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Introduction: Adolescent Depression (AD) although is widely prevalent and is a prioritized disorder, it is under-diagnosed and under reported in primary-care. We document the post-test probability of three measures and select the best measure for identifying AD in primary-care settings in India based on the clinical utility. Materials and Methods: Three measures have been validated in India for AD and thus can be further evaluated for primary-care use; we calculated the positive (+PTP) and negative (-PTP) post-test probability from the prevalence of AD in India for Beck Depression Inventory-21 item version (BDI-21), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item version (PHQ-9), and Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised version (CDRS-R) using the Bayes theorem. The usefulness of the measure was defined a priori based on the odds ratio (OR) of +PTP (OR > 3) and −PTP (OR < 0.1). Results: The +PTP and −PTP for BDI-21 was 43% (95%CI = 40, 45%; OR = 0.7) and 25% (95%CI = 13, 43%; OR = 0.3) respectively. Similarly, the +PTP and − PTP for PHQ-9 was 74% (95%CI = 66, 81%; OR = 2.9) and 10% (95%CI = 6, 17%; OR = 0.1). Finally, +PTP and − PTP for CDRS-R was 78% (95%CI = 69, 84%; OR = 3.5) and 12% (95%CI = 7, 18%; OR = 0.1). Only CDRS-R achieved the useful decided a priori as can be seen in the Fagan's Nomograms. Conclusion: This research provides the evidence base for selecting CDRS-R as the screening measure, for Adolescent Depression, for clinical use in Primary-care settings in India.

Introduction: The predictive factors of parent mediated, Early Intervention (EI) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have not been studied in India; we document the structural therapeutic factors, which predict the EI outcome. Methods: Data of 77 children with an ICD 10 diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (ASD in DSM 5), and completed a 12-week EI with proven effectiveness was collected from the database of a teaching hospital. We studied the structural therapeutic factors associated with EI outcome, as measured by Psycho-Educational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), while controlling the confounders with multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The Fine-motor skills improved in residential patients (t = 2.54, P = 0.02; 15 units). As the duration of intervention decreased at home per day, there was a significant decrease in Gross-motor skills (t = -2.67, P = 0.02; -15 units). With increase in duration of intervention in hospital per day, there was a significant increase (t = 2.86, P = 0.01; 30 units) in the Eye-hand integration. Cognitive-verbal skills acquisition decreased (t = -2.90, P = 0.01; 33 units) as the duration of intervention decreased at hospital. The use of medication did not predict any of the outcome factors. Conclusion: The above mentioned predictive factors should be monitored and titrated in the family context when children with ASD undergo parent mediated, EI programme. It is important to that the multidisciplinary family medicine teams reinforce these parents, who are the main column of support in primary-care settings for children with neuro-developmental disabilities in India.

BackgroundNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden.Methods and findingsWe assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-ConclusionsThe study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions.

In low-income countries where gender bias is prevalent, the gender of a child with intellectual disability may impair marital intimacy. This study explores that effect, together with gender differences in parental perceptions of marital intimacy. Twenty-three pairs of parents of children with intellectual disability were divided into two groups according to child gender. The Intimate Bond Measure was used to study the parents' relationship. Intimacy between parents of girls with intellectual disability was significantly impaired compared with parents of boys with intellectual disability. Intimacy between parents continued to be impaired significantly after controlling for the confounding effect of challenging behaviours. Within the dyads, mothers and fathers did not significantly differ in perceived intimacy. This highlights the importance of assessing marital intimacy among parents of girls with intellectual disability, since impaired marital intimacy may be managed effectively with psychological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]