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Background: The majority of antidepressants have been reported to cause metabolic syndrome (MetS). Paucity of information available for the effect of Vortioxetine on MetS. The study aims to assess the systematic review of Vortioxetine on depressive patients' blood pressure (BP), central obesity, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which are risk factors for the MetS. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this systematic review. The protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021272614). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of Vortioxetine on MetS risk indicators were searched in electronic databases. RCTs that included adult patients 18–75 years of age, Major depression patients (MDD) and prescribed with Vortioxetine drug. Preclinical research, editorials, letters, reviews, case reports, studies in pediatric populations, unpublished gray literature were excluded Abstract and title screening was performed, followed by full-text screening using the Covidence software. Data were extracted, and analysis was done using Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan v5.1). Results: Following the screening process, 8 RCTs (6 blinded and 2 open-label) were selected for systematic review. The MetS risk factors for Vortioxetine treatment in depressed patients were ambiguous from the available research. However, 4 of 8 RCTs have shown that Vortioxetine is an effective and safe treatment for depression. All the trials were methodological of high quality. Conclusions: A single study evaluating all the five MetS risk variables in depressed patients on Vortioxetine therapy is needed before recommending Vortioxetine as a first-line or switch therapy for depression.

IntroductionThe contribution of technology to the field of health is vast, both in diagnosis and management. More so, the use of computer-based intervention has become increasingly widespread over the past decade. Human beings experience a decline in auditory processing and cognitive skills as they age, consistent with deterioration of other bodily functions. In addition, speech perception abilities in both quiet and in the presence of noise are impacted by auditory processing abilities and cognitive skills such as working memory. This pilot study explored the use of music as an intervention for improving these skills and employed a computerized delivery of the intervention module.MethodA battery of tests was carried out to assess the baseline auditory processing and working memory skills in eight older adults between the ages of 56 and 79 years, all of whom had normal hearing. Following the assessment, a short-term computerized music-based intervention was administered. The style of music chosen was Carnatic classical music, a genre widely practiced in Southern India. The intervention module involved note and tempo discrimination and was carried out for a maximum of 10 half-hour sessions. The multi-level intervention module was constructed and administered using Apex software. Following the intervention, the auditory processing and cognitive skills of the participants were reassessed to study any changes in their auditory processing and working memory skills.Results and discussionThere were positive changes observed in all the auditory processing and some of the working memory abilities. This paper discusses in detail the systematic structuring of the computerized music-based intervention module and its effects on the auditory processing and cognitive skills in older adults.

Background: Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome found in men from India (and other South Asian countries), leading to a number of psychiatric problems. Aim: The study is aimed at studying the sociodemographic correlates of patients with Dhat syndrome and the occurrence of comorbid neurotic, stress-related, and somatic symptoms. It also aims to study the severity of comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (Chennai). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were recruited from consecutive outpatients attending the psychiatry department and assessment was carried out using a semi-structured pro forma, Dhat Syndrome Questionnaire, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Statistical Analysis: The data collected here was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Most patients were found to be in the second decade of life and hailed from urban areas and lower socioeconomic status. Media and peer group were the source of information for three-fourths of the patients. A majority of the patients reported with somatic symptoms. Mild to moderate anxiety and depression scores were most commonly observed. Conclusion: The current study has illustrated that Dhat syndrome is associated with a lot of misinformation and leads to mild–moderate depression and anxiety symptoms, making its awareness and treatment extremely important.

Background: Antenatal depression is associated with several adverse maternal outcomes, perinatal outcomes, lower academic achievements in adolescence, and future mental health problems for the mothers. Early identification and effective treatment of depression in antenatal women can also improve perinatal outcomes. Aim: This study aims to understand the prevalence of antenatal depression and anxiety disorder, along with associated factors, among antenatal women attending the outpatient clinic of the obstetrics department in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed for determining the prevalence, while a case-control framework was used for analysis of the associated factors. Semi-structured sociodemographic pro forma, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Tamil version, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Tamil version were administered to antenatal women after obtaining informed consent. Those who scored above 10 points on the PHQ-9 or above 9 points on the GAD-7 were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnostic interview schedule, by a psychiatrist, for confirming the diagnosis. Results: In our sample, 22% of the participants were diagnosed with depression, and 23% with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty-eight participants (13.4%) had both depression and GAD. Antenatal depression was associated with alcohol use in the spouse (P < 0.015), physical violence (P < 0.026), low perceived social support from the in-laws (P < 0.039), and pressure to have a male child (0.001). Antenatal GAD was associated with low perceived social support from the in-laws (P < 0.039) and pressure to have a male child (P < 0.041). Conclusion: The occurrence of depression and generalized anxiety disorder is high in antenatal women. Our study identified relevant psychosocial factors that may be potential targets to develop effective interventions.

Study Design Radiological cohort study. Purpose The options of posteriorly stabilizing C7 vertebra include using lateral mass, pedicle or lamina, as bony anchors. The current study is a computed tomography (CT)-based morphometric analysis of C7 vertebra of 100 Indian patients and discusses the feasibility of these different techniques. Overview of Literature C7 is a peculiar vertebra with unique anatomy, which poses challenges for each of these fixation modalities. There are no reports available in the literature, which discuss and compare the feasibility of diverse posterior C7 fixation techniques in Indian population. Methods We included 100 consecutive cervical spine CT scans of Indian patients performed between July 2016 and September 2016. We excluded CT scans with any significant congenital anomaly or other pathological lesions of C7 and patients with non-Indian ethnicity. Regarding screw placement, we assessed and studied various dimensions of the C7 lateral mass, pedicles, and laminae in relevant sections. Results The mean age of our patients was 49.5±16.1 years. We included 56 male and 44 female patients. The mean anteroposterior and mediolateral dimensions of the lateral mass were 11.38±1.76 and 12.91±1.82 mm, respectively. The mean length of the lateral mass screw (Magerl technique) was 12.17±1.9 mm; 92% of patients could accommodate a lateral mass screw at least 10-mm long (unicortical), whereas 48% could accommodate a screw (unicortical) longer than 12 mm. Foramen transversarium was found in 30.5% of lateral masses. The mean outer and inner cortical widths of the pedicles were 6.5±0.71 mm and 3.72±0.61 mm, respectively. Approximately 58% of pedicles could accommodate 3.5-mm screws (based on the inner cortical pedicle width). The outer cortical and inner cortical widths of the laminae were 6.21±1.2 mm and 3.23±0.9 mm, respectively. Subsequently, 37% of the laminae could accommodate 3.5-mm screws. The mean angle of intralaminar screw trajectory was 50.7°±5.1°, and the mean length of the intralaminar screw was 32.6±3.05 mm. In addition, 96.4% and 60.7% of male patients could accommodate lateral mass screws longer than 10 mm and 12 mm, respectively. However, only 86.4% and 31.8% of female patients could accommodate 10- and 12-mm long lateral mass screws, respectively. Furthermore, 75% of male patients and 36% of female patients had pedicles that could accommodate 3.5-mm diameter screws, and 48.2% of male patients had laminae that could accommodate 3.5-mm screws; however, only 22.7% of female patients could accommodate 3.5-mm laminar screws. Conclusions Based on our CT-guided morphometric analysis, 92% and 48% of Indian patients could accommodate at least 10- and 12-mm long lateral mass screws, and 58% of pedicles and 37% of laminae could accommodate 3.5-mm screws. Thus, lateral mass screws (between 10- and 12-mm long) seem to be the safest feasible option for C7 fixation. In case of the need for an alternative mode of stabilization (pedicle or intralaminar screw), particularly in female patients, careful preoperative planning with a CT scan is of utmost importance.