BackgroundAnxiety and depression are common psychological comorbidities that impact the quality of life (QoL) of patients. In this systematic review, we 1) determined the impact of anxiety and depression on outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 2) summarized unique challenges these comorbidities present to current OA management.Patients and methodsA systematic literature search was performed using the OVID Medline and EMBASE databases until April 2016. Full-text research articles published in English from the year 2000 onward with a sample size of >100 were included in this review. Eligible research articles were reviewed and the following data were extracted: study author(s), year of publication, study design, and key findings.ResultsA total of 38 studies were included in the present review. The present study found that both anxiety and/or depression were highly prevalent among patients with OA. Patients with OA diagnosed with these comorbidities experienced more pain, had frequent hospital visits, took more medication, and reported less optimal outcomes. Management strategies in the form of self-care, telephone support, audio/video education programs, and new pharmacotherapies were reported with favorable results.ConclusionAnxiety and depression adversely impact the QoL of patients with OA. Physicians/caregivers are highly recommended to consider these comorbidities in patients with OA. Ultimately, a holistic individualized management approach is necessary to improve patient outcomes.

Background:</B> This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian on vascular dementia (VD). <B>Methods:</B> A total of 120 VD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: observation group, the patients were treated with electroacupuncture stimulation; control group, the patients were treated with oral medicine. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). <B>Results:</B> The total effective rate was 75% in the observation group and 73.33% in the control group, and the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores in these two groups significantly improved, when compared to scores before treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the differences in MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores between these two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). <B>Conclusion:</B> Electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian has a definite effect in improving the cognitive function of VD patients.