Biomarkers, TCM Body Constitution, Dietary Pattern and Psychological Factors in Predicting Depression

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study aims to determine the predictors of depression among university students in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long Campus.

Detailed Description
-----------------
University students are a high at risk group for development of depression. Identifying the determinants of depression could help in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. This study will incorporate questionnaire and blood sample data collection procedures on 397 subjects. Written consent will be obtained from the subjects. Eligible subjects will be given self-administered questionnaires which include Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), Constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) - stress and anxiety subscales, Perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), and Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Once the subjects completed the questionnaires, blood samples will be collected from them by a trained phlebotomist. In addition, 10 most high at risk of depression subjects (with PHQ-9 scores 10 and above) and 10 healthy subjects (with PHQ-9 scores lower than 10) will be selected randomly for protein expression to further identify the proteins that significantly expressed among them.

Official Title
-----------------
Biomarkers, Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution, Dietary Pattern and Psychological Factors in Predicting Depression Among University Students in UTAR, Malaysia

Conditions
-----------------
Depression

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Malaysian citizen Able to read and communicate in English Exclusion Criteria: Special education disability (deaf and blind) Physical support History of infectious diseases

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| University students<br>University students in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Sungai Long Campus | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Genetic, TCM body constitution, psychological factors and dietary pattern are significant predictors for depression among university students. | Univariate and multivariate logistic regression will be performed. | Baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prevalence of depression among university students. | Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): Non depressed = 0 - 9; Depressed = 10 - 27 | Baseline | 
| Protein significantly expressed between depressed and non-depressed students. | Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) will be performed. | Baseline |