To Investigate the peripheral inflammatory profile in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from three subgroups – probable Lewy body disease (probable MCI-LB), possible Lewy body disease, and probable Alzheimer’s disease (probable MCI-AD) – as well as associations with clinical features.

Memory clinics and dementia services.

Patients were classified based on clinical symptoms as probable MCI-LB (n = 38), possible MCI-LB (n = 18), and probable MCI-AD (n = 21). Healthy comparison subjects were recruited (n = 20).

Ten cytokines were analyzed from plasma samples: interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. C-reactive protein levels were investigated.

There was a higher level of IL-10, IL-1beta, IL-2, and IL-4 in MCI groups compared to the healthy comparison group (p < 0.0085). In exploratory analyses to understand these findings, the MC-AD group lower IL-1beta (p = 0.04), IL-2 (p = 0.009), and IL-4 (p = 0.012) were associated with increasing duration of memory symptoms, and in the probable MCI-LB group, lower levels of IL-1beta were associated with worsening motor severity (p = 0.002). In the possible MCI-LB, longer duration of memory symptoms was associated with lower levels of IL-1beta (p = 0.003) and IL-4 (p = 0.026).

There is increased peripheral inflammation in patients with MCI compared to healthy comparison subjects regardless of the MCI subtype. These possible associations with clinical features are consistent with other work showing that inflammation is increased in early disease but require replication. Such findings have importance for timing of putative therapeutic strategies aimed at lowering inflammation.

To develop and validate a child and adolescent version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (CTFEQr17) and to assess its psychometric properties and factor structure. We also examined associations between the CTFEQr17 and BMI and food preferences.

A two-phase approach was utilized, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Primary and secondary schools, UK.

In phase 1, seventy-six children (thirty-nine boys; mean age 12·3 (sd 1·4) years) were interviewed to ascertain their understanding of the original TFEQr21 and to develop accessible and understandable items to create the CTFEQr17. In phase 2, 433 children (230 boys; mean age 12·0 (sd 1·7) years) completed the CTFEQr17 and a food preference questionnaire, a sub-sample (n 253; 131 boys) had their height and weight measured, and forty-five children (twenty-three boys) were interviewed to determine their understanding of the CTFEQr17.

The CTFEQr17 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0·85) and the three-factor structure was retained: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE) and emotional eating (EE). Qualitative data demonstrated a high level of understanding of the questionnaire (95 %). High CR was found to be significantly associated with a higher body weight, BMI and BMI percentile. High UE and EE scores were related to a preference for high-fat savoury and high-fat sweet foods. The relationships between CTFEQr17, anthropometry and food preferences were stronger for girls than boys.

The CTFEQr17 is a psychometrically sound questionnaire for use in children and adolescents, and associated with anthropometric and food preference measures.

An excess of psychotic illness in Black people has been found in cross-sectional studies. Little is known about the outcome of psychosis in different ethnic groups in the UK.

To compare the incidence, nature and long-term outcome of psychosis in different ethnic groups.

A five-year, prospective study of an epidemiological cohort of people with a first contact for psychosis.

Age-standardised incidence rates for schizophrenia and non-affective psychosis were higher for Black and Asian people than Whites. Stability of diagnosis and course of illness were similar in all ethnic groups. During the fifth year, Black people were more likely than others to be detained, brought to hospital by the police and given emergency injections.

The nature and outcome of psychotic illness is similar in all ethnic groups but Black people experience more adverse contacts with services later in the course of illness.

Despite the growth in patient satisfaction studies, scant attention has been paid to the satisfaction of patients with a first episode of psychotic illness soon after presentation to services. We were particularly interested in any ethnic differences in satisfaction at this seminal stage in patient care.

Using multi-item questionnaire, face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients and relatives 12 months after first contact with psychiatric services. Relatives were also questioned on support and advice issues related to after-care.

Most patients and relatives were generally satisfied with the treatment, and with the ‘humane’ qualities of psychiatric staff, but were less satisfied with the ‘hotel’ aspects of hospital care. Patients, and particularly relatives, were most concerned about levels of information and advice received. Relatives were dissatisfied with after-care. There were no significant differences between Black and other patients, but some differences between their relatives. Patients born abroad were significantly more satisfied than those born in Britain, irrespective of ethnicity. Compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act was also significant in determining low satisfaction for patients and especially for their relatives.

For improved care in the community patients and their relatives need to be seen as partners in care rather than as passive recipients. The issue of information-giving by psychiatric services demands serious attention. Black patients and their relatives were not especially likely to be dissatisfied.

It is reported that patients from ethnic minority groups, in particular Afro-Caribbeans, are more likely to enter less desirable pathways to psychiatric care. We aimed to determine whether ethnicity significantly affected time to presentation, type of first contact, rates of compulsory admission and police and primary care involvement, in patients with their first episode of psychosis.

As part of a prospective epidemiological study, patients and their carers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to trace the various persons and agencies seen en route to their first contact with psychiatric services.

While compulsory admission was more likely for Black patients, the excess was less striking than in previous studies. Black patients were no more likely than other patients to have police involvement. The most important factors in avoiding an adverse pathway were having a supportive family member or friend and the presence of a general practitioner to assist in gaining access to psychiatric services.

The routes to psychiatric services for first onset patients are different to those for chronic patients. Variables associated with social support were more important than ethnicity in determining pathways to care. Police involvement and compulsory admissions were strongly associated with the absence of GP involvement and the absence of help-seeking by a friend or relative. It may be that ethnicity becomes an important variable after the patient has come into contact with psychiatric services.