Differences in Trajectories and Predictive Factors of Cognition over Time in a Sample of Cognitively Healthy Adults, in Zaragoza, Spain.

Great inter-individual variability has been reported in the maintenance of cognitive function in aging. We examined this heterogeneity by modeling cognitive trajectories in a population-based longitudinal study of adults aged 55+ years. We hypothesized that (1) distinct classes of cognitive trajectories would be found, and (2) between-class differences in associated factors would be observed.

A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain.

Background: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts.

Mortality in Mild Cognitive Impairment Diagnosed with DSM-5 Criteria and with Petersen's Criteria: A 17-Year Follow-Up in a Community Study.

Objective: To explore the possibility that the mortality risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as diagnosed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria (DSM-5-MCI) will be higher than using Petersen's criteria (P-MCI) and to report the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of mortality due to MCI.

Methods: A representative community sample of 4,803 individuals aged 55 or more years was interviewed and then followed for 17 years. Standardized instruments were used in the assessment, including the Geriatric Mental State-AGECAT, and research psychiatrists diagnosed P-MCI and DSM-5-MCI cases following operationalized criteria.

Degree of cognitive impairment and mortality: a 17-year follow-up in a community study.

Background: To test the hypothesis that cognitive impairment in older adults is associated with all-cause mortality risk and the risk increases when the degree of cognitive impairment augments; and then, if this association is confirmed, to report the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of mortality due to cognitive impairment.

Method: A representative random community sample of individuals aged over 55 was interviewed, and 4557 subjects remaining alive at the end of the first year of follow-up were included in the analysis. Instruments used in the assessment included the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), the History and Aetiology Schedule (HAS) and the Geriatric Mental State (GMS)-AGECAT.

Mild cognitive impairment diagnosed with the new DSM-5 criteria: prevalence and associations with non-cognitive psychopathology.

Objective: To contrast the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria (DSM5-MCI) with MCI as diagnosed using Petersen's criteria (P-MCI) and to explore the association of both with non-cognitive psychopathological symptoms (NCPS).

Method: A two-phase epidemiological screening was implemented in a population-based sample of individuals aged 55+ (n = 4803). The Geriatric Mental State (GMS) was the main psychopathological instrument used, and AGECAT was used to make psychiatric diagnoses.

Depression and incident Alzheimer disease: the impact of disease severity.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that clinically significant depression (particularly severe depression) increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: A longitudinal, three-wave epidemiologic study was implemented in a sample of individuals aged 55 years and older (n = 4,803) followed up at 2.5 years and 4.

Usefulness of 2 questions about age and year of birth in the case-finding of dementia.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the efficacy of 2 simple questions commonly used in clinical practice, asking the age and year of birth of individuals, will be satisfactory to rule out cases of dementia.

Design: Population-based, longitudinal, prospective study focused on the incidence of dementia. In the baseline, a 2-phase procedure for identifying cases and noncases of dementia was implemented.

Effect of probiotic species on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: A bring up to date meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: immune system alteration in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients may be modulated by probiotics. We assessed the efficacy of some probiotic species in alleviating characteristic IBS symptoms.

Material And Methods: a meta-analysis of all identified randomized controlled trials comparing probiotics with placebo in treating IBS symptoms was performed with continuous data summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), where appropriate.

The teaching of liaison psychiatry.

Objective: To document performance and satisfaction of medical students in a short course on liaison psychiatry.

Methods: The emphasis in this optional course is placed on the discussion of clinical cases, bed-side clinical teaching, and a research-oriented part. The "Innovative Teaching Plan" (ITP) is intended to train student-leaders to guide small groups (SG) of students.

Medical, environmental and personal factors of disability in the elderly in Spain: a screening survey based on the International Classification of Functioning.

Objectives: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) advocates a multifactorial and multifaceted conceptualization of disability. The objective of this study was to ascertain major medical, environmental and personal determinants of severe/extreme disability among the elderly population in Spain. The assessment scheme was consistent with the ICF model of disability.

Incidence and lifetime risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in a Southern European population.

Objective: To calculate both the incidence rates and the lifetime risk (LTR) of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: A two-phase case-finding procedure was implemented in a cohort of 4057 cognitively intact individuals 55+ years of age living in Zaragoza, Spain, and followed-up at 2.5 and 4.

Prevalence of disability in a composite ≥75 year-old population in Spain: a screening survey based on the International Classification of Functioning.

Background: The prevalence and predictors of functional status and disability of elderly people have been studied in several European countries including Spain. However, there has been no population-based study incorporating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework as the basis for assessing disability. The present study reports prevalence rates for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme disability by the domains of activities and participation of the ICF.

Is there an association between low-to-moderate alcohol consumption and risk of cognitive decline?

The authors evaluated the association of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption with risk of cognitive decline in a census-based cohort study of men and women aged ≥55 years conducted in Zaragoza, Spain (1994-1999). Participants free of dementia at baseline (N = 3,888) were examined after 2.5 and 4.

Prevalence and European comparison of dementia in a ≥75-year-old composite population in Spain.

Objectives: To estimate dementia prevalence in Spain.

Materials And Methods: Nine probabilistic and geographically defined samples participated. A screening design based on the MMSE was implemented.

Depressive disorder and incident diabetes mellitus: the effect of characteristics of depression.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that clinically significant depression detected in a population sample increases the risk of diabetes mellitus. The authors examined the effect of characteristics of depression frequently found in the community on the risk of incident diabetes mellitus.

Method: A large community sample of adults aged > or = 55 years (N=4,803) was assessed at baseline in a longitudinal three-wave epidemiological enquiry using a psychiatric interview and the Geriatric Mental State Schedule.

Depression and parkinsonism in older Europeans: results from the EURODEP concerted action.

Objective: The prevalence rate of depression among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has been estimated at 25%, although prevalence figures range between 7-76%. Relatively few studies on PD and depression are based on random samples in the general population. Some depressive symptoms can also be understood as symptoms of parkinsonism, and the current study aims to describe which 'overlap' symptoms can be identified in a community sample.

Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: a reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008.

Background: This study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly.

Methods: We identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008).

A new autopsy interview for the assessment of factors potentially related to death in depressed medical patients.

This study tests the reliability and validity of the Bio-Psycho-Social Autopsy (BPSA), a new interview to assess physical, psychopathological, and social factors potentially related to mortality in depressed medical patients. The authors completed special procedures to provide support for the face and content validity of the interview. They built the psychopathological and social sections on the Standardized Polyvalent Psychiatric Interview (SPPI) but gave self-neglect special emphasis.

Non-cognitive psychopathological symptoms associated with incident mild cognitive impairment and dementia, Alzheimer's type.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that specific psychopathological non-cognitive symptoms are associated with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI), while different symptoms are associated with incident dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT).

Methods: A representative community sample of 4,803 individuals aged 55+ years was interviewed in a two-phase screening, in Wave I or ZARADEMP I. This is the baseline, cross-sectional study of the ZARADEMP Project, a longitudinal study to document incidence and risk factors of dementia.

Prevalence and implications of psychopathological non-cognitive symptoms in dementia.

Objective: Clinical experience and recent population studies suggest that psychopathological, non-cognitive symptoms are both frequent and relevant in dementia.

Method: A representative community sample (n = 4,803 individuals, 55 + years) was interviewed in a two-phase design. The Geriatric Mental Sate (GMS) was used for assessment and cases were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Somatic and psychiatric comorbidity in the general elderly population: results from the ZARADEMP Project.

Objective: In a representative sample of the elderly population in a southern European city, we tested the hypothesis that there is an association between general somatic and general psychiatric morbidity.

Methods: A stratified random sample of 4803 individuals aged > or =55 years was selected for the baseline study in the ZARADEMP Project. The elderly were assessed with standardized Spanish versions of instruments, including the Geriatric Mental State (GMS)-AGECAT.

Prevalence of dementia in a southern European population in two different time periods: the ZARADEMP Project.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of dementia in two different time periods and two different studies.

Method: Representative, random samples of the elderly (>65 years) in the Zaragoza Study or ZARADEMP-0 (n = 1080) completed the previous decade, and now in Wave I of the ZARADEMP Project or ZARADEMP-I (n = 3715) were interviewed. Standardized measures included the Geriatric Mental State and the History and Aetiology schedule.