Anxiety faintly and depression remarkably correlate with recurrence in acute ischemic stroke patients: A study with 3-year longitude evaluation and follow-up

Clinical value of anxiety and depression in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is rarely studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore longitudinal changes of anxiety and depression, as well as their correlation with recurrence in AIS.A total of 120 AIS patients and 120 controls were enrolled in the study. Furthermore, comparison of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score or rate between AIS and controls was determined by Mann–Whitney U test or Chi-square test. In AIS patients, change of HADS scores or linear trend of anxiety and depression rate over time were determined by Friedman test or Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test. Moreover, correlation of anxiety and depression with the recurrence rate was analyzed by log-rank test.HADS for anxiety score, anxiety rate, HADS for depression score and depression rate were all elevated in AIS patients compared with controls (all P < .001). In AIS patients, HADS for anxiety score was elevated from discharged from hospital (M0) to month (M) 36 (P = .027), while anxiety rate was not (P = .107). Besides, HADS-D score and rate were both increased from M0 to M36 (both P < .001). Moreover, accumulating recurrence rate was 6.7%, 11.7%, and 17.5% at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively. Additionally, anxiety at M24 (P = .033), depression at M0, M12, M24, and M36 (all P < .05) were all correlated with increased accumulating recurrence rate.Continuous monitoring of anxiety and depression might be beneficial for the management of AIS prognosis.     

A retrospective study of Yiqi-Huoxue Decoction on blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke

This retrospective study investigated the effect of Yiqi-Huoxue Decoction (YQHXD) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).A total of 72 patients with BP following AIS who received routine treatment were included in this retrospective study. Of those, 36 patients received YQHXD and were assigned to a treatment group. The other 36 patients were allocated to a control group. All patients were treated for a total of 4 months. The outcomes were assessed by systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Barthel index scale (BIS). All outcomes were measured after 4-month treatment.After treatment, all subjects in the treatment group showed greater improvements in SBP (P < .05), DBP (P < .05), NIHSS (P < .05) score, and BIS (P < .05) than those of patients in the control group. In addition, the safety profile is similar in both groups.The findings of this study demonstrated that YQHXD may benefit on BP in patients with AIS. Future studies should focus on warranting the current results.     

Association between spiritual well-being,quality of life,anxiety and depression in patients with gynaecological cancer in China

The physical and psychological condition of patients with gynaecological cancer has received much attention, but there is little research on spirituality in palliative care. This study aimed to investigate spiritual well-being and its association with quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with gynaecological cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted in China in 2019 with 705 patients diagnosed with primary gynaecological cancer. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life instruments (EORTC QLQ-SWB32 and EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to measure spiritual well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between spiritual well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression. Functioning scales and global health status were positively correlated with spiritual well-being (P < .05). Anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with spiritual well-being (P < .05). Depression (−0.362, P < .001) was the strongest predictor of Existential score. Anxiety (−0.522, P < .001) was the only predictor of Relationship with self. Depression (−0.350, P < .001) and Global health (0.099, P = .011) were the strongest predictors of Relationship with others. Religion (−0.204, P < .001) and Depression (−0.196, P < .001) were the strongest predictors of Relationship with someone or something greater. Global health (0.337, P < .001) and Depression (−0.144, P < .001) were the strongest predictors of Global-SWB. Well spiritual well-being is associated with lower anxiety and depression, and better quality of life. Health providers should provide more spiritual care for non-religious patients and combine spiritual care with psychological counselling to help patients with gynaecological cancer, especially those who have low quality of life or severe symptoms, or experience anxiety or depression.     

Bringing prevost's sign into the third dimension: Artificial intelligence estimation of conjugate gaze adjusted length (CGAL) and correlation with acute ischemic stroke

Conjugate gaze deviation is associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), although previously only measured on a 2D plane. The current study evaluates 3D imaging efficacy to assess conjugate gaze deviation and correlate direction and strength of deviation to neuro-clinical findings.A retrospective analysis of 519 patients who had CT scans for suspected AIS at our institution. Direction and angle of eye deviation were calculated based on 2D axial images. Volumetric reconstruction of CT scans allowed for calculation of 3D conjugate gaze adjusted length (CGAL). Angle, direction, and vector strength of both 2D and 3D scans were calculated by an artificial intelligence algorithm and tested for agreement with hemispheric ischemia location. CGAL measurements were correlated to NIHSS scores. Follow up MRI data was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CGAL in the identification of AIS.The final analysis included 122 patients. A strong agreement was found between 3D gaze direction and hemispheric ischemia location. CGAL measurements were highly correlated with NIHSS score (r = .72, P = .01). A CGAL >0.25, >0.28, and >0.35 exhibited a sensitivity of 91%, 86%, and 82% and specificity of 66%, 89%, and 89%, respectively, in AIS identification. A CGAL >0.28 has the best sensitivity-specificity balance in the identification of AIS. A CGAL >0.25 has the highest sensitivity.Given CED''s correlation with NIHSS score a 1/4 deviation in the ipsilateral direction is a sensitive ancillary radiographic sign to assist radiologists in making a correct diagnosis even when not presented with full clinical data.     

Hospital anxiety and depression scale exhibits good consistency but shorter assessment time than Zung self-rating anxiety/depression scale for evaluating anxiety/depression in non-small cell lung cancer

This study aimed to compare Zung self-rating anxiety/depression scale (SAS/SDS) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) regarding the detection rate, detection consistency, and time of assessment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Totally 290 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical resection were consecutively recruited and clinical data of patients were collected. Patients’ anxiety and depression were assessed using HADS and SAS/SDS when they were discharged from hospital and consumption of the time for completing HADS and SAS/SDS was recorded.The anxiety detection rates by SAS (57.9%) and HADS-A (51.0%) were of no difference (P = .095). Also, there was no difference in anxiety severity detected by the 2 scales (P = .467). Additional correlation analysis revealed that both anxiety scores (r = 0.702, P < .001) and detected anxiety (Kappa = 0.626, P < .001) were consistent by SAS and HADS-A. Regarding depression, depression detection rate by SDS (47.6%) was higher than that of HADS-D (39.3%) (P = .044); the depression severity by SDS was more advanced than that by HADS-D (P = .002). The subsequent correlation analysis showed that both depression scores (r = 0.639, P < .001) and detected depression (Kappa = 0.624, P < .001) were consistent by SDS and HADS-D. In addition, the time for HADS assessment (7.6 ± 1.2 minutes) was shorter than SAS/SDS assessment (16.2 ± 2.1 minutes) (P < .001).HADS could be a better choice for assessing anxiety and depression in NSCLC patients, benefiting from its shorter assessment time but consistent detection rate compared with SAS/SDS.     

The self-psychological safety maintenance and its influencing factors of community frontline staff during COVID-19 pandemic

The present study was designed to determine the self-psychological safety maintenance and its influencing factors of community staff on the front-line during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.A total of 126 frontline staff in community were involved in the current cross-section study. Online questionnaires including the anxiety sensitivity index-3 (ASI-3), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), simple coping style questionnaire (SCSQ) and general self-efficacy scale (GSES) were utilized to analyze psychological state, coping style and self-efficacy of the surveyed staff.The ASI-3 standard score of 126 community frontline staff was 10.01 ± 2.82, of which 21 community frontline staff scored > 16, and the detection rate of anxiety was 16.67%. The anxiety state of doctors and nursing staff was significantly lower than that of administrative staff, logistics staff and other staff, and the rate of anxiety of having colleagues with suspected symptoms was significantly higher than that without colleagues with suspected symptoms (P < .05). The PHQ-9 standard score was 2.03 ± 0.16, of which 19 frontline staff in the community scored more than 5, and the detection rate of depression was 15.08%. Among them, the depression state of those with bachelor degree or above was significantly lower than that of those with junior college education, and the rate of depressive symptoms of community frontline staff with colleagues harboring suspected symptoms were significantly higher than those without colleagues with suspected symptoms (P < .05). The aggregated results showed that most of the community frontline staff in anxiety state group and depression group adopted negative coping style while most of the community frontline staff in the non-anxiety group and the non-depression group adopted positive coping style (P < .05). Additionally, lower score of self-efficacy of the community frontline staff was observed in the anxiety state group and the depression state group (P < .05).During the outbreak of COVID-19, several community frontline staff showed negative psychology of anxiety and depression, which could affect their coping style and self-efficacy. Early and effective psychological safety maintenance was required to alleviate the negative psychology of community frontline staff.     

Effectiveness of nursing Intervention on anxiety,psychology and self-efficacy among elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention: An observational cohort study

The aim of the present study is to investigate effect nursing intervention on anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy among elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention, and the correlation between patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy and nursing intervention.One hundred thirty six patients with acute coronary intervention were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 68) and the control group (n = 68). The experimental group received nursing intervention measures, and control group received routine nursing. We measured the depression, anxiety score of the 2 groups before and after nursing and multiple regressions was to analysis the correlation between patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy and nursing intervention.The nursing intervention effect of the 2 groups after intervention were improved before intervention (P < .05), and the Hospital Anxiety and depression scale (HADS) in the was decreased than that of the control group after psychological intervention. The general self-efficacy scale scores of experimental group were obviously improved after receiving the intervention, and the scores in the experimental group were much higher than the control group after receiving the intervention, namely (P < .05). Furthermore, Single regression analysis showed that single (Marital status) (r = 0.367, P < .001), divorced or separated (Marital status) (r = 0.338, P < .001), Widowed (Marital status) (r = 0.458, P < .001), nursing intervention (r = 0.431, P < .001) and Length of hospital stay (r = 0.276, P = .003) showed a significant correlation with patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy. Multiple regression analysis showed that Length of hospital stay (P = .001) and nursing intervention (P < .001) were significantly correlated with patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy.Nursing intervention maybe significantly improve patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy, and nursing intervention was significantly correlated with patients’ anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy. Considering the limited number of studies analyzed, large sample-size clinical trials are necessary to verify the effect nursing intervention on anxiety, psychology and self-efficacy among elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention.     

Quality of life in chronic pain treated through pulsed radiofrequency therapy: A retrospective study

Anxiety and depression are often symptoms present in people who suffer from chronic pain, compromising the quality of life of these individuals. The objective of this study was to assess whether a pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment, in addition to psychological support intervention, can decrease chronic pain, thereby improving quality of life and restoring psychological well-being.Fifty outpatients with a diagnosis of chronic pain, without any benefit from traditional drug therapies, were selected to perform a PRF treatment in combination with a psychological intervention. They were evaluated before and after the intervention through the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II for anxiety and depression symptomatology, respectively, the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) was used to assess the subject''s quality of life, and the Numerical Rating Scale was used for pain assessment.The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a significant difference in Beck Depression Inventory-II (P < .001), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (P < .01), and Numerical Rating Scale (P = .004). In the SF-36 scores, we observed a significant difference between T0 and T1 in both mental (P < .001) and physical (P < .001) dimensions.This study shows that a chronic pain reduction leads to a decrease of anxiety-depressive symptoms and an improvement in quality of life. PRF seems to be an appropriate method to reduce the chronic pain that influences psychological well-being and quality of life.     

Deceleration capacity for rapid risk stratification in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke: A prospective exploratory pilot study

Deceleration capacitiy for rapid risk stratification in stroke patientsCerebral ischemia is a major cause of neurologic deficit and patients suffering from ischemic stroke bear a relevant risk of mortality. Identifying stroke patients at high mortality risk is of crucial clinical relevance. Deceleration capacity of heart rate (DC) as a parameter of cardiac autonomic function is an excellent predictor of mortality in myocardial infarction and heart failure patients.The aim of our study was to evaluate whether DC provides prognostic information regarding mortality risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke.From September 2015 to March 2018 we prospectively enrolled consecutive patients presenting at the Stroke Unit of our university hospital with acute ischemic stroke who were in sinus rhythm. In these patients 24 hours-Holter-ECG recordings and evaluation of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were performed. DC was calculated according to a previously published algorithm. Primary endpoint was intrahospital mortality.Eight hundred seventy eight stroke patients were included in the study. Intrahospital mortality was 2.8% (25 patients). Both DC and NIHSS were significantly different between non-survivors and survivors (Mean ± SD: DC: 4.1 ± 2.8 ms vs 6.3 ± 3.3 ms, P < .001) (NIHSS: 7.6 ± 7.1 vs 4.3 ± 5.5, P = .02). DC achieved an area under the curve value (AUC) of 0.708 for predicting intrahospital mortality, while the AUC value of NIHSS was 0.641. In a binary logistic regression analysis, DC, NIHSS and age were independent predictors for intrahospital mortality (DC: HR CI 95%: 0.88 (0.79–0.97); P = .01; NIHSS: HR CI 95%: 1.08 (1.02–1.15); P = .01; Age: HR CI 95%: 1.07 (1.02–1.11); P = .004. The combination of NIHSS, age and DC in a prediction model led to a significant improvement of the AUC, which was 0.757 (P < .001, incremental development index [IDI] 95% CI: 0.037 (0.018–0.057)), compared to the individual risk parameters.Our study demonstrated that DC is suitable for both objective and independent risk stratification in patients suffering from ischemic stroke. The application of a prediction model combining NIHSS, age and DC is superior to the single markers in identifying patients at high mortality risk.     

Analysis of sagittal curvature and its influencing factors in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

This study aimed to explore the characteristics of changes in the sagittal arrangement of the spine between adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and normal adolescents, the risk factors for AIS and the factors affecting the progress of AIS.X-ray images of the full length of the spine in standing position were taken in AIS patients and normal adolescents. Radiographic measurements made at intermediate follow-up included the following:C₁ and C₂ cervical lordosis and C₂ - C₇ curvature of cervical lordosis, C₂-C₇sagittal horizontal distance (C₂-C₇SagittalVerticalAxis, C₂-C₇SVA), TS-CL, after thoracic lobe (Thoracic Kyphosis, TK), thoracic lumbar segment Angle (thoracolumbar kyphosis, [TLK]), lumbar lordosis Angle (Lumbar Lordosis, LL), sacral slope Angle (Sacrum Slope, SS), pelvic tilt Angle (Pelvic Tilt, PT), pelvic incidence (PI), L₅ Incidence (Lumbar5 Slope (L₅S), L5 incidence (Lumbar5 Incidence (L₅I), sagittal horizontal distance (_CSVA), lower depression Angle of the 2nd cervical spine. The difference of sagittal plane parameters between AIS group and normal adolescent group was compared. To evaluate the progress of AIS, correlation analysis was conducted between diagonal 2 and other parameters. The main risk factors of AIS were determined by binary Logistic analysis.The _CSVA of AIS patients was higher than that of healthy adolescents (AIS: 27.64 ± 19.56) mm. Healthy adolescents: (17.74 ± 12.8) mm), L5S (AIS: 19.93°= 7.07° and healthy adolescents: 15.38°= 7.78°, P = .024 < .05), C₂ downward sag Angle (AIS: 15.12°= 2.7°;Healthy adolescents: 12.97°= 4.56°); AIS patients had lower TS-CL (AIS: 22.48 ± 6.09 and healthy adolescents: 28.26°= 10.32°), PT (AIS: 10.42°= 4.53° and healthy adolescents: 15.80°=7.68°), (AIS: 41.87°=9.72° and healthy adolescents: 48.75°= 8.22°). The main risk factor for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents was L₅ (OR = 1.239, 95%CI = 1.049–1.463, P = .012 < .05).L₅S is a major risk factor for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. The larger PI is, the higher the risk of scoliosis progression is. In AIS patients, lumbar lordosis is increased, cervical lordosis is reduced, and even cervical kyphosis occurs.     

Prevalence and associated factors of disability in patients with chronic pain: An observational study

The primary treatment goal of patients experiencing chronic pain has shifted from pain reduction to functional status improvement. However, the prevalence of disability and its associated factors in patients with chronic pain remain unknown.Individuals aged ≥50 years who visited the Pain Center at Nara Medical University with chronic pain from June 2019 to May 2020 were eligible for enrollment. Patients were asked to complete the Japanese version of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Patient demographics, pain intensity, level of catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, and exercise habits were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with disability.Of the 551 patients with a median age of 73 years, 51.5% experienced disability. Fixed factors such as age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.06, P = .002) and lumbar and lower limb pain (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.83–5.24, P < .001) and some modifiable factors, including anxiety (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.06–3.98, P = .03), depression (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.92–6.82, P < .001), pain catastrophizer (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.88–4.61, P < .001), numeric rating scale at the most painful site (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.18–1.42, P < .001), exercise habits (walking (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33–0.83, P = .006) and working out (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34–0.99, P = .046), were found to be independently associated with disability.This cross-sectional study revealed a high prevalence of disability in patients with chronic pain and identified the factors associated with disability.     

Estimation of stroke severity with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale grading and retinal features: A cross-sectional study

To estimate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) grading of stroke patients with retinal characteristics.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Baseline information and retinal photos were collected within 2 weeks of admission. An NIHSS score was measured for each patient by trained doctors. Patients were classified into 0 to 4 score group and 5 to 42 score group for analysis. Three multivariate logistic models, with traditional clinical characteristics alone, with retinal characteristics alone, and with both, were built.For clinical characteristics, hypertension duration is statistically significantly associated with higher NIHSS score (P = .014). Elevated total homocysteine levels had an OR of 0.456 (P = .029). For retinal characteristics, the fractal dimension of the arteriolar network had an OR of 0.245 (P < .001) for the left eyes, and an OR of 0.417 (P = .009) for right eyes. The bifurcation coefficient of the arteriole of the left eyes had an OR of 2.931 (95% CI 1.573–5.46, P = .001), the nipping of the right eyes had an OR of 0.092 (P = .003) showed statistical significance in the model.The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve increased from 0.673, based on the model with clinical characteristics alone, to 0.896 for the model with retinal characteristics alone and increased to 0.931 for the model with both clinical and retinal characteristics combined.Retinal characteristics provided more information than clinical characteristics in estimating NIHSS grading and can provide us with an objective method for stroke severity estimation.     

Clinical efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Xiao Yao San in insomnia combined with anxiety

Background:Patients with long-term insomnia generally experience anxiety and depression. Traditional sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs have certain limitations. Xiao Yao San (XYS), a complementary and alternative therapy, has been widely used to treat insomnia combined with anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of XYS in the treatment of insomnia combined with anxiety.Methods:Related literature was retrieved from 8 electronic databases from the establishment time to March 2021. The subjects were diagnosed with insomnia combined with anxiety. We assessed the methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) according to the Cochrane Handbook. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:The analysis includes 9 RCTs involving 681 patients. Meta-analysis supported that as an auxiliary drug for Western medicine (WM), XYS could enhance the clinical efficacy of insomnia calculated according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score scale (risk ratio [RR]: 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–1.43; P = .0002) and reduced the scores of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (mean difference [MD]: −5.19; 95% CI: −7.78 to −2.60; P < .001), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (MD: −3.35; 95% CI: −4.86 to −1.84; P < .001), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (MD: −9.38; 95% CI: −10.20 to −8.75; P < .001), TCM syndrome score scale for insomnia (MD: −4.45; 95% CI: −6.65 to −2.24; P < .001), and TCM syndrome score scale for anxiety (MD: −5.54; 95% CI: −9.48 to −1.6; P = .006). The summary analysis also shows that the separate use of XYS was advantageous in reducing the scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (MD: −3.70; 95% CI: −6.31 to −1.09; P = .005), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (MD: −1.82; 95% CI: −2.39 to −1.24; P < .001), and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (MD: −10.79; 95% CI: −14.09 to −7.49; P < .001). The incidence of adverse events with XYS as an ancillary drug or used separately was lower than that in the WM.Conclusion:Our systematic evaluation and meta-analysis showed that XYS combined with WM or XYS alone was beneficial for improving sleep quality and relieving anxiety. Due to the low methodological quality, small sample size, and significant heterogeneity of RCTs, more rigorous and scientific clinical trials are required to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of XYS.PROSPERO registration number:CRD42020190613.     

Reliability and validity of SHMS v1.0 for suboptimal health status assessment of Tianjin residents and factors affecting sub-health: A cross-sectional study

The study aimed to explore the reliability and validity of the Sub-Health Measurement Scale version 1.0 (SHMS v1.0) for the assessment of the suboptimal health status (SHS) of Tianjin residents.This was a cross-sectional study that surveyed 2640 urban residents in Tianjin from June 2016 to January 2018. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Each subject completed the SHMS v1.0 and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scale assessments.The retest coefficient was 0.675. The overall Cronbach''s α coefficient was 0.921. The correlation between SHMS v1.0 and SF-36 was 0.781 (P < .01). The SHS frequency increased with age, from 62.4% in participants ≤25 years of age to 72.8% in those ≥ 56 years of age. The multivariable analysis showed that female sex (P < .001), age >25 years old (P = .009), bachelor degree or above (P < .001), obesity (P < .0), regular smoking (P = .043), frequent drinking (P = .045), sleep time < 6 hours (P = .006), working time >10 hours (P < .001), physical exercise <5 times/mo (P < .001), and adverse events >9 (P < .001) were associated with SHS.The prevalence of SHS is high among urban residents in Tianjin.     

Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Predict Sustained Quality of Life Deficits in HIV-Positive Ugandan Adults Despite Antiretroviral Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study

The impact of psychosocial status at onset of antiretroviral therapy on changes in quality of life (QOL) and subjectively rated health (SRH) among adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resource-limited settings is poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluate the association between stigma, anxiety, depression, and social support and change in QOL and SRH in HIV-infected Ugandan adults during an 18-month period.Psychosocial indicators were assessed at enrollment using structured questionnaires. QOL and SRH measures were assessed at months 0, 6, 12, and 18 using the Medical Outcomes Survey-HIV. Linear mixed models determined risk estimated differences in QOL and SRH in relation to quartiles of each psychosocial status indicator. Repeated measures generalized estimating equations modeling was implemented to assess differences in likelihood of improved versus nonimproved SRH during follow-up.QOL scores and SRH improved significantly for all participants over 18 months (P < 0.0001). The gain in QOL increased dose-dependently as baseline depressive symptoms (time^∗depression P < 0.001) and anxiety levels (time^∗anxiety P < 0.001) declined. Lower social support was associated with worse QOL at baseline (P = 0.0005) but QOL improvement during follow-up was not dependent on baseline level of social support (time^∗social support P = 0.8943) or number of stigmatizing experiences (time^∗stigma P = 0.8662). Psychosocial determinants did not predict changes in SRH in this study.High levels of depression and anxiety symptoms at HAART initiation predicts lower gains in QOL for HIV-positive patients for as long as 18 months. Long-term QOL improvements in HIV-infected adults may be enhanced by implementation of psychosocial interventions to reduce depression and anxiety in HIV-infected adults.     

Coronary calcification is associated with elevated serum lipoprotein (a) levels in asymptomatic men over the age of 45 years: A cross-sectional study of the Korean national health checkup data

Lipoprotein a (Lp (a)) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) are markers of coronary artery and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between Lp (a) and CAC in asymptomatic individuals remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of Lp (a) on CAC in asymptomatic individuals.We included 2019 asymptomatic Korean adults who underwent testing for a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and Lp (a) at the Gangnam Severance Hospital Health Checkup Center in Korea from January 2017 to August 2019. Participants were divided into 2 groups: CACS = 0 and CACS > 0. Factors affecting the CACS were analyzed by sex. Because age is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, ≥45 years in men and ≥55 years in women, we further divided participants into 4 subgroups (≥45 and <45 in men, ≥55 and <55 in women). Factors affecting the CACS in the 4 groups were analyzed.There was a positive correlation between the CACS and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Lp (a) positively correlated with the CACS in men (P < .01) and remained significant after multivariable logistic regression (P < .01). The same result was observed in men aged ≥45 years (P < .01).Lp (a) is an independently associated factor of CAC and a marker of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic men aged ≥45 years. In asymptomatic men aged ≥45 years, Lp (a) should be measured, and intensive Lp (a)-lowering treatment should be considered.     

Patient-reported Outcomes in Asian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Treated With Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) infection in patients of Asian ancestry ranges between 1% and 20%. Interferon (IFN)- and ribavirin (RBV)-containing regimens for CH-C have a negative impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) during treatment.The aim of this study was to assess the impact of IFN-free RBV-free sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimens on PROs in CH-C patients of Asian ancestry.In this observational retrospective study, the PRO data from 12 multicenter multinational phase 3 clinical trials (2012–2015, conducted in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand) of SOF-based regimens with and without IFN, ledipasvir (LDV), and/or RBV were used. At baseline, during treatment, and post-treatment, patients completed 4 validated PRO questionnaires (SF-36, CLDQ-HCV, FACIT-F, and WPAI:SHP). The resulting PROs in Asian patients were compared across the treatment regimens.Of 4485 of the trials’ participants, 106 patients were of Asian ancestry (55.7% male, 69.8% treatment-naïve, 17.0% cirrhotic). In comparison with other patients, the Asian CH-C cohort was younger, had lower BMI, and lower rates of pre-treatment psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety, depression, sleep disorders) (all P < .05). At baseline, Asian patients also had lower SF-36 physical functioning scores (on average, by −5.6% on a normalized 0–100% PRO scale, P = .001). During treatment, Asian CH-C patients experienced a decline in their PRO scores while receiving IFN and/or RBV-containing regimens (up to −19.6%, P < .001). In contrast, patients receiving LDV/SOF experienced no PRO decrement and improvement of some PRO scores during treatment (+9.0% in general health of SF-36, P = .03). After achieving SVR-12, some of the PRO scores in Asian patients improved regardless of the regimen (up to +9.3%, P < .001). In multivariate analysis of Asian patients, the use of LDV/SOF was independently associated with higher PRO scores during and soon after the end of treatment (betas +15.0% to +29.3%, all P < .05). Other predictors of PRO impairment included depression, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis.The use of IFN- and RBV-free LDV/SOF regimens leads to PRO improvement in Asian patients with CH-C during treatment. Achieving SVR-12 results in improvement of PRO scores.     

Serum Hepcidin Levels in Childhood-Onset Ischemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study

Recently, hepcidin, an antimicrobial-like peptide hormone, has evolved as the master regulator of iron homeostasis. Despite the growing evidence of iron imbalance in childhood-onset ischemic stroke, serum hepcidin level in those patients has not yet been researched.In this study, we aimed to estimate serum (hepcidin) level in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and to investigate whether subcutaneous enoxaparin sodium, which is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) derivative, could modulate serum hepcidin level in those patients.This was a case–control study included 60 (AIS) cases, and 100 healthy children with comparable age and gender as control group. For all subjects’ serum hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]) levels were assessed by (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method). Iron parameters including (serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, and total iron binding capacity [TIBC]) were also measured. The patients were subdivided according to treatment with an LMWH derivative into 2 groups and serum hepcidin levels were assessed initially and 1 week after stroke onset for all cases.We found that AIS cases had higher serum iron, ferritin, and IL6 levels compared to the control group (all P < 0.01). Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in AIS cases (median, 36[15–73]ng/mL) compared to the control group (median, 24[10–41]ng/mL; P < 0.01). On the 1st day of AIS diagnosis, serum hepcidin levels were similar in both stroke subgroups (P > 0.05). However, on the 7th day of diagnosis serum hepcidin level decreased significantly in AIS cases treated with LMWH (group 1) (median, 36 vs 21 ng/mL; P < 0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, no significant change was observed in serum hepcidin level in AIS cases not treated with LMWH (group 2) (P > 0.05). Serum hepcidin showed significant positive correlations with serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and IL6 (r = 0.375, P < 0.05; r = 0.453, P < 0.05; r = 0.687, P < 0.01; r = 0.515, P < 0.01; respectively).Our data brought a novel observation of elevated serum hepcidin level in pediatric AIS patients and pointed out that treatment with LMWH could modulate hepcidin level in those patients.     

Depression among physicians and other medical employees involved in the COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional study

Health care employees are the front liners whom are directly involved in the management of COVID-19 at high risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health illness. We aim to assess the burden of depression during this pandemic on health care employees treating COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. We also will shed the light on the best solutions of how to encounter depression.A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey conducted via a region-stratified, 2-stage cluster sample was conducted for 554 participants in >15 hospitals from April 29, 2020, to June 30, 2020. Depression is measured using the established PHQ9 score system. We grade PHQ9 depression scores as: normal, 0 to 4, mild, 5 to 9, significant (moderate or severe), 10 to 27. χ²/Fisher exact test was used; significant association between level of depression and survey characteristics were made. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.A total of 554 participants completed the survey. A total of 18.9% (n = 105) were aged <29 years, 51.2% (n = 284) were between 30 to 39 years and female represent 70% of all participants. Of all participants, 53.7% (n = 298) were nurses, and 38.6% (n = 214) were physicians; 68.5% (n = 380) worked in central area hospitals in Saudi Arabia. No significant (P = .432, 95% confidence interval [CI]) association was observed between sex and depression classifications. However, female had high proportion of significant depression 75.0% (n = 76) was observed as compared to male 24.8% (n = 25). Depression was significant in Saudis 61.4% (n = 62) (P < .001, 95% CI) and medical staff who encountered corona patients 51.5% (n = 52) (P < .002, 95% CI). Hospital preparedness associated with more freedom of depression symptoms 69.1% (n = 199/288) (P < .001, 95% CI).Frontline young health care workers especially physician in Saudi Arabia reported a high rate of depression symptoms. Countermeasures for health care workers represent a key component for the mental and physical well-being as part of public health measures during this pandemic. Attention to hospital preparedness and adequacy of personal protective equipment contributed to milder depression symptoms. Further studies need to be conducted on crisis management and depression.     

Traditional Chinese medicine for septic patients undergoing ulinastatin therapy: A meta-analysis

Purpose:This study aimed to assess the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in septic patients treated with ulinastatin.Methods:PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane library were searched up to January 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials. The weight mean difference (WMD) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals were used with the random-effects model.Results:Twenty-three randomized controlled trials with 1903 septic patients were included. TCM significantly reduced the APACHE II score (WMD: −5.18; P < .001), interleukin-6 (WMD: −63.00; P < .001), tumor necrosis factor-α (WMD: −8.86; P < .001), c-reactive protein (WMD: −9.47; P < .001), mechanical ventilation duration (WMD: −3.98; P < .001), intensive care unit stay (WMD: −4.18; P < .001), procalcitonin (WMD: −0.53; P < .001), lipopolysaccharide (WMD: −9.69; P < .001), B-type natriuretic peptide (WMD: −159.87; P < .001), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (WMD: −45.67; P < .001), cardiac troponin I (WMD: −0.66; P < .001), and all-cause mortality risk (RR: 0.55; P < .001).Conclusions:TCM lowers inflammation levels and reduces the risk of all-cause mortality for septic patients.