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Sleep problems are common clinical considerations in older adults, though their interface with substance use disorders has received scant attention in the geriatric age group. This review aims to provide an overview of the relation of sleep problems and substance use disorder in older adult population. This was a narrative review conducted through electronic searchers. The studies of relevance were referred to, and the findings were synthesized under the headings of prevalence and etiology, assessment, and management. Literature suggests that sleep problems may be more common among substance users (particularly alcohol users) who have higher age. The pathophysiology of sleep issues in older adults is often multifactorial, and the individual contribution of substance use disorders needs to be teased out through thorough assessment. Management of sleep issues in older adults should include nonpharmacological approaches in addition to the pharmacological ones. Adequate management of sleep problems in older adult substance users remains a challenge, which can be addressed by careful consideration on a case-to-case basis. Further research is required on the different aspects of sleep issues in older adults with substance use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) contribute substantially to the global disease and disability burden. The Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale (IDEAS) has seldom been used to measure disability in those with AUDs. Objectives: To assess the validity of IDEAS to quantify disability among persons with AUDs by measuring the level of agreement between IDEAS and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional measurement of disability and quality of life (QoL) measures was carried out among those seeking treatment for AUDs. Correlational analyses and Bland-Altman plot analysis were done to measure the level of agreement between IDEAS and WHODAS2.0. Results: The scores on the WHODAS and IDEAS show statistically significant positive correlation (Rho: 0.435, P = 0.0001) indicating convergent validity. There was a significant level of agreement of disability scores using both tools. The IDEAS score had significant negative correlation with the brief version (WHOQoL BREF-Hindi) measures (Rho: -0.301, P = 0.003) indicating divergent validity. Those with greater severity of AUD had higher IDEAS scores (β = 1.9, P = 0.046). Conclusions: IDEAS scores correlate with disability scores measured with WHODAS 2.0 and QoL assessment using WHOQOL-BREF Hindi in those with AUDs. This instrument can be used to quantify disability and provide socioeconomic compensations to these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) leading to liver disease is major concern over other spectrum of disorder. Excessive alcohol consumption resulting in leaky gut syndrome is attributed to alcohol-induced liver injury through portal translocation of bacterial endotoxin. Susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in AUD patients could be dependent upon genes responsible for inflammation and alcohol metabolism. The pattern recognition receptor CD14 gene is a major player in endotoxin-mediated inflammation and susceptibility to ALD. This study investigated the genetic association of CD14 polymorphisms and other mechanisms relevant to altered inflammatory responses leading to ALD. Methods: Patients with alcohol use disorder with ALD (n = 128) and without liver disease (ALC, n = 184) and controls without alcohol use disorder (NALC, n = 152) from North India were enrolled. The CD4 gene polymorphisms in the North Indian population were evaluated by RFLP and sequencing. Secretory CD14 (sCD14), LBP, TLR4, MD2, TNFα, IL1b, IFNγ, IL6, IL10, and IL4 levels in serum were measured by ELISA among groups. The influence of polymorphisms on CD14 gene promoter activity and circulatory bacterial DNA level was determined. Results: The CD14 gene promoter and exonic region SNPs were found to be monomorphic, except for SNP rs2569190 for the North Indian population. The genetic association of SNP rs2569190(C/T) with the risk of developing ALD was found significant for TT genotype [ORTT, 95% CI = 2.19, 1.16–4.13 for ALD vs. ALC and OR, 2.09, 1.18–3.72 for ALD vs. NALC]. An increased sCD14 level was observed in AUD patients compared to NALC control. Increased levels of LBP, TLR4, TNFα, IL1β, IFNγ, and IL6 and reduced levels of MD2, IL10, and IL4 were observed among the ALD patients compared to the other two control groups Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed in the risk genotype TT groups of ALD patients and the ALC group compared to NALC. Promoter activity was observed in the intronic region flanking SNPs and risk genotype can influence reporter activity, indicating CD14 gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of millions of people around the world. The stress due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality among the elderly along with the lockdown measures can impact the mental health of older aged adults. Hence, the current study aimed to assess the mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older adults in India. Methods: The current study was part of an online, cross-sectional survey conducted in eight countries. For the current study, participants were included if they were Indians, were at least 55 years of age, had Internet access, were residing in India, and were willing to participate in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire to assess the sociodemographic data and worries related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Impact of Events Scale-Revised were applied. Results: A total of 181 older adults participated. The most common worries were the impact of COVID on society (65.2%) and on friends and family (50.8%). About 14.9%, 2.8%, and 14.9% of participants were screened positive for depression, probable posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety based on PHQ-9, IES-R, and GAD-7, respectively. There was a significant association of both depression and anxiety with preexisting mental illness, worry about transmitting COVID to others, ability to care for others, impact of COVID-19 on one's own health, finances, and society. Conclusions: Higher levels of altruism and "psychological jointedness" in the Indian family could have led to this unique finding that older adults were more worried about the impact of pandemic on others, than self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies and published reports have not commented on the change in the proportion of the Indian population that consumed alcohol over the years. Methods: We report the findings on changes in alcohol use in India over the past two decades, based on a secondary analysis of the data gathered over the successive National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-3 to 5). Results: There was a significant decline (P < 0.001) of around 8% and 45% for the current use of alcohol among men and women from NFHS-3 to NFHS-4. There was a decline in the proportion of men reporting alcohol use across all but one state in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-3. The decline was statistically significant (P < 0.001) for all but one state. There was a decline in the proportion of women reporting alcohol use in 12 states and an increase in three states. Also, there was a significant (P < 0.001) decline in the proportion of men reporting alcohol use in all the states in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-4. There was an increase in the proportion of women reporting alcohol use in nine states (statistically significant in six states) in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-4. However, the proportions were more than NFHS-3 values in two states. Conclusions: These observations on changes in alcohol use in the country over the past two decades will help better understand the trends in alcohol consumption and help better plan the future strategy to address alcohol use and alcohol use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent marijuana use, marijuana-related perceptions, and use of other substances before and after initiation of retail marijuana sales in Colorado (2013-2015); Prev Sci Off J Soc Prev Res. 2019; 20(2): 185-193. Early evidence of the impact of cannabis legalization on cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and the use of other substances: findings from state policy evaluations; Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. SP 3 sp Some sects in Bengal state used to offer items containing cannabis to the guests during Durga Puja. SP 4 sp The use of cannabis, thus, has been quite common in the context of sociocultural and religious aspects in the country. Prevalence of marijuana and other substance use before and after Washington State's change from legal medical marijuana to legal medical and nonmedical marijuana: cohort comparisons in a sample of adolescents; Subst Abuse. [Extracted from the article]

This systematic review aimed to assess the pattern and factors associated with internet, mobile device, social media use, and gaming behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased internet, smartphone, social media use as well as online gaming were noted. Younger age group, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and stress were associated with an increase in internet, smartphone, and social media use. The majority of studies were of poor quality. These conclusions highlight the need to conduct research with robust methodology and implement public health initiatives which address those at greater risk to alleviate pathological use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the barriers to effective care in patients with depression is stigma associated with having a mental disorder, which also acts as a barrier to recovery and increases the disability. Aims: To study the stigma and disabilities experienced by the patients with depressive disorders seeking treatment in a tertiary care hospital Methodology: Fifty patients diagnosed to have depressive disorder as per ICD-10 were recruited by convenient sampling. To measure the stigma, the Discrimination and Stigma Scale -12 was applied. The severity of depression was determined by applying Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). The disability was calculated by using WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 Results: Fifty percentages of the participants reported unfair treatment and they experienced discrimination in at least one life domain. There was significant positive correlation between unfair treatment subscale of stigma and disability. Around one fourth of the participants reported to be treated unfairly by their own families. Seventy percent reported to have concealed their mental health problems, 54% have stopped themselves from having a close personal relationship and 32% didn't apply for work in anticipating discrimination. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were significantly associated with concealing the mental health problem. Conclusion: Stigma due to having depression acts as a barrier to vocational & social integration and functional recovery. Concealment of the diagnosis of depression is itself barrier for help seeking and to receiving appropriate treatment. Small sample size and adopting the purposive sampling method are the limitations of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Concerns have been expressed about the possible adverse impact of increased screen time on the psychological well-being of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between screen time and mental well-being among college students. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey-based study was conducted among Indian college students. Details regarding sociodemographics and the amount and pattern of screen time usage and mental well-being (assessed using World Health Organization Well-Being Index; 5) were collected. Furthermore, personality traits were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results: The final study sample comprised of 731 medical and engineering undergraduate students with a mean age of 20.7 years. The total screen time across different devices among the study participants for both weekdays and weekends was comparable, with a median value of 540 min. Poor mental well-being was significantly associated with higher total screen time (P = 0.03). Furthermore, screen time use predominantly to access social media for noncommunication purposes was associated with significantly lower mental well-being scores (P = 0.03). Conclusions: The current study highlights the impact of screen time on the mental well-being of students. The higher total screen time use was associated with poor mental well-being. Various types of screen time could have a differential relation with the mental well-being of students. Increased screen time use predominantly to access social media for noncommunication purposes was associated with a higher risk of poor mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]