A cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of somatisation and associated socio demographic factors in depression

Background: Somatisation, the tendency to seek treatment for medically unexplained physical complaints is frequently associated with depression and is more frequently seen in Indian context. Aim: This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of somatisation symptoms among various subgroups of Indian patients with depression and the sociodemographic factors associated with depression. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 262 patients, who were categorized into three sub groups of as per ICD 10.All the subjects were administrated MADRS and BSI to study severity of depression and nature of somatisation. Results: Female subjects exhibited a higher prevalence of somatisation than male subjects. Similarly married, illiterate, low socio-economic and rural background subjects showed high prevalence of somatisation. Subjects with diagnosis of dysthymia exhibited high prevalence of somatisation (56.42%) followed by mixed anxiety depression (51.08%) and depression with somatic symptoms (48.55%). Conclusion: Somatisation is common in depression. The tendency to perceive and report physical complaints are influenced by various socio demographic factors including gender difference.

Comparative evaluation of Bacopa monniera and Panax quniquefolium in experimental anxiety and depressive models in mice.

The present study was undertaken to compare medicinal plants against mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD) to evaluate their potency in combating MAD disorders. Previous studies from our lab have shown that Bacopa monniera (BM), and Panax quniquefolium (PQ) have significant adaptogenic properties. Hence, we have further confirmed their activity in stress related disorders like anxiety and depression in animal model, rodents and assessed their efficacy. In our experimental protocol, gross behaviour was observed through Digiscan animal activity monitor. Anxiety was studied through light dark test, elevated plus maze test and holeboard test. Depression experiments were conducted following tail suspension test and forced swim test. Further, rotarod test was also used to study any defects in motor in-coordination in mice. It was observed that BM at the dose of 80 mg/kg (po) and PQ at 100 mg/kg (po) were effective as an anti-anxiety as well anti-depressant activity and had no motor in-coordination in mice. Hence, these extracts can be used as a potent therapeutic agent in treating mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD).