1.Prevalence of depressive disorders among caregivers of children with autism in Thailand
Chawanun Charnsil ; Narumol Bathia
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2010;11(1):87-95
Objective: Raising children with autism is a stressful event for a family because of the interrelated negative effects. Studies on clinical depression among caregivers of children with autism are very few. The two main objectives were (i) to find the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder in caregivers of children with autism, and (ii) to determine the factors associated with these disorders. Method: A total of 27 caregivers were interviewed by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Thai version to find clinical depression in caregivers. Results: Almost 26 % of the participants demonstrated depressive disorders, of which 14.8% and 11.1% met diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder respectively. Low education level was a significant factor associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of clinical depression is higher among caregivers of children with autism than in the general population. Hence, psychiatrists should include the assessment for caregivers’ depression in their care plans for autistic children to enhance the development of the children and their caregivers.
2.Prevalence Of Thyroid Dysfunction And Its Relationship With The Severity Of Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd)
Chawanun Charnsil ; Sutrak Pilakanta
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(1):71-75
The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of thyroid
dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder and the factors that were associated
with the severity of MDD. Methods: A total of 140 major depressive disorder
patients researched are subjected for blood sampling to determine the blood
thyroid abnormalities. The severity of illness of MDD was determined by the
duration of illness, frequency of admission/ suicidal attempts, and the Hamilton
rating scale for depression (HAM-D). Results: Thirty-one of the 140 patients had
thyroid dysfunction. There was no significant difference in the severity of illness
among patients with MDD between thyroid dysfunction and normal function
group (p=0.024). Conclusion: Patients with MDD had high prevalence of thyroid
dysfunction; however, the former had no correlation with later. ASEAN Journal
of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (1): January – June 2017: XX XX.
3.Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome And Its Associated Factors In Patients With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Chawanun Charnsil ; Sudrak Pilakanta ; Suksiri Panikul
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2015;16(2):1-5
To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and examine its
association with patients with major depressive disorder. Methods: All patients
diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) who visited the Psychiatric
Outpatient Clinic at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital were invited to
participate in this study. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria and did not
have exclusion criteria were included in this project until 140 subjects were
enrolled. The criteria proposed by the American Heart Association/National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (updated ATPIII) were utilized for diagnosing
metabolic syndrome. Age, history of antidepressant and antipsychotic use, time
of illness, severity of illness and family history of metabolic syndrome were
assessed as factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Data was analyzed by
using percentage, mean, standard deviations, student t-test, chi-square test and
Fisher’s exact test. Results: One hundred forty subjects were recruited. The
prevalence of metabolic syndrome determined by the American Heart
Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (updated ATPIII) was
37.9% (53). Age was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in patients
with a major depressive disorder (p≤0.001). The duration of illness, duration of
treatment, family history of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia were not
associated with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: A high proportion of Thai
patients with MDD had metabolic syndrome. These findings support the
importance of assessing and monitoring metabolic syndrome in MDD patients,
especially in older patients.
4.Alcohol Use And Associated Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents In Northern Thailand
Nonglak Boonchooduang ; Orawan Louthrenoo ; Chawanun Charnsil ; Atsawin Narkpongphun
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(2):65-71
Objectives: Alcohol use in adolescents is one of the major health problems in many countries.Understanding the extent of the problem andrelated health risk behaviors is necessary to help prevent the associated behaviors andprovide appropriate intervention. This study aimed to identify alcohol use in adolescents and its correlation with others health risk behaviors.
Methods: A total of 4372 participants, aged 13-18 years old were enrolled. The data were collected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling methods from secondary and vocational schools. A web-based questionnaire using the Thai Youth Risk Behavior Survey, modified from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was administered.
Results: The prevalence of lifetime alcohol exposure was 28.32%, of which 815 participants (18.64%) reported current alcohol use. Adolescents with older age (odds ratio, OR=4.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.15-5.87), male gender (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 2.23-3.09), and attendance at vocational schools (OR=7.87, 95% CI = 6.66-9.31) were associated with current alcohol use. When adjusted for confounding variables, health risk behaviors including interpersonal violence, cyber bullying, risky sexual behaviors, tobacco and marijuana use, and suicidal behaviors were associated with current alcohol use from the multiple logistic regression (p<0.001).
Conclusions: This study shows that a number of adolescents in Northern Thailand are currently using alcohol, and this can influence other health risk behaviors. Efforts to prevent and control alcohol use needs to focus on high-risk groups and among those currently using alcohol.