Background and Objectives: To describe patterns of healthcare utilization among patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in general practitioner (GP) settings in Germany. Methods: Using a large computerized database with information from GP practices across Germany, we identified all patients, aged > 18 years, with diagnoses of, or prescriptions for, GAD (ICD-10 diagnosis code F41.1) between October 1, 2003 and September 30, 2004 ("GAD patients"). We also constituted an age- and sex-matched comparison group, consisting of randomly selected patients without any GP encounters or prescriptions for anxiety or depression (a common comorbidity in GAD) during the same period. GAD patients were then compared to those in the matched comparison group over the one-year study period. Results: The study sample consisted of 3340 GAD patients and an equal number of matched comparators. Mean age was 53.2 years; 66.3% were women. Over the 12-month study period, GAD patients were more likely than matched comparators to have encounters for various comorbidities, including sleep disorders (odds ratio [OR] = 6.75 [95% CI = 5.31, 8.57]), substance abuse disorders (3.91 [2.89, 5.28]), and digestive system disorders (2.62 [2.36, 2.91]) (all p < 0.01). GAD patients averaged 5.6 more GP encounters (10.5 [SD = 8.8] vs 4.9 [5.7] for comparison group) and 1.4 more specialist referrals (2.3 [2.9] vs 0.9 [1.7]) (both p < 0.01). Only 58.3% of GAD patients received some type of psychotropic medication (i.e., benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and/or sedatives/hypnotics). Conclusions: Patients with GAD in GP practices in Germany have more clinically recognized comorbidities and higher levels of healthcare utilization than patients without anxiety or depression.

Background: A recent epidemiological analysis on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in the community revealed increased rates of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women suffering from PMDD. Aims: To explore whether this association is artifactual or might have important pathogenic implications. Methods: Data come from a prospective, longitudinal community survey of an original sample of N¼1488 women aged 14–24, who were followed-up over a period of 40 to 52 months. Diagnostic assessments are based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) using the 12-month PMDD diagnostic module. Data were analyzed using logistic regressions (odds ratios) and a case-by-case review. Results: The age adjusted odds ratio between PTSD and threshold PMDD was 11.7 (3.0–46.2) at baseline. 10 women with full PTSD and at least subthreshold PMDD were identified at follow-up. Most reported an experience of abuse in childhood before the onset of PMDD. Some had experienced a life-threatening experience caused by physical attacks, or had witnessed traumatic events experienced by others. 3 women reported more than one traumatic event. Conclusions: A case-by-case review and logistic regression analyses suggest that women with traumatic events and PTSD have an increased risk for secondary PMDD. These observations call for more in-depth analyses in future research.

Auf der Grundlage der DETECT-Studie wird die querschnittliche Assoziation depressiver Störungen mit einem weiten Spektrum körperlicher Erkrankungen in einer bundesweit repräsentativen Stichprobe von 51.000 Patienten aus der primärärztlichen Versorgung in Deutschland sowie der Zusammenhang mit gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität und Arbeitsunfähigkeit untersucht. Das Vorliegen einer Depression wurde über den Depression Screening Questionnaire (DSQ) mit seinem ICD-10 Algorithmus ermittelt. Bei einer Gesamt-Querschnittsprävalenz depressiver Störungen von 7,5 % ergaben sich erhöhte Depressionsraten und signifikante Assoziationen für nahezu alle untersuchten Krankheitsgruppen. (1) Ko- und Multimorbidität somatischer als auch somatischer mit depressiven Störungen sind die Regel: „Reine“ (nicht komorbide) Depressionen sind ebenso wie reine somatische Erkrankungen die Ausnahme. (2) Das Depressionsrisiko steigt stetig mit der Anzahl komorbider Krankheiten. (3) Besonders ausgeprägte Assoziationen ergaben sich für schwergradige Herzinsuffizienzen (OR: 5,8), diabetische Folgekomplikationen (OR: 1,7–2,0), koronare Herzerkrankungen (KHK) (OR: 1,7), zerebrale Insulte (OR: 2,5) sowie muskuloskelettäre Erkrankungen (OR: 1,5). Demgegenüber waren z. B. die Raten bei Hyperlipidämie (OR: 1,1) nur leicht erhöht. (4) Komorbide Depression und steigende Multimorbidität waren mit stetig zunehmenden Arbeitsunfähigkeits- raten und absinkender gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität assoziiert. Angesichts der quantitativen Bedeutung der Depression sowie des mit Multimorbidität drastisch ansteigenden Depressionsrisikos und der damit verbundenen hohen direkten und indirekten Krankheitslast für das Gesundheitssystem und die Gesellschaft ist das hohe Ausmaß der Unterschätzung von Depression in der Routineversorgung besorgniserregend. / As part of the DETECT study, a nationwide representative clinical-epidemiological study, the frequency and associated problems of comorbid depression with a wide range of somatic illnesses were studied in N = 51,000 primary care patients. Further the association with health related quality of life and disability is examined. Depression was assessed with the Depression Screening Questionnaire (DSQ) with an ICD-10 algorithm. Results: (1) 7.5 % of all primary care patients met criteria for ICD-10 depressive disorders. (2) Depression risk was increased whenever any somatic disorder was present and increased in a dose-response relationship by number of comorbid conditions. (3) Elevation of depression risk was fairly independent of type of diagnosis, although associations with coronary heart disease (OR: 1.7), diabetic complications (OR: 1.7– 2.0), stroke (OR: 2.5) and pain-related chronic disorders (OR: 1.5) were particularly pronounced. Moderate associations were found for hyperlipidaemia (OR: 1.1). (4) Associated with the increasing number of comorbid conditions, patients with comorbid depression had increasingly more disability days and lower health related quality of life. It is concluded that the degree to which the frequency and the deleterious effects of comorbid depression is underestimated and unrecognized is alarming. The use of comorbidity indices might improve recognition.

This article reports the results of a cross-national investigation of patterns of comorbidity between substance use and psychiatric disorders in six studies participating in the International Consortium in Psychiatric Epidemiology. In general, there was a strong association between mood and anxiety disorders as well as conduct and antisocial personality disorder with substance disorders at all sites. The results also suggest that there is a continuum in the magnitude of comorbidity as a function of the spectrum of substance use category (use, problems, dependence), as well as a direct relationship between the number of comorbid disorders and increasing levels of severity of substance use disorders (which was particularly pronounced for drugs). Finally, whereas there was no specific temporal pattern of onset for mood disorders in relation to substance disorders, the onset of anxiety disorders was more likely to precede that of substance disorders in all countries. These results illustrate the contribution of cross-national data to understanding the patterns and risk factors for psychopathology and substance use disorders.

Background: Subtle and inconsistent differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity have been reported for patients with panic disorder. While these patients show little or no alterations in basal ACTH and cortisol levels, it has been hypothesized that HPA hyperresponsivity was a trait in panic patients when exposed to novel and uncontrollable stimulation. Methods: Thirty-four patients (23 females, mean age 35 yrs) diagnosed with panic disorder were compared to 34 healthy controls matched for age, gender, smoking status, and use of oral contraceptives. Both groups were exposed twice to a potent laboratory stress protocol, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) on consecutive days. Free salivary cortisol levels and heart rate responses were repeatedly measured before and following the TSST. In addition, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) was assessed to further investigate HPA reactivity in PD patients. Results: While the TSST induced similar heart rate stress responses in both groups, cortisol responses were clearly absent in the panic patients with normal responses in the controls (F(1.96, 66) = 20.16; p < 0.001). No differences in basal cortisol levels were observed in the extended baseline period. The same cortisol stress non-response patterns were observed when patients with/without comorbid depression, or with/without psychotropic medication were compared. In contrast to their non-response to the psychosocial stressor, panic patients showed a significant CAR. Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence to suggest that PD patients present with a striking lack of cortisol responsivity to acute uncontrollable psychosocial stress under laboratory conditions. This unresponsiveness of the HPA axis appears to be rather specific, since a normal CAR in the morning could be documented in these patients. Thus, the present results do not support the hypothesis that PD patients show a trait HPA hyperresponsiveness to novel and uncontrollable stimulation. In contrast, the data provide support for a hyporesponsive HPA axis under emotional stress in PD patients.

Die klinische Forschung zu Häufigkeit und Krankheitslast psychischer Störungen ist meist in mehrerer Hinsicht nicht repräsentativ. Insbesondere die Tatsache, dass die untersuchten Patienten sich von sich aus in Behandlung begeben, bedeutet eine gewisse Selektion (z.B. überdurchschnittlich motivierte). Mit wie vielen Fällen haben wir es aber zu tun, wenn man auch diejenigen berücksichtigt, die kein aktives Hilfesuch-Verhalten zeigen? Und wie hoch ist die in klinischen Stichproben offensichtliche individuelle Krankheitslast psychischer Störungen auf einer gesellschaftlichen Ebene – auch im Vergleich mit körperlichen Erkrankungen – einzuschätzen? Ansätze für solche Hochrechnungen und die Abschätzung von Häufigkeit, Störungskosten und Behandlungsbedarf psychischer Störungen müssen epidemiologisch anhand von Daten aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung geklärt werden. Die vorliegende Habilitationsschrift basiert auf Publikationen, die in meiner Arbeitsgruppe „Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung“ am Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie zwischen 2001 und 2006 entstanden sind. Die entsprechenden Befunde und Implikationen wurden und werden nicht nur in der Klinischen Psychologie, sondern auch in Nachbardisziplinen (z.B. Psychiatrie, Epidemiologie, Occupational Health Psychology, Gesundheitsökonomie, Versorgungsforschung) sowie in der nicht-wissenschaftlichen Öffentlichkeit (z.B. Gesundheitsberichterstattung, Versorgungsplanung) zur Kenntnis genommen und zitiert. In den vorgestellten Arbeiten habe ich zunächst – erstmals für Deutschland – auf der Grundlage bevölkerungsbezogener Daten bundesrepräsentative Befunde zur Verbreitung psychischer Störungen herausgestellt (z.B. Jacobi, Wittchen et al., 2004; Jacobi, Hoyer &amp;amp; Wittchen, 2004; Jacobi, Klose &amp;amp; Wittchen, 2004). Zum zweiten beschäftigte ich mich mit der internationalen Befundlage, indem ich mich an der Koordination eines internationalen und multidisziplinären Forscher-Netzwerkes beteiligte, das eine umfassende Abschätzung der Größenordnung im Sinne von Verbreitung und Kosten für die EU vorgenommen hat (Wittchen &amp;amp; Jacobi, 2005). Vor diesem Hintergrund habe ich zum dritten ausgewählte Fragestellungen zum Zusammenhang zwischen psychischen Störungen und körperlichen Erkrankungen bzw. zur Stärke und zu Konsequenzen solcher Komorbidität verfolgt (z.B. Goodwin, Jacobi &amp;amp; Thefeld, 2003; Sareen, Jacobi et al., 2006). Die Habilitationsschrift verdeutlicht nicht nur die eminente Größenordnung und Krankheitslast psychischer Störungen (z.B. reduzierte Lebensqualität, Beeinträchtigungen, Krankheitskosten, Verschlechterung des gesundheitlichen Outcomes bei körperlichen Erkrankungen). Sie eröffnet auch neue wissenschaftliche Perspektiven ihrer Erforschung, z.B. im Hinblick auf Prävention und Behandlungsbedarf, oder hinsichtlich der Verschränkungen mit Prozessen körperlicher Morbidität. / This Habilitation-Thesis, based on 10 peer-reviewed publications (2001-2006), presents findings on size and burden of mental disorders in the community. First, following an introductory discussion of methodological aspects in epidemiological studies, an overview of the prevalence of mental disorders in Germany and Europe is given (Part A). As Examples for socio-economic determinants of mental disorders, some analyses on gender differences and a comparison between West and East Germany are presented (Part B). Further, it is shown that mental disorders are costly (in terms of disability adjusted life years as well as in terms of direct and indirect monetary burden) (Part C). This refers also to the interplay between mental disorders and somatic conditions: comorbid cases show significantly poorer outcomes (reduced health related quality of life, work loss and disability, help-seeking behaviour) (Part D).

Introduction: The high transmissibility and lethality of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have been catastrophic. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the frequent complications in patients with respiratory insufficiency caused by the virus. The pathogenic mechanism is based on the binding of its S-proteins to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) receptors, which will trigger a cellular damage. A podocyte and tubular compromise are found in the kidneys which can lead to tubular necrosis and the consequent AKI. Objectives: The objective of this report is to identify the main risk factor to develop AKI in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 with critical acute respiratory distress. Patients and Methods: We performed this report study, collecting data from 48 ICU patients. Data from 13 of them who developed AKI and needed renal replacement therapy (RRT)were analyzed. Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were reported using STATA 10.0. Results: AKI was present in 27.08% of patients, mostly male (92.3%) with a mean age of 63.8 years old. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity were the main comorbidities in those patients. Additionally, the meantime between admission and AKI diagnosis was 2.69 days. All patients showed fibrinogen, D-dimer, ALT and values above normal range. Mortality was seen in 61.5% of patients. Conclusion: This report tries to show AKI as an important clinical manifestation in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, with high mortality. Further studies are needed to demonstrate if there are independent risk factors. / Revisión por pares

Bakgrund: Globalt har substansmissbruk blivit ett växande problem och oron har ökat gällande omfattningen av olagliga droger inom den psykiatriska vården. Det har blivit vanligare med substansbrukssyndrom bland personer med psykisk ohälsa jämfört med befolkningen i övrigt, vilket har lett till att fler sjuksköterskor möter dessa patienter inom den psykiatriska vården. Syfte: var att belysa sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att vårda patienter med samsjuklighet av psykisk ohälsa och substansbrukssyndrom, inom psykiatrisk vård. Metod: en litteraturstudie baserad på 13 vetenskapliga artiklar genomfördes och analyserades med en kvalitativ design. Analysen ledde fram till två kategorier och sju underkategorier. Resultat: visade att sjuksköterskorna inom den psykiatriska vården såg flera utmaningar i vårdprocessen, såsom bristande rutiner och kunskapsbrist, men även möjligheter i sin vård av dessa patienter. Sjuksköterskorna efterlyste tydligare rutiner, bättre samverkan och mer utbildning om missbruk. Diskussion: Beskriver vikten av tydliga rutiner och samverkan i kombination med behovet av adekvat kompetens hos sjuksköterskorna. Slutsats: Tydligare rutiner, med förbättrad samverkan till omgivande instanser skulle i kombination med utbildning, förbättra omvårdnaden till patienterna. / Background: Globally, substance abuse has become a growing problem and concerns have increased regarding the extent of illicit drugs in psychiatric care. Substance use syndrome has become more common among people with mental illness compared to the general population, which has led to more nurses meeting these patients in psychiatric care. Aim: was to elucidate nurses' experiences of caring for patients with mental illness and substance use syndrome, in psychiatric care. Method: a literature study based on 13 scientific articles was conducted and analyzed with a qualitative design. The analysis led to two categories and seven subcategories. Result: showed that the nurses in psychiatric care saw several challenges in the care process, such as lack of routines and lack of knowledge, but also opportunities in their care of these patients. The nurses called for clearer routines, better collaboration and more education about abuse. Discussion: describes the importance of clear routines and collaboration in combination with the need for adequate expertise among the nurses. Conclusion: clearer routines, with improved collaboration with surrounding agencies, in combination with education, would improve the care of patients. / <p>Godkännandedatum: 2020-01-15</p>

Title: “Medial presentation of comorbidity - A discourse analytical study of the depiction of psychiatric comorbidity in nationwide newspapers. Tutor: Olov Aronson Examiner: Magnus Jegermalm   Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate how psychiatric comorbidity (comorbidity of addiction and mental illness) is portrayed in the Swedish media, and what effects the medial presentation may issue in. Method: Based on a qualitative social constructionist research design, Carol Bacchi's (2009) analysis method what´s the problem represented to be has been applied to analyze 15 newspaper articles from Swedish magazines: Aftonbladet, Dagens Nyheter, Expressen and Svenska Dagbladet. Results: The result presents two problem representations identified in the analyzed material: too complex for healthcare and criminal but marginalized.  Discussion: In the study's discussion, emphasis is placed on the multifaceted connection that exists between the identified problem representations. The problem representations are derived from discourses about what is considered to be normal in society and what is deviant and needs to be adjusted to become normal. The effects of the problem representations are also discussed relative to earlier scientific studies. / Titel: ”Medial framställning av samsjuklighet – En diskursanalytisk studie om hur psykiatrisk samsjukighet framställs i rickstäckande tidningartiklar.  Handledare: Olov Aronson Examinator: Magnus Jegermalm   Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur psykiatrisk samsjuklighet (samsjuklighet i from av missbruk och psykisk ohälsa) porträtteras i svensk media, samt vilka effekter den mediala framställningen kan antas få.  Metod: Utifrån en kvalitativ socialkonstruktionistisk forskningsdesign har Carol Bacchis (2009) analysmetod What´s the problem represented to be använts för att analysera 15 tidningsartiklar från tidskrifterna Aftonbladet, Dagens Nyheter, Expressen och Svenska Dagbladet. Resultat: I resultatet presenteras två problemrepresentationer som identifieras i det analyserade materialet: ”för komplext för vården” och ”kriminella men marginaliserade”. Diskussion: I studiens diskussion betonas det flerdelade samband som finns emellan de identifierade problemrepresentationerna. Problemrepresentationerna härleds till diskurser kring vad som anses vara det normala i samhället samt vad som är avvikande och behöver vårdas för att bli normalt. Även vilka effekter problemrepresentationerna bär med sig undersöks i förhållande till tidigare forskning.

Introduktion: Spelberoende är idag ett folkhälsoproblem som både drabbar den spelberoende själv och dennes anhöriga. Riskfaktorer kopplade till spelberoende är många, men det saknas samstämmighet. Dessutom är skyddsfaktorerna få. Trots att det finns en åldersgräns för pengaspel är många unga drabbade där samsjuklighet är vanligt. Kostnaden för att behandla spelberoende beräknas vara låg även om det idag finns liten evidens kring effektiva behandlingsmetoden. Få personer söker dessutom vård för spelberoende. Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturstudie var att beskriva vilka riskfaktorer och hälsokonsekvenser som är kopplade till spelberoende, samt att beskriva utsatta grupper i befolkningen. Metod: En strukturerad litteraturstudie utfördes med 13 inkluderade artiklar. Analysen genomfördes med hjälp av tematisk analys. Resultat: Resultaten visar att genetiska, biologiska, sociala, kognitiva, geografiska faktorer tillsammans personliga beteenden samt livsstils- och miljöfaktorer är avgörande för risken att utveckla spelberoende, vilket också kan leda till samsjuklighet och hälsokonsekvenser. Främsta samsjukligheten är substansberoende tillsammans med psykisk ohälsa och ökad risk för självmord. Utsatta grupper i befolkningen är unga män med familjeproblematik och migrationsbakgrund. Slutsats: Spelberoende är ett komplex beroende med många negativa hälsokonsekvenser. Ur ett folkhälsoperspektiv är det viktigt att förstå hur faktorer samverkar för att tidigt kunna förebygga spelproblem. / Introduction: Gambling is a growing public health issue that affects both the person with gambling disorder and relatives. There are many risk factors associated with gambling disorder, but there is a lack of agreement. In addition, there are few protective factors. Although there is an age limit for gambling, many adolescents are affected where comorbidity is common. The cost of treating gambling disorder is estimated to be low, although today there is little evidence of effective methods. Few people also seek care for gambling disorder. Aim: The aim of this literature study was to describe the risk factors and the health consequences that are linked to gambling disorder, and to describe vulnerable groups in the population. Method: A structured literature study was conducted with 13 included articles. The analysis was implemented using thematic analysis. Results: The results show that genetic, biological, social, cognitive, geographical factors together personal behaviors as well as lifestyle and environmental factors are crucial for the risk of developing gambling disorder, which can also lead to comorbidity and health consequences. The main comorbidity is substance addiction together with poor mental health and increased risk of suicide. Vulnerable groups in the population are young men with family issues and migration backgrounds. Conclusion: Gambling disorder is a complex addiction with many negative health consequences. In a public health perspective, it is important to understand how factors interact in order to prevent gambling problems at an early stage.