Objective: To determine if there is a significant difference between the prevalence of depression in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals. Methodology: Sixty female individuals 65 years and above were included in the study, thirty from the community while the other thirty reside in an institution for the elderly. The Mini Mental Status Examination was used to establish absence of cognitive impairment in the population, after which the Geriatric Depression Scale was administered. Results: The prevalence of depression in both institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals was 20 percent. The symptoms of depression in the two groups could be considered as depressive episodes since they were transient and did not result in any deterioration of their function. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that there was no difference between the prevalence of depression in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals.
Human ; Female ; Aged 80 and over ; Aged ; DEPRESSION ; AGED

This is a case of a 22-year-old female who presented with labile mood, impulsivity and persistent suicidality. Despite numerous pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic regimens, she only had minimal improvement. Subsequently, she revealed traumatic events in younger years.She has been experiencing recurrent intrusive thoughts, low self-worth, guilt and avoidance behavior. Pharmacotherapeutic management was revised as well as her psychotherapy, which resulted in a positive outcome. However, recurrence occurred after she encountered negative life events. Electroconvulsive therapy and revision of pharmacologic treatment eventually led to significant improvement. This case highlights the importance of underlying psychological trauma that caused persistent symptoms. The intensity of impact and the chronic recurrent negative effect of the trauma on the patient influenced the treatment outcome. It is important to optimize therapeutic management with the use of pharmacologic agents, psychotherapy and somatic therapies.
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Bipolar Disorder

Objectives: The structural abnormality implicated in schizophrenia was supported by eye movement abnormalities, which were considered biological or trait markers of this psychiatric disorder. We aimed to establish the presence of these changes in schizophrenia by comparing the smooth pursuit eye movement latency, fixed amplitude saccade latency and symmetry of optokinetic nystagmus using the electronystagmogram among Filipino patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, their siblings without schizophrenia and controls who were neither related to the patient nor diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methods: Included were twenty patients 18-40 years old diagnosed of schizophrenia based on the DSM-IV Criteria, their siblings and twenty controls. All subjects underwent electronystagmography at the Ear Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital where the following were measured: fixed amplitude saccade latency; horizontal smooth pursuit latency and symmetry of optokinetic nystagmus. The values obtained were then analyzed using paired t-test and two way ANOVA. Results: There was a significant difference in the latency of the fixed amplitude saccade and horizontal smooth pursuit among the three groups. PAtients with schizophrenia had the most delayed latency followed by their siblings. No delay was noted in controls. Significant asymmetry of the optokinetic nystagmus in schizophrenic patients was noted. Abnormalities present in the healthy siblings of patients indicated their latent vulnerability towards this disease. Conclusion: The findings of the study further strengthened the anatomical substrate of schizophrenia. These eye movement abnormalities are localized in the parietal and frontal cortex. These are the same areas that are necessary for attentional symmetry, for minimizing distractibility and maintaining the focus of attention on task relevant stimuli which are impaired in patients with schizophrenia.

Introduction: Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental disorders among medically ill patients with prevalence of 10%-50%. Anxiety and depression are prevalent in patient with heart disease and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and its correlation with clinical profile in heart failure patients using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Filipino Version (HADS-P). Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. HADS-P questionnaire was administered to heart failure patients admitted at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital from December 2013 to November 2014. After securing consent from the attending physicians and patients, the HADS-P questionnaires were then administered to the patients at the end of hospitalization by the investigator/s. The recommended cut-off score for HADS-P is score of 11. Chi-square and Independent T-tests were used in this study. Results: 144 heart failure patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among heart failure patients is 13.2% and 25.7%, respectively. Having prior coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, EF < 40%, and multiple co-morbidity diseases/s are significant factors for depression. While among patients with anxiety, the significant factor is the length of hospital stay. Conclusion This study shows that depression and anxiety are common among heart failure patients. Heart failure patients should be screened for depression and anxiety especially among those having above mentioned clinical profile. The HADS-P questionnaire is an easily applied screening method. A formal psychiatric referral can be taken and should be a part of the comprehensive management among heart failure patients with depression and anxiety.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Heart Failure ; Heart Diseases

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. It has affected millions globally and remains as a public health concern until today.

The study aims to identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among UST hospital frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)-21 scale.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 frontliners in a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines using the DASS-21 scale.

Based on data gathered from the responses of participants using the DASS-21 scale, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among the frontliners were 28.68%, 35.66% and 14.71%, respectively. Being single, living alone, higher degree of educational attainment (postgraduate), trainees (residents and fellows) and those having pulmonary comorbidities were associated with increasing level of depression and stress. Respondents who had less work experience (less than 5 years) had significant depression; being single presented with higher anxiety; and those who had a previous COVID-19 infection had higher degree of stress. 

Several demographic and occupational characteristics, in accordance to the COVID-19 pandemic, yielded significant results regarding the presence of depression, anxiety and stress. The study recommends closer follow-up of participants which recorded high severity scores in the DASS-21 scale as well as regular psychological briefing and counseling to assess if there are other contributory factors to such responses. Ultimately, this may enlighten us on how to provide holistic care to our own hospital staff.