Psychiatric Morbidity Research Articles

Coping Strategies and Psychiatric Morbidities among Spouses of Alcohol Dependent Men

Coping Strategies and Psychiatric Morbidities among Spouses of Alcohol Dependent Men

Psychiatric morbidity and work participation in patients with congenital ventricular septal defects: a case-controlled study.

The burden of psychiatric morbidity, level of education, and work participation are currently unknown in patients with congenital ventricular septal defects (VSD). In a Danish population-based cohort study using nationwide medical registries, the burden of psychiatric disorders, use of psychotropic agents, level of education, and work participation were examined in patients with isolated congenital VSD and controls from the general population matched by age and sex. Subjects with known chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. To compute estimates, Cox proportional regression model, Fine and Gray's competing risk regression, and Kaplan-Meier failure function were used. We included 8006 patients and 79568 controls born before 2018. Median follow-up was 23 years. Compared with controls, patients with VSD displayed a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.32] for any psychiatric disorder where the hazard for intellectual disabilities was most pronounced [HR of 3.66 (95% CI: 2.98-4.50)]. The use of psychotropic agents was higher in patients compared with controls [HR 1.14 (95% CI: 1.09-1.20)]. The work participation was lower in patients with VSD compared with controls (P<0.001) and was lower in patients with VSD with a psychiatric disorder compared with those without (P<0.001). The 40-year cumulative incidence of permanent social security benefits was 29% in patients with psychiatric disorders (vs. 21% in controls with psychiatric disorders) and 8% in patients without psychiatric disorders (vs. 4% in controls). Patients with isolated VSD suffer from a higher burden of psychiatric disorders and display lower work participation compared with matched controls from the general Danish population. It is important to consider longer-term impacts on mental health, education, and subsequent employment in patients with VSD, in addition to cardiovascular effects, as these factors severely affect quality of life and have direct socioeconomic implications on an individual and societal level.

Identifying opportunities for prevention of adverse outcomes following female genital fistula repair: protocol for a mixed-methods study in Uganda

BackgroundFemale genital fistula is a traumatic debilitating injury, frequently caused by prolonged obstructed labor, affecting between 500,000-2 million women in lower-resource settings. Vesicovaginal fistula causes urinary incontinence, and other morbidity may occur during fistula development. Women with fistula are stigmatized, limit social and economic engagement, and experience psychiatric morbidity. Improved surgical access has reduced fistula consequences yet post-repair risks impacting quality of life and well-being include fistula repair breakdown or recurrence and ongoing or changing urine leakage or incontinence. Limited evidence on risk factors contributing to adverse outcomes hinders interventions to mitigate adverse events. This study aims to quantify these adverse risks and inform clinical and counseling interventions to optimize women’s health and quality of life following fistula repair through: identifying predictors and characteristics of post-repair fistula breakdown and recurrence (Objective 1) and post-repair incontinence (Objective 2), and to identify feasible and acceptable intervention strategies (Objective 3).MethodsThis mixed-methods study incorporates a prospective cohort of women with successful vesicovaginal fistula repair at approximately 12 fistula repair centers in Uganda (Objectives 1-2) followed by qualitative inquiry among key stakeholders (Objective 3). Cohort participants will have a baseline visit at the time of surgery followed by data collection at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and quarterly thereafter for 3 years. Primary predictors to be evaluated include patient-related factors, fistula-related factors, fistula repair-related factors, and post-repair behaviors and exposures, collected via structured questionnaire at all data collection points. Clinical exams will be conducted at baseline, 2 weeks post-surgery, and for outcome confirmation at symptom development. Primary outcomes are fistula repair breakdown or fistula recurrence and post-repair incontinence. In-depth interviews will be conducted with cohort participants (n ~ 40) and other key stakeholders (~ 40 including family, peers, community members and clinical/social service providers) to inform feasibility and acceptability of recommendations.DiscussionParticipant recruitment is underway. This study is expected to identify key predictors that can directly improve fistula repair and post-repair programs and women’s outcomes, optimizing health and quality of life. Furthermore, our study will create a comprehensive longitudinal dataset capable of supporting broad inquiry into post-fistula repair health.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05437939.

Impacts of compounding drought and heatwave events on child mental health: insights from a spatial clustering analysis

BackgroundConcurrent heatwave and drought events may have larger health impacts than each event separately; however, no US-based studies have examined differential mental health impacts of compound drought and heatwave events in pediatric populations.ObjectiveTo examine the spatial patterns of mood disorders and suicide-related emergency department (ED) visits in children during heatwave, drought, and compound heatwave and drought events. We tested whether the occurrence of compound heatwave and drought events have a synergistic (multiplicative) effect on the risk of mental health related outcomes in children as compared to the additive effect of each individual climate hazard. Lastly, we identified household and community-level determinants of geographic variability of high psychiatric burden.MethodsDaily counts of psychiatric ED visits in North Carolina from 2016 to 2019 (May to Sept) for pediatric populations were aggregated at the county scale. Bernoulli cluster analyses identified high-risk spatial clusters of psychiatric morbidity during heatwave, drought, or compound heatwave and drought periods. Multivariate adaptive regression models examined the individual importance of household and community-level determinants in predicting high-risk clustering of mood disorders or suicidality across the three climate threats.ResultsResults showed significant spatial clustering of suicide and mood disorder risks in children during heatwave, drought, and compound event periods. Periods of drought were associated with the highest likelihood of spatial clustering for suicide and mood disorders, where the risk of an ED visit was 4.48 and 6.32 times higher, respectively, compared to non-drought periods. Compounding events were associated with a threefold increase in both suicide and mood disorder-related ED visits. Community and household vulnerability factors that most contributed to spatial clustering varied across climate hazards, but consistent determinants included residential segregation, green space availability, low English proficiency, overcrowding, no broadband access, no vehicle access, housing vacancy, and availability of housing units.ConclusionFindings advance understanding on the locations of vulnerable pediatric populations who are disproportionately exposed to compounding climate stressors and identify community resilience factors to target in public health adaptation strategies.

Psychiatric Morbidity and Assessment of its Severity in Gynaecologic Oncology Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Several psychological and social factors influence the incidence, treatment, and outcome of cancer patients. Depressive symptoms are more common in cancer patients, particularly in late stages. Women in Indian settings often exhibit delayed treatment-seeking behaviour. Aim: To assess the prevalence, type, and severity of psychiatric morbidity as well as the duration, type, and stage of illness in gynaecological oncology patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 gynaecological oncology patients aged 18 to 65 years, who were attending the gynaecologic Outpatient Department (OPD) and ward at a tertiary care hospital. The study took place at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, between May 2013 and November 2013. Data was collected using a semistructured questionnaire from the patient and a reliable informant, after obtaining informed consent. The data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Central values, dispersion, and Chi-square tests were calculated. Results: The sample comprised 100 gynaecological oncology patients, with 30 (30%) diagnosed with malignancy, 43 (43%) with a benign condition, and 27 (27%) under investigation. Among the 100 patients assessed, 34 (34%) had psychiatric morbidity. There was a significantly higher prevalence among older patients, those with more than six months’ duration of gynaecological morbidity, and those exhibiting non fatal suicidal behaviour. Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is highly prevalent in gynaecological oncology patients. Depression was found to be more frequent and severe in patients with cancer. A previous history of suicidal attempts and a family history of psychiatric illness are important predictors of psychiatric morbidity in this population. Future studies on a larger population should explore the biological relationship between gynaecological oncology and psychiatric illness.

Psychiatric Morbidity Among Convicted Prisoners: An Analysis of Personality Correlates

Abstract Context: Personality traits influence one’s behavior and are an important determinant of psychological well-being. Though personality traits influencing criminal behavior have been well researched, the influence of these personality traits on the mental health of prisoners still needs to be studied. Aims: The current study was undertaken with the aim to compare the personality traits of convicted prisoners with and without psychiatric morbidity. Settings and Design: Two hundred convicted prisoners were administered a semi-structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and criminological variables and their personality characteristics were assessed using the Hindi PEN inventory. Subjects and Methods: They were categorized into two groups, i.e., with and without psychiatric morbidity based on whether or not they had any psychiatric disorder when assessed using mini-international neuropsychiatric interview and their personality characteristics were compared. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequencies with percentages, mean, and standard deviations were calculated for descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Mann–Whitney test was used for comparing two samples and Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks was used for comparing more than two samples. Spearman rank correlation was used for assessing the correlation between two variables. The level of significance was set at P &lt; 0.05. Results: Convicts with psychiatric disorders scored significantly higher on neuroticism (10.78 ± 3.51) and psychoticism (8.64 ± 2.93) dimensions of personality as compared to their counterparts without psychiatric morbidity who had significantly higher scores on Extraversion (12.35 ± 2.92) (P &lt; 0.01). Male convicts had significantly higher scores on the extraversion dimension of personality (10.79 ± 3.77) compared to their female counterparts (9.27 ± 3.49; P &lt; 0.01) There was a significant negative correlation between extraversion and neuroticism (=−0.509), extraversion and psychoticism (=−0.355) and a high positive relationship between neuroticism and psychoticism (=0.634). Conclusions: A baseline personality assessment of prisoners at the time of intake into jail is strongly recommended to identify those with high vulnerability to develop psychiatric problems so that effective and timely interventions can be planned.

Patterns of psychiatric morbidity among tribal patients in a tertiary referral hospital of Manipur

Background: The epidemiological data regarding the prevalence rate of mental illness among tribal population are silent in India, in spite of having the largest tribal population globally. There is limited knowledge of the actual mental morbidity among the tribal people of Manipur. The present study aims to document the patterns of psychiatric morbidity among the tribal inpatients and outpatients attending the psychiatry outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted in the present study. All adult tribal patients designated/notified as a tribal by the Government of Manipur residing at least 10 years in different parts of the state attending as outpatients or inpatients in the Department of Psychiatry, RIMS, Imphal during the study period were considered the study population of the present study. A total of 240 samples were collected through consecutive sampling method. Each prospective participant was explained about the study’s objectives, interviewing protocols, and confidentiality measures. Following the participant’s consent, a self-developed semi-structured pro forma and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for adults were used for data collection. Results: The present finding undoubtedly discovered that the highest percentage of tribal patients suffering from various types of psychiatric morbidity was found to be substance-use disorder (32%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (25%), depression (14%), schizophrenia (12%), bipolar affective disorder (10%), and psychosis NOS (7%). Regarding various types of psychiatric morbidity with respect to the gender of tribal patients, no association was found between psychosis NOS (P = 0.779) and schizophrenia (P = 0.558), whereas generalized anxiety disorder (P = 0.001), depression (P = 0.031), and bipolar affective disorder (P = 0.007) were having an association between gender. Conclusion: It was determined that the most prevalent psychiatric morbidity among Manipur’s tribal patients was substance use disorder. In addition, it was stated that 72% of them had typical common mental disorders. Female tribal patients were more likely to experience psychiatric morbidity such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, whereas male tribal patients were more likely to experience opioid dependence syndrome, alcohol dependence syndrome, and cannabis-induced psychiatric disorders. The result of the study would help improve the clinical management and successful execution of mental health treatment initiatives in areas with a predominance of tribal people.

Long-term benzodiazepine use and risk of labor market marginalization in Finland: A cohort study with 5-year follow-up.

Benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZDRs) are widely used in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders, but cognitive adverse effects have been reported in long-term use, and these may increase the risk of labor market marginalization (LMM). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the risk of LMM is associated with new long-term BZDR use compared to short-term use. This register-based nationwide cohort study from Finland included 37,703 incident BZDR users aged 18-60years who initiated BZDR use in 2006. During the first year of use, BZDR users were categorized as long-term users (≥180days) versus short-term users based on PRE2DUP method. The main outcome was LMM, defined as receipt of disability pension, long-term sickness absence (>90days), or long-term unemployment (>180days). The risk of outcomes was analyzed with Cox regression models, adjusted with sociodemographic background, somatic and psychiatric morbidity, other types of medication and previous sickness absence. During 5 years of follow-up, long-term use (34.4%, N=12,962) was associated with 27% (adjusted Hazard Ratio, aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.23-1.31) increased risk of LMM compared with short-term use. Long-term use was associated with 42% (aHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.34-1.50) increased risk of disability pension and 26% increased risk of both long-term unemployment and long-term sickness absence. These results indicate that long-term use of BZDRs is associated with increased risk of dropping out from labor market. This may be partly explained by cognitive adverse effects of prolonged BZDR use, which should be taken into account when prescribing BZDRs.

Prevalence and Pattern of Psychiatric Morbidity among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Kano

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), has remained a disease of public health concern, with the largest burden being found in sub Saharan Africa. The advent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced the mortality of the disease, thereby transforming it to a chronic disorder, with significant co-morbid psychiatric sequalae.&#x0D; Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of psychiatric morbidity among PLWHA attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.&#x0D; Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study of adult patients with HIV/AIDS attending outpatient clinic at the S.S. Wali Virology Centre of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital who gave informed consent. Systematic random sampling technique was used.Patients aged 18years and above who had been on ARV drugs for at least one year were included, while those who had a medical emergency and needed immediate attention were excluded.Socio demographic characteristics were obtained using a socio-demographic questionnaire and psychiatric morbidity was assessed with the MINI International Neuropsychiatry Interview.&#x0D; Results: A total of 420 participants were recruited in the study with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5 and mean age of 40.4±10.0 years. The prevalence of a psychiatric disorder was 22.1% out of whom 5.0% had more than one psychiatric diagnosis. Major depression was the most common (11%) psychiatric disorder. Generalized Anxiety disorder, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse accounted for 7.6%, 5.5%, 2.4% and 1.7% of psychiatric disorders respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders are common in PLWHA, with major depression being the commonest.

Study on Psychiatric Morbidity Among Patients Diagnosed with Dengue Fever

Study on Psychiatric Morbidity Among Patients Diagnosed with Dengue Fever

An exploratory study of psychosis risk factors in individuals who are referred but do not meet criteria for an early intervention in psychosis service.

The 'at-risk mental state' (ARMS) for psychosis has been critiqued for its limited prognostic ability and identification of a limited proportion of those who will develop a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Broadening the search for high-risk groups is key to improving population-level ascertainment of psychosis risk. To explore risk enrichment in diagnostic, demographic and socio-functional domains among individuals referred to an early intervention in psychosis (EIP) service not meeting ARMS or FEP criteria. A retrospective file review of 16 years of referrals to a tertiary EIP service in Ireland was undertaken. Diagnostic outcomes from standardised assessments (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM), demographic (age, gender, family history, nationality) and socio-occupational (relationship status, living status, working status) variables were compiled for those not meeting criteria. These were compared with individuals diagnosed with an FEP in the same period. From 2005 to 2021 inclusive, of 2025 index assessments, 27.6% (n = 558) did not meet either FEP or ARMS criteria, which is notably higher than the 5.4% (n = 110) meeting ARMS criteria. This group had high psychiatric morbidity, with 65.4% meeting criteria for at least one DSM Axis I disorder. Depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders predominated. Their functional markers were poor, and comparable to the FEP cohort. This group is enriched for psychosis risk factors. They are a larger group than those meeting ARMS criteria, a finding that may reflect EIP service configuration. They may be an important focus for further study in the search for at-risk populations beyond the current ARMS model.

The public health significance of prior homelessness: findings on multimorbidity and mental health from a nationally representative survey.

The associations of prior homelessness with current health are unknown. Using nationally representative data collected in private households in England, this study aimed to examine Common Mental Disorders (CMDs), physical health, alcohol/substance dependence, and multimorbidities in people who formerly experienced homelessness compared to people who never experienced homelessness. This cross-sectional study utilised data from the 2007 and 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys. Former homelessness and current physical health problems were self-reported. Current CMDs, alcohol dependence and substance dependence were ascertained using structured validated scales. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to compare multimorbidities (conditions in combination) for participants who formerly experienced homelessness with those who had never experienced homelessness, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status and adverse experiences. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated. Of 13,859 people in the sample, 535 formerly experienced homelessness (3.6%, 95% CI 3.2-4.0). 44.8% of people who formerly experienced homelessness had CMDs (95% CI 40.2-49.5), compared to 15.0% (95% CI 14.3-15.7) for those who had never experienced homelessness. There were substantial associations between prior homelessness and physical multimorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.98, 95% CI 1.53-2.57), CMD-physical multimorbidity (aOR 3.43, 95% CI 2.77-4.25), CMD-alcohol/substance multimorbidity (aOR 3.53, 95% CI 2.49-5.01) and trimorbidity (CMD-alcohol/substance-physical multimorbidity) (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 2.20-4.83), in models adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and smoking. After further adjustment for adverse experiences, associations attenuated but persisted for physical multimorbidity (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10-1.79) and CMD-physical multimorbidity (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.20-2.00). The largest PAFs were observed for CMD-alcohol/substance multimorbidity (17%) and trimorbidity (16%). Even in people currently rehoused, marked inequities across multimorbidities remained evident, highlighting the need for longer-term integrated support for people who have previously experienced homelessness.

All-cause and suicide mortalities among adolescents and young adults who contacted specialised gender identity services in Finland in 1996–2019: a register study

BackgroundAll-cause and suicide mortalities of gender-referred adolescents compared with matched controls have not been studied, and particularly the role of psychiatric morbidity in mortality is unknown.ObjectiveTo examine all-cause and suicide...

Morbidity Pattern in Psychiatry Ward in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Worldwide mental health conditions are in increasing trend. South Asian countries report the highest prevalence of common mental disorders globally, which accounts for 8.8% to 16.6% of the total burden of disease. In Nepal, the prevalence of mental disorders among adults and children is 13.2% and 11.2%, respectively. In Nepal, there is limited data on the pattern of morbidity in inpatient psychiatric wards. Hence, the need is felt to carry out this study to monitor the psychiatric morbidity patterns of patients admitted to the psychiatric ward. Methods: This is a retrospective, cross- sectional study conducted in Kist Medical College. After ethical approval from Institutional Review committee, the data of all patients admitted to Psychiatry Ward of Kist Medical College Teaching Hospital from 14 th April, 2022 to 13 th April, 2023 were collected from Record section. We used ICD-10 and CDDG criteria for the diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Out of 285 patients 70.40% patients belonged to age group 25-54 years .The mean age with standard deviation was 55.4±72.3 years. Most of the patients were Male (72.60%) and Janajati (44.80%). The most common diagnosis was Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. The duration of hospital stay of most (46.90%) of the patient was 1-2 weeks. Conclusion: The most common diagnosis for which admission was made in Kist Medical College was Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. This indicate that the alcohol related disorder may have important implications for care and planning in the community. The overall outcome was satisfactory.

Association of Central serous chorioretinopathy with type of personality, anxiety and depression.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) a relatively common cause of visual impairment, which is characterized by subretinal fluid accumulation in the macula and is more common in middle-aged males. Various risk factors have been reported in literature, among which substantial role of psychological factors is cited. Our aim was to look for the prevalence and association of the psychiatric factors in CSCR patients and to compare them with other non-chorioretinal ocular pathologies. A cross-sectional correlational study was undertaken involving 91 CSCR patients, along with 91 patients with other non-chorioretinal diseases. Their risk factors, clinical history, ocular examination, and psychiatric assessments were done using standardized tools, and the groups were compared in terms of scoring of Framingham Type A scale (FTAS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). CSCR patients had a male:female ratio of 8:1. Chronic, bilateral, and recurrent diseases were found in 15%, 20%, and 23% cases, respectively. Anxiety disorder had a prevalence of 40%, followed by major depression with a prevalence of 24%, and these were significantly higher than non-chorioretinal disease patients (odds ratios 14.18 and 5.30, respectively). Also, these psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with an overall lower visual acuity and greater central macular thickness due to subretinal fluid accumulation. Psychiatric comorbidities like Type A personality trait and depression and anxiety disorders were significantly more prevalent in CSCR patients, compared to non-chorioretinal pathologies. Focus on psychological health would certainly benefit these patients in terms of better management of not only CSCR, but their psychiatric morbidity as well.

ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF TACTILE HALLUCINATIONS

Abstract Tactile hallucinations can be highly distressing and lead to psychiatric morbidities and functional impairments. There are no established treatments for tactile hallucinations that occur outside of primary psychotic disorders, and available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies may have limited effectiveness. We present a case of a 75-year-old female with treatment-refractory tactile hallucinations successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). She endorsed 13 months of distressing tactile hallucinations described as slimly substances on her skin. Symptoms started insidiously, became more severe with time and refractory to multiple antipsychotic medications. She became so severely distressed from the tactile hallucinations that she developed a major depressive episode and became suicidal. Relevant medical history included one prior depressive episode, occipital lobe stroke, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. She was hospitalized in an inpatient psychogeriatric unit and treated with ECT for 12 sessions over 3.5 weeks. Hallucinations responded well to ECT. Patient experienced some mild memory impairment from treatment. Treatment was optimized with duloxetine titration, addition of mirtazapine and repletion of B6 vitamin. Following the acute course of ECT, she reported an 80 % improvement in tactile hallucinations. Depressive symptoms improved, and suicidal thoughts resolved. She was able to discharge from the hospital and continued with maintenance ECT. Our case illustrates the potential therapeutic role of brain stimulation in the treatment of refractory cases of tactile hallucinations. Further studies are needed to determine effective treatment strategies for treatment-refractory tactile hallucinations to prevent progression to severe psychiatric disturbances and improve quality of life.

Mental health of transgender children and adolescents: a systematic review

Introduction: Studies on the mental health of transgender children and adolescents express high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. It is important to highlight that this is probably due to the minority stress with which these individuals deal since the infrastructures and social policies are designed to treat and welcome cisgenders, based on a normative character. This configuration is associated with a long and past history, of continuous prejudice, stigmatization, and discrimination, conflicts between appearance and gender identity, and rejection in social and family environments. All of these factors contribute decisively to the serious psychiatric morbidity perceived in this population. Objective: The present article aims to identify the relevant aspects of the mental health of transgender children and adolescents and explore other factors associated with the reduction of psychopathological disorders in this population. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library indexed databases, using the descriptors "mental health", "transgender persons" and "children" with the Boolean operator AND. Studies discussing the subject, published between 2010 and 2020 in all available languages, were included, and those that did not meet the criteria were excluded. The survey and screening were carried out in parallel by three researchers, disclosing in the selection of 56 articles. Results: The studies indicated a higher frequency of psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, ideation and suicide, self-harm, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and other risk behaviors in the studied population when compared to the rest of the population. The studies also presented other aspects related to the mental health, such as the importance of family support, social transition, and institutional, medical, and psychological support. Conclusion: The evidence presents the challenges faced by this population in their needs and assured rights, culminating in the developing or worsening of psychological disorders.

The Psychological Impact of Isotretinoin Therapy on Acne Vulgaris Patients.

Introduction Acne vulgaris is a dermatologic condition that affects the pilosebaceous unit. It is the most common skin disorder worldwide, and it is most prevalent during puberty. For patients with moderate to severe acne that is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment, the main treatment is oral isotretinoin. The objective of this study was to define the impact of isotretinoin and its well-established adverse effects on the psychological status of acne patients during treatment. Methods The sample cohort included 80 patients with acne vulgaris who were treated with isotretinoin. The sample size was calculated using the Raosoft [Raosoft.com (2015) Sample Size Calculator by Raosoft, Inc.] sample size calculator to maintain a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 5%. The participants were assessed using the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The DASS-21 is a self-reporting scale used to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted at the dermatology outpatient clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris between January and April 2020 were included in the study. A multivariate regression analysis was also conducted to determine the presence of any significant independent factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. A P-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We observed that the most prevalent psychiatric disorder among acne patients on isotretinoin therapy was anxiety. Our results also indicate that a history of mental illness is an independent risk factor for developing depression when isotretinoin is used. In addition, known adverse physical effects of isotretinoin treatment, including muscle pain, arthralgia, and headaches significantly increase the likelihood of patients developing psychiatric morbidity during therapy. Conclusion Isotretinoin is a highly potent therapy for acne. Overall, the physical side effects profile is well acknowledged, yet the exact psychological impact the treatment predisposes the patients to is yet to be determined.

Incidence of Psychiatric Morbidities among Patients with Diabetes at a Tertiary Healthcare Centre: An Observational Study

Incidence of Psychiatric Morbidities among Patients with Diabetes at a Tertiary Healthcare Centre: An Observational Study

Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Transgender Individuals Among Residents of Mashhad, Iran in 2020.

A growing number of studies show that transgender people are at higher risk for psychiatric morbidities. This increased vulnerability can result from the discrimination, violence, and other forms of stigma transgender people experience. Several studies have assessed the stigma by studying the public attitudes and beliefs towards transgender people. Using the Genderism and Transphobia Scale, we evaluated how citizens of a metropolitan city in Iran think and feel about transgender people. A total number of 1202 participants, with a mean age of 41.57 years ± 13.41 (27.4% cisgender men and 72.6% cisgender women), were recruited via a random cluster sampling. Demographic data and socioeconomic status were collected for all the participants. The findings showed a notable level of transphobia. Participants identifying as men, being single, personally acquainted with a transgender individual, possessing a higher education, and having a higher socioeconomic standing displayed significantly more positive views towards transgender people. Iranian transgender people, living under a theocratic state, experience more challenges compared to those live in Western countries. Our findings demonstrate that educational level accounted for much of the variance in transgender attitudes. Therefore, representing transgender issues in social media can educate the general population and positively change attitudes and behaviors.