International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine最新文献

ObjectiveThere is limited research on suicidal thoughts and behaviors among oncologists. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of suicidal thoughts among these healthcare providers in Serbia.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2024 involving 159 oncologists from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. Respondents completed an online questionnaire which assessed socio-demographic and work characteristics and included the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Brief Resilience Scale.ResultsResults indicated that 21.4% of oncologists reported elevated suicidality scores. Medical oncologists had the highest average suicidality scores compared to surgical and radiation oncologists, although these differences were not statistically significant. Key associated factors with suicidality included seeing a psychiatrist, undergoing psychiatric therapy, having family history of depression, and family history of suicide attempts and/or suicide. Resilience and sense of personal accomplishment were inversely associated with suicidality.ConclusionsThe finding that 1 in 5 oncologists had elevated suicidality scores underscores the urgent need for mental health support for members of this profession, particularly those showing signs of distress. Interventions should promote resilience, enhance personal accomplishment, and ensure easy access to psychiatric care. While these results contribute to the limited data on suicidality among oncologists, they also identify gaps that future studies should address, such as the need for larger sample sizes and the exploration of other potential risk factors. Addressing oncologists' mental health challenges is critical to reducing suicide risk and fostering well-being in this high-risk profession.

ObjectiveTo explore the association between the duration of birth control pill use (DBCPU) and the risk for depressive symptoms among women in the United States.MethodCross-sectional data from 4996 American women obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2012, were analyzed to evaluate the association between DBCPU and depressive symptoms using multivariate logistic regression models, fitted smooth curves, and subgroup and threshold analyses.ResultsStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for DBCPU, age at menarche, age stratification, race, and marital status. The adjusted weighted logistic regression model revealed a negative correlation between DBCPU and depressive symptoms. Subgroup analysis revealed that this association was stronger among women without diabetes. The restricted cubic splines plot indicated that the risk for depressive symptoms decreased as DBCPU increased. Threshold effect analysis identified an inflection point at 9.3, with a more significant risk reduction below this value (odds ratio 0.94 [95% confidence interval 0.90-0.98]; P = 0.006).ConclusionLong-term oral contraceptive use may be an effective intervention strategy for the prevention and treatment of depression in women; however, further prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

ObjectiveLittle is known about the actual practice of self-prescription among physicians, especially regarding potentially habit-forming drugs. This study was conducted to describe the self-prescription of opioids, sedative-hypnotics, and other psychotropic medications among physicians in South Korea.MethodsThe self-prescription data on physicians from 2020 to 2023 were obtained from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The prevalence of self-prescription and the average number of pills of self-prescribed potentially habit-forming drugs were presented in comparison with the prescription of these drugs among the general population.ResultsThe total number of practicing physicians in Korea ranged from 110,492 in 2020 to 118,951 in 2023. About seven percent of practicing physicians self-prescribed opioids, sedative-hypnotics, or other potentially habit-forming drugs, which was less than one fifth the proportion prescribed among the general population. Zolpidem was the most commonly self-prescribed medication, with other sedatives, anxiolytics, and appetite suppressants also being frequently self-prescribed. Although the prevalence of self-prescription among physicians was lower than the prevalence of similar prescriptions in the general population, the number of pills of these medications per physician who self-prescribed was higher than that prescribed in the general population.ConclusionsDespite a lower prevalence of self-prescribed opioids, sedative hypnotics, and other potentially habit-forming drugs compared to the prescription of these medications in the general population, a higher number of pills self-prescribed in physicians compared to that prescribed in the general population suggests that self-prescribing of potentially habit-forming drugs, at least for some physicians, may be a problem. If these results are confirmed, closer monitoring of the self-prescribing habits of physicians in South Korea may be needed.

ObjectiveThis study examined the longitudinal association between handgrip strength and cognitive function and the temporal sequence of changes in both factors in a national longitudinal cohort of Chinese older adults.MethodData were derived from 3 waves (2011 baseline, 2013 follow-up, 2015 follow-up) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants were those with no memory-related disorders at baseline and follow-up, and those who had complete handgrip strength and cognitive data. Handgrip strength in at least one hand was measured in all 3 waves. The highest recorded value during the handgrip test was used as the outcome of the strength measurement. Mental intactness and episodic memory were used to assess the overall cognitive function at each wave of data collection. Cross-lagged panel models were used to examine the relationship between handgrip strength and cognition over time.ResultsA total of 2550 participants were included in the data analysis. Age of participants at baseline was 60-83 years, and 43.9% were female (n = 1120). The 5.7% of participants with weak muscle strength (n = 145) had slightly lower cognitive function than those in the normal group. Cross-lagged panel analysis showed that baseline overall cognitive scores predicted subsequent handgrip strength. At the same time, handgrip strength at baseline predicted subsequent overall cognitive scores. The results remained robust after accounting for confounding factors.ConclusionThere was a longitudinal bidirectional correlation between handgrip strength and cognitive function in elderly Chinese individuals. Future studies should determine whether interventions to improve one (e.g., handgrip strength) might slow the development of the other (e.g., cognitive impairment).

ObjectiveEpilepsy is a globally prevalent neurological condition associated with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. This study analyzed the prevalence of and hazard ratios for mood disorders, as well as risk factors, among patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy using a comprehensive South Korean national health database.MethodHealth insurance and health examination data (2004-2013) were utilized in this retrospective cohort study. Patients newly diagnosed with epilepsy based on International Classification of Diseases-10th revision codes and without a mood disorder history were included. Mean follow-up duration was 3.6 years and 4.1 years for the epilepsy and control cohorts, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and health variables were used to estimate the risk of developing mood disorders post-epilepsy diagnosis.ResultsA total of 2210 patients with epilepsy and 22,100 matched controls without epilepsy were included. Those with epilepsy exhibited a 3-fold increased risk of developing mood disorders compared with controls (incidence rate ratio: 3.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75-3.49]). The risk was highest in the first two years post-diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.42 [95% CI: 2.90-4.03]). A notable increase in risk was also observed 8-10 years post-diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.07 [(95% CI: 1.14-8.22]), indicating a sustained long-term risk.ConclusionsEpilepsy significantly increases the risk of mood disorders, with the highest risk observed shortly after diagnosis. Continuous monitoring and tailored interventions are essential for managing patients' mental health. Integrated care approaches are needed to treat epilepsy and associated mood disorders.

ObjectiveThis study sought to determine the frequency and factors influencing Impulsive Control Disorders (ICDs) in prolactinoma patients undergoing treatment with dopamine agonists.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving a convenience sample of 170 patients diagnosed with prolactinoma and receiving dopamine agonist therapy for at least 6 months. Participants were recruited from a single center.ResultsAt least one self-reported ICD symptom was present in 23.5% of patients. The most prevalent ICD symptoms were binge eating (17.7%), hypersexuality (14.7%), and compulsive shopping (11.8%). Correlates of ICD symptoms were male gender, macroprolactinoma, elevated prolactin levels, and a previous mental disease history. The likelihood of ICDs increased with the cumulative dose of dopamine agonist medication and the length of treatment. Moreover, individuals with moderate to severe anxiety and depression had a greater risk for ICD compared to those without these symptoms.ConclusionsClinicians should prioritize attention during initial diagnosis and ongoing treatment of patients with prolactinoma to risk factors that may elevate the risk of later development of ICDs.

ObjectiveWith the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies by adolescents, the impact on their mental health is of critical concern. This article examines the emerging phenomenon of AI-related psychosis, which can be defined as new-onset or exacerbated psychotic experiences with generative AI platforms, such as chatbots, avatars, and virtual agents like Siri and Alexa.MethodNarrative review and perspective.ResultsAdolescents are particularly susceptible due to ongoing neurodevelopmental immaturity, including underdeveloped prefrontal regulatory circuits and heightened limbic system reactivity, which may impair emotional regulation and reality testing. Combined with extensive digital engagement, these factors increase vulnerability to psychotic experiences in response to AI interactions. This article examines behavioral risk factors, online habits, and neurobiological susceptibilities that may predispose adolescents to such experiences. In addition, implications are outlined for healthcare providers, including an emphasis on proactive screening, digital literacy education, and early intervention strategies. Clinical approaches to recognize and manage AI-related mental health risks in adolescents are also proposed.ConclusionsA multidisciplinary response by clinicians, educators, developers, and policymakers is needed to guide ethical AI design and safeguard the well-being of adolescents in today's digital environment.

ObjectiveGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that can cause persistent and excessive worry, leading to physical and emotional symptoms. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, has been studied as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, including GAD. Though acupuncture at HT-7 and GV-20 along with other acupuncture points reduce anxiety level, no study to our knowledge has examined the effect of acupuncture at HT-7 and GV-20 alone in GAD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of needling at HT-7 (Shenmen) and GV-20 (Baihui) acupuncture points on anxiety levels and cardiovascular function in patients with GAD.MethodsA total of 60 participants ages 20-55 diagnosed with GAD were randomly assigned to either a study group or a control group. The study group received acupuncture at the HT-7 and GV-20 points, while the control group underwent breath awareness meditation in supine position. Both groups underwent 20 min of the practice daily for 10 days. Assessments such as Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score, blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) were performed before and after the intervention.ResultsParticipants in the study group had a significant reduction in anxiety levels (P < .001) compared to the control group. No significant inter-group differences were observed in systolic BP (P = .686), diastolic BP (P = .998), or PR (P = .925).ConclusionThe present study suggests that needling at HT-7 and GV-20 acupuncture points (20 min/session for 10 days) reduces anxiety levels without affecting cardiovascular function in younger and middle-aged patients with GAD.

ObjectiveApproximately 295 million individuals globally live with moderate to severe irreversible vision loss, primarily due to conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vision impairment diminishes quality of life leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety. This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with irreversible vision loss, with a comparative analysis across the conditions of AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases, supplemented by manual searches of conference literature.ResultsThe prevalence of depression in patients with irreversible vision loss was found to be 21% (95% CI: 0.17-0.26) among 76 561 patients, with variations based on the cause: 27% (95% CI: 0.19-0.35) in AMD, 48% (95% CI: 0.32-0.64) in diabetic retinopathy, and 23% (95% CI: 0.16-0.29) in glaucoma. Anxiety prevalence was 22% (95% CI: 0.15-0.30) among 25 616 patients.ConclusionThe high prevalence of depression and anxiety underscores the need for comprehensive healthcare approaches that incorporate mental health support, including vision rehabilitation, psychotherapy, pharmacological interventions, and lifestyle modifications. Future research should explore factors that protect against anxiety and depression, as well as address the long-term effects of vision loss treatments on mental health outcomes.

ObjectiveThis study explored health professionals' experiences of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare with a particular focus on the potential benefits and challenges of using AI in clinical practice.MethodUsing a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with twenty-two health professionals from various medical specialties in north Punjab, Pakistan using purposive sampling technique. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes on AI adoption.ResultsHealth professionals recognized AI as a psychosocial modifier which increased efficiency and overall professional well-being. Participants expressed that AI should function as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human judgment, empathy, and patient interaction. However, they also acknowledged a hesitation to incorporate AI due to a distrust of its accuracy and that institutions have been slow to adopt AI due to ethical, technical, and institutional challenges".ConclusionAI adoption is increasingly reshaping clinical practice, but sustainable integration requires balancing innovation with ethical safeguards, trust and empathy.