International psychogeriatrics
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This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of an Arabic version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). ⋯ The Arabic GDS is a useful measure to assess depression among community-dwelling older adults and primary care patients who do not have dementia. Because of the use of formal Arabic, GDS-15 can be widely used with all Arabic-speaking people.
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Comparative Study
Profiles of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in plasma of patients with dementia.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are elevated in the brain tissue of patients with dementia and may play a role in the pathophysiology of dementia. MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) are elevated in postmortem brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a previous study we showed that circulating levels of MMP-9 are elevated in AD patients. The aim of the present study was to examine circulating levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the plasma of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), to determine, whether plasma profiles of MMPs and TIMPs differ in various types of dementia. ⋯ These findings suggest that circulating levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 and changes in the MMP/TIMP balance in plasma differ in various types of dementia.
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Comparative Study
Subsyndromal depression in old age: clinical significance and impact in a multi-ethnic community sample of elderly Singaporeans.
This cross-sectional study examined the clinical significance and impact of subsyndromal depression in a sample of elderly people living in the community in Singapore. ⋯ In this Asian population, subsydromal depression had the same clinical significance and health impact as syndromal depression, similar to findings in the West.
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Although sleep problems are commonly reported among dementia caregivers, the nature and frequency of caregiver sleep disruptions, and their relationship to health status, has received little empirical attention to date. ⋯ Results suggest that nocturnal disruptions by the care recipient may have adverse health consequences for spousal caregivers, and that further study of the determinants of caregiver sleep quality and health outcomes are warranted.
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Letter Case Reports Comparative Study
The misuse of autonomy in ethical decision-making-time for a change?