Immune function and health outcomes in women with depression

The impact of Pilates exercise for depression symptoms in female patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The Pilates exercise has recently become an increasingly popular way of exercise in female patients since it is an attractive and low-cost physical exercise modality. Pilates may be a beneficial method of exercise for female patients with depression and anxiety symptoms. However, to date, there has been no attempt to collate this literature. This review aims to systematically assess and meta-analyze the efficacy of Pilates exercise for female patients with depression and anxiety symptoms and inform evidence-based guidelines for exercise prescription.

METHODS

Five electronic databases (Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were systematically searched up to January 2023 to examine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the effects of Pilates exercise for female patients with depressive disorders and individuals with elevated levels of depression were included. The primary outcomes were the severity of depression, and the secondary outcomes were anxiety. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 15.1 software with a 95% confidence interval (Registration number: CRD42023426522), and the PEDRO Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias for RCT.

RESULTS

18 RCTs with 827 female patients were included. The methodological quality of the RCTs was considered an A level in 4 studies, B level in 13, studies, and C level in 1 study investigation. The meta-analysis showed that there was moderate evidence for the Pilates exercise significantly improved the severity of depression symptoms (SMD = -0.73; 95% CI -0.86 to -0.59; P < .01) and anxiety symptoms (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI -0.79 to -0.46; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Pilates exercise could reduce levels of depression and anxiety in female patients with depression and anxiety symptoms. Pilates exercise can be used as a potential ancillary program to improve depression and anxiety symptoms for female patients.

Increased risk of prostatitis in male patients with depression

Objectives: To investigate whether male patients with depression are at an increased risk of prostatitis.Methods: We used a universal insurance claims database in Taiwan from 2000 to 2010 to identify patients with newly diagnosed depression (n = 13,019) (depression cohort) and those without depression (n = 53,026) (comparison cohort). Both cohorts were matched by age and index year of depression incidence. Hazard ratios of prostatitis were calculated by multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.Results: The incidence of prostatitis demonstrated a 2-fold increase in the depression cohort in comparison with that observed in the non-depression cohort, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.70 after adjustment for age, occupation, urbanisation level, potential comorbidity and medication. Furthermore, patients with depression, relative to the non-depression cohort, were 1.85-fold more likely to develop acute prostatitis, 1.76-fold more likely to develop chronic prostatitis and 1.63-fold more likely to develop unspecific prostatitis. Major associations still existed; even those stratified by age, occupation, urbanisation level and comorbidity all showed greater increased risks of prostatitis in the depression cohort than in the non-depression cohort.Conclusions: Depression can be an independent factor associated with the increased risk of prostatitis for men. The incidence of chronic prostatitis is greater than that of acute prostatitis. Close surveillance for UTI and depression treatment and lifestyle intervention should be considered for men with high risk for prostatitis. The mechanism associated with the development of prostatitis in men with depression requires further study. In addition, the mechanism of prostatitis may need comprehensive investigation.

The risk of herpes zoster virus infection in patients with depression: A longitudinal follow-up study using a national sample cohort

The features of herpes zoster share some commonalities with depression, including decreased cellular immunity, a close correlation with nutritional status, and a higher prevalence in the elderly population. We aimed to assess the association between herpes zoster infection and depression in the Korean population.We performed a longitudinal follow-up study of a nationwide sample cohort derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Individuals diagnosed with depression between 2002 and 2013 (n = 58,278) as well as matched controls (n = 233,112), with both groups comprising 34.3% male and 65.7% female subjects, were extracted and analyzed for the presence of herpes zoster infection. Depression was diagnosed based on the International Classification of Diseases tenth revision (ICD-10) codes F31-F39, while herpes zoster was diagnosed as ICD-10 B02.The rate of herpes zoster infection was higher in the depressed group (6.8% [3967/58,278]) than in the control group (6.3% [14,689/233,122], P < .001). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for herpes zoster infection was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05-1.13) in the depressed group (P < .001). Subgroup analyses revealed that the adjusted HRs for herpes zoster infection were higher only in women younger than 60 years among participants with depression. These HRs were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.02-1.25; P = .016) in women younger than 40 years and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04-1.17; P < .001) in women aged 40-59 years.Depression is a predictor of herpes zoster infection in Korean women younger than 60 years.

Persons Living With HIV/AIDS: Employment as a Social Determinant of Health

Purpose: For persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has increased their longevity and quality of life. As HIV progresses, many PLWHA present declined domains of functioning that impede their ability to work. The authors explore employment as a social determinant of health to identify issues impacting employment outcomes for PLWHA.

Methods: The authors reviewed the literature addressing HIV across the domains of mental health functioning, neurocognitive functioning, and physical function and employment.

Results: When providing employment services to PLWHA, considerations for rehabilitation practitioners and educators include HIV/AIDS education, functional assessment, social support, considerations for women with HIV, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV/AIDS stigma, and employment resources for PLWHA.

Conclusion: With more than 1.2 million PLWHA in the United States, and most of new infections among persons 25–44 years of age, the prevalence of PLWHA seeking employment and inclusive of the U.S. workforce will continue to increase. Proving employment services for PLWHA is a complex process that is best served by an integrative service approach.