Glaucoma capsulare in patients with open-angle glaucoma in Hungary

The data of 403 inpatients with open-angle glaucoma were selected between 1977-1986, 155 had glaucoma capsulare (GC) and 248 suffered from primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The incidence rate of GC was 38.4% in the total material. In the GC group, the peak of age distribution was between the ages 70-79 (45.8%). The male/female ratio of the total GC material was 1.67, that in POAG was 0.85. The difference between the two glaucoma groups was significant.

Panic disorder in the medically ill

The authors describe five patients with concurrent panic disorder and medical illness. Panic disorder either caused worsening of the medical illness or was associated with continued physiologic symptoms that mimicked the symptoms of the medical illness after the illness had improved. In both cases, panic disorder was associated with high rates of medical utilization, increased patient suffering, and often costly medical tests. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decreased physiologic and psychiatric symptoms as well as medical utilization.

Depression and medical illness

Depression is the most common psychiatric complication of severe medical illness, and it occurs in about 20% of cases. Diagnosis of depression in patients with serious medical illness requires modified criteria. Treatment also must be adjusted for patients with such dual diagnoses.

Evaluation of weight loss in the elderly

Weight loss among elderly patients is a common clinical problem that may herald numerous medical and psychosocial disorders. Up to 50% of patients claiming weight loss will not have their complaint corroborated by medical records or family members. Since modest weight loss may occur as a physiologic change with advancing age, the practicing physician must have a working definition of pathologic weight loss that triggers an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. After a careful initial history, physical exam, and a limited laboratory test battery, physicians will identify most patients with physical causes for weight loss. Like many other geriatric syndromes, weight loss may require the identification and correction of multiple contributing factors.

Coexisting physical conditions among inpatients with post-traumatic stress disorder

Discharge summaries over a four-year period for 543 veteran inpatients treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reviewed for the frequency and nature of medical problems. Results demonstrated that a majority, 60% of the sample, had an identified medical problem. Of those patients, 42% had multiple medical problems. One patient in four showed some type of musculoskeletal or pain problem. Eight per cent had sequelae from combat-related trauma. The results illustrate a high base rate with a wide variety of physical conditions among PTSD inpatients. This suggests that closer attention should be given to the interaction of medical problems with PTSD expressed symptomatology in future research or clinical treatment.

Alternative explanations of coping with stressful experiences associated with physical illness

This article contains a review of the components of four theories (emotional-drive, self-regulation, cognitive appraisal, and self-efficacy) relevant to explanations of the relationship between informational interventions and coping with stressful experiences associated with physical illness. Data from recent clinical studies are used to illustrate the process of evaluating alternative hypotheses about mediating processes from each of the theories. Hypotheses from emotional-drive theory are not supported. Hypotheses from self-regulation theory are supported when the outcome measure is returned to usual activities. Additional analyses reveal the limitations of cognitive appraisal and self-efficacy theories.

[Clinical study of 105 cases of isolated weight loss in internal medicine]

We arbitrarily define "isolated weight loss" as the loss of at least 10 p. 100 of body weight over less than one year, without any single cause being disclosed by questioning, physical examination and such paraclinical examinations as blood electrolytes, blood count and differential, routine dipstick urinalysis and X-ray of the chest. Among the 105 patients we studied, the causes of isolated weight loss were: (1) psychic disorders (chiefly depression) in 60 p. 100 of the cases; (2) a variety of organic diseases in 29 p. 100, including gastrointestinal diseases (8 p. 100), cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (6 p. 100), Horton's disease (4 p. 100), Portuguese amyloidosis (1 p. 100), unexplained inflammatory syndrome (1 p. 100), endocrine disease (hyperthyroidism, 4 p. 100) and intoxication with medicines, alcohol or heroin (5 p. 100); (3) no definite cause could be found in 11 p. 100 of the cases. We suggest a diagnostic approach involving a limited number of examinations, viz.: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, measurement of transaminases, gamma GT and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, abdominal ultrasonography and ultra-sensitive TSH assay. We consider it important to switch from useless paraclinical tests to the detection and management of psychic disorders. Weight loss is a frequent motive of consultation, but its diagnostic value is often misunderstood. The purpose of this study was to provide data for the artiological diagnosis of isolated weight loss--a relatively frequent problem in internal medicine.

A prospective study of delirium and prolonged hospital stay. Exploratory study

Using explicit criteria, delirium was diagnosed in 15% of a cohort of 133 hospitalized patients. Following each patient's discharge or death, the length of stay was compared with the diagnosis related group-predicted length of hospitalization. An analysis of stay variations disclosed that delirious patients exceeded their predicted stay by an average of 13 days, while nondelirious patients exceeded theirs by 3.3 days. The mean (+/- SD) length of hospitalization for patients with delirium was significantly longer than for their nondelirious counterparts (21.6 +/- 23.7 days vs 10.6 +/- 10.1 days, respectively). Hospitals treating high proportions of patients with delirium as a comorbidity to a principal somatic diagnosis should institute measures for the early detection of and appropriate intervention in patients with this condition. These steps may help reduce prolonged hospitalizations and minimize financial risk under the current diagnosis related group reimbursement system.

Financial risk, hospital cost, complications and comorbidities (CCc) in non-CC stratified urology diagnostic related groups

The federal Medicare Diagnosis Related Group payment mechanism is undergoing constant change. Significant interest has been generated at the health policy level regarding reimbursement for patients with complications and comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to analyze hospital resource consumption for patients in the seventeen urology non-complicating condition (CC) stratified Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs), currently 45 percent of urology DRGs. We analyzed 185 Medicare patients in these non-CC stratified urology DRGs and found that patients with more CCs per patient had higher total hospital costs per patient, financial risk under DRGs, a greater percentage of outliers, and a higher mortality, than patients in these same DRGs with fewer CCs per patient. These findings suggest that the current DRG system is inequitable to some patients and certain hospitals vis-a-vis non-CC stratified urology DRGs. The Health Care Financing Administration has not significantly changed the complicating condition urology DRG classification, as of its recent May, 1988 legislation. Financial disincentives to treat these patients may affect both their access and quality of care in the future.

The approach to chronic cough in childhood

Chronic cough is a fairly common pediatric complaint. Usually, it is secondary to irritation of the airways following a respiratory viral infection. In these cases, the cough tends to diminish over time. There may, however, be a subsequent development of bronchial hyperreactivity. Asthma is common in the pediatric population. From 50% to 90% of chronic coughers may have hyperreactive airways. In the absence of a pulmonary function laboratory to test for this, a trial of bronchodilator therapy is warranted. Other conditions discussed may also cause chronic cough and a thorough history and physical examination with some simple radiologic investigations can help pinpoint the cause. Specific therapy can then be used to manage the problem. In addition to specific therapy, care must be taken to explain to the parents and patient the physiology of the cough and why it is present. Anxieties and fears should be dealt with in a caring and direct manner. Occasionally, non-specific therapy is needed to allow the parents and child some rest and relief.

Measured energy expenditure in critically ill infants and young children

Technological limitations have impeded accurate energy expenditure assessment in critically ill infants and young children. Instead, a predicted energy expenditure (PEE) is derived based on weight, heat loss, activity, growth requirements, and degree of stress. This study compared actual measured energy expenditure (MEE) with conventional predicted values in 20 critically ill infants and children using a validated metabolic cart designed for use in this age group. All patients were studied either within 4 days of major surgery or during an acute disease process necessitating intensive care. All were severely stressed clinically and were studied while mechanically ventilated in a temperature-controlled environment. The study interval ranged from 1 to 12 hr and averaged 4 hr after a stabilization period of 30 min. The mean MEE was significantly lower than the mean PEE (52.2 +/- 16 kcal/kg/day vs 101.8 +/- 17 kcal/kg/day, P less than 0.001) with a mean MEE/PEE of 52.6 +/- 17% (range 26 to 92%). In a subgroup of 7 paralyzed patients, the mean MEE was significantly lower than in the 13 nonparalyzed patients when compared with PEE and predicted basal metabolic rate (PBMR). The coefficient of variance, conventionally recognized to be approximately 15% for PEE, averaged 6.35% for MEE in this study. These data indicate that if PEE is used as the sole guide for caloric repletion in the stressed infant or child, these patients will be substantially overfed.

Clinical use of the total dose intravenous infusion of iron dextran

Eighty-seven patients with anemia and absent bone marrow hemosiderin were given treatment with total dose intravenous infusions of iron dextran. The effect of rate of infusion and premedication with diphenhydramine, aspirin, and methylprednisolone on acute and delayed reactions was assessed. All patients were monitored for 72 hours after infusion. Two patients reacted to the test dose. One responded with generalized body pain that lasted approximately 5 minutes. In one an anaphylactoid reaction developed, which was promptly terminated by intravenous methylprednisolone, subcutaneous epinephrine, and intravenous diphenhydramine. Transient delayed adverse reactions easily controlled by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs occurred in 37 patients. The most common delayed reaction was a syndrome characterized by arthralgia, myalgia, and fever. Seven subjects had a chronic disease in addition to anemia with absent bone marrow iron. In all seven normal hemoglobin and hematocrit values were attained after treatment. The results of our experience with total dose intravenous iron dextran therapy suggest that it be the preferred method of replenishment in clinical situations where parenteral administration of iron is indicated. An unexpected benefit was the efficaciousness of this method of administration in patients with iron deficiency and coexisting chronic disease. A protocol for its administration is proposed.

Complicated mania. Comorbidity and immediate outcome in the treatment of mania

In a case-control study, 57 manics with antecedent or coexisting nonaffective psychiatric disorders (n = 38) or serious medical illnesses (n = 19) ("complicated mania") were compared with 114 age-, sex-, and year-of-admission-matched controls with no other disorder ("uncomplicated mania"). Significant differences emerged between the three groups in age, marital status, age at onset, number of prior hospitalizations and prior suicide attempts, organic features, and outcome measures (recovery and death rates). Patients were divided into four treatment groups based on primary mode of therapy during index admission; the groups included electroconvulsive therapy, adequate lithium carbonate, inadequate lithium carbonate, and neither treatment. Uncomplicated manics were significantly more likely to receive adequate lithium carbonate and less likely to receive inadequate lithium carbonate than were complicated manics. The latter patients had a significantly poorer immediate response to treatment overall, and to adequate lithium carbonate specifically. Seventy-eight (68.4%) uncomplicated manics had recovered ad discharge, compared with 26 (45.6%) complicated manics. Logistic regression suggested that the influence of comorbidity on outcome was more important for women than men. We conclude that complicated mania is a useful clinical construct.

Depressions secondary to other psychiatric disorders and medical illnesses

The authors studied 401 patients with depressions secondary to psychiatric illnesses (substance abuse disorders or somatoform, anxiety, or personality disorders) or depressions secondary to medical illnesses. They found that the patients with depressions secondary to psychiatric illnesses had an earlier age at onset, were more likely to have suicidal thoughts or to have made suicide attempts, were less likely to have memory problems, were less improved with treatment and more likely to relapse on follow-up, and had more alcoholism in their families than patients with depressions secondary to medical illnesses. Depressions secondary to medical illnesses seem to fit the category of reactive depression, and depressions secondary to psychiatric illnesses fit the definition of neurotic depression.

Cataracts in Dunedin Program participants: an evaluation of risk factors

A geriatric health screening program in Dunedin, Florida, was used to evaluate risk factors leading to development of cataracts. A total of 2,787 participants completed the fourth yearly visit to the program. At the time of the fourth visit, 49.3% of women (mean age 75.1 years) and 38.2% of men (mean age 75.4 years) reported the presence of cataracts. Age was found to be the most significant risk factor in cataract development (P less than .0001). Both men and women with cataracts had significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations than subjects without cataracts. After adjusting for age and sex, diazepam (P less than .03), furosemide (P less than .04), isosorbide (P less than .003), and ibuprofen (P less than .03) were found to be positively associated with cataracts; triamterene (P less than .05) had a negative association, indicating a protective relationship. Aspirin was not shown to have a protective effect on reported cataracts.

Delirium and the resolution of depression

Two cases are presented in which a long-standing depressive disorder remitted after a protracted delirium associated with the exacerbation of a major medical illness. Although improvement in medical conditions may have contributed to the result, the courses of the affective and medical conditions varied independently before and after the episode of delirium. The prospect of a restitutive function for delirium is further supported by a review of six cases of tricyclic-induced delirium in patients with medical depressive syndromes: the three patients who achieved full resolution of the delirium showed affective improvement.

Impact of psychiatric comorbidity on length of hospital stay for medical/surgical patients: a preliminary report

The impact of psychiatric comorbidity on the length of hospital stay was addressed in a study of all medical/surgical patients discharged in 1984 from the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City (N = 37,370) and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago (N = 21,889). At both hospitals the mean +/- SD length of stay of the patients with psychiatric comorbidity was significantly longer than that of the other patients: 19.8 +/- 33.3 versus 9.2 +/- 15.3 days at Mount Sinai Hospital and 13.7 +/- 27.7 versus 8.3 +/- 13.2 days at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Early identification of patients with psychiatric comorbidity would permit appropriate psychosocial intervention, which might shorten their hospital stays.

The prevalence and significance of medical illness among chronically mentally ill outpatients

The prevalence and significance of medical illnesses were examined in a sample of chronically mentally ill patients from an urban community mental health program. Eighty-eight percent had at least one significant medical illness, 51% had at least one previously undiagnosed illness and 53% were judged to be in need of some form of medical attention. The bulk of these illnesses were typical of primary care problems. In terms of causal significance, nearly as many medical illnesses appeared to be the result of the psychiatric disorder (18%) as vice versa (22%). Community mental health programs should make provisions for the medical needs of patients in comprehensive management programs.

Concurrent medical and psychiatric disorders among schizophrenic and neurotic outpatients

The records of two groups of patients (358 schizophrenics and 69 neurotics), attending the community mental health center of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, were reviewed to assess the extent and severity of reported medical problems. Results indicate that 38% of the schizophrenics and 53% of the neurotics report medical problems, but schizophrenics present with serious medical problems more often than do the neurotics. The authors draw attention to the need for properly assessing the severity of these medical problems and for adequately coordinating psychiatric and medical care. Strategies to overcome these difficulties are suggested.

Physical illness. A risk factor in anorexia nervosa

Reports have appeared in the literature suggesting an association between physical illness and the later development of anorexia nervosa. The histories of 326 patients with anorexia nervosa were examined for physical illness. A higher rate of severe physical illness was found in this group when compared with controls suggesting that it should be regarded as a risk factor for anorexia nervosa. No statistically significant differences were found when illness was examined by time in relation to onset of anorexia, system involved, or when subjects were stratified by age. Possible explanations for the observed association are discussed.

Organic factors in catatonia

A retrospective case-control study was performed using the records of 59 catatonics, 59 non-catatonic schizophrenics, 59 manics, 59 depressives and 59 surgical controls. The findings suggest that prior brain injury and physical illness at onset of psychosis are much more common in subjects with catatonia. While these findings do not account for all cases of catatonia, they may indicate an aetiology for some phenotypic cases of catatonia.

Trimipramine in physical illness with depression

To assess whether tricyclic antidepressants are useful in patients with a serious physical disorder who develop symptoms of major depression, 42 medically ill outpatients who met RDC criteria for endogenous major depression and had a Raskin depression score of at least 7 were studied. The patients were randomly assigned to a 6-week trial of trimipramine or placebo under double-blind conditions. In the placebo group, depressive symptoms improved when the physical disorder improved; in the trimipramine group, improvement was seen in the depressive symptoms even when there was no concomitant improvement in physical condition.

The effect of illness behaviour on the apparent relationship between physical and mental disorders

Evidence for associations between organic disease and psychopathology is reviewed and it is concluded that some of this is determined by complaint and consultation behaviours. The concept of illness behaviour is described. The Self Care Assessment Schedule (SCAS) is a new measure of illness behaviour and has been used to provide an independent assessment of psychiatric day patients, gynaecology and surgical outpatients. Only weak positive correlations were found between SCAS scores and mental illness, measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Subjects with organic pathology differed little from those without organic pathology, with regard to SCAS and GHQ scores. However SCAS and GHQ scores were more highly correlated in those without organic pathology. It is concluded that claimed associations between physical disease and psychopathology should be based on objective evidence rather than subjective complaints and that this should be found across the entire spectrum of illness behaviour.

Medical care in a geriatric psychiatry unit: impact on psychiatric outcome

The medical care of 49 randomly selected patients admitted to a geriatric psychiatry evaluation unit was assessed to determine the impact on psychiatric care and outcome. Medical factors were identified as directly causing psychiatric symptoms in 12 of the 49 cases, whereas psychiatric decompensation was precipitated by medical illness in 25. Previously undiagnosed significant medical problems were found in ten patients. In 25 cases concomitant medical illness had a major effect on psychiatric treatment, and in 23 the course of the medical illness affected psychiatric outcome. Seventy-nine per cent of the patients had at least moderately improved at the time of discharge, and most were able to return to their homes. Improvement in medical condition was correlated significantly with psychiatric improvement. Implications for the care of geriatric psychiatry patients are discussed.

Medical illness in psychiatric patients: barriers to diagnosis and treatment

We report a study of 102 consecutive admissions to the acute medical care unit of a large psychiatric hospital. The study was designed to investigate the epidemiology and the barriers to diagnosis and treatment of medical illness among female psychiatric inpatients. The majority of the patients were transferred to the unit because of nonspecific changes in physical condition or for behavioral differences. More than 70% of the patients were unable to communicate adequately with the physician. Ninety-two percent of the sample were found to have at least one with an average of three previously undiagnosed physical diseases not predicted by their symptoms on referral. We advocate a high index of suspicion of physical disease in the psychiatric population, and recommend an aggressive multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Relationship of depression to medical illness. A critical review

The relationship between medical illness and depression is critically reviewed. Evidence for an association exists but is based on relatively few studies of adequate research design. Data suggest the period prevalence of depressive syndrome in medically ill patients is around 18% for the severely medically ill. An etiologic relationship has not established. The incidence of diseases in the medical subspecialities of endocrinology, neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology appears to be increased in patients with depression. A causal relationship has been suggested in the first four.

[Somatic disorders and depressive states]

Somatic disorders in depression can be separated into two main categories. The first comprises those which are true side effets of drug-therapy; the other includes somatic symptoms of the depression itself, which are subsequently considered as apparent side effects. Under the same treatment true side effects occur much more frequently in psychogenic depression, especially if the patient has a personality disorder. During the course of the treatment the disappearance of somatic complaints is noticed more easily by the physicians than the appearance of true side effects (schulterbrandt). The relative frequency of symptoms of depression as compared with all other symptoms seems to be higher in manic-depressive psychoses than in other varieties of depression (Watts). The other somatic disorders might either be symptoms of organic illness with secondary depression, the psycho-somatic equivalents of depression, or finaly the only symptoms of a masked depression.

[Spontaneous hemobilia in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages]

Hemobilia, biliary tree hemorrhage, is characterized by melana and/or haematemesis, biliary colic and clinical jaundice. The rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding probably accounts for quite a large percentage of gastrointestinal hemorrhages of undetermined source. In the evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding the hepato-biliary system is seldom examined unless trauma has occurred. However, 10-15% of cases with hemobilia are non-traumatic. Three cases are presented illustrating three different causes of non-traumatic hemobilia observed during the last three years. The diagnostic problems and the therapeutic possibilities are described.

Studies in a newborn infant with supraventricular tachycardia and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

A neonatal patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White type A and supraventricular tachycardia is described. Demonstration of the mechanism of the tachycardia and its termination were achieved using intracardiac electrography and cardiac pacing. Quantitative left ventricular angiography and echocardiography showed impaired left ventricular function following the arrhythmia. Serial echocardiograms demonstrated the subsequent return to normal left ventricular performance.