scholarly journals Ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieczyslaw Szyszkowicz ◽  
Brian H Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background. Depression is among the most common mental health problems. Depression interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. Many factors can contribute to depression and air pollution can initiate or intensify symptoms of depression. Methods. Case-crossover method was used to study associations between emergency department (ED) visits for depression and ambient air pollution. The statistical analysis was applied for patients of different ages. Results. Positive and statistically significant results, (communicated as odds ratios), were obtained for exposure to ambient carbon monoxide and ED visits for depression. Discussion. The presented results support the hypothesis that recent exposures to ambient levels of air pollutants can contribute clinically significant worsening in depression symptoms leading to ED visits. As the results suggest the associations are age dependent.

scholarly journals Ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieczyslaw Szyszkowicz ◽  
Brian H Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background. Depression is among the most common mental health problems. Depression interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. Many factors can contribute to depression and air pollution can initiate or intensify symptoms of depression. Methods. Case-crossover method was used to study associations between emergency department (ED) visits for depression and ambient air pollution. The statistical analysis was applied for patients of different ages. Results. Positive and statistically significant results, (communicated as odds ratios), were obtained for exposure to ambient carbon monoxide and ED visits for depression. Discussion. The presented results support the hypothesis that recent exposures to ambient levels of air pollutants can contribute clinically significant worsening in depression symptoms leading to ED visits. As the results suggest the associations are age dependent.

scholarly journals Long-Term Outcomes of a Therapist-Supported, Smartphone-Based Intervention for Elevated Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Quasiexperimental, Pre-Postintervention Study

10.2196/14284 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e14284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Economides ◽  
Kristian Ranta ◽  
Albert Nazander ◽  
Outi Hilgert ◽  
Philippe R Goldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Point Reduction ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and severely impacts one’s physical, psychological, and social functioning. To address access barriers to care, we developed Ascend—a smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported, 8-week intervention based on several evidence-based psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. A previous feasibility study with 102 adults with elevated depression reported that Ascend is associated with a postintervention reduction in depression symptoms. Objective We aimed to examine whether Ascend is associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, and importantly, whether reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety are maintained up to 12-months postintervention. Methods We assessed whether the previously reported, end-of-treatment improvements seen in the 102 adults with elevated symptoms of depression extended up to 12 months posttreatment for depression symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) and up to 6 months posttreatment for anxiety symptoms (added to the intervention later and measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] scale). We used linear mixed effects models with Tukey contrasts to compare time points and reported intention-to-treat statistics with a sensitivity analysis. Results The intervention was associated with reductions in symptoms of depression that were maintained 12 months after the program (6.67-point reduction in PHQ-9 score, 95% CI 5.59-7.75; P<.001; Hedges g=1.14, 95% CI 0.78-1.49). A total of 60% of the participants with PHQ-9 scores above the cutoff for major depression at baseline (PHQ≥10) reported clinically significant improvement at the 12-month follow-up (at least 50% reduction in PHQ-9 score and postprogram score <10). Participants also reported reductions in symptoms of anxiety that were maintained for at least 6 months after the program (4.26-point reduction in GAD-7 score, 95% CI 3.14-5.38; P<.001; Hedges g=0.91, 95% CI 0.54-1.28). Conclusions There is limited evidence on whether outcomes associated with smartphone-based interventions for common mental health problems are maintained posttreatment. Participants who enrolled in Ascend experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety that were maintained for up to 1 year and 6 months after the intervention, respectively. Future randomized trials are warranted to test Ascend as a scalable solution to the treatment of depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals Long-Term Outcomes of a Therapist-Supported, Smartphone-Based Intervention for Elevated Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Quasiexperimental, Pre-Postintervention Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Economides ◽  
Kristian Ranta ◽  
Albert Nazander ◽  
Outi Hilgert ◽  
Philippe R Goldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Point Reduction ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinically Significant

BACKGROUND Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and severely impacts one’s physical, psychological, and social functioning. To address access barriers to care, we developed Ascend —a smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported, 8-week intervention based on several evidence-based psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. A previous feasibility study with 102 adults with elevated depression reported that Ascend is associated with a postintervention reduction in depression symptoms. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine whether Ascend is associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, and importantly, whether reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety are maintained up to 12 months postintervention. METHODS We assessed whether the previously reported, end-of-treatment improvements seen in the 102 adults with elevated symptoms of depression extended up to 12 months posttreatment for depression symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) and up to 6 months posttreatment for anxiety symptoms (added to the intervention later and measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] scale). We used linear mixed effects models with Tukey contrasts to compare time points and reported intention-to-treat statistics with a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The intervention was associated with reductions in symptoms of depression that were maintained 12 months after the program (6.67-point reduction in PHQ-9 score, 95% CI 5.59-7.75; P<.001; Hedges g=1.14, 95% CI 0.78-1.49). A total of 60% of the participants with PHQ-9 scores above the cutoff for major depression at baseline (PHQ≥10) reported clinically significant improvement at the 12-month follow-up (at least 50% reduction in PHQ-9 score and postprogram score <10). Participants also reported reductions in symptoms of anxiety that were maintained for at least 6 months after the program (4.26-point reduction in GAD-7 score, 95% CI 3.14-5.38; P<.001; Hedges g=0.91, 95% CI 0.54-1.28). CONCLUSIONS There is limited evidence on whether outcomes associated with smartphone-based interventions for common mental health problems are maintained posttreatment. Participants who enrolled in Ascend experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety that were maintained for up to 1 year and 6 months after the intervention, respectively. Future randomized trials are warranted to test Ascend as a scalable solution to the treatment of depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals The profile of quality of life and mental health of university students in the healthcare field

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e35011125095
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Batista de Freitas ◽  
Adriana Lúcia Meireles ◽  
Sabrina Martins Barroso ◽  
Marina de Bittencourt Bandeira ◽  
Mery Natali Silva Abreu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Environment Domain

Objective: to present the profile of quality of life and symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in university students in the healthcare area. Method: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach to data, carried out with university students in the healthcare field of three Federal Institutions of Higher Education in Minas Gerais. Variables such as sociodemographic, lifestyle, presence of depression symptoms, anxiety and stress, and quality of life (QoL) were measured. The QoL was assessed using the WHOQUOL-bref scale and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress using the DASS-21 scale. A descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: 321 students participated in the study, mostly female (71.0%). More than 50% of the students had symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, regardless of the level of severity, while severe/very severe symptoms were present in more than 20% of them, presenting a higher proportion in the nursing course. The psychological domain had the lowest overall QoL score (58.33), and the best was observed in the social relationships domain (66.67). Nursing students had the lowest scores while physical education students had the best scores in most domains. Medical students had the best score in the environment domain (68.75). Conclusion: Suggest the planning of policies and strategies that promote the physical and mental well-being of students, as well as screening and monitoring of most vulnerable ones, as well as those with mental health problems; such strategies can positively impact QoL.

scholarly journals Air Pollution and Emergency Department Visits for Disease of the Genitourinary System

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117863022110253
Author(s):  
Mieczysław Szyszkowicz ◽  
Stephanie Schoen ◽  
Nicholas de Angelis
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Ambulatory Care ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Genitourinary System ◽  
Ed Visits

The aim of this study is to determine associations between ambient air pollution and the number of emergency department (ED) visits for diseases of the genitourinary tract in Toronto, Canada. We used the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) database to obtain the related ED visits and developed statistical models using daily data on ED visits, temperature, relative humidity, and outdoor air pollution concentration levels. The NACRS database contains data on hospital-based and community-based ambulatory care. The environmental data were retrieved from the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. The NAPS is the main source of ambient air quality data in Canada. We considered 2 air quality health indexes and 6 air pollutants: daily means of fine particulate matter PM2.5, O3, CO, NO2, SO2, and also maximum 8-hour average ozone. For every air pollutant, we fit 270 models (15 lags × 18 strata). We found that same-day air pollution concentrations have the highest number of statistically significantly positive associations with ED visits for genitourinary health outcomes. A total of 133 positive associations were identified over the 14 days lag. In subgroup (strata) analysis, females older than 60 years of age were found to have the most positive associations. In particular, nitrogen dioxide was found to be highly associated with ED visits for females over 60; an increase in NO2 was associated with an increased relative risk (RR) of ED visits when lagged over 0, 1, and 2 days (RR = 1.040 [95% confidence interval: 1.028, 1.052], 1.020 [1.009, 1.032], and 1.025 [1.013, 1.036], respectively). The values of risks are reported for a 1 interquartile range increase in concentration (8.8 ppb). Our results suggest that urban ambient air pollution affect the number of ED visits due to genitourinary system conditions.

scholarly journals Short-Term Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Events: Are There Potentially Susceptible Groups?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Yung Pan ◽  
Shun-Man Cheung ◽  
Fu-Cheng Chen ◽  
Kuan-Han Wu ◽  
Shih-Yu Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
High Body Mass Index ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Ed Visits

Background: Air pollution exposure is associated with greater risk for cardiovascular events. This study aims to examine the effects of increased exposure to short-term air pollutants on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and determine the susceptible groups. Methods: Data on particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 and other air pollutants, measured at each of the 11 air-quality monitoring stations in Kaohsiung City, were collected between 2011 and 2016. The medical records of non-trauma adult (>17 years) patients who had visited the emergency department (ED) with a typical electrocardiogram change of STEMI were extracted. A time-stratified and case-crossover study design was used to examine the relationship between air pollutants and daily ED visits for STEMI. Results: An interquartile range increment in PM2.5 on lag 0 was associated with an increment of 25.5% (95% confidence interval, 2.6%–53.4%) in the risk of STEMI ED visits. Men and persons with ≥3 risk factors (male sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, current smoker, dyslipidemia, history of myocardial infarction, and high body mass index) for myocardial infarction (MI) were more sensitive to the hazardous effects of PM2.5 (interaction: p = 0.039 and p = 0.018, respectively). The associations between PM10, NO2, and O3 and STEMI did not achieve statistical significance. Conclusion: PM2.5 may play an important role in STEMI events on the day of exposure in Kaohsiung. Men and persons with ≥3 risk factors of MI are more susceptible to the adverse effects of PM2.5 on STEMI.

scholarly journals Remarks on Ambient Air Pollution and Health Outcomes

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieczysław Szyszkowicz
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
The Impact

Background. Ambient air pollution is a recognized risk factor for multiple health conditions. For some health problems, the impact of air pollution is particularly evident to the patients in a specific age range. Nonsimultaneous exposures to two or more air pollutants may have different relationships with health outcomes than do simultaneous exposures. Methods. Case-crossover technique was used to analyze data on emergency department (ED) visits for ischemic heart disease (IHD), epistaxis, and upper respiratory infection (URI). Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals corresponding to an increase in an interquartile range of air pollutant concentrations. Results. The results for IHD show that for older patients (age 60+ years), the association between sulphur dioxide (SO2) exposure and IHD is weak. For ED visits for epistaxis (O3 and SO2 in one model) and URI (O3 and NO2 in one model), air pollutants lagged differently in the common model indicated significant statistical associations but not for common lags. Conclusion. The study findings, based on analyzed examples, suggest that (i) IHD cases in older age are less related to air pollution and (ii) air pollutants may affect some health conditions by a specific sequence of exposure occurrences.

scholarly journals Air of Uncertainty from pollution profiteers: Status of ambient air quality of sawmill industry in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morufu Raimi ◽  
Timothy Kayode Samson ◽  
Ajayi Bankole Sunday ◽  
Adio Zulkarnaini Olalekan ◽  
Odipe Oluwaseun Emmanuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Direct Reading ◽  
Life Years

Abstract We can’t stop breathing, but we can do something about the quality of air that we breathe. Clean fresh air is indispensable ingredient for a good life quality. Individuals poses the right towards expecting that the breathed air will not harm people. Thus, fighting air pollution will not only improve health outcomes, productivity, and well-being, it’s also essential toward reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas as well as fighting climate change. For examples, a third of the global population is at risk from unhealthy of ambient air pollutants concentrations, with the loss of approximately 6.4 million healthy-life-years attributed specifically to chronic exposure to ambient particulate matter. Expert panels have consistently rated air pollution as a greater health hazard than water pollution. Pollution of air is the leading source of unexplained and undiagnosed diseases, besides have remained associated with a variety of serious human health risks, and in fact, a threshold has not been established under which these pollutants exert no adverse effects. This study evaluates ambient air quality at major sawmill sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. “Measurements of Air pollution were accurately carried out using direct reading, automatic in situ gas monitors; Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor with model AS8900 [Combustible (LEL), and Oxygen (O2)], BLATN with model BR – Smart Series air quality monitor (PM10, Formaldehyde) and air quality multimeter with model B SIDE EET100 (Dust (PM2.5), VOC, Temperature and Relative Humidity)”. The outcomes disclosed among others, the average concentrations of CO, O2 as well as other measured parameters for instance formaldehyde (HcHo) etc., they are also consistently low as well as within acceptable range in terms of National as well as Global monitoring standards for air quality indices. However, there are few exceptions for instance the average volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations, PM2.5, PM10 as well as Combustible (LEL) respectively, which are higher when compared to National and Global standards. This high figure is due to pollutant amount existing in the sawmills air environment resulting from input of influents from activities of the sawmill. However, as a result, air pollution in the city of Ilorin is found to be increasingly polluted and are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. Due to the high evidences and values, it can lead to a remarkable rise in over-all figure of hospital visits/ patients’ admissions with acute respiratory illnesses as soon as air pollutants level remained high. Hence, there is the need for an aggressive control of ambient air pollution.

scholarly journals Exposure to Environmental and Occupational Particulate Air Pollution as a Potential Contributor to Neurodegeneration and Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini Dimakakou ◽  
Helinor Johnston ◽  
George Streftaris ◽  
John Cherrie
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Increased Risk

It has been hypothesised that environmental air pollution, especially airborne particles, is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and neurodegenerative conditions. However, epidemiological evidence is inconsistent and has not been previously evaluated as part of a systematic review. Our objectives were to carry out a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence on the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and T2DM and neurodegenerative diseases in adults and to identify if workplace exposures to particles are associated with an increased risk of T2DM and neurodegenerative diseases. Assessment of the quality of the evidence was carried out using the GRADE system, which considers the quality of the studies, consistency, directness, effect size, and publication bias. Available evidence indicates a consistent positive association between ambient air pollution and both T2DM and neurodegeneration risk, such as dementia and a general decline in cognition. However, corresponding evidence for workplace exposures are lacking. Further research is required to identify the link and mechanisms associated with particulate exposure and disease pathogenesis and to investigate the risks in occupational populations. Additional steps are needed to reduce air pollution levels and possibly also in the workplace environment to decrease the incidence of T2DM and cognitive decline.

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