Prevalence and determinants of thyroid disorders in elderly patients with affective disorders: lithium and nonlithium patients.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and determinants of thyroid dysfunction in older patients with affective disorders divided into lithium and nonlithium patients.

Methods: This study was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study in patients of 65 years and older with affective disorders according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria. The presence of thyroid disorders was determined on the index date defined as the date of the first available thyroid-stimulating hormone in 2005.

Renal effects of long-term lithium therapy in the elderly: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To determine the effect of long-term lithium therapy on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and maximum renal concentrating capacity (Umax) in the elderly, to identify possible risk factors, to determine the clinical impact of a reduced Umax in this population and in case of polyuria to establish a diagnosis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 48 outpatients of 65 years or over (mean 74.8 years), who were treated with lithium for more than 6 months (mean 9.

A 3.5-year naturalistic follow-up study of depressed out-patients.

Outcome studies of patients suffering from depression indicate high relapse rates and a tendency towards chronicity. The present study describes the long-term outcome of 95 depressed outpatients in a third-level referral centre. and examines the relationship between baseline-variables (age, sex, level of psychopathology, age at onset of first psychiatric disorder, duration of illness at baseline, diagnosis) and outcome variables.

Is aggressive behaviour influenced by the use of a behaviour rating scale in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home?

Objective: To study the influence of the introduction of a behaviour rating scale on reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviours in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home.

Design: An 8-month prospective cohort intervention study.

Setting: Two wards of a Dutch psychogeriatric nursing home with residents of 65 years and older.