Associations of cardiovascular agents and metformin with depression symptoms: A cross-sectional analysis from the HUNT Study, Norway

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Gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)-related symptoms and its association with mood and anxiety disorders and psychological symptomology: a population-based study in women

Background: Psychopathology seems to play a role in reflux pathogenesis and vice versa, yet few population based studies have systematically investigated the association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and psychopathology. We thus aimed to investigate the relationship between GORD-related symptoms and psychological symptomatology, as well as clinically diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders in a randomly selected, population-based sample of adult women.&nbsp;Methods:&nbsp;This study examined data collected from 1084 women aged 20-93 yr participating in the Geelong&nbsp;Osteoporosis Study. Mood and anxiety disorders were identified using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IVTR Research Version, Non-patient edition (SCID-I/NP), and psychological symptomatology was assessed using the&nbsp;General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). GORD-related symptoms were self-reported and confirmed by medication&nbsp;use where possible and lifestyle factors were documented.Results: Current psychological symptomatology and mood disorder were associated with increased odds of&nbsp;concurrent GORD-related symptoms (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.5, and OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7-5.6, respectively). Current&nbsp;anxiety disorder also tended to be associated with increased odds of current GORD-related symptoms (p=0.1).&nbsp;Lifetime mood disorder was associated with a 1.6-fold increased odds of lifetime GORD-related symptoms (adjusted OR&nbsp;1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4) and lifetime anxiety disorder was associated with a 4-fold increased odds of lifetime GORD- related&nbsp;symptoms in obese but not non-obese participants (obese, age-adjusted OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.8-9.0).Conclusions: These results indicate that psychological symptomatology, mood and anxiety disorders are positively&nbsp;associated with GORD-related symptoms. Acknowledging this common comorbidity may facilitate recognition and&nbsp;treatment, and opens new questions as to the pathways and mechanisms of the association.</div

Scenes from the Past Multidetector CT of Egyptian Mummies of the Redpath Museum

As a nondestructive method of historical and anthropologic inquiry, imaging has played an important role in mummy studies over the past several decades. Recent technologic advances have made multidetector computed tomography (CT) an especially useful means for deepening the present understanding of ancient cultures by examining preserved human remains. In April 2011, three ancient Egyptian human mummies from the Redpath Museum of McGill University were examined with 320-section multidetector CT as part of the IMPACT Radiological Mummy Database project headquartered at the University of Western Ontario. Whole-body scanning was performed with a section thickness of 0.5 mm and a peak voltage of 120 kVp, and the raw CT datasets were postprocessed by using smooth body and high-resolution bone convolution filters. Two of the mummies were scanned at different energy levels (80 and 135 keV). The high-resolution CT scans revealed the details of mummification and allowed observations about the socioeconomic and health status of the human subjects based on both the mummification technique used and the appearance of the remains, particularly the bones and teeth. The paleopathologic information obtained from the scans confirmed some findings in studies performed in the same mummies in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The CT scans also demonstrated a high degree of variability in Egyptian mortuary practice, variability that is not generally recognized in the literature. Unusual features that were observed included a relatively uncommon retained heart in mummy RM2718, retained lungs in a mummy from which the heart had been extracted (RM2720), and a cartonnage plaque placed over the left abdomen of a mummy that had been eviscerated transperineally (RM2717)

Dietary intake of fish and PUFA, and clinical depressive and anxiety disorders in women

Fish and PUFA consumption are thought to play a role in mental health; however, many studies do not take into account multiple sources of PUFA. The present study analysed data from a sample of 935 randomly selected, population-based women aged 20&ndash;93 years. A validated and comprehensive dietary questionnaire ascertained the consumption of n-3 and n-6 PUFA. Another assessed fish and energy intake and provided data for a dietary quality score. The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) measured psychological symptoms and a clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Research Version, Non-patient edition) assessed depressive and anxiety disorders. Median dietary intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (310 mg/d) were below suggested dietary target levels. The only PUFA related to categorical depressive and anxiety disorders was DHA. There was a non-linear relationship between DHA intake and depression; those in the second tertile of DHA intake were nearly 70 % less likely to report a current depressive disorder compared to those in the first tertile. The relationship of DHA to anxiety disorders was linear; for those in the highest tertile of DHA intake, the odds for anxiety disorders were reduced by nearly 50 % after adjustments, including adjustment for diet quality scores, compared to the lowest tertile. Those who ate fish less than once per week had higher GHQ-12 scores, and this relationship was particularly obvious in smokers. These are the first observational data to indicate a role for DHA in anxiety disorders, but suggest that the relationship between DHA and depressive disorders may be non-linear

Life satisfaction and morbidity among postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between morbidity and global life satisfaction in postmenopausal women taking into account type and number of diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 11,084 women (age range 57-66 years) from a population-based cohort of Finnish women (OSTPRE Study) responded to a postal enquiry in 1999. Life satisfaction was measured with a 4-item scale. Self-reported diseases diagnosed by a physician and categorized according to ICD-10 main classes were used as a measure of morbidity. Enquiry data on health and lifestyle were used as covariates in the multivariate logistic models. RESULTS: Morbidity was strongly associated with life dissatisfaction. Every additional disease increased the risk of life dissatisfaction by 21.1% (p &lt; .001). The risk of dissatisfaction was strongest among women with mental disorders (OR = 5.26; 95%CI 3.84-7.20) and neurological disorders (OR = 3.62; 95%CI 2.60-5.02) compared to the healthy (each p &lt; .001). Smoking, physical inactivity and marital status were also associated with life dissatisfaction (each p &lt; .001) but their introduction to the multivariate model did not attenuate the pattern of associations. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and life dissatisfaction have a disease-specific and dose-dependent relationship. Even if women with mental and neurological disorders have the highest risk for life dissatisfaction, monitoring life satisfaction among aging women regardless of disorders should be undertaken in order to intervene the joint adverse effects of poor health and poor well-being

Trajectories and stability of self-reported short sleep duration from adolescence to adulthood

The trajectories and stability of self-reported sleep duration recorded at ages 13, 15, and 23&nbsp;years on reported sleep duration at age 30&nbsp;years among 1105 students (55% male) who participated in the Norwegian Longitudinal Health and Behaviour Study were examined. Questionnaire data were used to obtain demographic and sleep variables. Dichotomised short sleep duration was based on normative values and set as &le;8.5&nbsp;h (age 13&nbsp;years), &le;8&nbsp;h (age 15&nbsp;years) and &le;7&nbsp;h (ages 23 and 30&nbsp;years). Results indicated a significant overall reduction in total sleep duration (h per night) across age groups. Sleep duration (continuous) at age 15 and 23&nbsp;years (whole group) was moderately but positively correlated with sleep duration at age 30&nbsp;years (P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.01). When split by sex, at age 15&nbsp;years, this association was present among females only (P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.01); however, at age 23&nbsp;years, this association was present in both male and females (both P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001). Categorical short sleep at age 23&nbsp;years (whole group) was associated with short sleep at age 30&nbsp;years (unadjusted odds ratio&nbsp;=&nbsp;3.67, 95% confidence interval 2.36-5.69). Following sex stratification, this effect was significant for both males (unadjusted odds ratio&nbsp;=&nbsp;3.77, 95% confidence interval: 2.22-6.42) and females (unadjusted odds ratio&nbsp;=&nbsp;2.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-5.04). No associations were noted for categorical short sleep at ages 13 or 15&nbsp;years, and subsequent short sleep at 30&nbsp;years. Habitual short sleep duration during middle adulthood is not sustained from the time of early adolescence. Rather, these trends appear to be formed during early adulthood

Risk of antidepressant initiation among users of cardiovascular agents and metformin. Findings from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) and Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), Norway

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Fusing data mining, machine learning and traditional statistics to detect biomarkers associated with depression

BACKGROUND: Atheoretical large-scale data mining techniques using machine learning algorithms have promise in the analysis of large epidemiological datasets. This study illustrates the use of a hybrid methodology for variable selection that took account of missing data and complex survey design to identify key biomarkers associated with depression from a large epidemiological study. METHODS: The study used a three-step methodology amalgamating multiple imputation, a machine learning boosted regression algorithm and logistic regression, to identify key biomarkers associated with depression in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (2009-2010). Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and 67 biomarkers were analysed. Covariates in this study included gender, age, race, smoking, food security, Poverty Income Ratio, Body Mass Index, physical activity, alcohol use, medical conditions and medications. The final imputed weighted multiple logistic regression model included possible confounders and moderators. RESULTS: After the creation of 20 imputation data sets from multiple chained regression sequences, machine learning boosted regression initially identified 21 biomarkers associated with depression. Using traditional logistic regression methods, including controlling for possible confounders and moderators, a final set of three biomarkers were selected. The final three biomarkers from the novel hybrid variable selection methodology were red cell distribution width (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.01, 1.30), serum glucose (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00, 1.01) and total bilirubin (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.05, 0.28). Significant interactions were found between total bilirubin with Mexican American/Hispanic group (p = 0.016), and current smokers (p&lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: The systematic use of a hybrid methodology for variable selection, fusing data mining techniques using a machine learning algorithm with traditional statistical modelling, accounted for missing data and complex survey sampling methodology and was demonstrated to be a useful tool for detecting three biomarkers associated with depression for future hypothesis generation: red cell distribution width, serum glucose and total bilirubin

A self-determination theory analysis of reflective debrief themes about dietetic student placement experiences in hospital: implications for education

Background. Healthcare placements in dietetics education contribute significantly to student learning. Exploring students’ self-conceptualisation of placement experiences may provide insights to better support learning. Self-determination theory (SDT) has been used to seek insight into clinical and educational settings but has not yet been applied to dietetic placement learning. This study investigated dietetics students’ reflections of key influences on placement learning experiences and their alignment with an SDT framework. Methodology. A post-placement two-stage critical incident debrief was conducted with seven successive cohorts (168 students) of dietetic undergraduate students on final placement. In debriefs, students’ anonymous themes were collected and discussed, inductively analysed, and then mapped against an SDT framework of psychological and motivational constructs. Results. Nine key themes were identified that impacted upon placement experiences. Four themes related to framework constructs: 1. Supervisor (and peer) autonomy support: 2. Perceived competence; 3. Relatedness; and, 4. Autonomy and intrinsic motivation. Non-SDT themes were also present including: 5. Learning environment and experience; and, themes about professional behaviours and identity: 6. Teamwork and interactions, 7. Managing emotions and self-care, 8. Dietetic professional communications and behaviours and, 9. Developing a professional identity. Conclusions. Embedding a structured debrief in the curriculum and using a psychological motivational SDT framework to analyse themes arising can provide valuable information about the learning needs of students on placement with potential for wider application in dietetic learning and teaching and workforce employability. The current findings may have application in university curricula before and after professional placement