Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety in patients with injury-related chronic pain: A pilot study

Aim

To investigate, in patients with injury-related chronic pain, pain intensity, levels of post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depressions.

Methods

One hundred and sixty patients aged 17–62 years, admitted for assessment to the Pain Rehabilitation Clinic at the Umeå University Hospital, Umeå Sweden, for chronic pain caused by an injury, answered a set of questionnaires to assess post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale [IES]), pain intensity (VAS), depression, and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HAD]).

Results

Moderate to severe post-traumatic stress was reported by 48.1% of the patients. Possible–probable anxiety on the HAD was scored by 44.5% and possible–probable depression by 45.2%. Pain intensity (VAS) was significantly correlated to post-traumatic stress (r = 0.183, p = 0.022), the HAD-scores anxiety (r = 0.186, p = 0.0021), and depression (r = 0.252, p = 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found between genders for post-traumatic stress, pain intensity, anxiety, or depression. Participants with moderate to severe stress reaction reported statistically significant higher anxiety scores on the HAD (p = 0.030) in comparison with patients with mild stress.

Conclusion

The findings of relationships between pain intensity, post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety may have implications for clinicians and underline the importance of considering all these factors when managing patients with injury-related chronic pain.     

Effect of 5-HT2A receptor polymorphisms and occupational stress on self-reported sleep quality: a cross-sectional study in Xinjiang,China

ObjectiveOccupational stress and the serotonin receptor (5-HTR) play a key role in the regulation of sleep quality. Previous studies on the relationship between work-related stress, 5-HTR2A polymorphism, and sleep complaints found that 5-HTR2A modulates the response of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis to stress and the maintenance of circadian rhythm. However, the effect of 5-HTR2A polymorphism and occupational stress on sleep quality has not been reported. The present study investigated the effects of 5-HTR2A genotypes, occupational stress, and gene–environment interactions on the sleep quality.MethodsUsing a three-stage stratified sampling method, 1181 participants were recruited. Then, according to the study exclusion criteria, 810 subjects remained eligible. Finally, because some of subjects did not agree to being involved in this study, 700 workers were included. Of 700 workers finally included in the study, 251 had poor sleep quality based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The 5-HTR2A genotypes were determined with the SNaPshot single nucleotide polymorphism assay. Occupational stress was assessed with the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised questionnaire.Results5-HTR2A genotype was significantly associated with sleep quality. The CT genotype of rs1923884 was detected at a higher frequency among individuals with low sleep efficiency; the AA genotype of rs2070040 was associated with long sleep duration and more daytime dysfunction; and the CC genotype of rs6313 was linked to long sleep latency and duration and poor sleep quality. A high level of occupational stress was linked to higher risk of poor sleep quality than low or moderate levels (odds ratio [OR] = 12.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.02–22.43). A crossover analysis demonstrated an occupational stress × 5-HTR2A interaction. Compared to participants with low occupational stress and a CT/TT genotype, those with high occupational stress and a CC genotype had a higher risk of poor sleep quality (OR = 7.93, 95% CI: 3.41–18.43), whereas those with low occupational stress and a CC genotype had a lower risk of poor sleep quality (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.07–2.19).ConclusionsOccupational stress and 5-HTR2A genotypes in workers are associated both independently and in combination with increased risk of poor sleep quality. Our data provide evidence that occupational stress contributes to the risk of poor sleep quality through interaction with 5-HTR2A gene polymorphism.     

老年期焦虑与抑郁共病患者的睡眠质量研究

目的　探讨老年焦虑与抑郁障碍共病患者的睡眠质量,为临床治疗方案的确定提供理论 依据。方法　采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)评价焦虑情绪的严重程度,抑郁自评量表(SDS)评价抑郁情绪的 严重程度,采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)分别对37例老年期焦虑与抑郁共病、22例老年期焦虑症和 23例老年期抑郁患者的睡眠质量进行评定,并进行对照研究。结果　共病组入睡时间、催眠药物、 PSQI总分明显高于抑郁组(F值分别18.23,14.56,16.33,P<0.00);而睡眠障碍得分高于焦虑组(F= 2.127,P<0.05)。比较共病组病期、SDS、SAS与PSQI各成分间的相关性发现,病期与入睡时间、总分呈 负相关关系(P<0.05),SAS与入睡时间、催眠药物和PSQI总分呈正相关关系(P<0.05)。结论　老 年期焦虑抑郁共病比老年期抑郁症患者的睡眠质量降低更突出,其焦虑情绪与入睡困难和药物的使用 情况更为密切,提示在老年期焦虑抑郁障碍的临床治疗过程中,需改善睡眠障碍。     

Predictors of prescribed medication use for depression,anxiety, stress,and sleep problems in mid-aged Australian women

Objective

The study examined prevalence of self-reported use of medication recommended or prescribed by a doctor for depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep problems; and modelled baseline factors that predicted use over 3 years for each condition.

Methods

Analyses were undertaken on the 2001 and 2004 surveys of mid-aged women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Dependent variables were self-reported use in past 4 weeks of medications recommended or prescribed by a doctor for depression, anxiety, stress, or sleep problems in 2001 and 2004. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to predict medication use for each condition over 3 years.

Results

Prevalence of prescribed medication use (2001, 2004) for each condition was depression (7.2, 8.9 %), anxiety (7.4, 9.0 %), stress (4.8, 5.7 %), and sleep problems (8.7, 9.5 %). Multivariable analyses revealed that odds of medication use across 3 years in all four conditions were higher for women with poorer mental and physical health, using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or having seen a counsellor; and increased over time for depression, anxiety, and stress models. Medication use for depression was also higher for overweight/obese women, ex-smokers, and unmarried. Medication use for anxiety was higher for unmarried and non-working/low occupational women. Medication use for stress was higher for non-working women. Additional predictors of medication for sleep were surgical menopause, and area of residence.

Conclusions

Self-reported use of prescribed medication for four mental health conditions is increased over time after controlling for mental and physical health and other variables. Research needs to explore decision-making processes influencing differential rates of psychoactive medication use and their relationship with health outcomes.     

The NPY system in stress, anxiety and depression

NPY antagonizes behavioral consequences of stress through actions within the brain. Behavioral anti-stress actions of NPY are noteworthy in that (1) their magnitude surpasses that of other endogenous compounds; (2) they are produced across a wide range of animal models, normally thought to reflect different aspects of emotionality. This suggests that NPY acts with a high potency on a common core mechanism of emotionality and behavioral stress responses. Behavioral studies in genetically modified animals support this hypothesis. Increased emotionality is seen upon inactivation of NPY transmission, while the opposite is found when NPY signalling is made overactive. Several brain structures are involved in mediating anti-stress actions of NPY, with the most extensive evidence available for amygdala and hippocampus, and some evidence for regions within the septum, and locus coeruleus. Antistress actions of NPY are mimicked by Y1-receptor agonists, and blocked by Y1 antagonists, although Y5 receptors may substitute for Y1 actions in some cases. Blockade of Y2 receptors produces anti-stress effects indistinguishable from those produced by Y1 agonism, presumably through potentiation of presynaptic release of endogenous NPY. Together, available data point to the potential of the NPY system as a target for novel pharmacological treatments of stress-related disorders, including anxiety and depression. Development of Y2 antagonists presently appears to offer the most promising strategy for developing these clinical treatments.     

Association of subjective anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance with quality-of-life ratings in adults with epilepsy

Purpose :  To determine the relative contributions of subjective anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and seizure-related variables to quality-of-life scores in adults with epilepsy, and the interrelationships among these factors.
Methods :  Consecutive adult patients with epilepsy attending neurology outpatient clinics were recruited. Patients completed the following scales: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31). Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to identify variables associated with QOLIE-31 overall score. Path analysis model was constructed to test for interrelations between the variables.
Results :  Two hundred forty-seven patients completed the questionnaires. By multivariate analysis, in order of degree of contribution, HADS anxiety subscale score, MOS Sleep Scale Sleep Problems Index score, HADS depression subscale score, number of current antiepileptic drugs used, and seizure freedom in the past 4 weeks, significantly correlated with QOLIE-31 overall score, accounting for 65.2% of the variance. Complex interrelationships were present between these factors. A general linear model to predict QOLIE-31 overall score in the presence of these factors was constructed.
Conclusion :  Subjective anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance exerted greater effect than short-term seizure control on quality of life scores of patients with epilepsy. These factors should be considered simultaneously when evaluating effects of treatment on quality of life.     

Depression,anxiety and stress among medical and non-medical students in Saudi Arabia: An epidemiological comparative cross-sectional study

Objectives:To quantify the extent and variation of depression, anxiety and stress among medical and non-medical Saudi Arabian students.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, students from Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, were recruited. The Faculty of Education was randomly selected to represent the non-medical colleges. The depression, anxiety and stress scale-21 items (DASS-21) was used to estimate the study outcomes.Results:Of the 465 undergraduates recruited in this study, 49.68% (n=231) were medical students and 50.32% (n=234) were non-medical students. Approximately 54%, 53%, and 38% of the participants were found to be suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The analyses showed that the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to stress and depression (p=0.934 and 0.423, respectively). However, the non-medical students exhibited a significantly higher anxiety score compared to the medical students (p=0.002). Family conflicts was a common risk factor for the studied psychological disturbances. Female gender and travel time from home to university were significant predictors of depression and anxiety, whereas a positive history of a psychological condition increased the likelihood of depression and stress.Conclusion:There was a high prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression among the students, with a significantly higher anxiety levels among the non-medical students.

There is a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress disorders (DASD) across the world. A previous report stated that around 4.4% (over 300 million) and 3.6% (264 million) of the global population suffers from depression and anxiety, respectively. Between 2005 and 2015 alone, there was a 14.9% increase in the incidence of anxiety. This report also considered depression as one of the major determinants of years lived with disability (YLD) and anxiety as a primary contributor of non-fatal health loss.^1,2 Another national-level survey reported 34.8% population to be suffering from stress, of which only 2% attained medical assistance.^3,4The amount of pressure faced by the university students might lead to a considerable psychological stress, which, in turn, leads to serious mental disorders, including anxiety, stress, and depression. Over time, the academic pressure may lead to worsening of the mental health and physical wellbeing of the students, which can only be detected at advanced stages. Certain studies on medical school graduates reported an association between the psychological stress among these students and suboptimal patient care.^5,6Several studies have evaluated and compared the anxiety, stress, and depression levels of non-medical and medical students.^7-11 A previous study in Saudi Arabia reported significantly lower depression rates among the medical students (37%) compared to non-medical students (60%).⁷ Contrarily, a meta-analysis reported no significant differences in the prevalence of depression between non-medical and medical students.⁸ A systemic review demonstrated significantly higher anxiety among medical students compared to general population.¹² Previous studies in Saudi Arabia also reported significantly high anxiety levels and low wellbeing of medical students.^13,14 Similar to anxiety and depression, the level of stress among medical students, in the same region, was as high as 59%, and was more prevalent among female and junior students.^15,16Several English scales have previously been used to assess the DASD prevalence in local population of Saudi Arabia,^7,13,17,18 and a number of local studies conducted on medical students exhibited certain methodological weaknesses, such as inadequate sampling.^19-21 Therefore, our aim was comparison of the DASD levels between medical and non-medical students with an adequate sampling method and by utilizing an Arabic validated tool that is more understandable in our culture, and to investigate risk factors for DASD among this population.     

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in Estonian medical students with sleep problems

High emotional stress in medical students has been observed in many studies. Our aim in this article was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among Estonian medical students and to find relationships between sleep complaints and emotional symptoms. The study group consisted of 413 medical students, ages 19-33 years, at the University of Tartu. Each was asked to complete two questionnaires: the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q), containing 28 questions, and the Questionnaire on Sleep and Daytime Habits, with 25 questions. The anxiety and depression subscales from the EST-Q were applied. From the study group, 21.9% students had symptoms of anxiety, and 30.6% had symptoms of depression. The frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms was higher in females. In regression and multiple regression analysis, we determined which sleep problems were related to emotional symptoms. The associations were different for men and women. In women, anxiety remained significantly related to waking up because of nightmares and feeling tired in the morning; depressive symptoms were related to difficulties in getting to sleep at night, waking up because of nightmares and nocturnal eating habits, daytime sleepiness, and sleepiness during school lessons. In men, significant relations were clear only for depression: difficulties in falling asleep at night before an exam and subjective sleep quality. The study demonstrated that a high percentage of medical students had emotional symptoms. We found that some sleep problems indicated underlying symptoms of anxiety and depression.     

A cross-sectional study to investigate the correlation between depression comorbid with anxiety and serum lipid levels

BackgroundDepression is a common psychological disorder that severely threatens human health. Its pathology remains unclear, but it has been suggested to be associated with abnormal blood lipid metabolism.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the changes in blood lipid levels in patients with depression accompanied or not by anxiety, and assess whether adjusting the clinical therapeutic strategy could be based on blood lipid test results, providing a novel insight into depression treatment.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. We assessed 60 outpatients and inpatients diagnosed with depression from January 2013 to January 2014 who met the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders version 3 (CCMD-3) criteria, with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) ≥ 20. They were grouped into depression with anxiety (n = 29) and depression without anxiety (n = 31) groups by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA).ResultsTG levels were higher in the depression with anxiety group compared with patients without anxiety (P = 0.045), which was confirmed by multifactorial analysis [P = 0.017, OR = 4.394, 95% CI (1.303–14.824)]. A negative correlation between anxiety score and HDL levels was observed in patients with depression (r = − 0.340, P = 0.046). Meanwhile, positive associations were obtained between retardation and LDL levels (r = 0.307, P = 0.017) as well as age at disease onset and total cholesterol levels (r = 0.410, P = 0.002).ConclusionTG levels differ in patients with depression accompanied by anxiety compared with those without anxiety.     

焦虑症、抑郁症及焦虑抑郁障碍共病患者执行功能的对照研究

目的探讨焦虑症、抑郁症和焦虑抑郁障碍共病患者执行功能障碍的差异.方法使用威斯康星卡片分类测验(WCST)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)及汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)对35例抑郁症(抑郁症组)、30例焦虑症(焦虑症组)及30例焦虑抑郁障碍共病(以下简称共病组)患者于治疗前及治疗第6周末进行评定,以30名正常人为对照组.结果 (1)治疗前后抑郁症组、焦虑症组、共病组组间及与对照组的比较,WCST的总测验次数[抑郁症组(86±24)次,(74±24)次;焦虑症组(77±27)次,(69±10)次;共病组(90±25)次,(83±26)次;对照组(60±15)次,(58±13)次]、持续错误数[抑郁症组(24±10)次,(21±9)次;焦虑症组(25±13)次,(19±6)次;共病组(28±14)次,(26±11)次; 对照组(19±8)次,(17±7)次]和非持续错误数[抑郁症组(36±19)次,(27±17)次;焦虑症组(27±17)次,(25±9)次;共病组(31±19)次,(30±19)次;对照组(16±8)次,(15±8)次],差异有显著性意义或非常显著性意义(P<0.05或P<0.01),各测验次数由高到低依次为共病组、抑郁症组、焦虑症组、对照组;(2) 治疗后抑郁症组、焦虑症组、共病组WCST的总测验次数、持续错误数和非持续错误数均低于治疗前,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);(3)治疗前后HAMD与HAMA减分值与WCST减分值相关性分析,抑郁症组、焦虑症组、共病组治疗前后的HAMD、HAMA总分减分值与WCST的总测验次数、持续错误数及非持续错误数减分值均无相关性.结论 (1)焦虑症、抑郁症及焦虑抑郁障碍共病患者在发病期可能存在执行功能障碍,治疗后执行功能障碍严重程度有所降低但仍存在;(2)执行功能损害的程度由重到轻的可能顺序为焦虑抑郁障碍共病、抑郁症、焦虑症.     

The prevalence and severity of insomnia in university students and their associations with migraine,tension-type headache,anxiety and depression disorders: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThere is possibly an association between migraine, tension-type headache, anxiety, depression and insomnia. These conditions are prevalent among university students. Our primary objective was to verify whether students with primary headaches (migraine and tension-type headache) have a higher prevalence of insomnia. Our secondary objective was to assess whether the impact of headaches was associated with greater severity of insomnia.MethodsCross-sectional study. 440 students out of 3030 were randomly selected. A semi-structured questionnaire containing information about the characteristics of the headaches, including their frequencies in the last 3 months; the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6); the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale; and the Insomnia Severity Index were used.Results420 students (95.5%) agreed to participate; 51.4% men; median age of 21 (19, 23); 95 (22.6%) had insomnia; 265 (63.1%), migraine; 152 (36.2%), tension-type headache; 201 (47.9%) suffered from anxiety and 108 (25.7%), from depression. The severe impact of headache (HIT-6>55 points; OR = 3.9; p = 0.003) and anxiety (OR = 3.6; p = 0.003) were associated with insomnia (logistic regression). The severity of insomnia was positively and significantly correlated with the impact (HIT-6 score), with frequency of headache, and with having anxiety (multiple linear regression).ConclusionsThe diagnoses of migraine and tension-type headache are not associated with the presence of insomnia. The severity of insomnia is associated with the impact and the frequency of the headaches.     

Association of depression,anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder with migraine: Data from Kosovo

Introduction

Migraine is ranked as the seventh leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is characterized by a manifestation of combined neurological, gastrointestinal, and autonomic symptoms linked with different provoking factors.

Role of neuropeptides in anxiety,stress, and depression: From animals to humans

Major depression, with its strikingly high prevalence, is the most common cause of disability in communities of Western type, according to data of the World Health Organization. Stress-related mood disorders, besides their deleterious effects on the patient itself, also challenge the healthcare systems with their great social and economic impact. Our knowledge on the neurobiology of these conditions is less than sufficient as exemplified by the high proportion of patients who do not respond to currently available medications targeting monoaminergic systems.     

Cancer in people with depression or anxiety: record-linkage study

Background It has been suggested that the risk of cancer may be higher in people with psychological disorders, like depression and anxiety, than in the general population. Aims To determine cancer risk in cohorts of people with depression or anxiety, compared with that in a control cohort. Method Analysis of linked statistical records of hospital admission and mortality. Results Lung cancer was more common in those with depression (risk ratio 1.36, 95% confidence intervals 1.19–1.54) or anxiety (1.29, 1.12–1.48) than in others. Excluding lung cancer, the risk ratio for all other cancers combined was 0.98 (0.92–1.04) in the depression cohort and 1.01 (0.95–1.07) in the anxiety cohort. There was a significant association, in the short-term only, between depression, anxiety and the subsequent diagnosis of brain tumours. Conclusions With the exception of lung and brain tumours, cancer risk was not increased in people with depression or anxiety.     

Impact of depression and anxiety on adverse event profiles in Korean people with epilepsy

Previous studies have shown that depression and anxiety worsen the adverse events associated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in people with epilepsy. These studies used the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP) to screen adverse events. The LAEP incorporates items associated with emotion, which may themselves influence the reporting of adverse events. We investigated whether depression and anxiety still displayed an effect on adverse events when items related to emotion were excluded from the analysis. A total of 453 consecutive patients with epilepsy who took AEDs for at least 1 year completed self-report questionnaires, including the Korean versions of the LAEP (K-LAEP), the Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI). Firstly, we performed a discrimination analysis to identify the items affected by depression and/or anxiety among the 19 items included in the K-LAEP. Among these items, dizziness, nervousness and/or agitation, restlessness, and upset stomach had relatively higher levels of significance. Secondly, we performed a factor analysis to determine the subclass taxonomy of all items in the K-LAEP. The analysis segregated the items into three subclasses: cephalgia/coordination/sleep, emotion/cognition, and tegument/mucosa/weight. Lastly, we performed stepwise multiple regressions to demonstrate the predictors determining the K-LAEP and subclass scores. According to the regressions, the K-BAI and K-BDI scores and the duration of treatment of the antiepileptic medication were significant predictors. Specifically, the K-BAI score was a predictor of the scores of all three subclasses as well as the total K-LAEP score; the K-BDI score was a predictor of the total K-LAEP score and the emotion/cognition score; and the duration of treatment of the antiepileptic medication was a predictor of the tegument/mucosa/weight score. The K-BAI score was the strongest predictor of all the scores. Although this study showed a similar impact of depression and anxiety on the adverse event profiles as previous reports, it provided further insight into the contribution of the LAEP items associated with emotion. Other than the psychosocial predictors, the treatment duration of the antiepileptic medication was also found to be an important predictor in this study.