Minor and subsyndromal depression: functional disability worth treating
Article Abstract:
Patients who report more than occasional symptoms of depression in later life need at least regular follow-up visits to monitor for more severe conditions that may arise. Even if a formal mood disorder diagnosis is not made, symptom-specific treatment based on clinical judgement and clinical experience may be justified. Minor and subsyndromal depression can bring functional disability worth treating, although most clinical research on mood disorders relates to major depression. The less severe depression is often not recognized by primary care physicians (PCPs) and they often do not treat it. Mood disorders are among the illnesses most frequently seen by PCPs and are associated with many unexplained physical symptoms, significant functional disability, and high use rates for health services. Data indicate that up to 25% of patients with subsyndromal depression will develop major depression before 2 years have passed.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 1999
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Interesting conflicts and conflicting interests
Article Abstract:
Public trust in the biomedical research enterprise and in the claims of science to give answers for health and social problems is at stake as questions arise about collaborations between and among industry, academic, and government. Professional associations, universities, medical journals and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are all developing new policies for situations related to conflicts of interest as private industry supports academic health center research more, relative to support from the NIH.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 1999
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Bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia: an initial presenting sign of giant cell arteritis
Article Abstract:
Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) can be difficult, but bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia can be an initial sign. The most useful supporting investigation for clinical diagnosis is erythrocyte sedimentation rate or plasma viscosity. GCA is an inflammatory, occlusive arteriopathy whose etiology is unknown. It is also called cranial arteritis or temporal arteritis, and occursalmost exclusively in those over 55.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 1999
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