International journal of geriatric psychiatry
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jun 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialBefriending carers of people with dementia: a cost utility analysis.
There is very little evidence on the cost-effectiveness of social care interventions for people with dementia or their carers. The BEfriending and Costs of CAring trial (BECCA, ISRCTN08130075) aimed to establish whether a structured befriending service improved the quality of life of carers of people with dementia, and at what cost. ⋯ Befriending leads to a non-significant trend towards improved carer quality of life, and there is a non-significant trend towards higher costs for all sectors. It is unlikely that befriending is a cost-effective intervention from the point of view of society.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jun 2009
Is the geriatric depression scale a reliable screening tool for depressive symptoms in elderly patients with cognitive impairment?
To determine the reliability of the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) for the screening of depressive symptoms in dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) as the 'gold standard'. ⋯ Using the CSDD as 'gold standard', we demonstrated that the GDS-30 is a reliable screening tool for depressive symptoms in MCI but not in AD patients.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jun 2009
Use of medications with anticholinergic properties and cognitive function in a young-old community sample.
To examine whether anticholinergic medications have effects on the level of cognitive function or cognitive decline in persons in their early to mid 60s. ⋯ This study suggests that exposure to anticholinergic medication is associated with lower level of complex attention in the young-old, but not with greater cognitive decline over time. Although the clinical significance of this is not clear, caution should be taken when prescribing medications with anticholinergic effects to older persons.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · May 2009
ReviewCognition following bilateral deep brain stimulation surgery of the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by significant motor dysfunction and various non-motor disturbances, including cognitive alterations. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an increasingly utilized therapeutic option for patients with PD that yields remarkable success in alleviating disabling motor symptoms. DBS has additionally been associated with changes in cognition, yet the evidence is not consistent across studies. The following review sought to provide a clearer understanding of the various cognitive sequelae of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS while taking into account corresponding neuroanatomy and potential confounding variables. ⋯ While cognitive decline has been observed in some domains, our review of the data suggests that STN DBS is a worthwhile and safe method to treat PD.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Apr 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialHelping carers to care--the 10/66 dementia research group's randomized control trial of a caregiver intervention in Russia.
Dementia is a rapidly growing public health problem in low and middle income countries. There is an urgent need, in the absence of formal services, to develop interventions designed to improve the lives of people with dementia, and their families. This study tests the effectiveness of the 10/66 caregiver intervention among people with dementia, and their carers. ⋯ The low-level intervention seems to be as, if not more, effective than similar interventions applied in high income countries.