Using medico-legal claims for quality improvement in maternity care: application and revision of an NHSLA coding taxonomy.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the NHSLA maternity claims taxonomy at the level of a single maternity service and assess its ability to direct quality improvement. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. SETTING: Medico-legal claims between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2016 from a maternity service in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. POPULATION: All obstetric claims and incident notifications occurring within the date range were included for analysis. METHODS: De-identified claims and notifications data were derived from the files of the insurer of Victorian public health services. Data included claim date, incident date and summary, and claim cost. All reported issues were coded using the NHSLA taxonomy and the lead issue identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of claims and notifications, relative frequency of issues, a revised taxonomy. RESULTS: A combined total of 265 claims and incidents were reported during the 6 years. Of these 59 were excluded, leaving 198 medico-legal events for analysis (1.66 events/1000 births). The costs for all claims was $46.7 million. The most common claim issues were related to management of labour (n = 63, $17.7 million), cardiotocographic interpretation (n = 43, $24.4 million), and stillbirth (n = 35, $656,750). The original NHSLA classification was not sufficiently detailed to inform care improvement programmes. A revised taxonomy and coding flowchart is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic analysis of obstetric medico-legal claims data can potentially be used to inform quality and safety improvement. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: New taxonomy to target health improvement from maternity claims based on NHSLA Ten Years of Maternity Claims.

Circulating adiponectin concentration is inversely associated with glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in people with newly diagnosed diabetes.

AIMS: To examine the hypothesis that changes in serum adiponectin concentration inversely relate to changes in glucose tolerance and ß-cell function already during the early stage of disease progression in recently diagnosed Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Participants in the prospective observational German Diabetes Study (Type 2 diabetes, n = 94; Type 1 diabetes, n = 42) underwent i.v. glucose tolerance and glucagon stimulation testing to assess pre-hepatic ß-cell function, glucose tolerance index and C-peptide secretion within the first year of diabetes diagnosis and 2 years later. Associations of changes in serum concentrations of total adiponectin, high-molecular-weight adiponectin and their ratio with changes in the aforementioned metabolic variables were calculated using linear regression. RESULTS: Among people with Type 2 diabetes, 2-year increases in high-molecular-weight adiponectin and in high-molecular-weight/total adiponectin ratio were associated with decreases in glucose tolerance index of 0.1%/min (P = 0.020) and 0.8%/min (P = 0.013), respectively. Increases in high-molecular-weight/total adiponectin ratio were related to decreases in acute C-peptide secretion of 54.6% (P = 0.020). Among people with Type 1 diabetes, 2-year increases in total adiponectin were associated with 2-year decreases in acute C-peptide secretion of 56.2% (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in adiponectin concentrations in the first 2 years after diagnosis were related to a worsening of acute insulin secretion and glucose tolerance index in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Clinical Trials Registry no.: NCT01055093).

The Impact of Dietary Factors on Glycemic Control, Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion in the First Years after Diagnosis of Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Dietary factors play an important role in the prevention of diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that dietary factors related to diabetes onset also associate with its progression, i. e., early time courses of insulin sensitivity and secretion in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, well-controlled recent-onset diabetes patients (n=127) underwent detailed metabolic characterization within the first year after diagnosis. A follow-up was conducted 2 years after the first examination. Insulin secretion and sensitivity were assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance testing. Baseline food consumption was analyzed by a food propensity questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess associations between consumption frequencies at baseline with metabolic changes during the first 2 years. RESULTS: Within the first 2 years, metabolic control did not change in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on average. In type 1 diabetes, an increased consumption frequency of refined grains by one time/day at baseline associated with higher HbA1c by 0.60% (95% CI: 0.04; 1.16), P=0.04 after 2 years compared to baseline. In type 2 diabetes, an increased consumption frequency of meat/meat products by one time/day at baseline associated with lower beta-cell adaptation index (-7.25% (95% CI: -13.16; -0.93), P=0.03) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and changes of BMI and glucose-lowering medication. CONCLUSION: Dietary factors associate with the initial course of diabetes. Reduced consumption of refined grains in type 1 diabetes and of meat products in type 2 diabetes may contribute to preservation of insulin secretion and sensitivity.

[Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence-Based Patient Information--A Randomised Controlled Trial]. / Effekt einer evidenzbasierten Patienteninformation zur Prävention von Typ 2-Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of our newly developed online evidence-based patient information (EBPI) vs. standard patient information about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels and primary prevention of diabetes on informed patient decision-making. EBPI significantly improved knowledge about elevated glucose levels, but also increased decisional conflict and critical attitudes to screening and treatment options. The intention to undergo metabolic screening decreased as a result.

Fatty acids modulate cytokine and chemokine secretion of stimulated human whole blood cultures in diabetes.

Fatty acids, uric acid and glucose are thought to contribute to subclinical inflammation associated with diabetes mellitus. We tested whether co-incubation of free fatty acids and uric acid or glucose influences the secretion of immune mediators from stimulated human whole blood in vitro. Fresh whole blood samples from 20 healthy subjects, 20 patients with type 1 diabetes and 23 patients with type 2 diabetes were incubated for 24 h with palmitic acid (PAL), linolenic acid (LIN) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone or together with elevated concentrations of uric acid or glucose. Concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-12(p70), IL-18, IFN-γ, of regulatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1) were measured by multiplex-bead technology from supernatants. Co-incubation of fatty acids with uric acid resulted in a significant reduction of IL-10, IL-12(p70), IFN-γ and CCL2 (MCP-1) concentrations in supernatants compared to incubation with uric acid alone (P < 0·0001). In contrast, IL-18 was up-regulated upon co-stimulation with fatty acids and uric acid. Similarly, co-incubation of fatty acids with glucose diminished secretion of IL-10, IFN-γ and CCL2 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), while IL-8 was up-regulated (P < 0·001). Samples from healthy and diabetic subjects did not differ after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and diabetes type. All three fatty acids similarly influenced whole blood cytokine release in vitro and modulated uric acid or glucose-stimulated cytokine secretion. Although the ω-3-fatty acid EPA showed slightly stronger effects, further studies are required to elaborate the differential effects of PAL, LIN and EPA on disease risk observed previously in epidemiological studies.

Diabetes incidence does not differ between subjects with and without high depressive symptoms--5-year follow-up results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.

AIMS: Cross-sectional studies have consistently reported evidence for an association between diabetes and depressive disorders. However, only limited prospective studies have examined this association, reporting conflicting results. In a population-based cohort study, we compared cumulative incidences of diabetes between participants with and without high depressive symptoms. METHOD: We analysed the 5-year follow-up data from the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study of 3547 participants without diabetes at baseline [mean age 58.8 (sd 7.6) years, 47.5% male]. Depressive symptoms were defined using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (cut point ≥ 17). Diabetes (diagnosed or previously undetected) was identified by self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes, medication and high blood glucose levels. We estimated 5-year cumulative incidences with 95% confidence intervals and fitted multiple logistic regression models to calculate the odds ratios, adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, smoking, living with or without partner, and educational level. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 9.2% (95% CI 6.3-12.8) in participants with high depressive symptoms at baseline and 9.0% (95% CI 8.0-10.0) in participants without these symptoms. The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio of diabetes in participants with depressive symptoms compared with those without was 1.13 [95% CI 0.77-1.68; fully adjusted 1.11 (95% CI 0.74-1.65)]. These results did not substantially change in several additional sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Our study did not show a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes in individuals with high depressive symptoms compared with those without high depressive symptoms during a 5-year follow-up period.

Blood glucose testing and primary prevention of Type 2 diabetes-evaluation of the effect of evidence-based patient information: a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To compare the effect of our newly developed online evidence-based patient information vs. standard patient information about sub-threshold elevated blood glucose levels and primary prevention of diabetes on informed patient decision making. METHODS: We invited visitors to the cooperating health insurance company, Techniker Krankenkasse, and the German Diabetes Center websites to take part in a web-based randomized controlled trial. The population after randomization comprised 1120 individuals aged between 40 and 70 years without known diabetes, of whom 558 individuals were randomly assigned to the intervention group receiving evidence-based patient information, and 562 individuals were randomly assigned to the control group receiving standard information from the Internet. The primary endpoint was acquired knowledge of elevated blood glucose level issues and the secondary outcomes were attitude to metabolic testing, intention to undergo metabolic testing, decisional conflict and satisfaction with the information. RESULTS: Overall, knowledge of elevated glucose level issues and the intention to undergo metabolic testing were high in both groups. Participants who had received evidence-based patient information, however, had significantly higher knowledge scores. The secondary outcomes in the evidence-based patient information subgroup that completed the 2-week follow-up period yielded significantly lower intention to undergo metabolic testing, significantly more critical attitude towards metabolic testing and significantly higher decisional conflict than the control subgroup (n=466). Satisfaction with the information was not significantly different between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based patient information significantly increased knowledge about elevated glucose levels, but also increased decisional conflict and critical attitude to screening and treatment options. The intention to undergo metabolic screening decreased. Future studies are warranted to assess uptake of metabolic testing and satisfaction with this decision in a broader population of patients with unknown diabetes.

Precision and accuracy of blood glucose measurements using three different instruments.

AIMS: Assessment of insulin sensitivity by dynamic metabolic tests such as the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp critically relies on the reproducible and fast measurement of blood glucose concentrations. Although various instruments have been developed over the last decades, little is known as to the accuracy and comparability. We therefore compared the best new instrument with the former gold standard instruments to measure glucose concentrations in metabolic tests. METHODS: Fasting blood samples of 15 diabetic and 10 healthy subjects were collected into sodium-fluoride tubes, spiked with glucose (0, 2.8, 6.9 and 11.1 mmol/l) and measured either as whole blood (range 3.3-26.3 mmol/l) or following centrifugation as plasma (range 3.9-32.0 mmol/l). Plasma samples were analyzed in the YSI-2300 STAT plus (YSI), EKF Biosen C-Line (EKF) and the reference method, Beckman Glucose analyzer-II (BMG), whole blood samples in EKF instruments with YSI as reference method. RESULTS: The average deviation of the EKF from the reference, BMG, was 3.0 ± 3.5% without any concentration-dependent variability. Glucose measurements by YSI were in good agreement with that by BMG (plasma) and EKF (plasma and whole blood) up to concentrations of 13.13 mmol/l (0.5 ± 3.7%), but deviation increased to -6.2 ± 3.8% at higher concentrations. Precision (n = 6) was ±2.2% (YSI), ±3.9% (EKF) and ±5.2% (BMG). CONCLUSIONS: The EKF instrument is comparable regarding accuracy and precision to the reference method BMG and can be used in metabolic tests, while the YSI showed a systematic shift at higher glucose concentrations. Based on these results we decided to replace BMG with EKF instrument in metabolic tests.

Effects of acute psychological stress on glucose metabolism and subclinical inflammation in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

During acute psychological stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system are activated. The released stress hormones influence glucose metabolism, can activate immune cells, and modulate subclinical inflammation. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of acute psychological stress on glucose metabolism and the inflammatory status in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We included 15 overweight male Bosnian war refugees with PTSD into the study (mean age 44+/-11 years, BMI 29.3+/-4.3 kg/m (2)). All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with either acute stress (trauma script exposure) or a resting period in a cross-over design. Blood was drawn over 2.5 h and metabolic markers were measured. Systemic levels of immune markers were determined using high-sensitive ELISA or bead-based multiplex assay. Immune gene expression was quantified by RT-PCR. After being exposed to acute stress, cortisol levels and heart frequency tended to be increased. Higher blood glucose and insulin levels after stress exposure were observed (p<0.05). Systemic levels of the chemokines interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 were decreased compared to the control day (both p<0.05) and the expression of the proinflammatory regulator IKK beta was significantly reduced after stress exposure (p<0.001). In conclusion, acute stress induces postprandial blood glucose peaks and elevated insulin levels and a selective decrease of systemic immune markers and the proinflammatory regulator of the NF kappaB cascade, which are associated with type 2 diabetes. This points towards an independent effect of acute psychological stress on glucose metabolism and inflammation.

Causes and consequences of the gender difference in age at onset of schizophrenia.

The ABC (age, beginning, course) schizophrenia study was commenced in 1987 to generate and test hypotheses about pathogenic aspects of schizophrenia. One of the main branches of the study focused on how gender influences the age distribution of onset, symptomatology, illness behavior, and early course in schizophrenia. Proceeding from one of the rare, strikingly deviating, consistent findings--the gender difference in age at first admission--we launched a systematic search for explanations by generating and testing hypotheses in a series of substudies. We moved from the epidemiological to the neurobiological and finally to the clinical level. The present article is an attempt to provide a brief overview of the individual stages of the ABC study and the different levels of investigation involved in formulating and testing the estrogen hypothesis in animal experiments and in demonstrating its applicability to human schizophrenia. From these results, three hypotheses were formulated and tested on data from an ABC study sample of 232 first-episode cases of schizophrenia. The analyses described here represent the latest stages of the ABC study.

Epidemiology of early-onset schizophrenia.

A total of 232 (84%) first episodes of schizophrenia from our epidemiologically defined ABC sample (Age, Beginning and Course) were retrospectively assessed with regard to the onset and early course of the disorder. In a follow-up study a representative subgroup (n = 133) was prospectively examined in five cross sections over 3 years from first admission on. Population-based incidence rates for 5-year age groups comprising a range of < 10 - < 60 years were calculated on the basis of two definitions of onset: first sign of disorder and first psychotic symptom. In 40% of adult patients who had been admitted with a first schizophrenic episode after age 20 years the prodromal phase, in 11% the psychotic prephase, began before that age. This demonstrates that schizophrenia often begins in an age period in which the social and cognitive development and brain maturation are still unfinished. Early-onset schizophrenias (< or = 20 years) were compared with a medium-onset group (21 - < 35 years) and a late-onset group (35 - < 60 years) with regard to age and type of onset, early symptom-related course, social development and social course. The number of schizophrenia-specific positive and negative syndromes in early-onset schizophrenia is comparable to that of higher age groups. However, neurotic syndromes, emotional disorders and conduct disorders are most frequent in younger patients, especially in young men. Paranoid syndromes seem to prevail in late-onset schizophrenia, whereas less differentiated positive syndromes, such as delusional mood, are more frequent in the youngest age group. An earlier onset of schizophrenia has more severe social consequences than onset in adults, because it interrupts the cognitive and social development at an earlier stage. The worse social course of schizophrenia in men compared with women cannot be related to a more severe symptomatology, but to the earlier age at onset and the impairment or stagnation of social ascent at an earlier stage of social and cognitive development. Social disability in the sense of an adaptation to the expectations of the social environment, as well as symptomatology during the further course of schizophrenia, show no major differences between the genders nor between the age groups.

When and how does schizophrenia produce social deficits?

The present study is an empirical contribution to the controversy over whether the poor social performance and lower social class of schizophrenic patients are consequences of the illness, consequences of changes in the individuals predisposed to develop schizophrenia or are due to the adverse social conditions that lead to schizophrenia. The study focuses on the socioeconomic status at onset, on the performance of social roles in the early course of schizophrenia by taking age, gender and the individual level of social development into account. In a representative sample of 232 first episodes of schizophrenia age and type of onset.type and accumulation of symptoms and social functioning in the prodromal and the psychotic prephase and at first admission were assessed and analysed for their predictive power concerning social disability 2 years after first admission. In a case-control study expected and observed social functioning from onset until first admission were compared. The subsequent course was followed up prospectively in five cross sections until 2 years after first admission. In women the age at onset was significantly higher than in men, whereas symptomatology and type of onset showed no gender differences. In 73% of the sample the prodromal phase covered 5 years on average, and the psychotic prephase (until the maximum of positive symptoms) 1.1 years. Deficits in social functioning occurred predominantly during the prodromal and the psychotic prephase. The course over 14 years showed stable group trends in social and symptom measures. By the end of the prodromal phase it was possible to predict social disability 2 years after first admission with a correct classification of 81%. The main factor determining social outcome appeared to be the acquired social status during the prodromal phase of the disorder. The unfavourable early course in men was due mainly to their significantly lower age at onset. These results raise questions concerning an earlier therapeutic and rehabilitative intervention.

New perspectives in the epidemiology of schizophrenia.

It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to contribute to the present symposium in honour of my friend Jules Angst. It gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to his outstanding scientific work. The topic of my presentation has been inspired by the genius loci. In his foreword to a proceedings volume entitled 'Die Entstehung der Schizophrenie' (The Origin of Schizophrenia), which he edited on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich in 1970, Jules Angst pointed out that two former heads of the 'Burgholzli', Eugen and Manfred Bleuler, who had held that office longest, had dedicated their life's work to schizophrenia, which had received its name from Eugen Bleuler. Jules Angst's most successful research field has been psychiatric epidemiology. I therefore thought it appropriate to talk about new perspectives in the epidemiology of schizophrenia.

Screening for thyroid disorders in a working population.

Subclinical thyroid disorders have received increasing attention in recent years due to refined laboratory methods and a stronger emphasis on the role of preventive medicine. We performed a screening for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on 6884 persons in a working population. In cases in which TSH was not within the normal range we also measured the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). All persons who did not present with exclusion criteria or other nonthyroidal illnesses (n = 59) and the controls (n = 39) were submitted to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-testing. Additionally, sonography of the thyroid was performed on 120 persons (59 subjects with abnormal hormone levels and 61 controls) to determine thyroid size and rule out morphological abnormalities. Based on the TRH test and T3, T4, and TBG measurements we found a prevalence of 0.03% (2/6884) for overt hyperthyroidism, 0.33% (23/6884) for subclinical hypothyroidism, 0.09% (6/6884) for subclinical hypothyroidism, and 0.015% (1/6884) for overt hypothyroidism in the healthy population. In subjects with overt or subclinical hyperthyroidism the prevalence of goiters (thyroid volume > 18 ml in women, > 25 ml in men) was 28%. Of this group 48% had structural abnormalities. All persons with goiters and/or structural abnormalities were over 35 years of age. Among the euthyroid, 20% had thyroid enlargement, and the same proportion presented with structural abnormalities. There were no differences between the two age groups. In the group with overt/subclinical hypothyroidism 47% presented with structural abnormalities of the thyroid; however, none presented with thyroid enlargement. Thyroid nodules were found only in older persons (> 35 years) with euthyroidism or hypothyroidism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subclinical hyperthyroidism: physical and mental state of patients.

We investigated whether subclinical hyperthyroidism [subnormal basal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, attenuated TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation, peripheral thyroid hormones within normal range] is accompanied by physical and mental changes. Thirty-five subclinically hyperthyroid patients (27 female, 8 male) were compared with 60 overtly hyperthyroid patients (51 female, 9 male) and with 28 euthyroid control patients (18 female, 10 male) with respect to physical symptoms, affective state, short-term memory, ability to concentrate and psychomotor performance. Patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism ranged between the other two groups. The major difference between controls and subclinically hyperthyroid patients was an increase in frequency of nervous symptoms and symptoms due to an increase of metabolic rate and thermal regulation changes. The major differences between subclinically hyperthyroid and overtly hyperthyroid patients were psychomotor impairment and symptoms of increased metabolic rate. Self-ratings of affective state tended to be similar in patients with subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism. The ability to concentrate and short-term memory were not impaired in any group. Symptoms in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism probably result from central changes which lead to attenuated TSH responses to TRH, or from elevated but still normal thyroxine levels, which possibly enhance the effect of catecholamines.

[The role of TSH psychological and somatic changes in thyroid dysfunctions]. / Die Rolle des TSH für psychische Veränderungen und Befindlichkeitsveränderungen bei Schilddrüsenfunktionsstörungen.

The characteristic psychic and somatic features found in patients with overt hyper- or hypothyroidism are usually attributed to elevated or diminished levels, respectively, of thyroid hormones. This concept does not sufficiently explain our previous investigations in which the same symptoms, albeit attenuated, were also seen in patients suffering from so-called latent disturbances of thyroid function. This state of disorder, however, exhibits normal concentrations of peripheral thyroid hormones. Only the response of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation is in accordance with the behaviour of the overt thyroid dysfunction and enables its differentiation from the euthyroid state. In this context, we investigated the question as to whether pathologic signs in thyroid disorders are correlated to alterations of peripheral thyroid hormones or to changes in the hypothalamus pituitary axis. Therefore, we investigated two groups of ten patients each who suffered from latent hyper- or hypothyroidism, respectively, and ten euthyroid controls. All were matched from sex and age. Endocrine function was estimated by TRH testing, TT3, TT4 and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). Psychologic testing was performed by questionnaires concerning subjective somatic symptoms, emotional disturbances, psychomotoric performance, cognitive impairment and personality. Patients with latent hyperthyroidism were more subject to somatic symptoms and affective complaints than were those who had latent hypothyroidism. As compared with controls, there were significant differences in exhaustion and pain in the limbs and heart. In terms of affective complaints, patients were more depressive, anxious, touchy and irritable; their personalities showed a higher degree of emotional lability, excitement and irritability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Development of a structured anxiety interview for seniors]. / Entwicklung eines strukturierten Angstinterviews für Senioren.

Since we face considerable practical problems in the assessment of elderly subjects with self-rating instruments (paper-pencil tests) measuring anxiety and, since we lack norms for the age of 65 and above, we developed a structured inventory (SAIS) for the assessment of anxiety in the elderly. The instrument comprises three components, anxiety normally is expressed in; all have been verified by empirical personality research: the cognitive, the physiological and the behavioural component. In a pilot study, we determined themes of anxiety relevant to elderly people. When the items were developed, we took into account aspects of the typical environment of the elderly and their comprehensive ability. In a reliability study 54 subjects (mean age: 72 years) were investigated. Item analyses showed low to average item difficulties and average selectivity. The split-half-reliability coefficient was rtt = .95; the internal consistency-coefficient was rtt = .91 (Kuder-Richardson). In a factor analysis five factors were extracted. They were interpreted as 'general' anxiety ("allgemeine Angstlichkeit"), as nervousness ("Neigung zu Nervosität"), fear of physical disability ("Furcht vor motorischer Behinderung"), personal insecurity ("persönliche Unsicherheit") and fear of helplessness ("Furcht vor Hilflosigkeit"). Finally, aspects of internal validity are discussed.

[Use of self-rating instruments with elderly hospital patients]. / Anwendung von Selbstbeurteilungsinstrumenten bei älteren Krankenhauspatienten.

The usefulness of self-rating instruments for measuring the emotionality of elderly and/or physical ill individuals is discussed. Therefore, 99 inpatients of internal wards (mean age: 65) were examined with the German form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Laux et al., 1981). All the problems which arose when the test sheet was filled out were recorded and subsumed into one of the following categories: comprehension problems, problems with the answer categories, answer tendency, problems with layout. As expected, we were able to show that practical problems increase as patients become older. None of the patients over 80 years was able to complete the scale without considerable help in a standardized manner. We recommend to use structured interviews for assessing the emotional state of elderly patients.