Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Healthcare: Current Trends and Future Directions - A Narrative Review for a Comprehensive Insight.

Mental health is an essential component of the health and well-being of a person and community, and it is critical for the individual, society, and socio-economic development of any country. Mental healthcare is currently in the health sector transformation era, with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping the screening, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of psychiatric illnesses. The present narrative review is aimed at discussing the current landscape and the role of AI in mental healthcare, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Furthermore, this review attempted to highlight the key challenges, limitations, and prospects of AI in providing mental healthcare based on existing works of literature. The literature search for this narrative review was obtained from PubMed, Saudi Digital Library (SDL), Google Scholar, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore, and we included only English-language articles published in the last five years. Keywords used in combination with Boolean operators ("AND" and "OR") were the following: "Artificial intelligence", "Machine learning", Deep learning", "Early diagnosis", "Treatment", "interventions", "ethical consideration", and "mental Healthcare". Our literature review revealed that, equipped with predictive analytics capabilities, AI can improve treatment planning by predicting an individual's response to various interventions. Predictive analytics, which uses historical data to formulate preventative interventions, aligns with the move toward individualized and preventive mental healthcare. In the screening and diagnostic domains, a subset of AI, such as machine learning and deep learning, has been proven to analyze various mental health data sets and predict the patterns associated with various mental health problems. However, limited studies have evaluated the collaboration between healthcare professionals and AI in delivering mental healthcare, as these sensitive problems require empathy, human connections, and holistic, personalized, and multidisciplinary approaches. Ethical issues, cybersecurity, a lack of data analytics diversity, cultural sensitivity, and language barriers remain concerns for implementing this futuristic approach in mental healthcare. Considering these sensitive problems require empathy, human connections, and holistic, personalized, and multidisciplinary approaches, it is imperative to explore these aspects. Therefore, future comparative trials with larger sample sizes and data sets are warranted to evaluate different AI models used in mental healthcare across regions to fill the existing knowledge gaps.

Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Panic Disorder among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Panic disorder (PD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks that cause intense distress. Despite the high prevalence of panic disorder and its significant impact on life, limited research has been conducted on its prevalence and their associated factors in Saudi Arabia. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of PD among adults in Saudi Arabia by examining its prevalence and associated factors, using an online survey method. A validated questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted targeting 1276 Saudi adults. Data were collected electronically via Google Forms from the eligible participants. The questionnaire comprised three sections: sociodemographic information, medical history, and a validated diagnostic tool for PD. The prevalence of PD among Saudi adults was 13.1%. Most individuals with PD experienced their first panic attack before the age of 18. Only 38.3% individuals with PD sought medical attention, and approximately one-third of those who sought help did not receive a diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant risk factors for PD included being female; having chronic health problems, a comorbid psychiatric disorder, a high body mass index; and experiencing suicidal ideation (P < 0.05). The highest risk was associated with chronic diseases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-4.6). This study demonstrates that PD is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition among Saudi Arabian adults. Non-mental health physicians should be aware of PD, as many cases remain undiagnosed.

Assessment of Psychosocial Correlates and Associated Factors of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Southwestern Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Psychosocial correlates are one of the crucial determinants for the uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening by the pre-eligible population. The present study aimed to identify the psychosocial correlates of colorectal cancer screening and determine their associated factors among the Saudi population in the Najran region, Saudi Arabia. Using a validated questionnaire, we assessed five constructs of psychosocial correlates of CRC screening among 790 participants aged 45 years and above. The five constructs were salience and coherence, cancer worries, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and social influence. Of the studied population, less than 50% agreed with most of the five constructs' statements, and 27.5% preferred to follow their family members' advice. Significantly higher mean scores (±SD) were identified for the male gender (7.38 ± 2.15, p = 0.027) and participants working in government sectors (7.60 ± 2.03, p = 0.027) in the cancer worries construct, while the mean (±SD) scores of perceived susceptibility were significantly higher among married participants (14.38 ± 4.10, p = 0.023) and smokers (14.95 ± 3.92, p = 0.041). Our survey results could help policymakers to implement focused health education programs for the pre-eligible population on the importance of the uptake of CRC screening. Furthermore, it is recommended to carry out exploratory mixed-method surveys in other regions of Saudi Arabia to understand the region's specific psychosocial correlates towards CRC screening.

Anti-Candidal Activity of Reboxetine and Sertraline Antidepressants: Effects on Pre-Formed Biofilms.

Reboxetine (REB) and sertraline (SER) are antidepressants. The antifungal potential of these drugs against planktonic Candida has been recently reported with limited data about their effects on Candidal biofilms. Biofilms are self-derived extracellular matrixes produced by the microbial population that is attached to biotic surfaces, such as vaginal and oral mucosa, or abiotic surfaces, such as biomedical devices, resulting in persistent fungal infections. The commonly prescribed antifungals, azoles, are usually less effective when biofilms are formed, and most of the prescribed antifungals are only fungistatic. Therefore, the current study investigates the antifungal potentials of REB and SER, alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLC) and itraconazole (ITR) against Candidal biofilms. Using proper controls, Candida species (Candida albicans, C. albicans; Candida krusei, C. krusei; and Candida glabrata, C. glabrata) were used to form biofilms in 96-well microplates. Serial dilutions corresponding to concentrations ranging from 2 to 4096 µg/mL of the target drugs (REB, SER, FLC, ITR) were prepared and added to the plates. Impairment of the biofilm biomass and biofilm metabolic viability was detected using the crystal violet (CV) assay and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, respectively. In the checkerboard assay, the sessile fractional inhibitory concentration index (SFICI) was calculated to evaluate the effects of drug combinations. SER was more effective in reducing the biomass than REB for C. albicans and C. glabrata, but both were equal for C. krusei. For the reduction in metabolic activity in C. albicans and C. glabrata, SER had a slight advantage over REB. In C. krusei, REB was slightly more potent. Overall, FLC and ITR were almost equal and produced more significant reductions in metabolic activity when compared to SER and REB, except for C. glabrata, where SER was almost equal to FLC. Synergism was detected between REB + FLC and REB + ITR against biofilm cells of C. albicans. Synergism was detected between REB + ITR against biofilm cells of C. krusei. Synergism was detected between REB + FLC and REB + ITR against biofilm cells of C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. glabrata. The results of the present study support the potential of SER and REB as anti-Candidal biofilm agents that are beneficial as a new antifungal to combat Candidal resistance.

The mental health impact of pandemic COVID-19 crisis on university students in Saudi Arabia and associated factors.

INTRODUCTION: New Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has multiple effects. We aimed in this study to assess anxiety, depression, and stress levels among university students in Saudi Arabia and associated factors. METHOD: We collected 5,140 participations from universities for our cross-sectional study, responders completed the demographic questions, patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) for depression, generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD7) for anxiety, and perceived stress scale (PSS) between 24th and 30th of April 2020. RESULT: 80.99% were females and mean age was 21.85 years. 40.8% had significant symptoms of anxiety, 48.8% had significant symptoms of depression, and 86.7% had moderate to high perceived stress. Being Female, younger age, living in eastern region, had a relative or acquaintances with COVID-19, and had chronic medical or mental illness are associated factors with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of university students. Quick and effective interventions are mandatory.

Insomnia Prevalence and Associated Factors Among University Students in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown: A Large-Scale Survey.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has many psychological and physical effects to which university students are vulnerable. We aimed in this study to assess the prevalence of insomnia among university students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and associated factors. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect the responses of 5140 students from Saudi universities between April 24 and 30, 2020. Responders completed demographic questions and psychological scales, including the Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), during the national lockdown period in Saudi Arabia. Results: Approximately, 41% of the sample suffered from moderate to severe insomnia. The mean ISI score was recorded as 12.9 (SD 6.62). Insomnia was associated with female sex, younger age, students from new universities, junior students, if a relative suffered from COVID-19, having a chronic medical illness, and having a psychiatric disorder. Insomnia was associated also with suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Insomnia prevalence was very high among Saudi university students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. There were sociodemographic and medical factors associated with high insomnia prevalence. Universities need to plan and implement protective and intervention strategies to deal with this important issue.

Epidemiology of Burnout and Its Association with Academic Performance Among Medical Students at Hail University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: Burnout syndrome is a condition that is well-documented globally among medical students and affects their academic performance due to high levels of associated stress and psychiatric morbidities. This study aimed to assess burnout prevalence and predictors along with its association with academic performance among medical students at Hail University, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of medical students was conducted between May and June 2019 at the Medical College at Hail University. The English version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)-Student Survey was used to assess the three components of burnout syndrome-cynicism, emotional exhaustion and professional efficacy. A fixed-model multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for each of the three MBI components' levels and for total burnout to identify factors significantly associated with burnout syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 218 students were included in this study (response rate: 53.8%). The majority of participants were female (n = 121; 55.5%) medical students ranging between 21-24 years of age. High emotional exhaustion, high cynicism and low professional efficacy was found among 79.4%, 61.0%, and 37.6%, respectively, of respondents. The overall prevalence of high burnout was 27.1% (n = 59). Female students were at almost double the risk for high emotional exhaustion compared to male students (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-4.34; P = 0.034). Students with grade point averages (GPA; on a four-point scale) ranging between 3.51-4.0 were considerably less prone (83% less risk) to experience burnout as compared to students with a GPA ≤2.0 (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.91, P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: High levels of overall burnout were reported among Hail University medical students. Students with a higher GPA, however, were found to be less prone to burnout.

Impact of domestic violence against pregnant women in Minia governorate, Egypt: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is a common problem that is related to many serious short-term and long-term health hazards around the world. METHODS: During obtaining the medical history from the participants, the questions used to assess the abuse were derived from the widely used Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS). Potential risk factors including a variety of socio-demographic and reproductive health-relation indicators were assessed. The influence of violence on the pregnancy outcome was determined by the continuous follow-up till giving birth. RESULTS: 513 pregnant women were included. The prevalence of violence among them was 50.8%. The prevalence of physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse was 30.2, 20, 41.7, and 45.4% respectively. Exposure to violence during pregnancy had significant effects on the women and their pregnancy outcome in the form of development of vaginal infection (P-value =0.036), vaginal bleeding (P-value = 0.008), preterm labour (P-value = 0.003), premature rupture of membrane (P-value = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Violence against pregnant women in Minia Governorate, Egypt is common especially emotional violence and it has many adverse effects on the women and their pregnancy outcome. One of the most important risk factors is the fear of the husband which makes violence a continuous vicious circle.