Depression and neurological disorders

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Parkinson's disease. It is associated with reduction of quality of life, functional impairment, and higher mortality. The diagnosis of depression in neurological disorders is difficult because of the overlapping symptoms. Neurological disorders are usually associated with sleep and appetite disturbances, fatigue, apathy, and lack of concentration, which is similar to those of depression. The etiology of depression with neurological disorders is unknown, but the interaction between biological, psychosocial, and neuropathological factors could be responsible for it. Few controlled trials have been carried out to investigate the efficacy of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions in this population, and it seems that they are effective in improving depression, quality of life, and survival. Studies pertaining to prevention of depression in neurological disorders are promising

Smoking in Saudi Arabia

This article reviewed the literature on the epidemiology, consumption, trade, control, prevention, and treatment of tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of current smoking in Saudi Arabia ranges from 2.4-52.3% [median = 17.5%]. Among school students, the prevalence of current smoking ranges from 12-29.8% [median = 16.5%], among university students from 2.4-37% [median = 13.5%], and among adults from 11.6-52.3% [median = 22.6%]. In elderly people, the prevalence of current smoking is 25%. The prevalence of smoking in males ranges from 13-38% [median = 26.5%], while in females it ranges from 1-16% [median = 9%]. To conclude, smoking is prevalent in the Saudi population at different age groups. The prevalence of current smoking is much higher in males than in females at different ages. More research is needed in the area of prevention and treatment of smoking

Stages of progression in drug abuse involvement across generations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

To investigate the stages of progression in drug involvement among adolescents and adults in Saudi Arabia. One hundred and one consecutive male patients [91 adults and 10 adolescents], with substance abuse or dependence according to DSM-IV criteria, admitted to Al-Amal Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during July and August 2002 for treatment, were included in the study. All participants answered a questionnaire, which included questions pertaining to the ages and stages of progression in drug abuse. Adolescents started using tobacco and drugs at a younger age than adults. The difference is statistically significant for drugs [14.6 +/- 2.6 versus 22.0 +/- 8.3, t = 2.8; p = 0.006], but not for tobacco [14.7 +/- 1.8 versus 16.4 +/- 6.5, t = -0.8; p = 0.4]. Adolescents and adults were different in the first [Chi 2 [3] = 13, p = 0.001] and the second [Chi 2 [3] = 14.5; p = 0.002] stages of progression, but similar in the third stage [Chi 2 [3] = 0.1; p = 1.0]. Adolescents were different from adults regarding the age of onset and sequence of progression in drug involvement. This sequence was different in Saudi Arabia from that in other cultures and this could have an implication in prevention programs