Depression and Anxiety and Their Associated Factors Among Jordanian Adolescents and Syrian Adolescent Refugees.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety and their associated factors among Jordanian adolescents (n = 1,878) and Syrian adolescent refugees (n = 1,773) aged 12 to 17 years. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Modified, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire were used in this study. Approximately 27.2% of Jordanian adolescents and 28.3% of Syrian adolescent refugees had depression as assessed by the CES-DC. Among males, 17.6% of Jordanian adolescents and 19% of Syrian adolescent refugees had anxiety. Among females, 28.1% of Jordanian adolescents and 27.3% of Syrian adolescent refugees had anxiety. Overall, Jordanian adolescents and Syrian adolescent refugees had high prevalence of depression and anxiety. Establishing community-based mental health care in Jordan is crucial. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59(6), 23-30.].

Sex-specific outcomes and left atrial remodeling following catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: results from the DECAAF II trial.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is recognized as an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite its effectiveness, significant sex-specific differences have been observed, which influence the outcomes of the procedure. This study explores these differences in a cohort of patients with persistent AF. We aim to assess sex differences in baseline characteristics, symptoms, quality of life, imaging findings, and response to catheter ablation in patients with persistent AF. METHODS: This post hoc analysis of the DECAAF II trial evaluated 815 patients (161 females, 646 males). Between July 2016 and January 2020, participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either personalized ablation targeting left atrial (LA) fibrosis using DE-MRI in conjunction with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or PVI alone. In this analysis, we aimed to compare female and male patients in the full cohort in terms of demographics, risk factors, medications, and outcomes such as AF recurrence, AF burden, LA volume reduction assessed by LGE-MRI before and 3 months after ablation, quality of life assessed by the SF-36 score, and safety outcomes. Statistical methods included t-tests, chi-square, and multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS: Females were generally older with more comorbidities and experienced higher rates of arrhythmia recurrence post-ablation (53.3% vs. 40.2%, p < 0.01). Females also showed a higher AF burden (21% vs. 16%, p < 0.01) and a smaller reduction in left atrial volume indexed to body surface area post-ablation compared to male patients (8.36 (9.94) vs 11.35 (13.12), p-value 0.019). Quality of life scores were significantly worse in females both pre- and post-ablation (54 vs. 66 pre-ablation; 69 vs. 81 post-ablation, both p < 0.01), despite similar improvements across sexes. Safety outcomes and procedural parameters were similar between male and female patients. CONCLUSION: The study highlights significant differences in the outcomes of catheter ablation of persistent AF between sexes, with female patients showing worse quality of life, higher recurrence of AF and AF burden after ablation, and worse LA remodeling.