Special care units for demented patients: a multicenter study.

The local government of Regione Lombardia, Italy, recently (1994) funded a clinical and research project specifically devoted to dementia (Piano Alzheimer). A central role in this project has been reserved for the special care units (SCUs) for demented patients with behavioral disturbances. In order to evaluate their effectiveness, eight SCUs took part in this study. A specifically designed care program, focusing on environment and staff, was implemented in each SCU. Cognitive, functional, and somatic health status, and use of psychotropic drugs and of physical restraints were assessed at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months in 55 consecutively admitted patients. The data show an overall reduction in behavioral disturbances and a decreased use of psychotropic drugs and physical restraints.

[Use of digitalis in geriatrics: is it effective on the heart in sinus rhythm?]. / L'uso della digitale in geriatria: è utile nel cuore in ritmo sinusale?

The therapeutic activity of digitalis in cardiac failure is linked to its positive inotropic effect on the myocardium and its ability to control cardiac activity in atrial fibrillation. Chronic stimulation with digoxin in aged subjects with sinus rhythm, however, is of debatable utility Reference is made to a series of 35 subjects (mean age 76.5 yr) in sinus rhythm, 30 of whom had been taking digoxin for over 3 yr. Clinical and instrumental parameters were assessed and heart function was classified according to the NYHA arrangement. Subjects were randomly placed in two groups matched for sex, age and cardiac condition. The first group received digoxin, the second a placebo. No significant differences between the two groups were noted over a 3-month period. In keeping with the recent literature, it is felt that digitalis is not necessary for the dynamic cardiac control of aged subjects in sinus rhythm. In addition, it is suggested that hydrosaline retention in such subjects can be controlled by restriction of salt intake, rest and diuretics.

Serum melatonin is not affected by glucocorticoid replacement in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Recently a hypothesis has been proposed suggesting a negative feedback in the regulation of cortisol (F) and melatonin (Mel). To study a possible influence of F on Mel regulation we examined 13 children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) on two occasions: once 3 days after cessation of F substitution (group 1; n = 13) and once during treatment with dexamethasone (1 mg/m2/day) and fludrocortisone (0.1 mg/m2/day) (group 2; n = 11) 11 children matched by sex and age served as controls (group 3). While serum 17 OH-progesterone levels, an indicator for the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in CAH, were significantly (P less than 0.001) elevated in untreated patients (group 1), serum Mel levels were not different among the 3 groups nor was the diurnal secretion pattern of Mel affected. Nocturnal serum Mel concentrations, however, correlated with the age of the subjects (r = 0.55, P less than 0.001 at 23.00 h), displaying high values in early childhood that declined with progressing age. The presented data do not support the view of a classical feedback mechanism in the regulation of Mel and F in humans. However, it confirms the description of a tremendous fall of nocturnal Mel concentrations during childhood.