Cerebral metabolic patterns in untreated postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder

Cerebral metabolic rates were assessed using [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in six naturally postmenopausal women with untreated unipolar depression and 11 matched controls. All subjects were hormone therapy-naive and medication-free. Findings include hypermetabolism in the middle frontal gyrus and Broca regions, and hypometabolism in the pons among depressed compared with non-depressed women.     

Suicidal ideation and attempts among psychiatric patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts, or possible variations in them, among representative samples of psychiatric patients with major depressive disorder. METHOD: As part of the Vantaa Depression Study in Vantaa, Finland, 269 patients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD), diagnosed by interview using semistructured World Health Organization Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, version 2.0, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders, were thoroughly investigated. Information was gathered on patients' levels of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, perceived social support, social and occupational functioning, and alcohol use. Suicidal behavior was assessed by interviews, including the Scale for Suicidal Ideation, and by information from psychiatric records. Data were gathered from Feb. 1, 1997, to May 31, 1998. RESULTS: During the current MDD episode, 58% of all patients had experienced suicidal ideation; among the 15% of the total who had attempted suicide, almost all (95%) had also had suicidal ideation. In nominal regression models predicting suicidal ideation, hopelessness, alcohol dependence or abuse, low level of social and occupational functioning, and poor perceived social support were found to be significant (p < .05) independent risk factors. High severity of depression and current alcohol dependence or abuse in particular, but also younger age and low level of social and occupational functioning, predicted suicide attempt. CONCLUSION: Suicidal ideation is prevalent and appears to be a precondition for suicide attempts among psychiatric patients with MDD. The risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts locate in several clinical and psychosocial domains. While these risk factors largely overlap, the overall level of psychopathology of suicide attempters is higher compared with that in patients with ideation, and substance use disorders and severity of depression may be of particular importance in predicting suicide attempts.     

Dynamic patterns in mood among newly diagnosed patients with major depressive episode or panic disorder and normal controls

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the dynamic patterns of hourly mood variation among newly diagnosed primary care patients with major depressive disorder or panic disorder with patterns in patients with neither disorder.Method: Five adult patients with major depressive episode, 5 with panic disorder, and 5 with neither disorder were asked to complete hourly self-assessments of anxiety and depression (using 100-mm visual analog scales) for each hour they were awake during a 30-day period. Time series were analyzed using ARIMA (autoregression, integration, moving average) modeling (to assess periodicity), Lyapunov exponents (to assess sensitivity to initial conditions indicative of chaotic patterns), and correlation dimension saturation (to assess whether an attractor is limiting change). The study was conducted from March to June 2003.Results: Controls displayed circadian rhythms with underlying chaotic variability. Depressed patients did not display circadian rhythm, but did show chaotic dynamics. Panic disorder patients showed circadian rhythms, but 2 of the 4 patients completing the self-assessments displayed nonchaotic underlying patterns.Conclusions: Patients with major depressive disorder or panic disorder may differ from controls and from each other in their patterns of mood variability. There is a need for more research on the dynamics of mood among patients with mental disorders.     

Effects of exercise and weight loss on depressive symptoms among men and women with hypertension

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate changes in depressive symptoms in hypertensive individuals participating in an exercise and weight loss intervention. METHODS: This study involved 133 sedentary men and women with high blood pressure (BP; 130-180 mmHg systolic BP and/or 85-110 mmHg diastolic BP) who participated in a 6-month intervention consisting of three groups: aerobic exercise, aerobic exercise and weight loss, and a waiting list control. RESULTS: Participants in both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in aerobic capacity and lower BP compared with participants in the control group. Participants in the active treatment groups who had mild to moderate depressive symptoms at baseline also exhibited greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with participants in the control group. CONCLUSION: Results from the present study suggest that exercise, alone or combined with weight management, may reduce self-reported depressive symptoms among patients with hypertension.     

Serum lipids,metabolic syndrome and lifetime suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective

Bipolar disorder is associated with a high risk of suicide. Many clinical characteristics and, recently, biomarkers have been studied with the aim to find useful predictors of suicidality. The role of serum lipids has also been explored albeit with conflicting results; however, few studies have been focused on patients with bipolar disorder.Aim of our study is to investigate whether serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and metabolic syndrome are associated with lifetime suicide attempts in a large naturalistic sample of patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

220 patients with bipolar disorder were included. History of lifetime suicide attempts was systematically and retrospectively assessed for each patient. Blood exams testing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-c levels were performed, and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to NCEP ATP-III modified criteria. Serum lipid levels and metabolic syndrome were compared in patients with or without history of suicide attempt. According to a theory that links impulsivity and violence with low cholesterol, the association between lipid levels and violent suicidal behavior was also assessed.

Results

Lifetime suicide attempts rate was 32.3%. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with and without lifetime suicide attempts in cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c levels, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. No differences in the same variables were found in violent suicide attempters compared with nonviolent ones. Clinical characteristics such as gender, low education, higher number of manic and depressive episodes, and taking more medications for bipolar disorder were associated with lifetime suicide attempts.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis of a strong association between serum lipid levels and suicide in patients with bipolar disorder.     

Medication use patterns and two-year outcome in first-admission patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the patterns and predictors of medication use and 24-month course/outcome in first-admission patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MDD/P). METHOD: An epidemiological sample of 87 first-admission patients with research diagnoses of MDD/P received intensive clinical assessments at baseline and at 6- and 24-month follow-ups and telephone assessments at 3-month intervals. Use of medications (antidepressant [AD], antipsychotic [AP], and antimanic agents) was determined from self-reports corroborated by external sources where possible. Outcome was assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning and consensus evaluations of illness course and time in remission. RESULTS: More patients received APs (77.0%) than ADs (57.5%) at discharge, with almost half (49.4%) receiving these in combination. At 24-month follow-up, 40.2% reported using no medications; 39.1% used ADs, and 32.2% used APs. Only early AD use predicted regular AD use during the 6- to 24-month follow-up. A minority (29%) achieved functional recovery (Global Assessment of Functioning score > or = 71) by 24 months. Although about 60% of the sample achieved a period of complete remission by 24 months, only about 40% had a sustained remission for at least 19 months. Medication use was not predictive of these outcome measures. There was little evidence that changes in medication, augmentation strategies, or electroconvulsive therapy was used to reduce symptoms during the 24-month follow-up. Fewer than half of our subjects received a MDD/P clinical diagnosis at discharge, which appeared to influence medication use patterns over the 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that for most of these patients with MDD/P, outcome was suboptimal for both functional and syndromal recovery. The lack of an association between medication use and outcome suggests that medication changing and augmentation strategies, electroconvulsive therapy use, and/or strategies to improve medication adherence might be considered in the treatment of patients with MDD/P who remain low functioning and symptomatic even while receiving pharmacotherapy. Finally, our findings highlight the need for routine systematic diagnostic procedures to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment of MDD/P at first admission as well as the need for replication of our findings in a more contemporary sample.     

Comorbidities and factors related to discontinuation of pharmacotherapy among outpatients with major depressive disorder

Objective

Although many studies have researched adherence to pharmacotherapy among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), the effects of chronic depression, anxiety comorbidities, migraine, and other factors on adherence have rarely been studied. This study investigated which comorbidities and factors independently predicted discontinuation of pharmacotherapy among psychiatric outpatients with MDD.

Methods

One hundred thirty-five subjects (34 men, 101 women) with MDD were enrolled. MDD and anxiety comorbidities were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision), migraine was diagnosed based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition, and depression severity was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Six months later, subjects' reasons for discontinuation were investigated, and Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression were used to investigate the independent factors predicting discontinuation.

Results

Subjects with chronic depression, migraine, panic/agoraphobia, or posttraumatic stress disorder attended follow-up for longer before discontinuation than those without. Chronic depression and greater age independently predicted a longer follow-up before discontinuation. Concern about and intolerance of the side effects of antidepressants and lack of insight into MDD independently predicted discontinuation within 2 months. “Self-reported recovery” was the most common reason for discontinuation; however, 53.8% of the subjects who cited this reason did not reach full remission.

Conclusions

The impact of the duration of depression (chronic depression) on adherence may be more important than the severity of depression, anxiety comorbidities, and migraine. Education of MDD patients and society in general to improve understanding of MDD and antidepressants is needed to enhance adherence to pharmacotherapy.     

Differences in depressive thoughts between major depressive disorder, IFN-alpha-induced depression, and depressive disorders among cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that there are differences in the distribution of negative thoughts among major depressive disorders (MDD), depressive disorders among cancer patients, and IFN-alpha-induced depression. METHODS: Twenty-three patients affected by MDD, 25 cancer patients affected by depressive disorders (20 MDD), and 19 patients affected by IFN-alpha-induced depression satisfying MDD criteria were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Sense of guilt was higher among MDD patients (56.5%) and was lower among cancer patients (4%) (P<.0001). Sense of failure, dissatisfaction, and self-dislike were higher among MDD patients than among IFN-alpha patients (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, patients affected by MDD present a different pattern of symptoms in comparison with patients affected by IFN-alpha-induced depression and depressive disorders. In particular, core depressive thoughts were less frequent in the last two conditions.     

Frequency and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea among individuals with major depressive disorder and insomnia

Objective

Disturbances in sleep continuity are common among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and can impact the course of depression and response to treatment. Several studies have examined depressive symptom severity among sleep-disordered patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In contrast, little is known about OSA in patients with MDD. The goal of this study was to examine the frequency and predictors of OSA in a sample of individuals with comorbid MDD and insomnia.

Methods

Participants were 51 individuals who enrolled in a treatment study on insomnia and depression, met criteria for MDD and comorbid insomnia, and underwent an overnight polysomnography evaluation. An apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 events per hour was used as a cutoff score for OSA. Regression analyses were conducted to examine clinical and demographic predictors of OSA severity as measured by the apnea-hypopnea index.

Results

The results revealed that 39% of the sample met criteria for OSA. The OSA group had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) scores and a significantly greater proportion of men. Regression analysis revealed that male sex, older age, and higher BMI were significant predictors of OSA severity. Neither depression severity nor insomnia severity was a significant predictor.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the frequency of OSA is higher among individuals with comorbid MDD and insomnia than was previously found among people with either MDD or insomnia alone. In addition, previously identified predictors of OSA (male sex, older age, and high BMI) also apply to this population.     

Randomized controlled trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation in pregnant women with major depressive disorder

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects 10% of pregnancies. Because transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a nonmedication option, psychiatric patients who do not tolerate or prefer to avoid antidepressants are good candidates for TMS.

Prevalence and comorbidity of major depressive disorder in young black and white women

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the prevalence and comorbidity of depression in two large samples of black and white young adult women. METHOD: Clinical interviews of participants in a follow-up study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS-Wave II; N=378) were contrasted with a subsample of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS; N=3749) to examine the rates and comorbidity of lifetime major depressive disorder in black and white women using methodology described by . The sequencing of disorders was also examined to determine which disorder was primary. Comorbidity and sequencing were examined for alcohol and drug use disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. RESULTS: Prevalence estimates for depression, alcohol use disorder, and drug use disorder were higher for white women than for black women in both NGHS-Wave II and NCS. Over half of depressed participants in both samples had at least one comorbid disorder and depression was associated with an increased probability of all the investigated disorders. Only one ethnic difference was found in comorbidity, indicating that black women were more likely to have comorbid panic disorder than white women were. Depression was primary to alcohol and substance use disorders, whereas it was secondary to specific phobia and PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of comorbidity were found for both black and white women, though few ethnic differences in comorbidity were found. Preventive and treatment interventions are needed to address multiple disorders in young adult women.     

Patterns of cardiorespiratory coordination in young women with recurrent major depressive disorder treated with escitalopram or venlafaxine

Evidence from previous studies suggests autonomic dysregulation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Antidepressant treatment may also affect central autonomic function. We investigated whether the type of antidepressant might be associated with the pattern of cardiorespiratory coordination in non-depressed women with recurrent MDD. Resting electrocardiograms and respiratory signals were simultaneously recorded from 38 euthymic women with recurrent MDD who were treated with either escitalopram (n=19) or venlafaxine (n=19) monotherapy and from 38 healthy women. Linear measures of heart rate variability were extracted to assess cardiac autonomic control. Sample entropy (SampEn) was computed to assess the complexity of heart rate and respiratory signals, and cross-SampEn was calculated to measure the nonlinear interaction of both signals. Significant decreases in the cardiovagal tone and cardiorespiratory coupling of women with recurrent MDD receiving venlafaxine, and tendencies toward lower cardiovagal tone and cardiorespiratory coupling in women with recurrent MDD receiving escitalopram were observed when compared with healthy controls. Effect sizes for these differences were large between women receiving venlafaxine and healthy controls. We found a positive association between cardiorespiratory decoupling and venlafaxine dose. Norepinephrine-enhancement, within a therapeutic dose range, seems to be closely associated with decreased vagal tone and reduced nonlinear coupling between heart rate and respiration in euthymic women with recurrent MDD. However, the effects of serotonin enhancement on cardiovagal tone should be considered. Our results suggest that the pharmacodynamic properties of antidepressants may affect autonomic regulation of women with recurrent MDD even in euthymic state.     

首发抑郁症青少年患者的大脑功能——静息态功能磁共振成像的病例对照研究(英文)

背景:青少年抑郁症对患者及其家庭成员会产生长期严重的痛苦,但这种致残状况的潜在机制仍不清楚。目的:比较未经药物的青少年首发抑郁症患者和匹配的对照者之间的大脑功能静息状态。方法 :使用3T磁共振扫描仪对15名青少年抑郁症患者和16名对照者进行功能磁共振静息状态扫描。采用低频振荡振幅(amplitude of low frequency fluctuation,ALFF)来评估脑功能静息态。结果 :青少年抑郁症患者的儿童抑郁量表评分的均值(标准差)高于对照组(22.13[9.21]与9.37[5.65])。与对照组相比,青少年抑郁症患者在扣带回后部、左颞下回、右颞上回、右岛叶、右侧顶叶和右侧梭状回具有较高的ALFF;而在双侧楔叶、左枕叶和左内侧额叶表现出较低的ALFF。结论 :青少年抑郁症与大脑多个区域的显著功能变化有关。