Do social support and community engagement act as mechanisms in the association between neighbourhood income inequality and the mental health of mothers in Calgary,Canada? A mediation analysis

PurposeAccording to the social determinants of health framework, income inequality is a potential risk factor for adverse mental health. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms suspected to mediate this relationship. The current study addresses this gap through a mediation analysis to determine if social support and community engagement act as mediators linking neighbourhood income inequality to maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms within a cohort of new mothers living in the City of Calgary, Canada.MethodsData collected at three years postpartum from mothers belonging to the All Our Families (AOF) cohort were used in the current study. Maternal data were collected between 2012 and 2015 and linked to neighbourhood socioeconomic data from the 2006 Canadian Census. Income inequality was measured using Gini coefficients derived from 2006 after-tax census data. Generalized structural equation models were used to quantify the associations between income inequality and mental health symptoms, and to assess the potential direct and indirect mediating effects of maternal social support and community engagement.ResultsIncome inequality was not significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, 95%CI = −0.067, 0.70), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.11, 95%CI = −0.39, 0.60), or lower social support. Income inequality was not associated with community engagement. For the depression models, higher social support was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = −0.13, 95%CI = −0.15, −0.097), while community engagement was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.059, 95%CI = −0.15, 0.27). Similarly, for the anxiety models, lower anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with higher levels of social support (β = −0.17, 95%CI = −0.20, −0.13) but not with higher levels of community engagement (β = 0.14, 95%CI = −0.14, 0.41).ConclusionThe current study did not find clear evidence for social support or community engagement mediating the relationship between neighbourhood income inequality and maternal mental health. Future investigations should employ a broader longitudinal approach to capture changes in income inequality, potential mediators, and mental health symptomatology over time.     

General vaccination willingness and current vaccination status in relation to clinical and psychological variables in patients with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundInfections can have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therefore, vaccinations are of immense importance. If vaccination willingness is to be increased, possible influencing factors should be identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the status of active immunisation in MS patients in association with sociodemographic, clinical-neurological, psychopathological and personality variables using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.MethodFour hundred and four MS patients from two German neurological hospitals were examined for their vaccination attitudes, in detail, the general willingness to vaccinate and the current vaccination status of mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) as well as tetanus and influenza. We also looked at the current level of disability in relation to the current vaccination status, as well as possible associated personality and psychopathological variables.ResultsPatients with a complete MMR vaccination status were significantly younger and those with a complete influenza vaccination status were significantly older than those with related incomplete vaccination status. Tetanus vaccination status completeness did not differ depending on age and did not show substantial association with personality scores. However, influenza vaccination completeness was associated with differences in personality and psychopathological variables; extraversion, openness, novelty seeking, harm avoidance and anxiety. A reported general vaccination willingness was significantly correlated with the current completeness of tetanus and influenza vaccinations. Novelty seeking, persistence, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism were found associated with an increased vaccination willingness. Anxiety and depression were not related to general vaccination willingness.ConclusionsNo specific personality trait could be defined on its own in relation to general vaccination willingness or complete vaccination status. Younger patients should be made more aware of influenza vaccination. Reasons for rather low vaccination rates need to be further investigated.     

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and MethodsA literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect.ResultsThere was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted.ConclusionAlthough significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.     

Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in treatment of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is a serious and common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide. Electroconvulsive therapy is the oldest and most effective treatment available for the treatment of severe major depressive disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy modifies structural network changes in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. And it can also affect neuroinflammatory responses and may have neuroprotective effects. Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of major depressive disorder.     

温针灸对功能性便秘患者临床症状及焦虑抑郁的改善作用

目的:探讨温针灸对功能性便秘(FC)患者临床症状及焦虑抑郁的改善作用。方法:选取2017年1月至2017年12月中国中医科学院广安门医院南区收治的FC患者70例作为研究对象,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组35例。对照组采用常规针刺治疗,观察组采用温针灸治疗,比较治疗前后2组患者便秘临床症状积分、首次排便时间、中医证候评分、焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分。结果:观察组有效率96. 00%,对照组有效率68. 00%,差异有统计学意义(P0. 05)。治疗后2组患者的周排便次数、粪便性状积分和排便困难程度均改善,中医证候评分、SAS和SDS评分下降,较治疗前差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。治疗后,观察组患者的周排便次数、粪便性状积分高于对照组,中医证候评分、SDS和SAS评分、首次排便时间以及排便困难程度积分小于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论:温针灸治疗能调节胃肠道运动、润湿肠道、显著改善便秘等临床症状,对FC患者有显著临床效果。     

儿童期创伤应对方式自动思维与大学生抑郁特质间的关系

目的探讨儿童期创伤与抑郁特质之间的中介和调节机制,为开展相关研究和干预提供参考。方法2017-2018年采用整群抽样的方法,抽取湖南某高校大一年级2 786名学生完成儿童期创伤问卷、状态特质抑郁问卷、自动思维问卷和特质应对方式问卷的调查。结果儿童期创伤、自动思维和消极应对对抑郁特质起正向的预测作用,积极应对对抑郁特质起负向的预测作用(β值分别为0.12,0.43,0.14,-0.33,P值均<0.05)。自动思维中介儿童期创伤与抑郁特质之间的关系(Bootstrapping法的95%CI为0.03~0.06)。消极应对分别调节了儿童期创伤与自动思维和儿童期创伤与抑郁特质之间的关系(P值均<0.05)。结论儿童期创伤影响抑郁特质,其关系受到应对方式和自动思维的影响。     

个体化健康教育对糖尿病抑郁症运动依从性影响

目的研究糖尿病并发抑郁症患者运动依从性的影响因素,探讨有效的干预措施。方法选择2018年11月-2019年8月天津市公安医院收治的糖尿病患者158例为研究对象,根据抑郁自评量表(CES-D)调查情况分为糖尿病抑郁(DDM)组和糖尿病非抑郁(NDDM)组各79例,采用问卷的形式分析个体化健康教育指导前后患者运动依从性影响因素。结果 NDDM组患者运动依从性量表评分为(78.4±3.3)分,高于DDM组的(52.7±4.1)分;重度抑郁患者较轻度抑郁患者运动治疗依从性明显降低;两组患者个体化健康教育后运动依从性量表评分较教育前均提高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。不同运动依从性的糖尿病患者性别、婚姻状况、文化程度、家庭支持、医患关系、并发症数量、住院次数、BMI、HbA1c比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论抑郁症对糖尿病患者的运动依从性有明显影响,且抑郁程度越重运动依从性越差。个体化健康教育能有效改善糖尿病并发抑郁症患者的运动依从性,值得临床进一步研究。     

抑郁症患者与不明原因胸痛的关联性探讨

目的:分析抑郁症与不明原因胸痛间的关联性及其可能机制,为临床疾病的治疗提供参考依据。方法:纳入2012年6月至2014年5月四川省南充精神卫生中心精神科收治的不明原因胸痛患者35例,作为观察组,另选取35例来院进行常规体检的健康志愿者作为对照组,比较两组的抑郁量表评分、抑郁症发生率、血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)、五羟色胺(5-HT)及外周血中的CD4+、CD8+含量。结果:与对照组比较,观察组的CRP、IL-6、5-HT、CD4+均低于对照组;且观察组的CD8+、抑郁症发生率(31.43%)、轻中度抑郁及重度抑郁患者比例均高于对照组水平,组间对比差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:抑郁症与不明原因胸痛存在一定相关性,推断可能与CRP、5-HT、IL-6等细胞因子有关,也可能与免疫抑制过程有关,在临床诊治中需引起重视。