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Objective This study aimed to compare data on mood and anxiety disorders of pregnant women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The study sample included 253 women evaluated on their first postpartum day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mood and anxiety disorders were determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Data from sample was compared with data from previous study that was completed and published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The prevalence rate of mood and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic was 7.1% and 13.0%, respectively. The most common specific disorder was generalized anxiety disorder (7.1%). Compared to period before the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in the current sample was not significantly different. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that pregnant women may have not be under higher risk for mood and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic.

Objective This study presents the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with major depression and without any psychiatric disorder. Methods The study sample included 61 patients with a diagnosis of RA. Major depression and other psychiatric disorders were screened with the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Blood sample for the determination of serum TNF-α level was obtained before the psychiatric interview. Results The prevalence rates of any depressive disorder and any anxiety disorder were 40.3% (n = 25) and 22.6% (n = 14), respectively. Fifteen (24.2%) patients had major depression alone, whereas 27 (43.5%) patients were not diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder. We could not determine any significant differences between the patients with major depression alone and patients without any psychiatric diagnosis with regard to the serum levels of TNF-α. Conclusions The existence of major depression in RA patients does not seem to be associated with serum levels of TNF-α.

Objective The aim of the study was to research the relationship between interferon (IFN) induced depression and sociodemographic characteristics, neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress. Methods Sixty four cases, 34 with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and 30 with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), were included in the study. The patients were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline on the 2nd and 6th weeks of treatment. S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were measured at the same visits. Results In total, 20 patients were diagnosed with major depression (MD) on the sixth week. A significant relationship was found between depression developed after IFN therapy and baseline HARS scores and the type of IFN-α. When the pretreatment levels of HDRS, HARS, S100B, BDNF, TAS, and TOS were compared to those after treatment on the 2nd week, there was a significant increase in HDRS and HARS levels and a significant decrease in the levels of S100B and BDNF. No significant change was determined for TAS and TOS levels. Conclusions Our study suggests that the pathogenesis of IFN induced depression may involve neurotrophic factors.

Objectives The study aimed to investigate whether maternal GAD during pregnancy affects fetal circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays important roles in neuronal development, by comparing cord blood BDNF levels in newborn infants of women with and without GAD. Methods Study sample included 19 women with GAD and 25 women without any psychiatric disorder. GAD and other psychiatric diagnoses were screened by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The blood sample for the determination of BDNF level was obtained from the umbilical cord during delivery. Results Cord blood BDNF levels in newborn infants of healthy women were approximately two-fold compared to newborn infants of women with GAD, and the difference was statistically significant. The duration of GAD during pregnancy was the only variable correlating with cord blood BDNF levels. Conclusions The study results imply that prolonged maternal GAD during pregnancy may negatively influence neurodevelopment of the fetus through lower levels of circulating BDNF.

Objective We aimed to compare the levels of serum androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who had a diagnosis of only major depressive disorder (MDD), only generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or who had no psychiatric disorder, as determined by a structured clinical interview. Another objective of the study was to examine whether an association exists between these psychiatric diagnoses and insulin resistance or body mass index via a comparison among the study groups in terms of these parameters. Method This study was performed between March 2011 and February 2012. A total of 73 patients were included in the study. The study sample consisted of three groups: PCOS patients with only major depressive disorder (n = 23), PCOS patients with only generalized anxiety disorder (n = 20), and PCOS patients without any diagnosed psychiatric disorders (not diagnosed — ND group, n = 30). Results Significant difference was found among the three groups with regard to the serum levels of 17-OHP and DHEAS. When multiple comparisons were performed among the groups, 17-OHP levels were significantly higher in the MDD group than in the ND group. DHEAS levels were significantly higher in the MDD group and the GAD group than in the ND group. Conclusion The present study suggests that MDD and GAD appear to be associated with higher DHEAS levels.

Objective This study presents the current prevalence of Axis I and Axis II psychiatric diagnoses and factors associated with the existence of Axis I psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Method The study sample was composed of 89 patients with CIU and 64 control subjects. Axis I and Axis II psychiatric disorders were ascertained by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, Revised Third Edition Personality Disorders, respectively. Results Of patients with CIU, 44 (49.4%) had at least one Axis I diagnosis, and 40 (44.9%) had at least one personality disorder. The most common Axis I disorder was obsessive–compulsive disorder (25.8%), and the most common Axis II disorder was obsessive–compulsive (30.3%) personality disorder in patients with CIU. Obsessive–compulsive disorder, major depression, obsessive–compulsive and avoidant personality disorders were more prevalent in patient group compared to control group. Obsessive-compulsive and avoidant personality disorders were related to the existence of Axis I disorders in patients with CIU. Conclusion Psychiatric morbidity seems to be a frequent healthy problem in patients with CIU.