Prevalence of depression among patients with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of major depressive episode (MDE) in patients with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (pre-PTB, defined by cough lasting ≥ 3 weeks) and compare it between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and without PTB. Methods: Patients with pre-PTB (n=260) were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Those individuals with scores ≥ 10 were subsequently assessed with the depression module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus) to confirm diagnosis. Associations of categorical variables with PTB and MDE were calculated using the chi-square test and OR. Results: PTB was confirmed in 98 patients (37.7%). A high proportion of both groups (active PTB and no PTB) screened positive for depression (60.2 vs. 62.1%, respectively). Among 159 patients who screened positive for depression, a subset of 97 (61.0%) were further evaluated with the MINI-Plus; current MDE was confirmed in 54.6% (53/97). On univariate and multivariate analysis, female sex was the only factor associated with the diagnosis of current MDE (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The prevalence of MDE was high among individuals with prolonged respiratory symptoms, independent of PTB diagnosis. This is consistent with other studies of depression in primary care in Brazil.

Major Depression and Acute Coronary Syndrome-Related Factors / Depressão Maior e Fatores Relacionados na Síndrome Coronariana Aguda

Abstract Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental illnesses in psychiatry, being considered a risk factor for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Objective: To assess the prevalence of MDD in ACS patients, as well as to analyze associated factors through the interdependence of sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical variables. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, case-series study conducted on patients hospitalized consecutively at the coronary units of three public hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro over a 24-month period. All participants answered a standardized questionnaire requesting sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical data, as well as a structured diagnostic interview for the DSM-IV regarding ongoing major depressive episodes. A general log-linear model of multivariate analysis was employed to assess association and interdependence with a significance level of 5%. Results: Analysis of 356 patients (229 men), with an average and median age of 60 years (SD ± 11.42, 27-89). We found an MDD point prevalence of 23%, and a significant association between MDD and gender, marital status, sedentary lifestyle, Killip classification, and MDD history. Controlling for gender, we found a statistically significant association between MDD and gender, age ≤ 60 years, sedentary lifestyle and MDD history. The log-linear model identified the variables MDD history, gender, sedentary lifestyle, and age ≤ 60 years as having the greatest association with MDD. Conclusion: Distinct approaches are required to diagnose and treat MDD in young women with ACS, history of MDD, sedentary lifestyle, and who are not in stable relationships.

Resumo Fundamento: O transtorno depressivo maior (TDM) é um dos distúrbios mentais mais comuns em psiquiatria, sendo um fator de risco para síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA). Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de TDM em pacientes com SCA, assim como analisar os fatores associados através da interdependência de variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e de estilo de vida. Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal conduzido em pacientes hospitalizados consecutivamente nas unidades coronarianas de três hospitais públicos na cidade do Rio de Janeiro num período de 24 meses. Todos os participantes responderam a um questionário padrão sobre dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e de estilo de vida, assim como participaram de uma entrevista clínica estruturada do DSM-IV sobre episódio depressivo maior atual. Aplicou-se um modelo log-linear de análise multivariada para avaliar associação e interdependência, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Análise de 356 pacientes (229 homens) com idade média e mediana de 60 anos (DP ± 11,42; 27-89). Encontrou-se uma prevalência pontual de TDM de 23%, e significativa associação de TDM com as variáveis sexo, estado civil, sedentarismo, classificação Killip e história de TDM. Ao controlar por sexo, observou-se associação estatisticamente significativa entre TDM e sexo, idade ≤ 60 anos, sedentarismo e história de TDM. O modelo log-linear identificou as variáveis história de TDM, sexo, sedentarismo e idade ≤ 60 anos como tendo a maior associação com TDM. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam a necessidade de abordagens distintas para diagnosticar e tratar TDM em mulheres jovens com SCA, história de TDM, sedentarismo e que não estejam em relações estáveis.

Robin Williams' suicide: a case study / O suicídio de Robin Williams: estudo de caso

Abstract Introduction: The world renowned comedian and four-time Oscar nominated actor Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014. From the outset, the news indicated that his death was believed to be a suicide and this was later confirmed to be true by the autopsy reports. Williams had been suffering from severe depression, which is believed to be the leading contributor to his suicide. In this case study, I will highlight the event of the actor's suicide and the main risk factors along with depression leading to his tragic death. As of the end of 2015, no other case study seemed to have addressed or explored the links between the cause (or causes) and events leading to Robin Williams' suicide. Case description: Robin Williams was suffering from relationship problems, financial problems, drug addiction, and major depression. All of these factors led to his suicide. Comments: The chances of committing suicide drastically increase in the presence of any of the key risk factors. Unfortunately, the actor Robin Williams was dealing with four of the major risk factors all together, which put him at a high risk of committing suicide and eventually led to his tragic death.

Resumo Introdução: O ator Robin Williams, comediante reconhecido internacionalmente e quatro vezes indicado ao Oscar, faleceu no dia 11 de agosto de 2014. Desde o início, os noticiários indicavam que sua morte provavelmente resultara de suicídio, e isso foi confirmado posteriormente nos relatórios da autópsia. Williams vinha sofrendo de depressão severa, a qual, acredita-se, foi o fator que mais contribuiu para seu suicídio. Neste estudo de caso, vou discorrer sobre o suicídio do ator e sobre os principais fatores de risco, além da depressão, que levaram à sua morte trágica. Do final de 2015 para cá, nenhum outro estudo de caso parece ter abordado ou explorado as associações entre a causa (ou as causas) e os eventos que levaram ao suicídio do ator Robin Williams. Descrição do caso: Robin Williams vinha sofrendo com problemas de relacionamento, problemas financeiros, abuso de drogas e depressão severa. Todos esses fatores levaram ao seu suicídio. Comentários: As chances de cometer suicídio aumentam drasticamente na presença de qualquer fator de risco chaves. Infelizmente, o ator Robin Williams estava exposto a quatro fatores de risco chaves simultaneamente, colocando-o sob um alto risco de cometer suicídio, o que eventualmente culminou com sua trágica morte.

Late-life depression, heart failure and frontal white matter hyperintensity: a structural magnetic resonance imaging study

The relevance of the relationship between cardiac disease and depressive symptoms is well established. White matter hyperintensity, a bright signal area in the brain on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans, has been separately associated with cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac disease and late-life depression. However, no study has directly investigated the association between heart failure, major depressive symptoms and the presence of hyperintensities. Using a visual assessment scale, we have investigated the frequency and severity of white matter hyperintensities identified by magnetic resonance imaging in eight patients with late-life depression and heart failure, ten patients with heart failure without depression, and fourteen healthy elderly volunteers. Since the frontal lobe has been the proposed site for the preferential location of white matter hyperintensities in patients with late-life depression, we focused our investigation specifically on this brain region. Although there were no significant group differences in white matter hyperintensities in the frontal region, a significant direct correlation emerged between the severity of frontal periventricular white matter hyperintensity and scores on the Hamilton scale for depression in the group with heart failure and depression (P = 0.016, controlled for the confounding influence of age). There were no significant findings in any other areas of the brain. This pattern of results adds support to a relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and depressive symptoms, and provides preliminary evidence that the presence of white matter hyperintensities specifically in frontal regions may contribute to the severity of depressive symptoms in cardiac disease.