Prevalence of depression and anxiety in older people in low- and middle- income countries in Africa, Asia and South America: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is rapid growth of older people in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs). The aim of this review was to assess the literature on prevalence of anxiety and depression in this demographic, which to our knowledge, has not yet been conducted.

METHODS

Databases including Medline, PsychInfo, Embase, Scielo and African Journals Online were searched for terms including "mental disorders", "neurotic disorders", "mood disorders" and "anxiety disorders". Studies published between 1990 and 2020 providing data on older people (≥50 years) in LMICs (defined by World Bank Criteria) were included and quality-assessed. Meta-analysis was conducted on a subset of higher-quality studies to derive pooled prevalence estimates of depression.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty relevant studies were identified, of which thirty-two were included in meta-analysis. One hundred and fifteen studies reported depression prevalence only, 19 reported both depression and anxiety, and six reported anxiety only. In all studies identified, depression prevalence ranged from 0.5 % to 62.7 %, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder prevalence ranged from 0.2 % to 32.2 %. The pooled prevalence of depression on meta-analysis was 10.5 % (95 % CI, 8.9 % - 11.2 %). Reported prevalence rates of depression were significantly different in studies using ICD-10 compared with DSM criteria, and between community and clinical settings.

LIMITATIONS

The search strategy contained bias towards English language papers and high income country (HIC) publications. There is significant heterogeneity within the meta-analysis.

DISCUSSION

A wide range of methodologies and clinical criteria are used in prevalence studies of depression and anxiety in older people. Studies using screening tools found higher prevalence rates; clinicians and researchers should ensure diagnosis is made with gold-standard clinical criteria. Meta-analysis data suggest that rates of depression are similar in older people in LMICs compared to HICs but mental healthcare resources are limited, suggesting a large potential treatment gap.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antiepileptic Drugs at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern Nepal

Background Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the process of measuring drug level in body fluids. It is done to maintain plasma concentration of the drug under therapy within a specific target range for maximum therapeutic efficacy without unnecessary exposure to adverse effects. Objective This study aims to evaluate necessity of therapeutic drug monitoring in Phenytoin, Carbamazepine and Lamotrigine therapy among epileptic patients. Method A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. After taking detailed history, blood samples were collected from epileptic patients on monotherapy with the selected drugs. Plasma levels of these drugs were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique (HPLC). Out of total 42 selected patients, 21 were tested for phenytoin, 17 for carbamazepine and four for lamotrigine. The result was categorized into therapeutic, sub-therapeutic and above-therapeutic groups based on reference range. Result Out of total 21 samples tested for phenytoin, 15(71.4%) had plasma drug level within therapeutic range, 5(23.8%) had within subtherapeutic range and 1(4.8%) had above therapeutic range. Analysis of carbamazepine plasma level showed 14(82.3%) at therapeutic level, 1(5.9%) at sub-therapeutic level and 2(11.8%) at above-therapeutic level. Lamotrigine testing in four samples showed 2(50% in) both within therapeutic range and above-therapeutic range. Conclusion Therapeutic drug monitoring of phenytoin, carbamazepine and lamotrigine showed variation in plasma level irrespective of the therapeutic dose. It is suggested that dose adjustment of antiepileptic drugs should be done after establishing 'individual therapeutic range' following regular plasma monitoring.

Community Based Survey on Psychiatric Morbidity in Eastern Nepal

INTRODUCTION

Mental health problem is common and ubiquitous. Mental illness cuts across all sections of society, irrespective of socio-economic status. Recent international survey showed a varying prevalence rates ranged (4.7%- 12.0%). The Community study in Nepal yielded prevalence rate of mental illness at 14.0%.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, epidemiologic study with systematic randomization sampling.

RESULTS

Of 911 respondents majority was married (76.1%), of age group 20-59 yrs. Overall, 113 (12.4%) respondents had at least one psychiatric disorder and the commonest were: Depression, Anxiety disorders, Alcohol use disorders with 1.9% had seizure/epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Community prevalence rate of some common psychiatric disorders is high which calls for special attention to address depressive and alcohol related disorder from all quarters of society particularly from government.

Drinking water quality assessment

BACKGROUND

Drinking water quality is the great public health concern because it is a major risk factor for high incidence of diarrheal diseases in Nepal. In the recent years, the prevalence rate of diarrhoea has been found the highest in Myagdi district. This study was carried out to assess the quality of drinking water from different natural sources, reservoirs and collection taps at Arthunge VDC of Myagdi district.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out using random sampling method in Arthunge VDC of Myagdi district from January to June,2010. 84 water samples representing natural sources, reservoirs and collection taps from the study area were collected. The physico-chemical and microbiological analysis was performed following standards technique set by APHA 1998 and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 11.5. The result was also compared with national and WHO guidelines.

RESULTS

Out of 84 water samples (from natural source, reservoirs and tap water) analyzed, drinking water quality parameters (except arsenic and total coliform) of all water samples was found to be within the WHO standards and national standards.15.48% of water samples showed pH (13) higher than the WHO permissible guideline values. Similarly, 85.71% of water samples showed higher Arsenic value (72) than WHO value. Further, the statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P<0.05) of physico-chemical parameters and total coliform count of drinking water for collection taps water samples of winter (January, 2010) and summer (June, 2010). The microbiological examination of water samples revealed the presence of total coliform in 86.90% of water samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from physico-chemical analysis of water samples were within national standard and WHO standards except arsenic. The study also found the coliform contamination to be the key problem with drinking water.

Clinico-demographic profile, sexual dysfunction and readiness to change in male alcohol dependence syndrome inpatients in a tertiary hospital

Persons with prolonged and heavy alcohol use generally suffer from alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and develop physical, sexual as well as psychiatric co-morbidity. Successful recovery to normalcy depends on multiple factors including patient's motivation. To study clinico-demographic profile, reasons for initiating alcohol use, sexual and psychiatric disorders and eagerness for treatment and quitting alcohol in ADS inpatients. Fifty consecutive ADS inpatients with matching controls were enrolled. Clinico-demographic profile, factors for initiating alcohol use, psychiatric and sexual co-morbidity and want for treatment and being abstinent was studied applying relevant scales. All subjects were males with a mean age of 37.5 years, 80% were married, majority were Hindu (88%) and from nuclear families (56%). Fifty two percent had an education level of Graduation or more and 68% of patients reported peer pressure to be the initiating factor for alcohol use. Seventy six percent had psychiatric co-morbidity including personality Problems and other Psychiatric disorders 19(38%), delirium tremens 14 (28.00%) and Mood disorders 12(24%).Depression being most common mood disorder (14%). Nicotine was the most common other substance of use 32 (64%). Sixty eight percent of the patient reported one or another sexual dysfunction. 68% of ADS inpatients acknowledged of having problems related to their drinking, expressed desire for change and were eager to avail treatment and to remain abstinent. ADS patients commonly suffer from psychiatric co-morbidity and sexual dysfunctions. They also wish to have effective treatment and to quit alcohol.

Hundred psychiatric outpatients presented with attempted suicide

Introduction: Suicide is a major public health concern and it is one of the commonest Psychiatric emergencies. Suicide rates are increasing and have become a global concern with more than 600,000 suicidal attempts every year in the United States, alone. There is no national data available for Nepal. This hospital based study may help in understanding about the cause and methods of suicide attempts. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the (i) methods and precipitating cause for attempted suicide (ii) to study the relationship between major socio-demographic variables and attempted suicide. This study may be helpful in formulating suicide prevention strategies at different levels. Methods: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary level hospital. Consecutive 100 cases of attempted suicide coming in contact to an investigating team were evaluated for methods opted for attempting suicide and underlying cause was explored. Demographic variables were recorded and analysed. Results: Majority of the suicide attempters (67%) were less than 35 years of age, and female outnumbered male. Sixty one percent of the subject belonged to rural background. Out of 100 suicide attempters 40% of them have completed SLC and majority of them were students. Fifty-four percent of the sample consumed pesticides and 25% of the cases used highly lethal means. Majority of the persons (58%) had psychiatric co morbidities in which depression was the commonest. Interpersonal conflict accounted for 18% of the cases followed by marital problems (13%) as triggering factors of attempted suicide. Conclusion: Majority of the suicide attempters were young and having psychiatric disorders. Most of the attempters were from rural areas. Keywords: Attempted suicide; psychiatric co morbidities; Interpersonal conflict. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v9i3.5584   HR 2011; 9(3): 162-167