Psychiatric characteristics of older persons with medically unexplained symptoms: A comparison with older patients suffering from medically explained symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Empirical studies on the clinical characteristics of older persons with medically unexplained symptoms are limited to uncontrolled pilot studies. Therefore, we aim to examine the psychiatric characteristics of older patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) compared to older patients with medically explained symptoms (MES), also across healthcare settings. METHODS: A case-control study including 118 older patients with MUS and 154 older patients with MES. To include patients with various developmental and severity stages, patients with MUS were recruited in the community (n = 12), primary care (n = 77), and specialized healthcare (n = 29). Psychopathology was assessed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and by dimensional measures (e.g., psychological distress, hypochondriasis, and depressive symptoms). RESULTS: A total of 69/118 (58.5%) patients with MUS met the criteria for a somatoform disorder according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, with the highest proportion among patients recruited in specialized healthcare settings (p = 0.008). Patients with MUS had a higher level of psychological distress and hypochondriasis compared to patients with MES. Although psychiatric disorders (beyond somatoform disorders) were more frequently found among patients with MUS compared to patients with MES (42.4 vs. 24.8%, p = 0.008), this difference disappeared when adjusted for age, sex, and level of education (odds ratio = 1.7 [95% confidence interval: 1.0-3.0], p = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: Although psychological distress is significantly higher among older patients with MUS compared to those with MES, psychiatric comorbidity rates hardly differ between both patient groups. Therefore, treatment of MUS in later life should primarily focus on reducing psychological distress, irrespective of the healthcare setting patients are treated in.

[Approaching psychological problems like a general practitioner]. / Psychische problemen benaderen als een huisarts.

An important cause of the high prescription levels of psychotropic medication for psychological symptoms is that these symptoms are assessed according to the same model as applied for physical symptoms, the disease model. This has led to a one-sided medical approach to psychological symptoms. A person-centred approach offers an alternative; the positive aspects of the disease-centred approach are retained and attention for the patient and his/her context become the central focal point for the general practitioner. Important elements of the person-centred approach are empathy, a good doctor-patient relationship, a shared approach to problem definition and understanding of the patient's problem, development of a therapeutic alliance, and a focus on the patient's hopes and expectations. If additional primary care-based treatment by mental health practice nurses is indicated, this model could be suitable since it is based on patients' strengths and focuses on personal growth rather than reduction of symptoms.

Health assessment instruments for people with intellectual disabilities-A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience health disparities and are less likely to undergo recommended age- and gender-specific screening and health promotion. New diagnoses are frequently missed. Assessments with the aid of health assessment instruments are a way to address these problems. AIM: The aim of this review is to find the available health assessment instruments for people with ID used in primary care and evaluate their quality. METHODS: We conducted an electronic literature search of papers published between January 2000 and May 2016. After a two-phase selection process (kappa: 0.81 and 0.77) we collected data from the 29 included peer-reviewed articles on the following four domains; development, clinimetric properties (i.e. validity, reliability, feasibility, acceptability), content (i.e. ID-related health problems, prevention and health promotion topics) and effectiveness of the instruments. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We distinguished 20 different health assessment instruments. Limited information was found on the development of the instruments as well as on their clinimetric properties. The content of the instruments was rather diverse. The included papers agreed that health assessment instruments are effective. However, only three instruments evaluated effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial. Patients with ID, carers and general practitioners (GPs) generally appreciated the health assessment instruments. IMPLICATION: Two instruments, "Stay well and healthy -Health risk appraisal (SWH-HRA)"and the "Comprehensive Health Assessment Programme (CHAP)", appeared to have the highest quality. These instruments can be used to construct a health assessment instrument for people with ID that meets scientific standards.

[Depression prevention in primary care is not worthwhile]. / Depressiepreventie in de eerste lijn is niet zinvol.

An increasing number of prevention programmes are being introduced in primary and secondary care. Patients seldom doubt the usefulness of these programmes, but doctors more frequently do. Primary care programmes for prevention of depression require a high level of effort, but are not very effective: the incidence of new depressive episodes is relatively low, and there is a high percentage of drop-outs from intervention programmes. We need to look critically at the ever increasing expansion of screening and prevention activities in the general practitioner's (GP's) practice, because the fuller the GP's agenda the less time there is for the patient's personal story.

Discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use: 10-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Several interventions aiming at discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use have been proven effective in the short term. However, data on the persistence of discontinuation are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To assess 10-year follow-up status in patients who succeeded in stopping benzodiazepine use after a discontinuation letter from the patient's own GP. To identify determinants of successful discontinuation on the long term. METHODS: Follow-up data of patients who participated in a large prospective, controlled stepped care intervention programme among long-term benzodiazepine users in primary care. RESULTS: At 10-year follow-up, the percentage of benzodiazepine abstinence was 58.8%. Non-abstinent patients used lower doses of benzodiazepine. Being abstinent at 21 months after the intervention predicted abstinence at 10-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ten years after a minimal intervention to decrease long-term benzodiazepine use, the majority of patients who were able to discontinue benzodiazepine use initially, does not use benzodiazepines at 10-year follow-up. Patients who did not succeed in maintaining abstinence from benzodiazepines appear to use lower or average dosages.

Systemic corticosteroids for acute gout.

BACKGROUND: Gout is one of the most frequently occurring rheumatic diseases, worldwide. Given the well-known drawbacks of the regular treatments for acute gout (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine), systemic corticosteroids might be safe alternatives. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute gout in comparison with placebo, NSAIDs, colchicine, other active drugs, other therapies, or no therapy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were done in the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007); MEDLINE (1966 to 2007) through PubMed; EMBASE (1974 to 2007); Web of Science (1975 to 2007); LILACS (1986 to 2007); and databases of ongoing trials (up to April 2007). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials investigating the use of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute gout were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors decided independently which trials to include. The same review authors also collected the data in a standardised form and assessed the methodological quality of the trial using validated criteria. When possible, continuous and dichotomous data were summarised statistically. MAIN RESULTS: Three head to head trials involving 148 patients (74 systemic corticosteroids; 74 comparator drugs) were included. Placebo-controlled trials were not found. In the studies, different kinds of systemic corticosteroids and different kinds of control drugs were used, both administered in different routes. Intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide was compared respectively to oral indomethacine, and intramuscular adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); oral prednisolone (together with a single intramuscular diclophenac injection) was compared to oral indomethacine (together with a single placebo injection). Outcome measurements varied: average number of days until total relief of signs, mean decrease of pain per unit of time in mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS) - during rest and activity. In the triamcinolone-indomethacine trial the clinical joint status was used as an additional outcome. Clinically relevant differences between the studied systemic corticosteroids and the comparator drugs were not found; important safety problems attributable to the used corticosteroids were not reported. The quality of the three studies was graded as very low to moderate. Statistical pooling of results was not possible. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is inconclusive evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute gout. Patients with gout did not report serious adverse effects from systemic corticosteroids, when used short term.

[Summary of the practice guideline 'allergic and non-allergic rhinitis' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners]. / Samenvatting van de standaard 'Allergische en niet-allergische rhinitis' (eerste herziening) van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap.

The practice guideline 'Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis' of the Dutch College ofGeneral Practitioners has been revised based on developments that have occurred in recent years. The most important modifications are: Impermeable covers for beddings are advised only for patients with serious complaints despite the use of medication and other mite-avoidance measures, and patients with allergic rhinitis with asthma. The indication for the use ofa corticosteroid nasal spray is broadened. There is more evidence for the efficacy ofa nasal spray with antihistamines. The indication for cromoglycate has been restricted. Two major unsolved points of discussion concerned the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy and the link between asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors for people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting blood glucose.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) reduce blood glucose levels and may thus prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. These possible effects, and the effects on quality of life, plasma lipids and body weight, have never been investigated in a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBG), or both. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Library (Clinical Trials database, formerly known as CENTRAL), PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, databases of ongoing trials, reference lists of relevant reviews, and we contacted experts and manufacturers. Date of last search was February 2006. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of at least one-year duration in patients with IGT or IFBG, or both, comparing AGI monotherapy with any other intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers read all abstracts, assessed quality and extracted data independently. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus or by the judgement of a third reviewer. MAIN RESULTS: We included five trials (2360 participants), all investigating acarbose, that included patients with IGT or patients 'at increased risk for diabetes' (n = 1). Study duration was one, three (n = 2), five and six years. One study was at low risk of bias and four studies at high risk of bias. Except for the outcome incidence of type 2 diabetes in acarbose versus no treatment (two studies), meta-analyses were not possible. Data from the study at low risk of bias suggests that acarbose decreases the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (NNT = 10), cardiovascular events (NNT = 50, based on 47 events, study not initially powered for this outcome), post-load blood glucose (-0.6 mmol/L, 95% CI -1.0 to -0.3) and body mass index (0.3 kg/m(2), 95% CI -0.1 to -0.5). No statistically significant effects were observed on mortality, other morbidity, glycated haemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure. The effects on the incidence of type 2 diabetes were confirmed in two studies at high risk of bias (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.6). Adverse effects were mostly of gastro-intestinal origin (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.7 to 4.4). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that acarbose reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with IGT. However, it is unclear whether this should be seen as prevention, delay or masking of diabetes. Acarbose may prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events, but this finding needs to be confirmed in more studies.

Eating behaviour and adherence to diet in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To assess restrained, emotional and external eating behaviour in patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes compared with the general population, and to assess the relationship of eating behaviour to changes in fat and energy. METHODS: We assessed emotional, external, and restrained eating behaviour and measured fat and energy intake in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Data from a comparable sample of the general population served as reference figures. We calculated correlation coefficients of the three different types of eating behaviour at diagnosis between: (i) energy and fat intake at diagnosis and (ii) changes in energy and fat intake between diagnosis and both 8 weeks and 4 years later. In addition, we used a stepwise multiple regression model with energy and fat intake or changes in energy and fat intake as dependent variables. RESULTS: The distribution of the three types of eating behaviour was similar in patients with Type 2 diabetes and the general population. Emotional and external eating was associated with increased intake of energy and fat. Conversely, restrained eating showed an inverse correlation with energy and fat intake. External eating, but not emotional eating, showed a statistically significant relation with a decrease in energy intake in women. We found no statistically significant correlations between eating behaviour (measured at diagnosis) and changes in energy and fat intake between diagnosis and 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have similar eating behaviour compared with the general population. At diagnosis, external eating behaviour and emotional eating behaviour are associated with high-energy intake and restrained eating behaviour with low-energy intake. Women with high scores for emotional eating behaviour seem to be less able to make initial dietary changes after being diagnosed and having received dietary advice.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose or miglitol, have the potential to improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The true value of these agents, especially in relation to diabetes related mortality and morbidity, has never been investigated in a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors s in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, LILACS, databases of ongoing trials, reference lists of reviews on the topic of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and we contacted experts and manufacturers for additional trials. Date of most recent search: December 2003 (Current Contents) and April 2003 (other databases). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of at least 12 weeks duration comparing alpha-glucosidase inhibitor monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes with any other intervention and that included at least one of the following outcomes: mortality, morbidity, quality of life, glycemic control, lipids, insulin levels, body weight, adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers read all abstracts, assessed quality and extracted data independently. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus or by the judgement of a third reviewer. A statistician checked all extracted data entrance in the database. We attempted to contact all authors for data clarification. MAIN RESULTS: We included 41 trials (8130 participants), 30 investigated acarbose, seven miglitol, one trial voglibose and three trials compared different alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Study duration was 24 weeks in most cases and only two studies lasted amply longer than one year. We found only few data on mortality, morbidity and quality of life. Acarbose had a clear effect on glycemic control compared to placebo: glycated haemoglobin -0.8% (95% confidence interval -0.9 to -0.7), fasting blood glucose -1.1 mmol/L (95% confidence interval -1.4 to -0.9), post-load blood glucose -2.3 mmol/L (95% confidence interval -2.7 to -1.9). The effect on glycated haemoglobin by acarbose was not dose-dependent. We found a decreasing effect on post-load insulin and no clinically relevant effects on lipids or body weight. Adverse effects were mostly of gastro-intestinal origin and dose dependent. Compared to sulphonylurea, acarbose decreased fasting and post-load insulin levels by -24.8 pmol/L (95% confidence interval -43.3 to -6.3) and -133.2 pmol/L (95% confidence interval -184.5 to -81.8) respectively and acarbose caused more adverse effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: It remains unclear whether alpha-glucosidase inhibitors influence mortality or morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conversely, they have a significant effect on glycemic control and insulin levels, but no statistically significant effect on lipids and body weight. These effects are less sure when alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are used for a longer duration. Acarbose dosages higher than 50 mg TID offer no additional effect on glycated hemoglobin but more adverse effects instead. Compared to sulphonylurea, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors lower fasting and post-load insulin levels and have an inferior profile regarding glycemic control and adverse effects.