Trajectories of depressive symptoms in older adults and associated health outcomes.

With the progressive aging of the world's population, prolongation of a healthy lifespan in old age has become a medical research priority. The presence of depressive symptoms in later life is associated with poor health prognosis and increased mortality1,2. Here we explore distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms in later life and their association with several health-related outcomes in 19,110 older individuals followed for a median of 4.7 years. Using a latent class, mixed-modeling approach we identified four distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms with scoring patterns of consistently low, moderate, emerging and persistently high. Compared to those with minimal depressive symptoms, membership of any other class was associated with specific patterns of baseline sociodemographic and medical factors. Membership of any group with depressive symptoms was associated with a higher likelihood of health events, including physical disability, cancer and major bleeding episodes. Membership of the persistently depressed class was associated with increased mortality, while a diagnosis of dementia was generally limited to the class with initially low and progressively rising symptoms. The course of depressive symptoms in older individuals can vary widely and depend on several factors. The presence of depressive symptoms, including those that do not meet criteria for major depression, can flag a poor prognosis and risk for specific health conditions. Systematic assessment of depressive symptoms may facilitate early identification of at-risk populations.

Major Depressive Disorder in Older Patients as an Inflammatory Disorder: Implications for the Pharmacological Management of Geriatric Depression.

Depression is a common and highly disabling condition in older adults. It is a heterogenous disorder and there is emerging evidence of a link between inflammation and depression in older patients, with a possible inflammatory subtype of depression. Persistent low-level inflammation, from several sources including psychological distress and chronic disease, can disrupt monoaminergic and glutaminergic systems to create dysfunctional brain networks. Despite the evidence for the role of inflammation in depression, there is insufficient evidence to recommend use of any putative anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of depression in older adults at this stage. Further characterisation of markers of inflammation and stratification of participants with elevated rates of inflammatory markers in treatment trials is needed.

Addressing cost of unwarranted medical care in the medical curriculum.

Within the past decade, there has been a significant increase in Australia's health expenditure, with a concurrent rise in overdiagnosis. Australia has introduced the Choosing Wisely campaign in a bid to identify and reduce commonly used investigations, treatments and procedures that add little benefit to patient care. By catalysing a discussion regarding evidence-based use of medications and medical testing, the Choosing Wisely campaign can minimise risk of harm to patients, as well as reduce expenditure. Internationally, several institutions are considering introducing training regarding cost-effective medical investigations into medical school curricula. The American College of Radiology has found positive results when conducting small-group teaching sessions with medical students regarding appropriate imaging modalities. These results are reflected in a US study that used an educational intervention to improve students' understanding of investigation costs. In addition, the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists has developed a proposed curriculum to further medical students' training in appropriate ordering of laboratory investigations. Australian medical educators must consider whether introducing evidence-based testing into Australian medical curricula should be part of a wider strategy to prevent unnecessary testing and health expenditure now and into the future.

Mental health system development in Asia: Does Australia have a role?

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic trends herald what many describe as the Asian Century, whereby Asian economic, political and cultural influence is in global ascendency. Broadening relevant ties between Australia and Asia is evident and logical and may include strengthening alliances in mental health systems. AIM: We argue the importance of strengthening Asian mental health systems and some of the roles Australian mental health workers could have in promoting strengthening the Asian mental health system. METHODS: This paper is a narrative review which sources data from reputable search databases. RESULTS: A well-articulated Australian strategy to support strengthening the mental health system in Asia is lacking. While there are active initiatives operating in this space, these remain fragmented and underdeveloped. Coordinated, collaborative and culturally respectful efforts to enhance health education, research, policy, leadership and development assistance are key opportunities. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals have a unique opportunity to contribute to improved mental health outcomes in Asia.

Impacts and outcomes of diabetes care in a high risk remote Indigenous community over time: implications for practice.

The aim of this study was to determine diabetes care processes and intermediate clinical outcomes in a remote primary care service in 2009 compared with 2004. A retrospective review of diabetes care from January 2009 to January 2010 was conducted using a chronic disease register (Project Ferret). Completeness of ascertainment was verified by a manual audit of charts. The results from this audit were compared with a similar study conducted in this community in 2004. The main outcome measure was diabetic management: in terms of (a) regular monitoring of diabetic care processes, and (b) compliance with national optimal management guidelines and comparison with diabetic outcomes data from a 2004 audit and the National data from 2009. People with diabetes on the register increased from 60 in 2004 to 77 in 2009. They were younger and heavier with a shorter duration of diagnosed diabetes. Recording of diabetic care processes in 2009 decreased between 5 and 32% compared with 2004 data. Intermediate clinical measures (e.g. glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure, triglycerides, albumin creatinine ratio) indicate stable or poorer diabetic control across all measures except total cholesterol. When compared with non-Indigenous diabetics, diabetes is diagnosed earlier and rates of smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetic nephropathy are higher in this population. Insulin use appears to be lower in the study population than reported in the national sample. Improved diabetic care processes and outcomes reported from 1999 to 2003 have not been sustained, and intermediate clinical measures have become more adverse over a 5 year period in this high risk remote community. Chronic care systems, including quality improvement, require renewed investment.