The contribution of perceived ethnic discrimination to the prevalence of depression.

BACKGROUND: European research on the association between perceived ethnic discrimination (PED) and health is importantly lacking. It is also unknown how much PED contributes to disease prevalence. In this study, we quantified the contribution of PED to depression in five ethnic groups in a middle-size European city. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the HELIUS study (Healthy Life in an Urban Setting), collected from January 2011 to June 2013 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We included a random sample of 1753 ethnic Dutch, 1143 South-Asian Surinamese, 1794 African Surinamese, 1098 Ghanaians and 850 Turks, aged 18-70 years. PED was assessed using the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used for assessing depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD). We used logistic regression and calculated the contribution of PED to depressive symptoms and MDD using the population attributable fractions. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms and MDD were most common in Turks and South-Asian Surinamese, and lowest in ethnic Dutch. PED had a positive association with depressive symptoms and MDD in only the ethnic minority groups. The contributions of PED to depressive symptoms and MDD were around 25% in both the Surinamese groups, and Turks, and ∼15% in Ghanaians. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PED contributes considerably to depression in ethnic minority groups in a European context. As such, ethnic inequalities in depression could be reduced substantially if ethnic minority groups would not perceive any ethnic discrimination. We encourage more European research on the health impact of PED.

Equity of access to mental health care for anxiety and depression among different ethnic groups in four large cities in the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: This study explored (in)equities between ethnic groups in the Netherlands regarding their access to health care for symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD). METHODS: Data were used from a health survey conducted in four Dutch cities in 2008, including 11,678 Dutch, 700 Turkish, 571 Moroccans, 956 Surinamese and 226 Antilleans/Arubans. The prevalence of a medium to high risk of having CMD per ethnic group and of health care consumption by ethnic groups of people, likely having CMD, was calculated, using SPSS Complex Samples weighting for gender, age and district. Logistic regression models were used for assessing the association between health care utilisation and need, demographic factors, social structure and enabling resources. RESULTS: The prevalence of a medium to high risk of having CMD was 42.9 % (Dutch), 50.3 % (Turkish), 37.3 % (Moroccans), 51.5 % (Surinamese) and 44.9 % (Antilleans/Arubans). The 1-year prevalence of contacts with the general practitioner by ethnic groups of people who were likely having CMD was 81.2 % (Dutch), 87.2 % (Turkish), 88.4 % (Moroccans), 88.6 % (Surinamese) and 76.6 % (Antilleans/Arubans). Concerning specialised mental health care, this one-year prevalence was 15.9 % (Dutch), 25.8 % (Turkish), 19.7 % (Moroccans), 17.1 % (Surinamese) and 20.5 % (Antilleans/Arubans). The elevated use of health care by some ethnic minority groups was partly associated with need and demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: There are no indications for an inequitable access to health care for symptoms of CMD among different ethnic groups in the Netherlands.

The use of the Dutch Self-Sufficiency Matrix (SSM-D) to inform allocation decisions to public mental health care for homeless people.

The current study set out to develop a decision support tool based on the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (Dutch version; SSM-D) for the clinical decision to allocate homeless people to the public mental health care system at the central access point of public mental health care in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic-curve analyses were used to model professional decisions and establish four decision categories based on SSM-D scores from half of the research population (Total n = 612). The model and decision categories were found to be accurate and reliable in predicting professional decisions in the second half of the population. Results indicate that the decision support tool based on the SSM-D is useful and feasible. The method to develop the SSM-D as a decision support tool could be applied to decision-making processes in other systems and services where the SSM-D has been implemented, to further increase the utility of the instrument.

Similar associations between personality dimensions and anxiety or depressive disorders in a population study of Turkish-Dutch, Moroccan-Dutch, and native Dutch subjects.

It is well established that personality traits are associated with anxiety and depressive disorders in Western populations, but it is not known whether this is true also for people from non-Western cultures. In this study, we examined whether ethnicity moderates the association between personality dimensions and anxiety or depressive disorders or symptoms. In a random urban population sample, stratified by ethnicity, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we interviewed 309 native Dutch subjects, 203 Turkish-Dutch subjects, and 170 Moroccan-Dutch subjects. Dimensions of personality were measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Anxiety and depressive disorders and symptom levels were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The association between personality factors and disorders or symptoms of anxiety and depression was very similar in the three ethnic groups: all show the typical profile of high neuroticism and low extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

[Health problems of migrants who don't have a valid residence permit: Somatic and psychiatric problems of migrants who are applying for shelter]. / Gezondheidsproblemen van migranten zonder geldige verblijfsvergunning.

OBJECTIVE Many healthcare professionals are confronted in their practice with migrants who don't have a valid residence permit. With this study, we want to provide more insight in the health problems and healthcare consumption of this group. DESIGN Retrospective file study. METHOD Data were taken from files created by municipal health-service physicians when medically screening people who present to the municipality to apply for 24-hour shelter on the basis of their health condition. Symptoms and disorders were coded according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC), and use of medication according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC). RESULTS The study population consisted of 356 people, mainly men, 39 years of age on average (range: 18-80 years). Compared with the total population of people without a valid residence permit who presented to the municipality (n = 1010), in the study population both women (25.6%) and people in age categories above 45 years of age (32.0%) were overrepresented. At the time of screening, 45.2% had a regular, stable place of residence. Most people without a valid residence permit (98.6%) reported one or more health problems. Psychological symptoms, such as stress (78.5%), insomnia (69.7%) and feelings of depression, were the most common ones. At the same time, many people without a valid residence permit were receiving medical care (86.8%). CONCLUSION A majority of people without a valid residence permit who present to apply for 24-hour shelter have health problems. Stress and other psychological symptoms are the most common ones. At the same time, a large part is receiving adequate care. This means that barriers to care, at least in Amsterdam, do not seem too high.

Exploring Differences in Criminogenic Risk Factors and Criminal Behavior Between Young Adult Violent Offenders With and Without Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disability.

The relation between mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) and violent offense behavior was studied among a group of former juvenile delinquents currently in a diversion program for persistent young adult violent offenders from Amsterdam ( N = 146). Offenders were considered MBID if they had received juvenile probation from the local youth care agency specialized in intellectual disability (21%). A file study was used to estimate prevalence rates of criminogenic risk factors. Police data were used to depict recent criminal behavior. Nearly all offenders grew up in large and unstable multi-problem households and had psychosocial problems. More MBID offenders displayed externalizing behavior before the age of 12, were susceptible to peer pressure, and had low social-relational skills. MBID offenders committed more violent property crimes than offenders without MBID. Youth care interventions for MBID offenders should focus on the acquisition of social-relational skills and on the pedagogical skills of parents.

Predicting therapy response to mycophenolic acid using UGT1A9 genotyping: towards personalized medicine in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a very common chronic inflammatory skin disease requiring long-term treatment. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is used off-label in treatment of patients with severe AD failing Cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment, however clinical efficacy is observed in only half of the AD patients. In blood, MPA levels are known to have a large interindividual variability. Low MPA exposure and increased enzyme activity correlates with the presence of UGT1A9 polymorphisms. In this retrospective study, 65 adult AD patients treated with MPA were classified as responder or non-responder to MPA treatment. UGT1A9 polymorphisms were determined using PCR. A significantly higher number of UGT1A9 polymorphisms was found in the group that did not respond to MPA treatment. Of the patients that carried a UGT1A9 polymorphism, 85.7% were non-responsive to MPA treatment. This implies that non-responsiveness in AD patients is more likely to occur in carriers of a UGT1A9 polymorphism. In a binary logistic regression analysis the odds ratio (OR) was 8.65 (95% confidence interval: 0.93-80.17). Our results show that UGT1A9 polymorphisms can be used to identify patients with non-responsiveness to MPA. Patients with UGT1A9 polymorphisms might benefit from higher MPA dosage.

Immunoglobulin free light chains in adult atopic dermatitis patients do not correlate with disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Although total IgE levels have been proposed as a biomarker for disease severity in atopic dermatitis (AD) and are increased in the majority of AD patients, they do not correlate with disease severity during short-term follow-up. During the synthesis of immunoglobulins, free light chains (Ig-FLCs) are produced in excess over heavy chains. In comparison with IgE molecules, Ig-FLCs have a very short serum half-life. Therefore, Ig-FLCs might be more suitable as a biomarker for disease severity during follow-up. Recent studies showed increased serum levels of kappa Ig-FLCs in infants with AD, correlating with disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate serum kappa Ig-FLC levels in adults with AD, and their correlation to disease severity. METHODS: Serum kappa If-FLC and total IgE levels were measured in 82 moderate to severe AD patients and 49 non-atopic controls. Blood was collected from patients before start of treatment with potent topical steroids (European classification: III-IV). 32 patients were treated during a clinical admission, and in this subpopulation a second blood sample was taken after 2 weeks of treatment. Clinical severity was determined by the Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) severity score and a panel of serum biomarkers, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). RESULTS: Serum kappa Ig-FLCs levels in adult AD patients were not increased compared to non-atopic controls. Moreover, we observed no correlation between kappa Ig-FLC serum levels and disease severity determined by SASSAD and a panel of serum biomarkers, including TARC. Serum kappa Ig-FLC levels did also not decrease during treatment. CONCLUSION: There are no differences in serum kappa Ig-FLC levels between adult patients suffering from moderate to severe AD compared to non-atopic controls. Moreover, serum levels of kappa Ig-FLCs cannot be used as a biomarker for disease severity in adult AD.