Study of internet addiction and its association with depression and insomnia in university students.

INTRODUCTION: Use of internet has increased exponentially worldwide with prevalence of internet addiction ranging from 1.6% to 18 % or even higher. Depression and insomnia has been linked with internet addiction and overuse in several studies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Present study has looked in to pattern and prevalence of internet addiction in university students. This study has also explored the association of internet addiction with depression and insomnia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study 954 subjects were enrolled who had been using internet for past 6 months. Information regarding pattern of use and socio demographic characteristics were recorded. Internet addiction Test (IAT), PHQ-9,and insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were applied to measure internet addiction, depression and insomnia respectively. RESULTS: Among 954 subjects, 518 (60.59%) were male and 376 (39.41%) were female with mean age of 23.81 (SD ± 3.72). 15.51% study subjects were internet addicts and 49.19% were over users. Several parameters including graduation level, time spent per day on line, place of internet use, smoking and alcohol had significant association with internet addiction. Internet addiction was predominantly associated with depression and insomnia. CONCLUSION: Internet addiction is a rising concern among youth. Several parameters including gender, time spent on line, alcohol, smoking predicts higher risk of internet addiction. Depression and insomnia are more common in internet addicts and overusers.

Quality of life and its association with insomnia and clinical variables in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: There is a significant increase in the number of patients with type II diabetes and consequently, Quality of Life (QOL) has become a major concern. Insomnia associated with diabetes may also influence QOL in these patients. AIM: This cross-sectional comparative study aims to assess QOL and its determinants in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It also explored the prevalence and association of insomnia with QOL in T2DM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample size comprised of 50 patients with T2DM and an equal number of healthy control subjects. Socio demographic and disease characteristics were recorded on a specially designed Performa. QOL and insomnia were assessed on WHOQOL-BREEF and ISI, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 48.25 ± 19.05 years and the mean duration of illness was 5.64± 2.35 years. QOL was significantly impaired in all the four domains of WHOQOLBREF (p<0.05). Female gender, poor glycemic control, longer duration of disease, increased BMI were associated with poor QOL. Insomnia was more common in diabetics [Odds Ratio, 95% C. I. = 8.566, (3.321 to 22.094)] and had significant association with poor QOL. CONCLUSIONS: QOL in patients with T2DM is impaired. Several disease characteristics have negative influence on QOL in these patients. Frequent occurrence of insomnia may further deteriorate the QOL.It is important to understand risk factors associated with poor QOL to formulate an appropriate treatment strategy.

Study of fatigue, depression, and associated factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus in industrial workers.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant health problem and imposes great physical, financial and psychological burden among the affected population. Among people with diabetes, fatigue is a pervasive and distressing complaint, which is further accentuated by presence of depression. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of fatigue and depression and associated clinical and socio demographic correlates in type 2diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study included 100 patients of diabetes type 2 and equal number of healthy controls between the ages of 18 to 70 years. A detailed evaluation of socio demographic and clinical parameters was made. Participants were also assessed for presence of depression and fatigue using PHQ-9 and Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS)respectively. RESULTS: Fatigue and depression was found in 68 % and 53 % of diabetic participants. Diabetic patients were 10.37 times and 4.80 times more likely to suffer from fatigue and depression respectively. Both fatigue and depression were found to be significantly associated with duration of illness, fasting and post prandial blood glucose level, diabetic complications and Body Mass Index (BMI). Fatigue was also strongly correlated with depression in study sample. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and depression are reasonably correlated with type 2 diabetes. Various clinical parameters of diabetes are strongly associated with both fatigue and depression. Fatigue itself has significant correlation with depression in type 2 diabetes. Regular monitoring of biochemical parameters are paramount to predict the development of fatigue and depression in type 2 diabetes.