Need for Age-Appropriate Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD

GeroPsych ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Andreas Maercker

Abstract. Studies in patient or community samples suggest that many older adults who experience clinically significant psychopathology do not fit easily into our existing disorder classification systems. This affects older people with traumatic experiences, who in their senescence report multiple mental disturbances and reduced quality of life. Thus, there is a need to develop age-appropriate diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To date, the new ICD-11 has done this only in a very rudimentary way. This article gives a brief historical overview and names the reasons for these diagnostic problems. Subsequently, it proposes six plus one (male-only) features to be dominant and life-stage specific in older adults: posttraumatic nightmares and reenactments, impaired sleep, painful memories of traumatically lost close persons, hypervigilance including elevated startle response, weakness or asthenia, somatoform pain or chronic primary pain, and in males only: reckless or self-destructive behavior. Finally, it outlines future steps to improve the adequate recognition of clinical presentations of trauma sequelae.

Author(s):  
Lingxiao He ◽  
Philipe de Souto Barreto ◽  
Juan Luis Sánchez Sánchez ◽  
Yves Rolland ◽  
Sophie Guyonnet ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has been associated with several age-related disorders, but its associations with functional abilities in community-dwelling older adults are not well studied. Methods The study was a secondary analysis on 1096 community-dwelling older adults (aged 69 to 94 years) recruited from the Multidomain Alzheimer’s Preventive Trial. Plasma GDF15 was measured one year after participants’ enrolment. Annual data of physical performance (grip strength and short physical performance battery [SPPB]) and global cognitive functions (mini-mental state examination [MMSE] and a composite cognitive score) were measured for four years. Adjusted mixed-effects linear models were performed for cross-sectional and longitudinal association analyses. Results A higher GDF15 was cross-sectionally associated with a weaker grip strength (β = -1.1E-03, 95%CI [-2.0E-03, -1.5E-04]), a lower SPPB score (β = -3.1E-04, 95%CI [-5.4E-04, -9.0E-05]) and worse cognitive functions (β = -2.4E-04, 95%CI [-3.3E-04, -1.6E-04] for composite cognitive score; β = -4.0E-04, 95%CI [-6.4E-04, -1.6E-04] for MMSE). Participants with higher GDF15 demonstrated greater longitudinal declines in SPPB (β = -1.0E-04, 95%CI [-1.7E-04, -2.0E-05]) and composite cognitive score (β = -2.0E-05, 95%CI [-4.0E-05, -3.6E-06]). The optimal initial GDF15 cutoff values for identifying participants with minimal clinically significant decline after one year were 2189 pg/mL for SPPB (AUC: 0.580) and 2330 pg/mL for composite cognitive score (AUC: 0.587). Conclusions Plasma GDF15 is cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with lower-limb physical performance and global cognitive function in older adults. Circulating GDF15 alone has limited capacity of discriminating older adults who will develop clinically significant functional declines.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera van de Straat ◽  
Boris Cheval ◽  
Ralph E. Schmidt ◽  
Stefan Sieber ◽  
Delphine Courvoisier ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachell Kingsbury ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana ◽  
Michael Humphreys ◽  
Gerry Tehan ◽  
Gerard J.A. Byrne

AbstractThe current study investigated the ability of CogniScreen to differentiate older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from those reporting symptoms of depression. Participants included 140 community-based adults (30 MCI, 15 self-rated depressed, and 95 typical older adults) aged 50–89 years. Intergroup comparisons performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses suggest tasks within CogniScreen are sensitive to clinically significant memory loss. Data provided partial support for some CogniScreen tasks to also differentiate individuals with MCI from those who are depressed. Results suggest CogniScreen may be potentially useful in screening older adults for early cognitive decline.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 627-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Grayston

Our population is ageing. People are living for longer and with more complex medical problems, and this is placing increasing pressure on health services. It has never been more important for clinicians to understand what constitutes normal ageing. An understanding of normal ageing can help us to anticipate future healthcare needs, promote health and independence, and differentiate age-appropriate physiology from pathology. This article aims to highlight how ageing affects different body systems. Special consideration is then given to how such changes affect the use of medications and the interpretation of laboratory tests in older adults.


2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 555-558
Author(s):  
Smiljka Popovic-Deusic ◽  
Milica Pejovic-Milovancevic ◽  
Saveta Draganic-Gajic ◽  
Olivera Aleksic-Hil ◽  
Dusica Lecic-Tosevski

For a long time, there was a strong belief of existing continuity between childhood-onset psychoses and adult psychoses. Important moment in understanding psychotic presentations during infancy and childhood is Kanner's description of early infantile autism. Later studies of Rutter and Kolvin, as well as new classification systems, have delineated pervasive developmental disorders from all other psychotic disorders in childhood. But clinical experience is showing that in spite of existence of the group of pervasive developmental disorders with subgroups within it and necessary diagnostic criteria there are children with pervasive symptoms, who are not fulfilling all necessary diagnostic criteria for pervasive developmental disorder. Therefore, in this paper we are discussing and pointing at psychotic spectrum presentations in children, which have not the right place in any existing classification system (ICD-10, DSM-IV).


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Jenkin ◽  
Jannique G. Z. van Uffelen ◽  
Grant O'Sullivan ◽  
Jack Harvey ◽  
Rochelle M. Eime ◽  
...  

Community sport is seen as a suitable setting for physical activity for different population groups. Older adults (aged 50+ years) are a rapidly growing population group. Physical activity is critical for healthy ageing, however sport participation rates for older adults are very low. The aim of this study was to investigate how sporting organisations perceive sport for older adults. This cross-sectional study surveyed 171 representatives from Australian National and State Sporting Organisations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results and the three sporting organisation categories' (high, medium, and low participation) responses were compared using non-parametric statistics. Contextualised in the perspective of organisational change, a framework for marketing to the ageing consumer was used to interpret the results. Older adults are not a high priority group for most sporting organisations, however the benefits of engaging older adults were recognised, particularly in context of increasing participation numbers. A lack of age-appropriate programmes was perceived to be a major barrier of engaging older adults. This lack of programmes stems from older adults being deemed as a less attractive segment than other age groups for sporting organisations. Modifications that sports felt they could make to attract and/or retain older adults included specific marketing and age appropriate opportunities. There was widespread consensus across sporting organisations, suggesting that perceptions of older adult sport participation were comparable across the sector, such as increasing participation numbers and engaging their older fan base. In the context of attracting, and retaining, older adults in sport clubs, it was concluded that most sporting organisations are not (yet) ready to build “age friendly” sporting environments. There is very limited literature on the organisational perspective of older adults and sport, meaning this study is unique in the field. Although sport policy encourages organisations to grow their participation, most organisations do not actively and strategically engage older adults. This research provides an understanding of why this untapped market is not a priority target and provides comprehensive insights for policy makers to better engage with this population group.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramona A Danielson ◽  
Susan Ray-Degges

Abstract Background and Objectives Adverse childhood and adult experiences can have far-reaching impacts, and when coupled with typical aging-related changes, may impede achievement of a suitable person-environment fit for aging adults. The objective of our study was to determine if extant literature connects older adults with trauma history to successfully aging in place. Research Design and Methods We proposed a conceptual model regarding trauma history, adaptive capacity of aging adults, and trauma-informed supports for aging in place. We conducted a scoping review using six databases [key words older adult(s), aging in place, housing, trauma], with a full review of 32 articles. Results Insights included: 1) Aging in place does not have to mean living in the same house over time. 2) The uncertainty of the aging process can be traumatic and can be exacerbated by previous traumatic experiences. 3) Environmental sensitivities can result from previous traumatic experiences and cause further trauma. 4) Housing precarity is a traumatic experience. 5) Permanent supportive housing is an important resource for people in crisis. 6) Community supports are critical to aging in place. Discussion and Implications Our review revealed insights about aging in place and trauma, but did not connect the vulnerabilities specific to aging adults with personal trauma histories to aging in place. Research is needed that confirms the relationship between history of traumatic experiences and difficulties with aging in place as well as trauma-informed approaches that can mitigate housing-related stressors and foster community living environments that provide equitable access to aging in place.


Author(s):  
Lizeta N. Bakola ◽  
Nikolaos D. Rizos ◽  
Athanasios S. Drigas

<p>This paper aims at reviewing the supportive and therapeutic contribution of ICTs on the most common psychoemotional disorders of childhood and adolescence. The various approaches to classifying behavioral and emotional dysregulations in children and adolescents have been reviewed and the boundaries between normative variation and clinically significant presentations have been determined. Furthermore, we present the major categories of mental illnesses in children and adolescents investigating the etiology, the diagnostic criteria, the epidemiology and treatments by critically reviewing the outcomes of relevant studies. The findings indicate that significant steps have been made in this field, but it is vital to underline the need for more extended investigation in school aged children and adolescents for this purpose.</p>


Author(s):  
Maria Sortênia Alves Guimarães ◽  
Carolina Araújo dos Santos ◽  
Joice da Silva Castro ◽  
Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol ◽  
Fabiane Aparecida Canaan Rezende ◽  
...  

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