International journal of geriatric psychiatry
-
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Nov 1998
Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele in association with global cognitive performance and CSF markers in Alzheimer's disease.
To better define the influence of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon 4 genotype on the cognitive and biochemical features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), cross-sectional analysis of global cognitive measures and cerebrospinal fluid studies gathered on AD subjects at a tertiary care facility between 1986 and 1997 was carried out. The 112 AD patients examined included 62 women and 50 men with a mean (SD) age of 64.2 (9.2) years. Patient demographics; illness onset age and duration, education level and global cognitive measures were recorded systematically. ⋯ No differences were found with regard to ApoE epsilon 4 status and measures of disease, duration of illness or global cognitive performance. Although CSF tau was elevated in our sample (575.4 +/- 290.3 pg/ml), ApoE epsilon 4 status did not influence total CSF tau or neurotransmitter metabolite levels. ApoE epsilon 4 genotype had no impact on a variety of illness severity, cognitive and CSF examinations in the largest cross-sectional analysis of AD subjects yet reported.
-
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Aug 1998
ReviewBurnout: current knowledge and relevance to old age psychiatry.
To review the literature on burnout and consider its relevance to old age psychiatry and the role of the consultant. ⋯ Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased sense of personal accomplishment which is recognized in people working in the human service professions and can have adverse effects on the workforce. There is little evidence of unique stressors related to care of elderly mentally ill people. Burnout is likely to be modified by workplace interventions. Relevant areas for intervention are political and social, organizational and management, training and personal issues. Support to consultants and their continuing professional development need to be radically reviewed.
-
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jul 1998
Progressive disability in senile dementia is accelerated in the presence of depression.
To assess the extent to which loss of ability to perform everyday activities in early stage senile dementia is worsened by the presence of depressive illness. ⋯ Depression does not in itself engender significant disability, but interacts with senile dementia to accelerate loss of functioning. Effective treatment of depressive illness in senile dementia may have significant impact on the prevalence and severity of disability.
-
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jun 1998
Depressive symptoms of Alzheimer caregivers are mainly due to personal rather than patient factors.
To investigate the predictors of caregiver's depressive symptoms in a sample of community-dwelling Alzheimer's patients. ⋯ Factors related to the caregiver--relationship, health and competence--rather than to the patient constitute the main risk factors for caregiver's depressive symptomatology.