Elderly Patients In Community Research Articles

Effects of MEBO on promoting healing of pressure ulcers in elderly patients in community

Objective To explore the effects of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) and in situ skin regeneration technology in the treatment of pressure ulcers in elderly patients in community. Methods A total of 31 elderly patients with pressure ulcers in community were treated with MEBO and in situ skin regeneration technology. The amount of wound exudate, histological types and area change were observed dynamically to evaluate the condition of wound healing. Results There were 14 elderly patients with StageⅠ-Ⅱ pressure ulcers healed within two weeks after treatment, and other 17 patients were healed without skin-grafting within 120 days. Conclusions The application of MEBO and in situ skin regeneration technology can effectively promote healing of pressure ulcers in elderly patients in community and is worthy of clinical promotion and application. Key words: Community health center; Geriatric nursing; Pressure ulcer; In situ skin regeneration technology; Moist exposed burn ointment

Pharmacist intervention in the prevention of heart failure for high-risk elderly patients in the community.

BackgroundHeart failure has become one of the major causes of hospitalization worldwide. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia are the major causes of heart failure. In order to effectively prevent heart failure, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels shall be closely monitored and controlled as well as medication adherence. This study aimed to investigate the role of pharmacist intervention in prevention of heart failure in high risk elderly patients in the community of Hong Kong.AimThis study aimed to investigate the role of pharmacist intervention in prevention of heart failure in highrisk elderly patients in the community of Hong Kong.MethodsThis prospective uncontrolled study was conducted between July 2012 and April 2013 with two revisits every 3 to 4 months to review elderly patients’ medication profiles as well as assess their blood pressure (BP), random capillary blood glucose (RCBG) level, cholesterol levels, signs and symptoms of heart failure and the compliance level. The results collected at the baseline data were analyzed and compared with those collected at the last follow-up visit.ResultA significant increase in number of subjects free of symptoms of heart failure (31.88%, p < 0.001) was found. For chronic disease management, significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol level (-0.86 ± 0.56mmol/L, p = 0.038) and triglyceride level (-1.15 ± 1.09mmol/L, p < 0.001) was observed in overall participants. Yet, no significant reduction in BP level or RCBG level was observed in overall subjects. Significant reduction in mean Morisky Medication Adherence Score (-0.54 ± 1.50, p = 0.005) indicated improvement in medication compliance in participants.ConclusionThe Pharmacy Outreach service has a significant role in prevention of heart failure, by means of minimizing heart failure symptoms, improving medication compliance and enhancing chronic disease management, particularly cholesterol management in community elderly patients. This study provided a reference for further investigation and evaluation of the role of pharmacists in preventing heart failure in the high-risk community elderly patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-015-0173-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness of Food-Based Fortification in Older People. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Early intervention with nutritional support has been found to stop weight loss in older people malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Enriched food could be a more attractive alternative to improve meals, than conventional oral nutritional supplements. To determine the effectiveness of food-based fortification to prevent risk of malnutrition in elderly patients in community or institutionalized elderly patients. A systematic review was conducted of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and interrupted time series including a longitudinal analysis. Elderly patients who are institutionalized, hospitalized or community-dwelling, with a minimum average age of 65 years. All type of patient groups, with the exception of people in critical care, or those who were recovering from cancer treatment, were included. Studies had to compare food-based fortification against alternatives. Studies that used oral nutritional supplementation such as commercial sip feeds, vitamin or mineral supplements were excluded. The search was conducted in Cochrane, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and Cuiden. An independent peer review was carried out. From 1011 studies obtained, 7 were included for the systematic review, with 588 participants. It was possible to perform meta-analysis of four studies that provided results on caloric and protein intake. Food-based fortification yielded positive results in the total amount of ingested calories and protein. Nevertheless, due to the small number of participants and the poor quality of some studies, further high quality studies are required to provide reliable evidence. Despite the limited evidence, due to their simplicity, low cost, and positive results in protein and calories intake, simple dietary interventions based on the food-based fortification or densification with protein or energy of the standard diet could be considered in patients at risk of malnutrition.

Current situation and influencing factors of the self-transcendence among the elderly patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective To investigate the self-transcendence of the elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, and analyze the influencing factors. Methods A convenient sample design was used and a random questionnaire survey was conducted among 211 community elderly patients with type 2 diabetes for the current situation and influencing factors of self-transcendence in Taiyuan, from August to October 2014. Results The total score of self-transcendence was (41.03±4.64). The surveys showed that the influencing factors of elderly patients′ self-transcendence level were marital status, education level, occupation before retirement, monthly income, living conditions, personality characteristics, participation in collective activities, a significant event in half year or not, diabetes process, combined chronic diseases conditions, situation of diabetes complications and health. Further Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that education level, living conditions, participation in collective activities, monthly income, diabetes duration were the main influencing factors (R=0.529, R2=0.280, F=13.191; P<0.01). Conclusions Through the concern of the self-transcendence of the elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, it provides the theoretical basis for future intervention measures, and finally makes the elderly patients with types 2 diabetes who dare to face the negative events in their lives, adjust the state of life, set up the positive outlook on life, continuously surpass ourselves to mature, so as to finally achieves groups of healthy aging and active aging. Key words: Elderly people; Diabetes, type 2; Self-transcendence; Influencing factor

Gender differences in the association between hyperuricemia and diabetic kidney disease in community elderly patients

AimsTo investigate gender differences of the associations between hyperuricemia and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on electronic health records (EHR). MethodsA total of 20,207 older diabetic patients (mean age 71±7years) were investigated based on the EHR from 2012 to 2013 in the Minhang District of Shanghai-China. The status of hyperuricemia, albuminuric DKD and the odds ratios of DKD relative to hyperuricemia were analyzed among 8541 men and 11,666 women. ResultsThe overall rate of hyperuricemia was 20.5% (males: 17.2%, females: 23.0%) and that of albuminuric DKD was 36.2% (males: 32.2%, female: 39.1%) in these diabetic patients. Hyperuricemia was independently associated with increased risk of reduced renal function and albuminuria (p<0.001) in both genders. After adjustment of traditional DKD risk factors, hyperuricemia had a stronger association with albuminuric DKD in males (OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.48–1.88) than in females (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12–1.35). ConclusionsThis study showed an independent association of hyperuricemia with albuminuric DKD that was stronger in elderly males for the first time in China based on EHR. The level of uric acid should be monitored and managed in older diabetic patients.

Analysis of factors influencing the quality of life of elderly patients with esophageal cancer

Objective To study the effects of different factors influencing the quality of life of elderly esophageal cancer patients who returned to the community after surgery. Methods A total of 216 elderly esophageal cancer patients with complete clinical data who had returned to the community after surgery were followed up by questionnaires, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life rating (EORTC QLQ-C30) and esophageal cancer supplementary (QLQ-OES18) scales. Results The overall quality of life score of the patients was (35.2±22.1), which was lower than that in the Norwegian norm data. Scores for cognitive function, constipation, diarrhea, shortness of breath and loss of appetite were similar to those in the norm data. Scores for physical function, emotional function, role function and were lower than those in the norm data, while scores for pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sleeplessness and were higher than those in the norm data. The overall quality of life score was higher in male patients than in female patients (F=5.12, P=0.029), in patients with spouses than in those without spouses (F=5.61, P=0.016), and in patients without complications than in those with complications (F=5.48, P=0.002). The overall quality of life was higher with longer survival times after surgery (F=3.68, P=0.003). No significant difference in the overall quality of life score was found between different age-groups (F=4.23, P=0.212). Conclusions The overall postoperative life quality is poor in community elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma. Gender, marital status, postoperative survival time, and complications are among the factors influencing postoperative quality of life of community elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma. Key words: Community medicine; Esophageal neoplasms; Quality of life

Potentially inappropriate prescribing of renally cleared drugs in elderly patients in community and aged care settings.

Limited data are available on the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing of renally cleared drugs in elderly patients in Australia. To quantify and compare the extent of inappropriate prescribing (defined as at least one drug prescribed in an excessive dose or when contraindicated with respect to renal function) of renally cleared drugs in elderly patients across the community and aged care settings, and to determine factors associated with patients being prescribed one or more potentially inappropriate renally cleared drugs. This retrospective study examined de-identified Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) cases pertaining to 30,898 patients aged 65 years and over. Only 25 % (n = 7625) of these patients had documented information on their renal function. Among them, 4035 patients were prescribed at least one of the 31 renally cleared drugs examined in this study. For these patients, details including demographics, medications, medical conditions and pathology test results were extracted. Creatinine clearance was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula, and the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing of the 31 drugs was examined on the basis of conformity with the recommendations in the Australian Medicines Handbook. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the factors associated with patients being prescribed one or more potentially inappropriate renally cleared drugs. The mean (± standard deviation) ages of the HMR patients (n = 3315; 59 % female) and RMMR patients (n = 720; 68 % female) were 78.3 ± 7.2 and 86 ± 7.3 years, respectively. Over one quarter of the patients (n = 1135 out of 4035; 28.1 %) prescribed the renally cleared drugs examined in this study had evidence of inappropriate prescribing of at least one of the drugs, with respect to their renal function. The drugs/drug classes most commonly prescribed inappropriately were perindopril, fenofibrate, glibenclamide, gliptins, metformin, olmesartan, bisphosphonates and strontium. The factors independently associated with patients being prescribed one or more potentially inappropriate renally cleared drugs were advancing age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06 per year increase, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.07; P < 0.001], the total number of renally cleared drugs prescribed (OR 1.44 per unit increase, 95 % CI 1.29-1.61; P < 0.001), presence of diabetes (OR 1.51, 95 % CI 1.30-1.76; P < 0.001), presence of heart failure (OR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.13-1.69; P < 0.005) and living in aged care facilities (OR 1.28, 95 % CI 1.06-1.5; P < 0.05). Inappropriate prescribing of renally cleared drugs is common in older Australians. Intervention studies to improve prescribing of renally cleared drugs in the elderly appear to be warranted.

Medication Adherence and its Predictors in Community Elderly Patients with Hypertension

Background: Medication adherence is important for hypertension management but still stay low level. It is reasonable method to classify medication nonadherence into intentional nonadherence and unintentional nonadherence and manage it according to this categories. This study aimed to explore medication adherence and its predictors in community patients with hypertension, especially dividing into intentional nonadherence and unintentional nonadherence. Methods: Study subjects included 1,988 patients who were prescribed hypertension drugs among 2012 community health survey subjects of 10 cities in Gyeongsangnamdo and we analyzed medication adherence with hypertension and its predictors. We conducted chi-square test for nominal variable and ANOVA test for continuous variable and use multinominal regression to analyze independent predictors of intentional nonadherence and unintentional nonadherence in contrast to medication adherence. Results: Of the 1,988 patients, 49.7% were adherent, 26.1% were unintentionally nonadherent and 24.2% intentionally nonadherent. Independent predictors of unintentional nonadherence were depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=1.696, P=0.047) and arthritis (OR=1.319, P=0.030) and independent predictors of intentional nonadherence were cardiocerebrovascular disease (OR=1.464, P=0.044), self-efficacy (OR=0.984, P=0.007), beliefs about medications questionnaire (necessity [OR=0.834, P<0.001] and concern [OR=1.236, P<0.001]). Conclusions: In order to manage hypertension in community, improvement in medication adherence is needed. Depressive symptom and self-efficacy need to be managed, but especially patients’beliefs about their medication need to be considered to improve intentional nonadherence.

Effect analysis on group nursing intervention in the nursing for cardiovascular disease among the community elderly patients

Objective To study the effect of group nursing intervention in the nursing of cardiovascular disease among the community elderly patients.Method 120 community elderly patients with cardiovascular disease were divided into the objective group and control group.The conventional treatment and nursing plan was used in all the patients and the group nursing intervention plan was additionally used in the objective group.The health education effect,disease control degree,treatment compliance,nursing satisfaction and the life quality were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results The health education effect,disease control degree,treatment compliance,nursing satisfaction in the objective group were higher than those in the control group.The life quality of the objective group was better.Conclusion It can get a satisfaction effect to use group nursing intervention in the nursing of cardiovascular disease among the community elderly patients,with higher level in the health education effect,disease control degree,treatment compliance and nnrsing satisfaction,and better life quality. Key words: Group nursing intervention; Community; Cardiovascular disease

Application of comprehensive nursing intervention based on protection motivation theory in community elderly patients with hypertension

Objective To apply the nursing intervention based on the protection motivation theory in community elderly patients with hypertension , in order to establish a health behavior and to control bloodpressure and enhance better quality of life .Methods Using the random number table method , 144 elderly patients with hypertension were randomly divided into control group and intervention group .The intervention group received comprehensive nursing intervention based on protection motivation theory .The physiological index, health behavior and the scores of protection motivation questionnaire for elderly patients with hypertension were compared between the control group and the intervention group .Results Before the intervention , the physiological index , health behavior and the scores of protection motivation questionnaire for elderly patients with hypertension between groups had no significant difference （P〉0.05）.For the intervention group after 6-month-intervention, the systolic blood pressure was（ 136.85 ±15.32 ） mmHg, the diastolic blood pressure was （80.78 ±10.54） mmHg, the cholesterol level was （4.49 ±0.83） mmol/L, the score of self-efficacy was （18.03 ±1.75） and the score of susceptibility was （18.32 ±3.04）.Those values and scores in the control group were （139.28 ±13.44）mmHg, （89.25 ±8.78） mmHg, （5.33 ±0.91） mmol/L, （7.24 ±1.04）, （16.82 ±1.97） and （16.56 ±4.22）.The differences between groups were statistically significant （t=1.35, 5.17, 4.98, 3.36, 3.69, 2.11, respectively;P 〈0.05 ）.After 6 months of comprehensive nursing intervention , the physiological index , health behavior and the scores of protection motivation questionnaire for elderly patients with hypertension were statistically significant （ P 〈0.05）.Conclusions Comprehensive nursing intervention based on protection motivation theory can promote the health behavior of community elderly hypertensive patients and can effectively control high blood pressure and improve patients ’ quality of life. Key words: Elderly; Hypertension; Community nursing; Protection motivation theory; Comprehensive nursing intervention

Effect of three level hierarchical interactive management on safe medication in community elderly ;patients

Objective To discuss the application of three level hierarchical interactive management for safe medication in community elderly patients .Methods A total of 260 elderly patients between 60-80 years old were investigated by the method of qualitative and quantitative survey .They were divided into class A , class B and class C according to their need for safe medication , and three level hierarchical interactive management was used to conduct medication nursing intervention . Return visits were performed 4 months later and improvement of bad medication behaviors was compared .Results After 3 level hierarchical interactive management, the rate of patients who adjusted their doses by themselves dropped from 70.38%to 5.38%, rate of patients who took health care products at will dropped from 81.53% to 12.92%, and rate of patients who changed medication time , miss medication, take wrong medication and forgot to take medication dropped from 73.46% to 7.30%, and the differences were statistically significant （χ2 =233.40, 267.89, 226.62, respectively;P<0.05）.Conclusions The application of three level hierarchical interactive management can effectively improve safe medication in community elderly patients . Key words: Three level hierarchical interactive management; Community; Elderly; Safe medication

Effect of self-efficacy intervention on self-management behaviors of hypertension in community elderly

Objective To elucidate the effect of community nurse-led self-efficacy intervention on selfmanagement behaviors of hypertension in community elderly.Methods In this study,non-equivalent control group was designed,78 community elderly patients with hypertension were selected in the two community health service centers and divided into intervention group (38 cases) and control group (40 cases).The intervention group was treated with self-efficacy intervention for 3-month,and control group did not take any interventions.The “chronic disease self-management behavior measurement (Stanford University research tool) and the measure of physical intervention study were used to valuate the effect of interference before and 3 months after intervention.Results Systolic blood pressure in intervention group was (5.11 ± 12.30) mm Hg and (0.33 ±4.64) mm Hg in control group,the difference was statistically significant ( t =2.248,P ＜ 0.05 ).BMI in intervention group was reduced by (0.43 ± 0.42 ) kg/m2,however,in control group was increased by ( 0.39 ±1.26) kg/m2,the difference has reached the statistical significance ( t =3.825,P ＜ 0.01 ).Self-efficacy,selfmanagement,health state in two groups were different ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Other factors in scale did not reach statistical significance in health service utility in two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions The self-efficacy intervention can significantly enhance the community' s self-efficacy in elderly hypertensive patients,improve self-management behaviors and health,reduce health service use for a certain effect,but long-term effects need to be observed. Key words: Community health nursing; Hypertension; Self-efficacy intervention; Elderly; Selfmanagement behavior; Health state

The study of elderly patients' obedience to doctor's administering instruction in community

Objective To explore the current situation of elderly patients' obedience to doctor' s administering instruction and the factors that determined the outcome. Methods A total of 138 elderly patients in community were investigated including general condition, the knowledge of drug, the situation of obedience to instruction, the reasons of uneomplying instruction and some other social support. Results Forty two subjects (30.4%) knew the knowledge of drug totally. 57 subjacts(41.3%) compliant well. The ability of memorize reducing was the main factor influeing compliance. Some other factors such as age, medical insurance or not , the attitude and belief of the elderly patients. Conclusions We find that most of them can not comply with the doctor' s instruction and have deficient knowledge of drug . Nursing invention to the elderly patients' health improvement helps enhance their knowledge of preventing diseases. In order to improve the compliance of elderly patients, we can do that by the system of family support. Key words: Community health nursing; Aged; Patient compliance; Questionnaire

Study on the relevance of self-efficacy,ability of daily living and disease impact in community elderly patients with chronic diseases

Objective To investigate the rdevanee of self-efficacy,daily living ability and disease affecting degree in the community elderly patients with chronic diseases.Methods In Zaozhuang City hospital,with in 1km from the hospital four communities of 127 cases of elderly patients with chronic diseases were surveyed by a general self-efficacy scale(GSES),activities of daily living scale(ADL),impact of the disease scale(SIP).According GSES Score to divide group,＜20 divided into group of low self-efficacy,≥21 divided into group of high self-efficacy,and analyzed statistically.Results 127 cases of elderly patients with chronic diseases divided into GSES average(21.64±10.21)points,10～20 points were 66 cases,representing 48.18% percent;21～30 points were 42 cases,representing 30.66 percent;31～40 points were 19 cases,representing 13.87 percent.Low self-ettleaey of community elderly patients with chronic diseases,the ADL and PSMS,IAD dimension score was significantly higher than that of high self-efficacy,there wre significant differences(P＜0.01);Their SIP scores and physical function,social psychology,sleep rest,household management,entertainment,restaurants dimension score was significantly higher than that of high self-efficacy,there were significant differences(P＜0.05,＜0.01).Correlation analysis showed that self-efficacy and the ADL and PSMS,IAD dimension score was negatively correlated(P＜0.01);And SIP scores and physical function,social psychology,sleep rest,entertainment dimension score was negatively correlated(P＜0.05,＜0.01),but was not relevant with the house keeping and eating dimension.Conclusion Compared to the high self-efficacy ones,community elderly patients with chronic diseases who are low self efficiency.their abilities of daily life are lower and disease impact degrees are serious. Key words: Chronic diseases; Old age; Self-efficacy; Daily living ability

The willingness to family care bed service and its influencing factors among the elderly with chronic diseases

Objeetive To investigate the willingness to family care bed service and its influencing factors among the elderly with chronic diseases. Methods A three-stage random sampling method was adopted to carry out face-to-face questionnaire investigation in 652 community elderly patients with chron-ic diseases. Results The willingness to family care bed service was 57.2%.Its influencing factors includ-ed age,educational level,family economic income,activity of daily living,whether or not received treatment within 2 weeks and hospital stay within 1 year,whether or not understood the meaning of family care bed service or received it or similar at home service. Conclusions More than a half of the elderly with chronic diseases were willing to accept family care bed service.The community health service center or hos-pital should attaeh importance to and actively carry out family care bed service.They should enhance propanda work to induct the utilization of family care bed service by edlder people with chronic disease and tackle and satisfy their health requirement. Key words: The elderly with ehronic disease; Family care bed; Willingness; Influencing faetor

Perceptions of clinical trial participation between community practitioners and older cancer patients

8260 Background: Older cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. As the number of older cancer patients treated in community practices increases, understanding the interaction of community practitioners and patients' perception of barriers to participate in clinical trials may help increase patient participation. Methods: Community practitioners and elderly patients (age 70 and older) were surveyed on their perception of clinical trial participation. Phase I asked practitioners to rate the degree various factors impact their decision to consider a patient for clinical trials participation. Phase II involved surveying elderly patients to rate the degree these similar factors impact their willingness to consider clinical trials participation. Results: Preliminary data identified several factors impacting practitioners' decision to consider an older patient for clinical trial participation. The factors include: patient's existing co-morbid conditions, high toxicity potential to treatment with older patients; patients not having adequate home assistance; study designs not specific to elderly patients; compensation for trial conduct not correspond to amount of work required to enroll elderly patients. Practitioners surveyed stated that elderly cancer patients are routinely offered clinical trials; this was not reflective of recent data which showed that patients age 70 and older comprise only 20% of clinical trials participants (Talarico et al, 2003). Conclusions: The lack of data involving elderly participation in clinical trials data suggests that researchers and clinicians need to work together to build a consensus on how to operationalize clinical trials in the elderly population. The patient survey phase is ongoing with the aim to provide complementary data to help better understand and address clinical trials participation issues from both practitioner and patient perspectives. Information on potential similarities and differences with these groups can help influence the design of future clinical trials involving elderly patients with cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Perceptions of clinical trial participation between community practitioners and older cancer patients

8260 Background: Older cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. As the number of older cancer patients treated in community practices increases, understanding the interaction of community practitioners and patients' perception of barriers to participate in clinical trials may help increase patient participation. Methods: Community practitioners and elderly patients (age 70 and older) were surveyed on their perception of clinical trial participation. Phase I asked practitioners to rate the degree various factors impact their decision to consider a patient for clinical trials participation. Phase II involved surveying elderly patients to rate the degree these similar factors impact their willingness to consider clinical trials participation. Results: Preliminary data identified several factors impacting practitioners' decision to consider an older patient for clinical trial participation. The factors include: patient's existing co-morbid conditions, high toxicity potential to treatment with older patients; patients not having adequate home assistance; study designs not specific to elderly patients; compensation for trial conduct not correspond to amount of work required to enroll elderly patients. Practitioners surveyed stated that elderly cancer patients are routinely offered clinical trials; this was not reflective of recent data which showed that patients age 70 and older comprise only 20% of clinical trials participants (Talarico et al, 2003). Conclusions: The lack of data involving elderly participation in clinical trials data suggests that researchers and clinicians need to work together to build a consensus on how to operationalize clinical trials in the elderly population. The patient survey phase is ongoing with the aim to provide complementary data to help better understand and address clinical trials participation issues from both practitioner and patient perspectives. Information on potential similarities and differences with these groups can help influence the design of future clinical trials involving elderly patients with cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Detecting anxiety and depression in hospitalised elderly patients using a brief inventory

This study validated a French language version of an inventory designed to detect symptoms of depression and anxiety [Goldberg et al, 1987] in a sample of elderly French-speaking inpatients at risk for one of these disorders. Latent trait analysis was used to replicate the structure of the symptoms in the inventory, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the performance of the inventory as a screening measure for Major Depressive Episode and Generalised Anxiety Disorder according to DSM-IV criteria. Reflecting the ascertainment of individuals in the sample as being at risk for a disorder, prevalence of individual symptoms was high although the general structure of the inventory was found to be comparable to that found in samples of both community elderly and younger medical patients. ROC analyses showed that the subscales of inventory performed satisfactorily as screening measures for anxiety or depression but lacked specificity for each disorder. In addition to providing further evidence for the utility of this inventory to detect general psychiatric distress in elderly persons, this study provides a valid means of detecting symptoms of depression and anxiety in French speaking groups.