Awareness of memory deficits is useful to distinguish between depression and mild cognitive impairment in the elderly

Objective: To investigate whether the level of awareness of memory deficits is useful for discriminating between major depressive disorder (MDD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly. Methods: Sixty-three consecutively referred patients (38 women and 25 men) with memory concerns comprising three groups (clinical control, MDD and MCI) underwent a memory test (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test [RAVLT]) and completed the Memory Assessment Complaints-Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Level of awareness was estimated by the difference between the MAC-Q score and the score on the fifth presentation of the RAVLT. Memory performance, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]) were also assessed. Results: The control (n=25), MDD (n=16), and MCI (n=22) groups were similar in age, educational level, and MMSE (p > 0.05). Among the groups, the MDD group had the most memory complaints, whereas the MCI group had the worst objective memory performance. Level of awareness was capable of discriminating between MDD and MCI (p < 0.05), but not between MDD and clinical controls (p > 0.05). MDD subjects tended to underestimate their memory functioning as compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Level of awareness of memory deficits was significantly useful to discriminate between MCI and MDD, which is a common difficulty faced by clinicians. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

A clinical study on complications of chronic suppurative otitis media and level of awareness in patients admitted at tertiary care hospital in central India.

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common public health problem in India. Though there is decline in the incidence of complications but they are still frequent due to poor socio-economic conditions, lack of awareness about health care and availability of trained specialist in rural settings. The objective was to study the complications of CSOM and level of awareness in patients admitted at Department of E.N.T. N.S.C.B. Medical College & Hospital Jabalpur M.P. India. Methods: The present study comprises of 52 patients with complications secondary to CSOM admitted to the Dept. of E.N.T., N.S.C.B. Medical College Hospital Jabalpur M.P. India. An analysis was made regarding the demographic profile, clinical features, complications, awareness and the outcome of the study. Data was analysed with the help of Microsoft office excel. Results: The total no. of 52 patients with complication of CSOM was included in the study. The most common age for complication was first three decade of life. Most of the patients belong to rural area and lower socioeconomic status. Majority of the patients presented with the history of ear discharge, headache, decreased hearing, ear ache, swelling behind the ear, fever, facial weakness & signs of raised intracranial tension. Intratemporal complications was seen in 46 (88.46%) of the patients while only 6 (11.53%) belongs to intracranial complications. Overall awareness was poor. Self-medication was used in 23 (44.23%) of cases and match stick with or without cotton was used in 31 (59.61%) of patients for cleaning practice. Conclusions: Complications of CSOM pose a great challenge in clinical practice & Public health. Early intervention & awareness is required to decrease morbidity and mortality of the patients.

Investigation and analysis of the cognitive level of occupational protection of staff in sterilization and supply center / 中国实用护理杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate and understand the cognitive level of occupational protection of staff in sterilization and supply center. Methods180 staff in sterilization and supply center were taken for a retrospective questionnaire investigation.The survey included:general information of the object,cognition about occupational protection,wearing of protective equipment,influence of occupational hazards,sharp instrument injury and the handling of injury cases. ResultsThe cognitive level of occupational protection in the sterilization and supply center was low.Some of the staff did not fully implement the wearing of protective equipment rules in the decontamination areas.In the occupational hazards,sharp instrument injuries accounted the highest incidence.The situation of taking blood tests after injury,injection of high titer globulin,report to the higher-ups and follow-up investigation were rare,and even some staff gave no handling of the wound. ConclusionsThe cognitive level of occupational protection in the sterilization and supply center is low.It not only needs professional training to improve cognitive level of occupational protection but also effective protective measures.The management department should establish a complete protection regulations of occupational safety and strict supervision in order to prevent the occurrence of occupational exposure,ensure staff safety,and at the same time,health records should be established in order to understand health status of staff.