Psychiatric disorders are more common in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than in the general population and they exert a significant effect on many health-related outcomes. Low levels of mental health literacy and stigma may contribute to delayed treatment seeking and poorer outcomes. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive respondents were selected from three health clinics in Cape Town. Respondents' mental health literacy and attitudes towards psychiatric disorders were investigated. Psychiatric disorders were viewed as stress-related 70-91% of the time. Seeking help from a medical professional was often endorsed as an effective treatment option, while taking medication was rarely endorsed. Respondents held negative attitudes towards people with psychiatric disorders. In particular, people with substance abuse and PTSD were stigmatised more than those with depression and schizophrenia. The understanding of the psychobiological nature of psychiatric disorders and of existing effective treatments in PLWHA in South Africa is limited. Interventions designed to increase mental health literacy and reduce the stigma associated with psychiatric disorders may increase the likelihood of PLWHA seeking treatment should they suffer from these conditions.
Abstract Background: B-vitamins including folate help to ensure DNA integrity and the regulation of gene expression and may be associated with subsequent reduced cancer risk. One previous cohort study among smokers identified a substantial protective effect for vitamin B6 on lung cancer. Methods: The EPIC study population included 385,747 participants from 23 centres in ten countries who completed a dietary questionnaire and provided a blood sample at recruitment between 1992 and 2000. 899 lung cancer cases were identified by 2006, with an average follow-up of 5 years, and matched to 1,770 controls for country, sex, date of birth and time of blood collection. Circulating concentrations were measured for four specific B-vitamins (B2, B6, folate and B12) as well as methionine, homocysteine and cotinine. Results: After adjusting for matching variables and cotinine, a substantial decreasing risk for lung cancer was seen for increasing levels of B6 (relative risk of 4th vs 1st quartile [RR] = 0·44, with 95% confidence interval [CI] 0·33-0·60; p for trend [ptrend]<0·000001), as well as for methionine (RR=0·52, CI 0·39-0·69; ptrend<0·000001). Similar and consistent decreases in risk were observed for never, former and current smokers, indicating that results were not due to a smoking associated artifact. The magnitude of risk was also constant with increasing length of follow-up, indicating the effects were not explained by pre-clinical disease. A decrease in risk was also seen for folate, (RR=0·68, CI 0·51-0·90; ptrend=0·001), although this was apparent only for former and current smokers. When participants were classified by median levels of both methionine and B6, having above median levels of both resulted in a substantial decrease in lung cancer risk overall (RR=0·41, CI 0·31-0·54), as well as separately among never (RR=0·36, CI 0·18-0·71), former (RR=0·51, CI 0·34-0·76), and current smokers (RR=0·42 CI 0·27-0·65). Interpretation: Higher serum levels of both vitamin B6 and methionine were associated with a substantial decrease in lung cancer risk on average 5 years later, indicating that they, or strongly related dietary factors, have an important effect on future lung cancer development. Increased knowledge of protective factors for lung cancer over and above tobacco cessation could make a significant contribution to disease prevention, particularly in former and never smokers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5727.
The effects of HAART and participant variables, such as test experience, require clarification. Studies with larger comparison groups, and where HIV disease characteristics are needed to establish whether the trends we identified are clinically meaningful.
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Read moreThe aim of this study was to assess the awareness of, attitudes toward, and stigma associated with psychiatric disorders among South Africans. A convenience sample of 1081 members of the general public participated in the study. One of 10 vignettes portraying different psychiatric disorders with subtle or obvious symptoms was presented to each respondent. Schizophrenia was reported as being the most representative of a psychiatric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as the least representative. Psychosocial stress was reported more frequently than medical etiologies as a possible cause of mental disorders. Seeking help from a health professional in the form of psychotherapy was often endorsed as an effective treatment option, whereas taking medication was rarely endorsed. Respondents held more stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with substance abuse and schizophrenia, whereas post-traumatic stress disorder was stigmatized significantly less than the other conditions. Further effort is required to educate the public about the psychobiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and about the value of effective treatments.
Read moreLarge studies are necessary to reveal increased risk of rare outcomes as specific birth defects. Our study did not indicate that paternal drug exposure is an important risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Read moreData on hippocampal volume in IPV are inconsistent, perhaps reflecting the fact that multiple factors influence this measure. Reduced FA in the body of the corpus callosum in IPV suggests altered integrity of this white matter tract; additional work is needed to address the underlying mechanisms and clinical correlates of this finding.
Read morelundbecktrials.com Identifiers: 10205 and 10193.
Read moreThis study examined how implicit and explicit changes following integrative inpatient treatment of adolescents with eating disorder (ED) may predict the posttreatment ratings of psychodynamic therapists of their patients' openness to therapeutic processes and their change (Therapist Evaluation Inventory). The relative contribution of inpatients' ego functions was compared with that of their mental distress and ED symptoms in two subgroups: restricting type anorexia (AN-R) and binging/purging type EDs (B/P). Data indicated that the implicit personality variable of elevated ability to modulate affects was the best predictor of therapist-rated global outcome among patients with B/P symptoms, whereas in patients with AN-R, evolving openness to implicit negative affects and a reduction in reported distress were best predictors. In patients with AN-R, attenuated affect control was also significantly correlated with therapist posttreatment ratings. These data point that in addition to addressing behavioral/symptomatic aspects, personality variables should be addressed in the psychological treatment of EDs.
Read moreActive involvement in cognitively stimulating pursuits may be beneficial for persons with AD.
Read moreIn addition to B-vitamins, methyl group donors such as methionine and betaine may play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis.
Read moreThis study strengthens the evidence for the benefits of a smoking ban in public places.
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