Search Results (582)

Background: Binge eating disorder (BED) frequently arises during the transitional age (18–25 years), a critical developmental period characterized by challenges in autonomy, identity formation, and interpersonal functioning. This study investigated psychopathological predictors of BED risk in this age group, with particular focus on parental bonding, attachment style, body dissatisfaction, alexithymia, and depressive symptoms. Methods: A total of 287 participants aged 18–25 years completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Sociodemographic information and body mass index (BMI) were also collected. Results: Compared with non-BED risk groups, individuals at risk of BED exhibited significantly higher BMI, greater alexithymia, higher body dissatisfaction, more insecure attachment patterns, and lower recalled paternal and maternal care. Hierarchical binary logistic regression revealed that the final model explained 56.1% of the variance (Nagelkerke R²) and correctly classified 92.1% of cases. Significant predictors of BED included body dissatisfaction, elevated BMI, low maternal care, and low maternal protection. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine BED risk factors specifically during the transitional age. Findings indicate that body image dissatisfaction, higher BMI, and inadequate maternal emotional care and protection are salient predictors at this life stage. Preventive interventions should integrate parental psychoeducation, nutritional guidance, and therapeutic strategies addressing both eating disorder symptoms and attachment-related difficulties to reduce BED onset and improve psychosocial outcomes in emerging adults. Full article

Background: University students are vulnerable to depression due to the transitional nature of their life stage, which often involves increased academic pressures and social changes. This study aims to examine the prevalence, symptoms, and associated risk factors for depressive symptoms among undergraduate students at non-medical universities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at non-medical universities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The presence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results: A total of 768 students participated in the study. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 35.7%. A significant proportion experienced loss of interest and pleasure (n = 516; 67.2%), felt easily tired (n = 373; 48.6%), and had difficulty making decisions (n = 303; 39.4%). A significant relationship was observed between age and depressive symptoms, with participants aged 25 and above reporting higher rates of depressive symptoms (53.2%) compared to those aged 18–24 (28.8%) (p < 0.001). Similarly, the year of study was significantly associated with depressive symptoms; fourth-year students had the highest proportion of depressive symptoms (64.3%), while first-year students had the lowest proportion (26.2%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that over one-third of undergraduate students in non-medical universities suffer from depressive symptoms. This high prevalence rate highlights an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions within university settings to prevent long-term academic, social, and psychological consequences. Campus counseling services should prioritize screening for key symptoms while developing stress-management programs tailored to academic progression challenges. Full article

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression in adults. However, little is known about the mental health of children and adolescents with CHD. The aim of this study was to assess differences in anxiety and depression symptoms between children and adolescents with CHD and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 232 children and adolescents (age 7–18 years; mean age 13.5 ± 2.7 years, 50.9% female) were enrolled, consisting of 116 patients with CHD and 116 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants were recruited during routine medical examinations at the German Heart Center and Munich schools, respectively. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) were used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: The CHD cohort included patients with right heart obstruction (11.2%), left heart obstruction (19.8%), isolated shunts (15.5%), transposition of the great arteries (14.7%), univentricular heart (14.7%), and other defects (24.1%). According to published cut-off values, at least a mild form of anxiety was present in 46.5% CHD patients. However, no significant differences were observed between the CHD group and healthy controls in either the BDI-Y score (CHD: 7.9 ± 7.7 vs. controls: 8.6 ± 8.5; p = 0.569) or the BAI score (CHD: 9.3 ± 8.6 vs. controls: 9.3 ± 10.3; p = 0.429). The complexity of the heart defect was not associated with BAI scores (simple: 5.9 ± 5.7; moderate: 11.1 ± 8.1; complex: 9.3 ± 9.0; p = 0.073) or BDI-Y scores (simple: 7.4 ± 7.5; moderate: 9.0 ± 7.1; complex: 7.0 ± 7.7; p = 0.453). No significant differences in BAI (p = 0.141) or BDI-Y (p = 0.326) scores were found by type of heart defect. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with CHD did not exhibit significantly higher levels of depression or anxiety symptoms compared to healthy controls. Nevertheless, given the increased psychological risk observed in adults with CHD, ongoing mental health monitoring remains important to enable early identification and timely intervention. Further research, particularly through longitudinal studies, is needed to monitor mental health trajectories over time and to identify early predictors of psychological vulnerability in this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: We have previously shown that motor and non-motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) improved after a two-week in-patient multimodal intensive neurorehabilitation and care (iMINC). This program includes five hours/day for five days/week of multimodal neurorehabilitation and drug adjustments, taking advantage of extensive patient observation. In this study, we ascertained whether the improvements observed after iMINC similarly occurred in patients with and without drug adjustments. Methods: With a retrospective approach, the scores of UPDRS Total and Part III, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), PDQ-39, Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), and Vocal Volume before and after two weeks of iMINC were compared in two groups of patients with moderate to advanced PD (H&Y Stage 3–4). In one group, drug adjustment was not necessary (PD no drug adjustment, PDnda, 38 patients), and another group underwent drug changes (PD with drug adjustment, PDda, 93 patients). Scores of all tests were compared using ANOVAs (within subject: before iMINC, after iMINC; between subject: PDda, PDnda). Results: Following iMINC, all outcome measures improved in both groups. Conclusions: Pharmacological adjustment is not the major factor that drives the improvement of motor and non-motor outcome scores following iMINC. These findings suggest that this comprehensive in-patient approach addresses most parkinsonian symptoms and that proper medication status may enhance the positive effects of iMINC. Full article

Background and Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is becoming increasingly common in contemporary society, is recognized for its considerable psychosocial impact on pregnant women throughout the perinatal phase. The purpose of this research was to explore the possible links between mental health status and dietary habits among pregnant women diagnosed with GDM, alongside examining how these factors correlate with clinical indicators like HbA1c measurements and the necessity for insulin therapy. Materials and Methods: The study included 82 pregnant participants, 37 with gestational diabetes mellitus and 45 without. Blood samples were collected from all participants for biochemical analysis, including fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c levels, which can be clinical indicators for the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, and the need for insulin treatment was recorded. Then, participants completed a questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical data as well as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale (SEES), and REZZY Eating Disorders Scale (REZZY). Data were statistically analyzed. Results: A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes was more frequent in the case group (18.9%) than in the control group (2.2%) (p = 0.020). OGTT positivity was detected in 56.8% of the case group, whereas all control participants had negative results (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in psychological symptom scores or eating behavior assessments (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were observed to score higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and emotional eating, particularly in response to negative emotions. These findings may indicate a potential association between gestational diabetes and psychological or behavioral factors related to metabolic regulation during pregnancy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are frequently associated with psychiatric and cognitive comorbidities. These conditions have been shown to significantly impact quality of life and clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits in patients with CVD and to compare the results with existing evidence in the literature. Methods: A total of 74 patients were assessed using the following standardized screening tools: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A systematic review was then conducted to compare the findings with those reported in the literature. Results: Most previous studies using the MoCA reported an over 70% absence of cognitive impairment, whereas this study shows a balanced distribution between the absence of (32.4%) and mild (35%) or moderate (32%) impairment. Studies with the MMSE indicated high rates of absence of cognitive deficits (74–79%), but here, the rate of absence was lower (58%), with an increase in mild impairment (42%). Regarding depression, compared with studies showing only absence or moderate/severe forms, this study reveals a more balanced profile, with 57% without depression and with varying severity levels (22% mild, 19% moderate, and 3% severe). Finally, for anxiety, unlike previous asymmetric distributions, greater variability was observed, with 58% without anxiety and significant percentages of mild (26%), moderate (12%), and severe (4%) anxiety. Conclusions: The results highlight a significant and varied prevalence of anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits, emphasizing the importance of a multidimensional assessment to improve clinical management and therapeutic outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neuromodulation is under investigation as a possibly effective add-on therapy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) has shown positive short-term effects, long-term effects have not yet been fully explored. This study aims to evaluate the long-term feasibility, safety, and potential cognitive benefits of TPS over one year in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on domains such as memory, speech, orientation, visuo-construction, and depressive symptoms. Methods: We analyzed preliminary data from the first ten out of thirty-five patients enrolled in a prospective TPS study who completed one year of follow-up and were included in a dedicated long-term database. The protocol consisted of six initial TPS sessions over two weeks, followed by monthly booster sessions delivering 6000 pulses each for twelve months. Patients underwent regular neuropsychological assessments using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS), Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). All adverse events (AEs) were documented and monitored throughout the study. Results: Adverse events occurred in less than 1% of stimulation sessions and mainly included mild focal pain or transient unpleasant sensations, as well as some systemic behavioral or vigilance changes, particularly in patients with underlying medical conditions, with some potentially related to the device’s stimulation as adverse device reactions (ADRs). Cognitive test results showed significant improvement after the initial stimulation cycle (ADAS total improved significantly after the first stimulation cycle (M_pre = 28.44, M_post = 18.56; p = 0.001, d = 0.80, 95% CI (0.36, 1.25)), with stable scores across all domains over one year. Improvements were most notable in memory, speech, and mood. Conclusions: TPS appears to be a generally safe and feasible add-on treatment for AD, although careful patient selection and monitoring are advised. While a considerable number of participants were lost to follow-up for various reasons, adverse events and lack of treatment effect were unlikely primary causes. A multifocal stimulation approach (F-TOP2) is proposed to enhance effects across more cognitive domains. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study investigated whether the interaction between heavy alcohol use and depression amplifies the risk of hyperglycemia in psychiatric patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 172 patients (aged 18–65) hospitalized at the “Elisabeta Doamna” Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Romania. The data included fasting blood glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Results: Moderate positive correlations were observed between depression scores and blood glucose (r = 0.44) and between alcohol consumption and blood glucose (r = 0.43). The interaction term (BDI × AUDIT) was statistically significant in multiple regression (β = 0.012, p = 0.001), and the model explained 39.1% of glucose variability. Logistic regression analysis revealed that neither high alcohol consumption (OR = 1.38, p = 0.441) nor severe depression alone (OR = 1.30, p = 0.582) were significantly associated with hyperglycemia. However, their interaction demonstrated a strong and statistically significant effect (OR = 19.3, 95% CI: 3.22–115.81, p = 0.001). The prevalence of hyperglycemia reached 95.8% in patients with both risk factors. Conclusions: The combined presence of high alcohol consumption and severe depression significantly increases the risk of hyperglycemia. These findings highlight the importance of integrated screening and interventions in psychiatric settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure, yet it involves significant psychological and emotional challenges throughout its various stages. International guidelines recommend a multi-professional approach to the care of these patients and a psycho-social assessment for listing. The recommendations focus on content aspects, but not on the psychometric measure to be administered to patients as part of the assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide the preliminary results of administering the protocol used by our center, measuring coping strategies, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and psychological distress in a sample of patients who are candidates for and undergo cardiac transplantation, and to observe any variations after the procedure. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive psychological-clinical assessment involving 40 patients, focusing on psychosocial functioning, cognitive reserves, mental health, and coping strategies. Tools such as the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) were employed to evaluate readiness for transplantation and post-transplant adaptation. Results: Results showed high levels of clinical anxiety (52.5%) and low perceived physical health (98%) before the transplant, while post-operative evaluations indicated reduced anxiety (13.51%) and depressive symptoms (10.81%), along with improved psychological well-being and reintegration into daily life. Conclusions: These results show improvement in physical and cognitive levels, accompanied by a state of enhanced psychological well-being after transplantation. A longitudinal psychological approach, from pre-transplant screening to post-discharge follow-up, is needed to address distress, improve coping mechanisms, and promote treatment adherence. This integrative strategy is critical to improving the quality of life and long-term outcomes for heart transplant recipients. Full article

Despite being highly prevalent among women of reproductive age, the psychological dimensions of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) often go unrecognized. While the hematological consequences of IDA are well established, emerging evidence suggests that it may also adversely affect emotional processing, mental health, and overall quality of life. This study aimed to systematically assess levels of alexithymia, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in women diagnosed with IDA compared to age-matched healthy controls. A total of 151 women with confirmed IDA and 150 healthy controls were recruited. Participants underwent laboratory testing and completed validated questionnaires, including the Beck Depression Scale (BDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), WHOQOL-BREF-TR, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Women with IDA demonstrated significantly higher alexithymia and anxiety scores and lower quality of life compared to controls. Within the IDA group, probable alexithymia was associated with more severe anemia parameters and poorer psychological outcomes. These findings indicate that IDA is not only a hematological disorder but also one with a substantial psychological burden. Recognizing and addressing these psychological dimensions in clinical practice is critical. A multidisciplinary management approach that integrates both hematological treatment and mental health interventions may be essential to improve overall patient outcomes among women with IDA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive dysfunction is frequently observed in chronic migraine (CM) patients, but the contributing medical and psychological factors remain unclear. This study investigated associations between the cognitive reserve and medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors in individuals with CM. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. Cognitive function was evaluated via the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), while anxiety and depression were evaluated via the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories. Clinical variables included monthly headache days, headache intensity (numerical rating scale), migraine-related disability, and use of preventive medications. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of the cognitive reserve after adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: Among 50 participants (86.0% women; mean age 42.48 ± 13.47 years), six (12.0%) exhibited objective cognitive impairment (MMSE < cutoff). After a covariate adjustment, higher headache intensity was significantly associated with a lower cognitive reserve in anxiety and depression models. Patients with objective cognitive impairment reported significantly higher levels of pain, anxiety, and depression. Conclusions: The headache intensity, anxiety, and depression were significantly linked to a lower cognitive reserve in CM patients. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating routine psychological and cognitive assessments in CM care and suggest potential targets for integrative treatment strategies. Full article

Background: Medical education is considered one of the most academically and emotionally demanding training programs. Throughout their education, medical students are exposed to various factors that can lead to psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the changes in psychological distress, depression, anxiety levels and internet addiction among medical students throughout their six-year education and to identify the contributing factors. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 282 students who enrolled in the medical faculty in the 2017–2018 academic year. A questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was administered to the students during the first week of their education. The same questionnaire was readministered at the end of the third and sixth years. Friedman’s variance analysis was used to compare measurement data across the three time points, while Cochran’s Q Test was employed for categorical variables. Results: The median scores of the GHQ-12, BDI, S-Anxiety, and IAT significantly increased from the first to the sixth year (p < 0.05). The prevalence of depressive symptoms, S-Anxiety, and risky internet use significantly increased from the first to the final year, particularly between the third and sixth years. According to logistic regression analysis based on sixth-year data, students whose fathers were university graduates, who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and who were dissatisfied with their social lives were found to be at increased risk for psychological distress and depression. Students with high parental expectations were found to be at risk of depression and S-anxiety. Those dissatisfied with their occupational choice were at risk for both psychological distress and S-anxiety. Conclusions: It was found that the mental health of medical students deteriorated during their education, especially during the clinical years. Given that these students will be responsible for protecting and improving public health in the future, it is essential to prioritize their own mental well-being. Interventions aimed at preserving the mental health of medical students should be planned. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe disorder with limited treatment efficacy. This interim analysis aimed to assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing core AN symptoms, stress, depression, low self-esteem, and BMI in adolescent females, to determine the rationale for continuing the study. Methods: A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 20 adolescent females with AN assigned to an active tDCS group (n = 10) or a sham group (n = 10). The intervention involved 30 sessions over three weeks, targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for eating disorder symptoms, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for stress, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) for self-esteem, and body mass index (BMI) measurements. Safety and tolerability were assessed using the tDCS Side Effects Questionnaire. Results: Eating disorder symptoms significantly decreased in the active tDCS group at study end (p = 0.003) and follow-up (p = 0.02), while no significant changes were observed in the sham group. Although BMI increased more in the active group (13.78%) than in the sham group (7.31%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). Conclusions: Adverse effects were mild and transient, with no serious safety concerns reported. Based on the results of this interim analysis, the study will proceed due to promising efficacy outcomes and good treatment tolerability. Full article

Introduction: As in other crises, during COVID-19 pandemic, journalists were under immense pressure to report precise scientific information in a timely manner, which may have had a negative influence on their mental health. There could be an association between the digital health literacy of journalists and their mental health. The aim of this article was to explore the association between digital health literacy and burnout and depression among journalists in Serbia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a total of 180 journalists working on television with national coverage in Serbia. The main research instrument used was a questionnaire with four sections containing personal demographic information, the Digital Health Literacy Instrument, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: A total of 30% participants were found to have high levels of burnout on the emotional exhaustion (EE) subscale. On the depersonalization (DP) subscale, 10.6% experienced high levels of burnout. On the personal accomplishment (PA) subscale, 38.3% of participants faced high levels of burnout. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed the association between high burnout on the EE scale and health status (OR: 0.597, 95% CI: 0.375–0.952) and protecting privacy (OR: 0.522, 95% CI: 0.311–0.875). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the association between high burnout on the PA scale and information searching (OR: 0.255, 95% CI: 0.124–0.526), sex (OR: 2.594, 95% CI: 1.007–6.68), socioeconomic status (OR: 2.282, 95% CI: 1.133–4.595), and alcohol consumption (OR: 2.188, 95% CI: 1.004–4.769). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed associations between depression and sex (OR: 0.180, 95% CI: 0.059–0.548), health status (OR: 0.316, 95% CI: 0.160–0.626), the use of anti-anxiety medications (OR: 7.303, 95% CI: 3.167–16.840), information searching (OR: 0.432, 95% CI: 0.191–0.981), and protecting privacy (OR: 0.443, 95% CI: 0.233–0.841). Conclusions: Our study showed a negative association between different domains of burnout, depression, and scores on protecting privacy and information searching scales. Full article

Ketamine infusion therapy has gained recognition as an innovative treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), demonstrating rapid and robust antidepressant effects. Its therapeutic promise is increasingly understood to involve molecular and neurobiological processes that promote neural plasticity and cognitive flexibility. These changes may create a unique window for psychotherapeutic interventions to take deeper effect. This retrospective chart review examined the clinical outcomes of individuals with TRD who received either single or repeated ketamine infusion(s), with or without weekly psychotherapy. Depression severity, measured by Beck Depression Inventory scores, was assessed pre-treatment and 30 days post-infusion(s). The results showed significant symptom reduction across all groups, with the most pronounced effects observed in those who received concurrent psychotherapy. While infusion number did not significantly alter outcomes, the integration of ketamine with psychotherapy appeared to enhance treatment response. Full article