms in Czechia

Abstract Background Depressive symptoms are associated with achieved socioeconomic status (SES) in men and women. The aim of the analysis is to verify this association between severity of depressive symptoms and socioeconomic status in the Czech context. Another aim is to examine the use of psychiatric and psychological treatment among men and women. Methods The data come from the 2019 European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) was used to measure the symptoms and severity of depressive symptoms among respondents. Participants were aged 20 and above and resided in households. Binary logistic regression was used to test the relationship for using of treatment and depressive symptoms. Results The weighted prevalence of mild depressive symptoms is determined to be 10.5% (8.0 % in men; 12.8% in women), with severe depressive symptoms recorded at 3.1% (2.6% in men; 3.7% in women) within the Czech population. The psychiatric or psychological treatment is utilized by 3.8% (2.8% in men; 4.7% in women) of the Czech population. Respondents with severe depressive symptoms (37.4%) use care the most, followed by those with mild symptoms (11.9%), and the least by those with none (1.6%). Individuals with tertiary education utilize treatment the most among respondents with moderate and severe depressive symptoms. Respondents differ in the utilization of treatment; however, after stratifying the model only for respondents with mild or severe depressive symptoms, these respondents do not differ in the utilization of treatment. Conclusions SES level is reflected differently in the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms for men and women. But no difference was found in the use of psychiatric or psychological care in men and women. A treatment gap was found for depressive symptoms in the Czech population. Key messages • The results confirmed the relationship between the utilization of care and depressive symptoms. • It was revealed that respondents did not differ in the utilization of care after the stratification.

A 2-year longitudinal study of the association between unhealthy lifestyle factors and the development of depressive symptoms in university students.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between unhealthy lifestyle factors and the development of depressive symptoms with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics in university students using health checkup data. Among information obtained from university student health checkups conducted in 2017 and 2019, we analyzed both the clinical data and responses to questionnaires. The subjects used for analysis were 3190 individuals (2382 men and 808 women, mean age 19.0 years) who had been free of depressive symptoms in the 2017 survey and were available for a 2-year follow-up. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used as a self-rating scale for depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between lifestyle factors (such as body mass index, self-rated health, whether breakfast was taken, degree of exercise, satisfaction with sleep, smoking, and alcohol drinking) in the 2017 survey and any development of depressive symptoms revealed in the 2019 survey, adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other lifestyle factors. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that poor satisfaction with sleep (odds ratio [OR), 4.09; 95% confidence interval [CI), 1.96-8.53; p < 0.01) and female gender (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.01-4.60; p = 0.05) were significantly associated with the development of depressive symptoms 2 years later. This study has revealed an association between poor satisfaction with sleep and the development of depressive symptoms. We believe that these findings may be useful for the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in university students.

Increasing Completion of Daily Patient-Reported Outcomes in Psychotherapies for Late-Life Depression through User-Centered Design.

Treatment of depressive symptoms in older adults is a growing public health concern. Collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) may facilitate efficiently scaling psychotherapy for older adults but user-specific tailoring is needed to improve completion. This study investigates (1) the effect of updating PRO collection tools for middle-aged and older adults with depressive symptoms through a user-centered design process on user completion of PRO questions, (2) what sociodemographic factors correspond with participant completion, and (3) how completion of PRO questions change during the course of a psychotherapy intervention. Analysis was conducted on 139 middle-aged and older adults with depressive symptoms from three clinical trials at the Weill Cornell ALACRITY Center. Overall response percentages to daily PRO questionnaires were compared before and after the implementation of findings from a multiphase user-centered design process. Grouped least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was employed to examine which baseline factors correspond with patient completion and linear regression was conducted to explore the association. Changes in daily dichotomized completion over time were analyzed with mixed-effect logistic regression. After user-centered updates, there was a significantly higher (p < 0.001) percentage of completion (mean [standard deviation (SD)] percentage, 67.0 [35.6]%) than before (mean [SD] percentage, 24.9 [28.9]%). Additional years of education, age, and total annual household income greater than $25,000 were significant with completion percentage. Mixed-effects logistic regression showed that the odds of high completion increased each day (OR = 1.019 [95% CI: 1.014, 1.023; p < 0.001]). This study has shown that user-centered technology tailoring may be associated with increased PRO completion among middle-aged and older adults with depressive symptoms. PRO-supported psychotherapies are promising for middle-aged and older adults with depressive symptoms. Likewise, this study has demonstrated the potential benefits of employing a rigorous user-centered design process with PRO technology.

Prevalence and management of depressive symptoms in coronary heart disease patients and relationship with cardiovascular prognosis: a prospective cohort study

AimsDepressive symptoms are comorbid with coronary heart disease (CHD). There is a controversial debate about whether screening and intervention for depressive symptoms could improve cardiovascular prognosis. This study characterizes the prevalence, characteristics, cardiovascular prognosis and management need of depressive symptoms among CHD patients.MethodsCHD patients were recruited between November 18, 2020 and November 26, 2021. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). During the 12-month follow-up, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the endpoint. Time-to-event data were estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models.ResultsOf 582 patients (25% women), 21.0% had mild depressive symptoms, and 7.5% had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms during hospitalization. Mild and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were risk factor-adjusted predictors of the primary composite endpoints (adjusted HR = 2.20; 95%CI 1.19–4.03, and adjusted HR = 2.70; 95%CI 1.23–5.59, respectively). Platelet count and low-density lipoprotein were higher in mild depressive symptoms compared to no depressive symptoms.ConclusionDepressive symptoms are prevalent in CHD patients. Mild and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms are associated with higher risk of further CVD in CHD patients. Platelet function and behavioral mechanisms may contribute to this association.Trial registrationThis research was registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn. Full data of first registration is 11/09/2020. The registration number is ChiCTR2000038139.

Identifying the subgroups of depression trajectories among the middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with chronic diseases: an 8-year follow-up study based on CHARLS.

Prior studies have demonstrated a prevalent occurrence of depression among the middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with chronic diseases. Nevertheless, there is limited research on the specific subgroups of depression trajectories within this population and the factors influencing these subgroups. To explore the changing trajectory and influencing factors of depression in the middle-aged and older individuals with chronic disease in China, and provide the data reference for the health management of the older adult population in China. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. A total of 2,178 participants with complete data were included. The level of depression was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). The Latent Class Mixed Models (LCMM) were employed to estimate trajectories of depressive symptoms. The Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Pearson χ 2 test were used to determine the significant factors affecting trajectory grouping. Subsequently, the multinomial logistic regression model was utilized to perform a multifactorial analysis of the variables impacting the trajectory subgroup of change in depressive symptoms. The LCMM-analysis revealed three distinct subgroups of depression trajectories: the "Low stable group" comprising 36.7% of the sample, the "Medium growth group" comprising 34.4% of the sample, and the "High growth group" comprising 28.9% of the sample. Among the baseline characteristics of different depression trajectory subgroups, there were significant differences in gender, residence, education, marital status, social activity participation, number of chronic diseases, smoking status, BMI, midday napping (minutes) and nighttime sleep duration (hours). Through multiple logistic regression analysis, our findings demonstrate that among the middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with chronic diseases, the following individuals should be the key groups for the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms: Those who are young, female, residing in rural areas, having primary school education and below, being single, not participating in social activities, suffering from multiple chronic diseases, and having shorter naps and sleeping at night. There is heterogeneity in the subgroups of depression trajectories among the Chinese middle-aged and older individuals with chronic diseases. The focus should be on the distinct characteristics of various trajectories of depression within the realm of health management.

Study protocol: perinatal mood treatment study

Perinatal depression (PND) affects up to 20% of women and is associated with significant impairment and disability in affected women. In addition, perinatal depression is associated with broader public health and multigenerational consequences. Innovative approaches are needed to reduce the burden of perinatal depression through identification, tracking, and treatment of depressive symptoms during the perinatal period. This study is a randomized clinical trial comparing the relative efficacy of a multi-tiered system of care, Screening and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression (STAND) to perinatal care delivered by a reproductive psychiatrist in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. A sample of 167 individuals was randomized between week 28 of pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. A secondary aim compares the original online therapy intervention used in the first half of the study to a newer online therapy program used in the second half of the study for individuals assigned to the STAND treatment. The study measures, intervention groups, and analysis methods are described, as well as expected implications. The findings from this study may improve the methods for tracking symptom changes over time, monitoring treatment response, and providing personalized care for individuals with PND. As such, this study may improve the lives of patients with PND and their families and lower the related health care costs to society.Trial registration NCT: 9/24/2021NCT direct link: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05056454?term=NCT05056454&rank=1&a=1.

The effect of self-esteem on depressive symptoms among adolescents: the mediating roles of hope and anxiety

Previous studies have reported low self-esteem contributes to depressive symptoms among adolescents, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the mediating roles of hope and anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms. 431 adolescents between 13 and 18 years volunteered to complete a battery of questionnaires that included measures on the variables mentioned above. Results found that hope or anxiety mediated the association between self-esteem and female adolescents’ depression, while only anxiety mediated the association between self-esteem and male adolescents’ depression. Our findings highlight different underlying mechanisms between female and male adolescents. In the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms, sound programs should be selected according to the gender characteristics of adolescents.

Childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in older Korean adults: unraveling the mediating mechanisms of mental health, physical health, and social relationships.

Suicide rates in older adults are much higher than those in younger age groups. Given the rapid increase in the proportion of older adults in Korea and the high suicide rate of this age group, it is worth investigating the mechanism of suicidal ideation for older adults. Generally, adverse childhood experiences are positively associated with suicidal ideation; however, it is not fully understood what mediating relationships are linked to the association between these experiences and current suicidal ideation. The data from 685 older Korean adults were analyzed utilizing logistic regression, path analyses, and structural equation modeling. Based on our theoretical background and the empirical findings of previous research, we examined three separate models with mental health, physical health, and social relationship mediators. After that, we tested a combined model including all mediators. We also tested another combined model with mediation via mental health moderated by physical health and social relationships. The univariate logistic regression results indicated that childhood adversity was positively associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. However, multivariate logistic regression results demonstrated that the direct effect of childhood adversity became nonsignificant after accounting all variables. Three path models presented significant mediation by depression and social support in the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation. However, combined structural equation models demonstrated that only mediation by a latent variable of mental health problems was statistically significant. Social relationships moderated the path from mental health problems to suicidal ideation. Despite several limitations, this study has clinical implications for the development of effective strategies to mitigate suicidal ideation. In particular, effectively screening the exposure to adverse childhood experiences, early identification and treatment of depressive symptoms can play a crucial role in weakening the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in older adults.

Investigating the Relationship Between Clinical Characteristics, Mental Health, and Vascular Function in Minor Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients.

Over the past decade, there has been extensive research exploring the relationship between vascular health and mental well-being, encompassing aspects such as mood and cognition. However, there is a notable gap in research focusing on the mental and vascular conditions of minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients, particularly within the Thai population. To investigate the clinical characteristics and mental issues related to vascular functions in patients who have experienced a minor ischemic stroke or TIA. This study, approved by the Buriram Hospital Ethics Committee (IRB: BR0033.102.1/8), adhered to the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration and obtained informed consent from all participants. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Buriram Hospital, a government regional hospital located in Buriram province, Thailand, involving twenty-three participants diagnosed with minor ischemic stroke or TIA. Measurements included clinical characteristics, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-part Anxiety (HADS-A), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-part Depression (HADS-D), mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Linear regression analysis was employed to investigate the factors associated with vascular function (FMD and baPWV). The factor related to FMD was HADS-D (β = -0.5, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.04). Factors associated with baPWV included age (β = 0.51, 95% CI 5.05 to 39.50) and the duration of minor ischemic stroke or TIA (β = 0.48, 95% CI 25.41 to 290.99). FMD shows a connection with depressive symptoms in patients with minor ischemic stroke or TIA. Therefore, it is important to detect and provide appropriate treatment for depressive symptoms in these patients, as it may lead to improvements in vascular function and better cerebrovascular outcomes.

A population-based analysis of the management of symptoms of depression among patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Ontario, Canada.

Patients with lung cancer can experience significant psychological morbidities including depression. We characterize patterns and factors associated with interventions for symptoms of depression in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a population-based cohort study using health services administrative data in Ontario, Canada of stage IV NSCLC diagnosed from January 2007 to September 2018. A positive symptom of depression score was defined by reporting at least one ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) depression score ≥ 2 following diagnosis until the end of follow-up (September 2019). Patient factors included age, sex, comorbidity burden, rurality of residence, and neighbourhood income quintile. Interventions included psychiatry assessment, psychology referral, social work referral and anti-depressant medical therapy (for patients ≥ 65years with universal drug coverage). Multivariable modified Poisson regression models were used to examine the association between patient factors and intervention use for patients who reported symptoms of depression. In the cohort of 13,159 patients with stage IV NSCLC lung cancer, symptoms of depression were prevalent (71.4%, n = 9,397). Patients who reported symptoms of depression were more likely to receive psychiatry assessment/psychology referral (7.8% vs 3.5%; SD [standardized difference] 0.19), social work referral (17.4% vs 11.9%; SD 0.16) and anti-depressant prescriptions (23.8% vs 13.8%; SD 0.26) when compared to patients who did not report symptoms of depression respectively. In multivariable analyses, older patients were less likely to receive any intervention. Females were more likely to obtain a psychiatry assessment/psychology referral or social work referral. In addition, patients from non-major urban or rural residences were less likely to receive psychiatry assessment/psychology referral or social work referral, however patients from rural residences were more likely to be prescribed anti-depressants. There is high prevalence of symptoms of depression in stage IV NSCLC. We identify patient populations, including older patients and rural patients, who are less likely to receive interventions that will help identifying and screening for symptoms of depression.

Deciphering the Link: Correlating REM Sleep Patterns with Depressive Symptoms via Consumer Wearable Technology.

This study investigates the correlation between REM sleep patterns, as measured by the Apple Watch, and depressive symptoms in an undiagnosed population. Employing the Apple Watch for data collection, REM sleep duration and frequency were monitored over a specified period. Concurrently, participants' depressive symptoms were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. The analysis, primarily using Spearman's correlation, revealed noteworthy findings. A significant correlation was observed between an increased REM sleep proportion and higher depressive symptom scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.702, suggesting a robust relationship. These results highlight the potential of using wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch, in early detection and intervention for depressive symptoms, suggesting that alterations in REM sleep could serve as preliminary indicators of depressive tendencies. This approach offers a non-invasive and accessible means to monitor and potentially preempt the progression of depressive disorders. This study's implications extend to the broader context of mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep assessment in routine health evaluations, particularly for individuals exhibiting early signs of depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms in older prisoners : Results of two studies

The proportion of prisoners aged60 years and above is steadily rising both nationally and internationally. With advancing age the risk of developing physical and mental illnesses also increases. International studies have demonstrated ahigher prevalence of mental disorders among older prisoners compared to the general population; however, there are few data on this, at least for Germany. Collation of empirical data on the presence of depressive symptoms among older prisoners. There were two independent cross-sectional studies conducted in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP), which included prisoners aged50 years and above. In NRW apurely quantitative survey of depressive symptoms was carried out using the German version of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-D) and in RLP the quantitative measurements using the general depression scale short form (ADS-K) were supplemented by qualitative interviews. In total, data from 315 inmates were available for ajoint analysis (222 from RLP, 93from NRW). Among the prisoners in RLP 63.4% exhibited mild to clinically significant depressive symptoms, while in NRW this was the case for 46.2%. The treatment with antidepressants was carried out only in a small proportion in both federal states. Both surveys showed aclearly elevated prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to the non-prison population. The results also suggest aneed for optimization in terms of treatment. Particularly concerning potential interactions with somatic illnesses, efforts should be made to improve the diagnostics and treatment of depressive symptoms.

Association of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms: a cross-sectional study of Tibetan college students at high altitude.

Research on the association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms has been highly emphasized. However, past studies have focused on college students in plains areas, while fewer research studies have been conducted on Tibetan college students at high altitudes. Whether this association changes due to ethnicity or altitude is unclear. The present study will contribute to the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude. A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 3,026 university students (1,491 boys students, 49.27%) on SSBs consumption, sleep quality and anxiety symptoms status in the Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude region of China. Logistic regression analysis and ordered logistic regression analysis in generalized linear model were used to analyze the association between SSBs consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude was 26.9%. SSBs consumption of ≤1 times/week, 2-5 times/week, and ≥ 6 times/week were 20.7, 28.1, and 45.7%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2 value of 134.353, p < 0.001). Anxiety detection rates for Sleep quality of Good (PSQI ≤5), Moderate (PSQI 6-7), and Poor (PSQI >7) were 16.8, 19.8, and 32.0%, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant (χ2 value was 73.761, p < 0.001). The ordered logistic regression analysis in the generalized linear model showed that, overall, the group of college students with SSBs ≤1 times/week and sleep quality of Good served as the reference group, and the group with SSBs ≥6 times/week and sleep quality of Poor (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 3.75-6.83) had the highest risk of anxiety symptoms. SSBs consumption and sleep quality were associated with anxiety symptoms, and there was an interaction effect. Effective control of SSBs consumption and improvement of sleep quality may be important factors in preventing and reducing the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

Association between sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation in college students

ABSTRACT Suicide among college students is a challenging problem globally. Yet, the association between sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation remains unclear. This study aims to understand if depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between sleep quality and suicide ideation and whether the interaction between depressive symptoms and sleep quality on suicidal ideation is additive. A total of 1182 college students were recruited, and sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation were assessed using questionnaires. Univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, linear regression models, and the Sobel test were performed. The results showed that, among college students, poor sleep quality was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and the association was mediated through depressive symptoms. Moreover, there was a significant additive interaction between poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms on suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that, in the process of preventing and treating suicidal ideation in college students with sleep disorders, we should focus on the evaluation and intervention of depressive symptoms and adopt multidisciplinary team interventions for college students with sleep disorders and depression.