Journal of general internal medicine
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Comparative Study
Recognition of depression in older medical inpatients.
Studies of recognition of depression in older (aged 65 or more) medical inpatients show low rates of recognition of depression by attending physicians. However, few studies have compared different measures of recognition of depression. ⋯ Recognition of depression in elderly medical inpatients depends upon the indicator of recognition used.
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Comparative Study
Screening for domestic violence among adult women in the United States.
Domestic violence is a problem frequently encountered in health care settings and a risk factor for physical and mental health problems. ⋯ Self-reported rates of screening for domestic violence are low even among women at higher risk for abuse. These findings reinforce the importance of developing training and raising awareness of domestic violence and its health implications. This is especially true in primary care and mental health specialty settings.
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Comparative Study
Characteristics of nondisabled older patients developing new disability associated with medical illnesses and hospitalization.
To identify demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics of older nondisabled patients who develop new disability in basic activities of daily living (BADL) during medical illnesses requiring hospitalization. ⋯ Several factors might contribute to loss of physical independence in hospitalized older persons. Preexisting conditions associated with the frailty syndrome, including physical and cognitive function, comorbidity, body composition, and inflammatory markers, characterize patients at high risk of functional decline.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Awareness, accuracy, and predictive validity of self-reported cholesterol in women.
Although current guidelines emphasize the importance of cholesterol knowledge, little is known about accuracy of this knowledge, factors affecting accuracy, and the relationship of self-reported cholesterol with cardiovascular disease (CVD). ⋯ Women with obesity, smoking, untreated hypertension, or sedentary lifestyle have decreased awareness of their cholesterol levels. Self-reported cholesterol underestimates measured values, but is strongly related to CVD. Lack of awareness of elevated cholesterol is associated with increased risk of CVD.
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To examine the informed consent process when trained language interpreters are unavailable. ⋯ In the absence of adequate Spanish interpretation, it was uncertain whether these LEP patients were provided the quality and content of information needed to assure that they are genuinely informed. We offer some low-cost practice suggestions that might mitigate these problems, and improve the quality of language interpretation, which is essential to assuring informed choice in health care for LEP patients.