Prevalence Of Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Associations between negative COVID-19 experiences and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a study based on a representative Canadian national sample.

Amid the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a notable increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression has become a pressing concern. This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in Canada from September to December 2020, assessing demographic and socioeconomic influences, as well as the potential role of COVID-19 diagnoses and related negative experiences. Data were drawn from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health by Statistics Canada, which used a two-stage sample design to gather responses from 14 689 adults across ten provinces and three territorial capitals, excluding less than 2% of the population. Data were collected through self-administered electronic questionnaires or phone interviews. Analytical techniques, such as frequencies, cross-tabulation and logistic regression, were used to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, the demographic characteristics of Canadians with increased anxiety and depression symptoms and the association of these symptoms with COVID-19 diagnoses and negative experiences during the pandemic. The study found that 14.62% (95% CI: 13.72%-15.51%) of respondents exhibited symptoms of depression, while 12.89% (95% CI: 12.04%-13.74%) reported anxiety symptoms. No clear differences in symptom prevalence were observed between those infected by COVID-19, or those close to someone infected, compared to those without these experiences. However, there were strong associations between traditional risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms and negative experiences during the pandemic, such as physical health problems, loneliness and personal relationship challenges in the household. This study provides insight into the relationship between COVID-19 and Canadians' mental health, demonstrating an increased prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms associated with COVID-19-related adversities and common prepandemic determinants of these symptoms. The findings suggest that mental health during the pandemic was primarily shaped by traditional determinants of depression and anxiety symptoms and also by negative experiences during the pandemic.

Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in Shenzhen, China: a cross-sectional population-based study

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in an urban district in China, as well as their associated factors.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingGeneral communities in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.ParticipantsA...

The Impact of the New Families Home Visiting Program on Depressive Symptoms Among Norwegian Fathers Postpartum: A Nonrandomized Controlled Study.

Becoming a parent is a vulnerable life transition and may affect parents' mental health. Depressive symptoms may occur in fathers, as well as mothers, during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The health service is expected to have a family perspective, aiming to support both parents. Despite this goal, mothers traditionally receive more support than fathers. Home visiting programs may provide enhanced guidance for new fathers and increased mental health support. The aim of this study was therefore to assess possible differences in level of depressive symptom in fathers receiving the New Families home visiting program compared with those receiving standard care from the Norwegian Child Health Service. A prospective nonrandomized controlled study with a parallel group design was performed. The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure depressive symptoms in fathers (N = 197) at 28 weeks of their partners' pregnancy (T1), at 6 weeks (T2), and 3 months postpartum (T3), in the intervention and the control group. The results indicate a prevalence of depressive symptoms (EPDS score ≥ 10) in Norwegian fathers of 3.1% at T1, 3.9% at T2, and 2.2% at T3 for the full sample. No significant EPDS score differences were found between the intervention and the control group at six weeks and three months postpartum. This suggests that the intervention had no clear impact on depressive symptoms during this time-period.

Depressive symptoms are not associated with clinically important levels of digital home blood pressure in the electronic Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUNDDepressive symptoms are common and share many biopsychosocial mechanisms with hypertension. Association studies between depressive symptoms and blood pressure (BP) have been inconsistent. Home BP monitoring may provide insight. OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between depressive symptoms and digital home BP METHODSElectronic Framingham Heart Study (eFHS) participants were invited to obtain a smartphone app and digital BP cuff at research exam 3 (2016-2019). Participants with ≥3 weeks of home BP measurements within one year were included. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Multivariable linear mixed models were used to test the associations of continuous CES-D score and dichotomous depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥16) (independent) with home BP (dependent), adjusting for age, sex, cohort, number of weeks since baseline, lifestyle factors, diabetes, and CVD. RESULTSAmong 883 participants (mean age 54 years, 59% women, 91% White), the median CES-D score was 4. Depressive symptoms prevalence was 7.6%. Mean SBP and DBP at exam 3 were 119 and 76 mmHg; hypertension prevalence was 48%. A 1 SD higher CES-D score was associated with 0.9 (95% CI: 0.18 to 1.56, p=0.01) and 0.6 (95% CI: 0.06 to 1.07, p=0.03) mmHg higher home SBP and DBP respectively. Dichotomous depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with home BP(p>0.2). CONCLUSIONDepressive symptoms were not associated with clinically substantive levels of home BP. The association between depression and CVD risk factors warrants more data, which may be supported by mobile health measures.

Counseling in the face of crisis: supporting mental health in Tor Vergata University students during the Covid-19 era.

This study aims to present an overview of the clinical experience of the counseling service "Sportello Studenti". The service offers free diagnostic and therapeutic psychological assistance to all Tor Vergata University of Rome students. Preliminary findings on the prevalence of anxious, depressive, and prodromal symptoms in a subset of participants recruited during the initial three-year period of the service's operation (2019-2022) are presented. Beck's Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Prodromal Questionnaire 16 (PQ-16) and Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) have been used to investigate principle psychopathological dimensions. 261 students aged 18 to 35 completed the assessment (180 female - 69%). Mild widespread depressive symptoms (35.5%) and mild to severe suicide ideation (5.1%) were highlighted. Ninety students (37.2%) result at a higher risk condition for psychosis. A significant statistical correlation between negative psychopathological indicators, such as suicidal thoughts and age, suggests that younger students exhibit higher susceptibility and vulnerability to mental health issues. The increasing prevalence of distress among young individuals represents an urgent public health concern that necessitates immediate intervention. It is crucial for countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to promoting psychological and mental health. University counseling services serve as an effective initial intervention to address the negative impact of mental illness on academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being in young individuals. They also play a pivotal role in the early identification of individuals at risk of developing severe psychiatric disorders. Sportello Studenti has proven to be a valuable initiative addressing the mental health needs of University of Tor Vergata students, underscoring the significance of promoting psychological well-being.

Improvement of migraine depressive symptoms is not related to headache frequency: exploring the impact of anti-CGRP therapies.

The present study aimed to describe the prevalence and evolution of depressive symptoms in a cohort of migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. This is an exploratory, prospective, unicentric, one-year longitudinal study. We included migraine patients who started treatment with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Baseline demographic data, medical history, concomitant medication and migraine characteristics were collected. The presence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-II quarterly and treatment response was categorized according to the reduction in monthly headache days. A generalized mixed-effect regression model was used to model depression score over a one-year treatment taking into account frequency response rates. We included 577 patients: 84.2% females; median (range) age 47.0 (39.0-53.0)years, 46.1% (266/577) of them presented depressive symptoms at baseline (16.1% mild, 13.3% moderate and 16.6% severe). After six-month treatment, 47.4% (126/266) reduced headache frequency ≥50% after one year and 63.5% (169/266) achieved a clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms. We observed a 30.8% (-50.0%, -3.2%) main reduction in depression score during the first quarter. The improvement in depression symptoms was independently associated with headache frequency response: non-responders, -25.0% (-43.9%, -1.1%); partial responders, -30.2% (-51.3%, -7.6%); and good responders, -33.3% (-54.6%, -7.5%). Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP are effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with migraine. The main change of depression score happens during the first threemonths of treatment. The reduction in depressive symptoms is independent of migraine frequency improvement.

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms in rural left-behind adolescents: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveWe assessed the current status of depressive symptoms and the associated factors in rural left-behind adolescents. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms. MethodsStudents from two rural junior high schools in Huaihua City were enrolled from July to September 2022. Before distributing the questionnaires, guardians of the students were contacted, and consent was obtained from the students themselves. The questionnaires were filled out anonymously and collected on-site. ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms among the 325 left-behind teenagers was 23.40%; the rate of emotional abuse in adverse childhood experiences was 17.50%, physical abuse was 15.70%, sexual abuse was 9.50%, emotional neglect was 24.60%, while physical neglect was 27.70%. The five dimensions of adverse childhood experiences were associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.597, 0.395, 0.410, 0.498, 0.741, p < 0.01). ConclusionsDepressive symptoms were common among rural left-behind adolescents. Adverse childhood experiences were associated with depressive symptoms in rural left-behind adolescents. Occurrence of adverse childhood experiences should be reduced to improve on depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora

Introduction. Pregnancy, being a situation of vulnerability and with its inherent changes, places women at a great risk of depression. In Mexico, the prevalence of probable depression in pregnant women treated at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, was 17.8%, assessed using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). To date, there are no data regarding this issue in Sonora. Objective. To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora (México). Method. An observational, descriptive, transversal, and prospective study was conducted in 2021, applying the EPDS in 168 2nd/3rd trimester pregnant women, selected by non-probabilistic sampling by consecutive cases. Sociodemographic variables, pathological/non-pathological, gynecological, and obstetrical personal history were explored. The analysis was performed using measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables; for qualitative variables, frequency and percentage; χ2 test to assess differences in distribution of depressive symptomatology by age and the rest of variables. Results. A global prevalence of “probable depression” of 14.3% was determined. The majority, within 20-29 age group, with a partner and a planned/desired pregnancy. High school educational level, 50%. History of intimate partner violence, 54.2%. Almost 40%, primigravida. Substance use, denied. Overweight/obesity, in 70%. Discussion and conclusion. There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, going unnoticed for reasons such as insufficient knowledge (patient/health care providers), since there is no routine screening. It is imperative to work on prevention, detection and treatment, since it entails multiple consequences at a binomial, family, and social level.

Burden of postpartum depression in sub-Saharan Africa: An updated systematic review

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern in resource-constrained sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Efforts to combat this burden are hampered by the region’s wide variation in reported prevalence. This review aimed to systematically synthesize up-to-date data on PPD in SSA. The review was structured per the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Included in the review were studies that reported the prevalence of PPD in SSA. A search was undertaken of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO. A random-effect model was fitted to estimate the pooled burden of postpartum depressive symptoms in SSA. We conducted subgroup analyses to estimate the distribution of postpartum depressive symptoms based on important study characteristics: sample size, the timing of diagnosis, design, study setting/region, instrument, and income/ economy. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms ranged from 3.8% to 69.9%, with a pooled estimate of 22.1% (CI 18.5–26.2; I2 = 98.2; Tau = 0.848; p&lt;0.001). There was a significant variation in postpartum depressive symptoms with sample size (p&lt;0.001). The highest prevalence (25.6% CI 21.5–30.1) was obtained within 12 weeks postpartum. The prevalence estimate was highest (23.3%; CI 20.1–26.8) with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). South Africa (30.6%; CI 23.6–38.7) and Zimbabwe (29.3%; CI 22.2–37.5) reported the highest prevalence rates, while Tanzania (13.5%; CI 10.1–17.9) reported the lowest prevalence estimates. Upper-middle SSA countries presented the highest prevalence rates (30.6%; CI 23.6–38.7). The prevalence was highest within the period 2010–2015. PPD constitutes a significant health burden in SSA and is fast becoming an epidemic in southern Africa. Significance: Given that PPD is a recurring mental health challenge among women in sub-Saharan Africa, there is an urgent need for strategic policy provisions to ameliorate its burden. An increase in prevalence of PPD from 2005–2010 to 2015–2021 is indicative of the need for national governments to intensify efforts targeted at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 in the region. In SSA, the prevalence of PPD is highest (approximately 30%) in Southern Africa, precisely South Africa and Zimbabwe, where it is fast becoming an epidemic; hence strategies are needed to curtail its growing trend. There is a need to characterise and stratify the risk factors of PPD in sub-Saharan to guide policy development of predictive algorithms and implementation strategies.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression literacy (D-Lit) among Saudi postgraduate students

IntroductionThe prevalence of any disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) is 34.2% in Saudi Arabia over the course of a person's lifetime. Young Saudis are more likely to develop major depressive disorder than older Saudis. Globally, postgraduate students are more vulnerable to developing depression compared to the general population. According to a national study carried out in Saudi Arabia, a small proportion of individuals experiencing psychiatric disorders over a period of 12 months receive any kind of treatment. This highlights the importance of community education aimed at enhancing mental health awareness.MethodsA web-based Arabic cross-sectional survey was conducted among Saudi postgraduate students from October 2019 to August 2020. The survey included questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, sources of information, depression literacy (D-Lit), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, and the participants’ attitudes toward depression.ResultsA total of 517 participants took part in the survey, with 46% of them screened positive for depression. The mean D-Lit score was 10.65, which was lower than that reported in studies conducted among medical students and hospital staff. No significant differences were found in D-Lit scores across all sociodemographic characteristics, except for gender and specialty (p = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). The Internet, awareness posters, a doctor (previously diagnosed with depression), and awareness activities related to depression showed significant differences in the mean score of D-Lit (p < 0.001, 0.005, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionIn Saudi Arabia, this study found that postgraduate students have a notably higher occurrence of depression compared to the general population. However, despite their higher educational level, these students lacked sufficient awareness and understanding of depression to recognize it and seek help. Consequently, it is important to initiate awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of postgraduate student

P979 Diet, disease activity and extraintestinal symptoms in IBD outpatients

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) show higher rates of fatigue and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Growing evidence reports a beneficial influence of plant- based diets on IBD as well as psychological disorders. The Mediterranean diet shows favorable characteristics in this regard and is simple to implement. We aimed to examine adherence to a Mediterranean diet as well as its associations with disease activity, quality of life and fatigue or affective symptoms in outpatients with IBD. Methods We delivered questionnaires to IBD outpatients, assessing adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS), symptoms of depression and anxiety (HADS), as well as fatigue (FACIT-F) and quality of life (SHS). Disease activity was measured with HBI or pMS, respectively. Associations between the parameters were determined using spearman correlation. Results We collected data of n=281 patients. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was generally low in our sample with a median MEDAS score of 6 (0-13). The greatest deficit was observed in the regular consumption of fish (10 %) and fruit (16.6 %). However, we found a very high adherence for olive oil as the main source of fat (81.9 %), as well as a preference for white meat over red meat and processed meats (63.7 %). The prevalence of depressive symptoms (HADS-D ≥ 8) was 22.4 %, while symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 8) were found in 35.9 % of the participants. Severe fatigue (FACIT &amp;lt; 30) was present in 33.8 % of the patients. Patients with clinically active disease were more likely to experience fatigue (ρ=-.231, p=&amp;lt;.001), symptoms of anxiety (ρ=.132, p=.010), depressive symptoms (ρ=.216 p=&amp;lt;.001), and reduced quality of life (ρ=.359, p&amp;lt;.001), all Figure 1a. There were no significant associations between the MEDAS score and disease activity (ρ=.033, p=.522), fatigue (ρ=-.009, p=.831), anxiety symptoms (ρ=.049, p=.294), or depressive symptoms (ρ=-.035, p=.461). Women showed significantly higher adherence to Mediterranean diet (mean MEDAS score 5.2 vs. 6, p=.003). We found a negative correlation between adherence to Mediterranean diet and level of calprotectin (ρ=-.146, p=.023, Figure 1b). Conclusion The preliminary analysis of our sample suggests low levels of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in our patient population. Contrary to our expectation, there were no statistically significant associations between diet and disease activity, quality of life, or psychological complaints. However, the inverse correlation between adherence to Mediterranean diet and level of calprotectin can support the anti-inflammatory characteristics this diet. It remains unclear, to which intent an anti-inflammatory diet can impact the course of disease and clinical symptoms in patients with IBD.

Associations of problematic smartphone use with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in university students before and after the COVID-19 outbreak: A meta-analysis

Background and aimProblematic smartphone use (PSU) has been suggested to present with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (SI) as well as sleep disturbance, lack of social support, and emotional isolation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between PSU with depressive symptoms and SI in university students, and to determine the potential influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. MethodsObservational studies pertinent to our research were identified through comprehensive searches of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. To account for potential heterogeneity, the random-effects models were employed to aggregate the findings. ResultsEighteen datasets from 17 case-control studies, including 24,019 university students, were included. Among them, 8,775 (36.5 %) had PSU. A higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 2.40, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 2.19 to 2.63, p < 0.001; prediction interval: 1.95 to 2.96) was observed in university students with higher scores for PSU measures. A subgroup analysis showed a stronger association between PSU and depressive symptoms after the COVID-19 outbreak as compared to that before the outbreak (OR: 2.76 versus 2.16, p for subgroup difference = 0.002), which explained the heterogeneity. The association between PSU and depressive symptoms in university students was similar to those reported in studies from China and other countries, and in studies with different quality scores. Finally, a meta-analysis of three studies suggested that PSU was also associated with the prevalence of SI (OR: 2.18, 95 % CI: 1.77 to 2.68, p < 0.001; I2 = 0 %). ConclusionIn university students, PSU may be a risk factor for depressive symptoms and SI, and the association between PSU and depressive symptoms became stronger after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The sex difference in self-rated health among older Turkish and Moroccan migrants in the Netherlands: an exploratory study of contributing determinants

BackgroundAlthough being a woman and having a migration background are strong predictors of poor self-rated health among (older) adults, research on the sex difference in self-rated health among (older) migrants remains limited. This study therefore aims to investigate this topic and explore the contributing role of determinants of self-rated health.MethodsCross-sectional data from 360 Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch adults aged 55–65 as part of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used. Self-rated health (good versus poor) was measured by a single item question. Univariate age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the sex difference in self-rated health and the contribution of sex differences in sensitivity (strength of the association) and/or exposure (prevalence) to socio-demographic, social, lifestyle or health-related determinants of self-rated health.ResultsWomen had a 0.53 times lower odds (95%CI:0.40–0.82, p = 0.004) on good self-rated health compared to men. Women more often having a lower education level, living alone and having a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, chronic diseases and especially functional limitations contributed to the lower self-rated health among women. In contrast, men were more sensitive to the impact of memory complaints, depressive symptoms, visual difficulties and functional limitations.ConclusionsOlder Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch women have a significant lower self-rated health compared to men. Women having a higher exposure to both socio-demographic and health-related determinants of self-rated health, which contributed to the sex difference. Future research should take these differences in self-rated health and determinants between women and men into account when investigating health among older migrants.

Depressive symptoms and its associated factors among secondary school adolescents of Birtamod Municipality, Jhapa, Nepal.

Depression is a rising public health concern affecting adolescents' mental health throughout the world. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its associated factors among adolescents from urban Nepal. The depressive symptoms among 271 randomly selected secondary school adolescents of Britamod Municipality were assessed using Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were executed to assess the statistical relationship between potential risk factors and depressive symptoms at 5% level of significance. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 42.8% (95% CI: 37.3-49.1%). Multiple logistic regression revealed that female adolescents (aOR: 2.309, 95% CI: 1.233-4.325), adolescents enrolled in higher grades i.e. 10th grade (aOR: 4.576, 95% CI: 1.482-9.128), studying at private school (aOR: 2.302, 95% CI: 1.184-4.476), not sharing their problems with their friends (aOR: 3.022, 95% CI: 1.477-6.186), presence of perceived academic stress (aOR: 2.388, 95% CI: 1.263-4.518), dissatisfaction with current academic performance (aOR: 2.278, 95% CI: 1.141-4.518), lower perceived family support (aOR: 3.440, 95% CI: 1.276-9.275), and lower self-esteem (aOR: 2.139, 95% CI: 1.061-8.708) had higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. There is a high prevalence of depression among Nepalese adolescents. The findings highlight the need for health promotion interventions focusing on mental health awareness, enhancing social support systems, and implementing stress reduction strategies within schools to mitigate the burden of depression among Nepalese adolescents.

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms at 42 days among 2462 women in China

BackgroundPostpartum depression is a common and serious mental health problem that is affecting an increasing percentage of the world's population. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms in Beijing, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify several potential risk factors. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at Peking University First Hospital from 2020 to 2021. Women who delivered and had postpartum reviews at 42 days after delivery were invited to complete the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) under the guidance of trained nurses. A score of ≥10 was used as the threshold of postpartum depression. t-tests, chi-square tests or Mann–Whitney U tests were applied. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms. ResultsA total of 2462 mothers were included in this study, 20.2 % of whom were considered to have postpartum depressive symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that formula feeding (OR = 2.219, 95 % CI: 1.300–3.786, P = 0.013), preterm birth (OR = 1.619, 95 % CI: 1.108–2.367, P = 0.013), cervical insufficiency (OR 3.022, 95 % CI: 1.200–7.615, P = 0.019) and history of depression (OR = 6.519, 95 % CI: 1.537–27.659, P = 0.011) were associated with a high prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms in developed regions of China during the COVID-19 pandemic. More attention should be given to mothers with risk factors for PPD, and follow-up care is needed.

Health behaviors and depressive symptoms in Peruvian adults: A national survey analysis

BackgroundHealth behaviors, such as inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol abuse, and smoking, can impact mental health. This study aimed to assess the association between these behaviors and depressive symptoms in Peruvian adults. MethodsWe conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Peruvian Demographic Health Survey (ENDES). The outcome was the presence of depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9, while exposure variables were inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol abuse, and smoking. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). ResultsA total of 30,449 individuals were analyzed. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 6.8 %. In the adjusted analysis, alcohol abuse (aOR: 1.88; 95 % CI: 1.36 – 2.61) and daily smoking (aOR: 2.69; 95 % CI: 1.69 – 4.30) were associated with higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. When stratifying by sex, we obtained similar results. ConclusionAlcohol abuse and smoking were associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in Peruvian adults. These findings support the promotion of healthy behaviors to improve mental health.

A Systematic Review of the Spectrum and Prevalence of Non-motor Symptoms in Multiple System Atrophy.

Patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) frequently report non-motor symptoms, and several research groups have highlighted this. We systematically searched for and reviewed papers assessing prevalence of non-motor symptoms (NMS) in MSA patients as reported in the scientific literature. We performed a systematic review of studies of subjects with MSA (involving > 10 patients) who were assessed for NMS, published in the English literature in PUBMED and EMBASE databases from 1947-2022. 23 research papers, with data from 2648 clinically diagnosed and 171 pathologically verified cases of MSA were included, along with 238 controls. Mean age for MSA cases was 61.3 (9.2) years, mean disease duration 3.6 (2.7) years. 57.9% were male. Our analysis showed that the prevalence of cognitive issues in MSA variedwidely (between 15-100%); dementia per se was uncommon, but assessment in advanced stagesof MSA is impacted by unintelligible speech (which may be noted in a quarter of cases). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in MSA was between 44-88%. Sleep disturbances were reported by 17-89%, with REM-sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) rates as high as 75%. Pain was reported by 40-47% of patients: rheumatic or musculoskeletal sources of pain being commonest. Fatigue was reported by 29-60%of patients. Symptoms of autonomic failure in MSA were seen in 34-96.5% patients at baseline. In routine clinical practice, NMS in MSA are under-recognised by clinicians. These impact hugely on patient quality of life and contribute to theiroverall morbidity. A methodical ascertainment of these complaints will address an unmet need, and lead to a more holisticapproach of care forindividuals with MSA.

Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19 and Related Factors in Korean Adults With Depressive Symptoms: Results From an Analysis of the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey.

This study evaluated protective behaviors against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and related factors in individuals with depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study included data from the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey. Depressive symptoms, COVID- 19 protection behaviors, and related factors were investigated in 228,485 people. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze categorical variables. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 27.0). In the study, 3.9% (n=8,970) had depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in individuals in their 19-39 years , and ≥60s than in those in their 40-59 years (p<0.001). Lower education level and household income were associated with a higher prevalence of depression (p<0.001). Among the various occupations, service workers had the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Individuals with depressive symptoms were less likely to adopt protective behaviors against COVID-19 (p<0.001) or exhibit concerns regarding death and economic damage (p<0.001) compared to individuals without depressive symptoms. Individuals with depressive symptoms were more likely to have unhealthy behaviors than those without depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Individuals with depressive symptoms considered that the COVID-19 response by the government and other organizations was inadequate (p<0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with depressive symptoms faced greater challenges in adopting protective behaviors. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies to protect people with depressive symptoms during another pandemic in the future.

Depression and Anxiety of Portuguese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study about Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background. The mental health of university students has worsened over time, and it is young people who have suffered the most from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of mental health. Anxiety and depression are the most common symptoms reported by university students and are often the cause of disabilities, either in academic performance or in other spheres of life. Aim. The aim of this study was to both assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Portuguese university students and analyze the factors associated with these symptoms. Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample of 3,399 university students from seven Portuguese higher education institutions was conducted. The following questionnaires were used: the generalized anxiety disorder assessment scale (GAD-7), the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a study-created sociodemographic questionnaire. The Kendall correlation coefficient, chi-square test of independence, Spearman correlation coefficient, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann–Whitney-Wilcoxon test, and Kruskall-Wallis test were used to analyze the association between variables. The statistical analysis was done using the software R Statistics (Version 4.0.4), using a significance level of 0.05. Results. Mild to severe anxiety symptoms were reported by 75% of the participants, and 61.2% described mild to severe depressive symptoms. Of the sample, 19.5% reported a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder, with 38.7% diagnosed after the pandemic began. Additionally, 23% reported taking medication for mental health issues, and 26.7% had considered self-harm or harbored thoughts of being “better off dead.” The study found lower anxiety and depressive symptoms (p&lt;0.05) among men, students with higher socioeconomic status, those who frequently traveled home, individuals without prior mental health diagnoses, those with better academic performance, and those who avoided substances like coffee, tobacco, cannabis, and other illegal psychoactive substances. Interestingly, students in romantic relationships exhibited more anxiety symptoms (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, participants who believed they had experienced moral or sexual harassment displayed higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions. There was a decrease in the mental health of university students after the pandemic compared to prepandemic studies, and the proportion of students with anxiety and depressive symptoms was alarming. There is an urgent need to implement programs in universities to promote students’ mental health.

The impact of intimate partner violence on depressive symptoms among college students: A moderated mediation model of the big five personality traits and perceived social support

BackgroundPrevious study has identified a connection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and depressive symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms of this connection have not yet been well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of big five personality traits and perceived social support on the association between IPV and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among college students in 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, and 4 municipalities in China from June to August 2022. Intimate Partner Violence Questionnaire was used to measure the frequency of exposure to IPV. The big five personality traits were measured by 10-item Big Five Inventory, Perceptive Social Support Scale-3 items was used to estimate the degree of perceived social support and the data on depressive symptoms were collected by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items. We used data from the “Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents in 2022”, which includes 6686 valid questionnaires of college students. The PROCESS macro developed by Hayes was utilized to perform moderated mediation analysis. ResultsAmong college students, IPV had a significant direct impact on depressive symptoms. Extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism mediated the association between IPV and depressive symptoms (β = −0.08, P < 0.001; β = −0.08, P < 0.001; β = −0.14, P < 0.001; β = 0.20, P < 0.001). Perceived social support significantly moderated the mediating role of the big five personality traits between IPV and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, perceived social support moderated the direct relationship between IPV and depressive symptoms (β = 0.34, P < 0.001), as well as the indirect path of extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism and the first half of the mediating role of conscientiousness. Moreover, perceived social support was one of the preventive factors that could effectively mitigate the harmful effects of IPV, neuroticism and depressive symptoms. LimitationsAs this was a cross-sectional study, we were unable to investigate causal relationships between variables. The prevalence of IPV and depressive symptoms were self-reported by the college students, and there may be reporting bias. Additionally, this study only explored the influence and mechanism from the integrated dimension of IPV and PSSS, due to spatial constraints. ConclusionsThe findings contribute to the existing understanding by clarifying the fundamental mechanisms linking IPV and depressive symptoms. These results may serve as a valuable reference for the Chinese government to improve mental health among college students.