Depression and mortality in nursing homes

Article Abstract:

Nursing homes have become an important focus of care of the elderly as the number of chronic medical and neurological disorders in that growing population increases. There are currently 1.5 million older persons living in nursing homes, and this number should double over the next 30 years. The early diagnosis of conditions that can be treated is important. Depression can impair physical and social functions in patients with chronic disorders, but it can be treated. The incidence of depression in the community population ranges from 0.9 to 14.7 percent and is associated with increased rates of death. The prevalence of depression and its relation to death rates in nursing homes are not clearly known. One study showed that 67.4 percent of patients in nursing homes suffered from dementia, a condition characterized by impaired intellectual function, and 21 percent experienced delusions. Mental disorders in nursing homes are often incorrectly diagnosed. The prevalence of depressive disorders and their relation to death rate in nursing homes were assessed in 454 nursing home residents over a one-year period. Depressive disorders were diagnosed in 12.6 percent of patients and depressive symptoms were detected in 18.1 percent. Most cases had not been recognized by physicians and had not been treated. Major depressive disorders increased the probability of death by 59 percent. These findings show that depression is prevalent among nursing home residents, but can be treated. Since depression is a risk factor for death, early diagnosis of this mental disorder is essential. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Statistics, Depression in old age, Geriatric depression, Nursing home patients

---

Probing the meaning of racial/ethnic group comparisons in crack cocaine smoking

Article Abstract:

The use of crack cocaine may be caused by different environmental and social factors rather than racial or ethnic factors. A study compared 138 individuals who smoked crack cocaine to 801 individuals who did not smoke crack cocaine, from 128 different neighborhoods. The use of crack cocaine was not significantly higher among African Americans or Hispanics than among other ethnic groups. Men were more likely to smoke crack cocaine than women, and younger individuals were more likely than older individuals to smoke crack cocaine. Neighborhoods with at least one crack cocaine user were more likely to have a larger number of racial or ethnic minorities than those with no crack cocaine users. Neighborhoods with crack cocaine use were also more likely to have a larger number of young or middle-aged adults and to be located in large urban areas or in the western US than those without crack cocaine use.

Usage, Demographic aspects, African Americans, Drug use, Drug abuse, Whites, Hispanic Americans, Crack (Drug)

---

Population-based norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination by age and educational level

Article Abstract:

Scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) appear to vary with age and level of education. The MMSE has been used since 1975 to assess cognitive function. It is used in clinical practice and in research to detect mental impairment and response to treatment. To determine the population-based norms for the MMSE, 18,056 adults 18 and older took the test. Total MMSE scores steadily declined with age: the average score out of a possible 30 points was 29 among those aged 18 to 24 and was 24 among those over 85. The average score was 29 among those with at least nine years of schooling and 22 among those with zero to four years of schooling. The range in scores among age groups increased with age and decreased with level of education such that the greatest variation in scoring was among the elderly with little education.

Measurement, Testing, Mental health, Cognition, Cognitive tests

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Health promotion by numbers. Teamwork: the final frontier in primary care. Paths to effective teamwork in primary care settings
• Abstracts: Power and authority: is there a difference? Birthday credits due: Nursing Times' Open Learning programme was launched on april 24 1991, and celebrates its fifth birthday today at RCN Congress
• Abstracts: Illnesses causing dementia in the very elderly. Detection of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. A population-based study of dementia in 85-year-olds
• Abstracts: Intraobserver and interobserver variability of the amniotic fluid index. Intraobserver and interobserver variability for the histologic diagnosis of chorioamnionitis
• Abstracts: 'Time for teachers': the design and evaluation of a personal development course for teachers. Healthy eating policies in schools: an evaluation of effects on pupils' knowledge, attitudes and behaviour

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.