BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Climate anxiety is an emerging concept defined as increased anxiety about climate change and has been linked to negative mental health outcomes. As a relatively new concept, only a few have characterized it and its relationship with mental health, especially in the Global South populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between climate anxiety and depressive symptoms among undergraduate students from a college in a higher education institution in Manila, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to (1) determine the proportion of undergraduate students who reported high levels of climate anxiety and depressive symptoms; and (2) determine the association between climate anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Using a cross-sectional design and a convenience sampling method, the investigators collected data through an online survey to assess levels of climate anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Data was analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Among the 148 respondents (N=325), 14.86% had high climate anxiety (i.e., CCAS score >= 3) and 62.84% had high depressive symptoms (i.e., PHQ-9 score >= 10). Regression analysis showed that the odds of those having high climate anxiety reporting high depressive symptoms are higher than those with low climate anxiety, though this is not significant (OR = 2.53, p=0.144).

The study verifies the existence of climate anxiety among undergraduate students and reflects an alarming mental health situation in the selected college. It is recommended that wide-scope investigations on the current state of climate anxiety and mental health among the youth be done to verify their impacts, along with inter-sectoral efforts such as increasing awareness through health education interventions to improve the youths’ mental health literacy and resilience to the effects of climate change, and promoting climate change-responsive mental health services to address these as pressing threats to youth health.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ensuring the total well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs), including their mental health and psychological well-being, is an essential aspect in the delivery of patient care and the preservation of the health workforce. This study aimed to determine the level of mental well-being and emotional state of HCWs in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 scale in a tertiary government hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and to identify the job-related factors that may be associated with these outcomes.

This is an analytical, cross-sectional study among HCWs involved in direct patient care in a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was conducted from February to March 2022 through an online self-administered questionnaire, which included the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). This was sent to doctors, nurses, and allied medical workers actively working in the clinical areas. All responses were collected and analyzed.

Three hundred sixty-four healthcare workers were included in the study. Majority were single (62.62%), living with immediate family (50.82%), and working in a COVID-designated area (62.09%). High prevalence of depression (49.18%), anxiety (61.54%), and stress (30.22%) was found among the HCWs. Work in high infection/COVID-designated areas was significantly associated with anxiety and stress, and high-job demand was significantly associated with all three mental health states compared to low job-demand.

Focus should be placed on modifying the condition of high job demand among healthcare workers working in hospitals. This includes ensuring optimum staffing levels and patient to HCW ratio which avoids HCWs from being subjected to high workloads and time pressures that subsequently increase risk for stress, anxiety, and depression.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depression are prevalent during pregnancy. There is significant evidence that antenatal anxiety and depression are risk factors for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among pregnant women who undergo ultrasonographic detection of structural fetal anomalies in the Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, for a 13-month period.

The study utilized a comparative cross-sectional study design comparing those who underwent congenital anomaly scan (CAS) with those who just underwent routine biometry. There were 177 research respondents for each group. The Filipino version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-P) was used. The psychiatric interview was based on the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) particularly on the Major Depressive DIsorder and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

The results showed that the mean pre-diagnostics anxiety score of women who underwent CAS was significantly higher than the mean pre-diagnostics anxiety score of women who had biometry. The mean post-diagnostics depression score of women who underwent CAS was significantly higher than the mean post-diagnostics depression score of women who had biometry. However, all pregnant women had normal HADS-P score before and after CAS and biometry. Psychiatric evaluation showed that none was diagnosed to have generalized anxiety disorder or major depression in the conduct of the diagnostic tests.

This study indicates that generalized anxiety and depression among pregnant patients subjected to routine biometry and congenital scan were not problems in this tertiary hospital. Knowledge of CAS and awareness of risk factors for congenital anomalies are important for providing care and counseling pregnant women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Depression and anxiety are common among patients with cardiovascular disease. With increased stress from the ongoing pandemic, it is important to evaluate these conditions. Hence, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of depression and anxiety among outpatient consults via telemedicine through the HADS-P questionnaire and to compare the clinical and socioeconomic profile of patients with HADS-P score of >/=11.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study including participants, outpatients in the cardiology clinic through an online survey regarding their socioeconomic demographic profile and the HADS-P questionnaire. Patients with scores of >/=11 for anxiety or depression were identified and the two groups were compared using a chi-square test analysis.

One hundred and twelve patients were recruited. Majority were females, with a partner, unemployed and living below the poverty line. The most common cardiovascular condition was ischemic heart disease and most patients were at least functional class II. The measured prevalence of probable anxiety and depression were 22% and 8%, respectively. A significant difference between the presence of both anxiety and depression was seen in participants with no partners; and for depression alone, in employed participants.

Anxiety and depression are common in this sample population. HADS-P is a simple way of screening patients for these conditions so that holistic care may be instituted and appropriate referrals for psychological intervention may be done.

Objective To investigate the state of anxiety and depression in patients with Parkinson disease due to high-altitude exposure in Tibet， China and its impact on quality of life. Methods A total of 93 patients with Parkinson disease who attended Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital from February 2023 to November 2024 were enrolled， and basic information and assessment scales were collected. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ （UPDRS-Ⅲ） and Hoehn-Yahr （H-Y） stage were used to evaluate disease severity； Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire （PDQ-39） was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients； the diagnostic criteria for depression and anxiety in Parkinson disease were used for the diagnosis of depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease； Hamilton Depression Scale （HAMD） and Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA） were used to assess the severity of depression and anxiety. Results Among the 93 patients with Parkinson disease， the prevalence rates of depression and anxiety were 59.1% and 44.1%， respectively. There were significant differences between the depression group and the non-depression group in the somatization， despair， cognitive impairment， block factor， and day-night changes of anxiety， but there were no significant differences in sleep disorders and body weight between the two groups. The depression group had significantly higher PDQ-39 scores than the non-depression group， and the anxiety group had significantly higher PDQ-39 scores than the non-anxiety group. Depressive state was negatively correlated with folate and was positively correlated with blood homocysteine. Anxiety state was positively correlated with H-Y stage and UPDRS Ⅲ score. Conclusion There are relatively high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease in Tibetan plateau area， which significantly affects the quality of life of patients.
Parkinson Disease ; Depression ; Anxiety

Objective To investigate the association between depression and autonomic nervous function in Parkinson disease （PD）， and to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Methods Clinical and neurocirculation data were collected from 168 PD patients who attended Department of Neurology， The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College， from July 2022 to July 2023， and according to the score of Beck Depression Inventory， the patients were divided into depression in PD （dPD） group with 57 patients and non-dPD （nPD） group with 111 patients. General clinical data were collected from all patients. The supine-to-standing TCD test was performed for all patients to record systolic blood pressure （SBP）， diastolic blood pressure （DBP）， heart rate （HR）， and the mean velocity （Vm）， pulsatility index （PI）， and resistance index （RI） of the middle cerebral artery （MCA） at 1， 3， and 5 minutes in both the supine and standing positions. A network was constructed for depression symptoms in PD. Results In the network of non-motor symptoms in PD， depression showed the highest centrality and the strongest predictability and was strongly correlated with sleep/fatigue and mood/cognition， with a strength centrality stability coefficient （CS strength） of 0.440. Compared with the nPD group， the dPD group had significantly lower supine HR， ∆HR， Vm in the standing position， and ∆Vm%， a significantly greater ∆DBP， and a significantly higher proportion of patients with dizziness with orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic cerebral hypoperfusion （P<0.05）. Depression was positively correlated with ∆SBP， ∆DBP， Vm in the supine position， and RI in the standing position， and it was negatively correlated with ∆HR， DBP in the supine position， HR in the supine position， and ∆PI （CS strength=0.375 and 0.222）. Conclusion Impairment of cardiovascular and cerebral autonomic nervous function might be involved in the pathogenesis of depression in PD， and intervention of depression can help improve the overall non-motor symptoms of PD， with sleep， fatigue， and cognition as the effective targets for improving depression in PD.
Parkinson Disease ; Depression

Objective To investigate the effect of Baduanjin on mood and sleep quality in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson disease （PD） and related mechanisms. Methods A total of 110 patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage 1-3 stable PD were randomly divided into Baduanjin group and control group， with 55 patients in each group. The patients in the Baduanjin group received Baduanjin exercise for 30 minutes each time， 5 days a week for 12 weeks， and those in the control group did not do any exercise. Motor function， anxiety and depression mood， and sleep quality were assessed before exercise and after exercise for 12 weeks. Results Compared with the control group， the Baduanjin group had significant improvements in UPDRS-Ⅲ score and 6-minute walk test results. There was a significant difference in Berg Balance Scale in terms of the interaction between time and intervention. There were significant differences between the two groups in HAMA14，HAMD24，and PSQI scores. Conclusions Baduanjin can improve mood and sleep quality in patients with mild to moderate PD.
Parkinson Disease ; Anxiety ; Depression

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Primary care nurses serve as the gatekeeper of the health system. They could be psychologically affected in times of health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess their perceived anxiety, depression, and resilience while working in the rural health units in Samar Province.

A cross-sectional design was employed involving 188 primary care nurses who were working in rural health units (RHUs) in Samar province. They were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Anxiety and depression levels were assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Resilience level was assessed using 18-item Resilience Scale. Pearson’s r moment correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to determine associated factors with mental health.

Twenty (20) nurses experienced anxiety and five of them reported depression. Work experience is associated with depression [Exp(B) = 3.753; 95% CI (1.121 – 12.563)]. Overall, nurses reported high resilience level. Anxiety and depression are significantly and negatively associated with resilience.

Primary care nurses experience depression and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic. Work experience is associated to their levels of depression. Moreover, nurses reported high levels of resilience. The higher the levels of anxiety and depression, the lower is their resilience.

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been increasing in prevalence in recent years. The true prevalence of depression in hemodialysis patients is still not known. Cross-cultural studies showed prevalence ranging from 20-90%. Dimaano translated the Beck’s Depression Inventory Scale into the Visayan language and used this as a screening tool for depression among hemodialysis patients - and this was the first cross-cultural translation of the Beck’s Depression Inventory Scale to the Visayan language (BDI-Visayan).

Determine the accuracy of Beck’s Depression Inventory - Visayan in screening for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among Visayan-speaking ESRD patients.

Cross-sectional survey

Adult Visayan-speaking patients, ≥ 18 years old with ESRD, with GFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 and ongoing hemodialysis for at least 3 months at the Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue Renal Unit.

The 73 subjects underwent both the BDI-Visayan and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders. Data was gathered to determine the accuracy of the BDI-Visayan in detecting Major Depressive Disorder.

Of the 73 subjects, 19.2% were identified with MDD, based on the SCID, while 37.0% were identified as depressed using the BDI-Visayan. Analyzed data showed that the accuracy of BDI-Visayan to detect MDD was 67.75%, with a sensitivity of 57.14%, and specificity of 67.8%.

BDI-Visayan had an acceptable accuracy in screening for MDD, however, it may tend to have an overdiagnosis in the ESRD population – emphasizing its role as a screening tool for suspected MDD cases.

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy in patients with chronic disease such as Migraine Headache poses potential harm in patients such that psychological distress may come in. In relation to psychological distress, Migraine Headache patients with multiple drug use are at increased risk of anxiety and depression.

The main objective of the study is to determine the association between anxiety and depression to polypharmacy in migraine headache patients by using the data in the PNA One Headache Database.

We utilized the data obtained from the Philippine Neurological Association One (PNA-1) Headache Database from 2021 to 2024 and determine the association between Anxiety and Depression to Polypharmacy in patients with Migraine.

The number of medications taken by patients does not significantly differ across depression and anxiety levels, indicating that polypharmacy has no impact on patient’s depression and anxiety. However, the study found that patients with anxiety have more tendency to report more severe headache.

The study highlights that participants, primarily middle-aged women, experience chronic headaches with high pain severity, often lasting for hours. Educational attainment may influence headache management compliance with a large proportion having only elementary education. Headache onset typically begins in early adulthood, and medication effectiveness often diminishes over time suggesting potential tolerance issues. Anxiety is associated with reporting of increased headache severity while depression does not significantly impact headache characteristics or polypharmacy. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and revised treatment strategies to improve headache management outcomes.