Depression Symptoms Scale Research Articles

Screening for anxiety and depression in Primary Care: Utility of 2 brief scales adapted to the ICD-11-PC

IntroductionThe World Health Organization has developed a new classification of mental disorders in Primary Health Care (PHC), the ICD-11-PHC, in which there are changes in the diagnostic criteria of anxiety and depression disorder. In addition, 2 screening instruments have been developed for the detection of anxious and depressive symptoms according to the criteria of the new classification. ObjectivesTo evaluate the capacity of the Spanish version of the 2 brief scales Dep5 and Anx5 to identify cases of depression and anxiety in PHC in Spain. MethodA cross-sectional study conducted by 37 PHC physicians who selected 284 patients with suspected emotional distress. This sample was administered the screening scales (Anx5 and Dep5) and a diagnostic instrument (Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised) contemplating the new ICD-11 criteria as used as gold standard. ResultsThe Anx5, using a cut-off point of 3, showed a sensitivity of 0.75 and specificity of 0.53. Using a cut-off point of 4, the Dep5 showed a sensitivity of 0.48 and a specificity of 0.8. The 2 scales together, with a cut-off point of 3 for each, classified correctly 73,57% as cases or non-cases. The diagnosis most frequently observed was anxious depression. ConclusionsThe screening scales for anxious and depressive symptoms (Anx5 and Dep5) are simple and easy-to-use instruments for assessing anxious and depressive symptoms in PHC. The reliability and validity data of each of the scales separately are limited but the figures improve when they are used together.

Perceived Stress Scale, a tool to explore psychological stress in Mexican women.

To examine the factor structure of the 4- and 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) among 1 310 Mexican women participating in a prospective cancer cohort study. We performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in two sub-samples of the Mexican Teachers' Cohort. We evaluated internal consistency, estimated the correlation between PSS-4 and PSS-10, and assessed their correlation with a depressive symptoms scale. Two-factor models were the solutions with the best fit to the data for both PSS-4 and -10, exhibiting strong factor loadings (0.39 to 0.75) and high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.72 and 0.83). The correlation between PSS-4 and PSS-10 was r=0.91 and the correlations of these two scales with a depressive symptoms scale were r=0.41 and r=0.46, respectively. PSS might be an adequate scale to assess perceived stress in this prospective cancer cohort study. PSS-4 may be advantageous due to its simplicity, low cost, and short application time in multicountry studies on stress and cancer.

Associations between increased circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels and anxiety/depressive severity, cognitive deficit and function disability among patients with major depressive disorder

The association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through endothelial dysfunction is bidirectional. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs), essential for endothelial repair and function, are associated with risks of various CVDs. Here, the relationship of cEPC counts with MDD and the related clinical presentations were investigated in 50 patients with MDD and 46 healthy controls. In patients with MDD, a battery of clinical domains was analysed: depressed mood with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), anxiety with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), cognitive dysfunction and deficit with Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression (PDQ-D), somatic symptoms with Depressive and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS), quality of life with 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and functional disability with Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Immature and mature cEPC counts were measured through flow cytometry. Increased mature and immature cEPC counts were significantly associated with higher anxiety after controlling the confounding effect of systolic blood pressure, and potentially associated with more severe depressive symptoms, worse cognitive performance and increased cognitive deficit, higher social disability, and worse mental health outcomes. Thus, cEPCs might have pleiotropic effects on MDD-associated symptoms and psychosocial outcomes.

Effectiveness of usual-care cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with depressive disorders rated by parents and patients \u2013 an observational study

BackgroundDepressive disorders are common in adolescence and are associated with a wide range of negative long-term outcomes. Highly controlled randomized controlled trials (RCT) provide considerable evidence for the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression, but studies examining the effectiveness of CBT in clinical settings are very rare .MethodsIn the present observational study, the changes achieved through routine CBT in adolescents with depressive disorders treated in a clinical setting in terms of a university outpatient clinic were analyzed, and compared to a historical control group of adolescents with depressive disorders who had received treatment as usual. At the start and end of treatment (pre- and post-assessment), parent and self-ratings of the German versions of the Youth Self-Report (YSR), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and rating scales for depressive symptoms (FBB-DES, SBB-DES) were assessed. A total of 331 adolescents aged 11–18 years with complete data were assessed for the main analysis.ResultsThe analysis yielded small to large pre-post effect sizes (Cohen’s d) for the total sample (d = 0.33 to d = 0.82) and large effect sizes for adolescents who were rated in the clinical range on each (sub) scale at the start of treatment (d = 0.85 to d = 1.30). When comparing patients in the clinical range with historical controls, medium to large net effect sizes (d = 0.53 to d = 2.09) emerged for the total scores in self- and parent rating. However, a substantial proportion of the sample remained in the clinical range at the end of treatment.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CBT is effective for adolescents with depressive disorders when administered under routine care conditions, but the results must be interpreted with caution due to the lack of a direct control condition.Trial registrationDRKS, DRKS00021518. Registered 27 April 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://drks.de

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Treatment for Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder With and Without Substance Use Disorders.

Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be challenging due to symptom overlap and limited assessment methods. Preliminary evidence has shown promising effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for BPD with comorbid substance use disorders. The current study compared the benefits of a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program for individuals with BPD with and without substance use disorders through evaluating the changes in coping skills, generalized anxiety, and depression symptom scales at admission and discharge. A total of 76 patients were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of individuals with BPD without substance use disorders (n = 41), and Group 2 involved individuals with BPD and a substance use disorder (SUD) (n = 35). A univariate general linear model showed significant differences between the two groups in improvement of coping skills and depressive symptoms. After a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program there were significant decreases from severe to moderate depression scores in both groups. Our findings support the effectiveness of DBT treatment in patients with comorbid BPD and SUD.

Overwhelmed: a Dementia Caregiver Vital Sign.

The emotional stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is high and results in adverse effects on caregivers and the persons living with disease. In preliminary work, caregiver reports of regularly feeling "completely overwhelmed" were associated with lack of measurable clinical benefit from a comprehensive dementia care program. To examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of all caregivers who felt overwhelmed at entry into a comprehensive dementia care program, the trajectory of this symptom over 1 year, and its predictive value for 1-year caregiver outcomes. Longitudinal cohort study SETTING: Academic health center PARTICIPANTS: Caregivers of patients enrolled in a comprehensive dementia care program EXPOSURES: Caregiver report of feeling "completely overwhelmed" at baseline MAIN MEASURES: Caregiver report of feeling "completely overwhelmed" at baseline and 1 year, and validated scales of caregiver strain, distress, depressive symptoms, burden, mortality, and long-term nursing home placement KEY RESULTS: Compared to caregivers who were not overwhelmed, overwhelmed caregivers had more distress from behavioral symptoms of the person living with dementia, worse depression scores, and higher composite dementia burden scores at baseline. They also had worse depressive symptoms, strain, and composite burden scores at 1 year, after adjustment for baseline scores. Having an overwhelmed caregiver did not predict long-term nursing home placement or mortality among persons with dementia. A single question about whether a caregiver is overwhelmed might indicate caregivers who have considerable current and future symptom burden and who may benefit from increased support and resources.

Protective Factors against Depressive Symptoms in Female American Indian Cancer Survivors: The Role of Physical and Spiritual Well-being and Social Support.

Background:This exploratory study examined how perceived physical well-being, spiritual well-being and social support relate to depressive symptoms among American Indian (AI) female cancer survivors. Methods:Cross-sectional data were obtained from 73 AI female cancer survivors between 32 to 77 years of age in the Midwest of the United States. Standardized measures were used to assess for depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depressive Symptoms Scale Short Form), spiritual well-being (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy, Spiritual Well-being Scale), and social support (Medical Outcomes Study of Social Support Questionnaire). A single item measured physical well-being. After univariate and bivariate analyses, hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) was used for modeling. Results: Approximately 47% of the sample scored higher than 10 on the depressive symptoms scale. HMR results indicated that perceived physical well-being, spiritual well-being, and social support were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, accounting for 47% of the variance in the final model (adjust R2 = 0.47). Conclusions:A high percentage of the sample exceeded the cut point for probable depression, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health in the aftermath of cancer treatments for AI women. Results suggest that perceived physical well-being, spiritual well-being, and social support serve as protective factors and possible levers to reduce depression in this population. Interventions designed to bolster existing social support and spirituality could improve the mental health of AI women in the aftermath of cancer treatment. Community-based, culturally appropriate health education programs should be developed to enhance AI women’s physical health.

“Strong Together”: Minority Stress, Internalized Homophobia, Relationship Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms among Taiwanese Young Gay Men

ABSTRACT Taiwan’s legalization of same-sex marriage affords legal status for romantic relationships between sexual minority individuals. Yet, little is known about the role of intimate relationships in the experiences of minority stress and mental health among gay men. This study tested a model where internalized homophobia mediated the association between distal minority stress and depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction was posited as a moderator. Data came from a sample (n = 557) of Taiwanese young gay men who were in a romantic relationship. Respondents completed the scales of distal minority stress, internalized homophobia, relationship satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed on the macro PROCESS. The Johnson-Neyman (J-N) technique was used to interpret the moderating effect of relationship satisfaction. Results show that both distal minority stress and internalized homophobia were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Internalized homophobia partially mediated the association between distal minority stress and depressive symptoms. Relationship satisfaction had a moderating effect. The effect of distal minority stress was lower among those who reported high satisfaction in their current romantic relationship. This study suggested that a satisfying relationship provides protection for gay men’s mental health. Clinicians should attend to relationship issues when working with sexual minority clients.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Mental Health Among Residents of Assela Town.

BackgroundCOVID-19 has diversified problems such as physical health, mental health, psychosocial and economic impact on people all over the world. A report from Johns Hopkins University revealed that many millions of people have been infected and millions of them lost their lives due to the virus.PurposeTo assess the implementation of COVID-19 prevention mechanisms and to describe the impact of COVID-19 on people's mental health in Asella town.MethodsDescriptive survey research design was used. Two hundred and eleven randomly selected participants involved for the study. Data gathered by using PHQ-9 depressive symptom and STAI-s anxiety scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA with post hoc comparison.ResultsThe finding revealed that 14 and 5.2% of the participants reported sometimes and occasionally wearing a mask regardless of the presence or absence of symptom. About 6.2% and 10.9% of the participants reported occasionally and never for the item avoidance of sharing utensils during meals. Half (49.3%) and 37% of the participants reported somewhat worried and very worried, respectively for concern about other family members getting COVID-19 infection. About 8.5% (M=22.64, SD=1.93) and 10 (4.7%, M=16, SD=1.42) of the participants qualify in the criteria of severe depressive symptoms and moderate-severe depressive symptoms, respectively. Conversely, 11.84% (M=52.76, SD=3.9) qualify in the criterion for severe anxiety. The independent sample t-test result revealed that there was statistically significant difference among males and females for anxiety mean score. However, there was no statistically significant difference among males and females for depressive symptom mean score. Regarding mental health across different age categories, the ANOVA with post hoc analysis revealed that there was statistically significant difference for state anxiety mean score among younger and older participants but not for depressive symptom mean score.ConclusionGenerally, there is gap in the prevention of COVID-19. In addition, there is an elevated level of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the outbreak of COVID-19 that needs urgent psychological intervention.

Post-earthquake Self-Reported Depressive Symptoms and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and their Correlates among College-Youths in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Exposure to earthquake has previously been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, however, evidence is limited among youth in resource-limited settings. This study explored the association of retrospective extent of exposure on current day depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among 125 youth attending a college in Kathmandu, Nepal. A self-administered survey including socio-demographic variables, scale for earthquake exposure and Nepali language validated standardized scales for depressive and PTSD symptoms was used. Prevalence estimates for depressive symptoms was 43.2% and PTSD symptoms was 19.2%. For each increasing unit of the extent of earthquake exposure, the odds of having depressive symptoms increased by a factor of 1.26 (p = 0.001) and PTSD symptoms increased by a factor of 1.26 (p = 0.002). Being in a complicated romantic relationship increased the odds of both depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms. Exposure to earthquake is an important factor to consider while assessing depressive and PTSD symptoms among youth earthquake survivors in Kathmandu. It is important that programs or policies aimed at youth mental health concurrently address disaster exposures.

550-P: Unique Associations of Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Distress with Quality of Life (QoL) in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Youth with T1D often experience emotional distress, which can negatively impact QoL. We sought to understand associations of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with QoL in youth with T1D. Participants (N=420; 50% male; ages 8-17 years; T1D duration 6.4±3.7 (M±SD) years; A1c 8.3±1.0%; 69% pump treated; 70% having parent with college degree) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales (PedsQL)and measures of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CESD]) and diabetes distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes-Pediatric version [PAID-Peds]). Multivariable linear modeling determined independent associations of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with total, physical, and psychosocial QoL, adjusting for sex, age, T1D duration, A1c, pump therapy, insulin dose, and parent education. Total PedsQL score was 85±13, (physical subscale 89±12, psychosocial subscale 82±15); CESD score was 9±9; PAID-Peds score was 37±24. CESD and PAID-Peds were both correlated with A1c (CESD: p=.01, PAID-Peds: p<.0001); QoL scales were not correlated with A1c. CESD and PAID-Peds were correlated with total, physical and psychosocial QoL (all p<.0001). In multivariable analyses, more depressive symptoms were associated with poorer total (∆R2=.52, p<.0001), physical (∆R2=.35, p<.0001), and psychosocial (∆R2=.51, p<.0001) QoL, adjusting for diabetes distress and sociodemographic/diabetes factors. More diabetes distress was associated with poorer total (∆R2=.05, p<.0001) and psychosocial (∆R2=.06, p< .0001) QoL, adjusting for depressive symptoms and sociodemographic/diabetes factors; more diabetes distress marginally contributed to poorer physical QoL (∆R2=.01, p=.002). Findings suggest unique, negative associations of both depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with QoL. Targeting both depressive symptoms and diabetes distress may help improve QoL in youth with T1D. Disclosure A. Shapira: None. L. K. Volkening: None. L. M. Laffel: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Dexcom, Inc., Dompe, Insulogic LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Laxmi Therapeutic Devices, LifeScan, Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Provention Bio, Inc. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK089349, R01DK095273, T32DK007260, P30DK036836); JDRF (2-SRA-2014-253-M-B)

Influence of grandparenting stress, sleep quality, and grandparenting type on depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults who care for their grandchildren: A moderated-mediation study

Depression is a serious problem among older adults who care for their grandchildren. The relationship between general stress, sleep quality and depressive symptoms has been confirmed. However, it is unclear whether this relationship can be generalized to grandparenting stress and whether sleep quality could influence the relationship between grandparenting stress and depressive symptoms remains unclear. The present study explored how grandparenting stress, sleep quality, and grandparenting type (divided by frequency of grandparenting, including primary care and supplementary care) influence depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults who care for their grandchildren. A sample of 1303 Chinese older adults (Female: 46.2%), with a mean age of 66.0 years (SD = 4.2), were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Grandparenting stress, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Chinese version of the Parenting Stress Scale (modified for grandparents), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Geriatric Depressive Symptoms Scale, respectively. We found that older adults who care for grandchildren have high levels of depressive symptoms, and grandparenting stress and sleep quality were significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms. In addition, we also found that sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between grandparenting stress and depressive symptoms. Grandparenting type moderated the relationship between grandparenting stress and sleep quality but did not significantly moderate the relationship between grandparenting stress and depressive symptoms. Supplementary care (i.e., providing care while parents are temporarily unavailable) was associated with a weaker association between grandparenting stress and sleep quality when compared to primary care (providing care while parents are unavailable for long periods). These results can provide some ideas of intervention to reduce the depressive symptoms of older adults who care for their grandchildren, which had certain public health significance.

Attending to the Attentional Control Scale for Children: Confirming its factor structure and measurement invariance

The Attentional Control Scale for Children (ACS-C) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that measures attentional control in youth. Previous research examined factor-structure and validation of the ACS-C and yielded a 2-factor structure with Attentional Focusing and Attentional Shifting subscales. This study used a confirmatory factor analysis in a large, ethnically diverse sample of clinic-referred anxious youth (N = 442, ages 7–16 years) to compare model fit of three models, the original two-factor model of the ACS-C, a two-factor model of a modified ACS-C (two items re-assigned from Attentional Focusing to Attentional Shifting, three items removed from Attentional Focusing, and two items removed from Attentional Shifting), and a single-factor model. Results reveal best model fit for the two-factor modified ACS-C. This model had strong factorial invariance across sex, partial invariance across ethnicity, and was variant across age. Also, total and subscale scores for the two-factor modified ACS-C correlated with anxiety and depression symptom scale scores, supporting its concurrent validity. Findings confirm the two-factor structure of the modified ACS-C. Future research implications relating to attentional control in children are discussed.

Cancer and the threat of death

IntroductionFear of death is somehow a normal sensation. Though for those having a cancer, it could increase the burden of the disease and have negative psychological impacts. This death anxiety isn’t easily verbalized by patients, thus it’s important for caregivers to manage it to improve those patients’ quality of life.ObjectivesAssess death anxiety in cancer patients and to identify factors that may influence itMethodsOur study was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical focus on quantitative specifications. It targeted patients hospitalized at the oncology department or consultant at the day hospital of the regional hospital of Gabes, Tunisia. Participants completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical data, using HADS scale for anxious and depressive symptoms and DAS scale for death anxiety.ResultsOne hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in the study. The average age of participants were 54, 9 ±11, 8 years. The majority of patients were married (68.3%) and had an average socioeconomic level (74, 2%). Our results showed that 43, 3% of patients had a high death anxiety score. Higher level of threat of death, were found in older patients(p=0.028), females (p=0.018) and for those having children (p=0,01). Death anxiety were also higher in patients having anxiety (p=0.007) and those having depression (p=0.033).ConclusionsThe degree of death anxiety among cancer patients seems important. Its assessment and resolution by the caregivers remains paramount. The identification of this death anxiety should optimize the overall care of the patient.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Statins for major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BackgroundThe burden of depressive disorder is large and new treatment approaches are required. Repurposing widely available drugs such as statins may be a time- and cost-effective solution. Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which have been shown to be relevant to the pathophysiology of depression. This study assesses the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in major depressive disorder.MethodsOur study is an update and extension of a previous meta-analysis published in 2016 by Salagre et al. We performed a systematic review (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov until the 1st September 2020) and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using any statin against placebo or any other statin in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Our primary efficacy outcome measure was the mean value on any standardized scale for depressive symptoms at 8 weeks of treatment. We also calculated outcomes for efficacy, response, and remission at 2, 4, and 12 weeks, as well as acceptability (dropouts for any cause), tolerability (dropouts due to any adverse event), and safety (any adverse event) outcomes at the studies’ endpoints. Furthermore, we conducted an exploratory network meta-analysis for the primary efficacy outcome to identify potential differences between statins.ResultsWe retrieved five randomized controlled trials meeting our inclusion criteria: four used a statin in addition to an antidepressant and compared it to placebo plus antidepressant, and one compared two statins alone. and one comparing one statin with another. Statins compared to placebo in addition to antidepressants were efficacious at 8 weeks (N = 255, SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.74 to -0. 22) and 12 weeks (N = 134, SMD = -0.47, 95% CI = -0.89 to -0.05, moderate certainty) with no difference for acceptability, tolerability, and safety (low certainty). An exploratory network meta-analysis suggested that the most lipophilic statins, especially simvastatin, could be more efficacious than less lipophilic or hydrophilic molecules.ConclusionsThis systematic review suggests the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in addition to antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder. Further clinical trials in different settings are required to test this result.Trial rgistrationPROSPERO registration: CRD42020170938.

Metabolomic predictors for late-life depression

<h3>Introduction</h3> Depression is a major public health problem among older adults and among the leading causes of global burden of disease and disability. Yet, current understanding of pathophysiology and optimal prevention and/or treatment of late-life depression (LLD) is limited. Advanced approaches involving methods such as metabolomics present an innovative path to identify novel biomarkers of LLD outcomes. Several known biological pathways involving tryptophan and lipid-inflammatory molecules (eicosanoids) are relevant to depression; however, there have been few systematic investigations of metabolomic predictors of long-term trajectories of LLD. <h3>Methods</h3> This is a convenience sample of ∼7000 Nurses' Health Study (NHS) participants with known metabolites and who completed depression items every four years from 1992-2016. Between 1989 and 1990, blood samples were collected and stored under standard conditions. In NHS, data on known metabolites were generated by merging the data from multiple case-control studies; however, all metabolites were profiled using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in the same laboratory. Continuous metabolite values were transformed to probit scores to account for batch effects. We used a previously developed harmonized depressive symptom scale that was indexed to the five-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5, range=0-100 points). For cross-sectional analysis, we performed multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the associations of baseline metabolite levels and likelihood of the moderate or severe depressive symptoms (MHI-5 cut-off=60); for longitudinal analysis, we used latent growth-curve analysis to identify group-based trajectories of depressive symptoms and then related baseline metabolite levels to long-term trajectories. <h3>Results</h3> The mean age of female nurses at blood draw was 57.0 (range=42.6-70.2) years. There were ∼6300 NHS participants with available data on tryptophan metabolites and ∼1300 NHS participants with available data on eicosanoids. We observed stronger signals for cross-sectional associations of higher circulating levels of tryptophan, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with lower risk of moderate or severe depressive symptoms, adjusted for age at blood draw, fasting status, case-control status, physical activity, body mass index, diet index, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking [multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval): for tryptophan=0.86 (0.80-0.93), p<0.01; for EPA=0.84 (0.71-1.01), p=0.06; for DHA=0.85 (0.71-1.02), p=0.07]. From 1992-2016, we identified four depressive symptom trajectory groups: minimal depressive symptoms (63%), worsening depressive symptoms (12%), improving depressive symptoms (20%), and persistent severe depressive symptoms (5%). Additional results from multinomial models evaluating the associations between metabolites and long-term LLD trajectories will be presented. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In this sample, tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acid metabolites were significantly related to LLD outcomes; these metabolites may play a role in the pathophysiology of LLD. <h3>Funding</h3> HMS Livingston Fellowship Award

Time-dependent depression and anxiety symptoms as risk factors for recurrent cardiac events: findings from the UPBEAT-UK study.

Depression is a well-known risk factor for recurrent cardiac events (RCEs) but findings are less consistent for anxiety, not previously reported on using a time-dependent approach. We aimed to study the prognostic effect of anxiety and depression symptom levels on RCEs. Data (N = 595) were drawn from the UPBEAT-UK heart disease patient cohort with 6-monthly follow-ups over 3 years. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale symptoms were grouped into: agitation (three items), anxiety (four items), and depression (seven items) subscales. We performed two types of multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazard models with delayed entry: with baseline variables (long-term analysis), and with variables measured 12-to-18 months prior to the event (short-term time-dependent analysis), as RCE risk factors. In the baseline analysis, both anxiety and depression, but not agitation, were separate RCE risk factors, with a moderating effect when considered jointly. In the short-term time-dependent analysis, elevated scores on the anxiety subscale were associated with increased RCE risk even when adjusted for depression [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.22 (1.05-1.41), p = 0.009]. Depression was no longer a significant predictor when adjusted for anxiety [1.05 (0.87-1.27), p = 0.61]. For anxiety, individual items associated with RCEs differed between the two approaches: item 5 'worrying thoughts' was the most significant long-term risk factor [1.52 (1.21-1.91), p = 0.0004] whereas item 13 'feelings of panic' was the most significant time-dependent short-term risk factor [1.52 (1.18-1.95), p = 0.001]. Anxiety is an important short-term preventable and potentially causal risk factor for RCEs, to be targeted in secondary cardiac disease prevention programmes.

Low dose oral ketamine treatment in chronic suicidality: An open-label pilot study

Recently, low-dose ketamine has been proposed as a rapid-acting treatment option for suicidality. The majority of studies to date have utilised intravenous (IV) ketamine, however, this route of administration has limitations. On the other hand, oral ketamine can be administered in a range of settings, which is important in treating suicidality, although studies as to safety and feasibility are lacking. n = 32 adults (aged 22–72 years; 53% female) with chronic suicidal thoughts participated in the Oral Ketamine Trial on Suicidality (OKTOS), an open-label trial of sub-anaesthetic doses of oral ketamine over 6 weeks. Participants commenced with 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine, which was titrated to a maximum 3.0 mg/kg. Follow-up assessments occurred at 4 weeks after the final dose. The primary outcome measure was the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) and secondary measures included scales for suicidality and depressive symptoms, and measures of functioning and well-being. Mean BSS scores significantly reduced from a high level of suicidal ideation at the pre-ketamine (week 0) timepoint to below the clinical threshold at the post-ketamine (week 6) timepoint. The proportion of participants that achieved clinical improvement within the first 6 weeks was 69%, whereas 50% achieved a significant improvement by the follow-up (week 10) timepoint. Six weeks of oral ketamine treatment in participants with chronic suicidality led to significant reduction in suicidal ideation. The response observed in this study is consistent with IV ketamine trials, suggesting that oral administration is a feasible and tolerable alternative treatment for chronic suicidality.

Interrelationships between job demands, low back pain and depression: A four-way decomposition analysis of direct and indirect effects of job demands through mediation and/or interaction

Psychosocial work stressors may lead to low back pain (LBP) through depressive symptoms or to depression through LBP. Depressive symptoms or LBP may also modify these associations. We examined prospective interrelationships between job demands, LBP and depressive symptoms. We used comparable data from three consecutive biennial surveys in 2010-2016, from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) and the Work Environment and Health in Denmark (WEHD) cohorts, broadly representative of the working populations in Sweden and Denmark. We conducted multivariate counterfactual based mediation analyses allowing for four-way decomposition of the total effect of job demands, on incident LBP (N=2813, 2701) and incident major depression (N=3707, 5496). The four components estimated direct and indirect effects through mediation and/or interaction. We observed no association between job demands and incident LBP four years later, but job demands was associated with later major depression (relative risks=1.88, 95% confidence interval=1.45-2.31 in SLOSH and 1.64, 1.18-2.11 in WEHD, adjusted for age, sex, panel (SLOSH data), education, cohabitation, physically strenuous work and chronic diseases. About 37% of the association was attributed to interaction between job demands and LBP in SLOSH. No interaction was found in WEHD. LBP partly mediated the relationship, by 14% in SLOSH and 2%, while statistically insignificant in WEHD. Possible limitations include lack of comparable data on disabling low back pain, different scales for depressive symptoms, misclassification and residual confounding. This suggests mainly a direct effect of job demands on major depression, or through other pathways than LBP.

A new approach for seasonal pattern: is it related to bipolarity dimension? Findings from an Italian multicenter study

Objective The aims of this study were to assess the impact of seasonal pattern on several clinical dimensions in inpatients with a current major depressive episode and to evaluate clinical differences between unipolar and bipolar depression according to seasonal pattern. Methods Study participants were 300 patients affected by major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD) currently experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) and were recruited at three University Medical Centres in Italy. All study subjects completed several evaluation scales for depressive and hypomanic symptoms, quality of life and functioning, impulsiveness, and seasonal pattern. Results Several differences between BD with and without seasonal pattern, MDD with and without seasonal pattern but in particular between BD and MDD with seasonal pattern were found. Patients with MDE with seasonal pattern had more frequently received a longitudinal diagnosis of BD. Conclusions A large number of patients with BD and seasonal pattern, but also a considerable number of patients with MDD and seasonal pattern, endorsed manic items during a current MDE. Seasonal pattern should be associated with a concept of bipolarity in mood disorders and not only related to bipolar disorder. A correct identification of seasonal patterns may lead to the implementation of personalised pharmacological treatment approaches. KEY POINTS High prevalence of mixed features in mood disorders with seasonal pattern, supporting the need for a dimensional approach to major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Significant percentage of patients with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder had seasonal pattern. Significant percentage of patients with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder reported (hypo)manic symptomatology.