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In comparison to the general population, people with schizophrenia and related disorders have poorer physical health and increased mortality. Whilst it is recognised that serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia carry a reduced life expectancy, it is often assumed that suicide is the main cause of this disparity. In actuality, suicide accounts for no more than a third of the early mortality associated with schizophrenia: the vast majority is due to cardiovascular factors Physical Health and Schizophrenia offers a user-friendly guide to the physical health problems associated with schizophrenia and a clear overview of strategies and interventions to tackle these issues. Spanning eight chapters this resource covers the essential topics in a practical and easy-to-read format to suit the needs of busy clinicians. It also includes an appendix designed specifically for patients and carers, with practical tips on how to be actively involved in monitoring and managing physical health problems. Part of the Oxford Psychiatry Library series, Physical Health and Schizophrenia offers readers a fully up-to-date and valuable insight into this complex issue. With helpful key points at the start of each chapter and a clear layout, this is an essential resource for busy clinicians and researchers in any mental health field as well as those working in primary care.

The first edition of Comorbidities in Chronic Kidney Disease is focused on the main clinical syndromes associated with renal failure. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are characterized by a wide spectrum of comorbidities, potentially complicating patients'clinical outcomes. In this volume, both editor and authors have planned a complete review of the main clinical syndromes associated with renal injury and failure. The first chapter is dedicated to epidemiological aspects of chronic kidney disease, and also introduces risk factors and associated comorbidities. Arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are actually accountable as major risk factors for developing renal disease, and the next chapter is mainly focused on the latest trials in this field. The following chapter is dedicated to pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in patients with declined renal function. The subsequent chapter is exhaustively focused on the clinical features of secondary hyperparathyroidism and the disease's complications on kidneys, bone, vessels and heart, from early laboratory findings ‘to severe vascular and heart valvular calcifications. The section that succeeds reflects on secondary anemia and consequent cardiorenal anemia syndrome with particular attention on the latest treatment schedules. Coronary artery disease is also discussed, especially for those concerned with clinical features and laboratory diagnosis in chronic kidney disease patients with impaired clearance of coronary acute syndrome biomarkers. Cardiorenal syndrome and sudden cardiac death are well-established clinical aspects in CKD patients, and they are discussed both in terms of pathophsysiological and clinical features. The book finally ends with two sections on hepato-renal syndrome and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). CIN represents daily challenges for all nephrologists because due to the large amounts of instrumental diagnostic tests and an increasing number of chronic kidney disease patients involved. This volume could be appreciated both by nephrologists and all clinicians involved in chronic patients'management due to schematic and practical editing and form.

Over the past decade, research on the epidemiology, nature, and meaning of the comorbidity between trauma, PTSD, and substance abuse has burgeoned. Changes in the political and social climate of the United States during this time have brought with them new challenges. Changes in the definitions of both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse have been proposed by those involved with diagnosing and treating people with these issues; some of these changes are expected to be reflected in future diagnostic systems. Trauma and Substance Abuse offers a broad overview of current trends in the field of co-occurring substance abuse and PTSD from both clinical and research perspectives. The goal of this volume, newly revised to include special settings, such as court systems and disasters, and special populations, such as veterans, is to clarify issues specific to trauma, PTSD, and substance abuse and to translate both quantitative and qualitative data into specific recommendations for clinicians, researchers, and administrators.

Patients with advanced cancer may develop a number of clinical complications related to tumor progression or a variety of aggressive treatments. The majority of these patients are elderly, often with multiple co-morbidities that require appropriate assessment and management. In the palliative stage of their disease, patients undergo a progressive transition from active acute care to community-based hospice care. This transition requires modification in the diagnostic tests, monitoring procedures and pharmacological treatments to adjust them to the palliative and short-term nature of the care. Internal Medicine Issues in Palliative Cancer Care looks at internal medicine through a prognosis-based framework and provides a practical approach to maximizing comfort and quality of life while minimizing aggressive investigations and therapies for patients with life-limiting disease. Forty-six common internal medicine conditions are organized into nine clinical categories: pulmonary, cardiovascular, nephrologic and metabolic, gastrointestinal, hematologic, infectious, endocrine, rheumatologic, and neuro-psychiatric. This evidence-based resource is ideal for educating clinicians delivering palliative care to cancer patients in acute care facilities about complex internal medicine problems, decision-making regarding diagnostics and therapeutics which require a good understanding of state-of-the-art internal medicine and palliative care principles.

Depression is frequently associated with other psychiatric disorders and is often related to chronic health problems. Depressive symptoms are also common in chronically distressed close relationships and severe interpersonal difficulties in families and at work. The topic of depressive comorbidity is clearly very important, and while recent research in this area has been methodologically sophisticated, well presented, and inherently interesting, there has not been a comprehensive, academic resource that covers recent developments in this area. The Oxford Handbook of Depression and Comorbidity brings together scholarly contributions from world-class researchers to present a careful and empirically based review of depressive comorbidity. Cutting-edge chapters address theory, research, and practice, while capturing the diversity, evidence-base, and importance of depressive comorbidity. Specific topics include the comorbidity between depression and PTSD, alcohol use, and eating, anxiety, panic, bipolar, personality, and sleep disorders, as well as schizophrenia, suicide, cardiovascular disease, cancer, pain, obesity, intimate relationships, and many more. The Oxford Handbook of Depression and Comorbidity is a unique and much-needed resource that will be helpful to a broad range of researchers and practitioners including clinical and counseling psychologists, psychiatrists, marital and family therapists, social workers, and counselors working in mental-health and general health-care settings, as well as students in these areas.

Managing breathlessness is an important and often difficult task, especially when dealing with patients in their own homes. The causes of breathlessness may be physiological, pathological, or both; and patients may be suffering from more than one condition at the same time. This makes it a challenge to ensure that the best and most effective form of treatment is provided, according to each patient's particular needs. Written by experts in the field, Managing Breathlessness in the Community mainly focuses on four conditions (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension) in which breathlessness is a key and often distressing symptom. The authors also discuss common breathlessness management techniques that are relevant to all patients, regardless of their underlying condition. Aimed at community healthcare workers, this book applies the lessons of clinical research and practice to a wide range of breathlessness interventions, from activity and fitness to pharmacological treatments, rehabilitation, oxygen therapy and patient-specific support. It will be useful to the many practitioners who see breathless patients in their day-to-day practice and have a desire to improve the experience and clinical care that they receive.

This important issue of Medical Clinics provides essential updates in heart failure. The following topics are covered: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and general approach for heart failure; symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, and prognostic significance of systolic versus diastolic heart failure; the appropriate use of biomarkers; oral versus intravenous diuretic therapy; guideline-based therapy including RAAS blockade, beta-blockade, and aldosterone antagonist, appropriate use of AICD and biventricular pacing; role of ventricular assist device; pathophysiological consideration and management approaches in acute decompensated heart failure; pathophysiology and current approaches to cardiorenal syndrome; heart failure with other comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, anemia, and cancer; heart failure and atrial fibrillation; and the role of disease management strategies in heart failure.