Cross-sectional study of psychiatric morbidity in patients with melasma.

Context: Patients with dermatological problems have higher prevalence of psychiatric illnesses than the general population. Melasma, hyperpigmentation of skin over sun-exposed areas, has bidirectional cause-effect relationship with depression and stress through psycho-neuro-endocrine pathways.

Aims: The aim of this study is to study the psychiatric morbidity and perceived stress in patients with melasma and statistically compare objective study parameters with those without melasma.

Screening for depression and its risk factors in geriatric population: A rural community based study.

This is a rural community-based study for screening depression and its risk factors in a geriatric population. A proportionate random sample was collected from six villages in Maval Taluka through house-to-house surveys conducted by the authors. A short (15 item) form of the geriatric depression scale was used, along with a semi-structured questionnaire specially designed for the study.

Children with medically unexplained pain symptoms: categorization and effective management.

Context: Medically unexplained pain symptoms are common in children, and their incidence is on the rise. There is often a lack of clearly articulated pathophysiology in these patients. There is need to improve understanding about varied causes and presentations of these patients which would generate further insight in management of these patients.