Depression profile in malignancy patients attending otorhinolaryngology clinic.

PURPOSE: Patients with malignancy quite often suffer from physical as well as psychological symptoms due to the shattering diagnosis, and prolonged, incapacitating management. The frequency of the depressive disorder in malignancy is around 8-40%. The present study aims at analysing the socio-demographic profile and magnitude of depressive disorders in patients with malignancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in malignancy patients attending an Ear Nose Throat department using the PHQ-9 questionnaire. RESULTS: Total PHQ-9 score ranged from 0 to 19; the mean score was 8.46. Major depressive disorder was seen in 4 (8%) cases, while other depressive disorder occurred in 22 (44%) cases. Mild severity of symptoms was noted in 15 (30%) of the patients. High statistical significance was noted between PHQ-9 score for MDD and other depressive disorder (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The profile of depressive disorders in malignancy varies; PHQ-9 can be used as a good tool for early detection.

Evaluation of cortisol levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva in anxious and non-anxious patients with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and salivary cortisol levels in anxious and non-anxious patients with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients with a mean age 43.4 ± 6.12 years were assigned to three groups: Healthy control group (Group 1), group with chronic periodontitis but no anxiety (Group 2) and group with chronic periodontitis and with anxiety (Group 3). State - Trait anxiety inventory and Hamilton Anxiety rating scale were used to assess the anxiety levels of all the subjects. Clinical measures such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. GCF and unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected, and cortisol levels were determined using ELISA kit. RESULTS: PI, GI, PPD, and CAL were higher in Group 3. Hormone level was significantly higher in Group 3. A positive correlation was found among salivary and GCF cortisol and CAL in Group 3. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results individuals with high-levels of anxiety seem to be more prone to have periodontal disease. Salivary and GCF cortisol levels can be used as biomarker for evaluating part of the etiopathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.