The association between persistent cognitive difficulties and depression and functional outcomes in people with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive symptoms are common during and following episodes of depression. Little is known about the persistence of self-reported and performance-based cognition with depression and functional outcomes. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective naturalistic observational clinical cohort study of individuals with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD; N = 623). Participants completed app-based self-reported and performance-based cognitive function assessments alongside validated measures of depression, functional disability, and self-esteem every 3 months. Participants were followed-up for a maximum of 2-years. Multilevel hierarchically nested modelling was employed to explore between- and within-participant variation over time to identify whether persistent cognitive difficulties are related to levels of depression and functional impairment during follow-up. RESULTS: 508 individuals (81.5%) provided data (mean age: 46.6, s.d.: 15.6; 76.2% female). Increasing persistence of self-reported cognitive difficulty was associated with higher levels of depression and functional impairment throughout the follow-up. In comparison to low persistence of objective cognitive difficulty (<25% of timepoints), those with high persistence (>75% of timepoints) reported significantly higher levels of depression (B = 5.17, s.e. = 2.21, p = 0.019) and functional impairment (B = 4.82, s.e. = 1.79, p = 0.002) over time. Examination of the individual cognitive modules shows that persistently impaired executive function is associated with worse functioning, and poor processing speed is particularly important for worsened depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We replicated previous findings of greater persistence of cognitive difficulty with increasing severity of depression and further demonstrate that these cognitive difficulties are associated with pervasive functional disability. Difficulties with cognition may be an indicator and target for further treatment input.

The usability of daytime and night-time heart rate dynamics as digital biomarkers of depression severity.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in heart rate (HR) may provide new information about physiological signatures of depression severity. This 2-year study in individuals with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) explored the intra-individual variations in HR parameters and their relationship with depression severity. METHODS: Data from 510 participants (Number of observations of the HR parameters = 6666) were collected from three centres in the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, as a part of the remote assessment of disease and relapse-MDD study. We analysed the relationship between depression severity, assessed every 2 weeks with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, with HR parameters in the week before the assessment, such as HR features during all day, resting periods during the day and at night, and activity periods during the day evaluated with a wrist-worn Fitbit device. Linear mixed models were used with random intercepts for participants and countries. Covariates included in the models were age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption, antidepressant use and co-morbidities with other medical health conditions. RESULTS: Decreases in HR variation during resting periods during the day were related with an increased severity of depression both in univariate and multivariate analyses. Mean HR during resting at night was higher in participants with more severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that alterations in resting HR during all day and night are associated with depression severity. These findings may provide an early warning of worsening depression symptoms which could allow clinicians to take responsive treatment measures promptly.

Patient preferences for key drivers and facilitators of adoption of mHealth technology to manage depression: A discrete choice experiment.

BACKGROUND: In time, we may be able to detect the early onset of symptoms of depression and even predict relapse using behavioural data gathered through mobile technologies. However, barriers to adoption exist and understanding the importance of these factors to users is vital to ensure maximum adoption. METHOD: In a discrete choice experiment, people with a history of depression (N = 171) were asked to select their preferred technology from a series of vignettes containing four characteristics: privacy, clinical support, established benefit and device accuracy (i.e., ability to detect symptoms), with different levels. Mixed logit models were used to establish what was most likely to affect adoption. Sub-group analyses explored effects of age, gender, education, technology acceptance and familiarity, and nationality. RESULTS: Higher level of privacy, greater clinical support, increased perceived benefit and better device accuracy were important. Accuracy was the most important, with only modest compromises willing to be made to increase other factors such as privacy. Established benefit was the least valued of the attributes with participants happy with technology that had possible but unknown benefits. Preferences were moderated by technology acceptance, age, nationality, and educational background. CONCLUSION: For people with a history of depression, adoption of technology may be driven by the desire for accurate detection of symptoms. However, people with lower technology acceptance and educational attainment, those who were younger, and specific nationalities may be willing to compromise on some accuracy for more privacy and clinical support. These preferences should help shape design of mHealth tools.

Predictors of engagement with remote sensing technologies for symptom measurement in Major Depressive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Remote sensing for the measurement and management of long-term conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is becoming more prevalent. User-engagement is essential to yield any benefits. We tested three hypotheses examining associations between clinical characteristics, perceptions of remote sensing, and objective user engagement metrics. METHODS: The Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse - Major Depressive Disorder (RADAR-MDD) study is a multicentre longitudinal observational cohort study in people with recurrent MDD. Participants wore a FitBit and completed app-based assessments every two weeks for a median of 18 months. Multivariable random effects regression models pooling data across timepoints were used to examine associations between variables. RESULTS: A total of 547 participants (87.8% of the total sample) were included in the current analysis. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with lower levels of perceived technology ease of use; increased functional disability was associated with small differences in perceptions of technology usefulness and usability. Participants who reported higher system ease of use, usefulness, and acceptability subsequently completed more app-based questionnaires and tended to wear their FitBit activity tracker for longer. All effect sizes were small and unlikely to be of practical significance. LIMITATIONS: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, functional disability, and perceptions of system usability are measured at the same time. These therefore represent cross-sectional associations rather than predictions of future perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that perceived usability and actual use of remote measurement technologies in people with MDD are robust across differences in severity of depression, anxiety, and functional impairment.

Emotional outcomes in clinically isolated syndrome and early phase multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and emotional health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and in early phase multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted with inclusion criteria of observational studies on outcomes of depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and emotional HRQoL in CIS and within five years since diagnosis of MS. Studies were screened using the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and study quality was determined for included studies. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed if applicable. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies were included in the systematic review. In early phase MS, meta-analyses of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) indicated prevalence levels of 17% (95% confidence interval (CI): 9 to 25%; p < .001) for depressive and 35% (95% CI: 28 to 41%; p < .001) for anxiety symptoms. Meta-regression analyses revealed an increase in mean HADS-D and HADS-A associated with larger sample size, and higher HADS-D mean with increased study quality. Similar depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed in CIS, and increased suicide risk and low emotional HRQoL was associated with depressive symptoms in early phase MS. The methodological quality of the studies was considered fair. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety might be prevalent in CIS and in early phase MS. Future research on both clinical populations are needed, especially longitudinal monitoring of emotional outcomes.

Remote assessment of disease and relapse in major depressive disorder (RADAR-MDD): a multi-centre prospective cohort study protocol.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of literature highlighting the role that wearable and mobile remote measurement technology (RMT) can play in measuring symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). Outcomes assessment typically relies on self-report, which can be biased by dysfunctional perceptions and current symptom severity. Predictors of depressive relapse include disrupted sleep, reduced sociability, physical activity, changes in mood, prosody and cognitive function, which are all amenable to measurement via RMT. This study aims to: 1) determine the usability, feasibility and acceptability of RMT; 2) improve and refine clinical outcome measurement using RMT to identify current clinical state; 3) determine whether RMT can provide information predictive of depressive relapse and other critical outcomes. METHODS: RADAR-MDD is a multi-site prospective cohort study, aiming to recruit 600 participants with a history of depressive disorder across three sites: London, Amsterdam and Barcelona. Participants will be asked to wear a wrist-worn activity tracker and download several apps onto their smartphones. These apps will be used to either collect data passively from existing smartphone sensors, or to deliver questionnaires, cognitive tasks, and speech assessments. The wearable device, smartphone sensors and questionnaires will collect data for up to 2-years about participants' sleep, physical activity, stress, mood, sociability, speech patterns, and cognitive function. The primary outcome of interest is MDD relapse, defined via the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology- Self-Report questionnaire (IDS-SR) and the World Health Organisation's self-reported Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-SF). DISCUSSION: This study aims to provide insight into the early predictors of major depressive relapse, measured unobtrusively via RMT. If found to be acceptable to patients and other key stakeholders and able to provide clinically useful information predictive of future deterioration, RMT has potential to change the way in which depression and other long-term conditions are measured and managed.

Integration of mental health screening in the management of patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, or both, are more common in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) (16%-40%) than in the general population (16%), and failure to recognise them may be detrimental to the management of TMD. Paper-based screening tools previously reported in this group require assessment by clinicians and subsequent collation of data. We describe our experience of a new system - IMPARTS (Integrating mental and physical: research training and services), which uses validated tools to identify and to monitor the progress of patients who may benefit from psychological intervention. At outpatient clinics, patients used an electronic tablet to complete the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Inclusion of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Data were linked directly to their electronic record to allow the results, with suggestions for treatment, to be reviewed immediately during the consultation. A total of 162 patients were included. Screening showed that referral was required in 28 (17%) with a probable major depressive disorder and 32 (20%) with a general anxiety disorder. Two (1%), who were identified as being at high risk of suicide or self-harm, were referred for immediate psychological assessment. Use of the system can aid the holistic treatment of patients with TMD through appropriate referral. Early identification of mental health problems and concurrent management are most beneficial in those who have had symptoms of TMD for up to two years, and are therefore essential.

Screening for anxiety and depression in people with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral setting.

BACKGROUND: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance recommends assessment of psychological and social well-being in people with psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To screen systematically for depression and anxiety in patients with psoriasis in routine clinical practice and to identify at-risk groups for psychiatric morbidity. METHODS: Consecutive patients attending a single, tertiary centre over a 10-month period were invited to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as part of IMPARTS: Integrating Mental and Physical Healthcare: Research, Training and Services. Information on demographics, treatment and clinical disease severity was collated from electronic patient records. Regression models were used to identify at-risk groups for psychiatric morbidity. RESULTS: Of 607 patients included (56·2% on biologics), 9·9% (95% confidence interval 7·5-12·3%) screened positive for major depressive disorder (MDD) and 13·1% (79/604) (95% confidence interval 10·4-15·8%) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; GAD-7 score > 9). Suicidal ideation was reported in 35% of those with MDD; DLQI was < 10 in 38·3% and 45·6% cases of MDD and GAD, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the risk of MDD or GAD was significantly higher in women and those with severe clinical disease, psoriatic arthritis and previous depression/anxiety. The risk of GAD was significantly increased with Asian ethnicity and use of topical treatments only. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic screening for anxiety and depression identifies clinically important levels of depression and anxiety that may be missed using DLQI data alone. Women and those with severe disease, psoriatic arthritis and/or a prior history of psychiatric morbidity may be at particular risk.

Mental disorder in limb reconstruction: Prevalence, associations and impact on work disability.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and drug and alcohol dependence in a limb reconstruction population and examine associations with demographic and functional variables. METHODS: As part of routine clinical care, data were collected from 566 patients attending a tertiary referral centre for limb reconstruction between April 2012 and February 2016. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol and drug dependence were measured using standardised self-report screening tools. RESULTS: 173 patients (30.6% CI 26.7-34.4) screened positive for at least one of the mental disorders assessed. 110 (19.4% CI 16.2-22.7) met criteria for probable major depression; 112 (19.9% CI 16.6-23.2) patients met criteria for probable generalised anxiety disorder; and 41 (7.6% CI 5.3-9.8) patients met criteria for probable PTSD. The prevalence of probable alcohol dependence and probable drug dependence was 1.6% (CI 0.6-2.7) and 4.5% (CI 2.7-6.3), respectively. Patients who screened positive for depression, anxiety and PTSD reported significantly higher levels of pain, fatigue, and functional impairment. Depression and anxiety were independently associated with work disability after adjustment for covariates (OR 1.98 (CI 1.08-3.62) and OR 1.83 (CI 1.04-3.23), respectively). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence and adverse associations of probable mental disorder in limb reconstruction attest to the need for routine psychological assessment and support. Integrated screening and management of mental disorder in this population may have a positive impact on patients' emotional, physical and occupational rehabilitation. A randomised controlled trial is needed to test this hypothesis.

Psychological correlates of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Fatigue is common and debilitating in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). A focus on the psychological variables associated with fatigue may help to identify targets for intervention which could enhance the treatment of fatigue in RA. The purpose of this review was to systematically identify psychological variables related to fatigue in RA, with the overall aim of suggesting evidence-based targets for fatigue intervention in RA. Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. A wide range of psychological variables were addressed, spanning 6 categories: affect and common mental disorders; RA-related cognitions; non-RA-related cognitions; personality traits; stress and coping; and social support/interpersonal relationships. The most consistent relationship was found between mood and fatigue, with low mood frequently associated with increased fatigue. Some evidence also highlighted the relationship between RA-related cognitions (such as RA self-efficacy) and fatigue, and non-RA-cognitions (such as goal ownership) and fatigue. Limited evidence was found to support the relationship between stress and coping or personality traits and fatigue, although mixed evidence was found for the relationship between social support and fatigue. The results of this review suggest the interventions for fatigue in RA may benefit from a focus on mental health, and disease-related cognitions.

Embedding integrated mental health assessment and management in general hospital settings: feasibility, acceptability and the prevalence of common mental disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of routine web-based screening in general hospital settings, and describe the level of common mental disorder. METHOD: A service development platform to integrate mental and physical healthcare was implemented in six specialties (rheumatology, limb reconstruction, hepatitis C, psoriasis, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), chronic pain) across three general hospitals in London, UK. Under service conditions, patients completed a web-based questionnaire comprising mental and physical patient-reported outcome measures, whilst waiting for their appointment. Feasibility was quantified as the proportion of patients who completed the questionnaire. Acceptability was quantified as the proportion of patients declining screening, and the proportion requiring assistance completing the questionnaire. The prevalence of probable depression and anxiety was expressed as the percentage of cases determined by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7. RESULTS: The proportion of patients screened varied widely across specialties (40.1-98.2%). The decline rate was low (0.6-9.7%) and the minority required assistance (11.7-40.4%). The prevalence of probable depression ranged from 60.9% in chronic pain to 6.6% in ACHD. The prevalence of probable anxiety ranged from 25.1% in rheumatology to 11.4% in ACHD. CONCLUSION: Web-based screening is acceptable to patients and can be effectively embedded in routine practice. General hospital patients are at increased risk of common mental disorder, and routine screening may help identify need, inform care and monitor outcomes.

Self-help interventions for symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress in patients with physical illnesses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Psychological distress, depression and anxiety are common in most physical diseases, and self-help interventions, if effective, might be an important approach to improve outcomes as they are inexpensive to provide to large numbers of patients. The primary aim of this review was to assess randomised controlled trials examining the impact of self-help interventions on symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress in patients with physical illness. Systematic searches of electronic databases resulted in twenty-five eligible studies for meta-analysis (n=4211). The results of the primary meta-analyses revealed a significant improvement in depression symptoms, in favour of the intervention group (SMD=-0.13, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.02, p=0.02, I(2)=50%). There were no significant differences in symptoms of anxiety (SMD=-0.10, 95% CI: -0.24, 0.05, p=0.20, I(2)=63%) or psychological distress (SMD=-0.14, 95% CI: -0.40, 0.12, p=0.30, I(2)=72%) between intervention and control conditions. Several subgroup and sensitivity analyses improved effect sizes, suggesting that optimal mental health outcomes may be obtained in patients without neurological conditions, and with interventions based on a therapeutic model (such as cognitive behavioural therapy), and with stress management components. This review demonstrates that with appropriate design and implementation, self-help interventions may potentially improve symptoms of depression in patients with physical conditions.