Anxiety and depression among couples undergoing treatment for infertility with assisted reproductive techniques at an Indian centre.

Background Infertility and its treatment are frequently associated with psychological distress. We assessed the prevalence of anxiety and depression in couples undergoing treatment for infertility with assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Methods We included 160 married couples undergoing treatment for infertility at an ART centre. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 46.2% and 40.9%, respectively. Women had higher mean (SD) anxiety (10.76 [2.69]) and depression (9.86 [2.06]) scores; however, this gender difference was statistically significant only with respect to anxiety (p=0.02). The mean anxiety scores were highest among both genders when the cause of infertility was attributed to both partners and during the first year and 10 years after treatment. Men in the age groups of 20-24 years and 40-44 years and those with no prior treatment had a statistically significant association with the highest anxiety scores. The mean depression scores showed a statistically significant decline in both genders with increasing age. Among men, the mean depression scoreswere significantly higher in those with no prior treatment, male cause of infertility and during the first year and after 10 years of treatment. Conclusion The prevalence of anxiety and depression among infertile couples undergoing treatment with ART was almost twice as high as that in the general population. The mean anxiety scores were significantly associated with duration of treatment and gender-based attribution in both genders; however, age and prior treatment were associated with only men. The mean scores of depression were significantly associated with age in both genders, while duration of treatment, gender-based attribution and prior treatment were significantly associated only with men.

Paternal depression: "The silent pandemic".

Maternal mental health during and after pregnancy is a well researched entity. However, father's mental health during the same period and even while raising the children has not been given due consideration. Recent studies have tried to explore the prevalence, risk factors, symptoms and implications of paternal depression on the children, marriage and the whole family. In this short communication, we aim to bring to the fore the recommendations for prevention and management of paternal depression.

COVID-19 ARDS: A Multispecialty Assessment of Challenges in Care, Review of Research, and Recommendations.

Physicians and care providers are familiar with the management of ARDS, however, when it occurs as a sequalae of COVID-19, it has different features and there remains uncertainty on the consensus of management. To answer this question on how it compares and contrasts with ARDS from other causes, the authors reviewed the published literature and management guidelines as well as their own clinical experience while managing patients with COVID-19 ARDS. For research, a PubMed search was conducted on 01.04.2021 using the systematic review filter to identify articles that were published using MeSH terms COVID-19 and ARDS. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses were selected from a systematic search for literature containing diagnostic, prognostic and management strategies in MEDLINE/PubMed. Those were compared and reviewed to the existing practices by the various treating specialists and recommendations were made. Specifically, the COVID-19 ARDS, its risk factors and pathophysiology, lab diagnosis, radiological findings, rational of recommendation of drugs proposed so far, oxygenation and ventilation strategies and the psychological ramifications of the disease were. discussed. Because of the high mortality in mechanically ventilated patients, the above recommendations and findings direct the potential for improvement in the management of patients with COVID-19 ARDS.

Association of sociodemographic factors with various domains of alcohol-induced sexual dysfunction - An Indian perspective.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is frequently seen in alcohol-use disorders. The available research on this topic has studied erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation using nonvalidated scales. This study was undertaken to study the other major domains of sexual dysfunction, namely sexual desire, orgasmic dysfunction and satisfaction, and their association with sociodemographic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used and 78 male patients were recruited. The assessment was conducted using a specially designed intake pro forma, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) Scale, DSM-5 and International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, diagnostic criteria for research. A correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed and its effect on various domains of sexual dysfunction was also carried out using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The sociodemographic profile was studied in association with the overall (total) IIEF-15 subscale using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistically significant differences were observed among age groups, education subgroups, marital disharmony, years of alcohol use, and lifetime alcohol use. Further, since the values of ANOVA were significant, Tukey's post hoc analysis was carried out which showed a statistically significant difference among the groups. Various domains of sexual dysfunction showed a strongly negative correlation for overall IIEF subscale followed by intercourse satisfaction, sexual desire, and orgasmic function with years of alcohol use and lifetime alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Sexual dysfunction in alcohol dependence patients was significantly associated with a family history of paternal alcohol abuse, lower educational background, increasing age, and marital disharmony. This study also found a strongly negative correlation between various domains of sexual functioning and years of alcohol use/lifetime alcohol use.