Dataset Information

Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Communities of Southern Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Irregular light-dark cycles and circadian/sleep disturbances have been suggested as risk or co-occurring factors in depression. Among a set of metrics developed to quantify strain on the circadian system, social jetlag (SJL) has been put forward as a measure of the discrepancy between biological and social clocks. Here, we approached the question on whether light exposure and SJL would also be associated with depressive symptoms in Quilombola communities in Southern Brazil. These rural communities are void of potential confounders of modern lifestyles and show low levels of SJL. 210 Quilombolas (age range 16-92; 56% women) were asked about their sleep times and light exposure using the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Additionally, we analyzed 7-day actimetry recordings in 124 subjects. BDI scores higher than 10 (having clinically significant depressive symptoms; controlled for age and sex in the multivariate analysis) were positively associated with SJL >1 h and negatively associated with median light exposure during the day, especially in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00. Our results suggest that low light exposure during the day, and higher levels of SJL are associated with depressive symptoms; longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. Nevertheless, we highlight the potential of treatment strategies aimed at decreasing circadian strain and insufficient light exposure, which are suggested as areas of further research in Psychiatry.

SUBMITTER: Pilz LK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10013026 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Communities of Southern Brazil.

Pilz Luísa K LK Xavier Nicóli B NB Levandovski Rosa R Oliveira Melissa A B MAB Tonon André C AC Constantino Débora B DB Machado Valdomiro V Roenneberg Till T Hidalgo Maria Paz MP

Frontiers in network physiology 20220126

Irregular light-dark cycles and circadian/sleep disturbances have been suggested as risk or co-occurring factors in depression. Among a set of metrics developed to quantify strain on the circadian system, social jetlag (SJL) has been put forward as a measure of the discrepancy between biological and social clocks. Here, we approached the question on whether light exposure and SJL would also be associated with depressive symptoms in Quilombola communities in Southern Brazil. These rural communiti ...[more]

PMID: 36925579

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Project description:ImportanceRecognizing associations between exposure to common environmental toxicants and mental disorders such as depression is crucial for guiding targeted mechanism research and the initiation of disease prevention efforts.ObjectivesTo comprehensively screen and assess the associations between potential environmental toxicants and depressive symptoms and to assess whether systemic inflammation serves as a mediator.Design, setting, and participantsA total of 3427 participants from the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination and Survey who had information on blood or urine concentrations of environmental toxicants and depression scores assessed by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were included. Statistical analysis was performed from July 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024.ExposuresSixty-two toxicants in 10 categories included acrylamide, arsenic, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, iodine, metals, nicotine metabolites, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites; and perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate.Main outcomes and measuresAn exposome-wide association study and the deletion-substitution-addition algorithm were used to assess associations with depression scores (PHQ-9 ≥5) adjusted for other important covariates. A mediation analysis framework was used to evaluate the mediating role of systemic inflammation assessed by the peripheral white blood cell count.ResultsAmong the 3427 adults included, 1735 (50.6%) were women, 2683 (78.3%) were younger than 65 years, and 744 (21.7%) were 65 years or older, with 839 (24.5%) having depressive symptoms. In terms of race and ethnicity, 570 participants (16.6%) were Mexican American, 679 (19.8%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 1314 (38.3%) were non-Hispanic White. We identified associations between 27 chemical compounds or metals in 6 of 10 categories of environmental toxicants and the prevalence of depressive symptoms, including the VOC metabolites N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)-l-cysteine (odds ratio [OR], 1.74 [95% CI, 1.38, 2.18]) and total nicotine equivalent-2 (OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.26-1.59]). Men and younger individuals appear more vulnerable to environmental toxicants than women and older individuals. Peripheral white blood cell count mediated 5% to 19% of the associations.Conclusions and relevanceIn this representative cross-sectional study of adults with environmental toxicant exposures, 6 categories of environmental toxicants were associated with depressive symptoms with mediation by systemic inflammation. This research provides insight into selecting environmental targets for mechanistic research into the causes of depression and facilitating efforts to reduce environmental exposures.

Project description:BackgroundFew studies have explored the association between depressive symptoms, HIV infection and stigma in vulnerable populations. The objective of this study is to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms among caregivers living in vulnerable households in Malawi and assess how reported depressive symptoms and other factors affect ART adherence among caregivers who report testing positive for HIV and currently on ART.MethodsWe interviewed 818 adult caregivers of children aged 0-17 years living in vulnerable households in 24 health facility catchment areas in five districts in rural southern Malawi in 2016-2017. Vulnerable households had either economic and food insecurity, or chronic illness. Questions on five depressive symptoms were used. ART adherence was self-report of not forgetting to take ART medication in the last week. Perceived and anticipated measures of stigma were used. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions documented relationships between depressive symptoms, self-reported HIV status, HIV-related stigma, and ART adherence.ResultsMost caregivers were women (86.2%); about one third had no spouse or live-in partner. Fifty-seven percent of caregivers reported having three or more depressive symptoms. Forty-one percent of caregivers reported testing positive for HIV. Self-reported HIV positive status was associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted coeff = 0.355, p-value <0.001), which were in turn associated with poorer ART adherence among caregivers (aOR 0.639, p-value = 0.023). HIV-related stigma was also associated with depressive symptoms for caregivers who reported having HIV (coeff = 0.302, p-value = 0.028) and those who reported testing negative for HIV (coeff = 0.187, p-value <0.001). Having social support was associated with lower depressive symptoms (coeff = -0.115, p = 0.007). HIV-related stigma, having social support, and other socio-demographic characteristics were not found to be associated with ART adherence.ConclusionsAddressing mental health among caregivers in vulnerable households may be an important step toward achieving viral suppression among vulnerable populations living with HIV in Malawi. Integrating depression screening into HIV care and treatment protocols could be a promising intervention to improve longer-term outcomes.

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Dataset Information

Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Communities of Southern Brazil.

Publications

Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Communities of Southern Brazil.

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