Episodic versus Chronic Dizziness: An Analysis of Predictive Factors

Objectives: To elucidate differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients with episodic and chronic dizziness. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study of 217 adults referred for dizziness at 1 tertiary center was undertaken. Subjects were split into a chronic dizziness group (>15 dizzy days per month) and an episodic dizziness group (<15 dizzy days per month). Results: 217 adults (average age, 53.7 years; 56.7% female) participated. One-third (n = 74) met criteria for chronic dizziness. Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores were significantly higher in those with chronic dizziness compared to those with episodic dizziness (53.9 vs 40.7; P < .001). Comorbid depression and anxiety were more prevalent in those with chronic dizziness (44.6% and 47.3% vs 37.8% and 35.7%, respectively; P > .05). Abnormal vestibular testing and abnormal imaging studies did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Ménière’s disease and BPPV were significantly more common among those with episodic dizziness, while the prevalence of vestibular migraine did not differ according to chronicity of symptoms. A multivariate regression that included age, sex, DHI, history of anxiety and/or depression, associated symptoms, and dizziness triggers was able to account for 15% of the variance in the chronicity of dizziness (pseudo- R2 = 0.15; P < .001). Conclusions: Those who suffer from chronic dizziness have significantly higher DHI and high comorbid rates of depression and anxiety than those with episodic dizziness. Our findings show that factors other than diagnosis alone are important in the chronification of dizziness, an observation that could help improve on multimodal treatment options for this group of patients.

Download Full-text

Association between self-care agency and depression and anxiety in patients with diabetic retinopathy

BMC Ophthalmology ◽

10.1186/s12886-021-01883-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bo Zhang ◽

Qin Wang ◽

Xuancan Zhang ◽

Li Jiang ◽

Lezhi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Self Care ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Care Agency

Abstract Background This study aimed at investigating: 1) the relationship between self-care agency and depression and anxiety; 2) the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. One-hundred and five patients with DR were recruited. Self-care agency was assessed by the exercise of self-care agency (ESCA) scale. Depression and anxiety were assessed by the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS-D and HADS-A). Pearson or Spearman correlations were performed to assess the association between self-care agency and depression and anxiety. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of the sociodemographic and clinical factors to depression and anxiety. Results Thirty-six (34.3%) and 43 (41.1%) patients exhibited depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Only 24 (22.9%) patients showed a high self-care agency. The ESCA total and subscale scores were negatively correlated depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). Self-care skills were negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms (P < 0.05). ESCA total score, rural residence, history of hypertension and visual acuity were associated with depression; self-care skills and diastolic blood pressure were associated with anxiety. Conclusions Self-care agency negatively correlates with depression and anxiety in patients with DR. Special attention should be paid to patients living in rural areas and/or those having a history of hypertension when assessing depression and anxiety in patients with DR. Future studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship between self-care agency and depression and anxiety.

Download Full-text

Neurocognitive dysfunctioning and the impact of comorbid depression and anxiety in patients with somatic symptom and related disorders: a cross-sectional clinical study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291717003300 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (11) ◽

pp. 1803-1813 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lars de Vroege ◽

Anique Timmermans ◽

Willem J. Kop ◽

Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

Keyword(s):

Visual Memory ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Health Care Centre ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe prevalence and severity of neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD) is unknown. Furthermore, the influence of comorbid depression and anxiety has not been evaluated. This study examines neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with SSRD and explores if comorbid depression and anxiety is associated with specific neurocognitive dysfunctioning.MethodsCross-sectional study with consecutive patients suffering from SSRD visiting an outpatient specialty mental health care Centre of Excellence for SSRD. Extensive neuropsychological assessment and assessment of depression and anxiety symptom levels using the Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 were performed at intake. Multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 201 SSRD patients, with a mean age of 43 years (Standard deviation = 13) years; 37.8% were male. Neurocognitive dysfunction in the domains information processing speed, sustained and divided attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory were reported, compared with normative data. Comorbid depression and anxiety occurred frequently within the sample (75.1% and 65.7%, respectively). Neurocognitive dysfunctioning was worse in patients suffering from comorbid depression [multivariateF(7,161) = 2.839,p= 0.008] but not in patients with comorbid anxiety.ConclusionsPoor neurocognitive performance of patients with SSRD is common and worsens in case of comorbid depression. This may explain treatment dropout of patients with SSRD from neurocognitive behavioral therapy. Research on novel interventions is needed targeting neurocognitive functioning of patients with SSRD, particularly those with comorbid depression.

Download Full-text

Community Perception towards Mental Illness among Residents of Gimbi Town, Western Ethiopia

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2016/6740346 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Misael Benti ◽

Jemal Ebrahim ◽

Tadesse Awoke ◽

Zegeye Yohannis ◽

Asres Bedaso

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Family History ◽

Health Information ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Community Perception ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Information ◽

History Of

Background. Despite the increased burden of mental health problem, little is known about knowledge and perception of the public towards mental health problems in Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 845 Gimbi town residents from May 28 to June 28, 2014. Results. Out of the total study participants, 304 (37.3%) were found to have poor perception (a score below mean five semantic differential scales for positive questions and above mean for negative questions) of mental illness. Being above 28 years of age (AOR = 0.48 CI (0.23, 0.78)), private workers (AOR = 0.41 CI (0.19, 0.87)), and lack of mental health information were found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.133 CI (0.09, 0.20)). Absence of family history of mental illness was also found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.37 CI (0.21, 0.66)). Conclusions. Significant proportions of the community in Gimbi town were found to have poor perception of mental illness. Poor perception is common among old aged, less educated, private workers, those unable to access mental health information, and those with no family history of mental illness. Mental health education on possible causes, treatment options, and possible outcome of treatment to the community is required.

Download Full-text

A history of comorbid depression and anxiety predicts new onset of heart disease

Journal of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1007/s10865-012-9428-y ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 347-353 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Janneke Berecki-Gisolf ◽

Samantha J. McKenzie ◽

Annette J. Dobson ◽

Alexander McFarlane ◽

Deirdre McLaughlin

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

History Of ◽

New Onset

Download Full-text

Fatigue in patients with epilepsy and its association with depression and sleep quality

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x20130075 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 71 (8) ◽

pp. 533-536 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Gisele S. M. Leite Neves ◽

Marleide da Mota Gomes

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Center ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patients With Epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: It was to evaluate the relationships between fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, depression and anxiety. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 98 unselected adult patients with epilepsy (PWE) at a tertiary center. It used clinical-sociodemographic characteristics, fatigue measured by the SF-36 vitality subscale (VsSF-36) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. RESULTS: We observed that our patients presented vitality or fatigue similar to drivers with chronic headaches evaluated in the same city. Fatigue was related to depression, anxiety and sleep quality, but not to daytime sleepiness. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted and we observed that fatigue was independently correlated with depression and quality of sleep. However, no significant difference was observed regarding seizure frequency or number of antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSION: Fatigue needs to be studied more in PWE, and its risk factors need to be controlled, along with sleep quality and psychiatric disorders.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety in the Adult Population of Qatar in the First Year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an Online Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-729213/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Salma M. Khaled ◽

Iman Amro ◽

Lina Bader ◽

Peter Woodruff ◽

Majid A Alabdulla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Prior History ◽

First Year ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: There is limited data from Arabic-speaking countries on risk factors for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Country-specific data is necessary given differences in culture, demographics, COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.Aim: To identify factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020 after the first COVID-19 wave and before the beginning of the second wave. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Results: Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77% were < 40 years (the median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=2.04, p < 0.001 (versus married), prior history of psychiatric disorder (versus no history) (OR=1.76, p=0.039), increased worries due to social media use for COVID-related news/updates (OR=1.72, p=0.003), those with a history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). These associations also pertained in the reduced model, with exception of religiosity which was only marginally statistically significant (OR=0.97, p=0.055).Conclusions: The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention in future COVID-19 waves, and similar crises, and assist with early intervention to treat sufferers.

Download Full-text

Obesity

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199797004.013.021 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Garreth R. Dutton ◽

Belinda L. Needham

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Severe Obesity ◽

Positive Association ◽

Leptin Resistance ◽

Future Research ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicate a positive association between obesity and depression. While some evidence suggests that depression is a risk factor for obesity, other findings indicate that obesity is a risk factor for depression. Therefore the directionality of this relationship remains unclear. Alternatively, there may be common mediating biological or environmental contributors accounting for this association. Potential biological mediators include dysregulation of the HPA axis, leptin resistance, and inflammatory immune responses. Environmental and psychological mediators may include a history of abuse and binge eating. It is also possible that the association between obesity and depression is most pronounced among particular subsets of individuals (e.g., women, those with more severe obesity). A better understanding of this depression-obesity association is needed to guide treatment recommendations for obese clients with comorbid depression. Future research is also needed to determine who is most vulnerable to experiencing comorbid depression and obesity.

Download Full-text

Carbohydrate knowledge in diabetic emergency department patients at an academic institution

Journal of Hospital Administration ◽

10.5430/jha.v6n2p15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Preeti Dalawari ◽

David Sprowls ◽

Vicki Moran ◽

Eric Armbrecht

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Blood Sugar ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Center ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

History Of ◽

Interview Survey ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Research Assistants

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 12.3% of the U.S. population and is responsible for $245 billion in annual costs. Knowledge about their disease is an important part of patients’ self-management.Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the baseline level of knowledge of patients with diabetes in this emergency department (ED), including behaviors related to healthy eating such as carbohydrate counting (CC).Methods: This was a cross sectional interview survey conducted at an academic tertiary center. An 8-item survey was developed to assess areas of diabetes self-care and carbohydrate knowledge. Trained research assistants approached all medically stable, non-pregnant ED patients with a past medical history of diabetes for participation. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA analysis were used.Results: Of the 115 patients approached, 98 were willing to participate; 54% were using insulin and 68% were female. The average age was 55 (SD +/- 14) years and diagnosed for an average of 12 (SD +/- 10) years. Fifty three percent did not check their morning blood sugar. Only 20% could accurately state the target hemoglobin A1c. While 48% of participants could relate the importance of carbohydrates to blood sugar, only 5% could state the number of grams of carbohydrates in a slice of bread. Only 1 participant correctly answered all 4 of the carbohydrate questions. Higher education and more visits with a nutritionist were associated with carbohydrate knowledge.Conclusions: Carbohydrate knowledge among this ED population was poor. Opportunities exist for patient education.

Download Full-text

Frequency of Backache and its Management in Pregnant Women Attending IUH OPD

10.53350/pjmhs2115113441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. 3441-3443

Author(s):

Uzma Parveen ◽

Zahida Parveen Brohi ◽

Aneela Sadaf

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Age Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Keywords Pregnancy ◽

Patient Department

Objective: Frequency of backache and its treatment among pregnant women attending Isra University Hospital (IUH) OPD. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Out patient’s department of obstetrics\Gynaecology Isra hospital Hyderabad from February 2019 to Augusts 2019. A total of 80 pregnant women irrespective of their age, marital and literary status, visiting out-patient department of Isra University were included. All the females were assessed regarding backache and its treatment at gynaecological OPD. All the information was recorded via study proforma. Data was analyzed via SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 180 pregnant women were studied, and most of the women 40% were in age group of 31-40 years. Out of all, 22.2% women were primigravida, 40.6% were multigravidas and 36.7% women were grand multigravidas. The history of backache before pregnancy was among 20% of the females and 62.2% of women had developed backache during pregnancy, while 12.8% women had no complaint of backache. Out of 121 females who had backache during pregnancy, 28.30% had an onset of pain during 1st trimester, in 23.30% during 2nd trimester and in 48.30% during 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Out of all 32.20% women got relieved by taking rest, 63.90% women took analgesics as a treatment measure and 3.3% women took some other treatment options. Conclusion: It was observed that the more than 60% of all pregnant women experienced backache and mostly during 3rd trimester. Most of the females took treatment in the form of analgesics and some women got relieved by taking rest. Keywords: Pregnancy, backache, Management

Download Full-text

Lifestyle in Undergraduate Students and Demographically Matched Controls during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158133 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8133

Author(s):

María Giner-Murillo ◽

Beatriz Atienza-Carbonell ◽

Jose Cervera-Martínez ◽

Teresa Bobes-Bascarán ◽

Benedicto Crespo-Facorro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Control Group ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Financial Difficulties ◽

History Of ◽

Group A

Few studies have used a multidimensional approach to describe lifestyle changes among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic or have included controls. This study aimed to evaluate lifestyle behaviors and mental health of undergraduate students and compare them with an age and sex-matched control group. A cross-sectional web survey using snowball sampling was conducted several months after the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. A sample of 221 students was recruited. The main outcome was the total SMILE-C score. Students showed a better SMILE-C score than controls (79.8 + 8.1 vs. 77.2 + 8.3; p < 0.001), although these differences disappeared after controlling for covariates. While groups did not differ in the screenings of depression and alcohol abuse, students reported lower rates of anxiety (28.5% vs. 37.1%; p = 0.042). A lower number of cohabitants, poorer self-perceived health and positive screening for depression and anxiety, or for depression only were independently associated (p < 0.05) with unhealthier lifestyles in both groups. History of mental illness and financial difficulties were predictors of unhealthier lifestyles for students, whereas totally/moderate changes in substance abuse and stress management (p < 0.05) were predictors for the members of the control group. Several months after the pandemic, undergraduate students and other young adults had similar lifestyles.

Download Full-text