Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders in a National Survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services

The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Depression among High School Girls in Ahvaz

Objective. Today, obesity and depression are two major illnesses that are on the rise all over the world and threaten human health. This research was done to determine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and depression among Ahvaz high school female students. Method. In a descriptive-analytical study using stratified random sampling, 400 female high school students in academic year of 2013-2014 were picked and their height and weight were measured. BMI was classified based on World Health Organization classification. To assess the severity of depression, Beck depression questionnaire was used. In order to analyze the data, descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were used. Results. In terms of BMI 9% of students were slim, 77% were at an acceptable level, and 14% were overweight. Also, the prevalence of depression was 86.20% major depression and 13.79% moderate depression for obese persons, 10.41% major depression and 70.83% moderate depression for overweight persons, 8.78% major depression and 12.97% moderate depression for normal weight persons, and 9% moderate depression for slim persons. The relationship between BMI and depression among high school students is positive and significant (P<0.001;  r=0.555). Conclusion. There is a positive and significant relationship between BMI and the severity of depression among Ahvaz high school female students

Comparison between the efficacies of Risperidone with Haloperidol in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among preschoolers: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disease with a worldwide pooled prevalence of 5.29%. Objective: To compare the efficacy of Risperidone with Haloperidol in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among 3- to 6-year-old children. Methods: In a 6-week double-blind clinical trial, the efficacy of Risperidone 0.5-2 mg with a dose of maximum Haloperidol 0.075 mg/kg was assessed in 39 children aged 3-6 years. This study was conducted at the Golestan Psychiatric Clinic (Ahvaz, Iran). Measurement tools included the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48), Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Fisher’s exact tests in the SPSS 19. Results: During the 6 weeks, the decline in points was seen in Conner’s rating scale and in ADHD-RS score in Risperidone and Haloperidol groups (p<0.001). On the CGAS scale, an increase of performance in both groups for six weeks was statistically significant (p<0.001). In the scales of ADHD-RS and CPRS-48, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups; i.e., in terms of reducing the rate during weeks of two, four, and six (p>0.05). Conclusions: Haloperidol and Risperidone possibly can be an acceptable treatment choice in the ADHD treatment of 3- to 6-year-old children. Trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the Irct ID: IRCT2015082623766N1. Funding: This work was financially supported by grant (ref. no.: U-93130) from the vice chancellor for Research Affairs of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Effects of Folic Acid on Appetite in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treated with Methylphenidate: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: The highly effective medications in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are stimulants like methylphenidate. However, they have adverse effects like reduced appetite. We investigated the effects of folic acid on reduced appetite caused by the use of methylphenidate in children with ADHD. Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial evaluated 70 outpatients, aged between 6 and 12 years, with a diagnosis of ADHD. The children were recruited from the Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic of Golestan Hospital (Ahwaz, Iran) between 2016 and 2017. The study subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 received an average dose of methylphenidate (1 mg/kg) plus folic acid (5 mg/d) and Group 2 received an average dose of methylphenidate (1 mg/kg) plus a placebo (5 mg of sucrose) for 8 weeks. Assessments, comprising the Conners Parent Questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and appetite questionnaire, were conducted by a psychiatrist at baseline and then at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the medication was started using repeated measure analysis. The data were analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U and ANOVA tests using the SPSS statistical software (v. 18.0). Results: Age and gender were not associated with the groups. Weight, height, and the body mass index were not changed during the study in both groups. ADHD symptoms significantly decreased in both groups during the trial; however, no difference was observed between the groups. Moreover, appetite was significantly improved in Group 1. Both medications were well tolerated. Conclusion: It seems that folic acid improved the reduced appetite caused by the use of methylphenidate in our children with ADHD. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2016040927304N

Effectiveness of reboxetine in treatment of outpatient children and adolescents with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with comorbid anxiety disorders.

Some previous studies have reported that ADHD is often comorbid with anxiety disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of reboxetine in treating outpatient children and adolescents with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders.In this open-label study, 25 outpatient children and adolescents, aged 6-16 years were selected by convenient sampling and underwent treatment with 4mg reboxetine for four weeks. Data were collected at baseline, two weeks and four weeks after the start of the medication using Conners' Parent Questionnaire, Hamilton's Rating Scale for Anxiety, Clinical Global Assessment Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale and Side Effects Form. Data were analyzed using repeated measure, analyses of variance (ANOVA), Tukey post hoc test and paired t-test.There were significant reduction in the total score of ADHD (F = 31.441;

Comparison of Plasma Neurosteroid and Prolactin Levels in Patients with Schizophrenia and Healthy Individuals

Background. The present study aimed to compare plasma levels of cortisol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and prolactin in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Method. A total of 100 patients with schizophrenia disorder (69 men and 31 women) and 190 healthy individuals (94 men and 96 women) participated in this cross-sectional study. They were tested for hormone levels and completed demographic questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and one-way analysis of variance. Results. Serum testosterone level was significantly higher in men with schizophrenia than in healthy men. Women with schizophrenia had a significantly higher level of testosterone and lower level of prolactin compared to healthy women. There were no significant differences in hormone levels across various subtypes of schizophrenia. No significant differences also were observed in hormones levels in patients with first-episode schizophrenia disorder compared to those in patients with recurrent episodes. Conclusion. This study indicated that abnormal testosterone and prolactin levels might be associated with pathophysiology of schizophrenia disorder

Parental Concerns about the Future of Children with Autism: A Qualitative Study in Iran

Introduction: Regarding the growing trend of autism spectrum disorder, the complex and lifelong nature of it and concerns of parents about the life experience and caring for an autistic child, especially with regard to their future life, to provide a suitable environment for the child to enjoy human rights in life is one of the research priorities in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to explain parents' experiences in explaining their concerns about the future of the child in life. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was performed on the parents of autistic children referred to Yas and Nahal rehabilitation centers in Arak and Ahvaz. A total of 8 parents of children with autism were enrolled in the study using purposeful sampling method. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and field notes and analyzed using MAXQUDA10 software. Results:&nbsp; The results of the data analysis have led to the emergence of three main categories "self-sufficiency and independency in life", "transition to adolescence" and "child education and learning", which outlines the different dimensions of parental concern related to the child in the future life. Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, designing, organizing and implementing effective and efficient interventions in educational, therapeutic, rehabilitation, welfare, legal and social areas appropriate to the developmental stages of the child, with the aim of responding to the needs of people with autism spectrum disorders and their families are increasingly needed in the successful transition to the adulthood and&nbsp; maintaining and promoting their well-being

Predictive factors of anxiety and depression in COVID‐19 survivors: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are among the most critically recognized psychological complication of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Aim This study aimed to examine the two predictors among COVID‐19 survivors in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2022. Methodology Using a descriptive‐analytical design, 347 COVID‐19 survivors referred to hospitals in Ahvaz were meticulously examined. The database of the COVID‐19 registration system contained primary information about the samples. For data collection, questionnaires, including the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire, were utilized. Results The results revealed a significant relationship between anxiety score and family size (p = 0.019), education level (p < 0.001), occupation (p = 0.015), household income status (p = 0.017), disease history (p = 0.017), ethnicity (p < 0.001), disease severity (p < 0.001), and quarantine period (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the average depression score and gender (p = 0.023), number of family households (p = 0.009), level of education (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001), household income (p < 0.001), disease severity (p < 0.001), disease history (p < 0.001), and quarantine period (p < 0.001). Moreover, linear regression analysis indicated only a significant relationship between depression scores and the quarantine period variable (p < 0.001), among others. The simultaneous examination of all variables on depression disorder highlighted a meaningful relationship between depression score and disease history (p = 0.013), occupation (p = 0.002), household income status (p = 0.002), and family size (p = 0.039). Conclusions This study revealed a significant relationship between certain demographic variables, such as quarantine period, disease history, employment status, household income status, and the number of family households, and an increase in the average depression and anxiety score