Associations between pro-inflammatory cytokines and fatigue in pregnant women

Association between fatigue and depressive symptoms in persons with post-COVID-19 condition: a post hoc analysis

OBJECTIVE

Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a prevalent, persistent and debilitating phenomenon occurring three or more months after resolution of acute COVID-19 infection. Fatigue and depressive symptoms are commonly reported in PCC. We aimed to further characterize PCC by assessing the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptom severity in adults with PCC.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis was conducted on data retrieved from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluating vortioxetine for cognitive deficits in persons with PCC. We sought to determine the relationship between baseline fatigue [i.e. Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) total score] and baseline depressive symptom severity [i.e. 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR-16) total score] in adults with PCC.

RESULTS

The statistical analysis included baseline data from 142 participants. After adjusting for age, sex, education, employment status, history of major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnosis, self-reported physical activity, history of documented acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and body mass index (BMI), baseline FSS was significantly correlated with baseline QIDS-SR-16 (β = 0.825, p = .001).

CONCLUSION

In our sample, baseline measures of fatigue and depressive symptoms are correlated in persons living with PCC. Individuals presenting with PCC and fatigue should be screened for the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Guideline-concordant care should be prescribed for individuals experiencing clinically significant depressive symptoms. Fatigue and depressive symptom severity scores were not pre-specified as primary objectives of the study. Multiple confounding factors (i.e. disturbance in sleep, anthropometrics and cognitive impairment) were not collected nor adjusted for in the analysis herein.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Unrestricted Research Grant from H. Lundbeck A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05047952.

Selenium Intake and Postnatal Depression-A Short Review

Postnatal depression is a common and severe complication of childbirth. It is an important public health problem with significant implications for both mothers and children. The exact mechanisms underlying and the factors influencing the occurrence of postnatal depression remain unclear. The literature suggests that certain dietary deficiencies during pregnancy and the postnatal period may contribute to a greater risk of maternal depression. This review focuses on the role of selenium in postnatal depression. It collects evidence from published interventional and observational studies investigating the relationship between selenium intake during the antenatal and postnatal periods and the mental status of postpartum women and summarises information about biological mechanisms that may underlie the association between selenium status and postnatal depression. The review includes studies identified through electronic searches of Medline (via PubMed) and Google Scholar databases until December 2023. Despite the small number of relevant studies and their potential methodological limitations, the findings suggest that optimizing selenium status may support the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are necessary to confirm the clinical significance of these effects.

Protocol for a pilot study assessing a virtual mindfulness intervention for postpartum African American women

Elevated perinatal depressive symptoms are more common among disadvantaged African American women, and they are almost four times as likely to have postpartum posttraumatic stress compared to white women. For new mothers, depressive symptoms and posttraumatic stress can lead to negative parenting, poor mother-infant bonding, and delayed infant development. For African American women, a culturally adapted mindfulness-based intervention offers great potential as an acceptable approach to reduce psycho-behavioral symptoms and improve mother-infant interactions (i.e., bonding). Additionally, it is critical that mindfulness interventions consider time constraints of new mothers, provide accessible intervention delivery, address parenting, and consider the challenges of caring for an infant. Given these considerations, we describe a pilot research protocol in which we evaluate a culturally adapted mindfulness program: Mindfulness for African Americans Postpartum (MAAP). The intervention is based upon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program, but is adapted to include culturally relevant concepts of spirituality, inter-dependence, self-empowerment, and storytelling, which are salient to African American culture. To accommodate the needs of new mothers, a certified mindfulness interventionist delivers each session virtually using Zoom. The investigation uses a randomized controlled design in which African American women within 12 months of giving birth are randomized either to the MAAP intervention or to an Education Program. The primary aim is to determine the extent to which the MAAP intervention decreases maternal psycho-behavioral symptoms (perceived stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, poor sleep, posttraumatic stress, and fatigue) and improves mother-infant bonding. A secondary aim is to explore the effects of MAAP on proinflammatory cytokines and oxytocin. Culturally adapted mindfulness interventions delivered virtually will make mindfulness more accessible and meaningful to populations, like African American new mothers, who are at higher risk for postpartum mood disorders and poor infant outcomes.

Association between cytokines and fatigue in patients with type 1 narcolepsy

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a frequent complaint among patients with narcolepsy. Studies have shown that inflammatory cytokines are associated with fatigue in neurological disorders; however, this association has not been identified in patients with type 1 narcolepsy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between cytokines and fatigue in patients with type 1 narcolepsy.

METHODS

We investigated the association between 12 inflammatory cytokines and fatigue in 49 patients with type 1 narcolepsy. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 was used to assess the fatigue severity. The associations of fatigue were identified using Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses. A linear regression analysis model was used to adjust the confounding factors and evaluate the associations of fatigue.

RESULTS

Correlation analysis showed that the plasma interleukin (IL)-2 level (r = 0.409, p = 0.004) was positively correlated with fatigue in patients with narcolepsy type 1. After adjusting for confounding factors, the linear regression model revealed a positive association between the IL-2 level (β = 1.148, p = 0.04) and fatigue in individuals diagnosed with type 1 narcolepsy.

CONCLUSION

IL-2 levels show a positive correlation with fatigue in type 1 narcolepsy, suggesting its potential role in the pathophysiology of fatigue.