The association between physical symptoms and depression among medical students in Bahrain

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the association between depression and physical symptoms among medical students in Bahrain. Methods The present study employed a cross-sectional design. A total of 160 students were recruited, 41.3% were male and 58.8% female, using a convenience sampling approach. Participants completed the validated Patients Health Questionnaires (PHQs) in which they provided information about demographics, physical symptoms, and depression. Results were considered significant if p <0.05. ResultsNearly nineteen percent of the participants have moderate to severe depression, and 42.2% has moderate to severe physical symptoms. Participants reported different physical symptoms, sleep problems, 40%; lethargy, 31.9%; and headaches, 23.8%. The results of the logistic regression showed that there was a significant association between age and gender (χ2(3) = 32.28, p < 0.001). Sleep and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most associated with depression, respectively (χ2(3)=49.77, p<0.001) and (χ2(3)=49.77, p< 0.05). ConclusionsThe association between depression and physical symptoms are considerably high among medical students in Bahrain. Medical educators should take such symptoms seriously among medical students as it may have serious consequences on the mental health of medical students. In practice, adequate awareness initiatives should be organized and provided for medical students to help them overcome their challenges they face. Additionally, incorporating screening self-screening strategies in the medical curriculum can be beneficial for early detections of mental health problems. The Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Suicidal ideation among medical students, burnout or depression? Maybe both.

“…It was observed that 11.1% of students with depression needed regular use of medications to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, while only 4.6% of students without depressive symptoms use sleepinducing medications. This data contrasts with other studies in the literature, in which depression was associated with the presence of sleep disorders (PAN et al, 2016;ABDELAZIZ et al, 2017). It is possible that the greater use of sleep-inducing medications in the group of students with depression may be responsible for the lack of association between sleeping hours and major depression.…”

The prevalence of feeding and eating disorders symptomology in medical students: an updated systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

“…This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed (1) to pool results of the global prevalence of FEDs symptoms in medical students, and (2) to assess whether this prevalence varies as a function of sex, age, BMI, or culture. Given that reported stress levels and mental health symptoms have been increasing slightly over the past years among students [30][31][32], we hypothesized to find an increased prevalence of FEDs symptoms in our target population. Additionally, we hypothesized that prevalence of FEDs symptoms would be higher among females, students with higher BMI and those from Western countries.…”

The association of sleep patterns and depressive symptoms in medical students: a cross-sectional study

“…The relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among medical students has already been a focus of past literature [ 16 – 18 ]. Sleeping problems in general may be a predictor of depression, as the authors of a study among medical students in Bahrain found: students reported somatic symptoms rather than psychological problems [ 19 ]. In the present study, poor sleep quality and consumption of sleeping pills, as well as prolonged sleep latency and the female gender had the greatest association with the occurrence of depressive symptoms [ 20 ].…”