Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global public health problem, affecting millions of people every year, including children. At the same time, depressive disorders are among the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents, significantly influencing their quality of life and devel...

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Main Authors: Oana Mariana Mihailov, Anamaria Ciubară, Valerii Luțenco, George Țocu, Loredana Stavăr Matei, Raul Mihailov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Clinics and Practice
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/14/6/187
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author Oana Mariana Mihailov
Anamaria Ciubară
Valerii Luțenco
George Țocu
Loredana Stavăr Matei
Raul Mihailov
author_facet Oana Mariana Mihailov
Anamaria Ciubară
Valerii Luțenco
George Țocu
Loredana Stavăr Matei
Raul Mihailov
author_sort Oana Mariana Mihailov
collection DOAJ
description Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global public health problem, affecting millions of people every year, including children. At the same time, depressive disorders are among the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents, significantly influencing their quality of life and development. The intersection between these two pathologies—tuberculosis and depressive disorders—in pediatric patients raises complex clinical challenges that require effective identification and intervention strategies. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 190 patients aged between 7 and 18 years who presented to Galati “St. Spiridon” Pneumophthisiology Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 was used. Objective: The main objective of this paper is to achieve a predictive score of depressive disorders in pediatric patients diagnosed with a form of tuberculosis. This score is particularly important because it helps to identify and treat early depressive disorders in children previously diagnosed with tuberculosis, resulting in increased compliance with anti-tuberculosis treatment, decreased dropout rate, and an optimal duration of hospitalization and surveillance, which positively influences the incidence of tuberculosis. Results: The final score is determined by a rating of a total of 9 points: if the value is below 4 points, there is a minor risk of affective disorders; if the value is between 4 and 6 points, there is a medium risk of affective disorders; if the value is above 6 points, there is a severe risk of affective disorders. Conclusions: A detailed clinical assessment, the usage of screening tools, long-term monitoring, multidisciplinary interventions, and family support are essential to ensure an effective management and to improve the life quality of these children.
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spelling doaj-art-d753ddb8837f4e6593257ec52469891f2025-08-20T02:55:40ZengMDPI AGClinics and Practice2039-72832024-11-011462385240910.3390/clinpract14060187Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive DisordersOana Mariana Mihailov0Anamaria Ciubară1Valerii Luțenco2George Țocu3Loredana Stavăr Matei4Raul Mihailov5“Sfântul Spiridon” Pneumophthisiology of Galati, 800189 Galați, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 800216 Galați, RomaniaEmergency Hospital “Sf. Ap. Andrei”, 800578 Galați, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 800216 Galați, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 800216 Galați, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 800216 Galați, RomaniaBackground: Tuberculosis remains a major global public health problem, affecting millions of people every year, including children. At the same time, depressive disorders are among the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents, significantly influencing their quality of life and development. The intersection between these two pathologies—tuberculosis and depressive disorders—in pediatric patients raises complex clinical challenges that require effective identification and intervention strategies. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 190 patients aged between 7 and 18 years who presented to Galati “St. Spiridon” Pneumophthisiology Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 was used. Objective: The main objective of this paper is to achieve a predictive score of depressive disorders in pediatric patients diagnosed with a form of tuberculosis. This score is particularly important because it helps to identify and treat early depressive disorders in children previously diagnosed with tuberculosis, resulting in increased compliance with anti-tuberculosis treatment, decreased dropout rate, and an optimal duration of hospitalization and surveillance, which positively influences the incidence of tuberculosis. Results: The final score is determined by a rating of a total of 9 points: if the value is below 4 points, there is a minor risk of affective disorders; if the value is between 4 and 6 points, there is a medium risk of affective disorders; if the value is above 6 points, there is a severe risk of affective disorders. Conclusions: A detailed clinical assessment, the usage of screening tools, long-term monitoring, multidisciplinary interventions, and family support are essential to ensure an effective management and to improve the life quality of these children.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/14/6/187depressive disorderstuberculosispredictive scorechildren
spellingShingle Oana Mariana Mihailov
Anamaria Ciubară
Valerii Luțenco
George Țocu
Loredana Stavăr Matei
Raul Mihailov
Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
Clinics and Practice
depressive disorders
tuberculosis
predictive score
children
title Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
title_full Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
title_fullStr Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
title_short Clinical Strategies for Identifying Pediatric Patients with Tuberculosis at Risk of Developing Depressive Disorders
title_sort clinical strategies for identifying pediatric patients with tuberculosis at risk of developing depressive disorders
topic depressive disorders
tuberculosis
predictive score
children
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/14/6/187
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