Gender differences of patients at-risk for psychosis regarding symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity and functioning - Results from the EU-GEI study.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia and first episode psychosis patients have often been reported. However, little is known about gender differences in those at risk of psychotic disorders. This study investigated gender differences in symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity (i.e. substance use, affective and anxiety disorders) and global functioning in patients with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. METHODS: The sample consisted of 336 ARMS patients (159 women) from the prodromal work package of the EUropean network of national schizophrenia networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI; 11 centers). Clinical symptoms, drug use, comorbidity and functioning were assessed at first presentation to an early detection center using structured interviews. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, men were found to have significantly higher rates of negative symptoms and current cannabis use while women showed higher rates of general psychopathology and more often displayed comorbid affective and anxiety disorders. No gender differences were found for global functioning. The results generally did not change when corrected for possible cofounders (e.g. cannabis use). However, most differences did not withstand correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that gender differences in symptomatology and comorbidity in ARMS are similar to those seen in overt psychosis and in healthy controls. However, observed differences are small and would only be reliably detected in studies with high statistical power. Moreover, such small effects would likely not be clinically meaningful.

Neurocognitive Functioning in Depressed Young People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is among the most common mental health problems for young people. In adults, depression is associated with neurocognitive deficits that reduce the effectiveness of treatment and impair educational and vocational functioning. Compared to adults, less is known about the neurocognitive functioning of young people with depression, and existing research has reported inconsistent findings. METHOD: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the literature on neurocognitive functioning in currently depressed youth aged 12-25 years in comparison to healthy controls. RESULTS: Following a systematic review of the literature, 23 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Poorer performance in the domains of attention (SMD: .50, 95% CI: .18-.83, p = .002), verbal memory (SMD: .78, 95% CI: .50-1.0, p < .001), visual memory (SMD: .65, 95% CI: .30-.99, p < .001), verbal reasoning/knowledge (SMD: .46; 95% CI: .14-.79; p < 0.001) and IQ (SMD: .32; 95% CI: .08-.56; p = 0.01) were identified in depressed youth. Relative weaknesses in processing speed/reaction time and verbal learning were also evident, however, these findings disappeared when the quality of studies was controlled for. Moderator analysis showed a tendency for poorer set-shifting ability in younger depressed participants relative to controls (although non-significant; p = .05). Moderator analysis of medication status showed taking medication was associated with poorer attentional functioning compared to those not taking medication. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that currently depressed young people display a range of neurocognitive weaknesses which may impact treatment engagement and outcome. The findings support the need to consider neurocognitive functioning when treating youth with depression.

Comprehensive Online Self-Monitoring to Support Clinicians Manage Risk of Suicide in Youth Depression.

BACKGROUND: Routine monitoring of depression symptoms and suicide risk is essential for appropriate treatment planning and risk management, but not well implemented by clinicians. We developed a brief online monitoring tool to address this issue. AIMS: To investigate whether the online tool can feasibly improve monitoring; whether it is acceptable and useful for young people and their clinicians; and to determine whether a shorter tool could be implemented. METHOD: In a naturalistic longitudinal cohort study, 101 young people with depression completed the online tool on a tablet, prior to their consultation. Their results were immediately available to their clinician. Clients and clinicians answered questionnaires about acceptability and usefulness. RESULTS: The tool was feasible to implement. Young people and clinicians found the tool acceptable and useful for understanding symptoms and risk. A brief three-item suicidal ideation screening measure correlated well with a validated measure of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: The online tool facilitates the quick exchange of key information about suicide risk, allowing clinicians to immediately address this. This level of responsiveness is likely to improve treatment outcomes. The brief version allows full integration into clinical practice to support clinicians managing those at risk of suicide.

Characterizing neurocognitive impairment in young people with major depression: state, trait, or scar?

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects a quarter of adolescents and young adults and is associated with the greatest global burden of disease in this population. There is a growing literature, mostly in adults, showing that significant neurocognitive impairments are common in MDD. It remains unclear whether these impairments are pre-existing trait markers of MDD, state-related impairments that fluctuate with depressive symptoms, or 'scar' impairments that worsen with illness progression. The aim of this study is to provide a conceptual framework for understanding MDD and neurocognitive impairment in adolescence and young adulthood (ages 12-25 years). METHOD: Examination of the evidence for neurocognitive deficits as trait, state, and scar features of MDD according to different study designs (family studies, premorbid studies, current depression, remitted depression, and longitudinal studies with repeated assessment) was conducted. RESULTS: The few premorbid and family studies conducted in youth provide equivocal evidence for neurocognitive impairments as trait markers of MDD. The presence of state-based neurocognitive impairment remains unclear as evidence comes mostly from cross-sectional studies. There are a limited, but growing number of longitudinal studies with repeated neurocognitive assessment in youth. Studies that examined neurocognition prior to the onset of MDD and with long-term follow-up provide tentative evidence for neurocognitive scarring. CONCLUSION: Neurocognitive impairment is a feature of MDD in adolescents and young adults. To better understand the nature, timing, and pattern of impairment, longitudinal studies that examine neurocognition before and after the development of full-threshold MDD, including following recurrence are needed. This knowledge will have important implications for mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of MDD in youth.

Subjective ratings of neurocognitive functioning in depressed young people undergoing treatment: utility of a brief screening tool.

AIMS: To determine how young people with depression rate their neurocognitive functioning during treatment, and whether these ratings are affected by depression severity, age, suicidal ideation and antidepressant status. METHODS: Fifty young people (12-25 years) engaged in psychological therapy completed the Neuropsychological Symptoms Self-Report rating their neurocognitive functioning in a range of domains. RESULTS: In two domains, working memory/multitasking and motivation, more than 40% of the sample rated their functioning as improved, since commencing treatment. Ratings of neurocognitive functioning were affected by depression severity and suicidal ideation, particularly in the areas of wakefulness, attention and concentration, working memory/multitasking, and motivation. However, there were few differences related to age or antidepressant status. CONCLUSIONS: The Neuropsychological Symptoms Self-Report - a rapid measure of subjective neurocognitive functioning - can provide a snapshot of subjective changes in neurocognitive functioning during treatment for depression. This information may guide treatment approaches.

Online and social networking interventions for the treatment of depression in young people: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Major depression accounts for the greatest burden of all diseases globally. The peak onset of depression occurs between adolescence and young adulthood, and for many individuals, depression displays a relapse-remitting and increasingly severe course. Given this, the development of cost-effective, acceptable, and population-focused interventions for depression is critical. A number of online interventions (both prevention and acute phase) have been tested in young people with promising results. As these interventions differ in content, clinician input, and modality, it is important to identify key features (or unhelpful functions) associated with treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the research literature was undertaken. The review was designed to focus on two aspects of online intervention: (1) standard approaches evaluating online intervention content in randomized controlled designs (Section 1), and (2) second-generation online interventions and services using social networking (eg, social networking sites and online support groups) in any type of research design (Section 2). METHODS: Two specific literature searches were undertaken. There was no date range specified. The Section 1 search, which focused on randomized controlled trials, included only young people (12-25 years) and yielded 101 study abstracts, of which 15 met the review inclusion criteria. The Section 2 search, which included all study design types and was not restricted in terms of age, yielded 358 abstracts, of which 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Information about the studies and their findings were extracted and tabulated for review. RESULTS: The 15 studies identified in Section 1 described 10 trials testing eight different online interventions, all of which were based on a cognitive behavioral framework. All but one of the eight identified studies reported positive results; however, only five of the 15 studies used blinded interviewer administered outcomes with most trials using self-report data. Studies varied significantly in presentation of intervention content, treatment dose, and dropout. Only two studies included moderator or clinician input. Results for Section 2 were less consistent. None of the Section 2 studies reported controlled or randomized designs. With the exception of four studies, all included participants were younger than 25 years of age. Eight of the 16 social networking studies reported positive results for depression-related outcomes. The remaining studies were either mixed or negative. Findings for online support groups tended to be more positive; however, noteworthy risks were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Online interventions with a broad cognitive behavioral focus appear to be promising in reducing depression symptomology in young people. Further research is required into the effectiveness of online interventions delivering cognitive behavioral subcomponents, such as problem-solving therapy. Evidence for the use of social networking is less compelling, although limited by a lack of well-designed studies and social networking interventions. A range of future social networking therapeutic opportunities are highlighted.

Applying workability in the Australian residential aged care context.

The study is based on an innovative demonstration project which trialled the implementation of the Finnish 'workability' framework and research measures. It aimed, firstly, to test the applicability of the Workability Index (WAI) to the Australian residential aged care workforce, focusing on personal care assistants (PCAs), and secondly, to assess the effectiveness of actions aimed at improving workability. The facility manager implemented multidimensional 'actions' according to the workability framework. The Workability Survey (WAS) and WAI and intervention instruments were administered (n = 64). Completed responses to 'pre' and 'post' instruments formed matched pairs (n = 15). WAI scores increased significantly, by 3 points on average, after all 'actions' were implemented. The only significant 'action' was increasing the number of PCAs in high care. Workability provides a useful research workforce development instrument measuring interactions between aged care workers and organisational demands and the outcomes of 'actions'.