Social and physical factors related to depression in the older population of Siberia, Russia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression and suicide rates are relatively high in the colder regions of Russia. Older individuals in these regions are especially susceptible to these issues and are understudied in this regard. This study aims to better understand the current depression prevalence, and the factors related to depression, among the older individuals in these colder regions of Russia by studying a population in Novosibirsk oblast. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered to 422 older individuals, assessing basic attributes and health status, and employing the following standardized scales: 8-item Short-Form Health Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Participants were divided in two groups (GDS ≤ 6, GDS > 6) and compared, using Student's t test, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Young old (YO) adults showed significant correlation of depression with asthma (P = 0.005, OR = 6.40, 95%CI: 1.74-23.5), having a spouse (P = 0.016, OR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.14-3.48), and daily communication with others (P < 0.001, OR = 0.336, 95%CI: 0.197-0.572). Among old old (OO) adults, significant correlation with depression was found for the variables work status (P = 0.047, OR = 0.115, 95%CI: 0.014-0.974), and weekly walking (P = 0.014, OR = 0.288, 95%CI: 0.106-0.778). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty eight percent of the participants have depression. In YO adults, frequent communication and social ties with individuals outside of the family can mitigate depression prevalence. As for OO adults, the factors that have the highest impact on mitigating depression are related to daily activity, including both frequent walking and working or self-employment. Asthma patients are one of the more sensitive groups towards depression, but further research on this topic is needed.

[Relations of alcohol consumption and sleep among community-dwelling elderly living in cold region of Russia: a cross-sectional study].

AIM: Alcohol consumption is high in the colder regions of Russia, and it is related to poor sleep quality, mental and physical health problems. Little known on the actual situation, and no appropriate amount of drinking has been shown as a health guidance. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption (in pure alcohol) and sleep among older people living in the Russian Siberian region, and the factors related to alcohol consumption. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire survey was administered to 422 elderly over the age of 60 living in Novosibirsk, the central city of Siberia. Question items were basic attributes, health status, drinking habits, Short Form-8 Health Survey, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. For drinking elderly, daily amount of alcohol converted in pure alcohol was calculated, and logistic regression analysis among the two groups was compared based on the median value (32 g). RESULTS: The valid responses from the survey was 416 (98.9%). Of these, 293 with drinking habits were subjected to logistic regression analysis using pure alcohol (≥32 g/day) as the dependent variable. Significant relationships were found with gender (OR=0.586; 95%CI: 0.345-0.995), years of education (OR=1.538; 95%CI: 1.239-1.910), insomnia (OR=2.442; 95%CI: 1.185-5.032), alcohol intake, due to better sleep (OR=4.120; 95%CI: 1.044-16.258), effects of drinking, arousal during the night (OR=2.586; 95%CI: 1.317-5.077), effects of drinking, from family (OR=26.938; 95%CI: 3.368-215.431). CONCLUSIONS: Among the elderly people in colder regions of Russia, high alcohol consumption reduces sleep quality, suggesting the need for appropriate standards for pure alcohol and health education.

The Common Cold and Influenza in Children: To Treat or Not to Treat?

The common cold, which is mostly caused by respiratory viruses and clinically represented by the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) with mainly upper respiratory tract involvement, is an important problem in pediatric practice. Due to the high prevalence, socio-economic burden, and lack of effective prevention measures (except for influenza and, partially, RSV infection), ARVI require strong medical attention. The purpose of this descriptive literature review was to analyze the current practical approaches to the treatment of ARVI to facilitate the choice of therapy in routine practice. This descriptive overview includes information on the causative agents of ARVI. Special attention is paid to the role of interferon gamma as a cytokine with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects on the pathogenesis of ARVI. Modern approaches to the treatment of ARVI, including antiviral, pathogenesis-directed and symptomatic therapy are presented. The emphasis is on the use of antibody-based drugs in the immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of ARVI. The data presented in this review allow us to conclude that a modern, balanced and evidence-based approach to the choice of ARVI treatment in children should be used in clinical practice. The published results of clinical trials and systematic reviews with meta-analyses of ARVI in children allow us to conclude that it is possible and expedient to use broad-spectrum antiviral drugs in complex therapy. This approach can provide an adequate response of the child's immune system to the virus without limiting the clinical possibilities of using only symptomatic therapy.