Validating the Life Events Scale for the Elderly with proxy-based data: A case-control psychological autopsy study in rural China

Effects of DASH diet with or without time-restricted eating in the management of stage 1 primary hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Time-restricted eating (TRE), a popular form of intermittent fasting, has shown benefits for improving metabolic diseases and cardiometabolic health. However, the effect of TRE in the regulation of blood pressure in primary hypertension remains unclear.

METHODS

A 6-week randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which a total of 74 stage 1 primary hypertensive patients without high-risk were randomly assigned to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) group (n = 37) or DASH + TRE group (n = 37). Participants in the DASH + TRE group were instructed to consume their food within an 8-h window. Scientific research platform in We Chat application was used to track participants. The primary outcome was blood pressure. The secondary outcomes included body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammation-related parameters, urinary Na+ excretion, other clinical variables and safety outcomes.

RESULTS

The reduction of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 5.595 ± 4.072 and 5.351 ± 5.643 mm Hg in the DASH group and 8.459 ± 4.260 and 9.459 ± 4.375 mm Hg in the DASH + TRE group. DASH + TRE group improved blood pressure diurnal rhythm. Subjects in DASH + TRE group had decreased extracellular water and increased urinary Na+ excretion. Furthermore, the decrease in blood pressure was associated with a reduction of extracellular water or increase in urinary Na+ excretion. In addition, safety outcomes such as nighttime hunger were also reported.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that 8-h TRE + DASH diet caused a greater decrease in blood pressure in stage 1 primary hypertensive patients than DASH diet. This study may provide novel insights into the benefits of lifestyle modification in the treatment of primary hypertension.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.chictr.org.cn/ (ChiCTR2300069393, registered on March 15, 2023).

Suicide and prevalence of mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of world data on case-control psychological autopsy studies

INTRODUCTION

Suicide is a multifaceted event precipitated by underlying biopsychosocial risk factors. Evidence for various psychiatric morbidities underlying suicidality through Psychological Autopsy (PA) is established in case-control studies. However, considering the possible geographical variations and the limited number of studies from developing countries, the estimates of such risk factors across the world could provide great insight into their comparative prevalence and assist in targeting the prevention of suicide.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature from 1991 to 2020 in the English language was conducted with the protocol registration on PROSPERO ID (CRD 42021249216) to identify the pooled odds ratio of any psychiatric morbidity as a risk factor for suicide.

RESULTS

Out of 1144 articles, 43 studies were included in this review. The pooled odds ratio for any psychiatric morbidity measured across 31 studies was 16.71 (95% CI: 12.29 - 22.70, Tau2 = 0.58, I2 = 80.4%, Cochran's Q = 153.36, df = 30, p-value <0.001). The subgroup analysis for affective disorder, previous suicide attempt, WHO region-wise risk distribution, and publication year of study were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a sixteen-fold increased risk of suicide in persons with mental disorders compared to healthy controls, and the risk is similar across the geographical region and publication time. The international efforts to reduce the common risk factors for suicide would equally be helpful for all countries despite cultural variations. Early identification and treatment of sleep disorders, physical illnesses, anxiety, and personality disorders should be prioritized along with the established mental disorders to reduce suicide rates across the world.

Relationship between stressful life events and coronary plaque vulnerability among patients with acute coronary syndrome: a moderated mediation model of psychological distress and physiological indices

We aimed to explore the association between stressful life events and coronary plaque vulnerability, and examine the moderating effects of psychological distress and physiological indices. A total of 311 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) completed Life Events Scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales. Plaque vulnerability was assessed by in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT). The regression analysis showed that that stressful life events were independent predictors of plaque vulnerability including lipid-rich plaque (OR = 1.018, 95% CI = 1.005, 1.031, p = 0.005), thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (OR = 1.038, 95% CI = 1.025, 1.051, p < 0.001), rupture (OR = 1.025, 95% CI = 1.013, 1.037, p < 0.001) and thrombus (OR = 1.030, 95% CI = 1.012, 1.048, p = 0.001). The moderated mediation model revealed that there were significant indirect effects of stressful life events on TCFA through total cholesterol, and the path between stressful life events and TCFA can be moderated by depression. Stressful life events increase the risk of vulnerable plaque in ACS patients. The relationship could be moderated by depression and mediated by physiological indices.

Long-term effects of early stress due to earthquake exposure on depression symptoms in adulthood: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of early stress by Tangshan earthquake on symptoms of depression in adulthood.

METHOD

A total of 1534 volunteers born and raised in Tangshan were investigated; finally, 1328 subjects were enrolled in the study. They were divided into three groups according to their birth dates: infant exposure, prenatal exposure, and non-exposure. The questionnaires and psychological evaluation of all subjects were completed using a one-on-one psychological test.

RESULTS

The rate of depressive symptoms in the prenatal exposure group was the highest, and the lowest in the non-exposure group, with statistical differences among the three groups (P = 0.002). Moreover, the incidences of depressed mood, suicide ideation and work and loss of interest in the prenatal exposure group were significantly higher than those in the infant exposure group and the non-exposure group (P = 0.008, P = 0.001, P = 0.038, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that male could be a protective factor for symptoms of depression in adulthood, and earthquake exposure was an important predictor of the incidence of depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal or infancy exposure to earthquake might correlate to depression symptoms in adulthood.

Suicide capability within the ideation-to-action framework: A systematic scoping review

Suicide capability is theorised to facilitate the movement from suicidal ideation to suicide attempt. Three types of contributors are posited to comprise suicide capability: acquired, dispositional, and practical. Despite suicide capability being critical in the movement from ideation-to-attempt, there has been no systematic synthesis of empirical evidence relating to suicide capability that would enable further development and refinement of the concept. This study sought to address this synthesis gap. A scoping review was conducted on suicide capability studies published January 2005 to January 2022. Eleven electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched returning 5,212 potential studies. After exclusion criteria application, 90 studies were included for final analysis. Results synthesis followed a textual narrative approach allocating studies based on contributors of suicide capability. Most studies focused on investigating only one factor within contributors. Painful and provocative events appear to contribute to acquired capability more so than fearlessness about death. Whilst emerging evidence for dispositional and practical contributors is promising, the small number of studies prevents further conclusions from being drawn. An unexpected additional cognitive contributor was identified. The focus of a single factor from most studies and the limited number of studies on contributors other than acquired capability limits the theoretical development and practical application of suicide capability knowledge. Given that suicide is a complex and multifaceted behaviour, future research that incorporates a combination of contributors is more likely to advance our understandings of suicide capability.

Psychosocial and psychiatric factors preceding death by suicide: A case-control psychological autopsy study involving multiple data sources

BACKGROUND

A range of factors including mental disorders and adverse life events can increase the risk of suicide. The objectives of this study were to examine psychosocial and psychiatric factors and service engagement among suicide decedents compared with living controls.

METHODS

A case-control study using multiple sources was conducted. Information on 132 consecutive cases of suicide was drawn from coronial files, and interviews were carried out with 35 family informants and 53 living controls. GPs completed questionnaires for 60 suicide cases and 27 controls.

RESULTS

The majority (83.3%) of suicide decedents had contacted a GP in the year prior to death, while 23.3% had 10 or more consultations during the year prior to death. Half of suicide decedents had a history of self-harm. Suicide cases were significantly more likely than controls to have a psychiatric diagnosis (60% vs. 18.5%) and a depressive illness (36.7% vs. 14.8%). Over one-quarter of suicide decedents had been treated as a psychiatric inpatient.

DISCUSSION

Primary care providers should be supported to deliver multidisciplinary interventions to engage, assess, and treat patients at risk of suicide, targeting those who present very frequently, those with a history of self-harm or substance misuse, and those with psychological presentations.

Physical diseases and elderly suicide in rural China: A case-control psychological autopsy study

OBJECTIVES

Physical diseases are well-established risk factor for suicide, particularly among older adults. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of the association. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of physical diseases and their influences on the elderly in rural China and to examine the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between physical diseases and suicide.

METHODS

This matched case-control psychological autopsy study was conducted from June 2014 to September 2015. Consecutive suicide cases (242) among people aged 60 years or above were identified in three Chinese provinces. The suicide cases were 1:1 matched with living comparisons based on age, gender and residential area. Two informants for each participant were interviewed to collect data on their demographic characteristics, the severity index of physical diseases, depressive symptoms, feelings of hopelessness, mental disorders and social support.

RESULTS

A significant difference was found between suicide cases and living comparisons regarding the prevalence of physical diseases (83.5% vs 66.5%, p < 0.001) and their severity (11.3 ± 6.2 vs 6.7 ± 5.3, p < 0.001). Independent risks of suicide included the following: not currently married (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = [1.04, 7.62]), mental disorders (OR = 7.18, 95% CI = [1.83, 28.13]), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = [1.05, 1.26]) and feelings of hopelessness (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = [1.20, 1.90]). The structural equation model indicated that the relationship between the severity index of physical diseases and suicide was mediated by depressive symptoms, feelings of hopelessness and mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

The severity and number of physical diseases were found to be correlated with suicide among the elderly in rural China, after controlling for demographic characteristics. Physical diseases elevate one's suicide risk by increasing depressive symptoms, feelings of hopelessness and mental disorders. Efforts for suicide prevention should be integrated with strategies to treat physical diseases along with psychological interventions.

The Influence of Family Function on Occupational Attitude of Chinese Nursing Students in the Probation Period: The Moderation Effect of Social Support

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing the occupational attitudes of nursing students in the probation period.

METHODS

Nursing students in the probation period from five hospitals completed an anonymous survey. The instruments included the nursing occupational attitude scale, family adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve index, and perceived social support scale. The study examined the moderation model between family function, perceived social support, and occupational attitudes using PROCESS 3.2.

RESULTS

For nursing students, when social support was low, family function had a significant positive impact on occupational attitudes and intentions, and the effect was much higher than that of perceived social support.

CONCLUSION

Family function has a significant positive explanatory effect on attitude and intention (β = .13, p < .001 and β = .12, p < .001); the interaction term between family function and perceived social support are significant (β = .01, p < .001 and β = .01, p < .001). Perceived social support has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between family function and occupational attitudes of nursing students in the probation period. Family function has a significant difference in the occupational attitudes and intentions of nursing students with low perceived social support. Nursing students perceive social support in the probation period has a significant moderation effect in the relationship between their family function and occupational attitudes. Interns with low family function should be given more social support to improve their occupational attitudes.

Studying suicide using proxy-based data: reliability and validity of a short version scale for measuring quality of life in rural China

Background

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the short version six-item Quality of Life Scale (QOLS-6) and the consistency of subject-proxy data in a case-control psychological autopsy study on elderly suicide in rural China.

Methods

A two-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select research sites. We used self-administered questionnaires to collect proxy-based information from informants and subject-based information from living comparisons.

Results

A total of 242 pairs of suicide cases and living comparisons were selected in our research. Subject-proxy consistency for QOLS-6 was good (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.688) in living controls. Good internal consistency of QOLS-6 was validated by Cronbach’s α being greater than 0.6 among suicide cases and living comparisons. The mean scores of quality of life were lower among suicide cases than living controls. Quality of life was negatively correlated with depression, loneliness, hopelessness, impulsiveness and stressful life events, while it was positively correlated with activities of daily living and family function.

Conclusions

QOLS-6 has good reliability and validity, which can be used for assessing quality of life among Chinese rural older adults. It is shorter and easier than any other scale for measuring quality of life and can be used as a screening tool in future studies.

Relationship between impulsivity and suicide among the rural elderly in China: a case-control psychological autopsy study

Background

The relationship between impulsivity and suicide is inconsistent in different populations. Hence, the relationship between impulsivity and suicide still needs to be studied among the elderly population. The present study intends to explore the relationship between impulsivity and suicide among the rural Chinese elderly.

Methods

A case-control psychological autopsy study was conducted from February 1, 2014 to December 18, 2015 among rural residents over the age of 60 who died by suicide. The sample consisted of 242 suicides as the case group and 242 living individuals as the control group. Data on demographic characteristics, impulsivity, previous history of suicide attempts, social support, negative life events, and suicidal behavior were collected.

Results

Our study found that impulsivity increased the risk of suicide. The case group showed a higher Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score compared with the control group (p < 0.001), which indicates that impulsivity was higher among the elderly suicides. In addition, regression analyses show that impulsivity (odds ratio: 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.06) is an independent risk factor of suicide, after controlling for the effects of marital status, education, family annual income, being left behind, social support, and negative life events. Finally, compared with elderly who do not have a history of attempted suicide, elderly with a history of attempted suicide showed higher impulsivity (p = 0.001).

Cognitive reactivity among high-risk individuals at the first and recurrent episode of depression symptomology: A structural equation modelling analysis

Understanding the particular mechanisms by which vulnerability and capability factors influence cognitive reactivity (CR) can contribute to an enhanced capacity to adequately react to depression. However, few studies have explored the CR model. The main aim of the present study was to develop a model that specifies the predictive effects of CR for depression among individuals at high risk for first-episode and recurrent depression. A national cross-sectional, online study using convenience sampling was conducted among 587 vulnerable healthy individuals and 224 depressed patients in China. A battery of indices, including measures of CR, social support, resilience, self-compassion, life events, neuroticism, sleep condition, and negative emotion, were collected. A structural equation model was applied to analyse the data. The final first-episode and recurrent depressive symptoms of the CR models showed good model fit. According to the models, 45%-52% of the variance in depressive symptom was predicted by CR. Social support, self-compassion, resilience, and positive life events directly influenced CR, with β values ranging from -0.18 to -0.24 (P < 0.01). Neuroticism, negative emotion, poor sleep conditions, and negative life events also directly and positively influenced CR (P < 0.01). The relationship between these negative or positive contributing factors and depression was also indirectly influenced by CR (P < 0.01). Our findings demonstrate the role of CR in the prevention and treatment of depression. The first-episode and recurrent depressive symptoms of the CR models considering both vulnerabilities and capabilities of CR in the psychopathology of depression provide a theoretical basis for interventions that reduce CR in high-risk populations.

The pattern of stressful life events prior to suicide among the older adults in rural China: a national case-control psychological autopsy study

Background

There is a lack of evidence concerning the stressful life events experienced prior to suicide which may be associated with an increased suicide risk among Chinese rural older adults. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of stressful life events prior to suicide among the older adults in China.

Methods

Twelve counties were randomly selected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Suicide cases aged 60 years and older (n = 242) were collected from those counties from June 2014 to September 2015. Matched living controls were selected 1:1 with suicide cases by age, gender, and location. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews by a psychological autopsy method. The Life Event Scale for the Elderly was used to measure the stressful life events prior to suicide/interviews.

Results

Approximately 99.6% of suicide cases and 88.4% of controls experienced at least one stressful life event. The suicide group experienced more long-term stressful life events than recent stressful life events. The top three most frequent stressful life events for the suicide group were being diagnosed with chronic disease, hospitalization, and being diagnosed with terminal illness. More female suicide cases experienced the death of a spouse, while more males experienced hospitalization, diagnosis with terminal illness and family poverty. Experiencing at least one stressful life event, an unstable marital status, physical diseases and mental disorders were shown to increase the risk of suicide.

Conclusions

Stressful life events were common for the rural older adults, especially long-term stressful life events. The experience of at least one stressful life event can increase suicide risk among this population. More attention should be paid to the rural older adults who experienced more long-term stressful life events and health related life events.

Factors influencing cognitive reactivity among young adults at high risk for depression in China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Understanding the factors influencing cognitive reactivity (CR) may help identify individuals at risk for first episode depression and relapse and facilitate routine access to preventative treatments. However, few studies have examined the relationship between CR and depression in Asian countries. This study was performed to assess the current status of CR among Chinese young adults and explore influencing factors.

Methods

A national cross-sectional online study using convenience sampling was conducted among 1597 healthy young adults in China (response rate: 93.94%) with a mean age of 24.34 (SD = 5.76) years.

Results

The mean CR score was 51.36 ± 18.97 (range 0–130). Binary logistic regression showed that a low level of CR was associated with the following factors: high self-compassion, high social support, high resilience, high monthly household income, and living in a rural area, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 0.14 to 0.70. Young adults in full-time employment, experiencing poor sleep, with high neuroticism, who reported frequent sad mood, and who had a high intensity of negative life events had increased CR to depression, with ORs ranging from 1.18 to 6.66. The prediction probability of these factors was 75.40%. Causal relationships among the influencing factors and CR could not be explored.

Conclusions

The self-reported CR levels among Chinese young adults were moderate. Enhancing self-compassion, resilience, and social support for young adults and reducing negative life events, neuroticism, and poor sleep may help decrease CR. These findings may help healthcare providers or researchers determine how to cultivate and improve the CR of young adults by establishing documented policies and/or improving intervention efficacies.

Depression and alcohol use disorders as precursors to death by suicide

The combined presence of depression with alcohol abuse can increase suicide risk. We used psychological autopsy to evaluate 101 individuals who died by suicide, to understand relationships between stressful life events, alcohol abuse, and depression. As compared to suicidal adults with depression only, individuals meeting criteria for both a depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder tended to be younger and experienced higher rates of stressful life events during the six months prior to death. Alcohol abuse likely influences interpersonal conflict, financial distress, and legal problems. Interventions focusing on managing life problems may help to reduce suicide risk.

Psychosocial, psychiatric and work-related risk factors associated with suicide in Ireland: optimised methodological approach of a case-control psychological autopsy study

BACKGROUND

Suicide has profound effects on families and communities, but is a statistically rare event. Psychological autopsies using a case-control design allow researchers to examine risk factors for suicide, using a variety of sources to detail the psychological and social characteristics of decedents and to compare them to controls. The Suicide Support and Information System Case Control study (SSIS-ACE) aimed to compare psychosocial, psychiatric and work-related risk factors across three groups of subjects: suicide decedents, patients presenting to hospital with a high-risk self-harm episode, and general practice controls.

METHODS

The study design includes two inter-related studies; one main case-control study: comparing suicide cases to general practice (GP) controls, and one comparative study: comparing suicide cases to patients presenting with high-risk self-harm. Consecutive cases of suicide and probable suicide are identified through coroners' registration of deaths in the defined region (Cork City and County, Ireland) and are frequency-matched for age group and gender with GP patient controls recruited from the same GP practice as the deceased. Data sources for suicide cases include coroners' records, interviews with health care professionals and proxy informants; data sources for GP controls and for high-risk self-harm controls include interviews with control, with proxy informants and with health care professionals. Interviews are semi-structured and consist of quantitative and qualitative parts. The quantitative parts include a range of validated questionnaires addressing psychiatric, psychosocial and occupational factors. The study adopts several methodological innovations, including accessing multiple data sources for suicide cases and controls simultaneously, recruiting proxy informants to examine consistency across sources.

CONCLUSIONS

The study allows for the investigation of consistency across different data sources and contributes to the methodological advancement of psychological autopsy research. The study will also inform clinical and public health practice. The comparison between suicide cases and controls will allow investigation of risk and protective factors for suicide more generally, while the comparison with high-risk self-harm patients will help to identify the factors associated specifically with a fatal outcome to a self-harm episode. A further enhancement is the particular focus on specific work-related risk factors for suicide.

Disability in Daily Living Activities, Family Dysfunction, and Late-Life Suicide in Rural China: A Case-Control Psychological Autopsy Study

Background: Although late-life suicide in rural China is a matter of concern, research is scarce addressing the association between capability of daily living activities, family function, and late-life suicide. We conducted this psychological autopsy study to explore associations between disability in daily living activities, family dysfunction, and late-life suicide in rural China. Methods: Using a 1:1 matched case-control design, we collected data from 242 elderly suicide cases and 242 living community controls in rural China using the psychological autopsy method. We used Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID), Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and Family Adaptive, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve scale (APGAR) to assess the presence of mental disorders, capability of daily living activities, and family function, respectively. Results: Compared with the living controls, suicide cases presented more severe impairment in capability of daily living activities and poorer family function. After controlling for all other factors, capability of daily living activities and family function remained in the final model. The results of the multivariate analysis also show that the presence of a mental disorder, lower levels of social support, and increased number of life events in the last year were significantly associated with elevated suicide risk. Conclusions: Disability in daily living activities and family dysfunction are associated with elevated risk of late-life suicide in rural China. It is warranted to design programs, including family interventions, peer-support groups, and community programs, to help the rural elderly improve activities of daily living and obtain the social support they need to prevent suicidal behaviors.