Screening for Elder Mistreatment Among Older Adults Seeking Legal Assistance Services.
Screening for Elder Mistreatment among Older Adults Seeking Legal Assistance Services.
West J Emerg Med. 2013 Aug; 14(4): 309-15
Strasser SM, Smith M, Weaver S, Zheng S, Cao Y
Introduction: The aging population is a rapidly growing demographic in the United States. Isolation, limited autonomy, and declining physical and mental health render many older adults vulnerable to elder mistreatment (EM). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of EM among a sample of older adults using legal assistance services in Atlanta, Georgia. Methods: Researchers administered surveys to consenting older adults (aged 60+) in 5 metro Atlanta community centers that hosted legal assistance information sessions as part of the Elderly Legal Assistance Program. The surveys screened for risk factors and prevalence of EM risk using valid and reliable measures and included additional questions regarding demographics characteristics and healthcare use behaviors. Results: Surveys were completed by 112 participants. Findings reveal that 32 (28.6%) respondents met the criteria for elder abuse / neglect risk; 17 (15.2%) respondents met criteria for depression; and 105 (93.7%) had visited a healthcare provider during the past 6 months. Conclusion: The rates of EM risk in this sample were higher than those previously reported in research. Findings support continued examination of unique risks that may be present among older adults who may be possibly facing legal issues. Additionally, the reported frequency of healthcare visits among participants reveals a promising opportunity to examine development of a more widespread EM screening approach to be conducted in non-emergency settings. Interdisciplinary collaboration is required to inform screening approaches that account for complexities that EM cases present. HubMed – depression
The relation between Vitamin D status with fatigue and depressive symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
J Res Med Sci. 2013 Mar; 18(3): 193-7
Ashtari F, Ajalli M, Shaygannejad V, Akbari M, Hovsepian S
The relation between Vitamin D deficiency with depressive and fatigue symptoms in both Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy population have been reported. To represent our regional achievement in this field we investigated the relation between Vitamin D status with fatigue and depressive symptoms in MS patients.In two hundred MS patients, depressive symptoms and fatigue were measured using Beck PC (BDI-PC) and FFS scale, respectively. Venous blood sample was obtained from all participants and serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Mean score of FSS, BDI-PC and EDSS were compared in patients with normal and low level of Vitamin D. The relation between FSS, BDI-PC score, EDSS and low Vitamin D status was determined.There was a moderate significant correlation between MS disability evaluated by EDSS and fatigue (r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.26, P < 0.001). The prevalence of low Vitamin D status was 48.5%. Low Vitamin D status was inversely associated with depressive symptoms of patients with MS (P = 0.02 rs = -0.16), but there was not significant correlation between Vitamin D and fatigue symptoms (P = 0.2).More interventional studies for determining the role of Vitamin D supplements in this regard is recommended. HubMed – depression
Mindfulness-based stress reduction program in coronary heart disease: A randomized control trial.
Int J Yoga. 2013 Jul; 6(2): 111-7
Parswani MJ, Sharma MP, Iyengar S
Psychological risk factors such as anxiety and depression have been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). Stress can have an impact on the risk factors for the disease, such as high blood pressure (BP), physical inactivity and being overweight.Examine the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on symptoms of anxiety and depression, perceived stress, BP and body mass index (BMI) in patients with CHD.Intervention was carried out at an Outpatient clinic. Parallel group – MBSR group; and treatment-as-usual group (TAU) – randomized control design with pre- (baseline), post-intervention and follow-up assessments was adopted.Thirty male patients, age range (30-65 years) with CHD were randomly allocated to either group. The therapeutic program comprised of eight weekly sessions of structured MBSR intervention for the MBSR group and one health education session for the TAU group. Regular medical intervention and monthly consultations with the cardiologist were consistent for both groups. The main outcome measures were: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale (perceived stress), BP and BMI.Independent sample t-tests, chi square test and paired sample t-test were used.All patients completed intervention in the MBSR group. Significant reduction was observed in symptoms of anxiety and depression, perceived stress, BP and BMI in patients of the MBSR group after the completion of intervention assessment. At 3-month follow-up, therapeutic gains were maintained in patients of the MBSR group.The MBSR program is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, perceived stress, BP and BMI in patients with CHD. HubMed – depression