Mental health symptoms in relation to socio-economic conditions and lifestyle factors – a population-based study in Sweden

ABSTRACT Introduction Tinnitus is prevalent among Service members and Veterans and is often comorbid with mental health disorders. Associations between the severity of individuals’ tinnitus and mental health symptoms are not well described. Materials and Methods We conducted a population-based survey of a stratified random sample of 1,800 Veterans diagnosed with tinnitus. We used the Tinnitus Functional Index to measure tinnitus severity and the Primary Care-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) screen and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable regression models were used to estimate associations between Veterans’ tinnitus severity and mental health symptoms. Inverse probability weights were used to account for sample stratification and survey non-response. Multivariable odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) controlled for Veterans’ demographics, military history, and health diagnoses. Results A total of 891 Veterans completed surveys (adjusted response rate = 53%). Large proportions rated their tinnitus as severe (29.4%; 95% CI: 27.2-31.6) or very severe (18.7%; 95% CI: 16.8-20.5). In multivariable regression models, and compared with Veterans with none/mild tinnitus, the likelihood of screening positive for PTSD was increased for those who reported moderate (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.6-10.3), severe (OR = 7.5; 95% CI: 3.1-18.5), or very severe (OR = 17.5; 95% CI: 4.4-70.0) tinnitus. Similarly, Veterans’ likelihood of positive depression screens were elevated for those with moderate (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9), severe (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.5), or very severe (OR = 15.5; 95% CI: 4.3-55.5) tinnitus, as was the likelihood of positive anxiety screens for those with severe (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-6.3) or very severe (OR = 13.4; 95% CI: 4.0-44.3) tinnitus. Conclusions Mental health symptoms are strongly associated with Veterans’ tinnitus severity. A better understanding of the interplay between these conditions may help improve the provision of interdisciplinary (Audiology and Mental Health) care for Service members and Veterans.

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Examining the effects of low back pain and mental health symptoms on healthcare utilisation and costs: a protocol for a population-based cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031749 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e031749 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jessica J Wong ◽

Pierre Côté ◽

Andrea C Tricco ◽

Laura C Rosella

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Healthcare Utilisation ◽

Population Based ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Low Back ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability associated with high healthcare utilisation and costs. Mental health symptoms are negative prognostic factors for LBP recovery; however, no population-based studies have assessed the joint effects of LBP and mental health symptoms on healthcare utilisation. This proposed study will characterise the health system burden of LBP and help identify priority groups to inform resource allocation and public health strategies. Among community-dwelling adult respondents of five cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) in Ontario, we aim to assess the effect of self-reported LBP on healthcare utilisation and costs and assess whether this effect differs between those with and without self-reported mental health symptoms.Methods and analysisWe designed a dynamic population-based cohort study using linkages of survey and administrative data housed at ICES. The Ontario sample of CCHS (2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2011/2012; total of ~1 30 000 eligible respondents) will be used to define the cohort of adults with self-reported LBP with and without mental health symptoms. Healthcare utilisation and costs will be assessed by linking health administrative databases. Follow-up ranges from 6 to 15 years (until 31 March 2018). Sociodemographic (eg, age, sex, education) and health behaviour (eg, comorbidities, physical activity) factors will be considered as potential confounders. Poisson and linear (log-transformed) regression models will be used to assess the association between LBP and healthcare utilisation and costs. We will assess effect modification with mental health symptoms on the additive and multiplicative scales and conduct sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of misclassification and residual confounding.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board. We will disseminate findings using a multifaceted knowledge translation strategy, including scientific conference presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals and workshops with key knowledge users.

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Knowledge of mental health symptoms and help seeking attitude in a population-based sample in Hong Kong

International Journal of Mental Health Systems ◽

10.1186/s13033-021-00462-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ada Wai Tung Fung ◽

Linda Chiu Wa Lam ◽

Sandra Sau Man Chan ◽

Sing Lee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Population Based ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Professional Help ◽

Poor Knowledge ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Knowledge

Abstract Background Mental health symptoms can be subtle, resulting in delaying treatment. A prompt identification of mental signs and symptoms is important for preventing mental disorders in the public. This study examined whether local public have adequate knowledge to identify mental health symptoms and the need to get timely professional help. Methods The population-based telephone surveys were conducted in 2015 and 2018. It involved a random sample of 4033 respondents aged 12–75 years. Mental health knowledge and help seeking attitude were assessed using six vignettes depicting subtle and obvious symptoms of anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, and dementia. Logistic regression models were performed to examine association between mental health knowledge and help-seeking attitude. Results Individuals with poor knowledge in subtle symptoms were more likely to be males (t = − 5.0, p < .001), younger (F = 15.0, p < .001), have tertiary education (F = 15.0, p < .001), and employed (t = − 2.1, p = .037). The knowledge scores of subtle and obvious symptoms were 1.5 and 2.3 respectively. Binary logistic regression found that poor knowledge of subtle symptoms was associated with reluctance to professional help seeking. Conclusions Poorly identified subtle mental health symptoms is a major barrier to early professional help in highly educated working males. Future research should explore specific interventions to increase knowledge and professional help seeking in this group.

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Public Knowledge of Mental Health Symptoms and Help Seeking Attitude in a Population-based Sample in Hong Kong

10.21203/rs.3.rs-175088/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ada Fung ◽

Linda CW Lam ◽

Sandra SM Chan ◽

Sing Lee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Population Based ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Professional Help ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Knowledge

Abstract BackgroundMental health symptoms can be subtle, resulting in delaying treatment. A prompt identification of mental signs and symptoms is important for preventing mental disorders in the public. This study examined whether local public have adequate knowledge to identify mental health symptoms and the need to get timely professional help.MethodsA population-based telephone surveys based on 4033 respondents aged 12 to 75 years were conducted in 2015 and 2018. Mental health knowledge and help seeking attitude were assessed using six vignettes depicting subtle and obvious symptoms of anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, and dementia. Logistic regression models were performed to examine association between mental health knowledge and help-seeking attitude.ResultsPoor knowledge in subtle symptoms are more likely to be males (t=-5.0, p<.001), younger (F=15.0, p<.001), have tertiary education (F= 15.0, p<.001), and employed (t=-2.1, p=.037). Binary logistic regression found that poor knowledge of subtle symptoms was associated with reluctance to professional help seeking.ConclusionsHighly educated working males are less proficiently in identifying subtle mental health symptoms. Poorly identified subtle symptoms is a major barrier to early professional help. Future research should explore specific interventions to increase knowledge and professional help seeking in this group.

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