Search

Reflex epilepsies are a unique and heterogeneous group of epilepsies characterized by recurrent seizure activity evoked by a specific external sensory stimulus or internal cognitive process. Reflex seizures can be part of other epilepsy syndromes including focal and generalized syndromes and have a growing spectrum of presentations. We report a further subtype of reflex seizures associated with towel exposure. We give an account of a case of drug-refractory focal epilepsy admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for presurgical assessment with 50% of seizures triggered in response to the touch, feel, smell and thoughts around towels. We reviewed the literature regarding the broad phenotype of reflex epilepsies and seizures., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: This study seeks to explore the association between grandchild care and Attitudes Towards Own Ageing, assessing whether the commencement of, or ceasing, grandchild care is associated with changes in grandparents' perspectives on ageing., Methods: Longitudinal data were drawn from a population-based sample of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥40 years in Germany. The Attitudes Toward Own Ageing subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Moral Scale (PGCMS) was used to measure Attitudes Towards Own Ageing. To determine whether respondents provided grandchild care, respondents were asked "I'd now like to go on to learn more about your activities and pastimes. Do you supervise other people's children privately, e.g. your grandchildren, or the children of siblings, neighbors, friends or acquaintances?" Symmetric and asymmetric linear fixed effects regressions were used to assess within-person changes longitudinally., Results: No statistically significant association between providing care for grandchildren and Attitudes Towards Own Ageing was found. Significant associations were found between Attitudes Towards Own Ageing and employment status. Namely, retirement was associated with more positive Attitudes Towards Own Ageing (β = 0.57, p < .001), as was not being employed (β = 0.57, p < .001). A significant association between self-rated health and Attitudes Towards Own Ageing was also found (β = -0.06, p < .001), with poorer self-rated health associated with more negative Attitudes Towards Own Ageing., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that undertaking grandchild care does not shape Attitudes Towards Own Ageing. As our findings did not align with existing evidence on the associations between grandchild caregiving and measures of subjective ageing, further research is required., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

This review aimed to systematically review observational studies investigating the longitudinal association between anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL). A systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, NHS EED and EconLit) as well as forward/backward reference searches were conducted to identify observational studies on the longitudinal association between anxiety, depression and QoL. Studies were synthesized narratively. Additionally, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed using studies applying the mental and physical summary scores (MCS, PCS) of the Short Form Health Survey. The review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO and a study protocol was published. n = 47 studies on heterogeneous research questions were included, with sample sizes ranging from n = 28 to 43,093. Narrative synthesis indicated that QoL was reduced before disorder onset, dropped further during the disorder and improved with remission. Before onset and after remission, QoL was lower in comparison to healthy comparisons. n = 8 studies were included in random-effects meta-analyses. The pooled estimates of QoL at follow-up (FU) were of small to large effect sizes and showed that QoL at FU differed by disorder status at baseline as well as by disorder course over time. Disorder course groups differed in their MCS scores at baseline. Effect sizes were generally larger for MCS relative to PCS. The results highlight the relevance of preventive measures and treatment. Future research should consider individual QoL domains, individual anxiety/depressive disorders as well as the course of both over time to allow more differentiated statements in a meta-analysis.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges across the world. Among these challenges are the possible negative implications for the mental health and well-being of older persons that ongoing social distancing measures may cause. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing body of literature explored the associations between grandchild caregiving, loneliness and social isolation. We summarize the existing literature on this topic. An association between the provision of grandchild care and reduced feelings of loneliness was found in cross-sectional studies; however, a longitudinal study identified possible gender differences in the impact of grandchild care on feelings of loneliness, with the commencement of grandchild care linked to grandfathers feeling lonelier. At the conclusion of the summary, we highlight the need for further research in this field. Further research is of particular relevance given the drastic changes to the way families and older people interact socially, brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic., (© 2020. Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Objective: To examine the influence of a change in one's caregiving status, i.e. beginning to provide grandchild care or ceasing to provide grandchild care, on feelings of loneliness and one's social network size. Method: A longitudinal study was conducted, using data drawn from a population-based sample of community-based individuals ≥ 40 years. This data was analyzed using asymmetric fixed effects models ( n  = 8,678 observations). Perceived loneliness was measured using a short version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. The number of important people with whom respondents have regular contact was used an outcome variable. All respondents were asked whether they privately cared for children that were not their own. Results: Beginning to undertake care of a grandchild was associated with an increase in loneliness scores among men (β = 0.10, p  < 0.001). Beginning to undertake care of a grandchild also increased the social network size among male grandparents (β = 0.68, p  < 0.001). Ceasing to undertake grandchild care was not found to have an impact on feelings of loneliness or social network size among male, nor female, grandparents. Conclusion: This study identifies a positive association between caring for one's grandchild and one's social network. Men were found to experiences increases in feelings of loneliness, where women did not, suggesting possible divergences and experiences of this role. Grandfathers in particular should receive additional support when commencing the care of a grandchild to mitigate possible feelings of loneliness. This study builds on the growing literature exploring the implications of a grandparents undertaking supplementary care of their grandchildren.

Background and Study Objectives: This study aimed to assess among Ukrainian adults: (1) knowledge of mental disorders; (2) attitudes towards people with mental health disorders, and to the delivery of mental health treatment within the community; and (3) behaviours towards people with mental disorders., Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of Ukrainian adults aged 18-60 was conducted. Stigma-related mental health knowledge was measured using the mental health knowledge schedule. Attitude towards people with mental health disorders was assessed using the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness scale. The Reported and Intended Behaviour scale was used to assess past and future intended behaviour towards people with mental health disorders., Results: Associations between gender, age, and educational level and the knowledge and attitudes measures were identified. There was evidence of a positive association between being male and positive intended behaviours towards people with mental health disorders [mean difference (MD) = 0.509, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.021-0.998]. Older age was negatively associated with positive intended behaviours towards people with mental health disorders (MD = -0.017, 95% CI 0.0733 to -0.001). Higher education was positively associated with stigma-related mental health knowledge (MD = 0.438, 95% CI 0.090-0.786), and negatively associated with authoritarian (MD = 0.755, 95% CI 0.295-1.215) attitudes towards people with mental health problems., Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicate a degree of awareness of, and compassion towards, people with mental illness among Ukrainian adults, although this differed according to gender, region, and education level. Results indicate a need for the adoption and scaling-up of anti-stigma interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective., Competing Interests: This publication was drafted by members of the Mental Health for Ukraine project team and members of the project's implementing consortia. The opinions and views presented in this publication represent those of the authors and may not necessarily represent the views of the Mental Health for Ukraine project team, the implementing consortia, or the SDC., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Background and objectives : Ukraine's mental health system has been found to be inadequate and unresponsive to the needs of the population, in view of its emphasis on inpatient service delivery. This study sought to identify potential changes to the organization and financing of mental health services within the Ukrainian health system that would facilitate the delivery of mental health services in a community-based setting. Methodology : A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify organizational and financing features that have been successfully used to enable and incentivize the delivery of community-based mental health services in Central or Eastern European and/or former Soviet Union countries. Results : There was limited literature on the organizational and financing features that facilitate the delivery of community-based care. Key facilitators for transitioning from institution-based to community-based mental health service delivery include; a clear vision for community-based care, investment in the mental health system, and mechanisms that allow health funding to follow the patient through the health system. Conclusions : Ukraine should adopt strategic purchasing mechanisms to address inefficiency in the financing of its mental health system, and prioritize collaborative planning and delivery of mental health services. Ongoing reform of the Ukrainian health system provides momentum for instituting such changes., Competing Interests: The opinions and views presented in this publication represent those of the authors and may not necessarily represent the views of the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Centre for Mental Health and Monitoring of Drugs and Alcohol Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Mental Health for Ukraine project team, the Mental Health for Ukraine project implementing consortia, the SDC, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences nor the DAAD., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an association between grandparental care and loneliness, social isolation and/or the size of an individual's social network among community-based adults aged ≥40 years., Methods: Cross-sectional data were drawn from a population-based sample of individuals aged ≥40 years living in the community in Germany. Loneliness was measured using a short version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Social isolation was measured using a scale developed by Bude and Lantermann. The number of important people with whom respondents have regular contact (ie, social network size) was also used as an outcome variable. All respondents were asked whether they privately provide grandparent care (no/yes)., Results: Linear regressions showed reduced loneliness (β=-0.06, p<0.01) and social isolation scores (β=-0.04, p<0.05) among those undertaking care of a grandchild. Regression analysis also showed an increased number of important people with whom individuals had regular contact among those who undertook care of a grandchild (β=1.02, p<0.001)., Conclusion: Findings indicate a positive association between undertaking the care of a grandchild and the size of an individual's social network, and a negative association between grandchild care and self-rated scores of loneliness and social isolation. These findings build on existing research into the social and health implications of grandchild care among grandparents. Longitudinal studies are required to strengthen the understanding of this association., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Evidence from individual longitudinal studies suggests that anxiety and depression may impact quality of life. However, systematic reviews synthesising current evidence have mainly focused on specific samples. Thus, the aim of this study is to synthesise evidence from longitudinal studies on the association between anxiety, depression and quality of life in a systematic review., Methods and Analysis: A systematic review of evidence from longitudinal studies analysing the association between anxiety, depression and quality of life will be conducted, taking into account the current Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Several electronic databases from relevant fields of research (PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, EconLit, NHS EED) will be searched in September 2018 using defined search terms, with an updated search planned. Moreover, reference lists of included studies will be searched manually. Study eligibility will be appraised in a two-step process against pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Primarily, information on study design and assessment, statistical methods, participant characteristics as well as results regarding our research question will be extracted. The quality of included studies will be assessed using an appropriate tool. Study selection, data extraction and assessment of study quality will be performed by two reviewers. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or by inclusion of a third party. Results will be synthesised narratively in text and tables. Depending on the number and heterogeneity of the studies included, a meta-analysis will be performed., Ethics and Dissemination: As no primary data will be collected, approval from an ethics committee is not required. Results will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42018108008., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: To investigate whether body mass index (BMI), as a proxy for body fat, influences rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity in a gender-specific manner., Methods: Consecutive patients with RA were enrolled from 25 countries into the QUEST-RA program between 2005 and 2008. Clinical and demographic data were collected by treating rheumatologists and by patient self-report. Distributions of Disease Activity Scores (DAS28), BMI, age, and disease duration were assessed for each country and for the entire dataset; mean values between genders were compared using Student's t-tests. An association between BMI and DAS28 was investigated using linear regression, adjusting for age, disease duration and country., Results: A total of 5,161 RA patients (4,082 women and 1,079 men) were included in the analyses. Overall, women were younger, had longer disease duration, and higher DAS28 scores than men, but BMI was similar between genders. The mean DAS28 scores increased with increasing BMI from normal to overweight and obese, among women, whereas the opposite trend was observed among men. Regression results showed BMI (continuous or categorical) to be associated with DAS28. Compared to the normal BMI range, being obese was associated with a larger difference in mean DAS28 (0.23, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.34) than being overweight (0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21); being underweight was not associated with disease activity. These associations were more pronounced among women, and were not explained by any single component of the DAS28., Conclusions: BMI appears to be associated with RA disease activity in women, but not in men.