International psychogeriatrics
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To investigate the risk factors for delirium in the elderly during the post-operative period of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). ⋯ Delirium in the elderly after CABG is a multifactorial disorder. Nine factors taken together can identify patients at great risk for delirium. No specific factor associated with bypass procedure could be identified as a risk factor for delirium. The control of the risk factors should bring a decrease in delirium morbidity and mortality.
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The Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS): a multicultural cognitive assessment scale.
To develop and validate a simple method for detecting dementia that is valid across cultures, portable and easily administered by primary health care clinicians. ⋯ The 6-item RUDAS is portable and tests multiple cognitive domains. It is easily interpreted to other languages, and appears to be culturally fair. However, further validation is needed in other settings, and in longitudinal studies to determine its sensitivity to change in cognitive function over time.
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Comparative Study
Incidence of delirium, risk factors, and long-term survival of elderly patients hospitalized in a medical specialty teaching hospital in Mexico City.
We determined the incidence, probable risk factors, causes, and long-term survival of delirium in patients hospitalized in a medical specialty teaching hospital in Mexico City. ⋯ In this geriatric population of Mexican patients, delirium incidence was similar to that previously reported in the worldwide literature. Its incidence is associated with longer hospital stay and greater mortality. Age, low level of schooling, greater comorbidity, high glucose levels, poor pain control, and hematocrit lower than 30% were independently associated with a greater incidence of delirium.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Psychosocial intervention for dementia caregivers: what can it accomplish?
Research has shown that psychosocial intervention can have a significant benefit for patients and caregivers. Randomized controlled trials of psychosocial intervention for spouse-caregivers can improve social support and reduce depression among the caregivers and help prevent or postpone nursing home placement of their spouses with Alzheimer's disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Patient populations in clinical studies of donepezil in vascular dementia.
There are difficulties in accurately defining patients with vascular dementia (VaD) and, therefore, little is known about the characteristics of this population. ⋯ The patients enrolled in these trials had probable or possible VaD; these patients exhibited a history of cerebrovascular disease and a broad range of comorbid cardiovascular conditions. The large number of patients enrolled will permit a thorough examination of the efficacy and tolerability of donepezil in VaD.