International journal of geriatric psychiatry
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Oct 1999
Comparative StudyMental symptoms in Parkinson's disease are important contributors to caregiver distress.
To determine the emotional and social distress of caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease and to explore the impact of motor and mental symptoms in subjects with Parkinson's disease on their caregivers' situation. ⋯ Caring for a spouse with Parkinson's disease is associated with emotional and social distress, underlining the importance of also assessing the needs of carers. Mental symptoms of parkinsonian patients were the most consistent and powerful predictors of caregiver distress, suggesting that identification and treatment of mental symptoms may reduce distress in caregivers of subjects with Parkinson's disease.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Oct 1999
Comparative StudyShort versions of the geriatric depression scale: a study of their validity for the diagnosis of a major depressive episode according to ICD-10 and DSM-IV.
To determine the validity of short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) versions for the detection of a major depressive episode according to ICD-10 criteria for research and DSM-IV. ⋯ GDS-15, GDS-10 and GDS-4 are good screening instruments for major depression as defined by both the ICD-10 and DSM-IV. The shorter four- and one-item versions are of limited clinical value due to low reliability and failure to monitor the severity of the depressive episode. General practitioners may benefit from the systematic use of short GDS versions to increase detection rates of depression among the elderly. (c) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.