Depression Symptoms Scale Research Articles

Glycemic Control With Layperson-Delivered Telephone Calls vs Usual Care for Patients With Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Diabetes is associated with emotional distress and poor mental health, especially for individuals with low income, hindering patients' ability to manage their condition. The health care system's workforce constraints limit its capacity to holistically support patients. To assess the effectiveness of layperson-delivered empathetic engagement over the telephone in helping improve glycemic management for patients with diabetes. This parallel-arm randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment was conducted from February 12, 2022, to April 15, 2023, with final measurements on November 18, 2023, among 260 patients with uncontrolled diabetes from a federally qualified health center in Austin, Texas, engaging telephonically from home. Patients assigned to the intervention group received empathy-oriented telephone calls by community-hired laypeople for 6 months, while those assigned to the control group received usual care. Patients were stratified by baseline score (≥5 vs <5) on the depressive symptom scale of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The primary outcome was hemoglobin A1c level at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, assessed for interaction between time and trial arm. Secondary outcomes were self-perceptions of managing diabetes, diabetes-related behaviors and distress, and mental health symptoms (measured via surveys). Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Of 260 participants (mean [SD] age, 49.5 [10.1] years; 163 of 259 women [62.9%]; 176 of 203 [86.7%] with annual income <$40 000) enrolled, 6 withdrew. At 6 months, 204 of 254 (80.3%; intervention, 109 of 127 [85.8%] and control, 95 of 127 [74.8%]) returned for measurements. Participants in the intervention group had statistically significant mean (SD) decreases in hemoglobin A1c level at 6 months (from 10.0% [1.9%] to 9.3% [2.0%]) compared with those in the control group (from 9.8% [1.6%] to 9.7% [2.3%]) (P = .004). The within-person change in hemoglobin A1c level was -0.7% (95% CI, -1.0% to -0.4%) for the intervention group and 0.02% (95% CI, -0.4% to 0.4%) for the control group. For the subgroup with a PHQ-9 score of 5 or more at baseline (38.1% [99 of 260]), the within-person change in hemoglobin A1c was -1.1% (95% CI, -1.8% to -0.5%) for the intervention group and 0.1% (95% CI, -0.7% to 0.8%; P = .004) for the control group. For the subgroup with a PHQ-9 score less than 5, the within-person change in hemoglobin A1c was -0.4% (95% CI, -0.8% to -0.1%) for the intervention group and -0.02% (95% CI, -0.5% to 0.5%; P = .21) for the control group. At 6 months, 91.7% of the participants (99 of 108) responded that the program was very or extremely beneficial. In this randomized clinical trial of telephone-based layperson-delivered empathetic engagement, patients with diabetes and low income achieved clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control. With workforce constraints, layperson-delivered programs for diabetes show promise. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05173675.

Depressive symptoms in Brazilian Parkinson’s disease patients treated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation: A Cross-Sectional study

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that primarily affects movement and is often accompanied by depressive symptoms. Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a therapeutic intervention for PD, although its impact on depressive symptoms remains complex. This study investigates the relationship between PD, DBS, and depressive symptoms, focusing on how DBS influences cognitive function and mood among PD patients in Brazil. The study involved two cohorts: one in 2019 with 46 participants and another in 2022 with 31 patients. Distinct assessment instruments, including the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 and Beck Depression Inventory-II, were employed to evaluate depressive symptoms. The results revealed no significant correlation between participants’ gender and the presence of DBS, but substantial differences were observed in age, disease duration, and Activities of Daily Living scores. Patients undergoing DBS showed notably poorer cognitive performance compared to those treated solely with medication. Furthermore, the use of DBS was associated with higher scores on depressive symptoms scales within one of the cohorts. These findings underscore the intricate interplay among PD, DBS treatment, and depressive symptoms, highlighting the necessity for tailored approaches to patient care.

Arabic translation and validation of the clinician administered Staden schizophrenia anxiety rating scale (S-SARS)

BackgroundResearch on anxiety in patients with schizophrenia of Arab origin is surprisingly scarce, particularly given that expressions of both psychotic disorders and anxiety disorders can be largely shaped by cultural factors. This study proposes to complement previous research by exploring the psychometric characteristics of an Arabic translation of the Staden Schizophrenia Anxiety Rating Scale (S-SARS) in chronic, remitted patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. As the Arabic version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7) has not been previously validated in Arabic in patients with schizophrenia, this study had as a secondary aim to investigate the psychometric properties of this scale before its use. MethodThis cross-sectional study was performed over a period of three months (August–October 2023). A total of 177 chronic inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (63.3 % males) who were remitted and clinically stable participated in the study. ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses showed that all 10 items loaded onto a single factor and had high factor loading values between .53 and .81. The reliability of the S-SARS in its Arabic version was excellent as attested by a McDonald's omega and a Cronbach's alpha coefficients of .90 and .89, respectively. The score of Arabic S-SARS correlated positively with the GAD-7 scores (r = .55; p < .001), thus supporting good convergent validity. As for discriminant validity, findings showed positive correlations between S-SARS and depression scores as assessed using the Calgary Depressive Symptoms Scale. In addition, the Arabic S-SARS correlated negatively with general functioning, further supporting the good validity and clinical relevance of the scale. Finally, measurement invariance was established in the sex subsamples (males vs. females) at the scalar, metric and configural levels, with females showing more anxiety than males. ConclusionFindings suggest that the Arabic S-SARS holds good psychometric properties, and is suitable for use among Arabic-speaking people diagnosed with schizophrenia in both research and clinical practice. The Arabic version of S-SARS will hopefully be widely applied to provide useful and timely clinical information for monitoring and adequately treating patients with schizophrenia, in order to improve the course and prognosis of the disease.

Within-Person Effects of Executive Functioning on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objectives The objective was to disentangle the role of between- and within-person variation in executive functioning (EF) in the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms among youth with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods We assessed 85 youth with ADHD, 38 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and 50 typically developing (TD) youth at baseline (Mage = 11.7 years, 64% males), 2-year follow-up, and 10-year follow-up with neuropsychological tests of EF and anxiety and depressive symptoms scales. Results Across groups, depressive symptoms increased with age, whereas anxiety symptoms were stable. Greater within-person improvement in overall EF from baseline to 2-year follow-up predicted reduced anxiety symptoms. Greater within-person improvement in cognitive flexibility predicted reduced depressive symptoms from baseline to 2-year follow-up. Conclusions We conclude that improvement in EF skills in youth may lessen the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms over time. Thus, EF could be an intervention target to prevent anxiety and depressive symptoms.

A 2-year longitudinal study of the association between unhealthy lifestyle factors and the development of depressive symptoms in university students.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between unhealthy lifestyle factors and the development of depressive symptoms with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics in university students using health checkup data. Among information obtained from university student health checkups conducted in 2017 and 2019, we analyzed both the clinical data and responses to questionnaires. The subjects used for analysis were 3190 individuals (2382 men and 808 women, mean age 19.0 years) who had been free of depressive symptoms in the 2017 survey and were available for a 2-year follow-up. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used as a self-rating scale for depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between lifestyle factors (such as body mass index, self-rated health, whether breakfast was taken, degree of exercise, satisfaction with sleep, smoking, and alcohol drinking) in the 2017 survey and any development of depressive symptoms revealed in the 2019 survey, adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other lifestyle factors. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that poor satisfaction with sleep (odds ratio [OR), 4.09; 95% confidence interval [CI), 1.96-8.53; p < 0.01) and female gender (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.01-4.60; p = 0.05) were significantly associated with the development of depressive symptoms 2 years later. This study has revealed an association between poor satisfaction with sleep and the development of depressive symptoms. We believe that these findings may be useful for the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in university students.

Effectiveness of an affect-adjusted, supervised, multimodal, online and home-based exercise group protocol for major depression: A randomized controlled trial

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of an affect-adjusted, supervised, multimodal, online, and home-based exercise group protocol as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants on depressive symptoms, cardiorespiratory fitness, and side effects related to antidepressants in adults with major depression (MDD, diagnosed by a clinician). Depressive symptom scales were administered by a psychiatrist and self-reported. A health-related measure (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness), was also administered. The exercise intervention was adjusted by perceived effort and affect (pleasure and enjoyment) toward exercise and lasted 12 weeks. In total, 59 adults with MDD were divided into two groups: the exercise-group (EG; exercise + pharmacotherapy) with 26-patients (76.9 % females, mean age 28.5 years) and the control-group (CG, pharmacotherapy) with 33-patients (78.7 % females, mean age 25.6 years). The EG had a lower dropout rate (15.3 %) than CG and an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which was not observed in the CG. Both groups showed a decrease in self-reported depressive symptoms. However, the EG had significantly lower depressive symptom scores at t1 and t2. The EG also had higher remission rates (t1, EG: = 42.3 % and CG = 27.2 %) and remission rates (t2, EG: = 72.7 % and CG = 48.1 %) than CG, which were maintained during the four month follow-up. Side effects from anti-depressant medication were larger in the EG compared to CG. Complementing usual care for MDD with exercise resulted in better clinical outcomes and supports the use of this type of exercise protocol in the clinical management of depression.

Reliability and validity of the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) in a sample of individuals with depressive disorders

BackgroundFood addiction (FA) is strongly associated with depressive symptoms. The reliability and validity of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) were not previously determined in clinical samples in Brazil. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the mYFAS 2.0 in adult individuals with depressive disorders.MethodsThe data stems from a survey investigating FA in a convenience sample of subjects diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Participants answered mYFAS 2.0 and scales for binge eating, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and alcohol and nicotine use. Height and weight were measured to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI). We evaluated the factor structure, reliability, convergent, discriminant, criterion, and incremental validity.ResultsThe sample encompassed 303 participants with a mean age of 37.03 ± 11.72 years, 84.16% of whom were women. The Cronbach’s alpha for the mYFAS 2.0 was satisfactory (alpha = 0.915). The best goodness-of-fit model was a single factor, and mYFAS 2.0 showed convergent validity with binge eating and discriminant validity with the alcohol and nicotine use measures. Food addiction presented a weak positive correlation with depressive and anxiety symptoms and BMI. Three food addiction symptoms provided the best balance between sensitivity (80.95%) and specificity (74.81%). Incremental validity over binge eating symptoms was confirmed (t = 4.040, β = 0.681, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe Brazilian mYFAS 2.0 performed satisfactorily in this clinical sample of participants with a depressive disorder. These findings suggest it may be a brief, useful, and valid food addiction screening tool for this group.

LUTS/BPH increases the risk of depressive symptoms among elderly adults: A 5-year longitudinal evidence from CHARLS

ObjectiveThe prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) is notably high and potentially elevates the likelihood of depressive symptoms. This study was designed to employ both cross-sectional and longitudinal methodologies to explore the correlation between LUTS/BPH and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly men in China. MethodsThis investigation utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), with the initial dataset from 2015 serving as the baseline and subsequent data from 2018 and 2020 facilitating longitudinal analysis. The study encompassed a baseline cohort of 5156 men aged 45 years and above, and an expansive longitudinal analytical sample of 23,530 participants spanning from 2015 to 2020. The assessment of depressive symptoms was conducted using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depressive Symptoms Scale (CESD-10). To investigate the factors associated with LUTS/BPH, the relationship between LUTS/BPH and depressive symptoms, and to evaluate the incidence rate of depressive symptoms onset based on LUTS/BPH status, multivariate logistic analyses and logistic regression models were employed. ResultsOur results reveal a markedly higher incidence of depressive symptoms among individuals with LUTS/BPH, at 30.16 %, compared to 22.94 % in those without LUTS/BPH. This pattern was consistent in both mild and moderate depressive symptoms categories. However, the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms did not exhibit a significant disparity between the two groups. Longitudinal analysis spanning from 2015 through 2018 and 2020 further corroborated these observations. Individuals with LUTS/BPH showed a substantially higher incidence of depressive symptoms across all severity levels compared to those without LUTS/BPH. Specifically, the presence of LUTS/BPH was linked to a 53 % heightened risk of mild depressive symptoms, a 45 % increase in moderate depressive symptoms, and an alarming 229 % surge in severe depressive symptoms risk between 2015 and 2018. Additionally, from 2015 to 2020, there was a 30 % increased risk for mild depressive symptoms, a 41 % rise for moderate depressive symptoms, and a 106 % escalation in the risk of severe depressive symptoms among those with LUTS/BPH. ConclusionIn middle-aged and older Chinese adults, LUTS/BPH were correlated with an elevated risk of depressive symptoms.

Sexual Orientation and Adolescent Health Outcomes: A Latent Profile Approach.

Sexual orientation is multidimensional, yet existing studies often only assess one dimension. This study examines multiple dimensions of sexual orientation in a sample of Hispanic adolescents using a latent profile analysis. The study also examines differences in levels of adolescent family functioning (i.e., parent-adolescent communication, parental involvement, family communication) and depressive symptoms by latent profile or subgroup. The study sample consisted of 456 Hispanic adolescents (M = 13.90 years; SD = 1.37). Adolescents self-reported their sexual orientation by responding to the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG), family functioning (parent-adolescent communication, parental involvement, family communication), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) Scale). Latent profile analysis was used to identify heterogeneous groups of adolescents based on their response to the KSOG. A Welch test was used to examine mean levels of depressive symptoms and family functioning across profile membership. We found that a three-class solution (heterosexual: 90%, mostly bisexual: 6.05%, mostly LGBQ: 3.95%) fit the data best. Results from the Welch test indicated significant differences for parent-adolescent communication and depressive symptoms across latent profiles. Existing research indicates that sexual minorities are at a disproportionate risk for adverse health outcomes. These findings corroborate best practice recommendations encouraging researchers to assess multiple dimensions of sexual orientation.

The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in patients with major depressive disorder: an eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex mental disorder, potentially linked to the gut-microbiota-brain axis. Probiotics like Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) may improve depressive symptoms by modulating the gut microbiota based on our previous open trial. We conducted an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the impact of PS128 on depression severity, markers of inflammation and gut permeability, and the gut microbiota composition in 32 patients with MDD with stable antidepressant treatment but moderate symptom severity. Following the 8-week intervention, both the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score (HAMD), and Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS) showed a significant decrease in both groups (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the change of depression severity between groups (p=0.203). Moreover, alterations in serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein, as well as changes in the gut microbiota composition, did not exhibit significant differences before and after intervention or between the groups. In comparison to the placebo group, our study did not find significant effects of PS128 on depressive symptoms, biomarkers of inflammation and gut permeability, and the overall gut microbiota composition. Nonetheless, we observed a potential impact of PS128 on the symbiosis of specific taxa. To comprehensively understand the psychophysiological effects of PS128 in patients with MDD, further research with a larger sample size is imperative.

Urea Level and Depression in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Depression is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Experimental studies suggest the role of urea toxicity in depression. We assessed both the incidence of antidepressant prescriptions and depressive symptoms (measured by CESD (Center for Epidemiologic Depression) scale) in 2505 patients with CKD (Stage 3-4) followed up over 5 years in the Chronic Kidney Disease Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (CKD-REIN) cohort. We used a joint model to assess the association between the serum urea level and incident antidepressant prescriptions, and mixed models for the association between the baseline serum urea level and CESD score over the 5-year follow-up. Among the 2505 patients, 2331 were not taking antidepressants at baseline. Of the latter, 87 started taking one during a median follow-up of 4.6 years. After adjustment for confounding factors, the hazard ratio for incident antidepressant prescription associated with the serum urea level (1.28 [95%CI, 0.94,1.73] per 5 mmol/L increment) was not significant. After adjustment, the serum urea level was associated with the mean change in the CESD score (β = 0.26, [95%CI, 0.11,0.41] per 5 mmol/L increment). Depressive symptoms burden was associated with serum urea level unlike depression events. Further studies are needed to draw firm conclusions and better understand the mechanisms of depression in CKD.

Genome-wide meta-analyses of non-response to antidepressants identify novel loci and potential drugs.

Antidepressants exhibit a considerable variation in efficacy, and increasing evidence suggests that individual genetics contribute to antidepressant treatment response. Here, we combined data on antidepressant non-response measured using rating scales for depressive symptoms, questionnaires of treatment effect, and data from electronic health records, to increase statistical power to detect genomic loci associated with non-response to antidepressants in a total sample of 135,471 individuals prescribed antidepressants. We performed genome-wide association meta-analyses, leave-one-out polygenic prediction, and bioinformatics analyses for genetically informed drug prioritization. We identified two novel loci associated with non-response to antidepressants and showed significant polygenic prediction in independent samples. In addition, we investigated drugs that target proteins likely involved in mechanisms underlying antidepressant non-response, and shortlisted drugs that warrant further replication and validation of their potential to reduce depressive symptoms in individuals who do not respond to first-line antidepressant medications. These results suggest that meta-analyses of GWAS utilizing real-world measures of treatment outcomes can increase sample sizes to improve the discovery of variants associated with non-response to antidepressants.

Novel CHATogether family-centered mental health care in the post-pandemic era: a pilot case and evaluation

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted children, adolescents, and their families, with significant psychosocial consequences. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and self-injurious behaviors increased in our youth, as well as the number of suicide attempts and hospitalizations related to suicidal ideation. Additionally, parents’ mental health saw increasing rates of depression, irritability, and alcohol use combined with worsening family function, child-parent connectedness, positive family expressiveness, and increases in family conflict. In light of these statistics, we created CHATogether (Compassionate Home, Action Together), a pilot family-centered intervention using multi-faceted psychotherapeutic approaches to improve familial communication and relational health between adolescents and their parents. This paper discusses the implementation of the CHATogether intervention at the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), providing an example of the intervention through an in-depth pilot case, and evaluation of the program’s acceptability and feasibility.MethodsThis paper describes a case in detail and evaluation from a total of 30 families that completed CHATogether in the initial pilot. Each family had 4–6 one-hour CHATogether sessions during their 6-week treatment course at the IOP. Before and after CHATogether, adolescents and their parents separately completed a questionnaire designed to explore their perceived family conflicts. After completion of the program, participants completed a brief quality improvement survey to assess their overall experience with CHATogether. In the reported case, the family completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depressive and anxiety symptoms scales, Conflict Behavior Questionnaires (CBQ), 9-item Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR9), and help-seeking attitude from adults during distress and suicide concerns.ResultsThe pilot case showed a trend of improvement in reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, child-parent conflicts, subfactors of suicide risk including pessimism, helplessness, and despair, help-seeking acceptability from parents for suicide concerns, and the establishment of individualized family relationship goals. Preliminary feedback from participating families demonstrated positive effects on intra-family communication and improvement in the overall family dynamic. Adolescents (n = 30/30) and their parents (n = 30/30) rated “strongly agree” or “agree” that their families had benefited from CHATogether and welcomed participation in future program development.ConclusionThis study presents CHATogether as a novel family-centered intervention to address post-pandemic family mental health stress, especially when a family system was disrupted and negatively affected the mental health of children and adolescents. The intervention facilitated positive child-parent communication on a variety of topics, through tools such as emotional expression and help-seeking behavior. The reported pilot case and evaluation suggested CHATogether’s acceptability and feasibility in a clinical context. We also provided quality improvement feedback to guide future studies in establishing the efficacy of CHATogether and other similar models of clinical family interventions.

Association of sleep quality with physical and psychological health indicators in overweight and obese rural Indians

ObjectiveTo measure the association of sleep quality with physical (i.e., grip strength, functional mobility, balance) and psychological (depression, anxiety) health indicators in an overweight/obese population. MethodsBaseline data of 2337 participants (1382 overweight/obese and 955 normal weight) from an aging cohort in rural southern India (CBR-SANSCOG) was analyzed retrospectively. Assessment tools included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, dynamometry for Hand Grip Strength (HGS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) for functional mobility, Chair Stand Test (CST) for lower limb strength, Geriatric Depression scale (GDS-30) for depressive symptoms and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms. Linear regression models, adjusted for known confounders, were used to examine the association of sleep quality with the health parameters in overweight/obese and normal-weight groups. ResultsIn the fully adjusted model, higher global PSQI score was associated with higher TUG time (β = 0.06, 95 % CI: 0.004,0.12), higher scores on GDS (β = 1.08, 95 % CI: 0.96,1.20) and GAD (β = 0.71, 95 % CI: 0.62,0.79), and lower scores on CST (β = -0.12, 95 % CI: -0.19,-0.06) in overweight/obese individuals. The sleep disturbance sub-component of PSQI was associated with most of the physical (TUG, CST) and psychological (GDS and GAD) health indicators. Sleep duration and use of sleep medication showed no significant association with any of the health indicators. ConclusionThe concurrent presence of poor sleep quality and overweight/obesity could worsen physical and psychological health in middle-aged and older adults. We highlight the importance of early detection and timely management of sleep problems in this population to reduce physical and psychological morbidities.

Impact of fibromyalgia severity on patients mood, sleep quality, and quality of life.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by persistent widespread pain which greatly impacts the quality of life (QOL). Pain not only limits patients' daily activities but also restricts their social activities further leading to depression, anxiety, and stress. The present cross-sectional study elucidated the association of sleep quality and mood with increasing symptom severity of fibromyalgia and its impact on the QOL of fibromyalgia patients. Hundred adult fibromyalgia patients diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria were evaluated for: sleep - using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, QOL by SF-36, pain-visual analog scales (VASs) and global pain scale (GPS), mood-depression, anxiety, stress scale-21, somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression - by patients health questionnaire somatic, anxiety, and depressive symptom scales (PHQ-SADS), and FMS severity was evaluated using fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR). The mean pain score was 6.80 ± 1.58 on VAS and 54.10 ± 14.33 on GPS. FIQR score was 50.62 ± 13.68, mean sleep quality was poor (9.30 ± 3.88), and depression, anxiety, and stress scores were increased (10.04 ± 4.59, 8.33 ± 4.48, and 10.75 ± 4.66). An increasing trend of depression, anxiety, stress, and somatoform symptoms was observed with an increase in the severity of FMS when patients were compared according to FMS severity scores. Sleep also deteriorated with increasing severity of FMS from 5.66 ± 1.92 in mild FMS to 12.0 ± 3.41 in highly severe FMS patients. The QOL too deteriorated in all the domains with increasing severity. With the increasing severity of fibromyalgia, not only does the pain increase but mood and sleep quality also deteriorate, which further impacts the QOL of FMS patients. Thus, comorbid mood derangements must also be screened and addressed for maximum benefit of the patients.

Relating depressive and manic symptomatology to 1H-MRS spectra

BackgroundAlterations in neurochemical levels are potential biomarkers of affective disorders and offer a window into illness etiology. Much of the research done to date limits focus to few metabolites and relies on dichotomous diagnoses. Here, using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we generate profiles of association between depressive and manic symptom rating scales and numerous metabolites. MethodsMRS data were collected in 30 individuals (7 = major depressive disorder; 5 bipolar disorder and 18 unaffected individuals) in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula and hippocampus. All participants were administered mania and depression symptom scales. ResultsSmall to medium relationships were observed between total choline (tCho), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), myo-inositol (mIns) and depressive and manic symptoms. Associations between NAA and mania (r = –0.47, p = 8.88×10−03) in the hippocampus, and tCho (r = –0.48, p = 8.79×10−03) and NAA (r = –0.44, p = 0.01) and mania in the ACC withstood multiple testing correction. ConclusionsElevated levels of choline-containing compounds (tCho) and reduced NAA measured in the ACC and hippocampus are associated with mania indexed dimensionally. These metabolites may represent potential in vivo biomarkers for bipolar disorder symptomatology that warrant follow-up.

Prevalence and predictors of diabetes distress and depression in people with type 1 diabetes.

People living with diabetes often encounter psychosocial challenges, including diabetes distress and depression. Despite this, little research has focused on the co-occurrence of these conditions. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress in people with type 1 diabetes in Kuwait and to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with these conditions. A total of 832 people with type 1 diabetes (females: 54.1%, mean age: 29 ± 8.5 years), were invited to participate in Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) course. Diabetes distress was measured using the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Depressive symptoms were defined as PHQ-9 scores ≥10. Data on biomedical outcomes, lifestyle factors, and sociodemographic information were collected. The prevalence rates of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms were 27.8% and 38.3%, respectively. Notably, 19.6% of people experienced both conditions. In the regression analysis, PAID scale and PHQ-9 scores were significantly associated, patients with higher score on depressive symptoms scale were more likely to suffer diabetes distress (B= 2.65, p < 0.001). Female sex (odds ratio [OR]= 2.2, 95% CI= 1.5, 3.2), higher hemoglobin A1c levels (OR= 1.6, 95% CI= 1.0, 2.5), obesity (OR= 1.7, 95% CI= 1.1, 2.8), inactivity (OR= 2.4, 95% CI= 1.6, 3.6), microvascular complications (OR= 2.8, 95% CI= 1.5, 5.4), and lipohypertrophy (OR= 1.7, 95% CI= 1.1, 2.5) were associated with greater odds for the co-occurrence of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms (p< 0.05 for all). The majority of people with type 1 diabetes in Kuwait experience both diabetes distress and depressive symptoms. The strong correlation between diabetes distress and depressive symptoms suggests mutual predictability. The co-occurrence of both symptoms is associated with many sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, Metacognition, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Suicide Probability in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Although an association has been newly reported between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and an increased risk of suicide, there are only a limited number of studies investigating suicide-related factors in OCD patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between dysfunctional metacognitive activity, difficulty in emotion regulation, anxiety, depression, somatization symptom severity, and suicide probability in OCD patients by comparing them with a control group. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Metacognition Scale, Suicide Probability Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic, Anxiety, and Depression Symptom Scale were administered to 70 OCD patients and 70 healthy controls. The Dimensional Obsession Compulsion Scale was administered to assess OCD symptom dimensions among OCD patients. Dysfunctional metacognition, difficulty in emotion regulation, probability of suicide, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms were significantly higher in OCD patients compared to the control group (P < .05). Suicide probability was found to be positively correlated with depression, difficulty in emotion regulation, impulsivity dimension, metacognition, cognitive confidence dimension, contamination, cleaning, and symmetry scores among OCD symptom dimensions (P < .05). Recognizing the factors that were found to be associated with suicide probability in individuals with OCD may be of great importance in identifying patients at higher suicide risk.

Examining the validity and reliability of the Arabic translated version of the depression and somatic symptoms scale (A-DSSS) among the Lebanese adults

The prevalence of depression is high worldwide, and somatic symptoms are known to be one of the most debilitating aspects of depression. However, clinicians often face challenges in accurately assessing this comorbidity. To address this issue, the Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS) was developed as a self-administered scale that can diagnose both depression and somatic symptoms. The objective of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Arabic-translated version of the DSSS (A-DSSS) in a sample of Lebanese adults, as well as to explore its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one month, from February to March 2023, and involved a sample of 422 participants who were aged 18 years or older. Participants completed a questionnaire that included various measures, including demographic characteristics, alcohol and smoking habits, physical activity history, as well as two scales: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) scale and the A-DSSS scale. The A-DSSS showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.936), strong test–retest reliability (ICC of 0.988 with CI 0.976–0.994; p < 0.001), and a three-factor structure consistent with previous research. Convergent validity was supported by a significant correlation with the PHQ-9. Stepwise linear regression revealed that engaging in physical activity and increasing calorie consumption (as measured by MET-min/week score) were associated with a significant decrease in the A-DSSS total score and subscales. However, a significant increase in the A-DSSS total score was seen in the female gender in comparison for male gender. The A-DSSS revealed good psychometric properties and may be a useful tool for assessing depression and somatic symptoms in this population. The study also identified potential factors associated with depression and somatic symptoms, such as physical activity, calorie consumption, and gender, which may have implications in addressing depression and somatic symptoms for future interventions and clinical practice.

A bifactor representation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for children: gender and age invariance and implications for adolescents’ social and academic adjustment

BackgroundThe Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) is a widely used scale for screening depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. This study aims to uncover the optimal factor structure of the DES-DC and presents an alternate conceptualization of adolescent depression by estimating bifactor models and several competing models using a sample of Chinese adolescents.MethodsThe participants were 533 adolescents (49.7% boys, 49.7% girls, 3 participants did not report) between 12 and 18 years of age attending public secondary schools in the middle part of mainland China. Data were collected in classrooms using a questionnaire survey. A structural equation modeling approach was used to estimate and compare a series of competing models for the DES-DC.ResultsA Bifactor exploratory structural equation model (Bi-ESEM) with the best model fit was retained for representing the current data. Tests of measurement invariance demonstrated strict measurement equivalence across gender and age. No gender and age differences have been found in the general depression factor. Findings provided evidence for the composite reliability and construct validity of DES-DC. Depressive symptoms positively related to the Big Five trait neuroticism, negative emotions, loneliness, social anxious behaviors, and disruptive behaviors during school and negatively related to agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, physical health status, school connectedness, and academic self-efficacy.ConclusionsThis study provides support for the one general factor construct of the CES-DC and the continuum concept structure of adolescent depression. Moreover, this research offers empirical evidence for comparing depression symptoms among adolescent populations with diverse genders and age groups. Additionally, the findings replicate and expand upon the implications of depressive symptoms on adolescents’ traits, well-being, social-relational adjustment, and academic adaptation.