Browsing by Author "Loeffler M"

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    Are social conflicts at work associated with depressive symptomatology? Results from the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2020-02-12) Zuelke AE; Roehr S; Schroeter ML; Witte AV; Hinz A; Engel C; Enzenbach C; Thiery J; Loeffler M; Villringer A; Riedel-Heller SG
    Background Psychosocial stressors in the workplace can be detrimental to mental health. Conflicts at work, e.g. aggression, hostility or threats from coworkers, supervisors or customers, can be considered a psychosocial stressor, possibly increasing risk for depressive symptoms. Existing studies, however, differ in the assessment of social conflicts, i.e. as individual- or job-level characteristics. Here, we investigated the association between conflicts at work assessed as objective job characteristics, and depressive symptomatology, using data from a large population-based sample. Additionally, we investigated gender differences and the impact of personality traits and social resources. Methods We used data from the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study from Leipzig, Germany. Information on conflicts at work, assessed as job characteristics, were drawn from the Occupational Information Network, depressive symptoms were assessed via the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Multilevel linear regression models with individuals and occupations as levels of analysis were applied to investigate the association between conflicts at work and depressive symptoms. Results Our sample included 2164 employed adults (age: 18–65 years, mean: 49.3, SD: 7.9) in 65 occupations. No association between conflicts s at work and depressive symptomatology was found (men: b = − 0.14; p = 0.74, women: b = 0.17, p = 0.72). Risk for depression was mostly explained by individual-level factors like e.g. neuroticism or level of social resources. The model showed slightly higher explanatory power in the female subsample. Conclusion Conflicts at work, assessed as objective job characteristics, were not associated with depressive symptoms. Possible links between interpersonal conflict and impaired mental health might rather be explained by subjective perceptions of social stressors and individual coping styles.
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    Depression, anxiety and quality of life in subjects with atopic eczema in a population-based cross-sectional study in Germany
    (John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020-04) Treudler R; Zeynalova S; Riedel-Heller SG; Zuelke AE; Roehr S; Hinz A; Glaesmer H; Kage P; Loeffler M; Simon JC
    Background Atopic eczema (AE) may be associated with several mental health problems. In Germany, existing data from selected patient cohorts may lead to misestimation of the problem. Objectives We aimed to cross-sectionally determine associations of AE with depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL) and social interactions in subjects from the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study. Methods Subjects underwent standardized interviews (medical history) and answered standardized questionnaires [Centre of Epidemiologic studies-Depression scale (CES-D), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), Short Form Health Survey (SF-8)]. We compared data from subjects with AE with those from subjects with selected other chronic/disabling diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer) and adjusted for selected sociodemographic parameters. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used for categorical variables, linear regression for continuous variables. Results Out of 9104 adults included (57% female, median age 54 years), 372 (4.1%) had a history of AE. Compared with controls, subjects with AE showed higher scores for depressive symptoms (9.3% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001) and anxiety (8.4% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). Odds ratio (OR) was 1.5 [CI 1.0; 2.3] (P = 0.031) for depression, which was comparable to OR in patients with a history of cancer (OR 1.6 [1–2.3], P = 0.001. OR for anxiety in AE was 1.5 [1.0; 2.2], P < 0.049, which was slightly higher than in diabetes mellitus (OR 1.2) and stroke (OR 1.4). Other than in diabetes and/or stroke, we did not find a significant association between AE and social isolation. QoL scores were lower in AE than in controls (mean 46.9 vs. 48.0, P < 0.001 for physical and 50.6 vs. 52.5, P < 0.001 for mental components). Conclusions Subjects with AE showed higher values for depression and anxiety as well as lower QoL scores compared to controls. With regard to depression, odds in AE and cancer were hardly different. Medical care of AE patients should therefore include mental health evaluation and treatment if indicated.
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    Depressive Symptomatology in Early Retirees Associated With Reason for Retirement—Results From the Population-Based LIFE-Adult-Study
    (Frontiers Media S.A, 2020-09) Zuelke AE; Roehr S; Schroeter ML; Witte AV; Hinz A; Glaesmer H; Engel C; Enzenbach C; Zachariae S; Zeynalova S; Loeffler M; Villringer A; Riedel-Heller SG
    Background: Transition from employment to retirement is regarded a crucial event. However, there is mixed evidence on associations between retirement and mental health, especially regarding early retirement. In Germany, cases of early retirement due to ill health—particularly, mental ill health—are increasing. Therefore, we investigated the association between early retirement and depressive symptoms, including information on different types of early retirement. Methods: We analyzed data from 4,808 participants of the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study (age: 40–65 years, 654 retired, 4,154 employed), controlling for sociodemographic information, social network, pre-existing health conditions, and duration of retirement. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Regression analysis using entropy balancing was applied to achieve covariate balance between retired and employed subjects. Results: We found no overall-differences in depressive symptoms between employed and retired persons (men: b = −.52; p = 0.431; women: b = .05; p = .950). When looking at different types of early retirement, ill-health retirement was linked to increased depressive symptoms in women (b = 4.68, 95% CI = 1.71; 7.65), while voluntary retirement was associated with reduced depressive symptoms in men (b= −1.83, 95% CI = −3.22; −.43) even after controlling for covariates. For women, statutory retirement was linked to lower depressive symptomatology (b = −2.00, 95% CI = −3.99; −.02). Conclusion: Depressive symptomatology among early retirees depends on reason for retirement: For women, ill-health retirement is linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Women who retire early due to ill-health constitute a risk group for depressive symptoms that needs specific attention in the health care and social security system.
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    Heart failure is independently associated with white matter lesions: insights from the population-based LIFE-Adult Study
    (John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology, 2021-02) Stegmann T; Chu ML; Witte VA; Villringer A; Kumral D; Riedel-Heller SG; Roehr S; Hagendorff A; Laufs U; Loeffler M; Wachter R; Zeynalova S
    Aims White matter lesions (WML) are common structural alterations in the white matter of the brain and their prevalence increases with age. They are associated with cerebral ischaemia and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with heart failure (HF) are at risk for cognitive decline. We hypothesized that the presence and duration of HF are associated with WML. Methods and results The LIFE-Adult Study is a population-based study of 10 000 residents of Leipzig, Germany. WML were quantitated in 2490 participants who additionally underwent cerebral MRI using the Fazekas score. Mean age was 64 years, and 46% were female; 2156 (86.6%) subjects had Fazekas score of 0–1, and 334 (13.4%) had Fazekas score of 2–3. Thirty participants had a medical history of HF, 1019 had hypertension, and 51 had a history of stroke. Median left ventricular ejection fraction of the participants with HF was 57% (interquartile ranges 54–62). Age, troponin T, NT-proBNP, body mass index, history of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, HF, and diabetes were positively associated with WML in univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, age, hypertension, stroke, and HF were independently associated with WML. The odd's ratio for the association of WML (Fazekas 2–3) with HF was 2.8 (95% CI 1.2–6.5; P = 0.019). WML increased with longer duration of HF (P = 0.036 for trend). Conclusions In addition to age, hypertension, and stroke, the prevalence and duration of HF are independently associated with WML. This observation sets the stage to investigate the prognostic value of WML in HF and the impact of HF therapies on WML.
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    Memory-related subjective cognitive symptoms in the adult population: prevalence and associated factors – results of the LIFE-Adult-Study
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2018-05-21) Luck T; Roehr S; Rodriguez FS; Schroeter ML; Witte AV; Hinz A; Mehnert A; Engel C; Loeffler M; Thiery J; Villringer A; Riedel-Heller SG
    Background Subjectively perceived memory problems (memory-related Subjective Cognitive Symptoms/SCS) can be an indicator of a pre-prodromal or prodromal stage of a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. We therefore sought to provide detailed empirical information on memory-related SCS in the dementia-free adult population including information on prevalence rates, associated factors and others. Methods We studied 8834 participants (40–79 years) of the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study. Weighted prevalence rates with confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated. Associations of memory-related SCS with participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental comorbidity, and cognitive performance (Verbal Fluency Test Animals, Trail-Making-Test, CERAD Wordlist tests) were analyzed. Results Prevalence of total memory-related SCS was 53.0% (95%-CI = 51.9–54.0): 26.0% (95%-CI = 25.1–27.0) of the population had a subtype without related concerns, 23.6% (95%-CI = 22.7–24.5) a subtype with some related concerns, and 3.3% (95%-CI = 2.9–3.7) a subtype with strong related concerns. Report of memory-related SCS was unrelated to participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical comorbidity (except history of stroke), depressive symptomatology, and anxiety. Adults with and without memory-related SCS showed no significant difference in cognitive performance. About one fifth (18.1%) of the participants with memory-related SCS stated that they did consult/want to consult a physician because of their experienced memory problems. Conclusions Memory-related SCS are very common and unspecific in the non-demented adult population aged 40–79 years. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of this population has concerns related to experienced memory problems and/or seeks help. Already available information on additional features associated with a higher likelihood of developing dementia in people with SCS may help clinicians to decide who should be monitored more closely.