Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Abnormalities among Patients with Depression

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [MetS] and metabolic abnormalities among patients with depression

Design: A Case-Control Study

Setting: Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain

Method: Forty-seven adult patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder [MDD] were matched 1:1 by age and sex to 47 controls. Personal characteristics were documented and the following measurements were included: weight and height, waist and hip circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipids profile and blood pressure. Statistical analysis used: Case-control analysis of the two groups was done

Result: Forty-seven adult patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder [MDD] and 47 controls; 21 [44.7%] patients suffered from metabolic syndrome compared to controls 15 [31.9%]. Obesity [OR=2, 95% CI: 0.85-4.5] and raised Blood Pressure [OR=2, 95% CI: 0.9-4.7] were the two components of MetS which revealed a difference between the two groups

Conclusion: Metabolic abnormalities are highly prevalent among patients with depression in Bahrain. Females had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to males

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies on Amaranthus graecizans L.

In present paper an attempt has been made to find out the pharmacognostic, phytochemical and analytical characteristics of Amaranthus graecizans, an important medicinal plant being used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments. The important parameters studied are macroscopic characteristics, fluorescence behaviour under UV light, successive extractive values, total ash, acid insoluble ash, quantitative ash analysis for inorganic constituents and qualitative analysis of different extractives for organic chemical constituents. TLC, UV, TLC finger prints of different extractives and their analyses have also been performed

Treatment and prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and depression among primary care attendees

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and depression and their treatment in a cross national sample of primary care patients. Four primary health care facilities in four Governorates, in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Design: Clinical Survey. Four primary health care facilities in four Governorates participated in one stage screening process to identify prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Structured diagnostic interviews among 300 consecutive attendees in one day was used. The Mini International Neuro psychiatric Investigation [MINI] was used as screening tool. The association of depression and anxiety with factors such as age, sex, education and employment were evaluated. Generalized anxiety disorders prevalence rate was 52 [17.3], life time depression was 58 [19.3%] and current depression was 17 [5.6%]. Only 22 [7.3%] of the sample had either anxiety or depression in the past, of whom 41% received treatment. None of the examined factors was significantly linked to anxiety or depression. This study shows that generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episode are very common among primary care attendees. Thus, primary care physicians should be alerted of this fact. A multifaceted program should be adopted for the detection and management of GAD and depression