Anxiety and mood disorder in young males with mitral valve prolapse

For-Wey Lung1–4, Chih-Tao Cheng5, Wei-To Chang6, Bih-Ching Shu71Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 2Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan; 3Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Calo Psychiatric Center, Pingtung County, Taiwan; 5School of public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; 6Liu Chia-Hsiu Hospital, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan; 7Institute of Allied Health Sciences and Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, TaiwanObjective: This study explored the prevalence of panic disorder and other psychiatric disorders in young Han Chinese males with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). With the factors of age, sex, and ethnicity controlled, the specific role of MVP in panic disorder was analyzed. Methods: Subjects with chest pain aged between 18 and 25 years were assessed with the echocardiograph for MVP and the Chinese version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for panic disorder (n = 39).Results: Of the 39 participants, 35.9% met the diagnosis of anxiety disorder, 46.2% met at least one criterion of anxiety disorder, and 23.1% met the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of panic disorder between one of the (8.3%) MVP patients, and two (7.4%) control participants.Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, in those who report pain symptoms, so that diagnosis and treatment of these patients is of great importance. In addition, individuals with MVP did not have an increased risk for panic disorder. Whether MVP may be a modifier or mediating factor for panic disorder needs to be further assessed in a larger scale study.Keywords: mitral valve prolapse, panic disorder, Han Chinese males, major depressive disorder, echocardiograph, MIN

Association of DRD4 uVNTR and TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms with schizophrenia: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The tumour supressor gene TP53 is thought to be involved in neural apoptosis. The polymorphism at codon 72 in TP53 and the long form variants of the upstream variable number of tandem repeats (uVNTR) polymorphism in the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene are reported to confer susceptibility to schizophrenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited 934 patients with schizophrenia and 433 healthy individuals, and genotyped the locus of the TP53 codon 72 and DRD4 uVNTR polymorphisms by combining the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP) with direct sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant differences were found in the frequency of the genotype of the TP53 codon72 polymorphism between patients with schizophrenia and their controls. However, the long form alleles (≥ 5 repeats) of the DRD4 uVNTR polymorphism were more frequent in patients with schizophrenia than in controls (p = 0.001). Hence, this class of alleles might be a risk factor for enhanced vulnerability to schizophrenia (odds ratio = 3.189, 95% confidence interval = 1.535-6.622). In the logistic regression analysis, the long form variants of the DRD4 polymorphism did predict schizophrenia after the contributions of the age and gender of the subjects were included (p = 0.036, OR = 2.319), but the CC and GG genotypes of the codon 72 polymorphism of TP53 did not.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The long form variants of the uVNTR polymorphism in DRD4 were associated with schizophrenia, in a manner that was independent of the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism. In addition, given that the genetic effect of the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism on the risk of developing schizophrenia was very small, this polymorphism is unlikely to be associated with schizophrenia. The roles that other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TP53 gene or in other apoptosis-related genes play in the synaptic dysfunction involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia should be investigated.</p

Mental health of female foreign spouses in transnational marriages in southern Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health status, and the risk factors associated with mild psychiatric disorders, of female foreign spouses (from Vietnam, Indonesia, and mainland China) in southern Taiwan, and to understand the mental health needs of these women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and twenty nine participants were willing to participate in this study. All participants fulfilled all questionnaires which included demographic information, the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and the Mental Health Care Needs Questionnaire (MHCNQ).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By multiple linear regression, neuroticism characteristics (p = 0.000), the dimension of knowledge of the level of their own psychological disturbance (p = 0.001), dimension of friends assistance (p = 0.033), and dimension of religion comfort (p = 0.041) in mental health care needs could be used to predict possible mild psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, SEM model showed that Indonesian or Vietnamese spouses have more likely degree in mental health care needs (β = -0.24, <it>p </it>= 0.003), compared with Chinese ones. A higher level of neuroticism was associated with a greater likelihood of mild psychiatric disorder (β = 0.54, <it>p </it>< 0.001), and of mental health care needs (β = 0.21, <it>p </it>= 0.013). A higher degree of mental health care needs was related to a greater likelihood of mild psychiatric disorder (β = 0.14, <it>p </it>= 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, we have obtained a better understanding of the mental health status of female foreign spouses in transnational marriages, who face many difficulties. Indonesian or Vietnamese spouses tend to more likely degree in mental health care needs than Chinese spouses, and then indirectly influenced their mental health status. Some individuals with a neurotic personality are exposed to high risk and might suffer from mild psychiatric symptoms. The needs for psychological counseling and religion therapy were the first priority for these women, particularly the Indonesian and Vietnamese spouses. From these findings, we have a better understanding of how to assist these female foreign spouses in future.</p

[[alternative]]退休中心老人之自我概念及影響因素之探討

[[abstract]]本篇研究目的在探討居住退休中心老人的自我概念，及其相關因素，如日常功能活動，自覺健康狀況與基本資料等。選案為立意取樣，個案為取自台南某一老人退休中心年滿六十五歲之老人，另取居住在家老人為對照。個案皆具溝通能力，且志願參與，共65位（退休中心個案組＝37，對照組＝28）完成問卷調查。以中文版田納西自我概念量表及中文版老人多元功能問卷中日常活動能力量表之十四項目，分別測其自我概念及日常活動功能。資料以SPSS套裝統計軟休10.0版進行描述性及迴歸分析。研究結果發現：(1)居住在退休中心老人在個人自我與家庭自我的分項分數有較低情形；(2)日常活動功能、自覺身體狀況和性別對整體自我概念有影響；(3)女性個案在道德倫理、家庭自我、社會自我、自我認同、滿足自我方面等分項的分數顯著高於男性個案。研究結果可提供設計合適的活動課程，以增加居住在退休中心老人與他人的互動及建立新的社交網，進而促進正向的自我概念。[[abstract]]The purpose of this study was to explore the self-concept of elderly adults residing in retirement centers as well as its relation ship to other variables, including function of activities of daily living (ADL), subjective well being, etc. Selected demo graphic attributes (sex, age, years of education etc.) were also examined for their relation ship to self-concept. The subjects were a convenience sample of people aged 65 or older who were recruited from a retirement center in the south of Tai wan (N(subscript _)=42), and a control group of elderly living with their family (N(subscript _)=33). The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) was used to mea sure self-concept. The Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire Chinese Version (MFAQ) was applied to mea sure the function of activities of daily living. A total of 37 subjects from the retirement center group and 28 subjects from the home group completed these question naires. The data were analyzed using SPSS/PC soft ware version 10.0. After multiple linear regression analysis, the results showed that he elderly residing in the retirement center had significantly lower Personal Self and Family Self scores. The variables of ADL, sex and subjective well-being had effects on the total self-concept. Female elderly individuals also revealed significant higher scores than males in the subscales of Moral-Ethical, Family Self, Social Self, Identity, Satisfaction Self. These results suggest we should design appropriate programs to increase elderly people’ sinter action with others and establish new social net works for them which may enhance a sense of positive self-concept

Parental mental health and child development from six to thirty-six months in a birth cohort study in Taiwan

This study investigated the reciprocity between parental mental health and the different stages of child development at 6, 18, and 36 months. As the pilot of a birth cohort study, this study comprised 2048 children and their parents who were randomly selected and invited to participate. The development of these children and the mental health of their parents were followed at 6, 18, and 36 months postpartum. Child development was assessed using the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study instrument, and parental health was assessed using the Taiwanese version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Complete responses for all three stages were received from 844 families. Our results showed that parental mental health had a direct effect on language and social development; however, this effect did not become significant until 36 months. The reciprocity between child development and parental mental health and proper intervention are vital.Peer Reviewe

Deliberating over mastectomy survival and social roles

Background: Most studies based on a woman\u27s decision regarding breast cancer treatments have focused on surgical treatment preference and related factors. Few studies have been carried out to identify the concerns associated with coming to terms with a mastectomy and cancer diagnosis among women eligible for a mastectomy only. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore Taiwanese women\u27s experience about facing a mastectomy and to determine their deliberations before agreeing to a recommended mastectomy. Methods: Ten women who had undergone a mastectomy participated, with 3 undergoing individual interviews and 7 participating in a focus group. Findings during the interviews guided the focus group. Results: Content analysis revealed 4 themes through the women\u27s narratives of the decision-making experience when a mastectomy was recommended. These included (a) surviving is a priority, (b) fulfilling responsibility, (c) coming to terms with postsurgery alternatives, and (d) making arrangements. Conclusion: The experience surrounding the decision to undergo a mastectomy among Taiwanese women may be complicated by survival concerns, the meanings of the breast, and a feeling of an uncontrolled daily life. Cultural beliefs ensured that women were fulfilling their expected social roles and always thinking about significant others first. Implications for Practice: Recognizing women\u27s private concerns with sensitivity and supporting women to balance their own needs and assigned social responsibilities are important considerations for women undergoing a mastectomy. Developing cultural competency is necessary for nurses working in communities with diverse ethnoculture people

Performance of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in five-year-old children in Taiwan: Relationship to intelligence and cognitive development.

OBJECTIVE:(1) To develop the norm of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), (2) to investigate the pathway of the indices for WCST performances and (3) the association between WCST, intelligence quotient (IQ), and parent-report measures of children's development in typically developing five-year-olds in the community. METHOD:Fifty-three children were recruited from community health centers. The WCST, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), and Taiwan Birth Cohort Study- Developmental Instrument (TBCS-DI) was used to measure children's executive function, IQ and parent report of children's development respectively. RESULTS:Mean categories achieved (CA) was 2.02 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.41), and percent conceptual level response (PCLR) was 29.85(SD = 18.36) in five year-olds. The WCST indices showed a pathway relationship of PCLR being negatively associated with perseverative error (PE), and PE and non- perseverative error being negatively associated with CA. Association among the PCLR index of the WCST, cognitive domain of the TBCS-DI, and performance IQ and verbal IQ of the WPPSI-R was found. CONCLUSION:Regular improvement with age was found compared to the norm of six-year-olds in a previous study of children from the same region. The number sorting criteria was more difficult thus they continued to perform persistent errors of color or form when sorting. Association was found among the professional administered IQ, computerized WCST, and a parent report developmental instrument. Showing parent report is an accurate reflection of children's cognitive development at this age