ObjectiveTo study the extent of Internet addiction (IA) and its association with depression in Thai medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital. Participants were first- to fifth-year medical students who agreed to participate in this study. Demographic characteristics and stress-related factors were derived from self-rated questionnaires. Depression was assessed using the Thai version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A total score of five or greater derived from the Thai version of Young Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction was classified as “possible IA”. Then chi-square test and logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations between possible IA, depression and associated factors.ResultsFrom 705 participants, 24.4% had possible IA and 28.8% had depression. There was statistically significant association between possible IA and depression (odds ratio (OR) 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34–2.77, P-value <0.001). Logistic regression analysis illustrated that the odds of depression in possible IA group was 1.58 times of the group of normal Internet use (95% CI: 1.04–2.38, P-value = 0.031). Academic problems were found to be a significant predictor of both possible IA and depression.ConclusionIA was likely to be a common psychiatric problem among Thai medical students. The research has also shown that possible IA was associated with depression and academic problems. We suggest that surveillance of IA should be considered in medical schools.
BackgroundThe English version of the 4 ‘A’s Test (4AT) is a rapid screening tool for delirium with a high sensitivity and specificity among hospitalized elderly patients.ObjectiveTo develop the Thai version of the 4AT (4AT-T) and assess its validity.Subjects and settingA total of 97 elderly patients aged 60 years or above who were admitted to the general medical wards were included.MethodsBoth authors independently translated the English version of the 4AT into Thai and thereafter developed a single reconciled forward translation by consensus. Back translation was performed by a bilingual native English speaker and it was then reviewed to ensure its agreement with the original one. After 24 hours of admission, subjects were enrolled and clinical data collected. Definite diagnosis of delirium was made by a psychiatrist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text-Revision criteria and the 6-item Thai Delirium Rating Scale; the 4AT was then administered to participants by nurses within 30 minutes. A 4AT score ≥4 was considered positive for delirium screening. The optimal cut-off point of the 4AT-T was identified by Youden’s index.ResultsIn all, 24 out of 97 participants met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text-Revision criteria for delirium. At a cut-off score of 4 or greater, the 4AT-T exhibited satisfactory diagnostic performance with a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 62.6%–95.3%) and specificity of 86.3% (95% CI: 76.3%–93.2%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.92. The specified score provided maximal Youden’s index, suggesting an optimal criterion value for delirium screening.ConclusionThe 4AT-T is a valid delirium-screening instrument for hospitalized elderly patients with acute medical illnesses.
Background: Many studies have shown that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy (PWE) appears higher than that in general population. However, most epidemiological studies regarding psychiatric comorbidities among PWE were conducted in Western countries. This work aimed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Thai PWE, including potential variables that could be associated with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital. A total of 170 patients (aged 18 years or older) diagnosed as having epilepsy by a neurologist were recruited at the outpatient neurology clinic. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Participants were evaluated for any psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, using a structured diagnostic interview. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was determined. The associations between potential variables and the presence of psychiatric disorders in PWE were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, t-test, and logistic regression. Results: Among 170 patients, 43 (25.3%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for one or more psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of depressive disorders was shown to be highest at 17.1%, followed by psychotic disorders (8.2%), bipolar disorder (7.1%), anxiety disorders (5.3%), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (2.9%). Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities in the temporal lobe was found to be a significant predictor of having psychiatric disorders in PWE (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 4.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47-10.92, P-value = 0.007). Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Thai PWE was higher than that in general population. Screening for psychiatric disorders in PWE is recommended, especially among those who have EEG abnormalities in the temporal lobe.
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