Family burden in bipolar disorders: results from the Italian Mood Disorders Study (IMDS).

Aims: To explore: a) the burden of care, and the professional and social support in relatives of patients with bipolar disorders; b) the psychosocial interventions provided to patients and their families by Italian mental health centres.

Methods: 342 outpatients with a bipolar disorder and their key-relatives were randomly recruited in 26 Italian mental health centres, randomly selected and stratified by geographical area and population density. Family burden was explored in relation to: a) patient's clinical status and disability; b) relatives' social and professional support; c) interventions received by patients and their families; d) geographical area.

[Lesions of the colon secondary to pancreatitis].

Pathological involvement of the colon secondary to acute and chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication of major clinical interest. Contiguity with the tail of the pancreas and certain anatomical relationships, particularly at the level of the peritoneal reflections, explain the involvement of, particularly, the left corner of the colon and the adjacent part of the transverse colon. The clinical forms may be listed as follows: 1) Adynamic ileus of the transverse colon associated, on direct radiological examination, with the picture of proximal colon distension with clear-cut interruption at the level of the transverse colon or left flexure.