Browsing by Author "Veronese, Nicola"

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Correlates of physical activity among community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years or older with anxiety in six low- and middle-income countries
(Cambridge University Press: International Psychogeriatrics, 2017-11-08) Vancampfort, Davy; Stubbs, Brendon; Hallgren, Mats; Veronese, Nicola; Mugisha, James; Probst, Michel; Koyanagi, Ai
Given the important health benefits of physical activity (PA) and the higher risk for physical inactivity in people with anxiety, and the high prevalence of anxiety and low PA among the elderly, there is a need for research to investigate what factors influence PA participation among anxious older individuals. We investigated PA correlates among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years with anxiety symptoms in six low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. PA level was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. 980 participants with anxiety (mean age 73.3 years; 62.4% females) were grouped into those who do and do not (low PA) meet the 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week recommendation. Associations between PA and the correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of low PA was 44.9% (95% CI = 39.2–50.7%). Older age, male gender, less consumption of alcohol, mild cognitive impairment, pain, a wide range of somatic co-morbidities, slow gait, weak grip strength, poor self-rated health, and lower levels of social cohesion were identified as significant positive correlates of low PA. Conclusions: Our data illustrate that a number of sociodemographic and health factors are associated with PA levels among older people with symptoms of anxiety. The promotion of social cohesion may increase the efficacy of public health initiatives, while from a clinical perspective, somatic co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, pain, muscle strength, and slow gait need to be considered.
Correlates of physical activity among depressed older people in six low-income and middle-income countries: a community-based cross-sectional study
(Wiley Online Library: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2017-10-10) Vancampfort, Davy; Stubbs, Brendon; Veronese, Nicola; Mugisha, James; Swinnen, Nathalie; Koyanagi, Ai
Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) in older people with depression, many do not comply with the International PA guidelines. Thus, we investigated what factors influence PA participation among 915 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) with depression in 6 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health. The sample was restricted to those with DSM-IV depression or receiving depression treatment in the last 12 months. PA was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were dichotomized into low (ie, not meeting 150 minutes of moderate PA per week) and moderate-to-high physically active groups. Associations between PA and a range of correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. Results The prevalence of low PA was 40.4% (95%CI = 34.8%–46.1%). After adjusting for age, sex, and country, larger household size and unemployment were significant sociodemographic correlates of low PA. Former smoking (vs never), anxiety, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), lower body mass index, bodily pain, asthma, chronic back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hearing problems, stroke, slow gait, poor self-rated health, higher levels of disability, and lower levels of social cohesion were identified as significant negative correlates of PA. Conclusions The current data provide guidance for future interventions across LMICs to assist older people with depression engage in regular PA. The promotion of social cohesion may increase the efficacy of future public health initiatives, while from a clinical perspective, somatic co-morbidities, MCI, pain, and slow gait need to be considered.
The epidemiology of back pain and its relationship with depression, psychosis, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and stress sensitivity: data from 43 low- and middle-income countries
(Elsevier: General Hospital Psychiatry, 2016-12) Stubbs, Brendon; Koyanagi, Ai; Thompson, Trevor; Veronese, Nicola; Carvalho, Andre F.; Solomi, Marco; Mugisha, James; Schofield, Patricia; Cosco, Theodore; Wilson, Nicky; Vancampfort, Davy
Back pain (BP) is a leading cause of global disability. However, population-based studies investigating its impact on mental health outcomes are lacking, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, the primary aims of this study were to: (1) determine the epidemiology of BP in 43 LMICs; (2) explore the relationship between BP and mental health (depression spectrum, psychosis spectrum, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress). Methods Data on 190,593 community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years from the World Health Survey (WHS) 2002–2004 were analyzed. The presence of past-12 month psychotic symptoms and depression was established using questions from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Anxiety, sleep problems, stress sensitivity, and any BP or chronic BP (CBP) during the previous 30 days were also self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken. Results The overall prevalence of any BP and CBP were 35.1% and 6.9% respectively. Significant associations with any BP were observed for subsyndromal depression [OR (odds ratio) = 2.21], brief depressive episode (OR = 2.64), depressive episode (OR = 2.88), psychosis diagnosis with symptoms (OR = 2.05), anxiety (OR = 2.12), sleep disturbance (OR = 2.37) and the continuous variable of stress sensitivity. Associations were generally more pronounced for chronic BP. Conclusion Our data establish that BP is associated with elevated mental health comorbidity in LMICs. Integrated interventions that address back pain and metal health comorbidities might be an important next step to tackle this considerable burden.
Pain and severe sleep disturbance in the general population: primary data and meta-analysis from 240,820 people across 45 low- and middle-income countries
(Elsevier: General Hospital Psychiatry, 2018-08) Stubbs, Brendon; Vancampfort, Davy; Thompson, Trevor; Veronese, Nicola; Carvalho, Andre F.; Solmi, Marco; Mugisha, James; Schofield, Patricia; Prina, A.Matthew; Smith, Lee; Koyanagi, Ai
Pain and sleep disturbances are widespread, and are an important cause of a reduced quality of life. Despite this, there is a paucity of multinational population data assessing the association between pain and sleep problems, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between pain and severe sleep disturbance across 45 LMICs. Method Community-based data on 240,820 people recruited via the World Health Survey were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for multiple confounders were performed to quantify the association between pain and severe sleep problems in the last 30 days. A mediation analysis was conducted to explore potential mediators of the relationship between pain and severe sleep disturbance. Results The prevalence of mild, moderate, severe, and extreme levels of pain was 26.0%, 16.2%, 9.1%, and 2.2% respectively, whilst 7.8% of adults had severe sleep problems. Compared to those with no pain, the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) for severe sleep problems was 3.65 (3.24–4.11), 9.35 (8.19–10.67) and 16.84 (13.91–20.39) for those with moderate, severe and extreme pain levels respectively. A country wide meta-analysis adjusted for age and sex demonstrated a significant increased OR across all 45 countries. Anxiety, depression and stress sensitivity explained 12.9%, 3.6%, and 5.2%, respectively, of the relationship between pain and severe sleep disturbances. Conclusion Pain and sleep problems are highly co-morbid across LMICs. Future research is required to better understand this relationship. Moreover, future interventions are required to prevent and manage the pain and sleep disturbance comorbidity.
Physical activity and anxiety: a perspective from the World Health Survey
(Elsevier: Journal of Affective Disorders ., 2017-01-15) Stubbs, Brendon; Koyanagi, Ai; Hallgren, Mats; Firth, Joseph; Richards, Justin; Schuch, Felipe; Rosenbaum, Simon; Mugisha, James; Veronese, Nicola; Lahti, Jouni; Vancampfort, Davy
Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA) among people with anxiety, little is known about PA levels in people with anxiety at the population level. This study explored the global prevalence of anxiety and its association with PA. Methods Cross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Survey was analyzed. Prevalence of anxiety was estimated for 237,964 individuals (47 countries). PA was categorized as low, moderate, and high based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). The association between PA and anxiety was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results The overall global prevalence of anxiety was 11.4% (47 countries). Across 38 countries with available data on PA, 62.5%, 20.2%, and 17.3% of the sample engaged in high, moderate, and low levels of PA respectively. The prevalence of low physical activity in those with and without anxiety was 22.9% vs. 16.6% (p<0.001) (38 countries, n=184,920). In the pooled model adjusted for socio-demographics, depression, and country, individuals engaging in low PA (vs. high PA) had 1.32 (95% CI=1.17–1.47) times higher odds for anxiety than those with high PA. Female sex, older age, lower education and wealth, and depression were also associated with low PA. At the individual country level, there was a significant positive association between low PA and anxiety in 17 of the 38 countries. Conclusion Low PA levels are associated with increased prevalence of anxiety. There is a need for longitudinal research to establish the directionality of the relationships observed
Physical multimorbidity and psychosis: comprehensive cross sectional analysis including 242,952 people across 48 low- and middle-income countries
(BMC Medicine, 2016-11-22) Stubbs, Brendon; Koyanagi, Ai; Veronese, Nicola; Vancampfort, Davy; Solmi, Marco; Gaughran, Fiona; Carvalho, André F.; Lally, John; Mitchell, Alex J.; Mugisha, James; Correll, Christoph U.
: In people with psychosis, physical comorbidities, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, are highly prevalent and leading contributors to the premature mortality encountered. However, little is known about physical health multimorbidity in this population or in people with subclinical psychosis and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explores physical health multimorbidity patterns among people with psychosis or subclinical psychosis. Methods: Overall, data from 242,952 individuals from 48 LMICs, recruited via the World Health Survey, were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were subdivided into those (1) with a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis (“psychosis”); (2) with more than one psychotic symptom in the past 12 months, but no lifetime diagnosis of psychosis (“subclinical psychosis”); and (3) without psychotic symptoms in the past 12 months or a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis (“controls”). Nine operationalized somatic disorders were examined: arthritis, angina pectoris, asthma, diabetes, chronic back pain, visual impairment, hearing problems, edentulism, and tuberculosis. The association between psychosis and multimorbidity was assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity (i.e., two or more physical health conditions) was: controls = 11.4% (95% CI, 11.0–11.8%); subclinical psychosis = 21.8% (95% CI, 20.6–23.0%), and psychosis = 36.0% (95% CI, 32.1–40. 2%) (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, education, country-wise wealth, and country, subclinical psychosis and psychosis were associated with 2.20 (95% CI, 2.02–2.39) and 4.05 (95% CI, 3.25–5.04) times higher odds for multimorbidity. Moreover, multimorbidity was increased in subclinical and established psychosis in all age ranges (18–44, 45–64, ≥ 65 years). However, multimorbidity was most evident in younger age groups, with people aged 18–44 years with psychosis at greatest odds of physical health multimorbidity (OR = 4.68; 95% CI, 3.46–6.32).(Continued from previous page) Conclusions: This large multinational study demonstrates that physical health multimorbidity is increased across the psychosis-spectrum. Most notably, the association between multimorbidity and psychosis was stronger among younger adults, thus adding further impetus to the calls for the early intervention efforts to prevent the burden of physical health comorbidity at later stages. Urgent public health interventions are necessary not only for those with a psychosis diagnosis, but also for subclinical psychosis to address this considerable public health problem.