bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acceptance by patients of a web-based intervention for depressive symptoms
Authors: Navarro Schmidt N. , Weymann N. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAt present, 121 million worldwide suffer from a treatment-requiring depression. Treatment recommendations include pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic procedures. However, lacking resources in psychotherapy complicate the process of implementation. Therefore, researchers are increasingly working on computer-based psychotherapy programmes. But will these programmes be accepted by patients - and if yes, how would they use them?ObjectivesObtaining information on how patients assess and wish to use online psychotherapy programmes, using the example of the web-based programme “Deprexis”. The programme can be used to bridge waiting times, for phase-prophylactic purposes and to accompany the therapy. Based on elements of CBT, CBASP, IPT and ACT, clinical and scientific experts have developed this evidence-based intervention and positively evaluated it in an RCT (Meyer, B., Berger, T., Caspar, F., et al., 2009).AimsIn an online survey, the acceptance and desired use of the programme in the target group of patients were inquired.MethodsThe participants (N = 421) were interviewed regarding the application and acceptance of “Deprexis” as well as depressive symptoms and resulting functional restrictions (PHQ-9).ResultsThe participants had clinically relevant scores on the depression scale (average: 14.6 points). 93% wished to use an online programme. 42% assessed it as a low-threshold test for psychotherapy, 29% considered it a suitable tool for the bridging of waiting times. 17% even regarded it as a potential replacement for psychotherapy.ConclusionThe results indicate high acceptance within the target group and reveal fields of application as a complementary measure at various stages of the treatment process.
Induced depression during antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Navines R. , Moreno J. , Castellví P. , Gimenez D. , Gómez E. , Valdés M. , Solà R. , Martín-Santos R. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe hepatitis C virus infection (HVC) represents a public health problem that affects the 3% of world population. The currently recommended treatment is Pegylated Interferon (PegIFN) alpha and Ribavirin (RBV) during 24 or 48 weeks. This treatment has been associated with high rates of neuropsychiatric side effects, mainly depression. Recent studies have documented impairment in health related quality of life (SF-36) in these patients.AimsTo study the induced depression and quality of life of chronic HVC patients under antiviral treatment.MethodsThree hundred seventeen consecutive HCV patients, who received PegIFN alpha and RBV, were assessed using the SCID interview for DSM-IV. Moreover, the PHQ, the HADS and the SF-36 were administered at baseline, 4, 12, 24, and/or 48 weeks of treatment.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-four (64.7%) of patients were men, the mean (SD) age was 43.6 (10.6), and 130 (40.1%) had history of mood disorder. One-hundred eleven (41%) of the sample had a depressive disorder during the treatment. There was a significant difference in the total SF-36 score and in all subscales (p < 0.001). HADS subscale of depression was highly correlated with SF-36 total score (p < 0.001).ConclusionsDuring the antiviral treatment, HVC patients had a higher incidence of induced depression. Both physical and mental component scores of SF-36 in induced depressed patients were significantly worse.This study has been supported in part by Spanish grants: FIS E08/00268, Dra. Martín-Santos, and Dr. Solà.
The effects of the economic crisis on mental health
Authors: Ng K.H. , Agius M. , Zaman R. 
Published: May 2011

The events that unfolded towards the end of 2008 led to the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. While the economic and political implications have been studied in detail, the impact on health - especially that of mental health - has received much less attention. This poster aims to achieve a critical evaluation of causality (or lack thereof) between an economic crisis and mental health, using a combination of psychological theories, statistical review and common logic.From a theoretical perspective, establishing the value-laden concept of mental health is core to this evaluation. We reflect on Professor Warr's component-based model of mental health and how/whether the economic downturn relates to these ‘components’ individually. On the statistical front, an analysis of data from previous global economic crises reveals a close association between job-related insecurities and psychological morbidities.Integrating the analyses, both psychological theory and epidemiological data support causation between a recession and conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Further, we also explore the effects of the crisis on the family unit, society and international relations. This will highlight issues like child abuse, the psychological impacts on the socially deprived, and effects of the crisis on the developing world.We also review the effectiveness of efforts of different nature and magnitude to mitigate the effects of this downturn. All this will hopefully impact on our understanding of the causes of mental health problems in times of economic insecurity and assist in developing strategies to ameliorate them.
Bright light treatment of depression for adolescents
Authors: Niederhofer H. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundThere is a significant incidence of depression, also in adolescents. Bright light therapy, which is reported to be effective treating depressive adults, could provide safe, economic, and effective rapid recovery also in adolescents.MethodsWe treated depressed adolescents with bright white (2,500 Lux) light for one hour a day (morning) and for another week with placebo. Saliva samples were collected 1 week and just before and immediately after treatment and placebo and 1 week later and assayed for Cortisol and melatonin respectively to observe any change in circadian timing. Beck’s depression inventory scales were administered.ResultsTwo volunteers, between 14 and 17 years old, completed the study. Both patients experienced mood improvement. Average BDI scores improved 5 points. There were no significant treatment effects or time-by-treatment interactions. No significant adverse reactions were observed. The assays of saliva showed significant differences between treatment and placebo.ConclusionAntidepressant response to bright light treatment in this age group was statistically superior to placebo (Clinically significant overall improvement of 16%).
The new rasch-based depression screening (DESC): Evaluation and validation in different patient groups and a large German population sample
Authors: Norra C. , Böcker M. , Wirtz M. , Glaesmer H. , Brähler E. , Gauggel S. , Forkmann T. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionComorbid depression in somatic illness is highly prevalent. However, most depression questionnaires show violation of unidimensionality and hypersensitivity of items.ObjectivesThe Depression Screening (DESC) is a new self-rating scale for the measurement of depression severity that we developed from a calibrated Rasch-homogeneous item bank (N = 367) to improve short depression assessment in patients beyond psychiatric settings.AimTo present data for both parallel forms (10 questions each) of the DESC, and to examine its Rasch model qualities in different patient groups and a representative German general population sample.MethodsPatient groups with depression, heart disease, neurological or otolaryngological disease (N = 333) were investigated with the DESC accompanied by diagnostic interviews and established depression scales. The demographic sample (N = 2509) was interviewed face to face, too. Adherence to Rasch model assumptions was determined with analysis of model fit, and further measures. Norm values were calculated.ResultsBoth DESC versions feature different but highly correlated item sets. Cut-off scores with good sensitivity (0.82, 0.81) and specificity (0.78, 0.77) for the diagnosis of an affective disorder were developed with ROC analyses. No serious Differential Item Functioning in Rasch analyses for both scales was found. In the German validation sample the Rasch dimension “depression” explained 68.5% and 69.3% respectively of the variance. Validity was determined through sufficient intercorrelations with other scales (e.g. BDI, HADS).ConclusionsOur studies support the good psychometric RASCH qualities of both DESC forms and offer important advancements in depression screening being of use for time-limited clinical and research applications.
Serum cholesterol and treatment response in patients with depressive disorder
Authors: Novak T. , Bares M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe previous studies reported that elevated serum cholesterol levels (≥ 200 mg/dl) were associated with poorer response to fluoxetine and nortiptyline treatment in patients with depression.AimsThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between pretreatment serum cholesterol levels and clinical response to treatment with different antidepresants among inpatients with depressive disorder.MethodsOne hundred and four inpatients with depressive disorder who did not respond to previous treatment were enrolled in a six-week open study. New treatment (different antidepressant monotherapies, combinations or augmentations) was chosen according to clinical judgment. Serum cholesterol levels were obtained before starting new treatment. Cholesterol levels were classified as either elevated (≥ 200 mg/dl) or nonelevated. Clinical response was defined as ≥ 50% decrease in the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at endpoint compared to baseline.ResultsForty-six patient (44%) were classified as having elevated cholesterol levels at baseline. Patients with elevated cholesterol levels did not significantly differ in gender ratio, baseline MADRS score, duration of current episode and number of previous episodes but were significantly older than patients with nonelevated cholesterol levels. After adjusting for age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI), we did not find significant differences in response rate and as well as in the pretreatment-posttreatment change in MADRS between patients with elevated cholesterol and patients with nonelevated levels.ConclusionWe did not demonstrate association between pretreatment cholesterol level and response to treatment in depressive disorder.Study was supported by the grant NS10368 IGA MZ CR.
Treatment resistant late-onset depression with frontal cortical atrophy and neurocognitive impairment: A case report
Authors: Oral E. , Güleç M. , Aydin N. , Ozan E. , Kırpınar I. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundLate-onset depression (after age 60) has more frequently been reported to be associated with brain abnormalities compared to early-onset depression. Consistent with the hypothesized role of frontolimbic circuits in the etiology of depression, the preponderance of cross-sectional studies of late-life clinical depression have revealed structural and functional changes in the frontal lobesCase reportNK was 70 years old female patient. She had a psychiatric history of five years with these symptoms. She had used several different antidepressants and benzodiazepines at adequate doses and some times low-dose atypical antipsychotics but she never had a full recovery. In this hospitalization, she was diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder according to SCID-I. In MRI, we found generalized cortical atrophy especially in the frontal region. In neurocognitive tests, we realized that her minimental test score was 25. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Stroop test (main card reading time 54 seconds) showed disability in the executive functions such as cognitive flexibility, planning, decision making, overcoming of a strong habitual response or resisting temptation and in focused attention and working memory. The other cognitive domains evaluated with Rey Auditory learning test, Auditory trigram test, digit span test, trial making test, word association test were found to be normal. Conclusion: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is usually conceptualized as a failure to respond to several courses of adequate antidepressant treatment. Our findings can be suggested that cortical atrophy in especially frontal lobes can be consistent with a treatment resistance and neurocognitive impairment.
Medical and economic benefit of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) with citalopram
Authors: Ostad Haji E. , Tadic A. , Dragicevic A. , Müller M. , Boland K. , Rao M.L. , Fric M. , Laux G. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionIn the treatment of MDD, insufficient treatment outcome and the delayed onset of action still remain major problems.Measuring plasma concentrations, i.e. TDM is a possible option to improve therapeutic outcomes.AimThe aim of this prospective and naturalistic study was to evaluate the economic and clinical benefit of TDM for depressed inpatients treated with citalopram.MethodsInpatients with MDD according to ICD-10 were included and treated with citalopram. Psychopathology was assessed by the 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAMD-17) rating scale in weekly intervals for five weeks. In parallel, serum concentrations of citalopram were measured.Results55 patients were included (27f). 84% of the patients with citalopram plasma concentrations below 50 ng/ml (n = 36) were non-responders in week five. Among patients who achieved plasma concentrations ≥50 ng/ml (n = 19) on day 7, 47% became responder at week five (p = 0.025). Patients with plasma levels ≥50 ng/ml had a significantly shorter duration of hospitalization (49 ± 20) than patients below 50 ng/ml (72 ± 37; p = 0.033).ConclusionOur results show that citalopram plasma levels above 50 ng/ml are predictive for later treatment outcome and that TDM is cost effective due to reduced duration of hospitalization.
Psychiatric morbidity preceding psychotic and non-psychotic depression
Authors: Østergaard S.D. , Dinesen P.T. , Petrides G. , Skadhede S. , Munk-Jørgensen P. , Nielsen J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPsychotic depression differs significantly from non-psychotic depression in many aspects. These differences comprise etiology, severity, treatment response and prognosis.Objectives/aimsThe aim of the study was to assess the diversity of the psychiatric morbidity preceding psychotic and non-psychotic depression.MethodsDanish, register-based, nationwide cohort study. Subjects were all Danish residents assigned with an ICD-10 diagnosis of severe depression with- (F32.3 and F33.3) or without (F32.2 and F33.2) psychotic symptoms between January 1st 1994 and December 31st 2007. Psychiatric diagnoses preceding the severe depression were assessed through the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register. It was investigated whether patients with psychotic depression had a history of more diverse/severe psychiatric morbidity and a different use of psychopharmacological drugs prior to index, compared to their non-psychotic counterparts.ResultsThe study included 29,254 subjects with severe depression. Of these, 9,768 patients (33%) were of the psychotic subtype while 19,576 (67%) were non-psychotic.Patients with the psychotic depressive subtype had a psychiatric history involving more and longer admission, more diverse diagnoses and a different pattern of psychopharmacological treatment compared to their non-psychotic counterparts. The results indicate, that psychotic depression may be more related to the bipolar/schizophrenia/psychosis spectrum than to the depression/anxiety spectrum.ConclusionsThe results add to a growing body of literature proving fundamental differences between psychotic- and non-psychotic severe depression. This should be considered in the upcoming revisions of the current diagnostic classifications.
Punctual prevalence of major depression among primary healthcare centers
Authors: Oumaya M. , Chelli F. , Lassoued W. , Ben Salah K. , Baccar Y. , Khedira B. , Bouzid R. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionDepression is commonbut still ignored in general practice whereas it is a source of handicap, psychiatric and somatic morbidity.AimsTo assess the punctual prevalence of major depression in primary healthcare centers in Tunisia.MethodsA Transversal study during march 2007 was conducted in three primary healthcare centers in Hammamet city. All partients having sixteen years or older were evaluated by the Cluster A of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Patients meeting criteria for major depressive disorder had subsequently been assessed by the MADRS depression scale. A score greater or equal to 20 was considered as the threshold score for the diagnosis of major depressive episode.Results199 patients participated at the study (participation rate = 70%). The prevalence of major depression was 13% and half of the patients suffered from severe depression according to MADRS. Depression affected more patients with low socioeconomic level (p = 0.037), suffering from a chronic medical condition (p = 0.0013), unmarried, divorced or widowed (p = 0.022). There were no statistically significance according to age, gender, living environment, alcohol abuse, and tobacco or life events. The frequency of suicidal thoughts or behavior was 3% in the sample and 19% among depressed patients.ConclusionNeed of further general practitioners training in systematic screening of depressive trouble is still requested.
Self-reported depression in an older population: Effects on cognitive functioning
Authors: Pantzar A. , Jonsson Laukka E. , Karlsson S. , Bäckman L. , Atti A.R. , Fratiglioni L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe cognitive profile of the older depressed person includes impairments in executive functioning, episodic memory and processing speed. When in remission, executive functioning impairment may still remain. It is not known whether these impairments also exist in self-reported depression and if so, whether there are any performance differences between currently and remitted depression.ObjectivesTo examine differences in cognitive functioning between self-reported nondepressed, depressed, and remitted persons in young and older old.MethodsData were collected using interviews and cognitive testing (executive functioning, episodic memory, and processing speed) in the Swedish National study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). All non-demented participants (n = 2727) were categorized according to age (60–77 years, n = 1626, and +78 years, n = 1101), and depression status, 1) never depressed (n = 2200), 2) current depression (n = 214), and 3) remitted depression (n = 313).ResultsA 2 (age) × 3 (depression) MANOVA showed significant main effects of age, depression and a significant interaction effect. Younger outperformed older on all tests. Depression showed an effect on Trail Making Test B, where nondepressed outperformed currently depressed, and the remitted outperformed the currently depressed on free recall. Furthermore, an interaction effect was found for recognition, suggesting that decline in episodic memory is more pronounced in persons with self-reported depression when aging.ConclusionsSelf-reported depression in an older population affects executive functioning and episodic memory, but not processing speed. For persons in remission, we found remaining deficits in episodic memory, rather than executive functioning.
The impact of escitalopram on sleep problems of depressive patients in real-life clinical practice in greece
Authors: Valergaki E. , Papalexi E. , Vlysidis D. , Sotiriadou K. , Giailoglou D. , Parashos I.A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is a bidirectional relationship between depression and insomnia, the latter being both a risk factor for the development of depression and a consequence of depression itself. Since depressive patients with residual symptoms of insomnia are at higher risk for disease recurrence, dealing successfully with sleep disorders during antidepressive treatment is of great importance.ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of escitalopram on both depressive symptoms and sleep problems of depressive patients.MethodsAn observational, open-label, 3-month study was conducted in Greece.Effectiveness was assessed using the CGI-S and AIS (Athens Insomnia Scale) scales. Tolerability was evaluated by spontaneously reported adverse events and treatment discontinuation rates.ResultsThe study included 2,103 patients (mean age 51 ± 15 years, 64.0% women).Patients showed significant improvement during the treatment period for both depressive symptoms and sleep problems. Mean CGI-S scores decreased from 4.2 ± 0.8 to 2.2 ± 1.0 and total AIS score decreased from 13.6 ± 4.9 to 3.5 ± 3.8 (repeated measures analysis of variance Hotelling's test, p < 0.001). The positive effect of escitalopram treatment was significant both on “night sleep” and “behaviour on the following days”. Moreover, the percentage of patients suffering from insomnia (AIS score >=6) decreased from 89.1% to 22.1% (Cochran's Q test p < 0.001). Escitalopram was also well tolerated, as 1909 (90.8%) patients successfully completed the study and 39 patients (1.85%) discontinued due to adverse events.ConclusionsEscitalopram combines significant effectiveness on both depressive symptoms and sleep problems with good tolerability.
Polysomnographic parameters as a differentiating biological marker between severe depression and schizophrenia
Authors: Rady A. , Elsheshai A. , Elkholy O. , Abou el Wafa H. 
Published: May 2011

Background and aimDifferentiation between Severe major depression and schizophrenia is oftenly a problematic issue, whether due to resemblance between negative symptoms of schizophrenia and depressive symptoms or due to presence of psychotic features with psychiatrists subjective assessment of the volume of psychotic features in relation to the whole illness. Our aim is to assess the utility of polysomnography as a differentiating tool that may add diagnostic value.Subjects and methodsPatients were recruited randomly from the outpatient service at Alexandria University Hospital, 20 patients with severe major depression with or without psychotic features and 20 patients with schizophrenia. Diagnosis done in accordance with criteria of DSM IV-TR. Only patients scoring above 4 on the Clinical Global Impression scale for severity were recruited. Polysomnography was done to all patients while at least 1 week off medication.ResultsDepressed group showed a significantly shorter REM latency (26 ± 6.9min) and higher REM intensity (34 ± 14%) compared to schizophrenic group with REM latency (43.9 ± 16.9 min) and REM Intensity (21.4 ± 4.5). On the other hand deep sleep phases 3 and 4 constituted 12 ± 3.8% and 17.8 ± 9.2% of sleep in schizophrenic group compared to 16.4 ± 5% and 9 ± 7.9% in depressed group respectively with significant difference.ConclusionPolysomnography may be of benefit as a diagnostic differentiating tool between schizophrenia and severe Major depression.