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The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to describe and compare the prevalence and features of perceived loneliness among home-dwelling older adults with (n = 129) and without (n = 244) memory disorder. The latter group was randomly resampled from 789 respondents stratified by age to obtain a standardized control group. Loneliness was assessed using the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and perceived stress using Cohen, Kamarck and Mermelstein's 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Results show that severe loneliness was common among the home-dwelling older adults, especially those with memory disorder, who also perceived stress more frequently than those without memory disorder. Both groups, but again more frequently those with memory disorder, were more likely to be emotionally than socially lonely. Thus, when planning social and healthcare services and interventions to mitigate loneliness among older adults living at home, memory problems and emotional loneliness require particular consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to describe the prevalence and age distribution of personality disorders and their comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders in an age-stratified sample of Australian women aged ⩾25 years. Methods: Individual personality disorders (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, histrionic, narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive), lifetime mood, anxiety, eating and substance misuse disorders were diagnosed utilising validated semi-structured clinical interviews (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders, Research Version, Non-patient Edition and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders). The prevalence of personality disorders and Clusters were determined from the study population (n = 768), and standardised to the Australian population using the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics census data. Prevalence by age and the association with mood, anxiety, eating and substance misuse disorders was also examined. Results: The overall prevalence of personality disorders in women was 21.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.7, 24.9). Cluster C personality disorders (17.5%, 95% CI: 16.0, 18.9) were more common than Cluster A (5.3%, 95% CI: 3.5, 7.0) and Cluster B personality disorders (3.2%, 95% CI: 1.8, 4.6). Of the individual personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive (10.3%, 95% CI: 8.0, 12.6), avoidant (9.3%, 95% CI: 7.1, 11.5), paranoid (3.9%, 95% CI: 3.1, 4.7) and borderline (2.7%, 95% CI: 1.4, 4.0) were among the most prevalent. The prevalence of other personality disorders was low (⩽1.7%). Being younger (25–34 years) was predictive of having any personality disorder (odds ratio: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 4.74), as was being middle-aged (odds ratio: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.72). Among the strongest predictors of having any personality disorder was having a lifetime history of psychiatric disorders (odds ratio: 4.29, 95% CI: 2.90, 6.33). Mood and anxiety disorders were the most common comorbid lifetime psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: Approximately one in five women was identified with a personality disorder, emphasising that personality disorders are relatively common in the population. A more thorough understanding of the distribution of personality disorders and psychiatric comorbidity in the general population is crucial to assist allocation of health care resources to individuals living with these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the relationships of severe health disorders (SHD) with bone loss, grip strength (GS) and mobility in postmenopausal women.Method: The study sample consisted of 2227 Finnish women (mean age 53.2) from the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention (OSTPRE) cohort. Postal inquiries and clinical measurements were completed during the 15-year follow-up at 5-year intervals between 1989 and 2004. Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and GS were measured. Life-style factors and mobility were obtained via postal inquiries. Work disability pension according to the ICD-9 was an indicator of a SHD.Results: At the baseline 242 women had SHD, 506 got late SHD during 1989–1995, whereas 1479 women had none until 1996. The women with baseline SHD had higher annual bone loss (0.44%) than those without SHD (0.34%) (p < 0.05), those with late SHD (0.39%) no difference was seen. Bone loss was highest with respiratory diseases, but BMD was lowest throughout the follow-up in nervous and sense organ diseases. Lower GS and mobility was also associated with SHD.Conclusion: Effects of SHDs on BMD, GS, and mobility are disease-specific. Thus, rehabilitation should be encouraged in postmenopausal women with SHD, especially in case of diseases of respiratory and nervous system.Implications for RehabilitationOsteoporosis, muscle strength and co-morbidityWomen with severe health disorders (SHD) leading to work disability have impaired musculoskeletal health.Active monitoring of the musculoskeletal health is advised for those with SHD.Women with SHD may benefit from rehabilitative treatment in order to avoid complications of musculoskeletal impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study on the association between use of antidepressants, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and bone quality, as measured by heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Topics include data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in south-eastern Australia, the lower mean broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) found in antidepressant users, and how the risk of osteoporosis is only higher in antidepressant users with low body weights.

The present study is the first to investigate, using conversation analysis, the effects of a family member's participation in conversation regarding the assessment of need for treatment. We aim at describing the course of a treatment negotiation, focusing on interactional dynamics and on disclosure of paranoid symptoms in a clinically challenging situation characterized by an acutely psychotic patient with (1) disorganized discourse, (2) poor insight, (3) aspiration to avoid hospital treatment, and (4) a relative who was supporting in-patient care. In the triadic conversation, in which the patient, his relative, and the psychiatrist participated, different consecutive phases were distinguished. he Relative Prominent Information Phase (RIP) was characterized by the relative's statements on the patient's problematic behavior, and conflicting views between the patient and his relative led to denial of symptoms by the patient. When the patient was prominent in the latter Patient Prominent Information Phase (PIP), the display of several different social actions and corresponding linguistic devices were linked with more overt talk about paranoid experiences by the patient, albeit in a disorganized manner. RIP and PIP were followed by an Evaluation and Decision Phase (EDP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQL) of healthy subjects and those with psychiatric or somatic diseases. Eight dimensions of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 (RAND-36) were investigated in a population-based sample. Scores in all 8 RAND dimensions were lower in subjects with psychiatric diagnoses than in healthy subjects. In logistic regression models, poor social functioning (odds ratio [OR] 1.07-1.12) associated with psychiatric diagnoses. Lowered energy (OR 1.06) associated with major depression, poor general health with personality disorders (OR 1.06) and heart disease (OR 1.06), and physical limitations with heart (OR 1.04) and musculoskeletal disease (OR 1.07). Acknowledging the lowest HRQL dimensions among subjects with psychiatric diagnoses may help to promote mental, physical, and social well-being more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]