This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depression in medical students. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of depression in medical students from May 2018 to April 2019. Depression was diagnosed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We evaluated the following potential predictors: demographic data, stressors, psychiatric comorbidities, emotional intelligence (EI), and perceived social support. The association between potential factors and depression was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of depression was 149 of 706 students with 12.5% suicidality. Second- and fourth-year medical students were high-risk groups. Risk factors identified were insufficient income, physical illness, and previous psychiatric illness. Depression in medical students likely coincides with anxiety, internet addiction, sleep problems, and loneliness. Highly associated stressors were personal relationships, physical health, mental health, difficulties in social relationships, satisfaction with grades, and boredom with medical education. Protective EI factors included emotional self-control, problem-solving abilities, inner peace, and life satisfaction. Up to 21.1% of medical students had depression. In this study, among multiple known risk factors of depression, we found that EI is the novel protective factor against depression among medical students. EI training might be protective intervention for medical students in the future.

Background For active proliferative lupus nephritis (LN), intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) is a standard therapy whereby mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is less effective than IVCYC, according to the clinical trials in non-Asians. In this observational study, the clinical outcomes will be compared among Thai patients. Methods We had analyzed 93 adult patients who underwent a renal biopsy for active proliferative LN confirmation between January 2013 and June 2021. The assessment of the response outcomes compared the induction treatment of IVCYC versus MMF. The primary endpoint had achieved complete remission (CR) at 24 weeks, while the secondary endpoint is overall remission (OR) and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) changed over time. Results 93 LN patients were separated into two groups; 40 in IVCYC and 53 in MMF. In the 24th week, based on unadjusted analysis, patient had achieved CR 20.0% of IVCYC, whereas 28.3% of MMF had achieved CR. Unadjusted CR Risk difference was −0.08 (95% CI −0.26, −0.09, p-value = 0.351) and the adjusted CR risk difference was −0.19 (95% CI −0.42, 0.04, p-value = 0.098). The unadjusted OR risk difference was −0.06 (95% CI −0.26, 0.14, p-value = 0.553) while adjusted OR risk difference was −0.24 (95% CI −0.50, 0.02, p-value = 0.067). Unadjusted UPCR mean was −0.29 (95% CI −0.77, 0.17, p-value = 0.210) and adjusted UPCR mean was −0.27 (95% CI −0.88, 0.32, p-value = 0.366). Conclusions The induction treatment with either IVCYC or MMF had similar efficacy in Thai LN patients. The decision of treatment should be taken by applying an individualized therapeutic strategy and balancing risks, costs, and benefits.