Psychiatric Medical Center

Objective: Nocturia, defined as waking from sleep to void, is a frequent lower urinary tract symptom associated with impaired sleep quality and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nocturia episodes and their impact on sleep disturbance and health-related quality of life. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Urology Outpatient Clinic of the General Hospital of Eastern Achaia between November 2023 and May 2024. Participants reporting nocturia were assessed using the Nocturia Quality of Life (N-QOL) questionnaire, the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the EQ-5D questionnaire. Demographic data and comorbid conditions were also collected. Univariate analyses and multiple linear regression were applied to identify factors associated with nocturia-related outcomes. Results: A total of 89 participants (78 men and 11 women; mean age 68.9 years) were included. Most participants reported 2-3 nocturnal voids per night. The N-QOL score was significantly associated with the frequency of nocturia episodes (r = -0.55, p < 0.0001), and regression analysis confirmed this relationship (coefficient: -6.7; 95% CI: -10.4 to -3.1). Individuals scoring ≥ 8 on the OAB-V8 scale demonstrated significantly lower N-QOL performance. Conclusions: Increasing nocturia frequency is associated with impaired sleep, reduced vitality, and diminished quality of life, particularly among older adults. Nocturia should be recognized as a clinically relevant symptom requiring targeted evaluation and personalized management strategies.

Aim: To assess healthcare professionals’ awareness, attitudes, and utilization of community-based digital health platforms for preventive care in underserved districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and to identify key barriers associated with routine use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 among 400 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners) working in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities in Swabi and Mardan. Participants were recruited using purposive, stratified (quota-based) sampling. The questionnaire captured knowledge/awareness, attitudes, self-reported utilization, and perceived barriers (infrastructure, training, and privacy). Descriptive statistics were produced, and multivariable regression was used to examine factors associated with utilization. Results: Among the 400 respondents, 332 (83.0%) reported awareness of digital health platforms and 312 (78.0%) reported positive attitudes toward their use. Overall, 297 (74.3%) reported using digital health platforms in practice. The most frequently reported barriers were lack of infrastructure (n = 309, 77.3%), limited training (n = 297, 74.3%), and data privacy concerns (n = 295, 73.8%). In the adjusted logistic regression model, greater knowledge of digital health platforms was associated with higher odds of routine use (aOR = 10.56, 95% CI: 2.36–47.35; p = 0.002), whereas attitude and infrastructure barriers were not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: Healthcare professionals in Swabi and Mardan reported high awareness and favorable attitudes toward community-based digital health platforms, but infrastructure gaps, limited training, and data privacy concerns were common barriers. Greater platform knowledge predicted routine use. Strengthening facility readiness, workflow-based training, and practical safeguards to address data privacy concerns may enable safer, more equitable scale-up; findings are context-specific due to non-probability sampling.

Increasing aging populations globally have made maintaining a healthy life expectancy for older adults a critical issue. Older adults are particularly susceptible to frailty, physical and mental vulnerability caused by age-related decline in physiological and psychological resilience. Preventing its onset is essential for extending a healthy lifespan. Declines in antioxidant capacity contributes to frailty; therefore, administration of antioxidants may help prevent or treat this condition. Silicon (Si)-based agent reacts with water to produce hydrogen, which selectively scavenges deleterious reactive oxygen species. Oral Si-based agent administration can effectively alleviate symptoms in various disease models associated with oxidative stress, including Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, facial nerve palsy, and small intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated whether a Si-based agent could prevent or ameliorate frailty associated with aging using klotho mice, a premature aging model, and 105-week-old C57BL/6J mice. In klotho mice, the Si-based agent significantly alleviated age-related physical changes, including kyphosis and deterioration of coat conditions, and frailty-related somatic symptoms, including decreased spontaneous activity and motor function. Moreover, multicriteria frailty classification revealed fewer frail and pre-frail phenotypes in Si-based agent-treated klotho mice than in untreated mice. In aged C57BL/6J mice, the Si-based agent mitigated oxidative stress, suppressed motor performance and body weight decline, and reduced early mortality associated with age-related deterioration. Si-based agent may represent a potential strategy for combating frailty.

BackgroundDepression is frequently encountered in patients suffering from post-concussive syndrome (PCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Clinical strategies for predicting and managing such depression remain underdeveloped.ObjectiveTo determine whether pre- and post-injury alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and antidepressant medication use are associated with risk of depression in PCS.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of 297 patients diagnosed with PCS at a Honolulu neurology clinic between January 2020 and January 2023, analyzing substance and antidepressant use patterns before and after PCS diagnosis and their relationship to post-injury depression risk using PHQ-2 scores.ResultsOf screened patients, 31% were identified as at risk for depression after concussion. Pre-injury tobacco use and marijuana use (both before and after concussion) were significantly associated with greater depression risk. Notably, prior antidepressant use emerged as a strong predictor of depression following concussion, particularly for those who discontinued antidepressants after injury. Patients co-using marijuana and antidepressants had the highest risk.ConclusionsTobacco, marijuana, and exposure to antidepressants prior to concussion, especially discontinuation of these agents, are key risk factors for depression in PCS. These findings emphasize the importance of proactively screening patients with post-concussion syndrome for psychiatric symptoms. Regular assessment of substance use and close monitoring of antidepressant adherence should be integrated into neurorehabilitation care. A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving neurology, physiatry, psychiatry, and addiction specialists is essential to identify and address these risk factors early, improving patient outcomes through timely intervention. Future studies should clarify mechanisms and optimal intervention timing.

Research on sarcopenia in patients with schizophrenia is still in its infancy. The aim of our work was to review the literature on sarcopenia in people with schizophrenia. The literature was searched using the PubMed and Google scholar databases. Sarcopenia and schizophrenia share certain etiological processes and risk factors. People with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing sarcopenia, as well as an increased prevalence of sarcopenia. As a screening tool for sarcopenia, the Ishii test is recommended, but the SARC-F can also be used. Bioelectrical impedance and dynamometer are used for diagnosis. Exercise, a protein-rich diet and protein supplements play a role in its prevention and treatment. Additional research is needed on common etiological processes and possible therapeutic interventions. Despite the scarce data, given the prevalence and the risks it carries, sarcopenia should not be omitted from the care of patients with schizophrenia.

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hopelessness and death anxiety among geriatric individuals. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals aged 65 years and older (N = 220) registered at a community health center in Turkey. Participants completed the Descriptive Characteristics Form and as well as the Death Anxiety Scale and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results: The mean scores for death anxiety and hopelessness were 53.32 ± 13.29 and 9.42 ± 3.86, respectively. The study revealed that the subdimensions of the Death Anxiety Scale were predominantly positively and weakly correlated with hopelessness and hope components, while motivation loss showed varying levels of negative correlation (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that geriatric individuals experience above-moderate levels of death anxiety and report moderate levels of hopelessness. Furthermore, it was observed that as feelings of hopelessness increased, death anxiety intensified accordingly. Keywords: Aged; Anxiety; Death; Mental Health.

PurposeAdolescent drug abuse is a growing global public health concern, with early onset linked to a variety of harmful effects. This study examines the long-term mental, physical, social, and legal implications of adolescents’ illicit drug usage, with an emphasis on psychiatric illnesses and risks associated with demographic factors such as cultural background and socioeconomic status.MethodsA retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the “Ali Mihali” Psychiatric Hospital in Vlora, Albania, using clinical data spanning 10 years (2014-2024). The study comprised 312 individuals with a history substance use that began during adolescence (12-18 years). Patients were assessed using structured psychiatric interviews and standardized evaluation tools, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Data on mental, medical, and legal histories were obtained from the hospital.ResultsThe study found a significant rise in early-onset substance use, with cannabis being most commonly used, followed by cocaine and heroin. The average age at the initiation of use ranged from 12 to 18 years, with 34.5% starting at 18. Psychiatric problems, including psychotic disorders (56.4%), bipolar disorder (21.8%), and personality disorders (17.9%) were observed. Physical health concerns were present in 39.7% of patients, including liver disease, respiratory issues, and infectious diseases (hepatitis, HIV). Moreover, 14.4% of patients had experienced legal issues, including drug trafficking and domestic violence.ConclusionsEarly drug misuse has long-lasting impacts on mental health, physical health, and social integration, according to this study. It highlights the necessity of all-encompassing, multisectoral approaches to prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation.

Abstract Background Studies conducted on the desire and performance of premenopausal women following total hysterectomy surgery are associated with different and contradictory results. Some studies have reported an increase in sexual activity due to not worrying about pregnancy, and some have reported a decrease in sexual desire and frequency of sex due to depression. In this study, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women who have undergone total hysterectomy is compared with the control group and the population average, and its possible relationship with etiological factors such as depression and hormonal problems is investigated. Methods In this study, the prevalence of each sexual disorders was evaluated over 3 years on 1200 cases of premenopausal women who underwent total hysterectomy surgery. Also, common psychiatric disorders were screened by standard questionnaire tools. Results As a result of this study, the high prevalence of sexual disorders in the studied subjects was reported. At the same time, no significant relationship was found between the prevalence and severity of depression or anxiety with sexual disorders. Conclusion It seems that, in addition to the common etiological factors, other factors should be taken into account when evaluating sexual problems in patients.