Prevalence Of Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Prevalence of depression and associated symptoms among patients attending primary healthcare facilities: a cross-sectional study in Nepal

BackgroundDepression is a prevalent mental health condition worldwide but there is limited data on its presentation and associated symptoms in primary care settings in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression, its hallmark and other associated symptoms that meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria in primary healthcare facilities in Nepal. The collected information will be used to determine the content of a mobile app-based clinical guidelines for better detection and management of depression in primary care.MethodsA total of 1,897 adult patients aged 18–91 (63.1% women) attending ten primary healthcare facilities in Jhapa, a district in eastern Nepal, were recruited for the study between August 2, 2021, and March 25, 2022. Trained research assistants conducted face-to-face interviews in private spaces before the consultation with healthcare providers. Depression symptoms, including hallmark symptoms, was assessed using the validated Nepali version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsOne in seven (14.5%) individuals attending primary health care facilities in Jhapa met the threshold for depression based on a validated cut-off score ( > = 10) on the PHQ-9. The most commonly reported depressive symptoms were loss of energy and sleep difficulties. Approximately 25.4% of women and 18.9% of men endorsed at least one of the two hallmark symptoms on the PHQ-9. Using a DSM-5 algorithm (at least one hallmark symptom and five or more total symptoms) to score the PHQ-9, 6.3% of women and 4.3% of men met the criteria for depression. The intra-class correlation coefficient for PHQ-9 total scores by health facility as the unit of clustering was 0.01 (95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.04).ConclusionDepression symptoms are common among people attending primary healthcare facilities in Nepal. However, the most common symptoms are not the two hallmark criteria. Use of total scores on a screening tool such as the PHQ-9 risks overestimating the prevalence and generating false positive diagnoses. Compared to using cut off scores on screening tools, training health workers to first screen for hallmark criteria may increase the accuracy of identification and lead to better allocation of treatment resources.

A Descriptive Study to Determine Anxiety and Depression Among Hospitalized Elderly Undergoing Abdominal Surgery Admitted in Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Background: Hospitalized elderly people suffer from psychological distress due to negative changes in their lives. Hospitalization is stressful for elderly people, as they undergo various surgical and medical procedures. Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can be seen as major risk factors among the hospitalized geriatric population. Hence, the need was felt to undertake a study to determine anxiety and depression among hospitalized elderly. Objective: To determine anxiety and depression among hospitalized elderly undergoing abdominal surgery at the Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 60 hospitalized elderly patients. The sample was determined using the purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by interviewing patients as per the interview schedule comprising socio-demographic variables, clinical profile, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety Scale. Results: The study found that 31.7% of participants had mild anxiety, 46.7% had moderate anxiety, and 21.7% had severe anxiety. All study participants had mild depression. The present study found a significant relationship between anxiety and depression ( r = 0.348, p = .01). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among hospitalized elderly undergoing abdominal surgery. The presence of psychiatric distress can worsen physical illness and lead to slow recovery. So appropriate mental health interventions must be planned for their management.

Sexual orientation concealment, hope, and depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men: a moderated-moderation model

ABSTRACT The prevalence of depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men is cause for concern. This study aimed to investigate whether hope and its two components (agency and pathways) moderated the relationship between sexual orientation concealment and depressive symptoms in gay and bisexual men and whether the moderating effects were conditional on sexual orientation. Participants were 197 gay men aged 18 to 71 years (M = 35.13 years, SD = 12.18 years) and 212 bisexual men aged 18 to 66 years (M = 29.24 years, SD = 10.46 years) who completed The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, The Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale, and The Adult Hope Scale. Results did not support the moderating role of hope, agency, or pathways. The interaction between sexual orientation and pathways was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Higher levels of pathways were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms for both groups of men, however, the association was stronger for gay men compared with bisexual men. Higher levels of hope, agency, and pathways were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Interventions aimed at increasing hope may be beneficial for reducing depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men.

Mental Health, Suicidality, Health, and Social Indicators Among College Students Across Nine States in India

Background: The prevalence of mental health issues among youth is significantly high globally. This article presents findings from a survey that examined psychological distress, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and health and social indicators among college students in India. Methods: The study recruited 8,542 students from 30 universities spanning nine Indian states, utilizing a questionnaire that included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to measure depression and anxiety symptoms. It also examined the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, attempts, non-suicidal self-injury, and other health and social factors. Results: Findings indicate that 18.8% and 12.4% of students had considered suicide over their lifetime and in the past year, respectively, with 6.7% having attempted it at some point in their lives. Among those with lifetime suicidal thoughts, more than one-third (38.1%) reported having previously disclosed these thoughts to someone, with friends being the most common confidants. Furthermore, one-third (33.6%) of participants reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and one-quarter (23.2%) reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: The study revealed a significant prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as suicidal thoughts and attempts among college students in India. The study underscores the critical need for interventions aimed at improving mental health and supporting this demographic.

Depression and associated factors among older people in Vietnam: Findings from a National Aging Survey.

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders among older people. Depressive symptoms are often overlooked and untreated in primary care settings. This study aims to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among older people in Vietnam. The study analyzed data from the Vietnam National Aging Survey (VNAS) conducted in 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 3,006 older people aged 60 and over in 12 provinces. The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between depressive symptoms and other related factors such as sociodemographic and economic characteristics, social support, health status, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) limitations, chronic diseases, cigarette smoking status, alcoholic drinking, and domestic violence. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older people was 20.2%. The associated factors that increase the odds of having depression among older people were female gender (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.34-3.62), living in rural areas (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.15-2.89), the poorest quintile (OR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.39-3.66), self-rated poor health (OR = 11.68, 95% CI 4.96-27.49), ADL limitations (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.51-2.99), IADL limitation (OR = 1.61 95% CI 1.16-2.25), and experiencing domestic violence in the last 12 months (OR = 6.66, 95% CI 4.00-11.05). Depression symptoms were prevalent among older people in Vietnam. Depression screening for older people should be included in primary care settings for early identification and treatment of depression.

Prevalence and risk factors of depression and anxiety symptoms in intensive care unit patients with cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study.

To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to explore which elements are risk factors for the development of anxiety and depression symptoms. A cross-sectional study. A total of 1028 ICU patients with CVD were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors and associations between anxiety and depression symptoms, and mediation analysis was used to explore the effect of risk factors on the association between anxiety and depression symptoms. Reporting of the study followed the STROBE checklist. The results showed that among ICU patients with CVD, 38.1% had anxiety symptoms, 28.7% had depression symptoms and 19.3% had both anxiety and depression symptoms, and there was a significant association between anxiety and depression symptoms. We also identified female gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiac function class IV as independent risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms. Importantly, these factors also mediated the association between anxiety and depression symptoms, emphasising their role in the psychological well-being of this patient group. ICU patients with CVD were prone to anxiety and depression symptoms. Female gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiac function class IV were identified as independent risk factors that also served as mediators in the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms. Especially, cardiac function class IV emerged as a critical factor in this association. It is imperative for critical care professionals to recognize the elevated risk of depression and anxiety among ICU patients with severe CVD, especially those with cardiac function class IV, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and females. Proactive and supportive measures are essential for this vulnerable group during their ICU stay to safeguard their mental health and prevent negative outcomes. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depressive symptoms after Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD): a cross-sectional study.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is recognised as a particularly stressful cause of heart attack. However few studies have documented the prevalence of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms, or identified patients most at risk. This study documents the prevalence and correlates of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms. 310 (95% women) SCAD survivors were recruited by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute from a database of 433 SCAD survivors. Participants completed an online questionnaire to gather demographic, medical and psychosocial information, including the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to identify the significant demographic, psychosocial and medical correlates of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms. Time between SCAD and questionnaire completion varied from 2 months to 18 years (mean = 5.5 years; SD = 3.5 years). Rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 20.7% (GAD-7 ≥ 10) and 20.9% (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) respectively, and did not vary by time since event. In bivariate analyses, correlates (p < .05) of anxiety and depressive symptoms were absence of a close confidante, financial strain, mental health diagnosis pre-SCAD, comorbid obesity, not being in paid employment (anxiety only), younger age (depression only), and not knowing another SCAD survivor (depression only). Variables retained in multivariate models were absence of a close confidante, financial strain, not being in paid employment, mental health diagnosis pre-SCAD (depression only), and younger age (depression only). This study demonstrated that over one in four SCAD survivors experience either anxiety or depressive symptoms after SCAD, and identified those who may need additional support in their psychological recovery.

Antenatal depression among pregnant mothers in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundApproximately one in five pregnant women experience antenatal depression globally. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression and explore its relationship between various demographic variables, recent sexual engagement, and recent adverse life events among pregnant Afghan women.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study was carried out between January, 2023 and April 2023 among 460 women aged 15–45 years who were recruited using convenience sampling from Herat province (Afghanistan). Logistic regression models were utilized to explore the relationship between antenatal depression and socio-demographic characteristics among the participants.ResultsThe prevalence of antenatal depression symptoms was 78.5%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that antenatal depression was significantly associated with (i) being aged 30–45 years (AOR: 4.216, 95% CI: 1.868–9.515, p = .001), (ii) being of low economic status (AOR:2.102, 95% CI: 1.051–4.202, p = .036), (iii) not being employed (AOR: 2.445, 95% CI:1.189–5.025, p = .015), (iv) not having had sex during the past seven days (AOR: 2.335, 95% CI: 1.427–3.822, p = .001), and (v) not experiencing a traumatic event during the past month (AOR:0.263, 95% CI: 0.139–0.495, p < .001).ConclusionThe present study provides insight into the factors associated with the high prevalence of antenatal depression among pregnant Afghan women (e.g., demographic variables, recent adverse life events, and recent sexual engagement). It highlights the urgency of addressing antenatal depression in Afghanistan and provides a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of pregnant women in the Afghan context.

Association between Current Substance Use, Healthy Behaviors, and Depression among Ukrainian College Students.

Depression is a pervasive issue among college students worldwide, yet there is a significant gap in the literature regarding its prevalence and coping strategies in the Ukrainian context. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating how substance use and health-promoting behaviors relate to depressive symptoms among Ukrainian college students. Health-promoting behaviors are an important strategy to prevent depression, whereas substance use can contribute to depression or make it harder to manage. Given the substantial psychosocial problems and stressors related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the limited availability of mental health services for college students, it is important to understand how we can encourage college students to keep themselves mentally healthy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among college students on 10 campuses in 2018. Almost 16% of participants met a cut-off for depression. Female students and those who were older reported significantly higher depressive symptoms. Participants were more likely to report depressive symptoms if they were more often involved with alcohol and cannabis use, were older, and engaged in fewer health-promoting behaviors. Tobacco use was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest a moderate prevalence of depressive symptoms in our study population. We recommend implementing balanced public health interventions that address risk factors (such as substance use) while also promoting protective behaviors and can be tailored to the specific cultural and environmental context of the region.

Chinese hospital staff in anxiety and depression: Not only comfort patients but also should be comforted - A nationwide cross-sectional study

BackgroundHealthcare professionals are in short supply worldwide, especially in China, which can result in increased stress in the work environment and allostatic load for Chinese hospital staff. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and their relationship with total stress, allostatic overload, sleep quality, and episodic memory among Chinese hospital staff. MethodIn this cross-sectional study, self-assessments including Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), PsychoSocial Index (PSI), Pittsburgh Sleeping Quality Index (PSQI), and MemTrax test were used to evaluate participants' anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, total stress, allostatic load/overload, sleep quality, and episodic memory. ResultsA total of 9433 hospital staff from 304 cities participated. Anxiety prevalence was 21.0 % (95 % confidential interval (CI) 20.2 %, 21.8 %), while the prevalence of depressive symptoms was at 21.4 % (95 % CI 20.5 %, 22.2 %). 79.8 % (95 % CI 79.0 %, 80.6 %) of the hospital staff had allostatic overload. Poor sleep quality affected 50.4 % of participants, and 32.1 % experienced poor episodic memory. LimitationsThis study utilized a convenience sampling approach, relying on an online survey as its data collection method. ConclusionsHospital staff in China are facing a stressful environment with a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, significant allostatic overload, poor sleep quality, and compromised episodic memory. It is imperative that local management and community structures enhance their support and care for these essential workers, enabling them to manage and withstand the stresses of their professional roles effectively.

Assessment of depressive symptoms among post stroke patients attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Post Stroke Depression (PSD) occurs in a significant number of patients and constitutes an important complication of stroke, leading to greater disability as well as increased mortality. This study examined depressive symptoms among post stroke patients attending neurology clinic in a tertiary hospital in Northwest Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 83 stroke survivors. Participants were administered socio-demographic, clinical characteristics pro-forma questionnaire and depression subscale of the Hospital and Anxiety Depressive Scale (HADS). Results: The 83 participants recruited for study had a mean age of 56.8 years (s.d. = 10.2) and 62.7 % were female. Majority (60.2%) had formal education, 83.1% were employed, and 73.5% were married. Overall, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 34.9% while 2.4% were rated as having severe depressive symptoms. Unemployment, having disabilities and post stroke complications were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The presence of depressive symptoms among stroke patients supports the need to consider routine screen for psychiatry morbidity among patients with medical condition that causes disabilities. Disability has been identified as the main predictor of depressive symptoms. In view of this, psychosocial evaluation and intervention should be integrated into clinical care of stroke patients for early detection of depressive symptoms.

Trajectories of Mental Distress Among US Women by Sexual Orientation and Racialized Group During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives. To describe longitudinal trends in the prevalence of mental distress across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020‒April 2021) among US women at the intersection of sexual orientation and racialized group. Methods. Participants included 49 805 cisgender women and female-identified people from the COVID-19 Sub-Study, a cohort of US adults embedded within the Nurses' Health Studies 2 and 3 and the Growing Up Today Study. We fit generalized estimating equation Poisson models to estimate trends in depressive and anxiety symptoms by sexual orientation (gay or lesbian, bisexual, mostly heterosexual, completely heterosexual); subsequent models explored further differences by racialized group (Asian, Black, Latine, White, other or unlisted). Results. Relative to completely heterosexual peers, gay or lesbian, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual women had a higher prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms at each study wave and experienced widening inequities over time. Inequities were largest for sexual minority women of color, although confidence intervals were wide. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated already-glaring mental health inequities affecting sexual minority women, especially those belonging to marginalized racialized groups. Future research should investigate structural drivers of these patterns to inform policy-oriented interventions. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(5):511-522. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307601).

Associations between insufficient sleep, skipping breakfast and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A school-based cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveInsufficient sleep and skipping breakfast are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents. Both behaviors are associated with the onset of depression. This study aims to examine the independent and joint associations of these two behaviors with depressive symptoms, and investigate whether these associations varied by age or sex. MethodsThe Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate the depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study including 11,887 students aged 11–19 years using a stratified cluster, multistage sampling method in Ningbo, China. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the independent and joint association between insufficient sleep, skipping breakfast and depressive symptoms. Sensitivity analyses and stratified analyses by age and sex were performed using the same modelling strategies. ResultsThe overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.27%. Skipping breakfast (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.557, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.236–2.925) and insufficient sleep (OR = 1.547, 95%CI = 1.390–1.723) was independently associated with depressive symptoms. Compared to students with “sufficient sleep and breakfast every day”, the OR was 4.385 (95%CI = 3.649–5.271) for those with “insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast”. Meanwhile, the joint association was moderated by age group, with a more apparent association observed in the 11–15-year-old group compared to the 16–19-year-old group. ConclusionsThese findings indicated that insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast were independently and jointly associated with depressive symptoms. Insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast could be considered as two of the predictors of depression.

Prevalence of alcohol use, depressive and anxiety symptoms among patients of opioid agonist treatment programmes in Ukraine

Prevalence of alcohol use, depressive and anxiety symptoms among patients of opioid agonist treatment programmes in Ukraine

Hypertension, depression, and health-related quality of life among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan.

In recent decades, hypertension has become the foremost risk factor for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The presentstudy investigated the relationship between quality of life, depression, and hypertension among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan. A cross-sectional survey was administered from September 3, 2022, to February 2, 2023, in the Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif provinces of Afghanistan (N = 2059). The prevalence of depression symptoms was 65.8%, and hypertension was 20.9%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that moderate physical functioning, poor role-physical, higher bodily pain, poor general health, poor social functioning, lower role-emotional, and poor mental health significantly predicted depression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that moderate quality of life, poor physical functioning, higher bodily pain, lower energy/fatigue, and depression significantly predicted hypertension. The findings of the present study offer valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers in developing targeted interventions and policies to enhance the well-being of individuals facing the challenges of depression and hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension and depression was high among patients in the Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif provinces of Afghanistan. Patients with hypertension had poor mental and physical quality of life. Hospitals should therefore implement regular screening for depression and offer psychological counseling for vulnerable patients with hypertension.

Sex Differences in Depressive Symptoms in 1308 Patients Post-Stroke at Entry to Cardiac Rehabilitation.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a sex difference exists in the prevalence of post-stroke depressive symptoms (PSDS) at entry to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and to determine the correlates of PSDS in all patients, and in women and men separately. People post-stroke at entry to CR from database records (2006-2017) were included. Bivariate analyses identified PSDS correlates (≥16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) in all patients and women and men separately. Patients (n = 1308, 28.9% women), mean age of 63.9 ± 12.9 yr, were 24.2 ± 9.9 mo post-stroke at CR entry. Among all patients, 30.0% had PSDS. A greater proportion of women than men had PSDS (38.6 vs 26.6%; P < .001). Correlates of PSDS in all patients were sex (women) (OR = 1.6: 95% CI, 1.14-2.12), being unemployed, ≤60 yr old, prescribed antidepressant medication, having lower cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake [V̇ o2peak ]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), higher body mass index (BMI), no transient ischemic attack, and longer time from stroke to CR entry (>12 mo). Correlates in women were being obese (BMI ≥ 30), 51-70 yr old, prescribed antidepressant medication, and not married. Correlates in men were being ≤60 yr old, unemployed, prescribed antidepressant medication, having lower V̇ o2peak , sleep apnea, COPD, and no hypertension. Women were disproportionately affected by PSDS at entry to CR in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Women and men had mostly unique correlates of PSDS, indicating tailored strategies to address PSDS are required. PSDS disproportionately affected patients with longer delay to CR entry, suggesting efforts should target timely referral to facilitate earlier and repeated assessments and management.

Psoriasiform Drug Eruption Associated with Carbamazepine

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent episodes of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, skin lesions, ocular lesions, and other manifestations. This disease affects many organs and systems and shows a wide range of clinical manifestations. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and general psychiatric symptoms is higher among patients with BD compared with healthy individuals. However, syndromes such as psychosis appear to be less frequent. Therefore, we present a case of BD complicated by schizophrenia-like symptoms.

Co-occurrence of depressive and anxious symptoms and their influence on self-rated health: a national representative survey among Chinese older adults

Objectives The prevalence of the co-occurrence of depressive and anxious symptoms (CO) and their influence on perceived overall health were not clear in community dwelling Chinese older adults. The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of CO and to explore its influence on self-rated health (SRH). Method This study included 12301 individuals aged ≥65 years from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), a nationally representative survey of older adults in mainland China. Participants received face-to-face interviews and assessments of depressive symptoms and anxious symptoms via 10-item of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10) and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), respectively. SRH was measured by self-reported. A logistic regression model was used to examine the association between CO and SRH after adjusting for confounding variables. Results The average age was 83.4 (SD: 11.0) years and there were 6576 (53.5%) females. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of depressive symptoms only (DSO) was 38.6%, anxious symptoms only (ASO) was 1.5%, and CO was 10.8%. Compared with those without depressive and anxious symptoms, the older adults with DSO or ASO were more likely to have significant influence on SRH. And particularly, CO was likely to produce the greatest decrement in the level of SRH. Conclusion CO was not rare in Chinese older adults nationwide. The older adults having CO had increased risk for lower level of SRH than having DSO or ASO. More attention should be given to CO among the older adults.

Patterns of peripartum depression and anxiety during the pre-vaccine COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundPregnant people are vulnerable to new or worsening mental health conditions. This study aims to describe prevalence and course of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnancy during the pre-vaccine COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study of pregnant individuals with known or suspected COVID-19. Participants completed Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Generalized-Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires, screening tools for depression and anxiety, at 34weeks gestational age, 6-8weeks postpartum, and 6months postpartum. Prevalence of elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms at each visit was described. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between demographic and clinical factors and those with elevated depression or anxiety symptoms.Results317 participants were included. The prevalence of elevated antepartum depression symptoms was 14.6%, 10.3%, and 20.6% at 34weeks gestational age, 6-8weeks postpartum, and 6months postpartum, respectively. The rate of elevated anxiety symptoms was 15.1%, 10.0%, and 17.3% at 34weeks gestational age, 6-8weeks postpartum, and 6months postpartum, respectively. A prior history of depression and/or anxiety (p’s < 0.03), as well as higher EPDS and GAD-7 scores at enrollment (p’s < 0.04) associated with elevated depression and anxiety symptoms throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Quarantining during pregnancy was associated with elevated anxiety symptoms at 34weeks gestational age in univariate (P = 0.027) analyses. COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization were not associated with elevated depression or anxiety symptoms.ConclusionsElevated depression and anxiety symptoms were prevalent throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, particularly in those with prior depression and/or anxiety and who quarantined. Strategies that target social isolation may mitigate potential adverse consequences for pregnant people, and continued vigilance in recognition of depression and anxiety in pregnancy should be considered.

Factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prostheses

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among individuals with ocular prostheses and to identify factors associated with these psychological symptoms. A sample of patients who underwent monocular enucleation and socket implantation participated in the study, responding to digital questionnaires covering demographics, psychosocial factors, and aspects related to their ocular prostheses. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Optimal scale regression analysis was employed to explore factors linked to psychological symptoms in ocular prosthesis users. Results from 100 valid participants revealed a 51% prevalence of depressive symptoms and a 45% prevalence of anxiety symptoms. The mean PHQ-9 score was 4.91 &amp;plusmn; 1.98, and the mean GAD-7 score was 4.99 &amp;plusmn; 2.15. Factors such as undergoing right eye enucleation, longer duration of ocular prosthesis use, comfort with prosthesis wearing, and greater satisfaction correlated with milder depressive symptoms. In terms of anxiety, those who used ocular prostheses due to trauma or tumors were affected by more severe symptoms, while individuals who were comfortable with their prosthesis or using alumina-based prostheses reported fewer anxiety symptoms. In conclusion, ocular prosthesis users wrestle with significant challenges of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Factors including age, household registration, economic status, enucleation side, cause of anophthalmos, prosthetic material, and satisfaction and duration of prosthesis use were associated with depressive or anxiety symptoms. Long-term comprehensive care targeting these vulnerable individuals is imperative to alleviate depression and anxiety.