Jordan E. DeVylder

Risk and functional significance of psychotic experiences among individuals with depression in 44 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUNDnStudies on whether the co-occurrence of psychotic experiences (PEs) and depression confers a more pronounced decrement in health status and function compared with depression alone are scarce in the general adult population.nnnMETHODnData on 195 479 adults aged ⩾18 years from the World Health Survey were analysed. Using the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), depression in the past 12 months was categorized into four groups: depressive episode, brief depressive episode, subsyndromal depression, and no depression. Past 12-month psychotic symptoms were assessed using four questions on positive symptoms from the CIDI. Health status across seven domains (cognition, interpersonal activities, sleep/energy, self-care, mobility, pain/discomfort, vision) and interviewer-rated presence of a mental health problem were assessed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations.nnnRESULTSnWhen compared with those with no depression, individuals with depression had higher odds of reporting at least one PE, and this was seen across all levels of depression severity: subsyndromal depression [odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02-2.81], brief depressive episode (OR 3.84, 95% CI 3.31-4.46) and depressive episode (OR 3.75, 95% CI 3.24-4.33). Having coexisting PEs and depression was associated with a higher risk for observable illness behavior and a significant decline in health status in the cognition, interpersonal activities and sleep/energy domains, compared with those with depression alone.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis coexistence of depression and PEs is associated with more severe social, cognitive and sleep disturbances, and more outwardly apparent illness behavior. Detecting this co-occurrence may be important for treatment planning.

Epidemiology of depression with psychotic experiences and its association with chronic physical conditions in 47 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUNDnThe co-existence of depression and psychotic experiences (PEs) is associated with more pronounced adverse health outcomes compared to depression alone. However, data on its prevalence and correlates are lacking in the general adult population, and there is no published data on its association with chronic physical conditions.nnnMETHODnCross-sectional, community-based data from 201 337 adults aged ⩾18 years from 47 low- and middle-income countries from the World Health Survey were analyzed. The presence of past 12-month PE and DSM-IV depression was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Information on six chronic medical conditions (chronic back pain, edentulism, arthritis, angina, asthma, diabetes) were obtained by self-report. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.nnnRESULTSnThe crude overall prevalence of co-morbid depression/PEs was 2.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-2.7%], with the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ranging from 0.1% (Sri Lanka, Vietnam) to 9.03% (Brazil). Younger age, urban setting, current smoking, alcohol consumption, and anxiety were significant correlates of co-existing depression/PEs. Co-occurring depression/PEs was associated with significantly higher odds for arthritis, angina, and diabetes beyond that of depression alone after adjusting for sociodemographics, anxiety, and country, with odds ratios (depression/PEs v. depression only) being: arthritis 1.30 (95% CI 1.07-1.59, p = 0.0086); angina 1.40 (95% CI 1.18-1.67, p = 0.0002); diabetes 1.65 (95% CI 1.21-2.26, p = 0.0017).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe prevalence of co-existing depression/PEs was non-negligible in most countries. Our study suggests that when depression/PE or a chronic condition (e.g. arthritis, angina, diabetes) is detected, screening for the other may be important to improve clinical outcomes.

Hallucinations in borderline personality disorder and common mental disorders

Hallucinations are classically associated with psychotic disorders. Recent research, however, has highlighted that hallucinations frequently occur outside of the context of psychosis. Despite this, to our knowledge, there has been no epidemiological research to compare the prevalence of hallucinations across common mental disorders with the prevalence in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Using data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n = 7403), we investigated the prevalence of hallucinations in individuals with a range of mental disorders and BPD. Hallucinations were prevalent in all disorders (range 11-24%). Hallucinations were no more prevalent in individuals with BPD (13.7%) than in individuals with a (non-psychotic) mental disorder (12.6%) (χ2 = 0.03, P = 0.92).

Association of Urbanicity With Psychosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Importance Urban residence is one of the most well-established risk factors for psychotic disorder, but most evidence comes from a small group of high-income countries. Objective To determine whether urban living is associated with greater odds for psychosis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Design, Setting, and Participants This international population-based study used cross-sectional survey data collected as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Survey from May 2, 2002, through December 31, 2004. Participants included nationally representative general population probability samples of adults (≥18 years) residing in 42 LMICs (Nu2009=u2009215 682). Data were analyzed from November 20 through December 5, 2017. Exposures Urban vs nonurban residence, determined by the WHO based on national data. Main Outcomes and Measures Psychotic experiences, assessed using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen, and self-reported lifetime history of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. Results Among the 215 682 participants (50.8% women and 49.2% men; mean [SD] age, 37.9 [15.7] years), urban residence was not associated with psychotic experiences (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89-1.11) or psychotic disorder (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.06). Results of all pooled analyses and meta-analyses of within-country effects approached a null effect, with an overall OR of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.87-1.07), OR for low-income countries of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.82-1.15), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.84-1.09) for psychotic experiences and an overall OR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.73-1.16), OR for low-income countries of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.66-1.27), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.67-1.27) for psychotic disorder. Conclusions and Relevance Our results provide evidence that urbanicity, a well-established risk factor for psychosis, may not be associated with elevated odds for psychosis in developing countries. This finding may provide better understanding of the mechanisms by which urban living may contribute to psychosis risk in high-income countries, because urban-rural patterns of cannabis use, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities may vary between developing and developed nations.

Why are psychotic experiences associated with self-injurious thoughts and behaviours? A systematic review and critical appraisal of potential confounding and mediating factors

Psychotic experiences (PEs), including hallucination- and delusion-like experiences, are robustly associated with self-injurious thoughts and behaviours (SITB) in the general population. However, it remains unclear as to why there is an association. The purpose of this systematic review was to elucidate the role of other factors that influence the association between PEs and SITB and, in doing so, highlight potential mechanisms underlying the relationship. A search of electronic international databases was undertaken, including PubMed, PsycINFO and EMBASE, and eligible studies were grouped according to seven confounder categories: sociodemographics, mental disorders, alcohol and substance use, environmental, psychological, intervention and family history/genetic factors. The systematic search strategy identified 41 publications reporting on 1 39 427 participants from 16 different countries. In the majority of studies, where adjustment for other variables occurred, the association between PEs and SITB persisted, suggesting PEs have an independent role. Common mental disorders, psychological distress and negative environmental exposures explained a substantial amount of the variance and therefore need to be considered as potential underlying mechanisms. There was high variability in the variables adjusted for in these studies, and so the question still remains as to whether the association between PEs and self-harm/suicidality can be attributed (fully or in part) to confounding and mediating factors or directly causal mechanisms. Regardless of causality, the now extensive literature reporting an association between these two clinical phenomena supports the broad usefulness of PEs as an indicator of risk for SITB.

Depression, sleep problems, and perceived stress among informal caregivers in 58 low-, middle-, and high-income countries: A cross-sectional analysis of community-based surveys

Caregiving has been associated with adverse health outcomes. However, there is a paucity of multi-country, population-based studies on mental health outcomes of caregivers especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we assessed the association of caregiving with depression, sleep problems, and perceived stress in 10 high-, 27 middle-, and 21 low-income countries. Cross-sectional community-based data of the World Health Survey including 258,793 adults aged ≥18 years were analyzed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the association of past 12-month caregiving with past 12-month DSM-IV depression, and past 30-day perceived stress [range 0 (low)-100 (high)] and severe/extreme sleep problems. Nearly 20% of the individuals were engaged in caregiving with particularly high rates observed in high-income countries (HICs) (e.g., Finland 43.3%). Across the entire sample, after adjustment for potential confounders, caregivers had a significantly higher likelihood of having depression (ORxa0=xa01.54; 95%CIxa0=xa01.37-1.73), sleep problems (ORxa0=xa01.37; 95%CIxa0=xa01.25-1.50), while their mean perceived stress score was 3.15 (95%CIxa0=xa02.46-3.84) points higher. These associations tended to be stronger in HICs. A greater number of caregiving activities was associated with a greater likelihood of depression, sleep problems, and perceived stress regardless of country income levels. In conclusion, caregiving has a negative impact on mental health worldwide with possibly greater effects in HICs. Given the growing contribution of caregivers in long-term care, interventions and policies to alleviate the mental health burden of caregivers are urgently needed to maintain sustainable and effective care practices.

Psychotic experiences and disability: Findings from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys

Psychotic experiences are associated with a number of poor clinical outcomes, including multimorbid psychopathology, suicidal behavior, and poor treatment response. We wished to investigate the relationship between psychotic experiences and disability, including the following domains: cognition, mobility, self-care, social interaction, role functioning, and days out of role. We used three nationally representative and racially/ethnically diverse samples of the general US adult population: the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS), and the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between lifetime psychotic experiences (visual and auditory hallucinatory experiences and delusional ideation; WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen) and 30-day impairments in functioning across disability domains (using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II). In all three samples, models were adjusted for socio-demographics and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. In the NCS-R, models were also adjusted for chronic health conditions. Across all three studies, our adjusted models showed that people with disability had anywhere from about 1.5 to over 3 times the odds of reporting lifetime psychotic experiences, depending on the domain. This was true for each disability domain, except self-care in the NLAAS and in the NSAL. Psychotic experiences are markers of risk for disability across a wide range of domains. This may explain the elevated rates of service utilization among individuals who report psychotic experiences and supports the need to assess for and respond to psychotic experiences even in the absence of psychotic disorder.

Police violence among women in four U.S. cities

Police violence has been identified as a public health concern in the U.S., yet few studies have assessed the prevalence and nature of police violence among women. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that women reporting intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) to police are often met with harmful or neglectful police responses and thus, womens exposures to police violence may be associated with experiences of IPV and SV; however, this has not yet been empirically tested. This study assesses lifetime prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of police violence among women and investigates potential associations between IPV, SV, and police violence. A cross-sectional survey was administered in four Eastern U.S. cities in March and April 2016 (N=932). Physical, sexual, and psychological police victimization and neglect by police were assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between IPV, SV, and police violence, adjusting for sociodemographics. Lifetime prevalence of physical (4%), sexual (3.3%), and psychological (14.4%) police violence and neglect (17.2%), show that a notable proportion of women experience police victimization, with significantly higher rates among racial and ethnic minority women. Women with IPV and SV histories had increased odds of experiencing most forms of police violence compared to women without IPV and SV histories. Findings suggest the need for gender-inclusive community-centered policing initiatives and other preventive efforts aimed at eliminating police violence. Police violence and victimization among women should also be considered in IPV and SV intervention and treatment responses.

Depression comorbid with tuberculosis and its impact on health status: cross-sectional analysis of community-based data from 48 low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundDepression in tuberculosis increases the risk for adverse health outcomes. However, little is known about comorbid depression and tuberculosis in the general population. Thus, we assessed the association between depression and tuberculosis, and the decrements in health status associated with this comorbidity in 48 low- and middle-income countries.MethodsCross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Survey on 242,952 individuals agedu2009≥u200918xa0years were analyzed. Based on the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, past 12-month depression was categorized into depressive episode, brief depressive episode, subsyndromal depression, and no depression. Health status across six domains (cognition, interpersonal activities, sleep/energy, self-care, mobility, pain/discomfort) was assessed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive episode among those with and without tuberculosis was 23.7% and 6.8%, respectively (Pu2009<u20090.001). Tuberculosis was associated with a 1.98 (95% CI 1.47–2.67), 1.75 (95% CI 1.26–2.42), and 3.68 (95% CI 3.01–4.50) times higher odds for subsyndromal depression, brief depressive episode, and depressive episode, respectively. Depressive episode co-occurring with tuberculosis was associated with significantly worse health status across all six domains compared to tuberculosis alone. Interaction analysis showed that depression significantly amplifies the association between TB and difficulties in self-care but not in other health domains.ConclusionsDepression is highly prevalent in adults with tuberculosis, and is associated with worse health status compared to tuberculosis without depression. Public health efforts directed to the recognition and management of depression in people with tuberculosis may lead to better outcomes.

Psychotic experiences as an independent risk factor for angina pectoris in 48 low- and middle-income countries

million Chinese people in the community who suffer from psychiatric disorders. Much improvement in the scale of appropriate services is therefore needed in order to reduce the treatment gap. Comprehensive epidemiological data are important in informing policy and service developments to address the treatment gap in China. Initiated by the Ministry of Health with the support of the WHO, two early large-scale psychiatric surveys had been conducted in 1982 and 1993. Between July 2013 and March 2015, the first national mental health survey, involving 28,140 respondents, was conducted in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China. The preliminary findings were announced by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China on April 7, 2017. These included the prevalence of mood disorders, depression and anxiety disorders, being 4.06%, 3.59% and 4.98%, respectively. However, epidemiological data on special populations, such as immigrant workers, children, adolescents and older adults, are still lacking in China. Further, critical information on the health burden and impact of psychiatric disorders such as illness severity, duration and degree of disability, and associated physical comorbidities, remains largely unavailable. China’s population is rapidly aging, mostly due to the increased life expectancy as well as the one-child family policy that was instituted for 35 years. In 2000, only 7% of Chinese population was over the age of 65 years, but the figure is expected to reach 23% by 2050. Due to the one-child family policy, the proportion of “empty nest family” in China had grown to 25% of all elderly households in 2003, with a projected increase to 90% by 2030. The change in family structure may have significant impact on the access to social care and financial independence, as well as on the mental health of the elderly. Currently, the availability of psychogeriatric services is deficient, and general mental health services and even treatment guidelines or intervention models for older people are poorly developed in China. The burden of care may therefore ultimately fall on family caregivers. As consequence, many family members may experience psychological problems and poor quality of life, as well as limited employment opportunities. The protection of the rights of psychiatric patients in China remains an important concern. Of note, the National Mental Health Law finally came into effect on May 1, 2013. It provides the legal framework to uphold the rights of psychiatric patients to receive dignified and appropriate treatment. According to one study, the prevalence of physical restraint in Chinese psychiatric patients decreased from 30.7% to 22.4% following the implementation of the legislation. Psychiatric patients and/or their families have the right to apply for an independent medical assessment by a third party if there is a dispute about an involuntary admission. However, in practice, qualified independent third parties are not easily accessible and are only available in major cities. In summary, due to its rapid economic growth and fastchanging social structure, China still faces enormous mental health challenges. Although China’s mental health legislation is a critical part of mental health reform, effective implementation of high quality services will require sustained investment in community mental health care. Decreasing the treatment gap and promoting community integration require sufficient workforce as well as innovative service models. As such, the government is investing in doubling the number of psychiatrists by 2020 and promoting digital approaches in mental health care.