IntroductionPatients with depression are likely to eventually develop Cardiovascular disease(CVD)... more IntroductionPatients with depression are likely to eventually develop Cardiovascular disease(CVD) and have a higher mortality rate than general population. In addition, anxiety disorders, especially Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), may be associated with mortality and other adverse cardiac outcomes.ObjectivesEvaluation of depression and anxiety control in Greek patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with/without GAD and CVD, under 6 months of treatment with citalopram, and/or quetiapine, and/or pregabalin.Methods565 patients with MDD with/without GAD, enrolled in this observational, study (NCT03317262). The subgroup of 133(24%) patients had CVD. Severity of MDD and GAD symptoms was evaluated using the HAM-D and HAM-A Scores at baseline (V1) and after 6 months (V3) respectively.ResultsMean HAM-D score in patients with CVD without GAD, at V1 and V3 was 23.94±7.51 and 8.14±4.65 respectively (p<0.0001). Similar results were observed in patients without CVD without GAD (HAM-...
Proceedings of the 10th IEEE International Conference on Information Technology and Applications in Biomedicine, 2010
Anxiety disorders have a great impact in a patient's environment. Organizing this environmen... more Anxiety disorders have a great impact in a patient's environment. Organizing this environment through Caregiving Social Networks (CSNs) offers an important assistance to a patient's treatment and improves the quality of life of its members. The medical practice of anxiety disorders' treatment is presented, based on which the CSN is established. An abstract structure and indicative roles for the CSN's players are further illustrated which may vary depending on several factors. Finally, a case scenario is provided, showing that a CSN is adequate to support patients with anxiety disorders. CSNs offer important advantages not only to the treatment itself, but both to the patients and their environment.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Oct 1, 2019
Abstract Recent research has fueled a debate concerning the role of nicotine in the emergence of ... more Abstract Recent research has fueled a debate concerning the role of nicotine in the emergence of schizophrenia. The three main hypotheses are: (a) the self-medication effect, (b) the causal relationship hypothesis, or (c) the shared diathesis hypothesis. To explore this role, the study of nicotine consumption during the initial prodromal phase of schizophrenia offers important opportunities. In the present work, 10 relevant studies are reviewed, out of 727 retrieved citations, in order to address questions regarding the prevalence of smoking in the prodromal period, the time of smoking initiation, existing patterns of tobacco use in relation with the escalation of prodromal symptoms into first psychotic episode, and potential differences in symptomatology between smokers and nonsmokers. Even though there was considerable heterogeneity among studies, relevant findings are discussed. Prevalence of nicotine use during the prodromal period was reported to be 16.6–46%. Tobacco use was found to be taken up most often before or during the prodromal period of schizophrenia. Even though a protective role of smoking has been reported by one study, other studies report an increased risk for psychosis, with hazard ratios 2.77 (95% CI: 2.34–3.43) and 2.21 (95% CI: 1.11–4.42) for female and male heavy smokers (11–20 and >20 cigarettes/day), respectively. In a different study, the risk of onset was associated with the progressive use of cannabis and tobacco prior to onset, particularly with rapid escalation to the highest levels of use. Also, nicotine use in ultra high risk (UHR) for developing psychosis subjects is associated with elevated cognitive performance, namely better processing speed, visual learning, and spatial working memory. As a conclusion, it appears that evidence accumulates supporting a possible etiologic role of smoking, in the emergence of schizophrenia along with diverse effects on patients’ symptomatology, already demonstrable at the prodromal phase. Future research employing better-defined criteria should further explore the patterns of use and effects of nicotine during the schizophrenia prodrome.
Background Recently, cognitive deficits occurring in rheumatic diseases have attracted scientific... more Background Recently, cognitive deficits occurring in rheumatic diseases have attracted scientific attention. Cognitive symptoms in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to assess cognitive function and its relationship with depressive symptoms in RA and SSc and compare it to mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease (MiND) and to individuals without cognitive impairment. Methods Cognitive function and depressive symptoms were tapped with the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument plus (COGTEL+), the Serial Seven Test (SST), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression scale-15 (GDS), respectively. Statistical analyses included between groups-, correlation- and regression analyses. Demographic characteristics were considered in the regression models. Results The study included 30 individuals with RA, 24 with SSc, 26 adults without cognitive impairment and 33 indi...
IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. So... more IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. Social distancing, self or quarantine isolation, personal hand hygiene, self-protection, and the fear of becoming infected with the virus, come with a psychological fallout. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students around the world, in terms of their education and lifestyle.ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the students’ mental health and well-being at the University of Patras, in Western Greece.MethodsAn online questionnaire was prepared to collect responses from students during April 2020. Socio-demographic data, academic status, opinions about distance learning, changes in daily routine during the lockdown and anxiety and depression scores, according to the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were gathered.ResultsThe total number of responders was 2009, of which 67.3% women. During lockdown, the 68% of the students returned to ...
IntroductionChildren with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for post-traumatic stress diso... more IntroductionChildren with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The vast majority of TBI are of mild severity (MTBI), however, they may develop persistent neurophysiological symptoms.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of PTSD in children with MTBI in Western Greece.MethodsA one-year prospective study was conducted at the Children Hospital of Patras. A total of 175 children aged 6-14 years screened for risk of PTSD at one-week and one-month post-injury, completing the Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ). The Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES 13) was administered to the parents, to inquire their assessment of PTSD in the children. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS v.22.0ResultsThere were 59 (33.7%) children (27.2% boys, 45.9% girls) whose screen result was at risk. At the rescreening one-month postinjury, 9.9% were still at risk. Parents assessed presence of PTSD in 19%...
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental ... more Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental health. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to estimate the impact of the first lockdown in Greece, on both quality of life and anxiety levels in different occupational groups. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 20th of April to 4th of May 2020. A 24-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect basic demographic and socioeconomic data. The 5-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5, 0-100%, cut-off 52%) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) tools were used to assess well-being and anxiety, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows v.24.0 Statistical Package. Results: A total of 575 participated in the study, 62.8% females, 48.5% aged between 40 to 59 years. 32.5% were employed in education sector, 32.5% in health sector and 20.3% as season workers in tourism sector. Males showed slightly higher levels...
Background SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health and financial and s... more Background SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health and financial and social life. Aims The current study's aim was to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the Greek population during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and to detect potential correlates. Method An anonymous online survey was conducted between 10 April and 4 May 2020, to collect information regarding people's psychological functioning and COVID-19-related perceptions. Results A total of 1443 individuals completed the survey; 293 (20%) reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms, 188 (12.9%) reported clinically significant depressive symptoms and 506 (36.4%) suffered from definite post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety symptoms were independently associated with female gender (β = 1.281, 95% CI 0.808–1.755, P < 0.001), educational level (β = −1.570, 95% CI −2.546 to −0.595, P = 0.002), perceived severity (β = −1.745, 95% CI −3.146...
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε, catechol-O-methytranferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and brain-derived neur... more Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε, catechol-O-methytranferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were shown to affect stress perception and response. The present study explored possible associations between these SNPs and changes in subclinical anxiety- and depressive symptoms, sense of coherence (SOC) and vital exhaustion (VE) during compulsory basic military training. The study encompassed 179 conscripts of a training base in Greece. The neuropsychiatric assessment was based on the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Antonovsky SOC scale and the Maastricht Questionnaire. It was conducted at three time points of the 19-day basic military training: on day one (baseline), day six (follow-up I) and day 13 (follow-up II). Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney test, Chi-square test and cross-sectional time series regression models based on the Skillings–Mack statistic. APOE ε4 non-carriers encountered significant changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC (in all cases P < 0.001) over the observation period, whilst ε4 carriers did not. The changes in anxiety, depressive symptoms and SOC attained statistical significance in both BDNF Met66 carriers (in all cases P < 0.001) and non-carriers ( P = 0.036; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) as well as in COMT Met108/158 carriers ( P = 0.004; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) and non-carriers ( P = 0.02; 0.01; 0.021, respectively. Changes over time in VE were not significant ( P > 0.05). The observed resistance of APOE ε4 carriers vs non-carriers to changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC when exposed to a stressful environment may point to superior coping capacities of healthy young men carrying the ε4 allele.
IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition. Untreated PPD place... more IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition. Untreated PPD places the mother and infant at risk and is associated with significant long-term effects on child development and behavior.ObjectivesAppropriate screening for and prompt recognition and treatment of depression after the birth of a child are essential for maternal and child well-being.AimsThe purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of PPD in the first 5 days after the birth of a neonate and to investigate associations with several risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 mothers, in a public obstetric hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. The Greek version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), a 10–item questionnaire to identifying women who are at risk of PPD, was used to estimate depression among the participants.ResultsAccording to EPDS, 42% of the mothers scree...
IntroductionDepression is often observed in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder. Age of ... more IntroductionDepression is often observed in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder. Age of illness onset and sex have been found to correlate with depressive symptomatology in many but not all studies.AimsIn the present work the relation between depressive symptoms and age of onset and sex was investigated, in a sample of patients with paranoid schizophrenia.MethodsEighty-eight (88) patients with paranoid schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR criteria were examined, 21 of which became ill at ≥35 years of age (late onset), whereas 60 had age of onset < 30 years (young onset). During the active phase the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) was applied. Comparisons were performed by using the two-tailed Wilcoxon rank-sum and Chi-squared tests.ResultsThe percentage of patients with depression (CDSS > 6) in the whole sample was 27.2%. There was a trend for higher scores in early awakening in late onset patients (P = 0.060). In men, there was a trend for heavier d...
IntroductionDepression is fast becoming a major public health problem with a very high prevalence... more IntroductionDepression is fast becoming a major public health problem with a very high prevalence rate in the 65 and over age group.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in Greeks and Cypriots older adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among the 445 participants, 239 members of three day care centers for older people, in the municipality of Patras, West-Greece and 206 older adults (110 in the community, 65 in outpatient clinics, 31 in nursing homes) in Cyprus, aged > 60 years. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. Depression was assessed using the Greek version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).ResultsThe overall prevalence of depression according to GDS-15 was 33% (28% moderate, 5% severe type). Depressive symptoms were more frequent in women (41,6% vs. 28,3%, P < 0,001), in not married (43,0% vs. 29,3%, P < 0,001), in elderly with chronic diseases (36,8% vs. 25,0%, P ...
IntroductionPatients with depression are likely to eventually develop Cardiovascular disease(CVD)... more IntroductionPatients with depression are likely to eventually develop Cardiovascular disease(CVD) and have a higher mortality rate than general population. In addition, anxiety disorders, especially Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), may be associated with mortality and other adverse cardiac outcomes.ObjectivesEvaluation of depression and anxiety control in Greek patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with/without GAD and CVD, under 6 months of treatment with citalopram, and/or quetiapine, and/or pregabalin.Methods565 patients with MDD with/without GAD, enrolled in this observational, study (NCT03317262). The subgroup of 133(24%) patients had CVD. Severity of MDD and GAD symptoms was evaluated using the HAM-D and HAM-A Scores at baseline (V1) and after 6 months (V3) respectively.ResultsMean HAM-D score in patients with CVD without GAD, at V1 and V3 was 23.94±7.51 and 8.14±4.65 respectively (p<0.0001). Similar results were observed in patients without CVD without GAD (HAM-...
Proceedings of the 10th IEEE International Conference on Information Technology and Applications in Biomedicine, 2010
Anxiety disorders have a great impact in a patient's environment. Organizing this environmen... more Anxiety disorders have a great impact in a patient's environment. Organizing this environment through Caregiving Social Networks (CSNs) offers an important assistance to a patient's treatment and improves the quality of life of its members. The medical practice of anxiety disorders' treatment is presented, based on which the CSN is established. An abstract structure and indicative roles for the CSN's players are further illustrated which may vary depending on several factors. Finally, a case scenario is provided, showing that a CSN is adequate to support patients with anxiety disorders. CSNs offer important advantages not only to the treatment itself, but both to the patients and their environment.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Oct 1, 2019
Abstract Recent research has fueled a debate concerning the role of nicotine in the emergence of ... more Abstract Recent research has fueled a debate concerning the role of nicotine in the emergence of schizophrenia. The three main hypotheses are: (a) the self-medication effect, (b) the causal relationship hypothesis, or (c) the shared diathesis hypothesis. To explore this role, the study of nicotine consumption during the initial prodromal phase of schizophrenia offers important opportunities. In the present work, 10 relevant studies are reviewed, out of 727 retrieved citations, in order to address questions regarding the prevalence of smoking in the prodromal period, the time of smoking initiation, existing patterns of tobacco use in relation with the escalation of prodromal symptoms into first psychotic episode, and potential differences in symptomatology between smokers and nonsmokers. Even though there was considerable heterogeneity among studies, relevant findings are discussed. Prevalence of nicotine use during the prodromal period was reported to be 16.6–46%. Tobacco use was found to be taken up most often before or during the prodromal period of schizophrenia. Even though a protective role of smoking has been reported by one study, other studies report an increased risk for psychosis, with hazard ratios 2.77 (95% CI: 2.34–3.43) and 2.21 (95% CI: 1.11–4.42) for female and male heavy smokers (11–20 and >20 cigarettes/day), respectively. In a different study, the risk of onset was associated with the progressive use of cannabis and tobacco prior to onset, particularly with rapid escalation to the highest levels of use. Also, nicotine use in ultra high risk (UHR) for developing psychosis subjects is associated with elevated cognitive performance, namely better processing speed, visual learning, and spatial working memory. As a conclusion, it appears that evidence accumulates supporting a possible etiologic role of smoking, in the emergence of schizophrenia along with diverse effects on patients’ symptomatology, already demonstrable at the prodromal phase. Future research employing better-defined criteria should further explore the patterns of use and effects of nicotine during the schizophrenia prodrome.
Background Recently, cognitive deficits occurring in rheumatic diseases have attracted scientific... more Background Recently, cognitive deficits occurring in rheumatic diseases have attracted scientific attention. Cognitive symptoms in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to assess cognitive function and its relationship with depressive symptoms in RA and SSc and compare it to mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease (MiND) and to individuals without cognitive impairment. Methods Cognitive function and depressive symptoms were tapped with the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument plus (COGTEL+), the Serial Seven Test (SST), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression scale-15 (GDS), respectively. Statistical analyses included between groups-, correlation- and regression analyses. Demographic characteristics were considered in the regression models. Results The study included 30 individuals with RA, 24 with SSc, 26 adults without cognitive impairment and 33 indi...
IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. So... more IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. Social distancing, self or quarantine isolation, personal hand hygiene, self-protection, and the fear of becoming infected with the virus, come with a psychological fallout. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students around the world, in terms of their education and lifestyle.ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the students’ mental health and well-being at the University of Patras, in Western Greece.MethodsAn online questionnaire was prepared to collect responses from students during April 2020. Socio-demographic data, academic status, opinions about distance learning, changes in daily routine during the lockdown and anxiety and depression scores, according to the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were gathered.ResultsThe total number of responders was 2009, of which 67.3% women. During lockdown, the 68% of the students returned to ...
IntroductionChildren with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for post-traumatic stress diso... more IntroductionChildren with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The vast majority of TBI are of mild severity (MTBI), however, they may develop persistent neurophysiological symptoms.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of PTSD in children with MTBI in Western Greece.MethodsA one-year prospective study was conducted at the Children Hospital of Patras. A total of 175 children aged 6-14 years screened for risk of PTSD at one-week and one-month post-injury, completing the Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ). The Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES 13) was administered to the parents, to inquire their assessment of PTSD in the children. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS v.22.0ResultsThere were 59 (33.7%) children (27.2% boys, 45.9% girls) whose screen result was at risk. At the rescreening one-month postinjury, 9.9% were still at risk. Parents assessed presence of PTSD in 19%...
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental ... more Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental health. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to estimate the impact of the first lockdown in Greece, on both quality of life and anxiety levels in different occupational groups. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 20th of April to 4th of May 2020. A 24-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect basic demographic and socioeconomic data. The 5-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5, 0-100%, cut-off 52%) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) tools were used to assess well-being and anxiety, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows v.24.0 Statistical Package. Results: A total of 575 participated in the study, 62.8% females, 48.5% aged between 40 to 59 years. 32.5% were employed in education sector, 32.5% in health sector and 20.3% as season workers in tourism sector. Males showed slightly higher levels...
Background SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health and financial and s... more Background SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health and financial and social life. Aims The current study's aim was to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the Greek population during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and to detect potential correlates. Method An anonymous online survey was conducted between 10 April and 4 May 2020, to collect information regarding people's psychological functioning and COVID-19-related perceptions. Results A total of 1443 individuals completed the survey; 293 (20%) reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms, 188 (12.9%) reported clinically significant depressive symptoms and 506 (36.4%) suffered from definite post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety symptoms were independently associated with female gender (β = 1.281, 95% CI 0.808–1.755, P < 0.001), educational level (β = −1.570, 95% CI −2.546 to −0.595, P = 0.002), perceived severity (β = −1.745, 95% CI −3.146...
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε, catechol-O-methytranferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and brain-derived neur... more Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε, catechol-O-methytranferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were shown to affect stress perception and response. The present study explored possible associations between these SNPs and changes in subclinical anxiety- and depressive symptoms, sense of coherence (SOC) and vital exhaustion (VE) during compulsory basic military training. The study encompassed 179 conscripts of a training base in Greece. The neuropsychiatric assessment was based on the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Antonovsky SOC scale and the Maastricht Questionnaire. It was conducted at three time points of the 19-day basic military training: on day one (baseline), day six (follow-up I) and day 13 (follow-up II). Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney test, Chi-square test and cross-sectional time series regression models based on the Skillings–Mack statistic. APOE ε4 non-carriers encountered significant changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC (in all cases P < 0.001) over the observation period, whilst ε4 carriers did not. The changes in anxiety, depressive symptoms and SOC attained statistical significance in both BDNF Met66 carriers (in all cases P < 0.001) and non-carriers ( P = 0.036; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) as well as in COMT Met108/158 carriers ( P = 0.004; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) and non-carriers ( P = 0.02; 0.01; 0.021, respectively. Changes over time in VE were not significant ( P > 0.05). The observed resistance of APOE ε4 carriers vs non-carriers to changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC when exposed to a stressful environment may point to superior coping capacities of healthy young men carrying the ε4 allele.
IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition. Untreated PPD place... more IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition. Untreated PPD places the mother and infant at risk and is associated with significant long-term effects on child development and behavior.ObjectivesAppropriate screening for and prompt recognition and treatment of depression after the birth of a child are essential for maternal and child well-being.AimsThe purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of PPD in the first 5 days after the birth of a neonate and to investigate associations with several risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 mothers, in a public obstetric hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. The Greek version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), a 10–item questionnaire to identifying women who are at risk of PPD, was used to estimate depression among the participants.ResultsAccording to EPDS, 42% of the mothers scree...
IntroductionDepression is often observed in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder. Age of ... more IntroductionDepression is often observed in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder. Age of illness onset and sex have been found to correlate with depressive symptomatology in many but not all studies.AimsIn the present work the relation between depressive symptoms and age of onset and sex was investigated, in a sample of patients with paranoid schizophrenia.MethodsEighty-eight (88) patients with paranoid schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR criteria were examined, 21 of which became ill at ≥35 years of age (late onset), whereas 60 had age of onset < 30 years (young onset). During the active phase the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) was applied. Comparisons were performed by using the two-tailed Wilcoxon rank-sum and Chi-squared tests.ResultsThe percentage of patients with depression (CDSS > 6) in the whole sample was 27.2%. There was a trend for higher scores in early awakening in late onset patients (P = 0.060). In men, there was a trend for heavier d...
IntroductionDepression is fast becoming a major public health problem with a very high prevalence... more IntroductionDepression is fast becoming a major public health problem with a very high prevalence rate in the 65 and over age group.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in Greeks and Cypriots older adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among the 445 participants, 239 members of three day care centers for older people, in the municipality of Patras, West-Greece and 206 older adults (110 in the community, 65 in outpatient clinics, 31 in nursing homes) in Cyprus, aged > 60 years. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. Depression was assessed using the Greek version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).ResultsThe overall prevalence of depression according to GDS-15 was 33% (28% moderate, 5% severe type). Depressive symptoms were more frequent in women (41,6% vs. 28,3%, P < 0,001), in not married (43,0% vs. 29,3%, P < 0,001), in elderly with chronic diseases (36,8% vs. 25,0%, P ...
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