Prevalence of nocturia among Japanese adults

The prevalence of nocturia among Japanese community-dwelling adults was associated with insomnia, taking into account other correlates of insomnia.     

Prevalences of periodic limb movement-like and restless legs-like symptoms among Japanese adults

Prevalences of periodic limb movement-like and restless legs-like symptoms among Japanese adults were investigated. The latter symptom was significantly associated with insomnia.     

The prevalence of personality disorder among UK primary care attenders

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence rate of personality disorder among a consecutive sample of UK primary care attenders. Associations between a diagnosis of personality disorder, sociodemographic background and common mental disorder were examined. METHOD: Three hundred and three consecutive primary care attenders were examined for the presence of ICD-10 and DSM-4 personality disorders using an informant-based interview. RESULTS: Personality disorder was diagnosed in 24% (95% CI: 19-29) of the sample. Personality-disordered subjects were more likely to have psychiatric morbidity as indicated by GHQ-12, to report previous psychological morbidity, to be single and to attend the surgery on an emergency basis. 'Cluster B' personality disorders were particularly associated with psychiatric morbidity. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence rate of personality disorders among primary care attenders. These disorders are associated with the presence of common mental disorder and unplanned surgery attendance. Personality disorders may represent a significant source of burden in primary care.     

Prevalence of insomnia symptoms: results from an urban district in Ankara,Turkey

Objective. Characteristics of insomnia symptoms in Turkey are not well established. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of insomnia and related symptoms in an urban district of Turkey. Method. The study was carried out in Ankara, in an urban district with a population of 2665. Out of the 1332 people in the sample, 1034 in the 15–65 age range were included in the study. Interviews were conducted according to the “Sleep Disorders Assessment Questionnaire” developed by the researchers. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was also given to the subjects with a sleep problem to measure the subjective quality and quantity of insomnia symptoms. Results and conclusion. A total of 29.4% of all participants reported a sleep problem, out of which 23.7% defined one or more of the insomnia symptoms which included difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), early morning awakening (EMA), non-restorative sleep (NRS) and sleep deprivation (SD). Insomnia risk was found to be significantly increased with age, female sex, smoking and chronic medical illness. A total of 75.9% of participants who reported insomnia symptoms did not seek medical help for their complaint. According to the ISI, among the subjects with insomnia symptoms, 79 (32.2%) had subthreshold insomnia, 43 (17.6%) had clinical insomnia, 12 (4.9%) had severe clinical insomnia, while 88 (35.9%) did not score in the range indicating insomnia. The findings are discussed in the light of previous research and in relation to sociocultural factors emphasizing the need for public education on sleep disorders as medical conditions.     

A cross-sectional audit of benzodiazepine use among general practice patients

In order to assess how many general practice patients take benzodiazepines for long periods, a cross-sectional audit of clinical practice was conducted. During a 3-day census period, 26 general practitioners in the area of Bergamo, Italy, entered into the study every patient who was taking benzodiazepines. The prevalence of use of this class of drugs was 14.0% (CI 12.5–15.7), while the prevalence of daily use for 12 months or more was 4.7% (CI 3.8–5.8). Finally, the prevalence of very long-term use of benzodiazepines, i.e. those taking these drugs for more than 10 years, was 0.65% (CI 0.34–1.14). Compared to non-long-term users, long-term users were older (OR 2.38, CI 1.39–4.08) and had a lower level of education (OR 2.40, CI 1.04–5.54). In addition, insomnia was associated with long-term use of this class of drugs (OR 1.82, CI 1.02–3.24). These findings provide evidence that the long-term use of benzodiazepines is an important issue in everyday general practice and that this calls for precise management tactics.     

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in people with intellectual disability in a residential care centre in Israel

Background In 1982, Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) was identified as a pathogenic factor in peptic ulcer disease by researchers from Australia. Because only a small number of studies of H. pylori infection have been conducted in people with intellectual disability (ID), and none of these were done in Israel, the present authors decided to conduct a pilot study on its prevalence in this population. Methods The Israeli Division for Mental Retardation provides services to over 6000 people in 54 residential care centres (or institutions), and one centre in the south of the country with kibbutz‐style living arrangements was selected for this pilot study. The study was performed as part of the yearly routine medical examination of all residents, and blood specimens were drawn for IgG antibodies to H. pylori (ELISA). Results Out of the 47 individuals screened, 75% (n = 36) were seropositive. Conclusion In addition to the reported high rates of H. pylori infection in residents with ID living in large facilities, the present pilot study suggests that people with ID living in smaller, kibbutz‐style arrangements are also at high risk.     

The ability of general practitioners to detect mental disorders in primary health care

The ability to detect mental disorders varies greatly among general practitioners in primary health care. The aim of this study was to determine the factors underlying the differences between general practitioners in the ability to recognize mental disorders in Finnish patient populations. The group studied consisted of 1000 randomly selected adult patients of primary care facilities in the city of Turku. The Symptom Checklist (SCL-25) was used as the reference method in the identification of psychiatric cases. According to the SCL-25, one fourth of the sample had mental disorders. A good recognition ability was associated with postgraduate psychiatric training and qualification as a specialist in general practice. Surprisingly, Balint group training, which is a method intended to improve the ability of general practitioners to manage their patients' mental health problems, was associated rather with poor than good detection ability.     

The 6-Month Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) Among Older Adults: Validity and Reliability of the PTSS Scale

Objective:

To document the 6-month prevalence of posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) in the older adult population and the validity of a PTSS Scale in an epidemiologic setting.

Method:

Data came from the Enquête sur la santé des aînés et l’utilisation des services de santé (ESA Services Study) conducted during 2012–2013 using a probability sample of older adults seeking medical services in primary health clinics.

Results:

Results showed that a first-order PTSS measurement model consisting of 3 indicators—the number of lifetime traumatic events, the frequency of reactions and symptoms of distress associated with the traumatic events, and the presence of consequences on the social functioning—was plausible. Reliability of the PTSS was 0.82. According to the PTSS, 11.1% of the older adult patients presented with PTSS, but only 21.7% of them reported an impact of their symptoms on their social functioning. The prevalence of older adults meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for full posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reached 1.8%, and 1.8% of older adults reached criteria for partial PTSD. Our results also showed that women were more at risk to report PTSS than men and that older adults aged 75 years and older were less likely to report these symptoms than those aged between 65 and 74 years.

Conclusions:

PTSS is a common mental health problem among adults aged 65 and older and seeking health services in the general medical sector.     

Prevalence of the Korsakoff syndrome in The Hague, The Netherlands

An epidemiological survey of the Korsakoff syndrome was made in The Hague, The Netherlands, by interviewing workers of all relevant health care organisations in that city. A prevalence of 4.8 per 10,000 inhabitants was found. The mean age of patients was 62 years. Seventy-five percent of all patients had already been hospitalised for several years. Physical and mental health, as judged by other medical diagnoses, was poor.     

Prevalence and correlates of depression in late pregnancy among Nigerian women

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorder in late pregnancy in a group of Nigerian women and to examine the associated factors. One hundred and eighty women in late pregnancy completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and obstetrical details. They also completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A proportion of them were then assessed for the DSM-IV diagnosis of depressive disorder. Fifteen (8.3%) women met the current (2 weeks) DSM-IV diagnosis of depressive disorder. The factors independently associated with depression included being single [odds ratio (OR)=16.67, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.17-87.76], divorced/separated (OR=11.11, 95% CI=1.55-19.65), polygamous (OR=3.92, 95% CI=0.94-16.33), and having a previous history of stillbirth (OR=8.00, 95% CI=1.70-37.57) and perceived lack of social support (OR=6.08, 95% CI=1.42-26.04). Depression is common in late pregnancy among Nigerian women, with the significant correlates including mainly social and family factors. Such factors should be considered when planning health care services or formulating a predictive model. Interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of antenatal depression need further research.     

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents in a rural district in southwest Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents in a rural district in southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey involving 1713 adolescents from four private and three public secondary schools were selected using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, with a maximum score of 27, was used to assess the presence (score ≥ 5) and severity (score ≥ 15) of the symptoms of depression. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the correlates. The prevalence was 21.2%; 5.1% of the respondents had moderately severe to severe depression. Significant predictors included “not living with parents” (OR = 1.69; 95%CI, 1.14–2.38), not participating in sports (OR = 1.45; 95%CI; 1.11–1.92), a large number of siblings (OR = 1.69; 95%CI; 1.11–2.63), and a change in place of residence (OR = 1.46; 95%CI, 1.13–1.88). A need exists to plan and implement health education measures to reduce the burden of the disease.     

Prevalence,recognition and management of mental disorders in primary health care in Northern Jordan

This study examined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and assessed factors that are assumed to be related to recognition of this morbidity among clinical patients. A total of 794 patients aged 18 years or older participated in the study. Using an Arabic-translated version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was found to be 61%. The highest prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders were found in the 40 years and older age group, in female subjects, in uneducated and highly educated groups, in unemployed individuals, and in patients who were perceived to have ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ physical health. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that unemployment and perceived severity of physical illness were positively correlated with psychiatric disorders, but no significant correlation was found with sex, age or level of education. The physicians in the present study were able to detect morbidity in only 24% of the patients. Among patients with psychiatric disorders, recognition of this morbidity was significantly greater in women, in patients who had consulted with their family doctors, in patients previously known to their physicians, and in patients with mild physical illness than in their counterparts. The most common lines of psychiatric management used in this study were referral to psychiatrists (47%) and psychotropic medication (16%).     

Prevalence of mental disorders and mental health service use in Japan

A high disease burden of mental disorders has been noted worldwide, including Japan. It is important to monitor mental disorder prevalence trends and the use of mental health services over time using epidemiological data and to plan appropriate policies and measures that consider mental health in each country. This review outlines the prevalence trends of common mental disorders (CMD) and the use of mental health services in Japan from the 2000s to the 2010s and compares them with those in other countries. This review clarifies that the prevalence of CMD in Japan has been relatively stable in the past decade. The 12‐month prevalence of mental health service use has increased about 1.2 times to 1.6 times in the past 10–15 years. Thus, it is very likely that the rise in mental health service use contributes to increased patient numbers. Regarding cross‐national comparison, the prevalence rate of CMD in Japan is much lower compared to rates in the USA and Europe. The 12‐month prevalence of mental health service use was also lower in Japan compared to prevalence rates in other high‐income countries. Mental health epidemiology has clarified that the prevalence of CMD worldwide has remained unchanged, even though mental health service use has increased in high‐income countries. Thus, the gap in treatment quality and prevention should be addressed in the future.     

The prediction of mental health service use in residential care

The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and psychosocial factors of residents living in psychiatric nursing homes, assess residents' levels of mental health service utilization, and examine the factors that predict the utilization of mental health services. Data were collected from 200 randomly selected residents with schizophrenia living in four intermediate care facilities. Fewer than 60% of residents received mental health services beyond medication and nearly one-half of the residents were readmitted to the hospital in the course of a year. Family contact and involvement in activities were associated with mental health service utilization. Hospital readmission was predicted, not by substance use, but rather by not using substances. There is a growing need among service providers to better identify relevant factors that are important in treatment planning and service delivery. Attention to these issues may impact treatment provision and outcomes for persons with schizophrenia and their families.     

Prevalence and identification of alcohol use disorders among severe mental illness inpatients in Taiwan

Aims:  A higher prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) among psychiatric patients has been reported previously and the identification rate is relatively low. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and identification of AUD among acute psychiatric inpatients with severe mental illness in a psychiatric hospital in Taiwan.
Methods:  In a two-phase case identification strategy, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used as the first phase screening tool and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR as the second phase diagnostic interview. The definition of identification was diagnosis of AUD on medical record at discharge.
Results:  Of 400 respondents, 42 screened positive and 358 screened negative. All screen-positive respondents and 35 screen-negative respondents entered the second phase interview. The weighted lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence was 8.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6–11.9%); alcohol abuse, 1.5% (95%CI: 0.2–2.8%); and AUD, 9.8% (95%CI: 5.7–13.8%). The overall identification rate of AUD by medical staff was 28.2% (0% for alcohol abuse and 33.3% for alcohol dependence). Patients with mood disorders were prone to being undetected as having AUD.
Conclusion:  AUD comorbidity was common among inpatients with severe mental illness in Taiwan and was easily neglected by medical staff. It is necessary to use a validated screening questionnaire, such as AUDIT, to detect high-risk patients and then give appropriate interventions to enhance treatment outcome.     

Mental disorders among elderly people in primary care: the Linköping study

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of mental disorders among elderly patients in primary care and to compare diagnoses from psychiatric interview with diagnoses in medical records. METHOD: Patients aged 70 years and above attending a primary care centre (N = 350) were studied using a psychiatric and medical record examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of mental disorder according to the psychiatric interview was 33% (16% dementia, 17% other mental disorders). Only 49% of these had any psychiatric diagnosis in case records and 17-38% received specific treatments. The frequency of psychiatric symptoms among those with no mental disorder was between 1% and 66%. Patients with mental disorders were more often females, had more visits to a doctor, more diagnoses in medical records, and were prescribed more drugs. CONCLUSION: Mental disorders and symptoms are common among the elderly in primary care. More effort should be made to increase the recognition rate.     

Variations in rates of comorbid substance use in psychosis between mental health settings and geographical areas in the UK

Background  Comorbid substance misuse in psychosis is associated with significant clinical, social and legal problems. An epidemiologically informed approach to planning service delivery requires an understanding of which clinical populations are at particularly high risk for such ‘dual diagnosis’. Evidence has now been accumulating in the UK since the early 1990s, and allows a relatively comprehensive comparison of rates between service settings, geographical areas and social contexts in terms of ethnic background. Methods  A literature search was carried out with the aim of investigating: (a) comorbid alcohol and drug misuse rates in people with established psychosis in different mental health and addiction settings in the UK, (b) variations in such rates between different population groups. Results  There are wide variations in reported drug and alcohol misuse rates in psychosis. Most recent UK studies report rates between 20 and 37% in mental health settings, while figures in addiction settings are less clear (6–15%). Rates are generally not as high as in US studies, but appear to be especially high in inpatient and crisis team settings (38–50%) and forensic settings. In terms of geography, rates appear highest in inner city areas. Some ethnic groups are over-represented among clinical populations of people with dual diagnosis. Conclusions  Rates of substance misuse in psychosis are likely to be influenced by service setting, population composition and geography. Acute and forensic settings are especially appropriate for the development of targeted interventions.