A dataset for dental anxiety and psychological distress in 1550 patients visiting dental clinics

Objectives Information was collected to identify anxiety in dental patients visiting a dental clinic using the Dental Anxiety Scale, their level of psychological distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and identifying a correlation between these groups as well as the gender and age. Data description This data contains a set of 1550 patients’ answers to questionnaires taken before dental treatment in a dental clinic. It is divided into male and female patients as well as according to their age. The level of Dental Anxiety can be interpreted by answers chosen in the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the level of psychological distress by answers chosen in the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). This dataset should help to encourage more research in the field of dental anxiety and we hope to see more comparisons with our data in the future or in different regions of the world.

Association Between Symptom Burden at Initiation of a Graduated Return to Activity Protocol and Time to Return to Unrestricted Activity After Concussion in Service Academy Cadets

Background: Current consensus and position statements recommend that concussed patients be asymptomatic upon the initiation of the graduated return to activity (RTA) protocol. However, a significant number of concussed patients are beginning their RTA protocols while endorsing symptoms. Purpose: To characterize symptom endorsement at the beginning of the RTA protocol and examine the association between symptom endorsement and RTA protocol duration in service academy cadets. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with cadets at 3 US service academies. Postconcussion symptom inventories were recorded upon the initiation of an RTA protocol. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool Symptom Inventory was used to classify participants into 3 groups (0 symptoms, 1 symptom, and ≥2 symptoms) upon the initiation of the RTA protocol. The primary outcome of interest was RTA protocol duration. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated to estimate RTA protocol duration by symptom endorsement, sex, varsity status, academic break, and time to graduated RTA initiation. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between symptom endorsement at the initiation of the RTA protocol and RTA protocol duration (α < .05). Results: Data were analyzed from 966 concussed cadets (36% women). Headache (42%) and faintness/dizziness (44%) were the most commonly endorsed symptoms on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-Third Edition and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, respectively. Univariate results revealed a significant association between endorsing ≥2 symptoms and RTA protocol duration. In the multivariable model, endorsing ≥2 symptoms maintained a statistically significant association with RTA protocol duration. Significant associations were observed between RTA protocol duration and nonvarsity status (27% longer), women (15% longer), academic breaks (70% longer), and time to the initiation of the RTA protocol (1.1% longer daily incremental increase) after controlling for covariates. Conclusion: Symptom endorsement at the initiation of an RTA protocol was associated with RTA protocol duration. Cadets who had returned to preinjury baseline symptom burden or improved from baseline symptom burden and endorsed ≥2 symptoms at the initiation of the RTA protocol took longer to RTA.

Associations between air pollution and psychiatric symptoms in the normative aging study

Background: Environmental risk factors for psychiatric health are poorly identified. We examined the association between air pollution and psychiatric symptoms, which are often precursors to the development of psychiatric disorders. Methods: This study included 570 participants in the US Veterans Administration (VA) Normative Aging Study and 1,114 visits (defined as an onsite follow-up at the VA with physical examination and questionnaires) from 2000-2014 with information on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to assess their psychiatric symptom levels. Differences in the three BSI global measures (Global Severity Index – GSI, Positive Symptom Distress Index – PSDI and Positive Symptom Total - PST) were reported per interquartile (IQR) increase of residential address-specific air pollutants levels (fine particulate matter – PM2.5, ozone - O3, nitrogen dioxide – NO2) at averages of 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 1 year prior to the visit using generalized additive mixed effects models. We also evaluated modification by neighborhood factors. Results: On average, among the NAS sample (average age, 72.4 yrs. (standard deviation: 6.7 yrs.)), an IQR increase in 1- and 4- week averages of NO2 before visit was associated with a PSDI T score (indicator for psychiatric symptom intensity) increase of 1.60 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.31, 2.89), 1.71 (95% CI: 0.18, 3.23), respectively. Similarly, for each IQR increase in 1- and 4-week averages of ozone before visit, PSDI T-score increased by 1.66 (95% CI: 0.68, 2.65), and 1.36 (95% CI: 0.23, 2.49), respectively. Stronger associations were observed for ozone and PSDI in low house value and low household income areas. No associations were found for PM2.5. Conclusions: Exposure to gaseous air pollutants was associated with higher intensity of psychiatric symptoms among a cohort of older men, particularly in communities with lower socio-economic or housing conditions.

Evaluation of Psychopathological Conditions, Corona Anxiety, Death Anxiety and Suicide Risk in Hemodialysis Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background Hemodialysis (HD) patients have serious psychopathological symptoms due to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the psychopathological conditions among HD patients during the current pandemic and also to provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of effective preventions and psychological interventions. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 114 HD patients who were undergoing treatment in the Dialysis Centers of two state hospitals between July and October 2021. Brief symptom inventory, Death anxiety scale, Suicide probability scale and Corona anxiety scale were applied to the participants for the assessment. Results In the study, it was determined that HD patients had high levels of psychopathological symptoms. The mean total score was found to be 26.47 ± 20.2 in TDAS, 0.71 ± 0.51 in GSI, 3.31 ± 2.86 in CAS and 65.86 ± 9.72 in SPS. Of the participants 18.4% had high death anxiety levels and 30.7% had corona anxiety. Suicide risk was higher in HD patients. In correlation analysis; psychological distress positively correlated with suicide probability, corona anxiety and death anxiety. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between corona anxiety and death anxiety. Conclusions As a result, it was concluded that HD patients experienced various mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychosocial support and interventions need to be planned by the healthcare system and healthcare providers to help HD patients in managing their disease and related mental health conditions.

The prevalence and psychological relation of problem shopping: data from a large-scale sample from Turkey

Background The purpose of the present study was to comprehensively examine the measurement aspects, the prevalence, and the psychological correlates of problem shopping among a large-scale national sample of Turkish adults. Result Participants (N = 24,380, 50% men, M age = 31.79 years, age range = 18–81 years) completed a questionnaire that comprised the Shopping Addiction Risk Questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised. Results showed that 1.8% of the participants had probable shopping addiction. Being female, being younger, psychiatric distress, positive affect, negative affect, anxious attachment, and avoidant attachment were positive correlates of problem shopping. Conclusion The results of this large sample size study suggest that shopping addiction is not a rare condition in Turkey. Further research is needed to understand different motives that underlie the problematic shopping behavior in the young and female population in comparison to older and male populations. Preventive programs or any interventions for people with PSB needs to address regulation difficulties and development of healthy strategies to cope with psychiatric distress.

MEG-Derived Symptom-Sensitive Biomarkers with Long-Term Test-Retest Reliability

Neuroelectric measures derived from human magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings hold promise as aides to diagnosis and treatment monitoring and targeting for chronic sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study tests novel MEG-derived regional brain measures of tonic neuroelectric activation for long-term test-retest reliability and sensitivity to symptoms. Resting state MEG recordings were obtained from a normative cohort (CamCAN, baseline: n = 613; mean 16-month follow-up: n = 245) and a chronic symptomatic TBI cohort (TEAM-TBI, baseline: n = 62; mean 6-month follow-up: n = 40). The MEG-derived neuroelectric measures were corrected for the empty-room contribution using a random forest classifier. The mean 16-month correlation between baseline and 16-month follow-up CamCAN measures was 0.67; test-retest reliability was markedly improved in this study compared with previous work. The TEAM-TBI cohort was screened for depression, somatization, and anxiety with the Brief Symptom Inventory and for insomnia with the Insomnia Severity Index and was assessed via adjudication for six clinical syndromes: chronic pain, psychological health, and oculomotor, vestibular, cognitive, and sleep dysfunction. Linear classifiers constructed from the 136 regional measures from each TEAM-TBI cohort member distinguished those with and without each symptom, p < 0.0003 for each, i.e., the tonic regional neuroelectric measures of activation are sensitive to the presence/absence of these symptoms and clinical syndromes. The novel regional MEG-derived neuroelectric measures obtained and tested in this study demonstrate the necessary and sufficient properties to be clinically useful, i.e., good test-retest reliability, sensitivity to symptoms in each individual, and obtainable using automatic processing without human judgement or intervention.

Physician's Burnout and the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Austria

Background: The current study assesses the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among general practitioners and physicians of various specialities, who are not working in a hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in this context, contributing factors are registered.Materials and Methods: Burnout and psychological distress were assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). A newly developed self-reporting questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic data and pandemic-associated stress factors.Results: 252 general practitioners and 229 private practice physicians provided sufficient responses to the outcome variables for analysis. The prevalence of clinically relevant psychological distress was comparable between groups (12.4 vs. 9.2%). A larger proportion of general practitioners than specialists had intermediate (43.8 vs. 39.9%) or high burnout (26.9 vs. 22.0%) without reaching statistical significance for either category. When combining study participants with intermediate and high levels of burnout, the group difference attained significance (70.7 % vs. 61.9%).Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that practicing physicians are at high risk of burnout in the context of the pandemic. Being single (standardized beta = 0.134), financial problems (beta = 0.136), and facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.135) were identified as significant predictors for psychological distress. Burnout was predicted by being single (beta = 0.112), financial problems (beta= 0.136), facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.093), stigmatization because of treatment of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (beta = 0.150), and longer working hours during the pandemic (beta = 0.098).

Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).

Technology Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Psychological Distress: Exploring Health, Pain, And Activity

This randomized controlled trial investigates two technologically based self-administered cognitive behavioral depression treatments (CBT) on psychological distress in older adults. Health may change the ability to participate in types of activities, thereby impacting mental well-being and treatment response. The aims of this research are 1) to understand the impact of technologically based cognitive behavioral treatment on psychological distress 2) explore how health, pain, and activity engagement may affect treatment response. Fifty one participants recruited were randomized to one of 3 groups: audio-based cognitive behavioral therapy, computer-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, and control group. The combined treatment groups are compared to the control group. Health was examined in multiple ways; the Vulnerable Elders Scale-13 score ; (Saliba et al., 2001); and a reported chronic pain condition. For overall psychological distress, improvement on the Brief Symptom Inventory General Severity Index (GSI; Derogatis & Spencer, 1983) scores from baseline to post-treatment indicated treatment response. The California Older Person’s Pleasant Events Scale (COPPES; Rider, Gallagher-Thompson, & Thompson, 2004) measured activity engagement. While controlling for the Time 1 GSI score, an ANOVA revealed a significant difference in psychological distress between the CBT treatment group and control group F(1, 43) =4.22, p=.046. A linear regression analysis with the VES-13 score and GSI baseline score as predictors and the GSI posttreatment score as the dependent variable, found that health did not significantly predict psychological distress outcomes. Observation of the descriptives and these analyses suggest that CBT can impact psychological distress, potentially even with variations in health and pain.

Living With COVID-19: Descriptions of Custodial Grandparents' Mental Health Stress and Social Support Networks

Research suggests custodial grandparents (CG) with chronic health conditions, limited economic resources, and restricted social connections are at risk for adverse mental health outcomes. The growing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 seems to accentuate these findings. This paper presents preliminary descriptions of mental stress by a small sample of CG (n=26) surveyed after the onset of COVID-19. They described the social groups comprising their networks, and the methods used to engage with them. A majority of the sample (96.2%) reported experiencing mental stress since the onset of the virus; based on Brief Symptom Inventory results, five CG scored in the clinical range for stress. Food access, fear of getting sick, and grandchildren’s school requirements are leading sources of stress. Despite such challenges, CG report varying levels of social engagement with their support networks. The reported descriptions give preliminary insight how CG can maximize their social networks to build/sustain positive mental health well-being.