Association between psychological complaints and recurrence of vasovagal syncope.

Purpose: Vasovagal syncope (VVS), the most common cause of transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC), is often accompanied by higher levels of psychological distress. We investigated to what extent psychological complaints interact with the effects of non-pharmacological treatment in patients with frequently recurring VVS.

Methods: Patients with ≥3 episodes of VVS in the 2 years prior to the start of the study openly received non-pharmacological treatment.

Hepatitis C testing and treatment among active drug users in Amsterdam: results from the DUTCH-C project.

Background: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment has shown to be effective, uptake of treatment among active drug users is still low. The Drug Users Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis-C project aims to offer active drug users in Amsterdam HCV testing and treatment using a multidisciplinary approach.

Methods: The study population comprises drug users participating in the Amsterdam Cohort Studies and drug users referred to the Drug Users Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis-C unit.

Effectiveness of selection in medical school admissions: evaluation of the outcomes among freshmen.

Context: In 2000 our medical school introduced a selection procedure (SP) for 10% of the otherwise randomly selected (RS) applicants. Students with excellent high school grade point averages (GPAs) were allowed direct access (DA) to our medical school. The selection procedure focused on medical comprehension, social and ethical understanding of health care, and communication and interpersonal skills.

Delirium subtype identification and the validation of the Delirium Rating Scale--Revised-98 (Dutch version) in hospitalized elderly patients.

Background: Delirium is the most common acute neuropsychiatric disorder in hospitalized elderly. The Dutch version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98) appears to be a reliable method to classify delirium. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the DRS-R-98 and to study clinical subtypes of delirium using the DRS-R-98.