published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-37).

O rápido envelhecimento populacional faz com que a saúde mental da população geriátrica venha tomando uma importância cada vez maior na saúde pública. Os objetivos deste estudo foram:(1) investigar a prevalência de transtornos mentais ao longo da vida, analisando possíveis fatores sócio-demográficos associados (2) pesquisar a possível relação entre prevalência de transtorno mental ao longo da vida e desempenho cognitivo. Foram estudados 82 sujeitos acima de 60 anos da área de captação do Hospital das Clínicas da cidade de São Paulo. O instrumento utilizado para investigação diagnóstica foi o Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), sendo a avaliação do desempenho cognitivo obtida através do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e do Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Os resultados mostraram que os transtornos mentais de maior prevalência ao longo da vida foram Depressão (16%), Transtorno de Humor Recorrente (10%) e Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada (8,5%). Os demais transtornos observados foram Distimia (6%), Transtorno Doloroso Persistente (5%), Uso Nocivo de Álcool (5%) e Transtorno Dissociativo (2,4%). Não foram identificados casos de Transtorno Afetivo Bipolar, Esquizofrenia e outras psicoses, assim como dependência de Álcool ou de psicotrópicos. Apesar de haver uma maior prevalência nas mulheres dos quadros de Depressão (18,5%), Transtorno de Humor Recorrente (12%), Distimia (6%), Transtorno Doloroso Persistente (7%) e Transtorno Dissociativo (3,5%), e por outro lado uma maior prevalência de Abuso de Álcool (9%) e Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada (9%) nos homens, não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre gênero e transtornos mentais. Na amostra, os sujeitos de maior escolaridade demonstraram maior associação com prevalência de distimia (p=0,01) e transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (p=0,03). Houve maior associação entre baixa escolaridade (p=0,000) e idade mais avançada (p=0,007) com pior desempenho cognitivo pelo MEEM. A presença de disfunção cognitiva pelo MEEM foi de 11% e pelo IQCODE 16%. Não foi identificada asssociação entre prevalência de transtornos mentais ao longo a vida e pior desempenho cognitivo. Os resultados da prevalência de transtornos mentais ao longo da vida desta amostra foi similar aos achados de outros estudos que utilizaram o CIDI, exceto pela maior prevalência de Transtorno do Humor Recorrente no presente estudo que nos demais. Maior atenção deve se dar a associação entre maior escolaridade e prevalência de distimia e transtornos de ansiedade generalizada ao longo da vida em populações idosas de regiões urbanas / With a rapidly aging society, geriatric mental health is emerging as important public health concern.The study objectives were: (1) investigate the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric illnesses and the association between sociodemografic characteristics (2) investigate the possible relationship between the prevalence of mental disorder throughout life and cognitive performance. We studied 82 subjects over 60 years older from the catchment area of Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo. The instrument used for diagnostic investigation was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and the assessment of cognitive performance achieved by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). The results showed that the most prevalent lifetime ICD-10/CIDI disorders were major depression (16%), followed by recurrent mood disorder (10%), and generalized anxiety disorder (8,5%). Other disorders were observed such as dysthymia (6%), persistent pain disorder (5%), alcohol abuse (5%) and dissociative disorders (2.4%). There were no identified cases of bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses, as well as dependence on alcohol or psychotropic substances. Women had higher prevalence of depression (18.5%), recurrent mood disorders (12%), dysthymia (6%), persistent pain disorder (7%) and dissociative disorder (3.5%). On the other hand, men have higher prevalence alcohol (9%) and generalized anxiety disorder (9%). However, these differences were not statistically significant. In this sample, subjects with higher education showed an association with prevalence of dysthymia (p = 0.01) and generalized anxiety disorder (p = 0.03). There was a higher association between low education (p = 0.000) and older age (p = 0.007) with worse cognitive performance by the MMSE. The presence of cognitive impairment evaluated by the MMSE was 11% and the result based on the IQCODE was 16%. There was not a relationship between lifetime prevalence of mental disorders and impaired cognitive performance. The results of lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in this sample were similar to the findings of other studies using the CIDI, except for a higher prevalence of recurrent mood disorder in this study than the others. Close attention are required to address the relationships between higher educational level and dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder in urban elderly population

The problem with which this study is concerned is that of ascertaining the effects of intensive Remotivation Techniques on institutionalized geriatric mental patients in terms of their ward behavior, self-concept, and visual-motor perceptions and to compare these with the effects of a similar group experience that does not emphasize patient-staff or patient-patient interactions, and a third group which acts a a control. The investigation is designed to answer or obtain information concerning the following questions: (1) Do institutionalized geriatric mental patients in a state mental hospital manifest measurable changes in terms of their (A) ward behavior as defined as raw scores on the Hospital tment Scale (including interpersonal communication and interpersonal relations; self care and social responsibility; level of participation in ward activities, recreation and work therapy; total score), (B) self-concept as defined as Goodenough raw scores on the Draw-a-Person Test, and (C) awareness of environment as defined as Pascal and Suttell raw scores on the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, as a result of experiencing the social and verbal interactions of intensive Remotivation Techniques? (2) Is the Remotivation Technique more effective in producing these changes than a similar group experience that does not emphasize social and verbal interactions?

As demências Frontotemporais (DFT) compreendem 2 fenótipos clínicos: distúrbios comportamentais ou de linguagem. Coletivamente, as DFT podem ser causadas por um grupo diversas de doenças neurodegenerativas chamadas degeneração lobar frontotemporal (DLFT). Novas entidades têm sido descritas neste grupo e o conceito está em constante evolução. Parte dos mecanismos envolvidos na morte celular nas DLFTs também são observados n envelhecimento normal. Determinar as entidades e freqüência das DLFTs em uma série com utilização de imunoistoquímica. Uma série prospectiva de 833 casos avaliados prospectivamente no Centro de Pesquisas de Doença de Alzheimer da Washington University - EUA. Os casos de DFT foram selecionados por critérios clínicos e a classificação neuropatológica foi baseada em protocolos universalmente aceitos para DLFT. Dos casos de demência, 53(6,3%) atenderam aos critérios clínicos e neuropatológicos para DLFT. Outros 8 casos atenderam apenas aos critérios clínicos de DFT. As tauopatias representaram 40% dos casos. Entretanto, a maioria dos casos apresentava inclusões ubiquitina-positivas e tau-negativas. Esclerose hipocampal e alterações do tipo Doença de Alzheimer foram encontradas em 12 e 10 casos, respectivamente. Apesar da DLFT-U ter sido a entidade mais freqüente nesta série, entidades e menos comuns não incluídas nas recomendações de McKhann também podem apresentar fenótipo clínico de DFT. A inclusão destas novas entidades é mais uma evidência de que os sintomas clínicos são mais dependentes das áreas acometidas do que da entidade em si. A melhor compreensão desses mecanismos tem um grande potencial em auxiliar no desenvolvimento de medidas que possam modular ou retardar os efeitos do envelhecimento no cérebro, além é claro de trazer possibilidade de tratamento, hoje inexistente, para os pacientes acometidos. / Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses two clinical phenotypes: progressive behavioral change and language disorder. Collectively, FTD may be caused by a diverse group of neurodegenerative diseases called frontotemporal lobar degenerations (FTLDs). New entities have been described and the nosology of FTLDs continues to evolve. To determine the type and frequency of FTLDs in a series using contemporary immunohistochemical methods. Eight hundred and thirtythree dementia cases were prospectively assessed at Washington University Alzheimer Disease Research Center (WUADRC) and cases with clinical FTD were identified using existing diagnostic criteria and neuropathologic entities were ascertained using immunohistochemistry and contemporary diagnostic criteria. Of the dementia cases, 53(6.3%) met clinical criteria for FTD; 45(5.1%) fulfilled both clinical and neuropathological criteria for FTLD, and another 8 fulfilled only the clinical criteria. Forty percent of the cases were tauopathies. However, most FTLD cases were characterized by ubiquitin-positive, tau-negative inclusions. Co-existing hippocampal sclerosis and AD-type changes were observed in 12 and 10 cases, respectively. Although FTLD-MND-type is the most frequent FTLD in this prospectively assessed series, less common entities not included in the McKhann criteria, may also present clinically as FTD and should be considered as part of the neuropathologic spectrum of FTLDs that may be encountered in the dementia clinic. The better understanding of the cell death mechanisms related to those entities is likely to contribute for the development of a treatment for FTLD as well for a way of modulate brain aging.

Falls and their consequences are a major health problem in the older population, increasing their immobility, morbidity and mortality. This thesis focuses on older people living in geriatric care settings, frail older people who are most prone to suffer falls. The aim was to study predisposing and precipitating factors associated with falls in older people with or without cognitive impairment. In a cross-sectional study with a one-year prospective follow-up for falls 63% of the 83 residents suffered 163 falls and 65% of the fallers fell more than once. The antidepressants selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), impaired vision and being unable to use stairs independently were the factors most strongly associated with sustaining falls. Acute diseases were judged to have precipitated 32 % of the falls and drug side effects 9%. In another cross-sectional study with a one-year follow-up for falls, including 199 residents, previous falls and treatment with antidepressants (mainly SSRIs) were found to be the most important predisposing factor for falls. Acute disease was judged to be the precipitating factor alone or in combination, in 39% of the falls, medical drugs in 8%, external factors such as obstacles in 8% and other conditions both related to the individual and the environment, such as misinterpretation, misuse of roller walkers or mistakes made by the staff were judged to have precipitated 17% of the falls. In a population-based cross-sectional study including 3604 residents in geriatric care settings more than 8% sustained a fall at least once during the preceding week. A history of falls, the ability to get up from a chair, the need for a helper when walking, pain, cognitive impairment, use of neuroleptics and use of antidepressants were all associated with falls in multivariate analyses. In the subgroup of people with cognitive impairment (2008 residents) more than 9% had sustained a fall at least once during the preceding week. As for the whole population, being able to get up from a chair, previous falls, needing a helper when walking with the addition of hyperactive symptoms were the factors independently associated with falls. In a study with a one-year prospective follow up for falls, including 439 residents in residential care facilities, 63% sustained 1354 falls, corresponding to an incidence rate of 3.5 falls / person year. Thirty-three percent of the falls and 37% of the injurious falls occurred during the night (9pm-6am). There were significantly higher fall rates in the evening and in January, April, May, November and December. There were no associations between fall rates and any of the weather parameters studied. In conclusion falls and fall-related injuries in older people in geriatric care settings are common. Both predisposing and precipitating factors contribute to the risk of falling. Addressing precipitating factors for falls seems to be important in an individualised preventive strategy among older people in geriatric care settings.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2006. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

As demências Frontotemporais (DFT) compreendem 2 fenótipos clínicos: distúrbios comportamentais ou de linguagem. Coletivamente, as DFT podem ser causadas por um grupo diversas de doenças neurodegenerativas chamadas degeneração lobar frontotemporal (DLFT). Novas entidades têm sido descritas neste grupo e o conceito está em constante evolução. Parte dos mecanismos envolvidos na morte celular nas DLFTs também são observados n envelhecimento normal. Determinar as entidades e freqüência das DLFTs em uma série com utilização de imunoistoquímica. Uma série prospectiva de 833 casos avaliados prospectivamente no Centro de Pesquisas de Doença de Alzheimer da Washington University - EUA. Os casos de DFT foram selecionados por critérios clínicos e a classificação neuropatológica foi baseada em protocolos universalmente aceitos para DLFT. Dos casos de demência, 53(6,3%) atenderam aos critérios clínicos e neuropatológicos para DLFT. Outros 8 casos atenderam apenas aos critérios clínicos de DFT. As tauopatias representaram 40% dos casos. Entretanto, a maioria dos casos apresentava inclusões ubiquitina-positivas e tau-negativas. Esclerose hipocampal e alterações do tipo Doença de Alzheimer foram encontradas em 12 e 10 casos, respectivamente. Apesar da DLFT-U ter sido a entidade mais freqüente nesta série, entidades e menos comuns não incluídas nas recomendações de McKhann também podem apresentar fenótipo clínico de DFT. A inclusão destas novas entidades é mais uma evidência de que os sintomas clínicos são mais dependentes das áreas acometidas do que da entidade em si. A melhor compreensão desses mecanismos tem um grande potencial em auxiliar no desenvolvimento de medidas que possam modular ou retardar os efeitos do envelhecimento no cérebro, além é claro de trazer possibilidade de tratamento, hoje inexistente, para os pacientes acometidos. / Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses two clinical phenotypes: progressive behavioral change and language disorder. Collectively, FTD may be caused by a diverse group of neurodegenerative diseases called frontotemporal lobar degenerations (FTLDs). New entities have been described and the nosology of FTLDs continues to evolve. To determine the type and frequency of FTLDs in a series using contemporary immunohistochemical methods. Eight hundred and thirtythree dementia cases were prospectively assessed at Washington University Alzheimer Disease Research Center (WUADRC) and cases with clinical FTD were identified using existing diagnostic criteria and neuropathologic entities were ascertained using immunohistochemistry and contemporary diagnostic criteria. Of the dementia cases, 53(6.3%) met clinical criteria for FTD; 45(5.1%) fulfilled both clinical and neuropathological criteria for FTLD, and another 8 fulfilled only the clinical criteria. Forty percent of the cases were tauopathies. However, most FTLD cases were characterized by ubiquitin-positive, tau-negative inclusions. Co-existing hippocampal sclerosis and AD-type changes were observed in 12 and 10 cases, respectively. Although FTLD-MND-type is the most frequent FTLD in this prospectively assessed series, less common entities not included in the McKhann criteria, may also present clinically as FTD and should be considered as part of the neuropathologic spectrum of FTLDs that may be encountered in the dementia clinic. The better understanding of the cell death mechanisms related to those entities is likely to contribute for the development of a treatment for FTLD as well for a way of modulate brain aging.

The purpose of this study was to identify the mental health services available to the elderly residents of Oregon, and to assess the effectiveness of these services in providing mental health treatment to elderly persons. In order to reasonably narrow the scope of this study, the investigation of mental health services was limited primarily to those agencies which are publicly funded and controlled by state or local bodies. In addition, Multnomah County was selected as a case study area in order to further narrow the scope of the study. Multnomah County was selected because of the convenience of its geographical location for this researcher and Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) personnel, but more importantly, because Multnomah County is one of the most urbanized areas of the state, with a large number of mental health services geographically accessible to its elderly residents. Additionally, this county contains approximately 31% of all elderly residents in Oregon.