Background:Depression is the most common mental health problem in late-life. We need more information about the incidence and prevalence of major and minor syndromes of depression in older people. This will help in service development.Aims:To estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders among community resident older people in Kerala, India and to identify factors associated with late-life depression.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and twenty community resident older subjects were assessed for depression by clinicians trained in psychiatry. They used a symptom checklist based on International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) Diagnostic criteria for research for Depression and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale for assessment of symptoms. A structured proforma was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics and medical history. The point prevalence of depression was estimated. Univariate analysis and subsequent binary logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with depression.Results:Prevalence of any ICD-10 (World Health Organization, 1992) depressive episode was 39.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.6–45.9). There was significant correlation between depression and female gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.33; 95% CI 1.07–5.06) and history of a significant life event in the previous year (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.27–4.49).Conclusion:High prevalence rate of late-life depression is indicative of high burden due to depression among older people in the community. Better awareness among primary care clinicians can result in better detection and management of late-life depression.

Background:Estimates of psychiatric morbidity in the community will help service development. Participation of trained nonspecialist health-care providers will facilitate scaling up of services in resource-limited settings.Aims:This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of priority mental health problems in populations served by the District Mental Health Program (DMHP).Settings and Design:This is a population-based cross-sectional survey.Materials and Methods:We did stratified cluster sampling of households in five districts of Kerala. Trained Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) identified people who had symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Clinicians evaluated the information collected by the ASHAs and designated individuals as probable cases of psychosis or noncases. Screening instruments such as General Health Questionnaire-12, CAGE questionnaire, and Everyday Abilities Scale for India were used for identifying common mental disorders (CMDs), clinically significant alcohol-related problems, and functional impairment.Results:We found 12.43% of the adult population affected by mental health conditions. We found CMD as most common with a prevalence of 9%. The prevalence of psychosis was 0.71%, clinically significant alcohol-related problems was 1.46%, and dementia and other cognitive impairments was 1.26%. We found informant-based case finding to be useful in the identification of psychosis.Conclusions:Mental health problems are common. Nonspecialist health-care providers can be trained to identify psychiatric morbidity in the community. Their participation will help in narrowing the treatment gap. Embedding operational research to DMHP will make scaling up more efficient.

Background: Individuals with HIV/AIDS are prone for psychiatric/psychological morbidities. Many studies have reported significantly higher prevalence of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA's) when compared to general population. However, there are only very few studies looking at the prevalence of depression in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objectives: To estimate the prevalance and factors associated with depression among clinically stable PLWHAs. Materials and Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design to estimate the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among clinically stable PLWHAs with CD4 cell count >400 cells/mm3 and on ART for >2 years. We assessed 100 PLWHAs and diagnosed depression using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Results: The prevalence of depression was 30% in this sample. Female gender, lack of family support, and HIV-positive status of the spouse were associated with depression in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lack of family support significantly associated with depression. High prevalence of depression and its association with stressful life circumstances even in individuals stable on ART points toward need for psychosocial interventions to improve metal health and well-being of these patients.

Context:Lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking and alcohol use can affect the presentation and course of psoriasis. There is a paucity of data on this subject from India.Aims:To find out whether increased severity of psoriasis in adult Indian males is associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol use.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional study in the Department of Dermatology of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.Subjects and Methods:Male patients above 18 years of age attending a psoriasis clinic between March 2007 and May 2009 were studied. Severity of psoriasis (measured using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index – PASI) among smokers and non-smokers was compared. We also studied the correlation between severity of psoriasis and nicotine dependence (measured using Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence) and alcohol use disorders (measured using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–AUDIT).Statistical Analysis:Z-test, Odd's ratio, Chi-square test, Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results:Of a total of 338 patients, 148 were smokers and 173 used to consume alcohol. Mean PASI score of smokers was more than that of non-smokers (Z-test, z = −2.617, P = 0.009). Those with severe psoriasis were more likely to be smokers (χ2 = 5.47, P = 0.02, OR = 1.8, Confidence Interval 1.09-2.962). There was a significant correlation between PASI scores and Fagerström score (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.164, P < 0.01). Mean PASI scores of persons who used to consume alcohol and those who did not were comparable.(Z-test, z = −0.458, P = 0.647). There was no association between severity of psoriasis and alcohol consumption.(χ2 = 0.255, P = 0.613, Odds Ratio = 1.14, CI 0.696-1.866). There was no correlation between PASI scores and AUDIT scores (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.024, P > 0.05).Conclusions:Increased severity of psoriasis among adult males is associated with tobacco smoking, but not with alcohol use.