Development and validation of a short form of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory – the GAI-SF

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard J. Byrne ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana

ABSTRACTBackground: Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among older people and are associated with considerable disability burden. While several instruments now exist to measure anxiety in older people, there is a need for a very brief self-report scale to measure anxiety symptoms in epidemiological surveys, in primary care and in acute geriatric medical settings. Accordingly, we undertook the development of such a scale, based on the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of randomly selected, community-residing, older women (N = 284; mean age 72.2 years) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. DSM-IV diagnostic interviews were undertaken using the Mini International Diagnostic Interview, fifth edition (MINI-V).Results: We developed a 5-item version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, which we have termed the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory – Short Form (GAI-SF). We found that a score of three or greater was optimal for the detection of DSM-IV Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in this community sample. At this cut-point, sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 87%, and 86% of participants were correctly classified. GAI-SF score was not related to age, MMSE score, level of education or perceived income adequacy. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's α = 0.81) and concurrent validity against the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was good (rs = 0.48, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The GAI-SF is a short form of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, which we recommend for use in epidemiological studies. It may also be useful in primary care and acute geriatric medical settings.

2002 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M Gagnon ◽  
Scott B Pat ten

Objective: To replicate previously re ported as sociations between major depressive episodes (MDEs) and long-term medical conditions in a Canadian community sample. Methods: A sample of 2542 house hold residents was selected using random digit dialing (RDD). Data were collected by tele phone in ter view. The Composite International Diagnostic In ter view (CIDI)-Short Form for major depression (CIDI-SFMD) was used to identify MDEs occurring in the previous 12 months. Long-term medical conditions were identified by self-report. Results: The prevalence of MDE was elevated in those subjects who re ported 1 or more long-term medical conditions. The association was not due to con founding by age, sex, social support, or stressful recent life events. Conclusion: This study replicates a previously re ported as sociation between depressive disorders and long-term medical conditions. These cross-sectional associations suggest that medical conditions may increase the risk of major depression or that major depression may in crease the risk of medical conditions. Alternatively, comorbid medical conditions may influence the duration of depressive episodes, or vice versa. These explanations are not mutually exclusive.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Leonardo Pozza Santos ◽  
Antônio Augusto Schäfer ◽  
Fernanda Oliveira Meller ◽  
Inacio Crochemore-Silva ◽  
Bruno Pereira Nunes ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To assess the association between household food insecurity (FI) and major depressive episodes (MDE) amid Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Design: Cross-sectional study carried out with data from four consecutive population-based studies. Setting: The study was conducted between May and June 2020, in Bagé, a Brazilian southern city. Household FI was measured using the short-form version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Utilizing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, we used two different approaches to define MDE: the cut-off point of ≥9 and the diagnostic criteria proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-R). Association between FI and MDE was analysed using crude and adjusted Poisson regression models. Participants: 1550 adults (≥20 years old). Results: The prevalence of household FI was 29.4% (95%C.I 25.0; 34.4). MDE prevalence varied from 4.4% (95%C.I. 3.1 to 6.0), when we used the DSM-IV-R criteria to define this condition, to 9.6% (95%C.I 7.3; 12.5) of the sample, when we used the cut-off point of ≥9 as definition. Prevalence of MDE was more than two times higher in those individuals living with FI, independent of the criteria adopted to define the outcome. Adjustment for potential confounders did not change the association’s magnitude. Conclusion: Household FI has been positively associated with MDE amid Covid-19 pandemic, independent of sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Actions are needed to warrant basic living conditions to avoid food insecurity and hunger and its consequences for the Brazilian population, especially those consequences linked to mental health disorders.


Author(s):  
E-Jin Park ◽  
Shin-Young Kim ◽  
Yeeun Kim ◽  
Dajung Sung ◽  
Bora Kim ◽  
...  

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to be closely related to depression, anxiety and sleep problems. However, it remains unclear whether adolescents with ACEs have sleep problems regardless of depression or anxiety or under a mediating effect from depression or anxiety. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether depression or anxiety mediates the relationship between ACEs and sleep problems in adolescents by using a community sample. The Early Trauma Inventory Self Report–Short Form (ETISR-SF) and List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire (LTE-Q) were used to assess traumatic ACEs. Ultimately, data from 737 students (M = 448, F = 289, 15.1 ± 1.4 years old) were included in the statistical analysis. A total of 576 (78.1%) participants reported that they had experienced one or more ACEs. Adolescents with ACEs had higher levels of depression, anxiety and sleep problems than did adolescents without ACEs, and boys tended to experience more trauma than girls. Depression and anxiety partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and sleep problems. The results of this study suggest the need for depression and anxiety interventions for adolescents with ACEs to reduce the long-term consequences, including sleep problems and physical health problems.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
S. Subedi ◽  
P. Shrestha ◽  
D.K. Thapa

Introduction: Ageing is a normal phenomenon. Various studies shows that there is a sharp rise in the elderly population in the last few years. Prevalence of depression in elderly is found to around 13% in the community sample in various countries. There is a dearth of study related to psychiatric illness in elderly in Nepal. This study was aimed to find the prevalence of depression in elderly and see for various factors associated with elderly depression. Material And Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Siddharthnagar Municipality, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi. 316 elderly were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. A Semi- structured interview schedule was developed to collect Socio-demographic data. The Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale (SF-GDS) was used to find out the prevalence of depression among elderly people. Ethical Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee, Chitwan Medical College and permission was obtained from Siddharthnagar Municipality, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi. The collected data was entered in Epidata 3.1 and the data was exported and analyzed in IBM SPSS 20. Results: There were a total of 316 samples in this study. The mean age of respondents was 68.47 years of age. Majority of the respondents (54.1%) were female and living in joint Family (72.2%). Almost 45.9% respondents were from upper caste groups, 90.5% of respondents were Hindus. Among the married (100%) respondents, 54.6% of respondents were living with spouse and 3.2% were divorced and separated from spouse. Depression was present in 49.4% of respondents were depressed. Among depressed respondents, 46.7% of respondents were having mild depression, 39.2% moderate depression and 14.1% severe depression. Conclusion: The finding of this study concluded that depression among elderly people was a substantial problem in Siddharthnagar Municipality, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E Barber ◽  
Nur Hani Zainal ◽  
Michelle G. Newman

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) often precede and predict one another. Stress reactivity theories of psychopathology posit that patterns of heightened emotional reactions to stressors can result in increased vulnerability to the development of anxiety and depression. However, cross-sectional studies on this topic have hindered causal inferences. Method: The present study examined stress reactivity as a potential mediator of the sequential associations between GAD and MDD symptoms in a sample of 3,294 community-dwelling adults. GAD and MDD symptom severity (Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form) was assessed at two time points (T1 and T3), approximately 18 years apart. Stress reactivity (Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire) was measured at T2. Results: Structural equation mediation modeling demonstrated that higher T1 GAD severity positively predicted more severe T3 MDD symptoms via T2 stress reactivity (d = 0.45–0.50). After controlling for T1 GAD, T2 stress reactivity was not a significant mediator in the relationship between higher T1 MDD symptoms and worse T3 GAD symptoms. Direct effects indicated that T1 GAD positively predicted T3 MDD 18 years later, and vice versa (d = 1.29–1.65). Limitations: Stress reactivity was assessed using a self-report measure, limiting conclusions to perceived (vs. behaviorally indexed) stress reactivity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that stress reactivity may be one mechanism through which GAD leads to later MDD over prolonged durations. Overall, our results suggest that targeting stress reactivity in treatments for GAD may reduce the risk of developing subsequent MDD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Brown ◽  
Rahena Mossabir ◽  
Nicola Harrison ◽  
Caroline Brundle ◽  
Jane Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK government introduced social distancing measures and identified specific populations at high risk from the virus. People ≥70 were deemed ‘Clinically Vulnerable’. Distancing measures were introduced to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, these may have a negative impact on older people who are vulnerable to social isolation and may have challenges accessing services and provisions. Objectives To investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the lives of older people. Study design and setting Cross-sectional telephone survey. Participants Community-dwelling older people, 76–97 years. Outcomes Health anxiety; General health (RAND Short-form 36 Survey); Physical activity; Depression (PHQ-8); Anxiety (GAD-2); Loneliness; Access to services; Challenges, concerns and positive experiences. Data analysis Counts (%), means (SDs). Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from open questions. Results n = 142. 52% did not worry about their health; 76% rated their health as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’; &lt;10% met the criteria indicative of depression (PHQ-8), or anxiety (GAD-2); 42% were less active than before lockdown; and 27% were lonely at least some of the time. Over half of participants identified positive aspects. Conclusions Most participants reported good health with low levels of health anxiety, anxiety and depression. Many were able to identify positive aspects to lockdown and may be better equipped to deal with lockdown than anticipated. Strategies may be required to ameliorate the negative impact of loneliness for a minority of older people, and help some resume previous activity levels and pursuits.


2003 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Coid ◽  
Ann Petruckevitch ◽  
Wai-Shan Chung ◽  
Jo Richardson ◽  
Stirling Moorey ◽  
...  

BackgroundAbusive experiences in childhood and adulthood increase risks of psychiatric morbidity in women and independently increase risks of further abuse over the lifetime. It is unclear which experiences are most damaging.AimsTo measure lifetime prevalence of abusive experiences and psychiatric morbidity, and to analyse associations in women primary care attenders.MethodA cross-sectional, self-report survey of 1207 women attending 13 surgeries in the London borough of Hackney, UK. Independent associations between demographic measures, abusive experiences and psychiatric outcome were established using logistic regression.ResultsChildhood sexual abuse had few associations with adult mental health measures, in contrast to physical abuse. Sexual assault in adulthood was associated with substance misuse; rape with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but not substance misuse. Domestic violence showed strongest associations with most mental health measures, increased for experiences in the past year.ConclusionsAbuse in childhood and adulthood have differential effects on mental health; effects are increased by recency and severity. Women should be routinely questioned about ongoing and recent experiences as well as childhood.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon J Pfaff ◽  
Jon J Pfaff ◽  
Osvaldo P Almeida

Objective: To determine the characteristics of depressed older patients whose mental health status is detected by their general practitioner (GP). Method: Cross-sectional analytical design of 218 patients scoring above the cut-off (≥ 16) of the Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D), from a sample of 916 consecutive patients aged 60 years or over attending one of 54 randomly selected GPs in Western Australia. Prior to their medical consultation, patients completed a self-report questionnaire, which included questions about depressive symptomatology (CES-D). Following the consultation, general practitioners recorded the patient's presenting complaint(s), medication information, and mental health details on a patient summary sheet. Results: Among these 218 patients, 39.9% (87/218) were correctly classified as depressed by their GP. Detection of depressive symptomatology was associated with patients who acknowledged taking sleeping tablets (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3–5.4), had CES-D scores indicative of major depression (≥ 22) (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4–5.6) and were thought to be at risk for suicide (OR = 35.1, 95% CI = 4.5–274.2). Conclusions: While GPs are most apt to detect depression among older patients with prominent mental health symptoms, many patients in this age group silently experience significant depressive symptomatology and miss the opportunity for effective treatment. The routine use of screening tools in primary care is recommended to enhance the detection rate of depression in older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolie N. Haun ◽  
Bridget A. Cotner ◽  
Christine Melillo ◽  
Vanessa Panaite ◽  
William Messina ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Proactive integrated virtual healthcare resource (VHR) use can improve efficiency, maximize resource capacity for delivering optimal coordinated care and improve patient outcomes. Proactive integrated VHR use is vital for delivering high quality care. Our objectives were to identify proactive integrated VHR use among primary care teams, best practices and targeted implementation strategies to promote proactive integrated VHR use. Methods This is a mixed-method descriptive study. We employed a community-based participatory approach to collect data and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to analyze and contextualize findings. A cross-sectional sample of primary care team members (n = 65) from a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center participated in focus groups, follow-up interviews (n = 16), and respond to self-report surveys. Operational subject matter experts (n = 15) participated in informant interviews. Results Survey data described current use and factors that influenced singular VHR use and were convergent with qualitative findings. Focus group and interview data described no evidence of proactive integrated VHR use. Differences and similarities were identified between both utilization groups, such as facilitators and barriers, recommendations, patient education and preferred implementation strategies. All groups reported issues around VHR availability knowledge and access and functionality. Participants identified the need for best practices that are specific to care tasks and performance measures. Expert informant interviews identified a list of VHR tools that could be proactively integrated across the healthcare continuum. Conclusions Health systems are leveraging technologies to proactively integrate VHR to maximize information exchange, clinical decision support and patient engagement. VHR is critical during global pandemics, such as COVID-19, to maintain access to care coordination and delivery while abiding by public health recommendations. Though recent requirements for reducing contact create an intrinsic motivation, cultural change through education and best practices of proactive integrated use across the healthcare continuum is needed to create a culture of VHR super users.


Author(s):  
Romana Santos Gama ◽  
Luiz Carlos Passos ◽  
Welma Wildes Amorim ◽  
Renato Morais Souza ◽  
Hévila Maciel Queiroga ◽  
...  

Rationale, aims and objectives: Patient adherence to medication is related to successful pharmacotherapy; however, many patients do not take their medications as prescribed because of poor understanding of their purpose.This study aimed to assess older people’s knowledge of the purpose of drugs prescribed at medical appointments in primary care units and the possible factors related to their level of knowledge about their medications. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 22 basic health units in Brazil. Older people from this sample who were treated in a primary care setting were interviewed after a consultation with a family practice physician. Data were collected from September 2016 to March 2019. Patients aged ≥ 60 years who visited the primary care units were included in the study (n = 674). Knowledge of prescribed medications was assessed by comparing the responses to the questionnaire and the medication and prescription information. Multivariate analyses were conducted using a Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The mean age of the sample was 70.1 (standard deviation: ± 7.1) years. Among 674 patients, 272 (40.4%) did not know the indication of at least one of their prescribed drugs; among them 78 (11.6%) did not know the indication of any of their prescribed drugs. In the final multivariate analysis, polypharmacy, illiteracy, and cognitive impairment were found to be associated with misunderstanding the purpose of at least one prescribed drug. Moreover, illiteracy and cognitive impairment were associated with a greater misunderstanding of the purpose of all prescribed drugs. Conclusions: In the studied sample, patients demonstrated a high rate of misunderstanding of the purpose of prescribed drugs. Therefore, it is necessary for health services and professionals to implement strategies that increase the quality of the guidance and instructions given to older people in order to promote adherence to treatment.


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