bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EV466Characterization of the refugee population in a psychiatry clinic in Lisbon
Authors: Prata-Ribeiro H. , Bento A. , Ponte A. , Neves B. Costa , Gil L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe refugee population has been a growing concern to the developed countries in general and to Europe in particular. The recent mass migrations are changing the population that is getting to the psychiatric hospitals, not only culturally but also pathologically. The aim of this study is to characterize the refugee population that contacts with the clinic of transcultural psychiatry in Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, understanding the most frequent pathologies and nationalities. The methods used consisted in analyzing the refugee population that attended a psychotherapeutic group and consultation in the Transcultural clinic of Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa during the past year. Analyzing the population, 66 refugees were in contact with the transcultural clinic, 44 of which were men, being the other 22 women, representing a total of 23 countries. The more frequent nationality was Iranian (20) and the most frequent diagnosis was “adjustment disorder and anxiety” (38). We can reach the conclusion that more refugee men contact with our psychiatric hospital than women, accounting for 66, 6% of the total; 30, 3% of the refugees were from Iran, followed by Pakistan with 10, 6%. The fact that the most frequent diagnosis is adjustment disorder and anxiety, accounting for 57, 6% of the sample, seems to point out the extreme stress refugees undergo.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The sense of community in times of secularization and modernism
Authors: Rosa D. 
Published: May 2016

Based on theoretical studies we approach the secularization process and the introduction of the Modern ideas effects over the community sense. The object's removal from the religious institutions’ domain or its signification from the sacred and the exaltation of the rational and the urbanization unveil how both phenomena affect social relations regarding its interference over social symbols, meanings and, therefore, over the identity that underlies the community sense. What is shown are the deep social transformations that inflict over the still recent structures of urbanization, not enough assimilated or well understood in concerning of the forces that act over the relationships and daily life of whom integrates them. Religion is conceived as a human projection and, therefore, as a result of a necessary unconscious signification process that occurs through a mechanism of self-defense for inner conflict, with the intention of externalize it. Thereby, the Modern ideas can’t provide a tolerable interpretation of reality to fulfill the emotional void resulted from secularization. In this context, the solidarity, responsible for the community identity, decline while happened the decrease of common representations. Nonetheless, the necessity of signification doesn’t decrease. Thus, against modernist predictions, community's members tend to redirect its projections, qualifying new symbols. What is noticed is that no process can remove representation's meaning without offer a substitute or witness the redirection of it to other object. Nonetheless, it is possible to provide tools that will help community to detach of projections when the necessity of them be surpassed conceiving the reality.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Longitudinal effect of depression on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A 3-years prospective study
Authors: abuhegazy H. , Elkeshishi H. , Kamel A. , Ismail A. , Sherra K. , Saleh N. , Azim K.A. , Mokhtar D. 
Published: May 2016

Objectiveto examine the longitudinal effect of depression on glycemic control in a sample of patients with type 2 diabetes.Methodsthe patients were recruited from diabetes clinic in Saudi airlines medical center, in Jeddah, the base line study community consisted from 172 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were assessed for depression using BDI II, and diagnostic interview, and for diabetic control using HbA1c. We created a person-period data set for each patient to cover 6 months intervals up to 3 years. We used generalized estimation equation (GEE) for analysis of longitudinal data. HbA1C was the response variable while depression and time were the main covariates. Variables were included in GEE models based on clinical importance and preliminary analysis. Other variables included as covariates were gender, education, duration of diabetes, co-morbidity and LDL. All statistical analysis used α = 0.05 level of significance and were performed using SPSS software version 21.ResultsUnadjusted HbA1c means were significantly higher in depressed vs. non-depressed subjects at all time points. The adjusted HbA1c means in final GEE model were significantly higher in depressed vs. non-depressed subjects. In all adjusted models depression was a predictor of glycemic control weather it was BDI score (estimate = .049, P = .002), diagnoses of MDD (estimate = 2.038, P = .000), or other depressive diagnosis (estimate = 1.245, P = .000).ConclusionThis study on clinical sample of type 2 diabetic patients demonstrates that there is a significant longitudinal relationship between depression and glycemic control and that depression is associated with persistently higher HbA1c over time.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Late-onset bipolar disorder: What else?
Authors: Ferreira C.P. , Alves S. , Oliveira C. , Avelino M.J. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionGeriatric-onset of a first-episode mania is a rare psychiatric condition, which may be caused by a heterogeneous group of non-psychiatric conditions. To confirm late-onset bipolar disorder (LOBD) diagnosis, secondary-mania causes should be ruled out.ObjectivesTo provide a comprehensive review reporting prevalence, features, differential diagnosis, comorbidity and treatment of LOBD.MethodsThe literature was systematically reviewed by online searching using PubMed®. The authors selected review papers with the words “Late-onset mania” and/or “Late-onset bipolar” in the title and/or abstract published in the last 10 years.Results and discussionWith population ageing, LOBD is becoming a more prevalent disorder. Clinical presentation may be atypical and confounding, making the diagnosis not always obvious. Several non-psychiatric conditions must be considered in an elderly patient presenting with new-onset mania, namely stroke, dementia, hyperthyroidism or infection causing delirium. Only then LOBD diagnosis may be done, making that an exclusion diagnosis. Comorbidities, such as hypertension or renal insufficiency are often present in the elderly and must be taken into account when choosing a mood stabilizer.ConclusionsLOBD remains a complex and relatively understudied disorder with important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. This diagnosis must be kept in mind for every elderly patient presenting with new-onset mania. Further investigations could contribute to a better understanding of LOBD etiopathogenesis and to set out better treatment guidelines.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Impact and importance of anhedonia as a mediating variable in amelioration of social functioning in depressed patients
Authors: Gourion D. , Vinckier F. , Mouchabac S. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundAnhedonia is a core dimension of major depressive disorder (MDD). Paradoxically, the association between anhedonia and social impairment is poorly known.ObjectiveTo determine the longitudinal relationships between depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and social functioning in depressed patients treated with agomelatine.Material and methodOne thousand five hundred and seventy patients with MDD starting treatment with agomelatine prescribed by their GPs were included in a prospective study (follow-up: 10 to 14 weeks). Patients were assessed at baseline and at the end point of the study, using the MADRS to assess antidepressant efficacy, the SHAPS scale and an original visual analog scale exploring the subjective pleasure felt by patients in their main leisure activity to measure anhedonia, and the QFS to measure social functioning in its qualitative and quantitative dimensions. In addition to the univariate analyses, a mediation path analysis was performed using the Sobel test.ResultsThe results showed a robust and significant improvement in symptoms of depression, anhedonia, and social functioning. The correlations between the SHAPS and QFS scores were high and significant. Subsequent analyses showed that amelioration of anhedonia is a significant mediating variable between the progression of depressive symptoms and social functioning (Δ QFS G = –14.3, P < 0.0001) and explains around one third of the variance of the model (35.37%).ConclusionAnhedonia, a major dimension of depression, provides specific insights into the understanding of the complex links between residual symptoms of MDD and social functioning. In conclusion, improving the evaluation of anhedonia is a fundamental issue in primary care.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Childhood abuse in adult women with unipolar depression seeking treatment at a tertiary care centre in India, compared to healthy women
Authors: Devasthali G. , Jangam K. , Ka T. , Raj A. , Kesavan M. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionChildhood abuse has been reported as a precursor and maintaining factors for adult psychiatric disorders. Childhood physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse have been independently reported in women with depression. There is a serious dearth of literature on the incidence of childhood abuse among women with depression from India.Objectives & aimsWe investigated and compared the incidence of childhood abuse (overall) – physical, emotional and sexual (individual components)- among women seeking treatment for unipolar depression (UD) compared to healthy women (HW).MethodsWe compared the data of women diagnosed with UD (n = 134) from a larger pool of women seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders from our hospital (n = 609) with HW (n = 100) for the purpose of this study. The participants were screened using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and for childhood abuse using the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool - Retrospective (ICAST)-R. The incidence of childhood abuse between the two groups was compared using the Chi-squared test.ResultsThe UD women have significantly more childhood emotional abuse than HW (69.5% vs 30.5%; χ2 = 4.819, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups on overall abuse, physical or sexual abuse (all P > 0.16).ConclusionsConsistent with world literature, significantly more childhood emotional abuse was seen among Indian women with UD compared to HW. It is likely that that repeated emotional abuse in childhood leads to negative attributions among children, later getting generalised to life events resulting in depression in adulthood.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Relation between major depressive disorder as regards severity in a sample of Egyptian population and serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha
Authors: Harby S. , Molokhia T. , Aboelwafa H. , Elneely D. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionDepression is a life threatening psychiatric disorder. STAR-D study stated that remission rates decrease, and relapse rates increase. It produces chronic diseases and worsens mean health when co-morbid with these diseases. The depressive symptoms in humans are analogous to the ‘sickness behavior’ syndrome seen in animals when injected by pro-inflammatory cytokines.ObjectiveThis study was done to clarify the relation between the severity of depression and serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), so improving the quality of pharmacological management.AimThis study was done to prove that inflammatory process is involved in the pathogenesis of depression by assessing the serum level tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)MethodsOur study is comparing between 60 patients with major depressive disorder and 30 healthy controls regarding the serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Patients were diagnosed by a semi-structured interview using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Patients were subdivided into mild, moderate and severe depression according to Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (17 items). Assessment of serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha was done using enzyme- linked immunoassay technique.ResultsSerum level of TNF alpha was significantly higher among patients than among controls (Z = 4.710*P ≤ 0.001*) regardless the severity of depression.ConclusionsSerum TNF alpha can be used as a biomarker of depression but not for the disorder severity. However, further study is needed to detect if there is a relation between major depressive disorder and serum level of other inflammatory markers as C-reactive protein.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The meaning of loss in the context of elderly homes
Authors: Laranjeira C. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionFamily plays a pivotal function in life of all human being and their significance even increases with the age. However, living in a elderly home may result in a multitude of losses which must be addressed by individual through the process of grief.AimThe purpose of this study was to explore situations of loss and grief among institutionalizes elders.MethodsIt is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research. Data was collected from two Portuguese elderly homes in the municipality of Viseu, Portugal. A purposeful sample of 7 elders was recruited, and audiotaped face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted.ResultsThree dimensions of emotional loss were created: loss by death, loss by separation and other losses. Loss by separation was further divided into three subcategories: marriage separation, family separation and separation of peers living in the elderly home. The death of a loved one reminds the elderly individual of his/her own mortality, complicating the process of mourning. Separation, however is much more difficult to overcome because there is a loss among the living, with the possibility to lose the meaning of life with the other one.ConclusionsUnderstanding loss and grief among elderly people is fundamental for nursing care, in order to help them with the process of coping and to prevent institutionalization to become an unpleasant experience. This will also offer health care facilities suggested ways to reduce or combat loneliness and depression among the elderly people.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Mindfulness, self-compassion and spiritual well-being in chronic depression
Authors: Silva E. , Simões S. , Espírito-Santo H. , Marques M. , Lemos L. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionDepression is one of the main causes of incapacity worldwide. Research has shown that mindfulness practice, self-compassion promotion, and spiritual well-being are beneficial for depressed individuals.ObjectiveAnalyze the associations between compassion, mindfulness, and spiritual well-being, during and after a therapeutic intervention (concluded less than a year ago).AimsTo determine if mindfulness, self-compassion, and spiritual well-being are predictors of depression.MethodPatients diagnosed with chronic depression were treated in a residential therapeutic community for a period of six to eight months. The 63 participants (M = 32.84, SD = 10.24, range = 15–50 years old; 32 during treatment; 31 after treatment) were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Questionnaire of the Five Facets of Mindfulness, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire.ResultsThere were differences in mindfulness, self-compassion, spiritual well-being and depression by sex, existence of previous psychiatric treatment, moment of the study (during versus after intervention), and depression levels. After intervention the group had higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion (common humanity) and lower levels of over-identification, compared with group during treatment. The predictors of depression were the self-judgment dimension of the self-compassion scale and, negatively, the mindfulness dimensions of non-reactivity and non-judging, and the spiritual well-being dimension of personal well-being.ConclusionResults confirm the relationship between the study variables and depression. This reinforces the importance of intervention based on positive psychology enhancing positive areas of human experience, rather than focusing on psychological pain, weaknesses, and disabilities.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Treatment of mild to moderate major depressive disorder with agomelatine in patients with cardiovascular disorders (national observational multicenter study “pulse”)
Authors: Medvedev V. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThe urgency of depression treatment in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is determined by the increasing prevalence of affective disorders. For these patients, tolerance and safety of antidepressants are of great importance.ObjectiveTo obtain additional data on therapeutic efficacy and tolerance of agomelatine in the treatment of mild to moderate depressive disorders in cardiologic practice in Russia.MethodsEight hundred and ninety-six adult patients with CVD (86.5% arterial hypertension, 29.5% stable angina, 16% myocardial infarction, 23.6% conduction disturbances, 17.6% chronic heartfailure) were treated with agomelatine 25-50 mg for 12 weeks. Depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated via Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI-S and CGI-I), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Spielberger Anxiety Scale (SAS), Whitely Hypochondria Index (WHI) and quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). Safety and tolerance were also monitored according to the summary of product characteristics recommendations.ResultsHADS scores decreased throughout the study and severe anxiety rate decreased from 95.9% to 15%. After 12 weeks of treatment, remission (HADS < 7) rate was 84.6%. Subjective assessment of patient health significantly improved (P < 0.00001). WHI decreased significantly (P < 0.00001). Physical and mental health significantly improved (P < 0.00001). Heart rate and blood pressure decreased. Treatment acceptability was considered “excellent” by 82% of doctors and 75% of patients.ConclusionAgomelatine significantly improved depressive symptoms, anxiety and hypochondria in depressed patients with CVD and demonstrated good tolerance. This suggests the possibility of wide and safe use of agomelatine for treatment of depression in patients with CVD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Depression In Pregnancy Associated With Lower Consumption Of Salads
Authors: Papakosta V. , Papaliagka M. , Mpakouras S. , Garas A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionA considerable amount of studies support the association of depression with nutritional factors, especially fruit and vegetables. Little evidence exists concerning mood and nutritional habits of pregnant women in Greece.ObjectiveOur specific objective was to examine potential relationships between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in pregnant women.AimsThe overall aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional habits and the depression level of healthy pregnant women in Greece.MethodEighty-eight healthy pregnant women, aged 25–44 years (mean± standard deviation: 32.41 ± 3.9), were studied with the aid of a questionnaire addressing eating habits and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).ResultsTwenty-four women were found having mild to moderate depression (score 20–24, according to BDI) associated with lower consumption of salads (P < 0.05). No association was found between depression and consumption of fruit or fruit juices, or prescribed supplements (Ca, Fe, Mg, folic acid).ConclusionInterestingly, in our sample an association of depression in pregnancy was found with the consumption of salads but not fruit or fruit juices. The presence of vitamin B in vegetables is one of the factors differentiating them from fruit. So it might be a crucial element for further research.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Consensus Statements On Cognitive Dysfunction In Depression In The Uk: Rationale And Process For Gaining Consensus
Authors: Young A.H. , Bones K. , Goodwin G. , Harrison J. , Katona C. , McAllister-Williams H. , Rasmussen J. , Strong S. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionCognitive dysfunction is an important aspect of depression that includes problems with thinking, concentration and memory. Research suggests that the cognitive aspect of depression is highly prevalent and has a significant impact on patient functioning. Currently, cognitive dysfunction in depression is largely unrecognised, unmonitored and untreated.AimsWe aim to define cognitive dysfunction in clinical depression (major depressive disorder) and explore its detection and management in the UK, highlighting priority areas to be addressed.MethodsA modified Delphi method was used as the process to gain consensus. A multi-stakeholder steering committee of depression experts (including psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians, and representatives from occupational therapy and a depression charity) provided the key themes and, through round-table discussion, developed draft statements. The main areas of focus were burden, detection and management of cognitive dysfunction in depression. These statements formed a questionnaire to be reviewed by 150–200 health-care professionals with an involvement in the management of depression, with level of agreement noted as ‘strongly disagree’, ‘disagree’, ‘don’t know/uncertain’, ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’. Responses to the questionnaire will be analysed (very high agreement [> 66%] or very low agreement [< 33%]) and the steering committee will revise and finalise the consensus statements, and identify priority areas for future consideration. The steering committee was initiated and supported by the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck Ltd, through an educational grant. Lundbeck Ltd did not influence content.ResultsResults of the questionnaire and the evolution of the final consensus statements will be presented.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.