Bowral & District Hospital

Depression is common among people with dementia. Despite most people with dementia living in the community, there have been few investigations of self-reported depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among community-dwelling people with dementia in Australia. This study aimed to explore the proportion of people with mild, moderate and severe levels of depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among a sample of people living with dementia in Australia. Correlates of reporting depressive symptoms were also explored. Adults diagnosed with dementia by a medical professional who were English speaking and community-dwelling were asked to complete a paper and pencil survey. Those who were unable to provide independent consent were excluded. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale -15, and suicidal ideation was assessed using two study-specific items. Multivariable analyses examined quality of life, unmet needs and sociodemographic factors associated with having a score of five or more on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. Ninety-four people participated in the study. Thirty-seven percent (n = 35) reported some level of depressive symptoms, with most of these (21%, n = 20) classified as having mild depressive symptoms. Five participants (5%) reported they had had thoughts of being better off dead or hurting themselves, while three (3%) reported having had a plan to end their life. For each additional unmet need, the odds of being depressed increased by 25%(P < 0.001). For each point increase in quality of life, the odds of being depressed decreased by 48% (P < 0.001). The high proportion of people with dementia who report depressive symptoms suggests the need to routinely assess depressive symptoms among this group. There may also be benefits in assessing unmet needs and addressing these where possible as part of an approach to reducing depression among people living with dementia in the community.

The use of computed tomography of the hip in a position of discomfort (CT-POD) in combination with 2D and 3D surface rendering is a technique increasingly used to aid in the assessment and confirmation of femoral and acetabular bony abnormalities related to femoroacetabular impingement. The purpose of this article is to describe this dynamic method of assessment. Patients referred by orthopaedic surgeons for assessment of femoroacetabular impingement as part of preoperative planning and patients who required postoperative assessment of residual bony abnormalities were selected. This article describes the CT-POD technique and the information required by the referring surgeon. CT-POD is a new technique that provides valuable preoperative and postoperative information to the surgeon.

BackgroundA poorly understood protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) disorder has been reported in Yorkshire Terrier dogs.ObjectivesTo describe clinical features, intestinal histopathology, and outcome in Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE, and to identify variables predictive of outcome.AnimalsThirty client‐owned Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE.MethodsRetrospective study. Records of dogs with a diagnosis of PLE were reviewed. Intestinal histopathology was interpreted using the World Small Animal Veterinary Association gastrointestinal histopathology classification system. Discriminate analysis techniques were used to identify variables predictive of outcome.ResultsFemales outnumbered males (20/30). Median age was 7 years (range 1–12). Common clinical signs were diarrhea (20/30), vomiting (11), ascites and abdominal distension (11), and respiratory difficulty (8). Histopathologic abnormalities included villous lymphatic dilatation, crypt lesions, villous stunting, and variable increases in cellularity of the lamina propria. All dogs were treated with glucocorticoids. Of 23 dogs with long‐term follow‐up, 9 had complete, and 3 had partial, resolution of signs, and 11 failed to respond to treatment. Median survival of responders was 44 months and of nonresponders was 12 months, with 4 dogs experiencing peracute death. Vomiting, monocytosis, severity of hypoalbuminemia, low blood urea nitrogen concentration, and villous blunting were predictive of survival <4 months.ConclusionsIn addition to classic GI signs, Yorkshire Terriers with PLE often show clinical signs associated with hypoalbuminemia and low oncotic pressure. Lymphatic dilatation, crypt lesions, and villous stunting are consistent histopathologic findings. Clinical outcomes are variable, but many dogs experience remission of clinical signs and prolonged survival.

Background: A ligamentum teres (LT) injury is a common finding at the time of hip arthroscopic surgery in patients with chronic groin and hip pain; however, LT tears have been difficult to identify before surgery. There have been no unique features identified on history assessment, physical examination, or imaging that reliably identify injuries of the LT preoperatively. Purpose: To report a new clinical examination to assess the presence of an LT tear: the LT test. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The study consisted of 75 patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for multiple lesions. Each patient was evaluated by 2 independent examiners using the LT test, leading to a total of 150 tests being performed. The LT test is conducted with the hip flexed at 70° and 30° short of full abduction; the hip is then internally and externally rotated to its limits of motion. Pain on either internal or external rotation is consistent with a positive LT test result. Hip arthroscopic surgery was then performed and all intra-articular abnormalities noted. Arthroscopic images were taken of each LT and examined by a third independent examiner who determined the presence or absence of a tear. Clinical examination findings were compared with the arthroscopic findings to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. In addition, the presence of intra-articular pathological lesions was compared with the test results to determine if there was a correlation between the presence of an intra-articular pathological abnormality and a positive LT test result. Results: Of the 150 examinations performed, the test result was positive 55% of the time (77 examinations). The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 90% and 85%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 84%, and the negative predictive value was 91%. The presence of an LT tear, pincer lesion, and labral tear that required repair was associated with a positive LT test result. The κ coefficient for interobserver reliability was .80. Conclusion: The LT test is an effective way of assessing the presence of LT tears with moderate to high interobserver reliability. In addition to an LT tear, the presence of a pincer lesion or labral tear requiring repair are also associated with a positive LT test result.

Mental health Consultation-Liaison (CL) nursing continues to develop and gain recognition as a subspecialty of mental health nursing. CL roles are particularly important given the significant number of people experiencing mental illness and other mental health problems within the general health-care settings. However, despite the potential value of these roles, the literature provides little information about these roles and about the nurses who work in these roles. This is the second part of a two-part paper describing a survey of CL nurses in Australia. Part 1 describes demographic data and characteristics of the CL role. Part 2 provides an exploration of the following factors: educational preparation, support, and work satisfaction. The findings identified specific educational needs in preparation and ongoing support for the role. However, overall the participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with their work. Given the current recruitment problems in mental health nursing, the promotion of the CL nursing role might enhance a more positive view of this branch of nursing.