Aduvant therapy of depression with hopantenic acid

Adequate SSRI monotherapy does not produce a sufficient clinical effect in some patients, and about 30% of patients do not respond to therapy at all. Favorable experience of combined prescription of SSRIs with various nootropic (neuroprotective) agents has been described in the literature.The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of hopantenic acid as an adjuvant therapy for depression. We obtained significant data that inclusion of hopantenic acid at a dose of 2000 mg per day in a 12-week complex antidepressant therapy with paroxetine (20 mg per day) statistically significantly reduces the severity of depression symptoms. The drug's effect is achieved by improving patients' cognitive functions, reducing anxiety symptoms and side effects of SSRIs. Improved efficacy and tolerability of antidepressant therapy with hopantenic acid in the long term will allow to achieve more significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.

Impaired emotional intelligence is related to symptoms severity and suicidal attempts in depression

Objective: Few studies demonstrated the impairment of perceived emotional intelligence ‘EI’ among depressed patients. This study aimed to assess the perceived EI in a group of depressed patients, and its association with different clinical characteristics. Methods: Forty-five patients diagnosed with depression were assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and compared to 45 controls that were assessed by the Arabic version of General Health Questionnaire to exclude Psychiatric disorders. The Arabic version of Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) is used to evaluate EI in both groups. Results: Patients with depression showed significantly lower EI scores in the three parts of TMMS (repair, clarity and attention) compared to the controls ( p < .001). Patients showed significant difference in clarity subscale ( p = .005) and attention regarding severity of depression ( p < .001). Clarity of feelings was significantly higher in patients who suffered more than two episodes ( p = .012). Depressive patients with suicidal attempts showed significantly lower scores of repair ( p = .044) and attention ( p = .016) subscales. There were no significant differences of TMMS subscales between patients with and without suicidal ideation, sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates impaired perceived EI among patients with depression that is correlated with symptom severity and suicidal attempts.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH TINNITUS

Objective: To determine the presence and severity of depression and anxiety in patients with tinnitus. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Psychiatry, Combined Military Hospital Multan in collaboration with ENT department, Combined Military Hospital Multan, from Sep 2019 to Mar 2020. Methodology: All diagnosed cases of tinnitus in ENT out-patient department Tinnitus Handicap inventory (THI) was applied to assess the severity of tinnitus. Diagnosis of depression and Anxiety was done based on diagnostic criteria of ICD10 of WHO and symptom severity was assessed using Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI) for depression and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for Anxiety. Results: A total of 88 participants were included in this study. Fifty-three (60.2%) were male, 35 (39.7%) were females. Twentythree (20.2%) ranged between 18-40 years of age, 65 (57.2%) participants ranged between 41-60 years of age. Seven (12.5%) participants scored less than 38 on tinnitus handicap inventory showing mild severity of tinnitus, 3 (5.3%) individuals scored moderate while 19 (33.9%) had severe level of tinnitus. Thirty-three (37%) participants had depression 55 (62%) out of total 88 participants had anxiety. Conclusion: Studies show presence of anxiety and depression in patients with tinnitus so it seems prudent to screen all patients of tinnitus for psychiatric co morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach is required for the treatment of patients with tinnitus so that physical as well as psychiatric/psychological management of these patients is provided well in time.

Anxiety, depression and stress tension screening in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases at the onset of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

The aim - screening of anxiety, depression and stress in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) and medical workers at the beginning of the COVID-19.Material and methods. 150 patients (men/women: 39 (26.0%)/111 (74.0%); mean age - 43.2±16.1 years) with RMD, hospitalized at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology (Moscow) from July to November 2020, and 32 relatively healthy medical workers (men/women: 3 (9.38%)/29 (90.6%), mean age - 40.7±14.6 years) as a control group was included in the study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) were used for anxiety, depression and stress screening. Results. Frequency of anxiety-depressive spectrum disorders in patients with RMD was 48% (according to DASS-21) and 27.2% (according to HADS), which did not differ significantly from the control group - 46.9% and 18.8% respectively. According to the DASS-21, patients with systemic sclerosis were significantly more likely to have a combination of clinically significant anxiety, depression and stress compared to healthy control (6 (46.2%) vs 4 (12.5%); p=0.02) and patients with spondyloarthritis (6 (46.2% vs 5 (16.1%); p=0.045). The severity of anxiety was significantly higher among patients with RMD - systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjogren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis, according to both scales. The severity of depression, anxiety and stress was significantly higher in women with RMD, rural residents and patients taking moderate and high doses of glucocorticoids. The pathological stress level was experienced by younger medical workers (27.5±5.45 vs 45.8±13.8 years; p=0.001). The transferred coronavirus infection did not lead to an increase in the severity of depression, anxiety and stress tension among patients, however, among medical workers, the frequency of clinically significant anxiety (4 (57.1%) vs 6 (24%)) and stress (3 (42.8%) vs 5 (20%)) was 2.2-2.9 times higher in those who have been ill. When compared with the results of the similar screening by HADS in 2012, the proportion of RМD-patients with clinically significant anxiety and depression over the past 8 years and in connection with the pandemic COVID-19 has not significantly changed.Conclusion. A new threat to health, isolation and uncertainty at the beginning of the COVID-19 were an additional stressful factor for patients with RМD, however, given the high background prevalence of low-severity chronic depression with frequent onset before RМD, the factor of the COVID-19 is not a key factor in provoking mental disorders.

Assessment of Attentional Processes in Patients with Anxiety-Depressive Disorders Using Virtual Reality

To characterize the attention deficits in one-hundred-fifteen participants, comprising two types of clinical profiles (affective and anxiety disorder), through a test of continuous VR execution. Method: Three tests (i.e., Nesplora Aquarium, BDI, and STAI) were used to obtain a standardized measure of attention, as well as the existence and severity of depression and anxiety, respectively. Results: Significant differences (CI = 95%) were found between the control group and the group with depression, in variables related to the speed of visual processing (p = 0.008) in the absence of distractors (p = 0.041) and during the first dual execution task (p = 0.011). For scores related to sustained attention, patients with depression and those with anxiety did not differ from controls. Our results suggest attentional deficits in both clinical populations when performing a continuous performance test that involved the participation of the central executive system of working memory.

Oxytocin Receptor Gene Methylation as a Molecular Marker for Severity of Depressive Symptoms in Affective Disorder Patients

Background: Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide and hormone involved in emotional functioning and also seems to play a role in moderating the stress response. Both preclinical and clinical studies point to an increased methylation status of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) promoter region with concomitant deficits in social, cognitive and emotional functioning. We hypothesize that methylation levels (%) of the oxytocin receptor promoter region correlate with the severity of depression symptoms within this present sample of affective disorder patients. Methodology: Eight hundred forty six Caucasian affective disorder patients were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentrum für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. The assessment included an assemblage of psychiatric interviews (e.g. SCAN, HAMD, CTQ) and concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. Results: Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1-3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms in affective disorder patients. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.

Associations of serum cystatin C with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder

Background Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have high suicidal ideation. There is evidence that serum cystatin C (Cys C) may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. The present study aimed to investigate Cys C concentration in patients with MDD and clarify its possible association with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Methods An online cross-sectional survey of 159 patients diagnosed with MDD was conducted. Serum Cys C levels were measured using ADVIA 2400 biochemical analyzer. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) was administered to evaluate the depressive symptoms. Generalized linear regression, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to examine the association of serum Cys C levels with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Results Serum Cys C levels were higher in MDD patients than in controls (p = 0.001) and were positively associated with scores on HAMD-24 in unadjusted (gender distribution, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of depression and traumatic life events; (p = 0.003) and fully adjusted linear regression model (p = 0.005). The fully adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence intervals for serum Cys C levels and HAMD-24 score was 30.339 (9.602 to 51.077). The level of Cys C in the suicidal ideation (SI) group was significantly higher than that in the non-suicide ideation (non-SI) group (p = 0.001). Serum Cys C levels were positively associated with suicidal ideation in each logistic regression model (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Serum Cys C levels were elevated in MDD patients and appeared to be positively correlated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that the dysfunction of Cys C may be involved in the severity of depression and in the pathophysiological process of MDD. Thus, regulation of serum Cys C could potentially be an effective predictor of the severity of depression and potentially, play a role in reducing the risk of suicide in MDD patients.

Assessment of Depression in Patients with Acute Stroke

Objectives: To assess degree and severity of depression To describe the symptomatic profile of depression Analyse the relation between depression and demographic, predisposing and precipitating factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 160 subjects chosen by random sampling technique from the Department of General Medicine of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital using Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: 68% of the cases with acute stroke was assessed and found to have depression according to Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Conclusion: Post-Stroke Depression is expected in patients diagnosed with acute stroke.