bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carer-rated needs assessment of a cohort of people with dementia
Authors: Freyne Aideen , Dolan Martina , Cooney Colm 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: With increasing longevity, more people will develop dementia. These people will have a wide range of needs according to their circumstances. Services in the community struggle to meet these needs. This study aimed to identify needs of dementia sufferers attending the South Dublin Old Age Psychiatry service as rated by their carers, to assess the extent of unmet need and the implication of this.Method: The carers of 40 community-dwelling people with dementia attending the service were interviewed by one researcher using the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE). This measures a wide range of needs over 24 areas, from personal care, to social, financial and psychological care needs. Qualitative information was also obtained from carers regarding services available and their accessibility. A measure of carer stress and satisfaction with help for this was also obtained.Results: Overall, the highest levels of need identified (both met and unmet) were in the areas of psychological functioning (memory and psychological distress), followed by social needs in the areas of managing money, daytime activities, self-care, and looking after the home. Highest unmet social needs were in the areas of daytime activities, home care and managing money. For 23/24 domains, carers were satisfied rather then unsatisfied with help received. The areas of greatest dissatisfaction to them concerned daytime activities, household skills and self-care. Over half of the carers reported psychological distress.Conclusion: High levels of need, both met and unmet were identified. Many identified needs related to the provision of community supports in the areas of selfcare, household skills and daytime activities, in addition to psychiatric needs. Assessment of needs is important to ensure adequate and responsive service provision, in keeping with the ethos of community care.
Consultant psychiatrists' experience of workplace violence – a national survey
Authors: Kavanagh Annette , Watters Liam 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: In recent years there have been a number of high profile cases in Irish psychiatry where consultant psychiatrists have been subjected to serious physical assaults. The last survey of assaults on consultant psychiatrists in Ireland was carried out in 1998. Therefore we sought to update the data on this topic.Method: An anonymous questionnaire was sent out by post to all consultant psychiatrists (n = 330) identified as currently working in the Republic of Ireland.Results: The response rate was 48.2%. Sixty per cent of respondents were working in general adult psychiatry and respondents were evenly spread throughout the country. Ninety per cent of respondents had been the victim of verbal aggression/intimidation/threatening behaviour while 55% had been physically assaulted. The majority of incidents involved male patients aged between 21-40 years with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Nearly 66% of incidents of physical violence occurred during a relapse of illness. The perpetrator had a history of violence in approximately half of all reported incidents. Physical assaults tended to occur more commonly in inpatient settings (63.7%).Incident reporting occurred more often in physical assaults with 66% reported informally to colleagues and 20% reported to An Garda Siochana (police force of Ireland). Eighty-nine (56%) consultants described feeling ‘safe’ at work. Less than 50% reported the provision of standard safety equipment in the workplace and nearly half ofrespondents had not attended any safety training courses since their appointment. Longer experience working as a consultant psychiatrist did not appear to have an impact on reducing the rate of assaults. In addition, those who attended safety training courses did not report a reduced rate of physical assaults.Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for both organisational and personal changes in practice in order to reduce the assault rate. Organisational changes include the provision of appropriate safety equipment, safety training for consultants, enhancing multidisciplinary teams and utilising risk assessment. Consultants' personal practices to improve their safety may offer useful information for inclusion in safety training courses. This is an area which merits further research.
Reasons for referral and consultation liaison psychiatry diagnoses
Authors: Lyne John , O'Donoghue Brian , Bonnar Maurice , Golden Daniel , Mclnerney Claire , Callanan Ian , Ryan Martina 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:Focused management strategies, including effective distribution of available resources is dependent on ongoing analysis of referral type in any liaison psychiatry consultation service. This survey sought to measure rate of diagnoses in an Irish liaison psychiatry consultation service, and compare the results with other similar services.Method:A survey of referral reasons and diagnoses was performed on all patients presenting to a Dublin based inpatient liaison psychiatry consultation service over two six month periods. The results were subsequently compared with other similar international studies.Results:Commonest referral reasons were for depressive disorders, while commonest diagnoses included alcohol related disorders, depressive disorders, and delirium, with notably higher rates of alcohol related disorders than in other similar international studies.Conclusions:This study provides valuable information for referral reasons and diagnoses present in an Irish liaison psychiatry consultation service. The differences noted between diagnoses in our study and other international studies, as well as some of the difficulties in establishing these diagnoses, are discussed.
An audit of incomplete involuntary admissions to an approved Irish centre
Authors: Rafiq Atiqa , O'Hanlon Mary 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:With the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001 (M HA 2001) in November 2006, there was an expectation of reduction in the overall involuntary admission rate, particularly as those with a sole diagnosis of substance misuse were specifically excluded from the definition of mental disorder. The aim of this audit cycle was to ascertain this rate and to audit the process of the referral, transfer, assessment and subsequent management of the patients whose admission orders were not completed by the consultant psychiatrists (CPs) following referral for involuntary admission to an approved centre. In addition, the authors wished to ascertain if the recommendations of Audit 2003 were implemented.Method:The Audit 2003 analysed all Temporary Patient Reception Orders sent to an approved centre in the year 2003 but whose admission orders were not completed by the CP. A protocol was drawn up to elicit information. The Re-Audit in 2008 used the same protocol. The duration of the Re-Audit was 01.11.06-31.10.07. The results were analysed using SPSS 12.Results:There is no change in the involuntary referral rate to the approved centre in Longford/Westmeath since the new legislation was enacted. The CP continues to refuse to make an order in one in three cases. Patients with a sole diagnosis of alcohol misuse continue to be referred for involuntary admission but are now presenting sober on admission. There also appears to be an increased rate of incorrectly filled forms by GPs.Conclusions:This audit indicates a need for more training for GPs and Gardai in the MHA 2001 and filling of forms.
Eating problems in Irish children and adolescence – EPICA
Authors: McNicolas Fiona , Dooley Barbara , Keogh Leonie , Lydon Alma , Lennon Ruth , Ahern Sinead , Coyle Ciaran , Whelan Aoife , Donoghue Linda O 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: To examine eating concerns in a cohort of Irish adolescents.Methods: Students from a stratified random sample of post primary schools were screened using the EAT-26, the EDI-III and a study specific questionnaire.Results: A total of 3,031 students (mean age 14.74, range 12–19) enrolled in the study. The majority of respondents felt popular (91%), happy (75.2%) and perceived themselves to have a good quality of life (86.8%). Despite this, 32% of females dieted, 29.4% were dissatisfied with their bodies, and 10.8% scored above 20 on the EAT-26. Adolescents always on a diet reported a lower quality of life (QoL) X2(16, N=2,961) =144.43, p <.000, perceived themselves to be less popular X2(15, N=2,963) =53.26, p <.000 and less academically able X2(16, N=2,297) =43.96, p<.000, than those who never dieted. Comparing EPICA values to published norms, Irish males had significantly lower EAT scores, females had comparable total EAT-26 scores but significantly lower levels of dieting and higher levels of bulimic features and oral control. Girls in mixed schools had higher rates of body dissatisfaction F (1,2855) = 16.61, p <.001 and drive for thinness F (1,2860) = 11.78, p <.005 than girls attending same sex schools.Conclusions: Weight and body image concerns were high among Irish adolescents, especially females, with higher than expected levels of bulimia and oral control scores on the EAT but lower scores on the dieting subscale. Females attending mixed sex schools appear most at risk of eating pathology.
Effects of the anticonvulsant topiramate on language abilities in people with epilepsy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Buckley Aisling , Fitzgerald Margaret , Hoerold Doreen , Davey Gavin P , Doherty Colin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of topiramate (TPM) on cognitive function, specifically language, in patients with epilepsy, and to determine whether a specifically designed neuropsychological test battery can show such effects.Method:Twenty patients taking TPM, 25 epilepsy controls (taking medication other than TPM) and 25 healthy controls were recruited. We used a specific neuropsychological battery, including measures of visual and verbal memory, attention, fluency and comprehension. Separate one way between group ANOVAs were performed for each neuropsychological measure.Results:Bonferroni comparisons revealed that the TPM group performed significantly worse than epilepsy controls on digits forward (p<0.001), digits backward (p<0.05), controlled oral word association (COWA) (p<0.05) and token test (p<0.05). The TPM group also needed more multiple choice cues in the Boston naming test (p<0.05).Conclusions:The present study indicates that 15% of the sample tested had impaired language abilities and raises interesting questions regarding the nature of this effect. Furthermore, we have identified some short neuropsychological tasks that can be performed in routine clinical situations that can reliably identify patients who have negative linguistic effects of TPM.
‘Over the counter’ (OTC) opiate abuse treatment
Authors: Thekiso Thekiso B , Farren Conor 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: Over the counter (OTC) medication abuse is an increasing public health concern. We studied the clinical profiles, treatment and prevalence of patients admitted with OTC opiate abuse.Method: Using a specially designed demographic form, the records of patients admitted to St. Patrick's Hospital, a 280 bed inpatient mental health and addiction treatment facility in Dublin, with a diagnosis of harmful OTC opiate abuse or opiate dependency as defined in ICD-10 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients diagnosed with OTC opiate abuse (ICD F11.1) or dependency (ICD F11.2) on admission to our centre were included in the study. Patients with a diagnosis of primary illicit opiate misuse were excluded.Results: Approximately 1% (n=20) of inpatients admitted in a year were diagnosed with OTC opiate abuse. The average daily codeine intake was 261.0 mg per person. Some 75% percent (n=15) of the inpatients experienced OTC opiate withdrawal and were treated with protocol driven withdrawal regimes for an average of 16.10 days. The female: male ratio was nearly 2:1 with an average age of 49.2 years. Patients tended to have co-morbid psychiatric (n=19, 95%), physical (n=17,85%) and polysubstance (n=13,65%) illness.Conclusions: OTC opiate abuse is a significant problem which is largely covert in nature with serious co-morbidity and frequent complications including withdrawal symptoms which require treatment. Results of this study suggest that further research is warranted in this area.
Estimating the prevalence of adult ADHD in the psychiatric clinic: a cross-sectional study using the adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS)
Authors: Syed Hussain , Masaud Tawfik M , Nkire Nmandi , Iro Chinedu , Garland Malcolm R 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: We sought to determine the point prevalence of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an out-patient psychiatric population.Methods: Patients (n=243) attending five different outpatient clinics in a largely urban adult psychiatric service completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, a recently developed instrument by the World Health Organisation. Clinical and demographic data were recorded.Results: There was a high apparent rate of adult ADHD detected (23.9%). Such patients were significantly more likely to have lower educational attainment, ADHD as children, a forensic history and the diagnosis of personality disorder as well as a higher rate of benzodiazepine use. They were no more likely to be dissatisfied with the service, nor to be heavier users of the service.Conclusions: We report a high apparent rate of adult ADHD. Correlates of this high rate indicate individuals with less positive lifestyles than other patients. Screening for this disorder appears warranted, particularly in the light of the emergence of new non-amphetamine-based therapies.
Early intervention in psychosis: service models worldwide and the Irish experience
Authors: Omer Sami , Behan Caragh , Waddington John L , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the concept of early intervention in psychosis at primary and secondary prevention levels. Examples of early intervention service models from different countries are presented and we discuss current evidence for efficacy. We highlight the Irish experience of early intervention to date, and discuss future implementation of early intervention services in Ireland.
Risperidone induced periorbital oedema
Authors: Bajaj Vikrant , Srivastava Ankur , Sengupta Somnath , Mehrotra Saurabh , Vedi Shaveta , Pathak Prashant 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAntipsychotic medications are associated with adverse cutaneous reactions (ACRs) in approximately 2–3% of patients. We present three cases of possible risperidone induced periorbital oedema in the absence of any other systemic or local cause responsible for the oedema. The development of periorbital oedema after the initiation of risperidone therapy, and disappearance after the discontinuation of this drug, suggests a possible causal relationship between periorbital oedema and risperidone. To our knowledge, there are very few reports of risperidone therapy and development of periorbital oedema. Risperidone is a valid and effective choice amongst antipsychotic medications, but these cases call for caution regarding ACRs at the time of prescribing.
A descriptive study of adjustment disorder diagnoses in general hospital patients
Authors: Foster Paul , Oxman Thomas 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: A descriptive survey of the characteristics of medical and surgical patients given the diagnosis of adjustment disorder.Method: 124 case notes of patients with adjustment disorder diagnoses seen over a one year period in a tertiary care hospital were reviewed to describe their characteristics. Patient demographic data, medical illness, hospitalisation details and psychiatric consultation notes were examined.Results: This diagnosis represented 18.5% of consultation-liaison referrals. The length of hospitalisation for the adjustment disorder patients was more than twice that of general medical admissions. At least one psychosocial stressor was noted in 93% of all patients; in 59% of patients the medical illness was one of the stressors noted. About a third of patients had a past psychiatric history. Only 9% of patients had new courses of antidepressants recommended and in only 2% was inpatient psychiatric admission required. The diagnosis was used especially in patients with serious medical conditions, self-harm, injury and poisoning, and in cases presenting with a mixture of somatic and psychic symptoms.Conclusions: The results suggest that this is a commonly used diagnosis in the medical consultation setting; it is largely being used in a way consistent with DSM criteria, whilst there were indications that it was also used for a range of problem behaviours that are difficult to classify.
Prevalence of mental illness in an elderly community dwelling population using AGECAT
Authors: A Lawlor Brian , Radic Alicja , Bruce Irene , Swanwick Gregory RJ , Kelly Fergus O' , O'Doherty Michael , Walsh J Bernard , Coakley Davis 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of a range of mental disorders in an elderly community dwelling population in Dublin using AGECAT, a reliable and standardised computerised diagnostic system that has been previously validated in community epidemiological surveys.Methods: A total of 451 individuals over the age of 65 in a GP group practice were interviewed using AGECAT.Results: Approximately one in five subjects had a mental illness according to AGECAT criteria. The prevalence of depression was 13.1% and did not change appreciably with age. 5.5% of subjects met organic ‘case’ criteria, and the frequency of organic cases increased with age, approximating 15% in the over 80 year age group. Neurotic disorders occurred with very low frequency, representing 1.1% of the subjects tested.Conclusions: These findings have implications for mentalhealth services planning at a local level, and underscore the utility of AGECAT as a tool for comparative crosscultural epidemiological surveys.
Characteristics of homeless mentally ill people who lose contact with caring agencies
Authors: Marshall Max , Nehring Julia , Taylor Catherine , Gath Denis 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: To discover whether (as predicted in the literature) loss of contact with caring agencies is related to age, substance dependence, a history of law-breaking, or a diagnosis of schizophrenia.Method: A consecutive series of 71 homeless people with mental disorders was recruited over a period of 18 months. The subjects were new referrals to psychiatrists working in a primary health care clinic for the homeless. The subjects were then followed up for a further 18 months (maximum follow up time 36 months, minimum follow up time 18 months) to determine duration of contact with Oxford services for helping the homeless (survival time).Results: Survival analyses indicated that early loss of contact with Oxford services for helping the homeless was strongly predicted by substance (mainly alcohol) dependence in the month before first attendance at the clinic (generalised Wilcoxon 15.8, p<0.001). Homeless people with mental disorders who are also alcohol dependent, were five times more likely to lose contact with caring agencies than homeless people with mental disorders who were not alcohol dependent (hazard ratio 5.05,95% confidence limits 14.9-3.0).Conclusions: Amongst homeless people with mental disorder, there appears to be an association between substance (mainly alcohol) dependence and loss of contact with caring agencies. This may be because homeless people with a dual diagnosis of mental disorder and substance dependence, tend to be more mobile than those who are not substance dependent.
Pinel – a revolutionary psychiatrist
Authors: Breathnach Caoimhghin S 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe traitement moral, or so-called moral treatment, of insanity was instituted in Paris in 1794 by Philippe Pinel (1745-1826), and the fetters were removed from patients in May-June 1797 by Jean-Baptiste Pussin (1745-1811), lay governor of the insane at the Hospice de Bicetre, and by Pinel and Pussin at the Salpetriere in 1800; the chains were replaced by straitjackets or in some cases removed completely. His contemporaries looked upon Pinel as physician, but it is as a revolutionary psychiatrist that he is revered today.
The use of haematological screening tests in acute psychogeriatric admissions
Authors: Quigley Niall , Daly Oscar 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: Case notes on 116 patients aged 65 or more admitted to a general psychiatry hospital over a three month period were examined to assess the current use of haematological screening tests.Method: Retrospective justification for tests performed, rate of abnormal results, and consequences for patient management were assessed by case note review.Results: A total of 200 screening tests, 105 of which appeared justified, were performed; 66 patients were screened, of whom 85% had at least one abnormal result. Those who were older were less likely to be screened. There was no relationship between diagnosis and being screened. Of the 90 abnormal results received, less then one third affected clinical management.Conclusions: The financial and other costs of screening tests are discussed. The current use of haematological screening tests in this population appears erratic and often adds little to patient management.
Personality disorder among first ever admissions to an Irish public and private hospital
Authors: Cooney John M , Farren Conor K , Clare Anthony W 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: The identification of personality disorder among psychiatric in-patients is important because of the effect on the course and outcome of illness. The introduction of a multiaxial approach to diagnosis, has resulted in a higher than previously reported rate of occurrence of personality disorder in a variety of psychiatric settings. A prevalence of personality disorder of 4.9% is reported in the official statistics for Irish psychiatric hospitals. The aim of this study is to determine the true prevalence of personality disorders in two Irish psychiatric hospitals, one public and one private, using a multiaxial approach to diagnosis.Methods: The Standardised Assessment of Personality (SAP) is a validated, semistructured, informant based instrument that reliably generates diagnoses of personality disorder irrespective of current mental state. Over a four month period, 78 consecutive, first ever admissions to two hospitals were examined using the SAP.Results: The prevalence of personality disorder in this population was 26%. There was no significant difference in the rate of personality disorder between the public and private institutions.Conclusions: The prevalence of personality disorder amongst in-patients in both public and private psychiatric hospitals in Ireland is far higher than previously reported. This highlights the importance of a multiaxial approach to diagnosis in order to establish the true extent of psychiatric morbidity.
Neurosyphilis with psychiatric manifestations - a forgotten condition?
Authors: Palicio Leandro , Basauri Victor Aparicio 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report on a patient with neurosyphilis with psychiatric manifestations. A point to notice in this case is the time elapsed (one year) between the first psychiatric contact and the final diagnosis. The case reported here suggests that neurosyphilis may have become a ‘forgotten disease’.