Exploring the impact of 'hostile environment' policies on psychological distress of ethnic groups in the UK: a differences-in-differences analysis.

PURPOSE: In 2012, the UK government announced legislation changes and heightened immigration controls designed to create a 'hostile environment for illegal migration.' We measured changes in psychological distress among people from minoritised ethnic groups compared to White British controls before and throughout the implementation of these policies. METHODS: We used the UK Household Longitudinal Survey to estimate difference-in-difference models for six ethnic groups (Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and White British) in three eras: pre-policy (2009-2012); (2) transition (2012-2016); and (3) ongoing policy (2016-2020). We calculated the adjusted marginal mean psychological distress score at each era using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). RESULTS: In the pre-policy era, we found higher psychological distress for the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Caribbean groups compared to the White British group. We observed patterns consistent with increasing psychological distress during the transition era for the Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups, with further increases in the ongoing era for the Bangladeshi group. Levels of psychological distress the Indian and African groups were similar to the White British group in the pre-policy era and decreased over successive eras. A small decrease was observed in the Caribbean group across policy eras, while levels remained stable in the White British group. CONCLUSION: We found evidence that psychological distress increased among Pakistani and Bangladeshi individuals following the introduction of hostile environment policies but did not detect increased distress in other ethnic groups. This finding underscores the importance of disaggregating analyses by ethnic group to capture the distinct experiences.

Device-measured sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms during adolescence: a 6-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for anxiety disorders, a major source of global disability that typically starts during adolescence. This is the first prospective study of associations between repeated, device-based measures of sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. METHODS: A UK cohort with 4257 adolescents aged 12 at baseline (56% female). Main exposures were sedentary behaviour and physical activity measured using accelerometers for 7-days at ages 12, 14, and 16. Primary outcome was anxiety symptom scores at age 18 from a Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised. We used adjusted negative binomial regression and iso-temporal substitution methods to analyse the data. RESULTS: We found a positive association between sedentary behaviour at ages 12, 14, and 16, with anxiety symptoms at age 18, independent of total physical activity volume. Theoretically replacing an hour of daily sedentary behaviour for light activity at ages 12, 14, and 16, was associated with lower anxiety symptoms by age 18 by 15.9% (95% CI 8.7-22.4), 12.1% (95% CI 3.4-20.1), and 14.7% (95% CI 4-24.2), respectively. Whereas, theoretically replacing an hour of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not associated with differences in anxiety symptoms. These results were robust to a series of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Sedentary behaviour is a possible risk factor for increasing anxiety symptoms during adolescence, independent of total physical activity volume. Instead of focusing on moderate-to-vigorous activity, replacing daily sedentary behaviour with light activity during adolescence could be a more suitable method of reducing future anxiety symptoms.

Impact of replacing sedentary behaviour with other movement behaviours on depression and anxiety symptoms: a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, but findings have been inconsistent. To assess the associations of sedentary behaviour with depression and anxiety symptoms and estimate the impact of replacing daily time spent in sedentary behaviours with sleep, light, or moderate to vigorous physical activity, using compositional data analysis methods. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 60,235 UK Biobank participants (mean age: 56; 56% female). Exposure was baseline daily movement behaviours (accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour and physical activity, and self-reported total sleep). Outcomes were depression and anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorders-7) at follow-up. RESULTS: Replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity, moderate-to-vigorous activity, and sleep was associated with lower depression symptom scores by 1.3% (95% CI, 0.4-2.1%), 12.5% (95% CI, 11.4-13.5%), and 7.6% (95% CI, 6.9-8.4%), and lower odds of possible depression by 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94-0.96), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.74-0.76), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.90-0.91) at follow-up. Replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity and sleep was associated with lower anxiety symptom scores by 6.6% (95% CI, 5.5-7.6%) and 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7-5.2%), and lower odds of meeting the threshold for a possible anxiety disorder by 0.90 (95% CI, 0.89-0.90) and 0.97 (95%CI, 0.96-0.97) at follow-up. However, replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity was associated with higher anxiety symptom scores by 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7-5.3%) and higher odds of a possible anxiety disorder by 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for increased depression and anxiety symptoms in adults. Replacing sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce mental health risks, but more work is necessary to clarify the role of light activity.

The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and the incidence of common mental health disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is associated with a lower incidence of common mental health disorder, but less is known about the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). METHODS: In this review, we systematically evaluated the relationship between CRF and the incidence of common mental health disorders in prospective cohort studies. We systematically searched six major electronic databases from inception to 23rd of May 2019. We assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: We were able to pool the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of four studies including at least 27,733,154 person-years of data. We found that low CRF (HR = 1.47, [95% CI 1.23 - 1.76] p < 0.001 I2 = 85.1) and medium CRF (HR = 1.23, [95% CI 1.09 - 1.38] p < 0.001 I2 = 87.20) CRF are associated with a 47% and 23% greater risk of a common mental health disorders respectively, compared with high CRF. We found evidence to suggest a dose-response relationship between CRF and the risk of common mental health disorders. LIMITATIONS: We were only able to identify a small number of eligible studies from our search and heterogeneity was substantial in the subsequent meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that there is a longitudinal association between CRF levels and the risk of a common mental health disorder. CRF levels could be useful for identifying and preventing common mental health disorders at a population-level.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical predictors of lithium response in bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical predictors of lithium response in bipolar disorder. METHODS: Systematic review of studies examining clinical predictors of lithium response was conducted. Meta-analyses were performed when ≥2 studies examined the same potential predictor. RESULTS: A total of 71 studies, including over 12 000 patients, identified six predictors of good response: mania-depression-interval sequence [odds ratio (OR): 4.27; 95% CI: 2.61, 6.97; P < 0.001], absence of rapid cycling (OR for rapid cycling: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.53; P < 0.001), absence of psychotic symptoms (OR for psychotic symptoms: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.79; P = 0.002), family history of bipolar disorder (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.52; P = 0.036), shorter prelithium illness duration [standardised mean difference (SMD): -0.26; 95% CI: -0.41, -0.12; P < 0.001] and later age of onset (SMD: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.36; P = 0.029). Additionally, higher body mass index was associated with poor response in two studies (SMD: -0.61; 95% CI: -0.90, -0.32; P < 0.001). There was weak evidence for number of episodes prior to lithium treatment (SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.01; P = 0.046), number of hospitalisations before lithium (SMD: -0.40; 95% CI: -0.81, 0.01; P = 0.055) and family history of lithium response (OR: 10.28; 95% CI: 0.66, 161.26; P = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS: The relative importance of these clinical characteristics should be interpreted with caution because of potential biases and confounding.

Childhood interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and atopic disorders as risk factors for hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood: a longitudinal birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are no existing longitudinal studies of inflammatory markers and atopic disorders in childhood and risk of hypomanic symptoms in adulthood. This study examined if childhood: (1) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP); and (2) asthma and/or eczema are associated with features of hypomania in young adulthood. METHOD: Participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective general population UK birth cohort, had non-fasting blood samples for IL-6 and CRP measurement at the age of 9 years (n = 4645), and parents answered a question about doctor-diagnosed atopic illness before the age of 10 years (n = 7809). These participants completed the Hypomania Checklist at age 22 years (n = 3361). RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, past psychological and behavioural problems, body mass index and maternal postnatal depression, participants in the top third of IL-6 values at 9 years, compared with the bottom third, had an increased risk of hypomanic symptoms by age 22 years [adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.85, p < 0.001]. Higher IL-6 levels in childhood were associated with adult hypomania features in a dose-response fashion. After further adjustment for depression at the age of 18 years this association remained (adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.03-2.81, p = 0.038). There was no evidence of an association of hypomanic symptoms with CRP levels, asthma or eczema in childhood. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of systemic inflammatory marker IL-6 in childhood were associated with hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of mania. Inflammatory pathways may be suitable targets for the prevention and intervention for bipolar disorder.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of premature mortality in bipolar affective disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To review and complete meta-analysis of studies estimating standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) for all-cause and cause-specific mortalities. METHOD: Cause-specific mortality was grouped into natural and unnatural causes. These subgroups were further divided into circulatory, respiratory, neoplastic and infectious causes, and suicide and other violent deaths. Summary SMRs were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was examined via subgroup analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: Systematic searching found 31 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Summary SMR for all-cause mortality = 2.05 (95% CI 1.89-2.23), but heterogeneity was high (I(2) = 96.2%). This heterogeneity could not be accounted for by date of publication, cohort size, mid-decade of data collection, population type or geographical region. Unnatural death summary SMR = 7.42 (95% CI 6.43-8.55) and natural death = 1.64 (95% CI 1.47-1.83). Specifically, suicide SMR = 14.44 (95% CI 12.43-16.78), other violent death SMR = 3.68 (95% CI 2.77-4.90), deaths from circulatory disease = 1.73 (95% CI 1.54-1.94), respiratory disease = 2.92 (95% CI 2.00-4.23), infection = 2.25 (95% CI 1.70-3.00) and neoplasm = 1.14 (95% CI 1.10-1.21). CONCLUSION: Despite considerable heterogeneity, all summary SMR estimates and a large majority of individual studies showed elevated mortality in BPAD compared to the general population. This was true for all causes of mortality studied.

Alternatives to standard acute in-patient care in England: short-term clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes following admission to residential alternatives to standard in-patient mental health services are underresearched. AIMS: To explore short-term outcomes and costs of admission to alternative and standard services. METHOD: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS), Threshold Assessment Grid (TAG), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and admission cost data were collected for six alternative services and six standard services. RESULTS: All outcomes improved during admission for both types of service (n = 433). Adjusted improvement was greater for standard services in scores on HoNOS (difference 1.99, 95% CI 1.12-2.86), TAG (difference 1.40, 95% CI 0.39-2.51) and GAF functioning (difference 4.15, 95% CI 1.08-7.22) but not GAF symptoms. Admissions to alternatives were 20.6 days shorter, and hence cheaper (UK pound3832 v. pound9850). Standard services cost an additional pound2939 per unit HoNOS improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of clear-cut advantage for either type of service highlights the importance of the subjective experience and longer-term costs.

Alternatives to standard acute in-patient care in England: differences in content of care and staff-patient contact.

BACKGROUND: Differences in the content of care provided by acute in-patient mental health wards and residential crisis services such as crisis houses have not been researched. AIMS: To compare planned and actual care provided at alternative and standard acute wards and to investigate the relationship between care received and patient satisfaction. METHOD: Perspectives of stakeholders, including local service managers, clinicians and commissioners, were obtained from 23 qualitative interviews. Quantitative investigation of the care provided at four alternative and four standard services was undertaken using three instruments developed for this study. The relationship of care received to patient satisfaction was explored. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in intensity of staff-patient contact between alternative and standard services. Alternative services provided more psychological and less physical and pharmacological care than standard wards. Care provision may be more collaborative and informal in alternative services. All measured types of care were positively associated with patient satisfaction. Measured differences in the care provided did not explain the greater acceptability of community alternatives. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities in care may be more marked than differences at alternative and standard services. Staff-patient contact is an important determinant of patient satisfaction, so increasing it should be a priority for all acute in-patient services.

Alternatives to standard acute in-patient care in England: roles and populations served.

BACKGROUND: Key questions regarding residential alternatives to standard acute psychiatric care, such as crisis houses and short-stay in-patient units, concern the role that they fulfil within local acute care systems, and whether they manage people with needs and illnesses of comparable severity to those admitted to standard acute wards. AIMS: To study the extent to which people admitted to residential alternatives and to standard acute services are similar, and the role within local acute care systems of admission to an alternative service. METHOD: Our approach combined quantitative and qualitative methods. Consecutive cohorts of patients in six residential alternatives across England and six standard acute wards in the same areas were identified, and clinical and demographic characteristics, severity of symptoms, impairments and risks compared. Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in each local service system were used to explore the role and functioning of each alternative. RESULTS: Being already known to services (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2), posing a lower risk to others (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.78) and having initiated help-seeking in the current crisis (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.3) were associated with being admitted to an alternative rather than a standard service. Stakeholder interviews suggested that alternatives have a role that is similar but not identical to standard hospital services. They can divert some, but not all, patients from acute admission. CONCLUSIONS: Residential alternatives are integrated into catchment area mental health systems. They serve similar, but not identical, clinical populations to standard acute wards and provide some, but not all, of the functions of these wards.

Factors associated with anxiety in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic: qualitative survey.

We used qualitative methods to explore factors, which might explain increased anxiety in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Twenty patients, who scored significantly for anxiety on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) attended a 20-minute interview. This explored factors contributing to their current psychological symptoms. Transcripts revealed three main themes. First were factors related to possible STIs and the clinic visit. These included health anxieties about HIV or fertility and clinic factors, including staff attitudes and clinic location. Second were factors unrelated to the clinic, including previous emotional difficulties or substance misuse. Third were issues concerning stigma, embarrassment and shame. The origins of anxiety in STI patients are multifactorial and difficult to identify during brief appointments. Despite modern clinics and attitudes, stigma and embarrassment remain prominent. Interventions to address these factors could improve psychological health in this patient group.

Psychiatric research: what ethical concerns do LRECs encounter? A postal survey. Local research ethics committees.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Psychiatric research can occasionally present particular ethical dilemmas, but it is not clear what kind of problems local research ethics committees (LRECs) actually experience in this field. We aimed to assess the type of problems that committees encounter with psychiatric research, using a postal survey of 211 LRECs. RESULTS: One hundred and seven (51%) of those written to replied within the time limit. Twenty eight (26%) experienced few problems with psychiatric applications. Twenty six (24%) emphasised the value of a psychiatric expert on the committee. The most common issues raised were informed consent (n=64, 60%) and confidentiality (n=17, 16%). The use of placebos (and washout periods) (n=18, 17%), the validity of psychiatric questionnaires (n=16, 15%) and overuse of psychiatric "jargon" (n=14, 13%) in psychiatric applications also raised concern. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LRECs have specific concerns regarding methodology, consent, and confidentiality in psychiatric research, and that they find psychiatric input invaluable.

Research and ethics: leaving exclusion behind.

Research into mental disorders has continued to stimulate ethical debate during the past year. The urgent need for research in this field remains transparent, but the need for balance between enabling research and protecting patients continues to generate argument. Informed consent has been the subject of earnest debate in the United Kingdom, while attempts to protect incapacitated patients in the United States have attracted accusations of stifling research. From this baseline, a new movement is emerging, where there are few blanket bans or endorsements of specific types of research on specific groups of people. Instead, the emphasis is switching to patient participation in research and to the process of involving people in research projects.