Addressing the mental health needs of India's aging population: Understanding depression prevalence and social risk factors in tertiary care outpatients.

Background: Depression is a major public health problem among older persons. Identifying the prevalence and recognizing modifiable risk factors of depression in older persons is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Apart from traditional risk factors, medical comorbidities, chronic illness, and social factors can contribute to depression in the older person. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and identify the medical and social risk factors associated with depression in older persons attending a geriatric outpatient clinic. Methods: Consecutive patients aged over 60 years presented to the geriatric outpatient clinic of the Christian Medical College (CMC) and Hospital, Vellore, were screened using the Physical Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Medical, social, and financial information were collected. Following a detailed clinical interview, the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) was administered and the ICD-10 diagnosis of depression was derived. Results: A total of 171 participants were recruited. The prevalence of depression was found to be 53.2% with PHQ-2 and 35.6% with GDS. Using CIS-R, 41.5% had an ICD-10 diagnosis of depression. The risk factors associated with depression in older persons were female gender, financial insecurity, lack of pension, and financial dependence. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of depression among older persons attending a geriatric outpatient clinic. Financial insecurities, particularly lack of pension or financial dependence, were identified as significant social risk factors for depression. Addressing these risk factors may help prevent the onset or progression of depression, thus improving their quality of life.

Study protocol: 'a large cohort study of postnatal events in a not-for-profit referral centre in Vellore, South India'.

INTRODUCTION: In a large developing country, with diverse population characteristics and differential access to healthcare, it is important to identify factors that influence postnatal health. This knowledge will help frame recommendations to enhance universal postnatal care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective cohort study will be conducted by recruiting all participants who deliver in a referral centre in South India during a 1-year period after written consent is obtained from them. In addition to clinical information pertaining to their delivery and demographics, details of physical health, mental health socioeconomic status and emotional support will also be collected. Every participant will be followed up physically and/or by telephonic consultation at 3, 9 and 18 months of their postnatal period to reassess their status and that of their babies. As there are several independent and dependent variables requiring multivariate analysis, a sample size of 10 000 is considered adequate. Any unplanned visits to a health facility will be enquired into and documented for analysis.During data analysis, the effect of Caesarean section, high-risk characteristics and gestational age of the baby at delivery on various outcome measures and postnatal status will be evaluated. Interpretation of the large volume of collected data will help frame recommendations to improve postnatal care ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the Institutional Review Boards (Research and Ethics Committees) of Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India (IRB 12178 date 24 June 2020).Women are provided with a detailed information sheet and written consent is obtained. They are reassured that their care will not be compromised if they do not consent to the study. Data will be available on the clinical trial portal to assist in the dissemination of results after the project is published. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2022/03/041343.

Common mental disorders among women and its social correlates in an urban marginalized populace in South India.

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders (CMD) cause a range of health, social and economic burden, and disorders like depression and anxiety are more prevalent among women. Prevalence and factors contributing to increased vulnerability for CMDs have regional variation. Identification of factors contributing to the vulnerability is essential to both psychiatric epidemiology and in addressing mental health challenges in the community. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed at understanding the burden of CMD and its association with social determinants of mental health. Women hailing from urban slum attending the outpatient family care facility for their medical problems constituted the sample. Data was collected using a clinical research form with variables such as sociodemographic profile, health profile, and psychosocial profile. The questionnaire had specific questions on indicators of poverty, certain stressors, and support system. Presence of CMD was assessed using Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R), a standard tool for CMD research in primary care settings. A cut off score of 12 and above was considered for detecting CMD. Research ethical principles were adhered to and data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Among 172 women, 77 (44.8%) were diagnosed to have CMDs. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between age, marital status, living arrangement, educational level, difficulty with buying food, presence of debt, chronic medical illness, husband's alcohol use, marital satisfaction, experiencing abuse, family support, religious participation, and a diagnosis of CMD. Multivariate analysis showed high burden with nuclear family arrangement, difficulty to buy food, experiencing abuse and, low burden with higher educational level, family support, and religious participation. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence and the treatment gap of CMDs in primary setting, family-physician should be sensitized for detection and management of CMDs. Social interventions targeting poverty, women's education and empowerment, and support system are likely to decrease the burden of CMDs in this population.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Contraception among Women with Schizophrenia: An Observational Study from South India.

BACKGROUND: Women with schizophrenia have needs beyond their mental health needs, such as those arising out of their gender, sexual, and reproductive functions. Very little is known about the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding contraception among women with schizophrenia from India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study among women with schizophrenia (in reproductive age group, having at least one living child, and currently staying with husband) from south India explored their knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception. Adhering to observational design and ethical principles, data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Modified National Family Health Survey-3 questionnaire and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale of Schizophrenia were also used. RESULTS: Ninety-six women with schizophrenia participated. The mean age was 33.5 years [standard deviation (SD): 6.8 years], and the mean age of onset of schizophrenia was 29.2 years (SD: 6.2 years). Although nearly 90% had knowledge on at least one method of contraception, the mean total number of methods known was mere two. Out of 65 women who were practising contraception, 86.2% adopted female sterilization. The common reasons for not using contraception were wish for another child/son, lack of awareness, and fear of side effects. Unmet need for family planning was 14%. Informed choice of contraception was below 3%. There was statistically significant association between those who were currently using contraception and variables such as age 31 years and above, undifferentiated subtype of schizophrenia, and greater severity of schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: Although the majority had some knowledge about contraception, decision-making largely rested with others, and informed choice regarding contraception was poor. These could pose an obstetric risk on women with schizophrenia. Sociocultural and illness-related factors influencing contraception need to be explored.

Risk Factors for Stress During Antenatal Period Among Pregnant Women in Tertiary Care Hospital of Southern India.

BACKGROUND: The well-being of an infant may be affected when the mother is subjected to psychosocial stress during her pregnancy. Mothers exposed to stressful conditions were more prone for preterm birth than those without any stress. In this study perceived stress has been used as an indicator of levels of stress. There are very few studies published from developing countries on the levels of perceived stress and its causes in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional assessment of pregnant women attending the outpatient services of a tertiary care hospital for regular antenatal check-up. Women not known to have any risk factors at 28 weeks to 34 weeks of pregnancy who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed to assess the perceived stress score. RESULTS: Among the total patients 57.7% were primigravida and the mean score on perceived stress scale was 13.5±5.02. The majority of the group (102; 65.4%) scored higher than the mean value of total score on the perceived stress scale. Unplanned pregnancy and husband's employment status were associated with high levels of perceived stress in multivariate analysis in this set of women. CONCLUSION: Individual as well as pregnancy related factors can contribute to perceived stress in pregnant women. With the established relationship between maternal mental health, pregnancy outcome and infant growth, the assessment and management of stress early in the pregnancy is crucial.

Portosystemic Shunt Presenting as Rapidly Progressive Dementia.

Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is a challenging clinical problem in the elderly. It encompasses a wide range of diseases. Thorough clinical examination and a systematic approach is essential to find the cause of RPD. Early recognition of causes of RPD is important for early treatment and reversal of the pathology. We report a case of RPD due to portosystemic encephalopathy secondary to a large portosystemic shunt with preserved liver functions, in a previously healthy elderly male. He had pallidal hyperintensities on MRI brain that can be the clue to the diagnosis of portosystemic shunt and chronic liver disease in patients with RPD.