Hsiang Huang

A meta-analysis of the relationship between antidepressant use in pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight

OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between antidepressant use in pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION We searched English and non-English language articles via PubMed, CINAHL and PsychINFO (from their start dates through December 1st, 2012). We used the following keywords and their combinations: antidepressant, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), pregnancy, antenatal, prenatal, birthweight, birth weight, preterm, prematurity, gestational age, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine growth restriction, and small-for-gestational age. Published studies were considered eligible if they examined exposure to antidepressant medication use during pregnancy and reported data on at least one birth outcome of interest: PTB (<37 weeks gestation) or LBW (<2500 g). Of the 222 reviewed studies, 28 published studies met the selection criteria. DATA EXTRACTION Two authors independently extracted study characteristics from eligible studies. RESULTS Using random-effects models, antidepressant use in pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (RR: 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.70) and PTB (RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.52-1.88). Studies varied widely in design, populations, control groups and methods. There was a high level of heterogeneity as measured by I2 statistics for both outcomes examined. The relationship between antidepressant exposure in pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes did not differ significantly when taking into account drug type (SSRI vs. other or mixed) or study design (prospective vs. retrospective). There was a significant association between antidepressant exposure and PTB for different types of control status used (depressed, mixed or nondepressed). CONCLUSIONS Antidepressant use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk for LBW and PTB.

Trends in cost and outcomes among adult and pediatric patients with asthma: 2000–2009

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined recent trends in medical expenditures and outcomes in patients with asthma. OBJECTIVE To examine the level and changes in medical expenditures, health status, and functional outcomes in adults, adolescents, and children with asthma and to provide nationally representative estimates of asthma medical costs from 2000 through 2009. METHODS Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys from 2000 through 2009 were used to estimate the trends of medical expenditures (adjusted for medical price inflation), number of workdays lost or schooldays lost, and/or the physical component summary and the mental component summary from the revised 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, adjusting for sociodemographic variables and comorbidities. RESULTS The averaged physical component summary decreased 0.09 units annually (95% confidence interval 0.02-0.16, P < .01) in adults, but there were no significant changes to the averaged mental component summary. There was no significant change in the number of workdays lost and a marginal decrease of 1.8% per annum in the number of schooldays lost (95% confidence interval -0.1 to 3.5, P = .06). The medical expenditure means increased 2.5% annually in adolescents (95% confidence interval 0.0-4.9, P = .049), but there were no significant changes for adults and children. The total incremental medical expenditures of asthma in the United States were estimated to be

The Effect of Changes in Depressive Symptoms on Disability Status in Patients with Diabetes

62.8 billion in 2009. CONCLUSION This study found that, although medical costs for patients with asthma increased or remained stable across all age groups over a 10-year period, outcomes did not improve. Considering the economic burden of asthma and the previous 10-year performance, continued attention should be focused on asthma management in the United States.

Referral for substance abuse treatment and depression improvement among patients with co-occurring disorders seeking behavioral health services in primary care.

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between changes in depressive symptoms and disability status in patients with diabetes. METHODS This 5-year prospective cohort study included 2733 patients with diabetes enrolled in the Pathways Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study who had completed depression and activities of daily living questionnaires at baseline and 5 years. Four depression groups were created using changes in depression scores over 5 years: no depression, improved depression, persistent depression, and development of depression. After controlling for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, we examined the association between changes in depressive symptoms and incident disability at 5 years using Poisson regression. RESULTS In patients nondisabled at baseline (n = 2155), the improved depression group had a risk of disability comparable to the no depression reference group [relative risk (RR): 0.70, 95% CI (0.44-1.12)]. The development of depression and persistent depression groups were significantly more likely to develop disability compared with the no depression group [RR: 2.86, 95% CI (2.12-3.86) and RR: 2.16, 95% CI (1.47-3.18), respectively]. Among those who were disabled at baseline, there was no significant change in the disability status of the three depression groups compared with disabled patients with no depressive symptoms at either time point. CONCLUSIONS Among initially nondisabled patients with diabetes, those whose depression improved had functional outcomes comparable to those who were nondepressed at baseline and 5 years. Patients who developed depression and had persistent depression were more likely to experience disability at 5 years than those who were nondepressed at baseline and 5 years.

The Relationship Between Depressive/Anxiety Symptoms During Pregnancy/Postpartum and Sexual Life Decline after Delivery

This study examined the relationship between substance treatment referrals and depression improvement among 2,373 participants with concurrent substance use and depressive disorders enrolled in an integrated behavioral health program. Three groups of substance treatment referral status were identified: accessed treatment (n=780), declined treatment (n=315), and no referral for treatment (n=1278). The primary outcome is improvement in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9<10 or ≥50% reduction). Using propensity score adjustments, patients accessing substance treatment were significantly more likely to achieve depression improvement than those who declined receiving treatment services (hazard ratio (HR)=1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50-2.20, p<0.001) and those without a referral for treatment (HR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.25, p=0.014). Each 1 week delay in initiating a referral was associated with a decreased likelihood of depression improvement (HR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98, p<0.001). Study findings highlight the need of enhancing early treatment contact for co-occurring substance use disorders in primary care.

Substance Screening and Referral for Substance Abuse Treatment in an Integrated Mental Health Care Program

INTRODUCTION Several factors have been found to be independently associated with decline in sexual activity after delivery. However, the association between depression in pregnancy/postpartum and sexual problems is less clear. AIM To prospectively evaluate the relationship between depressive/anxiety symptoms (DAS) during the perinatal period and sexual life in the postpartum period. METHODS A prospective cohort study conducted between May 2005 and March 2007 included 831 pregnant women recruited from primary care clinics of the public sector in São Paulo, Brazil. Four groups with DAS during antenatal and postpartum periods were identified using the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20): absence of both antenatal and postpartum DAS; presence of antenatal DAS only; presence of postpartum DAS only; and presence of both antenatal and postpartum DAS. The primary outcome was perception of sexual life decline (SLD) before and after pregnancy/delivery. Crude and adjusted risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated using Poisson regression to examine the associations between DAS and SLD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome measure of this study is the perception of SLD before and after pregnancy/delivery. RESULTS SLD occurred in 21.1% of the cohort. In the multivariable analysis, the following variables were independently associated with SLD: DAS during both pregnancy and postpartum (RR: 3.17 [95% CI: 2.18-4.59]); DAS during only the postpartum period (RR: 3.45 [95% CI: 2.39-4.98]); a previous miscarriage (RR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.06-2.23]); and maternal age (RR: 2.11 [95% CI: 1.22-3.65]). CONCLUSIONS Postpartum women with DAS have an increased likelihood for SLD up to 18 months after delivery. Efforts to improve the rates of recognition and treatment of perinatal depression/anxiety in primary care settings have the potential to preserve sexual functioning for low-income mothers.

The relationship between perinatal psychiatric disorders and contraception use among postpartum women

OBJECTIVE This study examined rates of substance screening and referral for substance abuse treatment as part of an integrated care program providing mental health services to low-income patients in primary care. METHODS Adults (N=11,150) who were enrolled in the program between 2008 and 2010 were included. Primary outcomes included substance screening rates, treatment referral rates, and correlates of accessing recommended treatment. RESULTS A total of 7,513 (67%) participants were screened for substance abuse. Among the 2,856 (38%) participants with a positive screen, 1,344 (47%) were referred for treatment. After adjustment for covariates, accessing recommended treatment was associated with past substance abuse treatment history, alcohol use, heavy drug use, posttraumatic stress disorder, and number of follow-up contacts with a care manager. CONCLUSION This study of a vulnerable population highlights missed opportunities for identifying and referring patients in primary care to substance abuse treatment.

Variations in depression care and outcomes among high-risk mothers from different racial/ethnic groups.

BACKGROUND The relationship between perinatal psychiatric disorders and the use of effective contraceptive methods among postpartum women served by primary care clinics has not been established. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective cohort study with 831 pregnant women recruited from 10 primary care clinics of the public sector in São Paulo followed up to 18 months after delivery. RESULTS Among 701 postpartum women, 644 women (91.8%) had resumed sexual activity. Two hundred fifty-three women (39.2%) were classified as using a less effective contraception method (LECM). The presence of perinatal psychiatric disorder (in pregnancy and/or postpartum) was not associated with LECM. Resumption of sexual life 3 months or beyond after delivery was associated with LECM (odds ratio=1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.56). DISCUSSION Although the use of an LECM after delivery is common, contraception choice is not associated with perinatal depressive/anxiety symptoms. However, women who delay the resumption of sexual activity after delivery should be counseled on the use of available contraceptive methods.

The Burden of Mental Disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990-2013.

UNLABELLED PURPOSE. To examine variations in depression care and outcomes among high-risk pregnant and parenting women from different racial/ethnic groups served in community health centres. METHODS As part of a collaborative care programme that provides depression treatment in primary care clinics for high-risk mothers, 661 women with probable depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10), who self-reported race/ethnicity as Latina (n = 393), White (n = 126), Black (n = 75) or Asian (n = 67), were included in the study. Primary outcomes include quality of depression care and improvement in depression. A Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was used to examine time to treatment response. RESULTS We observed significant differences in both depression processes and outcomes across ethnic groups. After adjusting for other variables, Blacks were found to be significantly less likely to improve than Latinas [hazard ratio (HR): 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.65]. Other factors significantly associated with depression improvement were pregnancy (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.27-1.82), number of clinic visits (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17-1.36) and phone contacts (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.32-1.60) by the care manager in the first month of treatment. After controlling for depression severity, having suicidal thoughts at baseline was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of depression improvement (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67-0.83). CONCLUSIONS In this racially and ethnically diverse sample of pregnant and parenting women treated for depression in primary care, the intensity of care management was positively associated with improved depression. There was also appreciable variation in depression outcomes between Latina and Black patients.

Teaching Collaborative Care in Primary Care Settings for Psychiatry Residents

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is witnessing an increase in chronic disorders, including mental illness. With ongoing unrest, this is expected to rise. This is the first study to quantify the burden of mental disorders in the EMR. We used data from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) 2013. DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) allow assessment of both premature mortality (years of life lost–YLLs) and nonfatal outcomes (years lived with disability–YLDs). DALYs are computed by adding YLLs and YLDs for each age-sex-country group. In 2013, mental disorders contributed to 5.6% of the total disease burden in the EMR (1894 DALYS/100,000 population): 2519 DALYS/100,000 (2590/100,000 males, 2426/100,000 females) in high-income countries, 1884 DALYS/100,000 (1618/100,000 males, 2157/100,000 females) in middle-income countries, 1607 DALYS/100,000 (1500/100,000 males, 1717/100,000 females) in low-income countries. Females had a greater proportion of burden due to mental disorders than did males of equivalent ages, except for those under 15 years of age. The highest proportion of DALYs occurred in the 25–49 age group, with a peak in the 35–39 years age group (5344 DALYs/100,000). The burden of mental disorders in EMR increased from 1726 DALYs/100,000 in 1990 to 1912 DALYs/100,000 in 2013 (10.8% increase). Within the mental disorders group in EMR, depressive disorders accounted for most DALYs, followed by anxiety disorders. Among EMR countries, Palestine had the largest burden of mental disorders. Nearly all EMR countries had a higher mental disorder burden compared to the global level. Our findings call for EMR ministries of health to increase provision of mental health services and to address the stigma of mental illness. Moreover, our results showing the accelerating burden of mental health are alarming as the region is seeing an increased level of instability. Indeed, mental health problems, if not properly addressed, will lead to an increased burden of diseases in the region.