Alpha psychiatry最新文献

Objective: To analyze the relationship between attitudes toward mental illness and attitudes toward seeking professional help among college students.

Methods: From January to April 2023, a cluster sampling method was used to select classes of a university in Tianjin as groups, and a simple random sampling method was used to select all college students from 3 of the 7 classes as research objects. The general information questionnaire, the Mental Illness Attitude Questionnaire, and the Attitude Towards Professional Psychological Help Seeking Scale-Short Version were used to conduct the survey. We explored the correlation between the scores of the Mental Illness Attitude Questionnaire and the Attitude Towards Professional Psychological Help Seeking Scale-Short Version, and analyzed the influencing factors of college students' attitude toward seeking professional psychological help.

Results: The Mental Illness Attitude Questionnaire scores of college students were positively correlated with the Attitude Towards Professional Psychological Help Seeking Scale-Short Version scores (r = 0.658, P = .001). In the final univariate analysis, it was found that sex, major, psychological distress, and attitude toward mental illness to be the factors influencing college students' attitude toward seeking professional psychological help.

Conclusion: College students' attitude toward mental illness directly affects their attitude toward seeking professional help, and sex, major, and psychological distress also influence attitude toward seeking professional help.

Objective: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common psychological disorder in patients with stroke. It not only seriously affects the patient's functional recovery, quality of life, and ability to return to society but also increases stroke recurrence rate and mortality. However, the effectiveness of drug treatment is unpredictable and associated with certain side effects and low compliance. Pharmacological therapy is limited. The field of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has recently made great progress in developing specific stimulation protocols to alleviate the symptoms of patients with PSD and might offer valid, alternative strategies.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for investigating the use of NIBS in the treatment of PSD. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed according to the Risk of Bias 2 (ROB2).

Results: We identified 814 references in 3 databases. After excluding irrelevant and duplicate studies, 14 studies were included. According to the PRISMA checklist, 4 studies were overall comprehensive, 6 had some problems, and 4 had considerable problems with the presented information. The evidence was evaluated using ROB2, with 5 "low-risk" studies, 5 "some concerns" studies, and 4 "high-risk" studies included.

Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical trials reported in PSD. Noninvasive brain stimulation is a potentially promising treatment strategy. However, an optimal stimulation protocol needs to be formulated, and much work is required before NIBS can be widely applied in the clinic.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between maternal mental health during early pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion (SA), especially in the context of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 4088 pregnant women at a maternal-child health hospital in China from January to December 2022. During the first trimester, we assessed depression, anxiety, and stress levels using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Pregnancy outcomes were monitored, and univariate and multiple logistic analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. These factors were then used to develop a nomogram model.

Results: Significant differences were found in maternal age, number of embryonic arrests, history of abortion, assisted reproduction, and environmental exposure between the SA group (n = 302) and the normal pregnancy group (n = 3786). After adjusting for potential confounders, higher scores on the DASS-21 subscales were independently associated with an increased risk of SA: Depression (OR [Odds Ratio]  = 1.54, 95% CI [Confidence Interval]: 1.39-1.71, P < .001), Anxiety (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.44-1.80, P < .001), and Stress (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.31-2.20, P < .001). The model achieved a concordance index of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.86-0.90) and demonstrated a well-fitted calibration curve, indicating its good clinical applicability.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that mental health conditions are significantly associated with an increased risk of SA. The nomogram model also demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, indicating its potential usefulness in clinical settings.

Objective: A distinct subtype of schizophrenia (SCZ) is the one accompanied with autistic features (AF). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AF in initial-treatment and drug-naive (ITDN) patients with SCZ and investigate its influencing factors.

Methods: The study recruited 710 ITDN patients with SCZ. Their sociodemographic data and general clinical information were collected, and a clinical psychological assessment was performed to quantify their psychopathology and disease severity. The severity of AF was calculated based on psychopathology scores.

Results: Overall, 19.01% (135/710) patients with SCZ showed AF. Patients with AF exhibited higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (t = -4.54, P < .001) and lower levels of free triiodothyronine (FT₃) and free tetraiodothyronine (FT₄) (t = 2.38, P = .018; t = 3.19, P = .002) than those with AF. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed waist circumference (B = 0.03, P = .022, odds ratio (OR) = 1.03) and TSH level (B = 0.54, P < .001, OR = 1.71) as risk factors for AF, and deemed low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (B = -0.43, P = .025, OR = 0.65), fasting blood glucose (B = -0.72, P = .013, OR = 0.49), FT₃ (B = -0.32, P = .034, OR = 0.73), and FT₄ (B = -0.08, P = .025, OR = 0.93) levels as protective factors. Multiple linear regression analysis identified FT₃ level (B = -0.85, t = -2.22, P = .028, 95%, Confidence Intervals (CI): -1.61- -0.09) as a protective factor influencing AF severity.

Conclusion: This study reports the prevalence of AF in the target SCZ population and identifies factors associated with its development and severity. The discernment of these distinctive clinical features may facilitate formulation of tailored prevention strategies and interventions for this precise subset of SCZ patients.

Objective: Saudi Arabian adults face high rates of depression, stress, and anxiety. Self-stigma complicates the situation, hindering timely treatment and resulting in adverse outcomes. This study examined the prevalence of these mental health conditions and self-stigma among adults and their association with sociodemographic factors in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The findings will inform targeted interventions and support for better mental health understanding in the region.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1056 participants aged ≥18 years. Convenient sampling was used, and participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire comprising 49 questions. The questionnaire covered demographics, mental illnesses (assessed through the depression, anxiety, and stress scale 21 [DASS-21] questionnaire), and self-stigmatizing attitudes toward the measured mental conditions (measured using the self-stigma of depression scale [SSDS] questionnaire).

Results: The majority of the 1056 participants were Saudi nationals living in the Jazan region, with a mean age of 29 years. The participants' mental health data revealed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (55%, 56%, and 39%, respectively). The DASS-21 questionnaire results revealed varying degrees of depression (normal: 45%, mild: 12%, moderate: 20%, severe: 8%, extremely severe: 15%), anxiety (normal: 44%, mild: 7%, moderate: 18%, severe: 8%, extremely severe: 23%), and stress (normal: 60%, mild: 11%, moderate: 11%, severe: 10%, extremely severe: 7%). The mean self-stigmatization score reported was 52 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 17), with 540 (51%) participants having stigma and 513 (49%) with low levels of stigma. The relationship assessment between stigma and depression, anxiety, and stress revealed that levels of stigma were higher in normal individuals than in those having depression, anxiety, or stress. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between mental health variables, self-stigmatization, and other factors. The analysis revealed that urban residence and the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with lower levels of self-stigmatization.

Conclusion: This research highlighted the high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with self-stigmatization in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Recommendations include increasing awareness, improving access to services, promoting early intervention, enhancing community support, combating self-stigma, and conducting further research to confirm generalizability. Targeted interventions and public health strategies are needed to promote mental well-being and address this burden in Jazan.

Objective: Emotional memory has been associated with many psychiatric diseases. Understanding emotional memory could be beneficial in comprehending and discovering new therapies for diseases related to emotional memory, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our previous study revealed that Dnmt3a expression in the dentate gyrus (DG) contributes to fear memory. However, is there a correlation between Dnmt3a expression in the DG and reward memory? This study aims to explore the relationship between Dnmt3a expression and reward memory.

Methods: We induced fear memory (Fear group) or reward memory (Reward group) using fear conditioning and social interaction in females, respectively. We then measured the expression levels of Dnmt3a and c-fos after the retrieval of different types of memory. Additionally, we used a recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) to overexpress Dnmt3a in the DG and conducted conditioned place preference (CPP) tests to assess changes in reward memory.

Results: We observed a significant increase in Dnmt3a and c-fos expression in the Fear group compared with the Reward group. Overexpression of Dnmt3a in the DG led to an increase in time spent in the white box during CPP tests.

Conclusion: Dnmt3a expression levels varied after the retrieval of fear or reward memory, and overexpression of Dnmt3a in the DG enhanced reward memory. These findings suggest that Dnmt3a expression in the DG plays a role in reward memory.

Persons experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) constitute a small but vulnerable population in healthcare and society. Nonetheless, it is advocated to involve people with SPMI in research to improve how care is provided to them. However, qualitative research with this population is challenging due to several factors, including (self-) stigma, assessment of decision-making capacity, reduced communication skills, and the (perceived) risk of adverse events, resulting in relative scarcity in academic interest and scientific publications. In this contribution, the authors share their practical experiences in conducting qualitative research among this group of people, specifically focusing on sensitive topics including end-of-life care and palliative care approaches. Both beneficial and challenging factors encountered across the different research stages are systematically delineated and reflected upon. Qualitative research involving persons with SPMI necessitates a different perspective on methodology and requires specific competencies from researchers. As might be expected, adequate preparation, thorough follow-up, and support for all involved are critical success factors. Additionally, however, it may also require adopting a somewhat unconventional approach to qualitative interviewing, encouraging creativity and ethical reflection as guiding principles. Exploring alternative methodologies and non-conventional engagement in research could provide a much-needed voice to individuals who are currently unrepresented in the research discourse.

Objective: To investigate the status quo of control attitudes, perceived health competence, and kinesiophobia in elderly patients with coronary disease after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to explore the mediating role of control attitudes in perceived health competence and fear of exercise.

Methods: By a convenient sampling method, 206 elderly patients with coronary heart disease who underwent CABG for the first time in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 1, 2021, to April 4, 2023, were investigated by using a general information questionnaire, the Perceived Health Competence Scale and Revised Control Attitudes Scale, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to investigate the level of perceived health competence, perceived control, and kinesiophobia.

Results: Perceived health competence, control attitudes, and kinesiophobia scores were 25.47 (3.11), 26.18 (2.85), 44.64 (3.24) (25.47 ± 3.11, P < .05), (26.18 ± 2.85, P < .05), and (44.64 ± 3.24, P < .05) in elderly patients after CABG. Control attitudes had a partial mediating effect between perceived health competence and fear of exercise (β = -0.3382, P < .001). The proportion of effect was 35.27%.

Conclusion: The levels of perceived control and perceived health competence of elderly patients after CABG were low, while the level of kinesiophobia was high. Kinesiophobia in patients is directly affected by perceived health competence or is indirectly affected through perceived control, which is an important direction for future kinesiophobia interventions.

Objective: Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) has a high mortality and disability, which brings a heavy burden to the medical and health system. This study aims to discover the clinical prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with ACI, explore the predictive factors leading to this complication, and provide more evidence for better identification of PSD in clinic.

Methods: From April 2021 to April 2023, this retrospective study selected 166 ACI patients as the research subjects, collected clinical symptoms and laboratory indicators at baseline, and observed the prevalence of PSD using the Hamilton depression scale 17 and the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Multiple logistic regression analysis was adopted to explore the predictive factors of PSD in patients with ACI.

Results: The total incidence of PSD was 35.54% in 166 patients with ACI. The score of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the score of daily life ability scale (ADL), and homocysteine (Hcy) level in the PSD group were higher than non-PSD group (P _NIHSS < .001, P _ADL < .001, P _Hcy = .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high Hcy levels, NIHSS scores, and ADL scores were independent risk factors for PSD (P _Hcy =.038, P _NIHSS =.002, P _ADL <.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that areas under curve (AUC) = 0.894, standard error^a = 0.025, progressive significance^b <.001, 95% CI = 0.845-0.943, cut-off value = 0.520, sensitivity = 91.60%, specificity = 74.60%, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test P = .246, suggesting that ROC curve has a certain clinical predictive efficacy.

Conclusion: The prevalence of early PSD in patients with ACI is relatively high. Homocysteine levels, NIHSS scores and ADL scores may be independent risk factors for PSD, and targeted clinical intervention should be implemented for the above factors.