The prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among the Iranian population in one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 disease.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 spread between and across nearly every country, with considerable negative health consequences. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among Iranians older than 15 years in 2020. METHODS: Data was collected through National Mental Health Survey on 24,584 Iranians older than 15 years in 2020. were analyzed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health. Multi-stage sampling method was used, and data on demographic characteristics and domestic-social violence and mental health (GHQ-28) were collected. Data analysis was administered using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test at a 95% level. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 44.18 ± 16.4 years. The overall prevalence of domestic and social violence was 11.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Verbal violence was the most common type; with 61.8% and 66.8% for domestic and social violence, respectively. A suspected case of mental disorder, female gender, being younger than 25 years, living apart together, unemployment, low education, and history of COVID-19 infection presented a significant association with domestic and social violence (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In comparison to the previous study in 2015, the prevalence of violence has increased. Therefore, domestic and social violence are the social concerns of Iranian society, indicating the necessity of appropriate interventions, particularly for those suspected of mental disorders and young women with low education levels.

Studying the Prevalence of PTSD in Veterans, Combatants and Freed Soldiers of Iran-Iraq War: A Systematic and Meta-analysis Review.

War as an unpleasant and stressful phenomenon could be the cause of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to collect and compare conducted research to estimate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in combatants, veterans, and freed soldiers of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. This study is a case review study in which articles were found using keywords, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), veterans, combatants, captive, soldiers and war in domestic and foreign databases, personal archives, libraries of Iran and Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences and the National Library. The cumulative incidence of PTSD was determined to be 27.8% in veterans, combatants, and freed soldiers. The prevalence of PTSD as seen in civilian and some military studies is less than the values determined in this study. Reasons for this discrepancy may be due to longer durations of exposure and greater numbers of in-the-field missions, multiple traumas, and higher rates of combat exposure, as well as differences in sampling and measurement strategies (e.g. the use of questionnaires instead of clinical interviews).

The prevalence of depression among iran-iraq war veterans, combatants and former prisoners of war: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

By exposing individuals to trauma, wars can cause a host of psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to collect and compare the studies conducted to estimate the prevalence of depression among veterans, former prisoners of war (POWs) and military personnel in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). In this systematic review, a search was conducted using relevant keywords in major national and international databases, personal archives and national academic libraries. We screened 135 records using their abstracts and selected a total of 56 studies for full-text review. Eventually, 19 studies were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian veterans and POWs was 22.4% (95% confidence interval = 15.0-32.0). Although the results indicated disparities in the prevalence of depression among veterans and POWs, the aggregate estimated prevalence was much higher than what has been reported for military personnel. Effective policies and strategies are required for prevention and treatment of depression and related psychiatric complications among veterans and former POWs.

Inequality in the Experience of Stressful Psychological Events: Evidence from a Regional Survey in Tehran.

Background: Socioeconomic status is one of the most important social determinants of the formation of stressful events. The purpose of this study was to estimate the amount of inequality in experiencing stressful events among higher and lower socio-economic groups and zones of Tehran citizens. Methods: The study was descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional. Through a multistage sampling method, 5895 adult residents in Tehran were selected. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire designed to measure stressful events in Tehran, which includes 11 dimensions of stressful factors. Concentration index and concentration curves were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the 11 stressful life events, 6 of them were significant. Stress by the neighborhood problems (CI = -0.47, 95% CI: -0.66, -0.28) and living problems (CI = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.32) was pro-rich, and these two dimensions formed the greatest inequality between the poor and the rich. The other 3 dimensions of stress caused by housing problems, political problems and fear of the future were also pro-rich. Only educational problem stressors were pro-poor. Stressful life event experience was concentrated on residents of low-development areas (zones 1 and 2). Conclusion: Residents of Tehran experience stressful events unequally, and this inequality exists both within and between social groups. Most stressful events were observed among the poor and less developed zones.

Efficacy and safety of sulforaphane for treatment of mild to moderate depression in patients with history of cardiac interventions: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: Depression has been recognized as one of the disorders associated with cardiac interventions such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of sulforaphane in treatment of depression induced by cardiac interventions. METHODS: After initial screening, 66 patients with previous history of at least one cardiac intervention and current mild to moderate depression were randomly assigned to two parallel groups receiving either sulforaphane (n = 33) or placebo (n = 33) for six successive weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) at baseline and week 2, 4, and 6. Safety of the treatments was checked during the trial period. RESULTS: Sixty participants completed the clinical trial (n = 30 in each group). Baseline demographic and clinical parameters were all similar among groups. Repeated measures analysis indicated that the sulforaphane group exhibited greater improvement in HAM-D scores throughout the trial (P < 0.001). Response to treatment (≥50% reduction in the HAM-D score) rate was higher in the sulforaphane group at trial endpoint (30% vs 6.67%, P = 0.042). Remission (HAM-D score ≤ 7) rate was also higher in the sulforaphane group; however, the difference was not significant (23.33% vs 3.33%, P = 0.052). Finally, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of frequency of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Sulforaphane could safely improve depressive symptoms induced by cardiac interventions. Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm our results.

Vortioxetine effects on quality of life of irritable bowel syndrome patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease causing a substantial productivity loss with no definite treatment. Our study investigates the effects of vortioxetine vs placebo in enhancing the IBS patients' quality of life. METHODS: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, adults with IBS, according to the ROME IV criteria, were randomized to placebo and vortioxetine for 6 weeks. Participants were visited every two weeks to fill IBS quality of life, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and adverse effect questionnaires. RESULTS: Eighty patients were randomized, and seventy-two finished the trial. Baseline characteristics of groups were similar. Both placebo and vortioxetine significantly increased the quality of life during course of the study (both P-values < .001), whereas vortioxetine demonstrated a greater increase (P-value < .001). According to the analysis of covariances, this enhancement was irrespective of depression or anxiety score changes (P-value = .002). Adverse effect profile was similar between the groups and can increase IBS patients' quality of life superior to placebo. Vortioxetine effects in our study were observed irrespective of the depression and anxiety levels.

Development and validation of an inventory to measure stressful events: Findings from a population-based survey.

Background: Development of tools for measuring stress has been considered by mental health researchers for many years. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a "Stressful Events Inventory"(SEI) using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Methods: Using a representative sample (n=6000) from all people who reside in Tehran, the validity of the inventory was confirmed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and its reliability was also confirmed by Cronbach's alpha. Results: Eleven major sets of stressful events were identified as follow: political problems (α=0.731), neighborhood's problems (α=0.739), livelihood problems (α=0.609), fear of the future (α=0.663), educational events (α=0.635), educational changes (α=0.704), individual changes (α=0.463), occupational difficulties (α=0.64), housing problems (α=0.69), problems related to occupational relations (α=0.46), and family problems (α=0.69). The value of correlation between the factors was equal to 0.82 and the value of variance determined by these factors was 0.49 (r^2=0.49). In the confirmatory factor analysis, these factors also had an appropriate fitness (RMSEA=0.02). Conclusion: The developed instrument has suitable psychometric properties, which make it appropriate for future research on psychosocial stress.

Relationship Among HIV-Related Stigma, Mental Health and Quality of life for HIV-Positive Patients in Tehran.

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) face several challenges in terms of the medical management of their disease. Alongside this are stigma, discrimination and psychosocial issues associated with HIV infection. In this study, the relationships associated with HIV-related stigma, mental health and quality of life for HIV-positive patients were investigated. This cross-sectional study examined a sample of 450 HIV positive patients from the Infectious Diseases and Behavioral Health Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in the city of Tehran, Iran. PLWHA completed Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Berger Scale Stigma (BSS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), WHO Quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and Philips Social Support Appraisals (SSA). Stigma was significantly correlated with psychological variables, social support, and quality of life. A prevalence of psychiatric disorders was reported by 78.8%. Findings suggested that psychosocial interventions reduce HIV related stigma, address psychological disorders and build social support to improve quality of life for people living with HIV.

Strategies to reduce the stigma toward people with mental disorders in Iran: stakeholders' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Stigma affects all aspects of mental disorders, and is the most important risk factor for promoting mental health. The aim of this study was to explore strategies effective in reducing the stigma toward people with mental disorders in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted from 2013 to 2016. All participants were recruited by purposive sampling method. The majority of them were stakeholders of mental health in Iran. Data were collected through eight individual interviews, two focus groups, and six written narratives. The data were collected, coded and analyzed simultaneously. Content analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative interview data. RESULTS: The major themes that emerged were: "Emphasis on education and changing attitudes", "Changing the culture", "Promoting supportive services", "Role of various organizations and institutions", "Integrated reform of structures and policies to improve the performance of custodians", and "Evidence-based actions". CONCLUSIONS: This study did not investigate the extent of stigma or its origins, rather it examines strategies appropriate for implementation in Iran. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for reducing the stigma attached to patients with mental disorders.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS).

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural validation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS) among the patients with chronic illness in Iran. METHOD: Following standard procedures, the questionnaire was administered to a total sample of 186 patients with chronic illness who were recruited from the referral hospital, including hospitalized and clinic outpatients plus several referral clinics. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were analyzed through intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha tests, respectively. Validity was evaluated in the areas of content and face validity, convergent, and also structural validity. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the reliability of the scale was 0.88.The results of explanatory factor analysis confirmed extraction of all dimensions in three factors, consisting of family and friends, work colleagues, and healthcare workers. Evaluating convergent validity using Spearman's correlations showed satisfactory results; the correlation between the domains of the CIASS demonstrated internal agreement of the measure determining additional evidence to suggest the validity of the Persian CIASS. CONCLUSION: The preliminary study of the Persian version of the CIASS indicates good reliability and validity of the measure in Iranian patients with chronic illnesses.

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients. METHOD: Fifty-four maintenance hemodialysis patients were randomized to ingest two omega-3 (each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo capsules, three times daily for 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, ferritin, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and ratios of IL-10 to IL-6 and IL-10 to TNF-α were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. RESULTS: Omega-3 supplement lowered BDI score significantly after 4 months of intervention. Among pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, only serum ferritin level and IL-10 to IL-6 ratio showed significant changes in favor of omega-3 supplement during the study. In linear regression model adjusted for baseline values, omega-3 treatment was a significant predictor of reduced serum CRP, ferritin, and iPTH levels, and increased IL-10 to IL-6 ratio. No significant association was found between the anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects of omega-3 supplement. CONCLUSIONS: Supplemental use of omega-3 fatty acids decreases depressive symptoms in hemodialysis patients apart from their anti-inflammatory effects.

Effects of a psychoeducation intervention on fear and anxiety about surgery: randomized trial in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a brief psychoeducation group intervention on fear and anxiety in patients undergoing the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Sixty consecutive patients undergoing CABG for the first time were recruited for a clinical trial and randomized into two groups. The control group received routine care. The study group received a brief psychoeducation group intervention combined with routine care. The psychoeducation session consisted of a discussion of fear and anxiety in a psychotherapeutic atmosphere and relaxation techniques. Fear was scored with the Bypass Grafting Fear Scale (BGFS) and anxiety was scored with the Spielberger State Inventory (STAI) Questionnaire. The BGFS and the STAI were given to the patients the day after hospital admission and a day before the operation to measure fear and anxiety. Fear scores decreased in the psychoeducation group. Of the 29 patients treated with psychoeducation, the mean (SD) fear score decreased from 4.6 (1.7) at baseline to 2.8 (1.2) before the operation (p < .001). In the 31 patients who received routine care, there was a nonsignificant trend from 3.7 (1.9) to 4.1 (2.1) (p > .05). The mean difference in fear score before the operation was significantly lower in the psychoeducation group than the routine care group (mean difference -1.3; 95% CI, -2.1, -.2; p < .05). There were no differences in anxiety scores before the operation between the psychoeducation and routine care groups. In patients undergoing CABG, adding psychoeducation to routine care had a significant positive effect on fear but not on anxiety scores. A larger study of psychoeducation in these patients is warranted to assess the efficacy of this intervention in greater detail.

Effects of routine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the sleep duration of patients with treatment-resistant depression: A prospective cohort study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of routine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the sleep duration, depressive symptoms, and quality of life of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 25 participants with TRD were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and four sleep duration components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Depression severity was measured with Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and patient-perceived quality of life with the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). All of these measures were evaluated at baseline (T0), and immediately (T1), 6 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3) after the end of intervention. Results: At T1 endpoint, HDRS, BDI, SF-36, ISI, and three PSQI items (time to wake up, time taken to fall asleep, and Real Sleep Time) significantly improved, though these gains were reduced at follow-up endpoints (T2 and T3). Adjusting for confounders (age, sex, occupational status, BMI, and hypnotic medication) revealed that only improvements in HDRS, BDI, and time taken to fall asleep at T1 remained statistically significant. Linear regression analyses showed no significant association between reduced time taken to fall asleep and depression symptoms, suggesting rTMS can independently enhance this parameter, irrespective of depression resolution. Conclusion: Routine rTMS therapy can potentially enhance sleep duration in TRD individuals, alongside improved depressive symptoms and quality of life. However, these benefits tend to decrease over long-term follow-up, emphasizing a more pronounced short-term efficacy of rTMS.

Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain Level and Disability of Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials with Parallel-Group Design.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been increasingly applied in fibromyalgia (FM) to reduce pain and fatigue. While results are promising, observed effects are variable, and there are questions about optimal stimulation parameters such as target region (e.g., motor vs. prefrontal cortices). This systematic review aimed to provide the latest update on published randomized controlled trials with a parallel-group design to examine the specific effects of active tDCS in reducing pain and disability in FM patients. Using the PRISMA approach, a literature search identified 14 randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of tDCS on pain and fatigue in patients with FM. Assessment of biases shows an overall low-to-moderate risk of bias. tDCS was found effective in all included studies conducted in patients with FM, except one study, in which the improving effects of tDCS were due to placebo. We recommended tDCS over the motor and prefrontal cortices as "effective" and "probably effective" respectively, and also safe for reducing pain perception and fatigue in patients with FM, according to evidence-based guidelines. Stimulation polarity was anodal in all studies, and one single-session study also examined cathodal polarity. The stimulation intensity ranged from 1-mA (7.14% of studies) to 1.5-mA (7.14% of studies) and 2-mA (85.7% of studies). In all of the included studies, a significant improvement in at least one outcome variable (pain or fatigue reduction) was observed. Moreover, 92.8% (13 of 14) applied multi-session tDCS protocols in FM treatment and reported significant improvement in their outcome variables. While tDCS is therapeutically effective for FM, titration studies that systematically evaluate different stimulation intensities, durations, and electrode placement are needed.

Effect of famotidine on cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions induced in post-COVID-19 infection: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: This is an investigation of the efficacy and safety of famotidine, a selective histamine H2 receptor antagonist, on improvement of cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety symptoms developing post-COVID-19, in a 12-week, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and a score ≤ 23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test or a score ≤ 22 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were randomly assigned to either the famotidine (40 mg twice daily) or the placebo group. Changes in MMSE scores at weeks 6 and 12 were the primary outcome, while changes in other scales were the secondary outcomes. Participants and evaluators were blinded. RESULTS: At weeks 6 and 12, patients in the famotidine group had significantly higher MMSE scores (p = 0.014, p < 0.001, respectively). Regarding the MoCA scale, the famotidine group had a significantly higher score at weeks 6 and 12 (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Considering the HAM-D scale (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), at weeks 6 and 12, the famotidine group experienced a larger reduction (p = 0.009, p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, comparison of the HAM-A scale scores (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) at weeks 6 and 12 showed a statistically significant larger reduction in the famotidine group (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, respectively). The two groups did not differ in the frequency of adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Our study supports safety and efficacy of famotidine in treating cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety symptoms induced by COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT: www.irct.ir; registration number: IRCT20090117001556N138).

Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Depressed Episodes in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder before and after Treatment.

Depression is one of the current dilemmas in both developed and developing societies. Studies show that the severity of psychiatric symptoms is directly related to the degree of inflammation caused by cytokines secreted by the immune system. Hence, evaluating serum cytokine levels in patients with depression can help to understand the pathogenesis of the disease and make the best therapeutic decisions. The present study investigated the levels of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with major depression or bipolar disorder during depressive episodes (BDDE) before and after a 6-month pharmaceutical intervention. Patients referring to 3 clinics were recruited for the study. The diagnosis of major depression or bipolar disorder in a depressive phase was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5(DSM-5) criteria. There was a significant difference in depression levels between the pre-intervention and 6-month follow-up in both groups. After 6 months, IL-1 and IL-6 levels in the bipolar disorder group had decreased while TNF-α levels had increased. There was also a significant difference between pre-intervention and follow-up levels of IL-1.  Serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 decreased significantly in both groups after the 6-month follow-up, and symptom improvement was observed. TNF-α levels, on the other hand, decreased in the major depression group but increased in the bipolar disorder group. Considering that inflammation is a major outcome of depression, treatment strategies to reduce inflammation could be a practical approach to improving psychiatric symptoms.

Understanding determinants of socioeconomic inequality in mental health in Iran's capital, Tehran: a concentration index decomposition approach.

BACKGROUND: Mental health is of special importance regarding socioeconomic inequalities in health. On the one hand, mental health status mediates the relationship between economic inequality and health; on the other hand, mental health as an "end state" is affected by social factors and socioeconomic inequality. In spite of this, in examining socioeconomic inequalities in health, mental health has attracted less attention than physical health. As a first attempt in Iran, the objectives of this paper were to measure socioeconomic inequality in mental health, and then to untangle and quantify the contributions of potential determinants of mental health to the measured socioeconomic inequality. METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational study, mental health data were taken from an Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART) survey, conducted on 22 300 Tehran households in 2007 and covering people aged 15 and above. Principal component analysis was used to measure the economic status of households. As a measure of socioeconomic inequality, a concentration index of mental health was applied and decomposed into its determinants. RESULTS: The overall concentration index of mental health in Tehran was -0.0673 (95% CI = -0.070 - -0.057). Decomposition of the concentration index revealed that economic status made the largest contribution (44.7%) to socioeconomic inequality in mental health. Educational status (13.4%), age group (13.1%), district of residence (12.5%) and employment status (6.5%) also proved further important contributors to the inequality. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities exist in mental health status in Iran's capital, Tehran. Since the root of this avoidable inequality is in sectors outside the health system, a holistic mental health policy approach which includes social and economic determinants should be adopted to redress the inequitable distribution of mental health.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in the psychiatric counseling of patients admitted with COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 patients suffer from psychiatric disorders too. The present study was designed to investigate the rate of psychiatric consultation requests in a general hospital. Reasons for consultation requests, types of psychiatric diagnoses, and factors in consultation requests were also investigated. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all patients admitted with Covid-19 and referred to psychiatric consultation service in a major Covid-19 center in Tehran, Iran (2020). After acceing patients' electronic files, records of patients' demographic information, positive psychiatric symptoms, past psychiatric history and DSM5 diagnoses were made. Statistical analyses were done in SPSS 26 using descriptive statistics and chi-square and Fisher's exact test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Out of 1791 Covid-19 hospitalized patients, 132 patients (7.3%) had been referred to psychiatric consultation service. The most common reason for requests were restlessness and aggression (23.5%). Meanwhile, 92.4% of the patients were diagnosed to suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder including insomnia (64%), delirium (30.3%), anxiety due to hypoxia (15.3%) and generalized anxiety disorder (10.6%). CONCLUSION: Although studies report a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Covid-19 patients, requests for psychiatric consultations and consideration of psychiatric disorders are still remarkably low. The most common disorders appeared to be insomnia, delirium and anxiety.

Survey on Mental Health Status in Iranian Population Aged 15 and Above One Year after the Outbreak of COVID-19 Disease: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are the most common health problems that affect different population groups. According to the national survey in 2015 based on General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), 23.44% of Iranians older than 15 years were suspected of having a mental disorder. The study aimed to determine the mental health status of the population over 15 years of age in the Islamic Republic of Iran, one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. METHODS: The population-based study was performed on 24584 individuals over 15 years of age in Iran between December and February, 2020. The GHQ-28 was completed through telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, and multiple logistic regression at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean age of participants was 44.18±16.47 years. The prevalence of mental disorders was 29.7%. Mental disorder was associated with female gender (OR=1.195, 95% CI 1.10-1.29), 25-44 years (OR=1.206, 95% CI 1.06-1.36), urban life (OR=1.116, 95% CI 1.04-1.19), illiteracy (OR=1.286, 95% CI 1.11-1.48), being divorced (OR=1.924, 95% CI 1.50- 2.45), and unemployment (OR=1.657, 95% CI 1.40-1.94). Among the participants and their families, 14.7% and 32.3% were infected with the disease, respectively. The COVID-19 mortality rate in their families was 13.2%. The prevalence of mental disorders in infected people (40% vs. 27.3%) and bereaved families (39.6% vs. 35.3%) was more than the non-infected groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that in Iran, the mental health of the general population had a rising trend compared to 2015, especially in people infected with COVID-19 and bereaved families. The observed difference may be due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and rapid demographic, social, and economic changes in Iran. Planning to improve mental health in the mentioned population should be considered for the post COVID-19 era.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder.

Objective. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a frequent and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 3%. About 40% to 60% of patients show no or just partial symptom improvement to treatment with a first-line drug and cognitive behavior therapy. Ten percent of patients remain treatment refractory despite several treatments. For these patients, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been suggested as a treatment option. Method. We investigated the efficacy of rTMS on the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) in 16 right handed pharmaco-resistant OCD patients in an outpatient setting. The patients have been diagnosed with OCD by two psychiatrists and referred for rTMS intervention. Patients received 16 sessions of low frequency (0.5 HZ) rTMS on SMA,100% motor threshold, 1200 stimuli/day for 40 minutes every other day. OCD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were measured at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) and Hamilton Depressive and Anxiety rating scales (HAM-D and HAM-A). We assessed the side effects of rTMS by a self-administrative questionnaire. Results. Patients' scores in Y-BOCS, HAM-D, and HAM-A were significantly decreased following rTMS treatment. The baseline and 12 weeks scores of Y-BOCS were 28.94 and 18.31 (P-value < 0.01), HAM-D were 14.69 and 7.94 (P-value <0.01) and HAM-A were 16.38 and 6.94 (P- value < 0.01), respectively. The patients reported no serious side effects of rTMS except two case that reported light headach. Conclusion. This study showed that low-frequency rTMS on SMA improved OCD, anxiety, and depression symptoms after 16 sessions.