[Sleep in patients of a memory clinic : Clinical characteristics of the discrepancy between subjective and objective assessment]. / Schlaf bei Patienten einer Gedächtnissprechstunde : Klinische Charakteristika der Diskrepanz zwischen subjektiver und objektiver Erfassung.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, whereby the diagnostics with subjective procedures and objective methods can produce discrepant results. The frequency and clinical characteristics of patients, whose subjective sleep efficiency was unimpaired and was in contrast to an objectively conspicuous sleep efficiency in the sense of an overestimation, were investigated in a memory consultation. METHODS: On 2 consecutive days, patients underwent guideline-oriented diagnostics for dementia (including mini-mental status examination, MMSE and clinical dementia rating, CDR), supplemented by a subjective (Pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI) and objective (overnight actigraphy) sleep assessment. Overestimation of sleep efficiency was defined as a subjective sleep efficiency (SSE) of ≥85% with an actigraphic sleep efficiency (ASE) of <85%. RESULTS: Of 45 patients (74.4 ± 7.8 years; 26 f/19 m; CDR < 1: n = 16, CDR = 1: n = 28; diagnostic groups according to ICD-10: F0: n = 39, F3: n = 5, Z03.x: n = 1) 10 showed an overestimation of sleep efficiency, who showed a lower MMSE score and a higher proportion of patients with a dementia syndrome (CDR = 1) when compared with the other three groups of SSE and ASE ≥85% (n = 17), SSE and ASE <85% (n = 9) and SSE <85% with ASE ≥85% (n = 9). Binary regression showed that MMSE remained an important predictor for overestimation of sleep efficiency. CONCLUSION: Cognitive deficits in memory clinic patients appear to contribute to a poorer perception and/or an underreporting of objectively disturbed sleep. This could promote false negative subjective screening results in a diagnostic process in which a comprehensive sleep assessment is not routinely considered.

Human energy expenditure: advances in organ-tissue prediction models.

Humans expend energy at rest (REE), and this major energy exchange component is now usually estimated using statistical equations that include weight and other predictor variables. While these formulas are useful in evaluating an individual's or group's REE, an important gap remains: available statistical models are inadequate for explaining underlying organ-specific and tissue-specific mechanisms accounting for resting heat production. The lack of such systems level REE prediction models leaves many research questions unanswered. A potential approach that can fill this gap began with investigators who first showed in animals and later in humans that REE reflects the summated heat production rates of individual organs and tissues. Today, using advanced imaging technologies, REE can be accurately estimated from the measured in vivo mass of 10 organ-tissue mass components combined with their respective mass-specific metabolic rates. This review examines the next frontier of energy expenditure models and discusses how organ-tissue models have the potential not only to better predict REE but also to provide insights into how perturbations in organ mass lead to structure-function changes across other interacting organ systems. The introductory ideas advanced in this review provide a framework for future human energy expenditure modelling research.

Impact of Sarcopenia on One-Year Mortality among Older Hospitalized Patients with Impaired Mobility.

OBJECTIVES: However, the information regarding the impact of sarcopenia on mortality in older individuals is rising, there is a lack of knowledge concerning this issue among geriatric hospitalized patients. Therefore, aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between sarcopenia and 1-year mortality in a prospectively recruited sample of geriatric inpatients with different mobility and dependency status. DESIGN AND SETTING: Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP). Hand grip strength and skeletal muscle mass were measured using Jamar dynamometer and bioelectrical impedance analysis, respectively. Physical function was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Dependency status was defined by Barthel-Index (BI). Mobility limitation was defined according to walking ability as described in BI. The survival status was ascertained by telephone interview. RESULTS: The recruited population comprised 198 patients from a geriatric acute ward with a mean age of 82.8 ± 5.9 (70.2% females). 50 (25.3%) patients had sarcopenia, while 148 (74.7%) had no sarcopenia. 14 (28%) patients died among sarcopenic subjects compared with 28 (19%) non-sarcopenic subjects (P=0.229). After adjustment for potential confounders, sarcopenia was associated with increased mortality among patients with limited mobility prior to admission (n=138, hazard ratio, HR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.17-5.44) and at time of discharge (n=162, HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.67-3.22). In a sub-group of patients with pre-admission BI<60 (n=45), <70 (n=73) and <80 (n=108), the risk of death was 3.63, 2.80 and 2.55 times higher in sarcopenic patients, respectively. In contrast, no significant relationships were observed between sarcopenia and mortality across the different scores of BI during admission and at time of discharge. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is significantly associated with higher risk of mortality among sub-groups of older patients with limited mobility and impaired functional status, independently of age and other clinical variables.

Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology: Update 2017.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the quantification and interpretation of drug concentrations in blood to optimize pharmacotherapy. It considers the interindividual variability of pharmacokinetics and thus enables personalized pharmacotherapy. In psychiatry and neurology, patient populations that may particularly benefit from TDM are children and adolescents, pregnant women, elderly patients, individuals with intellectual disabilities, patients with substance abuse disorders, forensic psychiatric patients or patients with known or suspected pharmacokinetic abnormalities. Non-response at therapeutic doses, uncertain drug adherence, suboptimal tolerability, or pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions are typical indications for TDM. However, the potential benefits of TDM to optimize pharmacotherapy can only be obtained if the method is adequately integrated in the clinical treatment process. To supply treating physicians and laboratories with valid information on TDM, the TDM task force of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie (AGNP) issued their first guidelines for TDM in psychiatry in 2004. After an update in 2011, it was time for the next update. Following the new guidelines holds the potential to improve neuropsychopharmacotherapy, accelerate the recovery of many patients, and reduce health care costs.

Definition of new cut-offs of BMI and waist circumference based on body composition and insulin resistance: differences between children, adolescents and adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine associations between anthropometric traits, regional fat depots and insulin resistance in children, adolescents and adults to define new cut-offs of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were assessed in 433 children, adolescents and adults (aged: 6-60 years, BMI: 23.6 [21.0-27.7] kg m-2). Total adipose tissue (TAT), regional subcutaneous adipose tissue (SATtotal, SATtrunk) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were determined by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging, fat mass by air-displacement plethysmography. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Bivariate as well as partial correlations and regression analyses were used. Cut-off values of BMI and WC related to regional fat depots and HOMA-IR were analysed by receiver operating characteristics curve. RESULTS: In adults, TAT, SATtotal and SATtrunk increased linearly with increasing BMI and WC, whereas they followed a cubic function in children and adolescents with a steep increase at BMI and WC ≥1 standard deviation score and VAT at WC ≥2 standard deviation score. Sex differences were apparent in adults with women having higher masses of TAT and SAT and men having higher VAT. Using established BMI or WC cut-offs, correspondent masses of TAT, SATtotal, SATtrunk and VAT increased from childhood to adulthood. In all age groups, there were positive associations between BMI, WC, SATtrunk, VAT and HOMA-IR. When compared with normative cut-offs of BMI or WC, HOMA-IR-derived cut-offs of regional fat depots were lower in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between BMI, WC and regional fat depots varied between children, adolescents, young and older adults. When compared with BMI-derived and WC-derived values, an insulin resistance-derived cut-off corresponded to lower masses of regional fat depots. Thus, established BMI and WC cut-offs are not appropriate to assess metabolic disturbances associated with obesity; therefore, new cut-offs of BMI and WC are needed for clinical practice.

[Multiprofessional inpatient psychotherapy of depression in old age]. / Multiprofessionelle stationäre Psychotherapie bei Depressionen im Alter.

Depression is common in old age but is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. Although psychotherapy is considered effective for treating elderly patients with depression, it is rarely applied in inpatient settings. Furthermore, treatment on inpatient units specialized for elderly patients and implementation of a psychotherapeutic treatment approach are currently more the exception. From this background, a multiprofessional inpatient behavioral treatment program (MVT) for elderly depressed patients was developed at a specialized unit of a university-affiliated regional psychiatric hospital. The MVT is based on specific and modularized group therapies accompanied by individual therapeutic interventions. While the provision of group therapies (such as psychotherapy, social skills training, relaxation training, euthymic and mindfulness-based methods, exercise and occupational therapy as well as psychoeducational sessions for relatives) is assigned to specific professional groups, a joint multiprofessional treatment planning is of central relevance. First evaluations of different treatment components support the high acceptability of the MVT and highlight that psychotherapeutic inpatient treatment programs for the elderly are feasible. Further research is required to investigate the clinical efficacy of psychotherapy in elderly depressive inpatients.

The ethics of research publication.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.20.

Association between individual fat depots and cardio-metabolic traits in normal- and overweight children, adolescents and adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine age-related associations between fat mass (FM), regional fat depots and cardiometabolic traits in normal- and overweight children, adolescents and adults. METHODS: Detailed body composition (regional subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue; SAT, VAT) by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), FM and fat-free mass by air-displacement plethysmography, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), plasma glucose and plasma insulin were measured in 433 subjects (BMI: 23.6 (21.0-27.7); 151 children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, 150 young adults, aged 18-30 years and 132 adults, aged 30-60 years). Data were derived from pooled data of the 'Reference Center for Body Composition' in Kiel, Germany. Insulin resistance was determined by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Partial correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between body composition and cardiometabolic traits. A descriptive approach was used to demonstrate age-dependent differences in associations between body fat depots and insulin resistance, independent of BMI. RESULTS: FM, SAT, and VAT increased from childhood to adulthood with low VAT in children and adolescents. When compared to children, TG was higher in adults. HDL and DBP did not differ between age groups. Insulin resistance was highest in male adolescents and female young adults. Associations between body fat depots and cardiometabolic traits were seen after puberty with no associations in pre- and intrapubertal children. When compared to FM, SAT and VAT had the strongest association with insulin resistance in adults. This association was independent of BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between individual body fat depots and most cardiometabolic traits became evident after puberty only. The strongest associations were observed between insulin resistance and abdominal fat in adults. The impact of VAT was independent of BMI.

The reproducibility and clinical utility of the 3D camera for measuring scar height, with a protocol for administration.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the reproducibility and clinical utility of a 3D camera for measuring burn scar height in adults. METHODS: Participants from a larger prospective longitudinal study were included. Reproducibility data were collected using an immediate test-retest interval and a 1-2 week test-retest interval and included reliability and agreement. The LifeViz™ 3D camera was used to measure scar height. Reproducibility was tested using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), percentage agreement within 1 mm between test and retest, standard error of measurement, smallest detectable change (SDC) and Bland Altman limits of agreement. RESULTS: Burn scar images from 55 adult participants were included. Intra-rater reliability was acceptable using an immediate retest interval (maximum and minimum height ICC=0.85, 0.86 respectively). Agreement using an immediate retest interval was borderline acceptable (maximum and minimum height SDC=1.11, 0.69 respectively) to detect changes of close to 1 mm. Reproducibility was largely not acceptable using a 1-2 week test-retest interval (eg, maximum and minimum height ICC=0.34, 0.68 respectively; maximum and minimum height SDC=2.66, 1.16). The clinical utility of the camera was supported for scars over relatively flat areas and well-defined border margins. A protocol for administration of the camera was developed. CONCLUSION: The 3D camera appears capable of detecting gross changes or differences in scar height above the normal skin surface, in adults with scars over relatively flat areas and well-defined border margins. However, further testing of reproducibility using a shorter test-retest interval than 1-2 week retest is recommended to confirm the suitability of the device for measuring changes or differences in scar height.

Quantification of whole-body and segmental skeletal muscle mass using phase-sensitive 8-electrode medical bioelectrical impedance devices.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides noninvasive measures of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). This study (i) analyzes the impact of conventional wrist-ankle vs segmental technology and standing vs supine position on BIA equations and (ii) compares BIA validation against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). SUBJECTS/METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six healthy Caucasian adults (70 men, 66 women; age 40±12 years) were measured by a phase-sensitive multifrequency BIA (seca medical body composition analyzers 515 and 525). Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to generate prediction equations. Accuracy was tested vs MRI or DXA in an independent multiethnic population. RESULTS: Variance explained by segmental BIA equations ranged between 97% for total SMMMRI, 91-94% for limb SMMMRI and 80-81% for VAT with no differences between supine and standing position. When compared with segmental measurements using conventional wrist-ankle technology. the relationship between measured and predicted SMM was slightly deteriorated (r=0.98 vs r=0.99, P<0.05). Although BIA results correctly identified ethnic differences in muscularity and visceral adiposity, the comparison of bias revealed some ethnical effects on the accuracy of BIA equations. The differences between LSTDXA and SMMMRI at the arms and legs were sizeable and increased with increasing body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: A high accuracy of phase-sensitive BIA was observed with no difference in goodness of fit between different positions but an improved prediction with segmental compared with conventional wrist-ankle measurement. A correction factor for certain ethnicities may be required. When compared with DXA MRI-based BIA equations are more accurate for predicting muscle mass.