Identifying predictors of a favourable outcome for outpatients with a persistent depressive disorder treated with Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is the first therapy specifically developed for persistent depressive disorder (PDD). This study aimed to identify predictors of favourable treatment outcome after group CBASP and assess change in depression severity over 24 weeks. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with PDD treated with group-CBASP. METHODS: Outcomes were depression severity measured by the Inventory of Depression Severity-self-report (IDS-SR) after 6 and 12 months. Potential predictors investigated were baseline depression severity, prior antidepressant use, age, family status, income source, age of onset and childhood trauma. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess their effects with a ≥25% IDS-SR score decrease as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The IDS-SR score (range 0-84) significantly decreased from 37.78 at start to 33.45 at 6 months, an improvement which was maintained at 12 months. Having paid work and no axis I comorbidity significantly predicted favourable response. In the groups without a favourable outcome predictor a substantial percentage still showed at least partial response (16.7% and 19.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Source of income and axis I comorbidity were predictors of response to group-CBASP. Within the group without favourable outcome predictors, a subgroup showed at least partial response. These results suggest that group-CBASP has promise for patients who do not respond to standard treatments. Future studies should include outcome measures that take into account comorbidity and other clinically relevant changes, such as social functioning.

Research Progress of Central and Peripheral Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone in Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Comorbid Dysthymic Disorders.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a stress disorder characterized by psychological and gastrointestinal dysfunction. IBS patients not only suffer from intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation but also, experience dysthymic disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies have found that corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a key role in IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders. Next, we will summarize the effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the central nervous system and periphery on IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders and relevant treatments based on published literatures in recent years.

The effect of two cognitive therapies on subjective wellbeing of individuals with depression: results from a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the burden associated to depression, current standards of care are still limited in scope and effectiveness. In addition, therapy outcomes have frequently focused solely on symptoms, leaving patients' wellbeing relatively unaddressed. AIMS: The objective of this study was to test whether two cognitive therapies increased subjective wellbeing in a sample of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder, additionally assessing the relationship between this growth and decreases in both depression severity and psychological distress. METHODS: Data from 116 participants from a randomised controlled trial comparing the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy and dilemma-focused therapy were analysed. Multilevel linear models were employed, together with correlational analyses. RESULTS: Results showed that both interventions significantly improved wellbeing with moderate to large effect sizes, while no significant differences were found between treatments. In turn, the increase in wellbeing was significantly associated to improvements in depression severity and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on the complex relationship between happiness and depression, supporting their conceptualisation as related yet independent human experiences, and strengthening subjective wellbeing as a useful outcome for psychological research. Psychotherapy is presented as an effective intervention to enhance wellbeing, even among individuals with severe depressive symptoms.

Long-term disability in common mental disorders in Chinese community: evidence from a five-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are general term for mental disorders with high disability rates and significant social burden. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of long-term disability associated with common mental disorders and to interpret the relationship between common mental disorders and long-term disability. METHODS: Participants in the 2013 China Mental Health Survey were followed up by telephone between April and June 2018. This study evaluated long-term disability over a five-year period using the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Poisson regression was used to analyze the relationship between common mental disorders and long-term disability. RESULTS: A total of 6269 patients were followed up by telephone. In patients with common mental disorders, the prevalence of disability ranged from 7.62% to 43.94%. The long-term disabilities were significantly associated with dysthymic disorder (DD, RR:2.40; 95% CI:1.87-3.03), major depressive disorder (MDD, RR:1.63; 95% CI:1.34-1.98), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD, RR:1.95; 95% CI:1.15-3.09), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, RR:1.68; 95% CI:1.24-2.22) and alcohol use disorder (AUD, RR: 1.42; 95% CI:0.99-1.96). CONCLUSIONS: In China, common mental disorders raise the risk of long-term disability, and there is a critical need for monitoring patients with DD, MDD, GAD, OCD, and AUD. For improved quality of life and reduced disability levels, more resources need to be dedicated to mental health in the future.

Transtorno distímico: uma ilustração clínica pela perspectiva da Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental e Terapia Cognitiva Processual / Dysthimic disorder: clinical illustration from the perspective of Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy and Processual Cognitive Therapy

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo ilustrar como a articulação entre a Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental e a Terapia Cognitiva Processual possibilita resultado satisfatório em casos de Trantorno distímico. Os estudos acerca do transtorno distímico ainda são limitados. No entanto, o caso clínico corrobora com a literatura, que aponta a importância dos psicofarmacos no tratamento dos transtornos de humor, bem como a importância da psicoterapia, inclusive em casos mais brandos, como os de distimia. A Terapia Congitivo Comportamental clássica não foi suficente para a melhora significativa da paciente, sendo necessário o acréscimo de técnicas da Tereapia Cognitiva Processual. Essa articulação das abordagens nas intervenções psicoterápicas proporcionou mudanças significativas no padrão de pensamento, sentimento e comportamento da paciente.(AU)

This paper aims to illustrate how the articulation between Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processual Therapy enables satisfactory results in cases of dysthymic disorder. Studies on dysthymic disorder are still limited. However, the clinical case corroborates the literature, which points out the importance of psychopharmaceuticals in the treatment of mood disorders, as well as the importance of psychotherapy even in milder cases such as dysthymia. The classic Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy was not enough for the patients significant improvement, and the addition of Cognitive Processual Therapy techniques was necessary. This articulation of approaches in psychotherapeutic interventions provided significant changes in the patients pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving.(AU)

El presente trabajo pretende ilustrar cómo la articulación entre la Terapia Cognitivo Conducutal y la Terapia Cognitiva Procesal permite obtener resultados satisfactorios en casos de trastorno distímico. Los estudios sobre el trastorno distímico son todavía limitados. Sin embargo, el caso clínico corrobora la literatura, que señala la importancia de los psicofármacos en el tratamiento de los trastornos del estado de ánimo, así como la importancia de la psicoterapia, incluso en los casos más leves, como la distimia. La clásica Terapia CognitivoConductual no fue suficiente para la mejora significativa del paciente, siendo necesaria la adición de técnicas de la Terapia Cognitiva Procesal. Esta articulación de enfoques en las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas condujo a cambios significativos en el patrón de pensamiento, sentimiento y comportamiento del paciente.(AU)

Psicoterapia breve na intervenção de psicólogos e psiquiatras no Brasil: uma revisão integrativa da produção científica / Brief psychotherapy in the intervention of psychologists and psychiatrics in Brazil: an integrative review of scientific production

Historicamente, a Psicoterapia Breve (PB) teve como pressuposto teórico a Psicanálise e foi desenvolvida para atender o cenário da saúde mental. Observa-se que ao longo dos anos a técnica foi aprimorada, utilizada por diferentes profissionais e em distintos contextos. Diante disso, busca-se identificar, avaliar e sumarizar as evidências científicas disponíveis que demonstrem a caracterização da literatura científica sobre intervenções de psicólogos e psiquiatras em psicoterapias breves no Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido mediante revisão integrativa da literatura, nas seguintes bases de dados PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO e Lilacs, no período compreendido entre 2010 e 2020. Foram recuperadas para análise 266 publicações. Destas, foram incluídas 22 por cumprirem os critérios de inclusão do estudo. Todas as pesquisas indicaram a participação de psicólogos nas intervenções e também intervenções de modo conjunto a psiquiatras. Há predominância do nível 6 de evidência científica. Diferentes abordagens psicológicas foram utilizadas na condução das intervenções que se efetivaram de forma individual ou grupal. A aplicação da PB é identificada em diferentes contextos, tais como: clínica, hospitais, ambiente de trabalho e sociojurídico. As pesquisas em PB buscam consolidar conhecimento sobre o processo, o curso do tratamento e resultados de intervenções psicoterápicas independente do profissional da área da saúde que conduz a intervenção. Os dados identificados possibilitam a revisão de práticas de intervenção e o avanço no conhecimento científico, importantes para subsidiar tomadas de decisão para o cuidado à saúde de indivíduos, grupos e populações.(AU)

Historically, Brief Psychotherapy (BP) has Psychoanalysis as a theoretical assumption and was developed to serve the mental health center. It is observed that over the years the technique has been improved, used by different professionals and in different contexts. Therefore, it seeks to identify, assess and summarize the scientific evidence available to demonstrate the characterization of the scientific literature on interventions by psychologists and psychiatrists in brief psychotherapies in Brazil. The study was carried out through an integrative literature review, following the following databases PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and Lilacs, period not between 2010 and 2020. 266 publications were retrieved for analysis. Of these, 22 were included for meeting the study's inclusion criteria. All investigations will indicate the participation of psychologists in the intervention and also in conjunction with psychiatrists. There is a predominance of level 6 of scientific evidence. Different psychological approaches are used to conduct interventions that are carried out individually or in groups. An application of BP is identified in different contexts, such as: clinic, hospital, work environment and socio-legal. The investigations in the BP seek to consolidate knowledge about the process, or trajectory of treatment, and the results of professional psychotherapeutic interventions independent of the health area that originated the intervention. The identified data enable the review of interventions, which are important to support decision-making for the health care of individuals, groups and populations.(AU)

Históricamente, la Psicoterapia Breve (PB) tiene al Psicoanálisis como supuesto teórico y fue desarrollada para servir al centro de salud mental. Se observa que a lo largo de los años la técnica ha ido mejorando, siendo utilizada por diferentes profesionales y en diferentes contextos. Por lo tanto, busca identificar, evaluar y resumir la evidencia científica disponible para demostrar la caracterización de la literatura científica sobre intervenciones de psicólogos y psiquiatras en psicoterapias breves en Brasil. El estudio se realizó mediante una revisión integradora de la literatura, siguiendo las siguientes bases de datos PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO y Lilacs, período no comprendido entre 2010 y 2020. Se recuperaron 266 publicaciones para su análisis. De estos, 22 se incluyeron por cumplir con los criterios de inclusión del estudio. Todas las investigaciones indicarán la participación de psicólogos en la intervención y también en conjunto con psiquiatras. Predomina el nivel 6 de evidencia científica. Se utilizan diferentes enfoques psicológicos para realizar intervenciones que se llevan a cabo de forma individual o en grupo. Se identifica una aplicación de PB en diferentes contextos, tales como: clínico, hospitalario, ambiente laboral y sociojurídico. Las investigaciones en el PB buscan consolidar el conocimiento sobre el proceso, o trayectoria de tratamiento, y los resultados de las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas profesionales independientes del área de salud que originó la intervención. Los datos identificados permiten la revisión de prácticas y / o intervenciones, que son importantes para apoyar la toma de decisiones para el cuidado de la salud de individuos, grupos y poblaciones.(AU)

Diverse psychiatric presentation associated with child sexual abuse: Case series.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) occurs when a person involves the child in sexual activities for his/her sexual gratification, commercial gain, or both. We report a series of 12 cases of CSA, who presented to the psychiatry department with diverse psychiatric presentations associated with CSA. In most of these cases, the perpetrator was unmarried and known to the child. The presentation was varied with patients being diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, acute and transient psychotic disorder, dysthymic disorder, recurrent depressive disorder, acute stress reaction, conversion disorder, borderline personality disorder, and moderate depressive episode with somatic symptoms. Individual and family counseling was an important part of management of these cases along with pharmacotherapy. More vigilance about CSA and mental health in all categories of health-care personnel would help in early detection and timely management of these cases.

Acute bilateral loss of vision as organic manifestation of repressed psychological stress: A case report.

Comprehensive clinical assessment with integrated team approach is crucial in managing cases of non-organic visual loss. Apart from pharmacotherapy, psychosocial rehabilitation should also be adequately addressed.

Childhood-onset depression and arterial stiffness in young adulthood.

OBJECTIVES: The literature on childhood-onset depression and future compromised vascular function is suggestive but limited. The objective of this study was to determine if arterial stiffness, a predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD), measured in young adulthood, is associated with childhood-onset depression. METHODS: Cardiometabolic risk factors and pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, were cross-sectionally assessed in young adults with a history of childhood-onset depression (clinical diagnosis of major depressive episode or dysthymic disorder; N = 294 probands; initially recruited via child mental health facilities across Hungary; mean age of first depressive episode = 10.4 years), their never-depressed full biological siblings (N = 269), and never-depressed controls (N = 169). The mean ages of probands, siblings, and controls at the PWV visit were 25.6, 25.0, and 21.7 years, respectively, and 8.8% of the probands were in a current depressive episode. RESULTS: Controlling for age, sex, age*sex, education, and family clusters, PWV (m/s) did not statistically differ across the groups (probands = 7.01; siblings = 6.98; controls = 6.81). However, after adjusting for key covariates, there were several across-group differences in CVD risk factors: compared to controls, probands and siblings had higher diastolic blood pressure and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, probands had higher triglycerides, and siblings had higher body mass index (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found limited evidence of an association between a history of childhood-onset depression and young adulthood arterial stiffness. However, our findings of elevated cardiovascular risk factors in those with childhood-onset depression suggest that pediatric depression may predispose to increased CVD risk later in life and warrants further investigation.

Efficacy of a Guided Web-Based Self-Management Intervention for Depression or Dysthymia: Randomized Controlled Trial With a 12-Month Follow-Up Using an Active Control Condition.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies suggest that web-based interventions for patients with depression can reduce their symptoms and are expected to fill currently existing treatment gaps. However, evidence for their efficacy has mainly been derived from comparisons with wait-list or treatment as usual controls. In particular, designs using wait-list controls are unlikely to induce hope and may even have nocebo effects, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the intervention's efficacy. Studies using active controls are rare and have not yielded conclusive results. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to assess the acute and long-term antidepressant efficacy of a 6-week, guided, web-based self-management intervention building on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (iFightDepression tool) for patients with depression compared with web-based progressive muscle relaxation as an active control condition. METHODS: A total of 348 patients with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms or dysthymia (according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) were recruited online and randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 intervention arms. Acute antidepressant effects after 6 weeks and long-term effects at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up were studied using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-self-rating as a primary outcome parameter and change in quality of life (Short Form 12) and user satisfaction (client satisfaction questionnaire) as secondary outcome parameters. Treatment effects were assessed using mixed model analyses. RESULTS: Over the entire observation period, a greater reduction in symptoms of depression (P=.01) and a greater improvement of life quality (P<.001) was found in the intervention group compared with the active control group. Separate tests for each time point revealed significant effects on depressive symptoms at the 3-month follow-up (d=0.281; 95% CI 0.069 to 0.493), but not after 6 weeks (main outcome:d=0.192; 95% CI -0.020 to 0.404) and 6 and 12 months. The intervention was significantly superior to the control condition with respect to user satisfaction (25.31 vs 21.97; t259=5.804; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that antidepressant effects have been found for a guided self-management tool in comparison with an active control strengthens the evidence base for the efficacy of web-based interventions. The antidepressant effect became most prominent at the 3-month follow-up. After 6 weeks of intervention, significant positive effects were observed on life quality but not on depressive symptoms. Although the effect size of such web-based interventions on symptoms of depression might be smaller than that suggested by earlier studies using wait-list control conditions, they can be a cost-effective addition to antidepressants and face-to-face psychotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Clinical Trials Registry Platform ICTRP080-15-09032015; https://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS00009323.

A comparison of the three year course between chronic depression and depression with multiple vs. few prior episodes.

This study tested the hypothesis that chronic depression (CD) is more similar to depression with multiple prior episodes (ME) than to depression with few prior episodes (FE). Data from participants (n = 1013) with mild to moderate depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] score 5 - 14) who took part in a randomized control trial of an internet intervention for depression (EVIDENT trial) were re-analyzed. The MINI-interview was conducted to diagnose CD (n = 376). If CD was not diagnosed, the self-reported number of depressive episodes was used to categorize participants as having episodic depression with up to five (FE, n = 422) or more than five (ME, n = 215) prior episodes. Over a three-year period, participants were assessed repeatedly regarding the course of depression (PHQ-9, QIDS), quality of life (SF-12) and therapeutic progress (FEP-2). At baseline, most scores were different between CD and FE but comparable between CD and ME. Time to remission did not differ between CD and ME but was longer in CD compared to FE. Results suggest that ME closely resembles CD and that CD differs from FE.

The effect of vitamin D supplement on negative emotions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The several meta-analyses of the effect of vitamin D on depression have produced inconsistent results and studies dealing with anxiety were not incorporated. There has been no comprehensive analysis of how results are affected by the nature of the sample or the dosage and duration of supplementation. The study is aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation reduces negative emotions and to analyze the possible influence of sample and regimen. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of vitamin D and placebo on negative emotion. Databases were searched for relevant articles published before February 2019. RESULTS: The analysis covered 25 trials with a total of 7,534 participants and revealed an effect of vitamin D on negative emotion (Hedges' g = -0.4990, 95% CI [-0.8453, -0.1528], p = .0047, I2 = 97.7%). Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin D had an effect on patients with major depressive disorder and on subjects with serum 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/L. The pooled data from trials of vitamin D supplementation lasting ≥8 weeks and dosage ≤4,000 IU/day indicated that vitamin D had an effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation can reduce negative emotions. Patients with major depressive disorder and individuals with vitamin D deficiency are most likely to benefit from supplementation. But to interpret the results with high heterogeneity should still be cautious.

From dysthymia to treatment-resistant depression: evolution of a psychopathological construct.

Dysthymia is a psychopathological construct historically described and often reconsidered through the centuries. Its first description is dated back to 400 b.C., when Hippocrates proposed his theory about the 'black bile' and the melancholic temperament. The concept of dysthymia (dys-, 'ill', thymia-, 'emotions') has been largely elaborated in the XIX and XX centuries by Burton, Cullen, Schneider, Kretschmer, Akiskal and other authors, and recently re-formulated in the various editions of the modern Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders under different diagnostic labels: neurotic depression, dysthymic disorder, persistent depressive disorder. Beyond the nosology, dysthymia issues some other challenges, including the need for further research to characterise the peculiar pathophysiological framework of this syndrome (compared with major depressive disorder) and to better define evidences about tailored-treatment options and their effectiveness.

Sleep, circadian rhythm, and physical activity patterns in depressive and anxiety disorders: A 2-week ambulatory assessment study.

BACKGROUND: Actigraphy may provide a more valid assessment of sleep, circadian rhythm (CR), and physical activity (PA) than self-reported questionnaires, but has not been used widely to study the association with depression/anxiety and their clinical characteristics. METHODS: Fourteen-day actigraphy data of 359 participants with current (n = 93), remitted (n = 176), or no (n = 90) composite international diagnostic interview depression/anxiety diagnoses were obtained from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Objective estimates included sleep duration (SD), sleep efficiency, relative amplitude (RA) between day-time and night-time activity, mid sleep on free days (MSF), gross motor activity (GMA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Self-reported measures included insomnia rating scale, SD, MSF, metabolic equivalent total, and MVPA. RESULTS: Compared to controls, individuals with current depression/anxiety had a significantly different objective, but not self-reported, PA and CR: lower GMA (23.83 vs. 27.4 milli-gravity/day, p = .022), lower MVPA (35.32 vs. 47.64 min/day, p = .023), lower RA (0.82 vs. 0.83, p = .033). In contrast, self-reported, but not objective, sleep differed between people with current depression/anxiety compared to those without current disorders; people with current depression/anxiety reported both shorter and longer SD and more insomnia. More depressive/anxiety symptoms and number of depressive/anxiety diagnoses were associated with larger disturbances of the actigraphy measures. CONCLUSION: Actigraphy provides ecologically valid information on sleep, CR, and PA that enhances data from self-reported questionnaires. As those with more severe or comorbid forms showed the lowest PA and most CR disruptions, the potential for adjunctive behavioral and chronotherapy interventions should be explored, as well as the potential of actigraphy to monitor treatment response to such interventions.

Differences between chronic and nonchronic depression: Systematic review and implications for treatment.

BACKGROUND: There is still uncertainty if and to what extent chronic depression (CD) presents with specific features especially in contrast to the nonchronic course of major depressive disorder (non-CD). This systematic review aims to summarize the existing literature regarding sociodemographic factors, psychopathology, and course of disease in patients with CD in comparison to patients with non-CD. METHODS: A structured database search (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL) was performed. All studies comparing CD with non-CD patients were included. Twenty-eight studies, including cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and observational studies, were identified in which both subgroups were diagnosed according to DSM-IV or DSM-5, respectively. Primary outcome were group comparisons focused on sociodemographic factors, childhood adversity, onset of the disorder, comorbidities, severity and course of the depressive symptoms, and specific psychopathology. RESULTS: Patients with CD had an earlier onset of depressive symptoms, higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities, and a complicated treatment course (e.g., higher rates of suicidality) compared to non-CD. We also found some evidence for specific features in the psychopathology of CD patients (submissive and hostile interpersonal styles) in contrast to non-CD patients. Results were inconsistent with regard to childhood maltreatment. No differences were found regarding the severity of depressive symptoms and most sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: Despite some inconsistencies, the results of this review verified important differences between CD and non-CD. However, future research is needed to characterize especially the specific psychopathology of CD in comparison to non-CD patients to develop more tailored treatment strategies.

Social cognitive abilities predict psychosocial dysfunction in major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with social cognitive deficits (e.g., poor affect recognition and impaired theory of mind). However, the contribution of social cognitive issues to psychosocial dysfunction in MDD (e.g., occupational functioning and interpersonal relationships) has not been investigated. The current study evaluated the relationship between specific social cognitive domains (e.g., prosody interpretation) and psychosocial dysfunction in subjects with lifetime MDD, as well as currently depressed, remitted, and healthy controls (HCs) subjects. METHOD: Data were obtained from 213 participants in the Cognitive Function and mood study (CoFaMS), a cross-sectional study of mood, social cognition, cold cognition, and psychosocial functioning in mood disorders. Participants' (current MDD n = 42, remitted MDD n = 69, and HCs n = 102) social cognitive abilities were assessed using the Social Perception subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and psychosocial dysfunction was clinically evaluated with the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST). RESULTS: The results indicated that prosody interpretation, but not facial affect or meaning interpretation, was associated with psychosocial dysfunction in subjects with lifetime MDD, as well as remitted MDD subjects relative to HCs. In contrast, social cognition was not associated with functioning in participants with current MDD or in HCs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the relationship between social cognition and psychosocial functioning differs between the acute and remitted stage of illness in MDD, and that prosody interpretation should be considered a treatment target in patients with residual psychosocial issues.

Incident Chronic Spinal Pain and Depressive Disorders: Data From the National Comorbidity Survey.

This study examined pre-existing depression as a risk factor for the development of chronic spinal pain, and pre-existing chronic spinal pain as a risk factor for the development of depression. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey, a stratified sample of 5,001 participants evaluated in 1990 to 1992 (NCS-1) and again in 2000 to 2001 (NCS-2) were used to address these associations. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios and time-to-incidence after NCS-1. Participants with antecedent acute or chronic depressive disorders at NCS-1 were more likely to develop chronic spinal pain in the ensuing 10 years compared with participants without depressive disorders. Those with antecedent chronic spinal pain at NCS-1 were more likely to develop dysthymic disorder than subjects without chronic spinal pain at NCS-1; however, antecedent chronic spinal pain was not associated the subsequent development of major depressive disorder. These results suggest that both pain and depression are associated with the development of the other condition. In particular, chronic depression is more strongly linked to chronic spinal pain than is acute depression. The results are discussed in terms of the need to assess the presence of both disorders given the presence of one. PERSPECTIVE: Chronic spinal pain and depressive disorders, especially chronic depression, increase the likelihood for the subsequent development of the other condition. The results underscore the need to routinely assess for the presence of both disorders given the presence of one to mitigate the effects of developing comorbid conditions.

Clinical Observation of Jiawei Xiaoyaosan in Treating Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency Type 2 Diabetes with Emotional Disorder / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Jiawei Xiaoyaosan for patients with anxiety and depression in type 2 diabetes with liver depression and spleen deficiency. Method:The 76 eligible patients with anxiety and depression in type 2 diabetes with liver depression and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into two groups:control group (38 cases) and treatment group (38 cases). In control group, the basic medicines metformin sustained-release tablets combined with deanxit were given; based on the treatment in control group, the patients in treatment additionally received Jiawei Xiaoyaosan. The changes of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hours postprandial blood glucose (2 hPG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS) and serum insulin levels 30 minutes after glucose intake (30 min INS), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and so on were observed and compared. Result:As compared with those before treatment, the levels of FPG, 2 hPG and HbA1c were decreased significantly (PPPPPPPPConclusion:Jiawei Xiaoyaosan combined with basic medication can significantly reduce depression and anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of liver depression and spleen deficiency, reduce blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, decrease fasting insulin and increase 30 min INS level. The effect may be related to the improvement of anxiety, depression and other adverse emotions in these patients.

Frequency of mental disorders among chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia in Japan.

AIM: To explore the characteristics of psychiatric morbidity in chronic pain patients who present with or without fibromyalgia. METHODS: Patients are referred to our chronic pain clinic from primary medical institutions, as we are a secondary medical institution. Although some patients have chronic pain, they have no clear organic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis to account for the pain. Among the 367 new patients seen during the period from March 2009 to August 2012, 347 patients underwent psychiatric evaluation in face-to-face interviews with mental health specialists before a physical examination. RESULTS: Of the 347 patients examined, at least one psychiatric diagnosis was made for 94.6%. The average number of DSM-IV-TR diagnoses was 1.46 in the 330 chronic pain patients who had at least one psychiatric diagnosis. The breakdown of the number of psychodiagnoses was one in 60.8%, two in 27.1%, three in 4.9%, and more than three in 2.3% chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia. In fibromyalgia patients, the highest relative frequencies were found for somatoform disorders (76%), followed by dysthymic disorder (17%) and major depressive disorder (15%). In patients without fibromyalgia, the highest relative frequencies were found for somatoform disorders (64%), followed by major depressive disorder (15%) and dysthymic disorder (14%). Psychiatric disorders were found in 96.9% of fibromyalgia patients, and in 93.5% of chronic pain patients without fibromyalgia in Japan (no significant difference using chi-square test). CONCLUSION: Results show that chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia are extremely likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.

Course and stability of cognitive and metacognitive beliefs in depression.

Maladaptive cognitive beliefs as measured by the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) increase vulnerability to depression. Maladaptive metacognitive beliefs as measured by the Metacognitive Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) are also thought to contribute to depression. However, the long-term stability of metacognitive beliefs in depression has not yet been investigated. It is unclear whether metacognitive beliefs can add explanatory power to depression above and beyond maladaptive cognitive beliefs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and stability of cognitive and metacognitive maladaptive beliefs in depression. Eighty-four patients with depression were assessed with the DAS, three subscales of the MCQ-30 (positive metacognitive beliefs about worry and rumination [PB]; negative metacognitive beliefs about the uncontrollability of rumination [NB]; metacognitive beliefs concerning the need to control one's thoughts [NFC]), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory at baseline and were reassessed 3.5 years later. Analyses using a longitudinal latent growth model showed that change on the DAS and baseline scores and change on the MCQ-30 (NB and NFC) significantly predicted change in self-rated depressive symptoms over 3.5 years. However, the DAS explained more additional variance than the integration of the MCQ-30 subscales. Subscales of the MCQ-30 were more stable than the DAS. Although cognitive and metacognitive maladaptive beliefs were both predictors of depression, the DAS was a better predictor than the MCQ-30 subscales. Nevertheless, because maladaptive metacognitive beliefs were more stable than maladaptive cognitive beliefs, they should be considered an important underlying vulnerability factor for depression.