scholarly journals Familial risk for depressive and anxiety disorders: associations with genetic, clinical, and psychosocial vulnerabilities

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Eleonore D. van Sprang ◽  
Dominique F. Maciejewski ◽  
Yuri Milaneschi ◽  
Bernet M. Elzinga ◽  
Aartjan T. F. Beekman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In research and clinical practice, familial risk for depression and anxiety is often constructed as a simple Yes/No dichotomous family history (FH) indicator. However, this measure may not fully capture the liability to these conditions. This study investigated whether a continuous familial loading score (FLS), incorporating family- and disorder-specific characteristics (e.g. family size, prevalence of depression/anxiety), (i) is associated with a polygenic risk score (PRS) for major depression and with clinical/psychosocial vulnerabilities and (ii) still captures variation in clinical/psychosocial vulnerabilities after information on FH has been taken into account. Methods Data came from 1425 participants with lifetime depression and/or anxiety from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. The Family Tree Inventory was used to determine FLS/FH indicators for depression and/or anxiety. Results Persons with higher FLS had higher PRS for major depression, more severe depression and anxiety symptoms, higher disease burden, younger age of onset, and more neuroticism, rumination, and childhood trauma. Among these variables, FH was not associated with PRS, severity of symptoms, and neuroticism. After regression out the effect of FH from the FLS, the resulting residualized measure of FLS was still associated with severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety, rumination, and childhood trauma. Conclusions Familial risk for depression and anxiety deserves clinical attention due to its associated genetic vulnerability and more unfavorable disease profile, and seems to be better captured by a continuous score that incorporates family- and disorder-specific characteristics than by a dichotomous FH measure.

Author(s):  
Jason Brafman ◽  
◽  
Robert Lubin ◽  
Revital Naor-Ziv ◽  
Sarah Rosenberg ◽  
...  

This research letter presents our study, which sought to evaluate the differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness between younger and older generations at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the younger generation is generally less accustomed to facing and dealing with adversity and illness, we hypothesized that adolescents and younger adults would have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and loneliness as compared to the older generation. It must be emphasized that this survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 lockdown that occurred in Israel from mid-March 2020 to early May 2020. This was a time when businesses were closed, individuals and families were isolated at home with very limited social contact, and feelings of fear and panic were fueled by the electronic media.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 620-620
Author(s):  
R. Danciulescu Miulescu ◽  
M.E. Calarasu ◽  
R.I. Rosca ◽  
S. Danoiu

Background and aimsCushing's patients demonstrate major depression more than any other medical condition. Major depression is a common, complication of Cushing’s syndrome, with no significant differences between pituitary -dependent and -independent forms. The aims of the study is to estimate the prevalence of depression in patients with Cushing’s syndrome.Materials and methods23 patients with Cushing’s syndrome (14 with pituitary-dependent and 9 with pititary-independent forms) were recruited for this study. The subjects were between 52 and 67 years. Patients were screened initially with a questionnaire detailing their age, medical history, concomitant medications. The Zung self-rating depression scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology. It contains 20 items: index scores below 50 reflect no depression, 50–59 reflect mild depression, 60–69 reflect marked to moderate depression and scores of ≥ 70 reflect severe to extreme depression. Results were compared with measurements in 21 subjects without Cushing’s syndrome.ResultsThe prevalence of depression in patients with Cushing’s syndrome was 52.17% (12 patients). 2 patients (2 women) present mild depression and 10 patients (9 women and 1 men) present moderate or severe depression. Moderate or severe depression was significantly associated with older age, female sex, relatively more severe clinical condition. The prevalence of depression in 21 subjects without Cushing’s syndrome was 4.76% (1 women with mild depression).ConclusionThis study showed that patients with Cushing’s syndrome have a greater a risk of depression than people without Cushing’s syndrome. Patients with Cushing’s syndrome should be routinely screened and adequately treated for depression.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taoufik Alsaadi ◽  
Khadija El Hammasi ◽  
Tarek M. Shahrour ◽  
Mustafa Shakra ◽  
Lamya Turkawi ◽  
...  

Depression and anxiety are reported to be prevalent in patients with MS, with prevalence rates ranging from 20% to 50%. Unfortunately, the rates, patterns, and risk factors are not well studied in our Middle East region, and, to our knowledge, not at all in UAE. Using standardized screening tools, we observed that 17% and 20% of 80 patients seen in MS clinic had scores consistent with major depression and anxiety disorders, respectively, at a rate that was not statistically different when compared to age and sex matched controls. None of the studied variables including duration of the disease, EDSS scores, age, gender, and the level of education had any significant correlation with the rates of both disorders. Almost two-thirds of the patients with scores consistent with major depression and anxiety were not on antidepressant and antianxiety medications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 839-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Y. Liu ◽  
Neil D. Saunders ◽  
Aaron Chen ◽  
Collin J. Weber ◽  
Jyotirmay Sharma

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are often subtle and effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on symptoms remains poorly characterized. Our aim was to evaluate effects of PTX on NPS in patients with PHPT. A prospective questionnaire was distributed to all patients undergoing PTX and to a thyroidectomy (TX) control group. The questionnaire included the validated scales Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to assess for depression and anxiety respectively, as well as questions modified from Pasieka's Parathyroid Assessment of Symptoms (M-PAS). Point values were assigned to questionnaire answers to create a score, with a maximum of 63. Fifty-eight patients underwent PTX (58.6%) and 41 TX (41.4%). Mean preoperative scores were greater in PTX versus TX patients in total score, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and M-PAS (all P < 0.05). Post-PTX scores were lower than pre-PTX in total score, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and M-PAS (all P < 0.05), but not in pre- and post-TX. Post-PTX 69.0 and 82.8 per cent of patients showed no symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively, compared with 37.9 and 56.9 per cent pre-PTX. A total of 16.2 and 10.3 per cent of patients had moderately severe to severe depression and anxiety, which fell to 0 per cent post-PTX. NPSs are more common in patients with PHPT when compared with TX. Patients undergoing PTX have improvements in NPS. NPS scoring should occur in all patients with PHPT and severity of NPS should be considered a relative indication for PTX.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusola Ayandele ◽  
Olugbenga A Popoola ◽  
Tolulope O Oladiji

PurposeThis study examined the prevalence and relationship between addictive use of smartphones and symptoms of depression and anxiety among female undergraduates.Design/methodology/approachStandardized scales were used to measure the addictive use of smartphones, depression and anxiety among 398 female students (mean age 21.75 years, SD = 2.67) at two large higher institutions in southwest Nigeria and were opportunely sampled. Two hypotheses were tested using Spearman's rho and Mann–Whitney U tests.FindingsThe results showed that 1.01% of the respondents were probable smartphone addicts and 17.34% were at-risk, while 14.32% and 16.33% manifested symptoms of anxiety and moderate-to-severe depression, respectively. Depression (r = 0.24, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.21, p < 0.01) have significant relationship with addictive use of smartphone. Addictive/at-risk smartphone users significantly scored higher on symptoms of depression (average rank of 233.40) than normal smartphone users (average rank of 191.88); U = 9387.50; z = −2.81, p < 0.05; Also, addictive/at-risk smartphone users reported significantly higher level of anxiety (average rank of 229.27) than normal smartphone users (average rank of 192.81); U = 9689.00; z = −2.46, p < 0.05.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizing these results to a clinical setting and other at-risk demographic groups might prove difficult due to the respondents' condition of homogeneity.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that relationships exist between the addictive use of smartphones and symptoms of depression and anxiety among undergraduate students in southwest Nigeria. Clinicians should assess smartphone use in the management of depression and anxiety disorders.Social implicationsUniversity administrators should target prevention and intervention strategies that would assist students to be taught positive ways of using their smartphones.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the body of knowledge by revealing relationships between smartphone addiction and mental health in an African sample.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Israelsson ◽  
Per Allard ◽  
Anders Eklund ◽  
Jan Malm

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: If patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) also have depression, this could have important clinical ramifications in assessment and management of their cognitive function and response to shunting. In many dementias, depression is overrepresented, but the prevalence of depression in shunted patients with INPH is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this case-control study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of depression in shunted INPH patients compared with population-based controls. METHODS: INPH patients consecutively shunted from 2008 to 2010 in Sweden were analyzed. Patients remaining after inclusion (within 60-85 years and not having dementia, ie, mini-mental state examination ≥23) had a standardized visit to their healthcare provider and answered an extensive questionnaire. Age- and sex-matched population-based controls underwent the same procedure. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (suspected depression defined as ≥5 points, suspected severe depression as ≥12 points). This study is part of the INPH-CRasH study. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six INPH patients and 368 controls participated. After adjustment for age, sex, cerebrovascular disease, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, patients had a higher mean depression score (patients: 4.9 ± 3.7 SD, controls: 1.9 ± 2.3 SD; OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6, P &lt; .001), more patients had suspected depression (46% vs 13%, OR 6.4, 95% CI 3.8-10.9, P &lt; .001), and more patients had suspected severe depression (7.3% vs 0.6%, OR 14.4, 95% CI 3.0-68.6, P &lt; .005). CONCLUSION: Symptoms of depression are overrepresented in INPH patients compared with the population, despite treatment with a shunt. Screening for depression should be done in the evaluation of INPH patients in order to find and treat a coexisting depression.


2021 ◽  
pp. 102-110
Author(s):  
Xiaolei Zheng ◽  
Yuji Guo ◽  
Wen Ma ◽  
Hui Yang ◽  
Liyan Luo ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> COVID-19, a continuously emerging human-to-human infectious disease, has exerted a significant impact on the mental health of college students. However, little is known regarding the variations in the mental health issues experienced by college students during the peak versus reopening stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> To assess these issues, an online longitudinal survey was conducted via a WeChat applet. Undergraduates (<i>n</i> = 300) were recruited from 26 universities throughout Jinan in February 2020 (T1 – the epidemic peak stage) and in January 2021 (T2 – the society reopening stage). Their mental status was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item, and the Insomnia Severity Index. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the original 300 college students recruited for this survey, 294 responses at T1 and 285 at T2 were analyzed. Compared with responses obtained at T1, college students at T2 showed a greater prevalence of depression (65.3 vs. 51.0%; <i>p</i> = 0.001) and anxiety (47.7 vs. 38.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.019), and experienced more severe depression (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and anxiety (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Both males (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and females (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01) showed higher levels of depression at T2 versus T1, while no differences were obtained with regard to anxiety and insomnia. At T1, Grade 4 students showed greater levels of depression (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and anxiety (<i>p</i> = 0.008) than that of Grade 1 students. While at T2, only greater levels of depression (<i>p</i> = 0.004) were present when compared with that of Grade 1 students. Additionally, Grade 4 college students demonstrated a greater prevalence of depression at T2 versus T1 (<i>p</i> = 0.03), but no statistically differences were present for anxiety and insomnia. No statistically significant differences were obtained among the 4 grades of college students for insomnia at either the T1 or T2. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> With progression of the COVID-19 epidemic, college students showed increasing levels of depression and anxiety, with Grade 4 college students being most seriously affected. It is imperative that intervention strategies be implemented to mitigate against these mental health issues resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Naeim ◽  
Ali Rezaeisharif ◽  
Sahar Aligholizadeh Moghadam

Background: Research shows that transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Objectives: This research is aimed at reducing depression and anxiety in methadone users with transcranial direct current stimulation. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest. The sample of this study was 60 methadone users who had severe depression and anxiety. Participants were allocated to two experimental (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30). The two regions, F3 (cathode) and F4 (anode) were stimulated with a current of 2 mA for 20 minutes in 10 sessions. Participants were assessed before and after stimulation with Beck’s depression inventory and Berger’s anxiety test. Results: Data analysis showed that tDCS reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety in methadone users (P < 0.01). Conclusions: It seems that the method of tDCS can reduce the severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it can be claimed that this intervention can be considered by experts as a complementary intervention along with other psychological and pharmacological treatments.


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