Overall Rates Of Depression Research Articles

A Study of 309 Patients and at One Year Follow-Up for Depression after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one the major causes of death and morbidity in developing countries, where depression is a common psychiatric condition among individuals with TBI. The objectives were to investigate the occurrence and severity of depression one-year post-TBI; the association between radiological findings and depression; and the risk factors. We report a cross-sectional study among adult patients who were hospitalized because of TBI in the past one year. A structured data collection form was used to collect patients' demographic data during TBI, while the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 questionnaire was administered to assess the level of depression at one-year post-TBI. Of the 309 patients in this study; 46.6%, 26.2%, and 27.2% had mild, moderate, and severe TBI, respectively. The overall rate of depression was 33.7%, where 22.3%, 8.7%, and 2.6% had mild, moderate, and moderately severe depression, respectively. There was a significant, positive correlation between severity of TBI and level of depression; rs (0.427), p < 0.0001. The risk factors for depression at one-year post-TBI are moderate-severe TBI (odds ratio [OR]: 3.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03-6.90, p < 0.00), being unmarried (OR: 2.67, 95% CI 1.51-4.72, p = 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.25-5.46, p = 0.011), alcohol consumption (OR: 2.38, 95% CI 1.12-5.06, p = 0.024) and frontal lobe injury (OR: 1.96, 95% CI 1.05-3.68, p = 0.035). Increasing severity of TBI is associated with worsening levels of depression. Patients with frontal lobe injury have the highest risk of depression, while diffuse injury is associated with occurrence of moderate and moderately severe depression.

Anxiety and Depression among Students of AL-Mustansiriyah University/College of Medicine

Background: Medical students repeatedly experience different stresses which made them more vulnerable to psychological problems that may affect their emotional, psychosocial, physical, and academic performance. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of anxiety and depression among medical students in Al-Mustansiriyah University. Find out the influence of gender, school year, and some life events on the likelihood of development anxiety and depression. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Mustansiriyah University, College of Medicine from March 1, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The study sample comprises 300 students from all six school years. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the presence of anxiety and depression among the students enrolled in the study. Results: The study results showed that the overall rates of anxiety and depression with various degrees among students were 77% and 61.6%, respectively. Male students had a higher overall rate of anxiety (80.1%) than female students (74.86%), while female students had a higher overall rate of depression (64.2%) than males (57.85%). The highest score of anxiety was observed among 3-year students (54.4%), as compared to other school years, while a higher score for depression was recorded among the 1st-year students (23.1%). Students who failed in the last academic year were more prone for both depression and anxiety. Those who were displacing from their homes were more likely to be depressed. Conclusion: A considerable part of Al-Mustansiriyah College of Medicine students were suffering from psychological disorders (anxiety and depression).

Psychological Spectrum Experienced by Heart Failure Patients After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Depression and anxiety disorders are prevalent in patients with heart failure. They are associated with adverse effects such as rapid disease progression, poor medication compliance, low quality of life and increased mortality rate. The current literature review aims to provide an overview of the overall rate of depression in patients who receive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and identify the psychological phases that these individuals experienced peri- and post-LVAD implantation. A PubMed search using regular and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords identified 239 articles. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, removal of duplicate studies, and careful review of articles, 40 studies provided relevant information on our primary end-point. These 40 studies selected include 13 paid articles with abstracts and 27 free full-text articles comprising eight prospective cohort studies, five retrospective cohort studies, six cross-sectional studies, one qualitative study, one randomized clinical trial, one systematic review, four literature reviews, and one practice guide. Our review shows that patients experienced different psychological phases after LVAD implantation. However, as the time from implantation progressed, these patients showed a significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life.

Prior depressive symptoms and persistent child problem behaviours predict future depression in parents of children with developmental disabilities: The growing up in Ireland cohort study

Predictors of depression over time were examined in parental carers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) and parents of typically developing children (controls) who participated in the Growing up in Ireland Study. Parents completed measures of depression, the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D) and child problem behaviours, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire when the children were aged 9 (Wave 1) and 13 (Wave 2). Using CES-D cut-off scores to indicate probable depression, caregivers were more likely to be depressed at both waves compared to controls with a Wave 1 rate of depression of 14.6% vs. 7.9% (p < 0.001, Cramer`s V = 0.059) and Wave 2 (14.8% vs. 10%, p = 0.003, Cramer`s V = 0.038). While overall rates of depression were stable for caregivers, a shifting pattern emerged; 59.6% of those who were depressed at Wave 1, were not at Wave 2; similarly, 10.9% who were not depressed at Wave 1, were at Wave 2. Parents of children with DD were also more likely to report greater problem behaviours in their children compared to controls at both waves. Depression in caregivers at Wave 1 and persistent child problem behaviours were significant predictors of depression at Wave 2. In conclusion, while overall rates of depression remain stable in caregivers, there are shifting patterns evident with prior depression and persistent behaviour problems predictive of ongoing depression.

Prevalence and predictors of depression, pain, and fatigue in older- versus younger-adult cancer survivors.

As the number of older adults in the United States continues to grow, there will be increasing demands on health care providers to address the needs of this population. Cancer is of particular importance, with over half of all cancer survivors older than 65years. In addition, depression, pain, and fatigue are concerns for older adults with cancer and have been linked to poorer physical outcomes. For this retrospective chart review, 1012 eligible participants were identified via a query of the Electronic Medical Record for all patients referred to 1 of 4 Survivorship Clinics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. All patients were between the ages of 30 to 55 (younger adults) and >65 (older adults). Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The overall rate of depression in this sample of adult cancer survivors was 9.3%. There were no differences in the rates of clinically significant depression (defined as PHQ-9 score ≥10) between younger and older adult cohorts. However, there was a small trend toward higher mean PHQ-9 scores in the younger adult cohort (3.42 vs 2.95; t=1.763, P=.10). Women reported greater rates of depression and higher pain and fatigue scores. Hispanic/Latino patients also reported significantly greater rates of depression. There were no observed differences in depression between older and younger adult cancer survivors. Gender and ethnic discrepancies in depression were observed. Future research should focus on understanding the nature of these differences and targeting interventions for the groups most vulnerable to depression after cancer treatment.

Caseness rates and risk factors for depression among Vietnamese cancer patients.

Research suggests that rates of depression among general population samples in Asia may be significantly lower than in much of the rest of the world. However, whether this applies to depression among cancer patients is unclear, which is important to determine in order to identify depression treatment needs among cancer patients in this region. The purpose of the present study was to assess caseness rates of serious depression among general cancer patients in the Southeast Asian nation of Viet Nam. A total of 695 adult cancer patients from three hospitals in Da Nang, Viet Nam served as study participants. They were assessed at one time point for (a) demographic and (b) cancer characteristics, and (c) depression symptoms. The overall caseness rate for serious depression was 28%. Although rates of depression in general population samples usually are significantly higher in women than men, rates of depression among men and women did not differ significantly among our cancer patients. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were found, however, as a function of lower patient income and education, occupation, cancer stage, and type of cancer, but not marital status or age. Caseness rates of depression are significantly elevated by a factor of 10-15 among Vietnamese cancer patients relative to general population epidemiological studies in the same region. Although a number of studies have found that rates of depression tend to be lower in Asian as compared to Western general population samples, depression rates among our Vietnamese cancer patients were similar to those reported among Western cancer patients. This suggests that whatever factors are responsible for the relatively low rates of depression observed in Asian general population samples may not be operating in regards to cancer-related depression. Overall, the value of these findings are not only that they provide information for policy makers in Viet Nam to support depression treatment among cancer patients, but also that they suggest that despite the apparent relatively low overall rates of depression it may be useful for cancer and mental health researchers in the region to conduct similar assessments for their policy makers.

Commentary: The devastating effects of ignoring child maltreatment in psychiatry--a commentary on Teicher and Samson 2016.

Despite the numerous studies over the past 30 years that have clarified the devastating effects of child maltreatment on mental and physical health, the role of trauma within the caregiving system remains unrecognized both in our diagnostic systems and in our dominant treatment paradigms. Research of people with histories of caregiver abuse and neglect consistently demonstrates problems with concentration, anger, panic, depression, food intake, drugs, and sleep, as well as decreased Heart RateVariability, higher levels of stress hormones, and reduced or impaired immune response. Their relationship between documented brain changes and psychopathology is complex. Traumatic life experiences during childhood and adolescence are far more common than expected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that child maltreatment may be the most costly public health issue in the United States, Eradicating child abuse in America wouldreduce the overall rate of depression by more than half, alcoholism by two-thirds, and suicide, serious drug abuse, and domestic violence by three quarters. It would also have a significantly positive effect on workplace performance, and vastly decrease the need forincarceration. The current practice of applying multiple distinct comorbid diagnoses to traumatized children prevents a comprehensive treatment approach. Approaching their problems from a framework of memories of discreet traumatic ignores the fact that the damage affects the brain's neural circuitry and goes well beyond dealing with discrete painful events. Our great challenge is to learn to utilize the brain's neuroplasticity to reorganize defective brain circuits.

Coming out in color: racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between level of sexual identity disclosure and depression among lesbians.

Disclosing one's sexual minority identity, or "coming out," has varying effects on the mental health of lesbians. Previous research indicates a negative association between disclosure and depression. However, these findings are based on research with White lesbians. To date, there is a paucity of studies that examined how the relationship between disclosure and depression may differ by race/ethnicity among lesbians. To address this gap, we examined the relationship between disclosure and depression among African American (26.5%), Latina (19.7%), and White (53.8%) self-identified lesbians (N = 351) in 2 survey-interviews (∼ 3-years apart). Over 50% of the participants reported a history of lifetime depression at baseline and 35.9% reported depression at Time 2 (T2). Disclosure levels varied: 78.9% had disclosed to their mother, 58.4% to their father, and 83.3% to a sibling. The mean level for disclosure to nonfamily individuals was 6.29 (SD 2.64; range 0-9). Disclosure results varied by race/ethnicity showing African American lesbians (vs. White lesbians) were less likely to disclose to nonfamily individuals when controlling for covariates. Results for the relationship between disclosure and depression showed disclosure to either parent or sibling was not associated with depression for the total sample. Among Latinas only, disclosure to nonfamily individuals was associated with less depression. Additional research is needed to explore racial/ethnic differences in disclosure with certain individuals and to better understand the relation between disclosure and depression. Findings have implications for reducing overall rates of depression among lesbians living with multiple-minority identities.

Depression in a Real World Population of Hepatitis C Patients

There is evidence as to the neurocognitive effects of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In particular, depression is often identified in patients with HCV. Most studies reporting depression rates in HCV populations are in veterans’ populations or as part of therapeutic research trials, which represent quite selective populations. In a pilot study, we aimed to determine the frequency of depression in patients with hepatitis C virus infection attending a liver clinic in Australia. We investigated the records of 100 consecutive HCV patients, documenting an overall rate of depression of 29%, with 19% on antidepressant medications. A history of intravenous drug use was significantly associated with depression (RR) 2.2 (95%CI: 1.1-4.4). A history of depression was a significant predictor of depression on treatment with interferon based hepatitis C treatments (p = 0.01). Depression is a significant factor in patients attending a liver clinic in Australia. Although newer therapies for hepatitis C may be interferon-free, the high load of mental illness in patients with HCV needs to be considered. The colocation of psychiatric services with hepatology clinics would likely improve patient care.

Depression, healthcare utilization, and comorbid psychiatric disorders after spinal cord injury

BackgroundDepression is often comorbid with other psychiatric conditions in the general population, with resultant impact on severity of conditions and healthcare utilization. It is unclear to what degree this is also true among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).ObjectiveThis study examined rates at which psychiatric conditions were comorbid with depression after SCI, and the association between a depression diagnosis and healthcare and pharmaceutical drug use.MethodsRetrospective analysis of data (N = 41 213) abstracted from Veterans Health Administration administrative databases between fiscal years (FYs) 1997 and 2007 to examine overall rates of depression. Administrative data from FY 2007 was used to examine rates of psychiatric disorders comorbid with depression, and to compare veterans with SCI and depression to veterans with SCI but no depression on healthcare and pharmaceutical use.ResultsTwenty-eight percent (n = 11 506) of 41 213 veterans who received SCI care between FY 1997 and FY 2007 were diagnosed with depressive disorders. Among the veterans with SCI and depression diagnoses in 2007 (n = 2615), 70% were also diagnosed with another psychiatric illness, with posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders being the most common. Veterans with SCI and depression had more healthcare visits and received more pharmaceutical prescriptions than their counterparts without depression.ConclusionsPersons with SCI and depression are likely to experience comorbid psychiatric illnesses, with associated increased healthcare visits and medication use. Research and theory on depression after SCI should develop toward describing and addressing psychiatric and medical co-morbidities that are normative in this population.

Randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression in adolescent mothers

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of an interpersonally oriented intervention on the reduction of the risk of postpartum depression in primiparous adolescents. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 106 pregnant primiparous adolescents who were ≤17 years old at their first prenatal visit. Participants were assigned randomly to the intervention program (n = 54) or the attention and dose-matched control program (n = 52). Each program included 5 sessions that were delivered during the prenatal period. A structured diagnostic interview was administered to assess for the primary outcome and depression at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after delivery. Participants included Hispanic (53%), non-Hispanic black (17%), and non-Hispanic white (16%) adolescents. The overall rate of depression in the intervention group (12.5%) was lower than the control group (25%) with a hazard rate ratio of 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.17-1.15) at 6 months after delivery. An intervention that is delivered during the prenatal period has the potential to reduce the risk for postpartum depression in primiparous adolescent mothers.

Postpartum mental health after Hurricane Katrina: A cohort study

BackgroundNatural disaster is often a cause of psychopathology, and women are vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Depression is also common after a woman gives birth. However, no research has addressed postpartum women's mental health after natural disaster.MethodsInterviews were conducted in 2006–2007 with women who had been pregnant during or shortly after Hurricane Katrina. 292 New Orleans and Baton Rouge women were interviewed at delivery and 2 months postpartum. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale and PTSD using the Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist. Women were asked about their experience of the hurricane with questions addressing threat, illness, loss, and damage. Chi-square tests and log-binomial/Poisson models were used to calculate associations and relative risks (RR).ResultsBlack women and women with less education were more likely to have had a serious experience of the hurricane. 18% of the sample met the criteria for depression and 13% for PTSD at two months postpartum. Feeling that one's life was in danger was associated with depression and PTSD, as were injury to a family member and severe impact on property. Overall, two or more severe experiences of the storm was associated with an increased risk for both depression (relative risk (RR) 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.89) and PTSD (RR 3.68, 95% CI 1.80–7.52).ConclusionPostpartum women who experience natural disaster severely are at increased risk for mental health problems, but overall rates of depression and PTSD do not seem to be higher than in studies of the general population.

Gender Differences in the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2 were used for a gender analysis of individual symptoms and overall rates of depression in the preceding 12 months. Major depressive disorder was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in this national, cross-sectional survey. The female to male ratio of major depressive disorder prevalence was 1.64:1, with n = 1766 having experienced depression (men 668, women 1098). Women reported statistically more depressive symptoms than men (p < 0.001). Depressed women were more likely to report "increased appetite" (15.5% vs. 10.7%), being "often in tears" (82.6% vs. 44.0%), "loss of interest" (86.9% vs. 81.1%), and "thoughts of death" (70.3% vs. 63.4%). No significant gender differences were found for the remaining symptoms. The data are interpreted against women's greater tendency to cry and to restrict food intake when not depressed. The question is raised whether these items preferentially bias assessment of gender differences in depression, particularly in nonclinic samples.

Rimonabant: the evidence for its use in the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome

Obesity and overweight affect over 1 billion people worldwide and are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Clinical features of obesity converge with those of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, greatly increasing the risk of long-term adverse outcomes. To review the evidence on rimonabant, a novel CB1 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of obese and overweight patients. There is clear evidence that rimonabant 20 mg/day in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet causes a mean weight loss of 4.6 kg in obese and overweight patients after 1 year's treatment, with approximately 50% of patients achieving a weight loss of ≥5%. One study demonstrated that weight loss is maintained for up to 2 years. The drug also improves lipid and glycemic cardiovascular risk factors, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin resistance, and reduces waist circumference, thus reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Treatment of obese and overweight diabetic patients with rimonabant decreases glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), including patients previously untreated for diabetes. The effect of rimonabant appears to be partly independent of weight loss. Rimonabant 20 mg/day is generally well tolerated, with mild to moderate transient adverse effects including nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and anxiety. Approximately 14% of patients receiving rimonabant 20 mg/day discontinued due to adverse effects, primarily depressed mood, although overall rates of depression did not differ significantly compared with placebo. The evidence supports the use of rimonabant 20 mg/day along with dietary modification to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight patients, including those with diabetes. The drug is contraindicated in patients receiving antidepressants. Long-term data on cardiovascular outcomes, morbidity, and mortality are eagerly awaited.

Development of depression from preadolescence to young adulthood: Emerging gender differences in a 10-year longitudinal study.

The authors investigated the emergence of gender differences in clinical depression and the overall development of depression from preadolescence to young adulthood among members of a complete birth cohort using a prospective longitudinal approach with structured diagnostic interviews administered 5 times over the course of 10 years. Small gender differences in depression (females greater than males) first began to emerge between the ages of 13 and 15. However, the greatest increase in this gender difference occurred between ages 15 and 18. Depression rates and accompanying gender differences for a university student subsample were no different than for a nonuniversity subsample. There was no gender difference for depression recurrence or for depression symptom severity. The peak increase in both overall rates of depression and new cases of depression occurred between the ages of 15 and 18. Results suggest that middle-to-late adolescence (ages 15-18) may be a critical time for studying vulnerability to depression because of the higher depression rates and the greater risk for depression onset and dramatic increase in gender differences in depression during this period.

Development of depression from preadolescence to young adulthood: emerging gender differences in a 10-year longitudinal study.

The authors investigated the emergence of gender differences in clinical depression and the overall development of depression from preadolescence to young adulthood among members of a complete birth cohort using a prospective longitudinal approach with structured diagnostic interviews administered 5 times over the course of 10 years. Small gender differences in depression (females greater than males) first began to emerge between the ages of 13 and 15. However, the greatest increase in this gender difference occurred between ages 15 and 18. Depression rates and accompanying gender differences for a university student subsample were no different than for a nonuniversity subsample. There was no gender difference for depression recurrence or for depression symptom severity. The peak increase in both overall rates of depression and new cases of depression occurred between the ages of 15 and 18. Results suggest that middle-to-late adolescence (ages 15-18) may be a critical time for studying vulnerability to depression because of the higher depression rates and the greater risk for depression onset and dramatic increase in gender differences in depression during this period.