Introduction: Numerous theories have been proposed to substantiate the etiopathogenesis of depression. Recently, the hypothesis involving the oxidative stress (OS) pathway has been explored. Hence, potential markers are also being investigated for their role in depression. We aimed to assess the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum lipid levels in individuals with depression and controls and explore associated factors.
Methodology: A semi-structured questionnaire, complete with a mandatory consent form and a reliable, validated scale, namely the Hamilton Depression scale (HAM-D), was used. The method of sampling was purposive, with 100 depression cases in the psychiatry outpatient being included and 50 age-matched, gender-matched controls. Blood was collected from both groups to evaluate serum MDA and serum Lipid levels. Appropriate statistics using SPSS 20 were administered.
Results: Our study had a female preponderance in cases, with 38% having major depressive disorder (MDD), 50% of whom showed suicidal ideas, and 10% had a prior history of deliberate self-harm. Mean HAM-D scores were higher in cases than controls, 18.57 ± 6.02, and mean MDA levels were higher in cases, 2.5 ± 1.02 mmol/L. HDL levels were lower in depression cases compared to controls, 38.34 ± 7.442. An inverse correlation was seen between mean serum MDA levels and HDL levels in depression cases. A significant relationship was observed between the parameters of depression and serum MDA levels.
Conclusion: Significantly elevated mean serum MDA levels were observed in depression cases, along with significantly lowered mean HDL values compared to controls. We found a positive correlation between serum MDA levels and the severity, recurrence, and suicidality of depression. An inverse relation was observed between serum MDA values and mean HDL levels in depression. This emphasizes the need for clinical vigilance in employing these biomarkers not merely for assessment but also for HDL as a preventive measure in depression.
Background: Looking at the alarming increase in the incidence of attempted suicide worldwide, having adequate expertise in managing people with attempted suicide is imperative. Therefore, healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, must be provided training exclusively on managing patients with attempted suicide and preventing suicide in the near and distant future. Nursing staff play a major role as a point of first contact for suicide survivors, and therefore, it is of utmost importance that they are adequately trained and knowledgeable in this area. To understand their knowledge, the authors decided to do this study to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among nurses in suicide survivors.
Aim: The aim of this article was to study the KAP of nursing staff toward patients with suicide attempts.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among nursing staff. All nurses (n = 300) were approached in small groups between July and November 2023 via a convenient sampling. Written informed consent from participants was taken. The semi-structured questionnaire included sociodemographic details, their professional experience, their training and experience in managing suicidal patients, and KAP questions. The KAP questions were on patients with suicide attempts and were derived from the suicide knowledge and skill questionnaire (SKSQ), suicide attitude questionnaire, and practice guidelines of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Data was analyzed by using MS Excel version 6.2.14.
Result: In this study, a total of 200 nursing staff participated. The majority were female (80%), with a mean age of 37 years and a mean professional experience of 12 years. Out of all participants, 68% had experience managing patients with suicide attempts, but only 27% of them were trained in suicide prevention. The mean score of knowledge and attitude among study participants were 65.25/100 and 3.24/5, respectively. Nursing staff had higher scores in questions of suicide risk assessment and statements related to attitudes like "they deserve respect in society." In practice assessment, more than 80 % of nurses were keenly observant, empathetic, and nonstigmatized for hospitalized patients of suicide attempts. The nurses took measures like restricting access to harmful objects (medicines, sharp objects) and giving medicines under supervision.
Conclusion: The nursing staff had adequate knowledge, a nonstigmatized attitude, and appropriate clinical practices toward patients with suicide attempts, but they lacked formal training. So, hands-on training for suicide management at regular intervals is the need of the hour.
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