The mediating role of sedentary behaviour in the relationship between social support and depression among individuals with diabetes

Background and objective: The underlying mechanisms for the well-established link between social support and depression remain less understood. This study examined the mediating role of sedentary behaviour (SB) in the relationship between social support (SS) and depression among individuals with diabetes. Methods: A total of 250 consenting individuals with diabetes attending endocrinology clinic in a Nigerian tertiary hospital were recruited. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used to collect data on SB, SS and depression respectively. Mediation analysis was performed with hierarchical multiple regression and PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of depression among diabetic patients was 30.8%. Social support had a significant negative association with depression and SB, while SB was positively associated with depression (P < 0.001). The results showed that SB was a mediator between social support and depression (a*b = -0.151; BCa 95% CI: -0.207 ~ -0.102). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was high among Nigerian diabetic patients. In addition, SB has a mediating role in the relationship between social support and depression indicating that SB could reinforce the positive effect of social support on depression

Pain and Sleep Disturbances are Associated with Post-stroke Anger Proneness and Emotional Incontinence

Background: Emotional disorders are common findings after a stroke episode. Despite evidence linking pain and sleep disorders to various post-stroke emotional conditions, their roles in the prevalence of post-stroke anger proneness (PSAP) and post-stroke emotional incontinence (PSEI) remain unclear. We investigated the influence of composite and different components of post-stroke pain (PSP) as well as post-stroke sleep disorders (PSSD) on PSAP and PSEI. Methods: Cross-sectional data on PSAP, PSEI, PSP and PSSD were evaluated through validated instruments and structured interviews for a total of 185 community-dwelling stroke survivors attending two Nigerian tertiary health facilities. Data on potential confounding variables were also assessed. Results: The rates of PSSD, PSP, PSAP and PSEI among Nigerian stroke survivors were 36.8%, 63.3%, 23.2% and 44.9%, respectively. The results of logistic regression models showed that composite PSP was associated with PSEI (adjusted odd ratio (aOR): 0.492; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.251-0.965). While assessing the different components of PSSD and PSP, the results showed that sleep disturbances (aOR: 1.855; 95% CI: 1.096-3.140) and post-stroke headache (aOR: 0.364; 95% CI: 0.153-0.864) were associated with PSEI. In addition, being a domain of PSP, post-stroke headache was associated with PSAP (aOR: 0.052; 95% CI: 0.011-0.238). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of PSSD, PSP, PSAP and PSEI among Nigerian stroke survivors. Post-stroke headache is associated with both PSAP and PSEI, while sleep disturbances are associated with PSEI. Post-stroke headache and sleep disturbances are potential targets for interventions in patients with stroke to lessen the burden of PSAP and PSEI

Handgrip and quadriceps strength as independent predictors of post-stroke depression and anxiety

Background: The objective of this study was to whether handgrip and quadriceps strength can predict post-stroke depression (PSD) and post-stroke anxiety (PSA). Methods: This cross-sectional study involved sixty-six consenting stroke patients whose symptoms of depression and anxiety and affected handgrip and quadriceps strength were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and handheld dynamometers. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P0.05); however, the presence of PSA was an independent predictor of PSD (B=0.590; P<0.001), while the presence of PSD (B=0.621; P=0.001) and younger age (B=-0.307; P<0.001) were independent predictors of PSA. Conclusion: Handgrip and quadriceps strength are not significant predictors of PSD and PSA in stroke survivors; however, PSD and PSA can predict each other, indicating a bi-directional relationship, while age is a negative predictor of PSA