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Biomedical subjects

G Pinner

Publications and source records attributed to G Pinner.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

On telling the truth in Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study of current practice and attitudes.

Research suggests there has been a cultural change in the disclosure of diagnosis; most evidence relates to cancer and there is little knowledge of attitudes towards disclosing the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. A questionnaire was used to survey the current practice and attitudes of old-age psychiatrists and geriatricians in Nottingham, UK. The results of this pilot study suggest that only 40% of respondents regularly tell patients the diagnosis. Although physicians are aware of many benefits in disclosing, they have concerns regarding the certainty of diagnosis, the patient's insight, and potential detrimental effects. The advantages of disclosure and the ethical issues involved are discussed.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1998

Incidence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) induced hyponatraemia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: The study determines the incidence of SSRI-induced hyponatraemia due to SIADH in an elderly psychiatric inpatient population. DESIGN: A retrospective case-note study. SETTING: An acute old age psychiatry ward. SAMPLE: Patients admitted from January 1 to December 31, 1996. MEASURES: Demographics, medication, psychiatric diagnoses, plasma sodium level and physical comorbidity were collected. Patients on SSRIs were selected and those developing hyponatraemia due to SIADH were identified. RESULTS: Of 32 patients taking SSRIs, four developed symptomatic hyponatraemia due to SIADH (12.5%). A further four developed asymptomatic hyponatraemia following introduction of an SSRI (12.5%), although laboratory confirmation of SIADH was lacking. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SSRI-induced hyponatraemia due to SIADH has not previously been established. This study shows a high incidence in elderly patients of this potentially dangerous complication. Clinical practice in the prescription of SSRIs to elderly people must change to include monitoring of electrolytes for early detection and reduction of morbidity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Psychiatric manifestations of normal-pressure hydrocephalus: a short review and unusual case.

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a common cause of potentially reversible dementia. It can present with psychiatric manifestations that may hinder its diagnosis. A 68-year-old man presented with a paranoid psychosis and mild cognitive impairment, but not neurological signs or classic "triad." Gait disturbance and urinary incontinence developed later in the course of illness after the diagnosis of NPH had already been made on computed tomographic (CT) scanning. A lumbo-peritoneal shunt was performed, followed by full remission of psychotic symptoms, as well as considerable improvement in functioning, continence, and gait. This case demonstrates the need to consider NPH when older patients present with psychotic symptoms, particularly in the presence of cognitive impairment, gait disturbance, or incontinence. The decision whether to perform a shunting operation is often difficult, because selection of patients with good prognosis is still inaccurate. CT scanning of the brain is an important investigation in older patients presenting with both functional and organic disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Psychiatric aspects of temporal arteritis: a case report and review of the literature.

Temporal arteritis may present with atypical manifestations that can hamper its diagnosis. We report a case presenting with predominantly psychiatric symptoms including psychotic features and affective symptoms both on a background of cognitive impairment. Such clear-cut psychotic symptoms have not been described previously in the literature. Corticosteroid treatment was followed by full remission of psychotic and affective symptoms; treatment with antipsychotic medication was unnecessary. Temporal arteritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of psychosis and affective disorder in the elderly. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a valuable parameter in the assessment of old-age psychiatry patients presenting both with functional and neurologic disorders.

Aged↗