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Acosta-González N, Gallegos F, Mosquera D. The relationship between online searches and suicide. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024:207640241264674. [PMID: 39049604 DOI: 10.1177/00207640241264674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
AIMS In this study, we examined the relationship between 131 suicide related Google search terms, grouped into nine categories, and the number of suicide cases per month in Ecuador from January 2011 to December 2021. METHODS First, we applied time-series analysis to eliminate autocorrelation and seasonal patterns to prevent spurious correlations. Second, we used Pearson's correlation to assess the relationship between Google search terms and suicide rates. Third, cross-correlation analysis was used to explore the potential delayed effects between these variables. Fourth, we extended the correlation and cross-correlation analyses by three demographic characteristics - gender, age, and region. RESULTS Significant correlations were found in all categories between Google search trends and suicide rates in Ecuador, with predominantly positive and moderate correlations. The terms 'stress' (.548), 'prevention' (.438), and 'disorders' (.435) showed the strongest associations. While global trends indicated moderate correlations, sensitivity analysis revealed higher coefficients in men, young adults, and the Highlands region. Specific patterns emerged in subgroups, such as 'digital violence' showing significant correlations in certain demographics, and 'trauma' presenting a unique temporal pattern in women. In general, cross correlation analysis showed an average negative correlation of -.191 at lag 3. CONCLUSION Google search data do not provide further information about users, such as demographics or mental health records. Hence, our results are simply correlations and should not be interpreted as causal effects. Our findings highlight a need for tailored suicide prevention strategies that recognize the complex dynamics of suicide risk across demographics and time periods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco Gallegos
- Facultad de Economía, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Diversa Studio, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Diana Mosquera
- Facultad de Economía, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Diversa Studio, Quito, Ecuador
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Freedland AS, Sundaram K, Liu NH, Barakat S, Muñoz RF, Leykin Y. Self-harm behaviors and their intentions: a cross-cultural analysis. J Ment Health 2024; 33:295-303. [PMID: 37577971 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2023.2245887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-harm behaviors (performed with either lethal and non-lethal intentions) are common, especially among individuals suffering from mood disorders, and the reasons individuals self-harm vary both by person and by the type of behavior. Understanding these variations may help clinicians determine levels of risk more accurately. AIMS To understand whether culture and gender are associated with the likelihood of engaging in specific self-harm behaviors and whether the intention (lethal, ambivalent, non-lethal) of these behaviors vary with culture and gender. METHODS 2826 individuals took part in an international multilingual online depression/suicidality screening study and reported at least one instance of self-harm in the past year. Participants were grouped into six broad cultural categories (Latin America, South Asia, Russian, Western English, Chinese, Arab). RESULTS 3-way (culture x gender x intent) interactions were observed for several self-harm behaviors (overdosing, self-burning, asphyxiating, poisoning, and jumping from heights), suggesting that individuals engage in each of these behaviors with different intentions depending on gender and culture. Cultures and genders likewise differed in the likelihood of engaging in several self-harm behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should consider culture and gender when assessing for suicide risk, as similar self-harming behaviors may reflect different intentions depending on an individual's culture and gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Freedland
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kalpana Sundaram
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nancy H Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Suzanne Barakat
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ricardo F Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yan Leykin
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Ghadipasha M, Talaie R, Mahmoodi Z, Karimi SE, Forouzesh M, Morsalpour M, Mahdavi SA, Mousavi SS, Ashrafiesfahani S, Kordrostami R, Dadashzadehasl N. Spatial, geographic, and demographic factors associated with adolescent and youth suicide: a systematic review study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1261621. [PMID: 38404471 PMCID: PMC10893588 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1261621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Suicide is a public health issue and a main cause of mortality among adolescents and the youth worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Objectives The present research is a systematic review aiming to investigate the spatial, geographical, and demographic factors related to suicide among adolescents and the youth. Methods In this systematic review, two researchers examined PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases on December 7th, 2022 with no time limits from the beginning of publication until 2022 to identify the primary studies on spatial and geographic analysis on adolescent and youth suicides. Once duplicate studies were identified and removed, the titles and abstracts of studies were examined and irrelevant studies were also removed. Finally, 22 studies were reviewed based on the inclusion criteria. Results Our findings show that suicide rates are generally higher among men, residents of rural and less densely populated regions, coastal and mountainous regions, natives, 15-29 age group, less privileged populations with social fragmentation, unemployed, divorced or lonely people, those who live in single parent families, people with mental health issues, and those with low levels of education. Conclusions Stronger evidence supports the effects of geographic and demographic variables on youth and adolescent suicide rates as compared with spatial variables. These findings suggest that policy makers take spatial and demographic factors into consideration when health systems allocate resources for suicide prevention, and that national policymakers integrate demographic and geographic variables into health service programs. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023430994.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Ghadipasha
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Talaie
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Shahid Modarres Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Mahmoodi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Salah Eddin Karimi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Management and Safety Promotion Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Forouzesh
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Morsalpour
- Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Roya Kordrostami
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
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Vásconez-González J, Fernandez-Naranjo R, Izquierdo-Condoy JS, Delgado-Moreira K, Cordovez S, Tello-De-la-Torre A, Paz C, Castillo D, Izquierdo-Condoy N, Carrington SJ, Ortiz-Prado E. Comparative analysis of long-term self-reported COVID-19 symptoms among pregnant women. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:430-440. [PMID: 36736066 PMCID: PMC9851727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The negative effects of COVID-19 infections during pregnancy have been amply described, however, the persistent sequels of this infection have not been explored so far. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe persisting symptoms after COVID-19 infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Ecuador. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis based on an online, self-reporting questionnaire was conducted in Ecuador from April to July 2022. Participants were invited by social media, radio, and TV to voluntarily participate in our study. A total of 457 surveys were included in this study. We compared risk factor variables and long-term persisting symptoms of pregnant and non-pregnant women in Ecuador. RESULTS Overall, 247 (54.1 %) responders claimed to have long-term symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most of these symptoms were reported by non-pregnant women (94.0 %). The most common Long-COVID symptoms in pregnant women were fatigue (10.6 %), hair loss (9.6 %), and difficulty concentrating (6.2 %). We found that pregnant women who smoked had a higher risk of suffering fatigue. CONCLUSIONS The most frequent Long-COVID symptoms in pregnant women were fatigue, hair loss, and difficulty concentrating. Apparently, the patterns of presentation of long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women do not differ significantly from reports available from studies in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Vásconez-González
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador,Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Tecnologias PUCE-TEC, Quito 170143, Ecuador
| | - Raul Fernandez-Naranjo
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador,Health Management and Research Area, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Arecibo 00613, Puerto Rico
| | - Karen Delgado-Moreira
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Simone Cordovez
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Andrea Tello-De-la-Torre
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Clara Paz
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Diana Castillo
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Sarah J. Carrington
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Las Américas, 170137 Quito, Ecuador.
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Lapo-Talledo GJ, Talledo-Delgado JA, Portalanza D, Rodrigues ALS, Siteneski A. Suicide rates in Ecuador: A nationwide study from 2011 until 2020. J Affect Disord 2023; 320:638-646. [PMID: 36208687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Suicide, suicide ideations, and psychiatric disorder rates tend to increase after natural disasters such as earthquake. In 2016 Ecuador experienced a 7.8Mw earthquake and, more recently, the Covid-19 confinement. Both events may have negatively affected the mental health of the Ecuadorian population. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the suicide rates and choice of suicide method in the Ecuadorian population between January 2011 and December 2020. The dataset used is publicly available on the Ecuadorian National Institute of Statistics and Censuses. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for potential sociodemographic factors associated with each suicide method compared to other reported suicide methods. There were 10,380 registered cases of suicide in Ecuador between 2011 and 2020. Significant suicide rates per provinces were seen in Napo with 12.63 and Azuay with 12.52, followed by Bolívar with 12.30, and Orellana with 11.36 suicides/100,000 habitants. Hanging accounted for 7082 cases (68.2 %). The mestizos (82 %) were the most prevalent ethnicity of all suicide cases. School-age children with 6-12 years (OR 8.83, 95 % CI 5.34-14.59) and adolescents with 13-19 years (OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.29-1.66) were more likely to use hanging as method of suicide. In conclusion, we observed an increase of suicide rates from 8.15 per 100,000 in 2011 to 8.81 in 2020. The confinement of COVID-19 pandemic in the period evaluated did not significantly affect the suicide rates. An increased suicide rate was observed in the province hardest hit by the 2016 earthquake.
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Affiliation(s)
- German Josuet Lapo-Talledo
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador
| | | | - Diego Portalanza
- Federal University of Santa Maria, Department of Physics, Climate Research group, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Aline Siteneski
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador; Research Institute, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.
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Zegarra-Rodríguez CA, Plasencia-Dueñas NR, Failoc-Rojas VE. Disparities in the prevalence of screened depression at different altitudes in Peru: A retrospective analysis of the ENDES 2019. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278947. [PMID: 36542597 PMCID: PMC9770421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression is a public health concern, nearing 1.5 million cases and accounting for 9.7% of years lost due to disability. Several factors, including altitude, contribute to its development. Altitude has become a topic for recent research, but its association with depressive symptoms has not been fully clarified. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between altitude and depressive symptoms in the Peruvian population. METHODS A retrospective, cross-sectional study of the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES in Spanish) was conducted. The dependent variable, depressive symptoms, was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the independent variable, altitude, was categorized into: <1500 meters above sea level (masl), 1500-2499 masl and ≥2500 masl. To evaluate the association between altitude and depressive symptoms, we used Poisson regression model, constructing crude and multiple models. RESULTS Of those living at 1500 to 2499 masl and ≥2500 masl, 7.23% and 7.12% had depressive symptoms, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, high altitude was found to be associated with depressive symptoms (prevalence ratio adjusted (aPR): 1.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.84; aPR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20-1.66). CONCLUSIONS A statistically significant association was found between high altitude and depressive symptoms. This may be attributable to hypobaric hypoxia that occurs at high altitudes and its effects on brain function. This study's findings should be considered to identify the population at risk and expand the coverage of preventive and therapeutic measures in high-altitude areas of Peru with poor access to health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Alejandra Zegarra-Rodríguez
- School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo (SOCIEM-UNPRG), Lambayeque, Peru
| | - Nahún Raphael Plasencia-Dueñas
- School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo (SOCIEM-UNPRG), Lambayeque, Peru
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Ortiz-Prado E, Villagran P, Martinez-Abarca AL, Henriquez-Trujillo AR, Simbaña-Rivera K, Gómez-BarrenoDiaz LAM, Moyano CE, Arcos-Valle V, Miño MD, Morgan SA. Female homicides and femicides in Ecuador: a nationwide ecological analysis from 2001 to 2017. BMC Womens Health 2022; 22:260. [PMID: 35761263 PMCID: PMC9238169 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01839-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gender–based violence is a major public health concern arising from the structural discrimination of women and girls. In 2014, Ecuador criminalized acts of femicide in response to a growing crisis across the region. As no epidemiological studies on the state of female homicides and femicides have been published, we estimated patterns of female homicides and femicides nationally and the burden through economic cost per years of life lost, between 2001 and 2017.
Methods Using aggregated data from the National Institute of Census and Statistics and police records we estimated the annual mortality rates, cumulative incidence and prevalence odds ratios for female homicides and femicides, from 2001 to 2017. The impact of aggressions, assaults and violence on years of life lost due to premature mortality was estimated using the Human Capital method. Results Over the period, at least 3236 cases of female homicides and femicides were reported. The highest murder rate occurred in the province of Sucumbíos (6.5 per 100,000) and in the Putumayo canton (12.5 per 100,000). The most common way to murder their victims was using firearms (38%). The highest odds ratio was estimated for women aged between 25 and 29, at 4.5 (3.9–5.1), of primary school attainment at 17.2 (14.6–20.3) and of Afro-Ecuadoran descent 18.1 (10.5–30.9). Female homicide-related costs reached, on average, $35 million per year and more than $500 million lost from 2001 to 2017. Conclusions The high rates, distribution and cost indicate that investments are urgently needed to address the structural causes and reduce the impact of female homicides and femicides in Ecuador; thereby protecting the livelihood and well-being of their women and girls.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01839-2.
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Gerstner RM, Narváez F, Leske S, Troya MI, Analuisa-Aguilar P, Spittal MJ, Gunnell D. Police-reported suicides during the first 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador: A time-series analysis of trends and risk factors until June 2021. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH - AMERICAS 2022; 14:100324. [PMID: 35912285 PMCID: PMC9310552 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background There are widespread concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic may increase suicides. Few studies have analysed effects beyond the pandemic's early months or examined changes in known suicide risk factors. Methods Using time series models fit with Poisson regression, we analysed monthly police-reported suicides in Ecuador from January 2015 to June 2021. Treating March 2020 as the start of the pandemic, we calculated rate ratios (RRs) comparing the observed to the expected number of suicides for the total population and by age and sex groups. We investigated changes in risk factors, precipitants, geographic distribution, and suicide methods. Findings There was no evidence that suicide rates were higher than expected during the pandemic (RR 0·97 [95% CI 0·92–1·02]). There was some evidence of fewer than expected male suicides (RR 0·95 [95% CI 0·90–1·00]). The proportion of suicides occurring in urban and coastal areas increased but decreased amongst indigenous and other minorities. The proportions of suicides with evidence of alcohol consumption, disability, and amongst married and cohabiting individuals decreased, whereas suicides where mental health problems were considered contributory increased. There were relative increases in the proportion of suicides by hanging but decreases in self-poisoning and other suicide methods. Interpretation The pandemic did not appear to adversely impact overall suicide numbers nationwide during the first 16 months of the pandemic. Reduced alcohol consumption may have contributed to the decline in male suicides. Funding None.
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9
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Two pathways to suicidal intention in Ecuadorian adolescents: The role of parental and peer attachment, depression and impulsivity. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-00757-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Dávila-Cervantes CA. Suicide burden in Latin America, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Public Health 2022; 205:28-36. [PMID: 35219840 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Ortiz-Prado E, Simbaña-Rivera K, Duta D, Ochoa I, Izquierdo-Condoy JS, Vasconez E, Carrasco K, Calvopiña M, Viscor G, Paz C. Optimism and Health Self-Perception-Related Differences in Indigenous Kiwchas of Ecuador at Low and High Altitude: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. High Alt Med Biol 2022; 23:26-36. [PMID: 35020475 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2021.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ortiz-Prado, Esteban, Katherine Simbaña-Rivera, Diego Duta, Israel Ochoa, Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy, Eduardo Vasconez, Kathia Carrasco, Manuel Calvopiña, Ginés Viscor, and Clara Paz. Optimism and health self-perception-related differences in indigenous Kiwchas of Ecuador at low and high altitude: a cross-sectional analysis. High Alt Med Biol 00:000-000, 2021. Background: Living at high altitude causes adaptive responses at every physiological and molecular level within the human body. Emotional and psychological short- or long-term consequences, including mood changes, higher mental overload, and depression prevalence, as well as increased risk to commit suicide have been reported among highlanders. The objective of this report is to explore the differences in self-reported dispositional optimism and health perception among sex-, age-, and genotype-controlled indigenous Kiwcha natives living at two different altitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the comparison of means of subscales and summary scores of the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) self-reported questionnaire and the Life Orientation Test-Revised was conducted among 219 adults Kiwchas living at low (230 m) and high altitude (3,800 m) in Ecuador. Results: High-altitude dwellers presented lower scores in all the studied dimensions of SF-36 and the total score. Differences were found for the role limitation sphere due to vitality (p = 0.005), mental health (p = 0.002), and social functioning (p = 0.005). In all the cases, participants living at low altitudes scored higher than those living at high altitudes. Lowland women were more optimistic than their high-altitude counterparts. Conclusions: We observe that populations located at high altitudes have more unfavorable self-reported health states. Although our results depict the existence of significant differences in the health status of indigenous peoples living at different altitudes, further studies are needed to explain in depth the sociodemographic and/or environmental factors that might underlie these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Katherine Simbaña-Rivera
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador.,Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Duta
- Family Medicine Department, Limoncocha Community Health Unit, Limoncocha, Ecuador
| | - Israel Ochoa
- Family Medicine Department, Oyacachi Community Health Unit, Oyacachi, Ecuador
| | | | - Eduardo Vasconez
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Kathia Carrasco
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Manuel Calvopiña
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ginés Viscor
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Paz
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad De Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
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12
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Nguyen KT, Gates CA, Hassell JE, Foxx CL, Salazar SN, Luthens AK, Arnold AL, Elam BL, Elsayed AI, Leblanc M, Adams SC, Lowry CA, Reuter JD. Evaluation of the effects of altitude on biological signatures of inflammation and anxiety- and depressive-like behavioral responses. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110331. [PMID: 33891978 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Over sixteen million people suffer from a depressive episode annually in the United States, with females affected at twice the rate of males. Little is known about the effects of exposure to high altitude on the risk of development of major depressive disorder, despite reports of higher suicide rates at higher altitudes. We hypothesize that exposure to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude increases endophenotypes of self-directed suicidal violence, including biological signatures of chronic inflammation and vulnerability to anxiety-like and depressive-like behavioral responses in a sex-specific manner. Biological signatures of inflammation, including granulocyte:lymphocyte ratios, monocyte cell counts, and monocyte:lymphocyte ratios were assessed using complete blood count data, anhedonia, and anxiety- and depressive-like behavioral responses were evaluated. We assessed biological signatures of inflammation and behavioral responses in the open-field test, sucrose preference test, and modified Porsolt forced swim test in young adult male and female Long-Evans and Sprague Dawley rats. All tests were conducted near sea level (374 ft [114 m] elevation) and at moderate-high altitude (5430 ft [1655 m] elevation) during acclimation periods of one, two, three, four, and five weeks following shipment from a sea level animal breeding facility (N = 320, n = 8 per group). Exposure to moderate-high altitude induced a biological signature of increased inflammation, as evidenced by main effects of altitude for: 1) increased granulocyte:lymphocyte ratio; 2) increased count and relative abundance of circulating monocytes; and 3) increased monocyte:lymphocyte ratios. Exposure to moderate-high altitude also increased anhedonia as assessed in the sucrose preference test in both male and female rats, when data were collapsed across strain and time. Among male and female Long Evans rats, exposure to moderate-high altitude increased immobility in the forced swim test, without changing anxiety-like behaviors in the open-field test. Finally, granulocyte:lymphocyte ratios were correlated with anhedonia in the sucrose preference test. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hypobaric hypoxia at moderate-high altitude induces persistent endophenotypes of self-directed suicidal violence including biological signatures of inflammation, anhedonia, and depressive-like behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadi T Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Chloé A Gates
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - James E Hassell
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Christine L Foxx
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Stephanie N Salazar
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Amalia K Luthens
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Andrea L Arnold
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Brooke L Elam
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Ahmed I Elsayed
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Mathias Leblanc
- Animal Resources Department, Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Sean C Adams
- Animal Resources Department, Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Jon D Reuter
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Office of Animal Resources, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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Ortiz-Prado E, Portilla D, Mosquera-Moscoso J, Simbaña-Rivera K, Duta D, Ochoa I, Burgos G, Izquierdo-Condoy JS, Vásconez E, Calvopiña M, Viscor G. Hematological Parameters, Lipid Profile, and Cardiovascular Risk Analysis Among Genotype-Controlled Indigenous Kiwcha Men and Women Living at Low and High Altitudes. Front Physiol 2021; 12:749006. [PMID: 34759840 PMCID: PMC8573321 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.749006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Human adaptation to high altitude is due to characteristic adjustments at every physiological level. Differences in lipid profile and cardiovascular risk factors in altitude dwellers have been previously explored. Nevertheless, there are no reports available on genotype-controlled matches among different altitude-adapted indigenous populations. Objective: To explore the possible differences in plasma lipid profile and cardiovascular risk among autochthonous Kiwcha people inhabitants of low and high-altitude locations. Methodology: A cross-sectional analysis of plasmatic lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors in lowland Kiwchas from Limoncocha (230 m) and high-altitude Kiwchas from Oyacachi (3,800 m). Results: In the low altitude group, 66% were women (n = 78) and 34% (n = 40) were men, whereas in the high altitude group, 59% (n = 56) were women and 41% (n = 41%) were men. We found the proportion of overweight and obese individuals to be higher among low altitude dwellers (p < 0.05). Red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration, and SpO2% were higher among high altitude dwellers and the erythrocyte size was found to be smaller at high altitude. The group located at low altitude also showed lower levels of plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but most of these differences are not influenced by gender or elevation. Conclusions: Living at an altitude elicits well-known adaptive physiological changes such as erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit level, and serum glucose level. We also report clinical differences in the plasma lipid profile, with higher levels of cholesterol, HDL, and LDL in inhabitants of the Andes Mountain vs. their Amazonian basin peers. Despite this, we did not find significant differences in cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Portilla
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Diego Duta
- General Ward, Limoncocha Community Health Unit, Limoncocha, Ecuador
| | - Israel Ochoa
- General Ward, Oyacachi Community Health Unit, Oyacachi, Ecuador
| | - German Burgos
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Eduardo Vásconez
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Manuel Calvopiña
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ginés Viscor
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Troya MI, Gerstner RM, Narvaez F, Arensman E. Sociodemographic Analysis of Suicide Rates Among Older Adults Living in Ecuador: 1997-2019. Front Public Health 2021; 9:726424. [PMID: 34692624 PMCID: PMC8531474 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.726424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite most suicides occurring in low-and-middle-income countries (LAMICs), limited reports on suicide rates in older adults among LAMICs are available. In Ecuador, high suicide rates have been reported among adolescents. Little is known about the epidemiology of suicides among older adults in Ecuador. Aim: To examine the sociodemographic characteristics of suicides among older adults living in Ecuador from 1997 to 2019. Methods: An observational study was conducted using Ecuador's National Institute of Census and Statistics database from 1997 to 2019 in Ecuadorians aged 60 and older. International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) (X60-X84)-reported suicide deaths were included in addition to deaths of events of undetermined intent (Y21-Y33). Sex, age, ethnicity, educational level, and method of suicide were analyzed. Annual suicide rates were calculated per 100,000 by age, sex, and method. To examine the trends in rates of suicide, Joinpoint analysis using Poisson log-linear regression was used. Results: Suicide rates of female older adults remained relatively stable between 1997 and 2019 with an average annual percentage increase of 2.4%, while the male rates increased between 2002 and 2009, 2014 and 2016, and maintained relatively stable within the past 3 years (2017–2019). The annual age-adjusted male suicide rate was 29.8 per 100,000, while the female suicide rate was 5.26 per 100,000 during the study period. When adding deaths of undetermined intent, the annual male rate was 60.5 per 100,000, while the same rate was 14.3 for women. The most common suicide method was hanging (55.7%) followed by self-poisoning (26.0%). The highest suicide numbers were reported in urban districts, men, and those with lower education status. Conclusion: This study contributes to building the baseline for further studies on suicide rates of older adults in Ecuador. Results highlight priority areas of suicide prevention. By examining suicide trends over 23 years, findings can help inform policy and future interventions targeting suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Isabela Troya
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.,National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rebekka M Gerstner
- National Undersecretary of Health Services From the Ministry of Public Health, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Freddy Narvaez
- Unit of Health, Manuela Saenz Administration. Municipality of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ella Arensman
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.,National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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15
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Moreno Velásquez I, Castelpietra G, Higuera G, Castro F, Gómez B, Motta J, Goti R. Suicide trends and self-harm in Panama: results from the National Mortality Registry and hospital-based data. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2020; 55:1513-1524. [PMID: 32556380 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-020-01895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to (1) to investigate mortality trends due to suicide in Panama at the national and regional levels from 2001 to 2016, (2) to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of admitted patients with non-fatal self-harm from 2009 to 2017 in a regional hospital, and (3) to examine the association between mental health diagnoses and intentional self-harm, lethality, self-harm repetition and all-cause mortality within this population. METHODS Using the national mortality registry, annual percentage changes (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to evaluate suicide trends over time. Self-harm cases were assessed by trained psychiatrists at a referral hospital through interviews. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between mental diagnosis with intent-to-die and lethality, expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for self-harm repetition and all-cause mortality. RESULTS The trend of suicide in women declined, with an APC of - 4.8, 95% CI - 7.8, - 1.7, while the trend began to decline from 2006 in men; APC - 6.9, 95% CI - 8.9, - 4.9. Self-harm repetition over 12 months was 1.8%. Having a mental health diagnosis was associated with intentional self-harm (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.4) and self-harm repetition (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.8). Medication overdose was the preferred method for self-harm, while intentional self-harm by hanging was the preferred method for suicide. CONCLUSIONS Strategies for prevention and early intervention after self-harm deserve attention. Our findings highlight the importance of data to inform action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulio Castelpietra
- Primary Care Services Area, Central Health Directorate, Venezia Giulia, Region Friuli, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gladys Higuera
- Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Franz Castro
- Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Beatriz Gómez
- Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Jorge Motta
- Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Ricardo Goti
- Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Panama City, Panama.,Centro de Salud de Curundú, Ministry of Health, Panama City, Panama
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16
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Epidemiologic Characteristics of Suicide in Panama, 2007–2016. Medicina (B Aires) 2020; 56:medicina56090442. [PMID: 32878148 PMCID: PMC7559330 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56090442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives: We aim to describe the demographic characteristics associated with suicide in Panama, to estimate the suicide mortality rate and years of potential life lost (YPLL) to suicide, and to explore the correlation of suicide rates with the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). We present a descriptive retrospective epidemiological report of suicide-related mortality (Panama, 2007–2016). Materials and Methods: Data were matched-merged to calculate unadjusted suicide mortality rates (overall, and by sex, age groups, and administrative region), YPLL, and coefficients (r) for the correlation of MPI and suicide rates. Results: There were 1475 deaths by suicide (86% among men, 47% between 20 and 39 years). The average mortality rate was estimated at 3.91 per 100,000 population with an average YPLL rate of 3.79 per 1000 population. There was a statistically significant trend to reduce YPLL over time (r = −0.93; p< 0.001). Exploratory analyses did not show a significant correlation between the MPI and suicide rates. Our study showed a 6:1 male-to-female ratio of suicide, mostly affecting the age groups of 20–29 and over 80 years. Conclusions: Exploratory analyses on the correlation of the MPI and the suicide rates did not achieve statistical significance, and alternative explanations, such as access to pesticides and alcohol, were further explored to inform potential interventions.
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17
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Hwang J, DeLisi LE, Öngür D, Riley C, Zuo C, Shi X, Sung YH, Kondo D, Kim TS, Villafuerte R, Smedberg D, Yurgelun-Todd D, Renshaw PF. Cerebral bioenergetic differences measured by phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy between bipolar disorder and healthy subjects living in two different regions suggesting possible effects of altitude. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 73:581-589. [PMID: 31125152 PMCID: PMC6771782 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM Increased oxidative stress in cerebral mitochondria may follow exposure to the systemic hypobaric hypoxia associated with residing at higher altitudes. Because mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in bipolar disorder (BD) pathophysiology, this may impact the cerebral bioenergetics in BD. In this study, we evaluated the cerebral bioenergetics of BD and healthy control (HC) subjects at two sites, located at sea level and at moderate altitude. METHODS Forty-three veterans with BD and 33 HC veterans were recruited in Boston (n = 22) and Salt Lake City (SLC; n = 54). Levels of phosphocreatine, β nucleoside triphosphate (βNTP), inorganic phosphate, and pH over total phosphate (TP) were measured using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the following brain regions: anterior cingulate cortex and posterior occipital cortex, as well as bilateral prefrontal and occipitoparietal (OP) white matter (WM). RESULTS A significant main effect of site was found in βNTP/TP (Boston > SLC) and phosphocreatine/TP (Boston < SLC) in most cortical and WM regions, and inorganic phosphate/TP (Boston < SLC) in OP regions. A main effect analysis of BD diagnosis demonstrated a lower pH in posterior occipital cortex and right OP WM and a lower βNTP/TP in right prefrontal WM in BD subjects, compared to HC subjects. CONCLUSION The study showed that there were cerebral bioenergetic differences in both BD and HC veteran participants at two different sites, which may be partly explained by altitude difference. Future studies are needed to replicate these results in order to elucidate the dysfunctional mitochondrial changes that occur in response to hypobaric hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeuk Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Lynn E DeLisi
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, USA
| | - Dost Öngür
- Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, USA
| | - Colin Riley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Chun Zuo
- Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, USA
| | - Xianfeng Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Young-Hoon Sung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Douglas Kondo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Tae-Suk Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rosemond Villafuerte
- Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, USA
| | - Diane Smedberg
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, USA
| | - Deborah Yurgelun-Todd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Perry F Renshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, USA
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Ombach HJ, Scholl LS, Bakian AV, Renshaw KT, Sung YH, Renshaw PF, Kanekar S. Association between altitude, prescription opioid misuse, and fatal overdoses. Addict Behav Rep 2019; 9:100167. [PMID: 31193784 PMCID: PMC6542744 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prescription opioid misuse and fatal overdoses have increased significantly over the last two decades. Living at altitude has been linked to greater reward benefits of other drugs of abuse, and living at altitude may also exacerbate the respiratory depression linked to opioid use. Therefore, we examined the relationships between living at altitude, and prescription opioid misuse and fatal overdoses. METHOD State-level past year rates of prescription opioid misuse were retrieved from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. County-level overdose data were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple linear regression models were fit to determine the relationship between average state elevation and state rates of opioid misuse. Logistic regression models were fit to determine the relationship between county elevation and county-level fatal opioid overdose prevalence. RESULTS After controlling for state opioid prescribing rates and other confounders, we identified a significant positive association between mean state altitude and state-level opioid misuse rates for women, but not men. We also found a significant positive association between county-level altitude and prevalence of fatal opioid overdose. CONCLUSIONS Living at altitude is thus demographically associated with increasing rates of misuse of prescription opioids, as well as of cocaine and methamphetamine. Animal studies suggest that the hypobaric hypoxia exposure involved with living at altitude may disrupt brain neurochemistry, to increase reward benefits of drugs of abuse. This increased misuse of both stimulants and opioids may increase likelihood of overdose at altitude, with overdoses by opioid use also potentially facilitated by altitude-related hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik J. Ombach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Lindsay S. Scholl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Amanda V. Bakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Kai T. Renshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Young-Hoon Sung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Perry F. Renshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
- Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Initiative, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
- Rocky Mountain VISN19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (MIRECC), 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, United States
- Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, United States
| | - Shami Kanekar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
- Rocky Mountain VISN19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (MIRECC), 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, United States
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19
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Núñez-González S, Lara-Vinueza AG, Gault C, Delgado-Ron JA. Trends and Spatial Patterns of Suicide Among Adolescent in Ecuador, 1997-2016. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2018; 14:283-292. [PMID: 30972127 PMCID: PMC6407649 DOI: 10.2174/1745017901814010283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Suicide is a global public health problem, ranking among the top 20 leading causes of mortality. Objective: The aim of the present study is two-fold. Firstly, it describes the temporal trends of suicide in adolescents from 1997 to 2016 in Ecuador, allowing us to identify critical periods. Secondly, it analyzes the spatiotemporal clusters of high mortality rates and the spatial distribution due to suicide in the country, from 2011 to 2016. Methods: This is an ecological study; we included all death certificates of suicide among adolescents in the 10 - 19 age groups both sex, from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) database in Ecuador from 1997 to 2016. In order to assess the trend of suicide rates, we obtained Annual Percentage Changes (APCs) and average Annual Percent Changes (AAPCs) through Joinpoint regression analysis. Space-time scan statistics were used to identify high-risk clusters, and the spatial autocorrelation was evaluated through global Moran index. Results: Suicides at a national level increased from 165 deaths in 1997 to 286 deaths in 2016; rates increased from 12.7 to 23.3 per 100,000 population along with a significant increase of the trend at the national level (AAPC=3.7%; 95% CI: 2.1 to 5.2). We identified two significant spatial clusters for a high occurrence of suicide: the primary most likely cluster included 83 cantons (Risk Relative=2.28) while the second most likely cluster included 20 cantons (Risk Relative=1.74). The Global Moran I index for the study period showed a positive spatial autocorrelation (0.27; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Suicide rates in adolescents significantly increased over the 20-year study period; the spatial analysis indicates the presence of high occurrence clusters in the Amazon and Southern Highlands regions of the country. This growing phenomenon may be a reflection of the lack of policies and strategies focused on the adolescent’s mental health at a national level, added to factors such as family dysfunction, school failure, vulnerable ethnic groups, and immigration patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Núñez-González
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC), Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, 170129, Ecuador
| | - A Gabriela Lara-Vinueza
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC), Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, 170129, Ecuador
| | - Christopher Gault
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC), Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, 170129, Ecuador
| | - J Andrés Delgado-Ron
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC), Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, 170129, Ecuador
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20
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Gerstner RMF, Soriano I, Sanhueza A, Caffe S, Kestel D. [Epidemiology of suicide among adolescents and young adults in EcuadorEpidemiologia do suicídio em adolescentes e jovens no Equador]. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2018; 42:e100. [PMID: 31093128 PMCID: PMC6385964 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2018.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To collect information - and provide it to decision-makers in health programs in general and mental health programs in particular - on epidemiological patterns in suicide deaths among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador. Methods A cross-sectional ecological study was conducted using data obtained from records of deaths by suicide among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador from 2001 to 2014. For analysis, results were disaggregated by geographic region, sex, age, ethnic group and suicide method. Rates of death by suicide (per 100,000 population) and relative risks (RR) for suicide were estimated by sex and region. Results Between 2001 and 2014, 4,855 suicides were recorded among adolescents and young adults. The highest estimated risk was found among males aged 15 to 24 years and adolescents living in the Amazon region, followed by those living in the Andean region. Mestizos were the ethnic group with the greatest number of suicides, although 40% of young people who commit suicide in the Amazon region are indigenous. The most frequent method was by hanging, followed by pesticide poisoning. Conclusions Suicide among adolescents and young adults is an important public health problem in Ecuador. Since various psychological, social, and cultural influences come into play, there is wide variation among regions, age groups, and ethnic groups. Restricting access to pesticides and other chemical products, implementing universal prevention programs and programs in education centers in the areas with the highest rates, and targeting vulnerable populations for specific interventions could help reduce the suicide rate among young people in Ecuador.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ismael Soriano
- Nutrition and Family, Gender & Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Antonio Sanhueza
- Pan American Health Organization, Ringgold Standard Institution, Washington, DC, Estados Unidos de América
| | - Sonia Caffe
- Pan American Health Organization, Ringgold Standard Institution, Washington, DC, Estados Unidos de América
| | - Devora Kestel
- Pan American Health Organization, Ringgold Standard Institution, Washington, DC, Estados Unidos de América
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21
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An Ecological Study on the Spatially Varying Relationship between County-Level Suicide Rates and Altitude in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15040671. [PMID: 29617301 PMCID: PMC5923713 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15040671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a serious but preventable public health issue. Several previous studies have revealed a positive association between altitude and suicide rates at the county level in the contiguous United States. We assessed the association between suicide rates and altitude using a cross-county ecological study design. Data on suicide rates were obtained from a Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), maintained by the U.S. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). Altitude data were collected from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). We employed an ordinary least square (OLS) regression to model the association between altitude and suicide rates in 3064 counties in the contiguous U.S. We conducted a geographically weighted regression (GWR) to examine the spatially varying relationship between suicide rates and altitude after controlling for several well-established covariates. A significant positive association between altitude and suicide rates (average county rates between 2008 and 2014) was found in the dataset in the OLS model (R2 = 0.483, p < 0.001). Our GWR model fitted the data better, as indicated by an improved R2 (average: 0.62; range: 0.21–0.64) and a lower Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) value (13,593.68 vs. 14,432.14 in the OLS model). The GWR model also significantly reduced the spatial autocorrelation, as indicated by Moran’s I test statistic (Moran’s I = 0.171; z = 33.656; p < 0.001 vs. Moran’s I = 0.323; z = 63.526; p < 0.001 in the OLS model). In addition, a stronger positive relationship was detected in areas of the northern regions, northern plain regions, and southeastern regions in the U.S. Our study confirmed a varying overall positive relationship between altitude and suicide. Future research may consider controlling more predictor variables in regression models, such as firearm ownership, religion, and access to mental health services.
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