1.Research progress of anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of major depressive disorder
Yue DU ; Xiao YANG ; Xiaohong MA
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):289-293
Major depressive disorder is one of the common mental disorders, and its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Elevated levels of inflammation are recognized as one of the mechanisms contributing to the onset of major depressive disorder. Numerous studies have indicated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, omega-3 fatty acids, statins, pioglitazone, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine, corticosteroids and other medications may exert anti-depressant effects through their anti-inflammatory actions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the application of these drugs in the treatment of major depressive disorder, exploring the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of action of different anti-inflammatory agents, thereby offering a reference for the future application of anti-inflammatory interventions in the treatment of depression. [Funded by The Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (Number, 2022ZD0211700)]
2.Investigation on biological subtypes of depression based on diffusion tensor imaging
Xiongying CHEN ; Hua ZHU ; Hang WU ; Jian CHENG ; Jingjing ZHOU ; Yuan FENG ; Rui LIU ; Yun WANG ; Zhifang ZHANG ; Lei FENG ; Yuan ZHOU ; Gang WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):294-300
BackgroundBeing complex and highly heterogeneous with regard to the etiology and clinical manifestations of depression, neuroimaging studies make a breakthrough for exploring the biological subtypes of depression, while the current data-driven approach for the identification of subtyping depression using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is insufficient. ObjectiveTo explore the biological subtypes of depression using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and machine learning methods. MethodsA total of 127 patients with depression who attended Beijing Anding Hospital from September 2017 to August 2021 and met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria were included, and another 80 healthy individuals matched for gender and age were recruited through advertisements in surrounding communities during the same period. DTI findings, demographic characteristics and clinical data were collected from all participants. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) white matter probability maps were used to extract fractional anisotropy (FA) values of white matter tracts. A semi-supervised machine learning technique was used to identify the subtypes, and the FA values for whole brain white matter of patients and controls were compared. ResultsPatients with depression were classified into two biological subtypes. FA values in multiple tracts including corpus callosum and corona radiata of subtype I patients were smaller than those of healthy controls (P<0.01, FDR corrected), and FA values in middle cerebellar peduncle, left superior cerebellar peduncle and left cerebral peduncle of subtype II patients were larger than those of healthy controls (P<0.01, FDR-corrected). Baseline Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item (HAMD-17) score yielded no statistical difference between subtype I and subtype II patients (P>0.05), while subtype I patients scored lower on HAMD-17 than subtype II patients after 12 weeks of treatment (t=2.410, P<0.05). ConclusionDepression patients exhibit two biological subtypes with distinct patterns of white matter damage. Furthermore, the subtypes respond differently to the medication treatment. [Funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (number, 2016YFC1307200), the Scientific Research and Cultivation Program of Beijing Municipal Hospitals (number,PX2023066), Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University (number,YJ201904, YJ201911); www.chictr.org.cn number: ChiCTR-OOC-17012566]
3.Comparison of serum kynurenine pathway metabolites between patients with first-episode and recurrent major depressive disorder
Guohui LAO ; Yuping NING ; Yanling ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):301-306
BackgroundThe pathogenesis of depression remains not fully understood, and previous studies have suggested that the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder. ObjectiveTo study the difference in serum KP metabolites level between patients with first-episode and recurrent major depressive disorder, and to testify the correlation between KP metabolites level with the severity of depressive symptoms, so as to provide references for the prevention of recurrence. MethodsA total of 136 patients with major depressive disorder who attended the outpatient clinics of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from November 2016 to December 2018 and met the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria were included, including 62 patients in the first-episode group and 74 patients in the recurrent group. Meanwhile, 60 healthy subjects were included as control group. All patients were assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item (HAMD-17), and serum concentrations of tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN) and kynurenic acid (KYNA) were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Then the correlation of HAMD-17 total score and individual item scores with the levels of KP metabolites was tested using partial correlation coefficient. ResultsCompared with the control group, the first-episode group and recurrent group showed a marked decline in TRP concentration (t=-3.044, -4.477, P<0.05 or 0.01) and an increase in KYN/TRP ratio (t=2.343, 3.644, P<0.05 or 0.01), with significant differences. The KYNA concentrations (t=2.490, 2.636, P<0.05 or 0.01) and KYNA/KYN ratio (t=2.894, 2.616, P<0.01) in first-episode group and control group were notably elevated compared to recurrent group, with statistical difference. Partial correlation analysis in patients with first-episode major depressive disorder demonstrated that KYN/TRP ratio was positively correlated with the HAMD-17 anxiety/somatization factor score (r=0.261, P<0.05), and KYNA/KYN ratio was negatively correlated with HAMD-17 total score and block factor score (r=-0.286, -0.282, P<0.05). In patients with recurrent major depressive disorder, KYN/TRP ratio was positively correlated with HAMD-17 anxiety/somatization factor score (r=0.280, P<0.05). ConclusionKP metabolites in serum differ between first-episode and recurrent major depressive disorder patients, and patients with recurrent episodes experience severe KP metabolite abnormalities. Therefore, KP metabolites are considered to be potential biomarker candidates to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and recurrent prediction of major depressive disorder. [Funded by National Key Research and Development Program Precision Medicine Research Project (number, 2016YFC0906300)]
4.Mediating role of generalized trust between attachment and depression in female adolescents with depression
Lan TANG ; Jian LIU ; Lin LI ; Dandan LIU ; Xinxin SHEN ; Jiezheng DONG
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):307-312
BackgroundCompared with male adolescents, depression among female adolescents is of higher prevalence and greater severity. The level of generalized trust correlates with the severity of depression, and attachment correlates with the level of generalized trust. Therefore, based on the mediating role of generalized trust between attachment and depression, this study explores the pathogenesis of depression in female adolescents. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of generalized trust between paternal, maternal and peer attachment and depression in female adolescents, so as to provide references for improving the depression of female adolescents. MethodsThis study included 73 female adolescents who met the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder in the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition(ICD-10) as well as received outpatient and inpatient treatment in Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital between March 2022 and October 2022. Investigation was conducted by use of Revised Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA-R), the Inclusive General Trust Scale (IGTS) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between each scale score. The Bootstrap method was used to test the mediating role of generalized trust between attachment and depression. Results① CDI score in female adolescents with depression was negatively correlated with scores of paternal, maternal and peer attachment in IPPA-R (r=-0.463, -0.459, -0.447, P<0.01). Scores of paternal, maternal and peer attachment in IPPA-R were positively correlated with IGTS score (r=0.372, 0.318, 0.395, P<0.01). IGTS score was negatively correlated with CDI score (r=-0.531, P<0.01 ). ②The test of mediating role showed that the direct effect of paternal, maternal and peer attachment on depression level was significant in female adolescents with depression (effect size=-0.138, -0.136, -0.107, 95% CI: -0.236~-0.039, -0.242~-0.029, -0.203~-0.012). ③The mediating role of generalized trust between paternal, maternal peer attachment and depression level was significant (effect size=-0.069, -0.066, -0.071, 95% CI: -0.127~-0.021, -0.137~-0.010, -0.145~-0.018). ConclusionPaternal, maternal and peer attachment can influence the depression level of female adolescents both directly and indirectly through the generalized trust.
5.Value of resting state electroencephalogram in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Yaxin ZHOU ; Yuan SHAO ; Yuanlong WANG ; Ya'nan LIN ; Liangying ZHANG ; Yongjun WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):313-319
BackgroundThe diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) still faces great challenges, and the advantage of electroencephalogram (EEG) diagnosis lies in its portable and non-invasive nature, so the EEG diagnosis of AD has occupied an important place in clinical research. ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of resting state EEG for AD diagnosis, and to provide references for early recognition of AD in clinical practice. MethodsClinical data of AD patients (n=59) in an Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry Unit of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital from May 2019 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and healthy elderly individuals attending outpatient clinics at the hospital during the same period were enrolled as control group (n=54). Eight-channel resting state EEG data were acquired, and the absolute power values in the α, β, θ and δ frequency bands and the α/θ ratio were obtained and calculated using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Cognitive function assessments of patients were done by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between EEG findings and MMSE and MoCA scores of AD patienrs. Logistic regression prediction model for AD was built using currently available EEG and clinical variables, and the model performance was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC). ResultsThe θ-band absolute powers in the right mid-frontal (F4) and mid-lateral (F7, F8) regions were higher in AD patients than those in healthy controls, with statistically significant difference (t=-2.844, -2.825, -3.014, P<0.05 or 0.01). The absolute powers of α/θ ratio in prefrontal (Fp1, Fp2), mid-frontal (F3, F4) and mid-lateral (F7, F8) regions showed a notable reduction in AD patients compared with healthy controls, with statistical difference (t=2.081, 2.327, 3.423, 2.358, 3.272, 2.445, P<0.05 or 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis denoted that MMSE score was positively correlated with the absolute powers of α-band, β-band and α/θ ratio (r=0.206, 0.288, 0.372, P<0.05 or 0.01). MoCA score was positively correlated with β absolute powers and α/θ ratio (r=0.201, 0.315, P<0.05 or 0.01), and negatively correlated with θ absolute power (r=-0.218, P<0.05). ROC curve revealed an AUC of 0.882 (95% CI: 0.820~0.943), a sensitivity of 0.966 and a specificity of 0.673 for the AD prediction model based on EEG variables, while the prediction model for AD using comprehensive variables achieved better predictive efficacy, reaching an AUC, sensitivity and specificity of 0.946 (95% CI: 0.905~0.986), 0.948 and 0.873, respectively. ConclusionResting state EEG of AD patients is correlated with cognitive function, and are of great value in the diagnosis of AD, with θ absolute power and α/θ ratio in EEG being the most strongly correlated with AD.
6.Effect of group mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy in managing comorbid depression in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Yuting CHEN ; Ling HUANG ; Wenjun LI ; Junjie XIA ; Yu QIU ; Ming YANG ; Ke YI ; Jincheng WANG ; Runjiao CHEN ; Haishi XUE ; Jinyu YANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):320-325
BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease, and patients with COPD often experience substantially emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and depression, all of which may cause serious detriment to the prognosis of patients. As a non-pharmacological intervention in clinical practice, group mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR) is beginning to emerge, while has rarely been studied in COPD patients with concurrent emotional difficulties. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of group MBSR on depression, state of mindfulness and pulmonary function in stable COPD patients, so as to provide references for the application of group MBSR in patients with COPD. MethodsA total of 97 patients with stable COPD who were followed up in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Mianyang Third People's Hospital from January to October 2019 were selected as the study objects, and they were assigned into study group (n=50) and control group (n=47) by random number table method. All individuals received routine medication therapy and an 8-week health education, based on this, participants in study group partook an 8-week intervention comprising group MBSR. At the baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of intervention, participants were assessed with Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT), as well as the pulmonary function testing. ResultsThere were 41 patients in study group and 42 cases in control group completed the study. The group * time interaction was interpreted as significant between two groups for SDS, FFMQ and CAT scores (F=54.858, 86.161, 69.862, P<0.01). Baseline SDS, FFMQ and CAT scores of the two groups yielded no statistical difference between two groups (F=0.240, 0.052, 0.019, P>0.05), while study group scored lower on SDS and CAT (F=12.900, 38.511, 7.797, 28.824, P<0.01) and higher on FFMQ (F=27.324, 82.412, P<0.01) than those of the control group after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. With the prolongation of intervention time in study group, participants demonstrated an overall reduction in SDS and CAT scores (F=109.753, 124.144, P<0.01), and an increase in FFMQ scores (F=228.194, P<0.01). There were no between-group differences in forced expiratory volume in one second as percentage of predicted volume (FEV1%pred) after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention (F=0.104, P=0.748) , and the within-group changes in FEV1%pred value over the intervention period in study group was not statistical (F=0.561, P=0.458). ConclusionGroup MBSR may help relieve depressive symptoms, enhance mindfulness level, and alleviate clinical symptoms in stable COPD patients, but has no effect on pulmonary function. [Funded by Mianyang Health and Health Commission Scientific Research Project (number, 201916)]
7.Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for distress, depression, anxiety and quality of life in cancer patients: a Meta-analysis
Yixuan LIU ; Junwei GUO ; Chao LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):326-333
BackgroundInternet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is progressively emerging as an efficacious alternative to alleviate anxiety and depression in cancer patients. To date, no Meta-analysis has been conducted specific to the effect of ICBT on anxiety, depression, distress and quality of life in cancer patients. ObjectiveTo assess the effect of ICBT on distress, depression, anxiety and quality of life in cancer patients through a systematic review of the literature. MethodsOn March 28, 2022, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data and CBM were retrieved for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving ICBT targeting either distress, depression, anxiety, quality of life or all in cancer patients. After the risk of bias assessment, Stata 17.0 software was used for Meta-analysis. ResultsA total of 12 RCTs with a total sample size of 1 686 patients were included. Meta-analysis revealed that the superiority of ICBT over controls was evident for interventions targeting distress in cancer patients (SMD=-0.547, 95% CI: -1.090~-0.145, P<0.01), while appeared to be less evident for the interventions targeting depression (SMD=-0.652, 95% CI: -1.734~0.002, P=0.051), anxiety (SMD=-1.045, 95% CI: -3.656~0.101, P=0.088) and quality of life (SMD=0.234, 95% CI: -0.064~0.449, P=0.112) in cancer patients,and dropout rate was higher in ICBT group than that in control group (OR=1.795, 95% CI:1.358~2.374, P<0.01). ConclusionICBT is reported to be effective in alleviating distress in cancer patients, whereas results inconsiderable improvements over depression, anxiety and quality of life in cancer patients.
8.Relationship between the level of hope and cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients: mediating role of resilience
Xiujuan FENG ; Shengrui ZHU ; Ziyue CUI ; Jiao FANG ; Wenkai ZHENG
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):334-339
BackgroundAt least 77.0% of breast cancer patients will experience cancer-related fatigue. Hope level and resilience play as two important factors that have influence on cancer-related fatigue. Currently, most studies involve one single factor, either the level of hope or resilience, and explore its relationship with the cancer-related fatigue. Only limited studies explore the action mechanism behind with all three factors put together. ObjectiveTo investigate the mediating role of resilience between hope and cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer, and to provide references for finding intervention targets for cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. MethodsFrom March to October 2022, this study was conducted on the sample size of 324 hospitalized patients from three Grade-A tertiary hospitals in Shaanxi Province. These patients were over 18 years old and pathologically diagnosed as breast cancer. Hope level, resilience and cancer-related fatigue were assessed, respectively, using Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS). Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to analyze the relationship between ADHS score, CD-RISC-10 score and CFS score. AMOS 22.0 was used to analyze the mediating effect of resilience between hope level and cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. ResultsThe detection rate of cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer was 88.58%. Scores of ADHS and CD-RISC-10 were negatively correlated with CFS score (r=-0.750, -0.809, P<0.01). ADHS score was positively correlated with CD-RISC-10 score (r=0.901, P<0.01). Resilience had a mediating effect between the hope level and cancer-related fatigue. The mediating effect value was -0.676(95% CI: -1.005~-0.347), accounting for 81.90% of the total effect. ConclusionThe hope level of breast cancer patients can affect cancer-related fatigue directly as well as indirectly through resilience. Resilience plays a partial mediating role between hope level and cancer-related fatigue .
9.Mediating role of family function between coping strategies and emotional behavior in children with chronic superficial gastritis
Jie ZHU ; Ling QI ; Ling ZHU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Li CAO ; Hongxia KAI
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):340-346
BackgroundChronic superficial gastritis (CSG) is a common clinical disease in children. The emotional behavior of CSG children is susceptible due to them suffering from such disease at young age. ObjectiveTo explore the impact of coping strategies on emotional behavior and the effect of family function in children with CSG, and to provide references for clinical intervention in CSG children with emotional behavior problems. MethodsA total of 177 children with CSG admitted to Anhui Children's Hospital from June 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Investigation on family function, emotional and behavioral problems and coping strategies of children was conducted by employing the Family APGAR index (APGAR), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). The structural equation model was used to test the mediating effect of family function between coping strategies and emotional behaviors. ResultsThe APGAR score was negatively correlated with both SDQ score and negative coping strategies score (r=-0.507, -0.551, P<0.01), but was positively correlated with positive coping strategy score (r=0.579, P<0.01). The positive coping strategy score was negatively correlated with SDQ score (r=-0.539, P<0.01), while the negative coping strategy score was positively correlated with SDQ score (r=0.543, P<0.01). The result showed that family function played a partial mediating role between positive coping strategies and emotional behavior [indirect effect was -0.133 (95% CI: -0.256~-0.079, P<0.01), accounting for 29.40% of the total effect]. The same mediating effect happened between negative coping strategies and emotional behavior [indirect effect was 0.093 (95% CI: 0.198~0.045, P<0.01), accounting for 28.50% of the total effect]. ConclusionCoping strategies of CSG children can affect emotional behavior directly and indirectly with family function playing a partial intermediary effect.
10.Development of job characteristics questionnaire for railway employees and test on its reliability and validity
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(4):347-353
BackgroundThe mental health of employees in railway enterprises is related to the safety and stability of railway transportation. As an important factor affecting occupational mental health, job characteristics have attracted the attention of researchers. However, there exists a lack of job characteristic scales with occupational specificity in current researches relevant to the railway industry. ObjectiveTo develop a job characteristics questionnaire oriented to railway employees that takes both Job Demands-Resources Model (JD-R) and Chinese actual conditions into essential consideration, so as provide guidance for the research on the mental health of railway employees. MethodsPurposive and theoretical samplings were used to select 77 employees across 9 railway units as research objects, and interview method was used to conduct qualitative research in order to determine the structural dimensions and items of the questionnaire. The 612 subjects randomly selected from the railway maintenance system went through the preliminary test, then exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were employed to test the questionnaire. After forming a formal questionnaire on the job characteristics of railway employees, it is extended to the other four main industry systems of railway enterprises, responsible for locomotive maintenance, vehicle depot, signal and communication maintenance, and power supply respectively, to verify the stability and effectiveness. Results①Exploratory factor analysis showed that the questionnaire included two factors, job demands and job resources, with a total of 14 items. The factor loading of each item ranged from 0.761 to 0.916, and the two factors accounted for 71.02% of the total variance. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fitting of the two-factor model (χ2/df=3.310, RMSEA=0.087, GFI=0.892, CFI=0.932, NFI=0.905, IFI=0.932). ② Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out in four extended samples of locomotive maintenance, vehicle depot, signal and communication maintenance, and power supply, and each result indicated a satisfactory model fit(χ2/df=2.678, 4.741, 4.868, 3.502, RMSEA=0.109, 0.096, 0.093, 0.084,GFI=0.832, 0.878, 0.894, 0.904,NFI=0.874, 0.935, 0.902, 0.928,IFI=0.917, 0.948, 0.920, 0.947). ③Job demands in five sub-samples can positively predict job burnout and turnover intention (β=0.564~0.686, 0.425~0.554, P<0.01). Job resources in five sub-samples can positively predict job performance and job satisfaction (β=0.594~0.752, 0.731~0.807, P<0.01), and it can also negatively predict job burnout and turnover intention (β=-0.247~-0.186, -0.357~-0.175,P<0.05 or 0.01).In sub-samples of locomotive maintenance and power supply, job demands can positively predict job performance (β=0.242,0.261, P<0.01).In sub-samples of railway maintenance and signal and communication maintenance, job demands can negatively predict job satisfaction (β=-0.065, -0.091, P<0.01). ConclusionThe questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and is applicable for the study of occupational mental health research on railway employees. [Funded by Major Projects of the National Social Science Foundation of China (number, 19ZDA3580), Scientific Research and Development Program of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd (number, CX21099)]