The role of screening tools in diagnosing neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain affects 6-8% of the general adult population. It is reported by 27% of chronic pain patients and 40% of cancer patients, yet there is no standardized diagnostic test for neuropathic pain. A number of screening tools have been developed based on verbal pain descriptors, with or without limited clinical examination, to identify individuals with neuropathic pain.

[Screening for depression in nursing homes: validity of the WHO (Five) Well-Being Index].

Objective: Depression is common in nursing home residents, but is still underrecognized. Screening for depression could be a first step to increase recognition rates within this high-risk group. Therefore, we investigated the validity of the WHO (Five) Well-Being Index (WHO-5) for early detection of depression in nursing home residents.

[Prevalence of mental disorders in the elderly long-term unemployed. Comparison of results of the project KompAQT and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey].

Objective: Unemployed persons have a higher risk for mental disorders. There is some evidence that this risk is even greater for the elderly longterm unemployed. This study assesses the prevalence of mental disorders in this group.

Screening for depression in the older long-term unemployed.

Background: Misdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression in older, long-term unemployed people may not only pose a serious medical problem, but may also be an obstacle for their vocational reintegration. Screening for depression could be a first step to increasing treatment rates within this high-risk group. Therefore, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index was tested for its validity in unemployment offices.