Mine Sahingoz

Weight gain and associated factors in patients using newer antidepressant drugs

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to examine weight gain and its association with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in patients using newer antidepressants. METHODS The study had a cross-sectional design. A total of 362 consecutive psychiatric patients taking antidepressant drugs for 6 to 36 months were included in the study. RESULTS The prevalence rate of weight gain was 55.2%; 40.6% of the patients had a weight gain of 7% or more compared to the baseline. Overall, antidepressant use was significantly related to increased body weight. Specifically, citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, duloxetine and mirtazapine, but not fluoxetine, were associated with significant weight gain. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that lower education status, lower body mass index at the onset of antidepressant use and family history of obesity were independent predictors of weight gain ≥7% compared to the baseline. CONCLUSIONS The study results suggest that patients who take newer antidepressants might have significant problems related to body weight.

The effects of maternal major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder on birth weight and gestational age: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE The present study comparatively examined the impact of maternal major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder on gestational age and birth weight. METHODS A total of 90 women (24 subjects with major depression, 19 subjects with panic disorder, 22 subjects with generalized anxiety disorder, and 25 healthy subjects) in the perinatal period who were admitted to three hospitals were included in the study. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The birth weight and gestational age of the subjects in each groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS There were significant differences among the study groups for birth weight and gestational age (P<0.001 for both variables). These parameters were significantly lower in the subjects with major depression (P=0.021 and P=0.015, respectively) and panic disorder (P<0.001 for both variables) compared to healthy controls. Compared with major depression, panic disorder was associated more negatively with birth weight (P=0.036). CONCLUSION Major depression, and especially panic disorder, may negatively affect the gestational length and birth weight.

Axis I and Axis II diagnoses in women with PCOS.

OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the current prevalence of Axis I and Axis II psychiatric diagnoses in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD The study sample included 73 patients with PCOS and 73 control subjects. Psychiatric disorders were determined by structured clinical interviews. RESULTS The rate of any Axis I psychiatric disorder (28.8% vs. 15.1%), social phobia (13.7% vs. 2.7%), generalized anxiety disorder (11.0% vs. 1.4%), any Axis II psychiatric disorder (23.3% vs. 9.6%) and avoidant personality disorder (12.3% vs. 1.4%) was significantly more common in the patient group compared to the control group. Of women with PCOS, 21 (28.8%) had at least one Axis I and 17 (23.3%) had at least one Axis II diagnosis. The most common Axis I disorder was social phobia (13.7%) and the most common Axis II disorder was avoidant personality disorder (12.3%) in women with PCOS. Social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and avoidant personality disorder were significantly more common in the patient group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that a considerable proportion of women with PCOS also present with anxiety and personality disorders.

Maternal generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy and fetal brain development: A comparative study on cord blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels

OBJECTIVES The study aimed to investigate whether maternal GAD during pregnancy affects fetal circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays important roles in neuronal development, by comparing cord blood BDNF levels in newborn infants of women with and without GAD. METHODS Study sample included 19 women with GAD and 25 women without any psychiatric disorder. GAD and other psychiatric diagnoses were screened by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The blood sample for the determination of BDNF level was obtained from the umbilical cord during delivery. RESULTS Cord blood BDNF levels in newborn infants of healthy women were approximately two-fold compared to newborn infants of women with GAD, and the difference was statistically significant. The duration of GAD during pregnancy was the only variable correlating with cord blood BDNF levels. CONCLUSIONS The study results imply that prolonged maternal GAD during pregnancy may negatively influence neurodevelopment of the fetus through lower levels of circulating BDNF.

One year follow-up of post-partum-onset depression: the role of depressive symptom severity and personality disorders

Objective. Long-term follow-up and risk factors of persistent post-partum depression (PPD) are fairly unknown compared with its prevalence in the developing countries. In this study, we did a follow-up measure of PPD and examined the factors, which were associated with PPD 1-year post-partum. Method. Our sample comprised of 34 women. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh post-natal depression scale (EPDS) 6 weeks post-partum, and women with scores >12 on this scale was categorised as depressed. Personality disorders were determined at the same occasion by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders (SCID-II). One year post-partum EPDS was completed. Results. The rate of PPD 1-year post-partum was 32.4%, and it was unrelated to age at assessment, primiparity, number of children, employment status, economical status and educational level. Women depressed 1-year post-partum had significantly higher basal scores of EPDS and more often also a diagnosis of any axis II disorder; and specifically dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. In our sample, the predictors of 1-year post-partum PPD were having higher basal score of EPDS and the existence of a personality disorder. Conclusion. This study suggests that women with PPD, scoring high in the EPDS scale 6 weeks post-partum and having a personality disorder, run a higher risk for depression at 1-year follow-up.

Neuroinflammation in the fetus exposed to maternal obsessive–compulsive disorder during pregnancy: A comparative study on cord blood tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels

OBJECTIVE The relationship between maternal psychiatric disorders and fetal neurodevelopment is unclear. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is relatively frequent during pregnancy. The study aimed to investigate whether maternal OCD during pregnancy affects fetal circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, by comparing cord blood TNF-α levels in newborn infants of women with and without OCD. METHODS The study sample included 7 women with OCD and 30 healthy women. OCD and other psychiatric diagnoses were screened by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The blood sample for the determination of TNF-α level was obtained from the umbilical cord during delivery. RESULTS Cord blood TNF-α levels in newborn infants exposed to maternal OCD were significantly higher compared to non-exposed infants. Maternal anxiety symptom level was found to positively correlate with cord blood TNF-α levels in newborn infants of women with OCD. CONCLUSION The study results imply that maternal OCD during pregnancy may lead to neuroinflammation in the developing fetal brain through higher levels of circulating TNF-α.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder in postmenopausal women: prevalence, clinical features, and comorbidity

Objective: Studies about obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) during the postmenopausal period have been insufficient. The purpose of the current study was therefore to examine the prevalence rate, clinical characteristics, and comorbidity of OCD in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 269 consecutive postmenopausal women admitted to a gynaecology outpatient clinic were included in the study. OCD and comorbid disorders was diagnosed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The Yale–Brown Obsessive– Compulsive Scale was used to determine the types of obsessions and compulsions. Results: The prevalence rate of OCD was 7.1% in the sample. Two women (0.7%) reported that OCD developed during the postmenopausal period. The most common obsessions were contamination and symmetry/exactness, whereas the most common compulsions were cleaning/washing and checking. OCD was unrelated to variables examined in the present study. The comorbidity rate of other psychiatric disorders was 63.2% in OCD patients. The most common comorbid disorder was generalized anxiety disorder. Conclusions: OCD was not rare in postmenopausal women admitted to a gynaecology outpatient clinic. In addition, OCD appears to be frequently comorbid with depressive or other anxiety disorders in the postmenopausal period.

Antidepressants and menstruation disorders in women: a cross-sectional study in three centers

OBJECTIVE The relationship between menstruation disorders and antidepressant drugs usage in women remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence rate of antidepressant-related menstruation disorders and to examine whether or not antidepressant use is associated with menstrual disorders in women. METHODS The study sample was gathered from three centers and four hospitals. A total of 1432 women who met the criteria of inclusion were included in the study. The sample was divided into two groups: the antidepressant group (n=793) and the control group (n=639). The menstruation disorders were established with reports from the study participants on the basis of related gynecological descriptions. RESULTS The prevalence of menstrual disorders was significantly higher in the antidepressant group (24.6%) than the control group (12.2%). The incidence of antidepressant-induced menstruation disorder was 14.5%. The antidepressants most associated with menstrual disorders were paroxetine, venlafaxine, sertraline and their combination with mirtazapine. Overall, the incidence rate was similar in women receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study suggest that menstruation disorders are frequently observed in women taking antidepressants and that it appears to be associated with antidepressant use at least in some women.

Low-dose imipramine for treatment of panic disorder during pregnancy: a retrospective chart review.

Abstract Although imipramine is one of the antidepressants that could be effective in the treatment of panic disorder, data on its usage for this diagnosis in the pregnancy period are limited. This report presents the results of 16 pregnant women with panic disorder without comorbid diagnosis who underwent low-dose imipramine (10–40 mg/d) treatment. According to the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale, 12 (75%) of 16 women responded to the treatment. The results suggest that low-dose imipramine may be useful for the treatment of panic disorder during pregnancy.

Prevalence and Related Factors of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in a Clinical Sample of Postmenopausal Women

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and related factors of mood and anxiety disorders in postmenopausal women attending a gynecological outpatient clinic. METHODS The study sample included 269 postmenopausal women. The Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition was performed to determine the disorders. RESULTS Ninety-two (34.2%) women had at least one mood or anxiety disorder. The most common specific disorder was generalized anxiety disorder (15.6%). The existence of any mood or anxiety disorder was associated with poorer economic level. CONCLUSIONS Mood and anxiety disorders were frequently observed in postmenopausal women who were admitted to a gynecology outpatient clinic.