The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional exercise intervention on improving fall risk deterrent factors, such as overall strength and flexibility in nursing home residents.

A multi-centre, randomized controlled trial was finally utilized in 40 older adults (>65 years) who were randomly allocated to the intervention or the control group (20 subjects in each). The intervention group attended an exercise program twice a week for eight weeks, to improve functional mobility. The control group did not receive any intervention. Measurements before and after intervention included the Hand Grip Strength (HGS) testing, the Sit-to-Stand test (SST), the Back Scratch Test (BST), and the Sit-and-Reach test (SRT).

MANOVA revealed significant time effects, V = 0.336, F(6, 33) = 2.78, p = 0.027, partial η2 = 0.336; group effects, V = 0.599, F(6, 33) = 8.22, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.599; and group*time interaction, V = 0.908, F(6, 33) = 54.52, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.908. A subsequent univariate analysis did not reveal a significant time effect for any variable (p > 0.05). Significant group effects were observed only for SRT (p < 0.05). Significant group*time interactions were observed for all the examined variables (p < 0.05). Dependent t-tests showed that the older adults in the exercise group were significantly improved in all the examined parameters (p < 0.05). Except for SRT (p > 0.05), all the other parameters significantly deteriorated in the control group (p < 0.05).

Significant improvements were demonstrated in strength and flexibility among nursing home residents following an eight-week group exercise training program.

The aim of this study was to identify any relationship between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment.

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials conducted using Medline and the Cochrane Library up to 24 June 2020. Prospective, cohort and cross-sectional, and observational studies that reported on the relationship between mild cognitive impairment and hearing loss were included.

A total of 34 studies reporting data on 48 017 participants were included. Twenty-three studies observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment. The pooled risk ratio across all studies of prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in people with hearing loss was 1.44 (random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.27–1.64; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0 per cent). Significantly more people with mild cognitive impairment had peripheral hearing loss compared with those without (risk ratio, 1.40 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.10–1.77; p = 0.005; I2 = 0 per cent). When the incidence was studied, significantly more people with peripheral hearing loss had mild cognitive impairment compared with those without (risk ratio = 2.06 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.35–3.15; p = 0.0008; I2 = 97 per cent); however; a high level of statistical heterogeneity was evident.

Most of the studies included in this systematic review observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment.

This study aimed to evaluate surgical and functional outcomes, in a tertiary referral centre, of two different types of semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction devices.

This study involved prospective data collection and review of patients implanted between November 2014 and December 2016. Glasgow Hearing Aid Inventory (Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile or Glasgow Hearing Aid Difference Profile) and Client Oriented Scale of Improvement were completed where appropriate. Surgical and audiological outcomes were recorded in the surgical notes.

Glasgow Hearing Aid Difference Profile and Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile showed similar mean score in the active and the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices. Client Oriented Scale of Improvement showed improvements in listening situations. Post-operative speech reception threshold showed better mean threshold in the active transcutaneous bone conduction devices group when compared with the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group. No device failures or surgical complications existed in either group, with the surgical time being less in the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group.

Both devices are reliable semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction devices with excellent surgical and functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. Overall surgical time was much less in the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group with no necessity for pre-planning. This is much easier to remove with the possibility of conversion to other devices in the manufacturer’s portfolio and wide-ranging wireless accessories. Further studies are needed to assess the longer-term results in a bigger population.

The high comorbidity of depression in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 has been established.

The association between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 is poorly understood.

The aim of the present study was to assess the degree in which diabetes mellitus type 2 is accompanied by OCD.

131 diabetic patients, 55 female and 76 male were randomly enrolled and during the first assessment was administered in all participants the Zung Self Rating Scale (ZUNG) and the Maudsley O-C Inventory Questionnaire (MOCI). After one year, while an intensive effort to improve the patients’ metabolic profile was performed, the diabetic patients that were initially uncontrolled (n = 31) were re-evaluated by the same psychometric tools. From those 31 patients 10 had managed to control their metabolic profile.

MOCI and the sub-scale of slowness are statistically related with the diabetic profile (controlled-uncontrolled), with uncontrolled patients scoring significantly higher on the overall MOCI score and the factor of slowness of MOCI scale (p = 0.028). Regarding the association between the values of Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the scores of MOCI it was found that they were significantly positively correlated in overall scores (p = 0,028) and in the subscale of slowness (p = 0,028). The analysis revealed a positive association between depression (p = 0.004) and obsessive compulsive disorder symptomatology (p < 0.001) and thepatient’s metabolic profile.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with obsessive compulsive disorder symptomatology and depression. Improvements in glycaemic control were found to decrease the severity of the symptoms.

In spite of the absence of validation by treatment guidelines, the practice of polypharmacy in psychiatry continues to increase. This cross-sectional study tries to describe polypharmacy rates in a psychiatric ward of a general hospital.

Participants (51 patients) were selected from inpatients in the General University Psychiatric Hospital “Papageorgiou”. The study was conducted from July to September 2011. Patients had to be hospitalized for at least 3 weeks in order to be included. The statistical program SPSS was used in the analysis.

Our sample consists of 51 patients, of average age 45.4 years (SD = 16,3), males 39,2%, with average starting age of disease 35.8 years (SD = 16,1), 78,4% voluntary hospitalized, with the diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder in 41.2%, bipolar disorder in 19.6% and depression in 39.2%. 29.4% of patients were working before being hospitalized and 7.8% had history of substance use. Their treatment included more than one antipsychotic in 2% of patients, more than one antidepressant in 4% and a benzodiazepine in 33.3%. At the moment of discharge from hospital, the rates of polypharmacy showed no statistically significant difference compared to the ones at admission. The only exception concerned the use of the long-acting formulations which rose to 7.8%.

Most patients hospitalized in the psychiatric department of the University General Hospital was suffering from mood disorders and had short admission time. These factors led to a decreased need of using multiple kinds of medications. A larger sample of patients is necessary to confirm the presented points.

Chronic poor metabolic control of type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevation of plasma homocysteine and there is a evidence of both hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical(HPA) axis and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Recent research indicates an association between cortizol and homocysteine and psychological factors in diabetes type 2 however the nature of this relationship remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cortizol and homocysteine with trait and state psychological factors in diabetic patients.

In this study cortizol and homosysteine and psychological data were analyzed from 86 controlled diabetic patients (Glycosylated Haemoglobin HbA1c < 7) and from 45 uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c ≥ 7). Trait psychological characteristics were assessed with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)and Hostility and Direction of Hostiity Questionnaire(HDHQ) while state psychological characteristics were measured with the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R). Blood samples were taken for measuring cortizol and homocysteine of both subgroups, during the initial phase of the study (T0).

One year later (T1), the uncontrolled diabetic patients were re-evaluated with the use of the same psychometric instruments and with an identical blood analysis.

Uncontrolled diabetic patients type 2 with high levels of cortizol score lower in the extraversion subscale of EPQ. in the controlled diabetic patiens high levels of homocysteine are correlated with high scores in the psychotism subscale of EPQ.

These findings give credence to the idea that cortizol and homocysteine in association with personality traits may be implicated in diabetes type 2.

In recent years efforts of identification of predictors of schizophrenia outcome have been made. Less extensive has been the study of patients' characteristics associated with duration of hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Positive and negative symptoms were found both to predict duration of hospitalization whereas the data for other sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are inadequate.

To identify patients' clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with duration of hospitalization in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

137 inpatients (98 male, 39 female) were included in the study. The association of age, sex, nationality, suicidality, education, marital status, violence and BPRS scores with the length of hospitalization was studied.

The mean age of the participants was 42.1 years ± 12.4 SD and the mean duration of hospitalization was 35 days ± 19.6 SD. No statistically significant association between any factors was found apart from BPRS score. Further analysis for correlation showed positive linear correlation between BPRS score and length of hospitalization (Pearson r = 0.232, p < 0.05).

The severity of symptoms as depicted in BPRS scores is associated with the duration of hospitalization in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and may serve as predictor of outcome and cost in inpatient populations.

Psyhiatrists who work in hospitals and treat patients who show aggression present particular challenges. The course and treatment of serious psychiatric disorders can be complicated because of the comorbidity with substance abuse. The objective of the present study is the drug treatment of aggression among in-patients with serious mental disorder.

The participants (423 patients) were randomly screened among the in-patients of the 9 acute departments of PHA (Psyhiatric Hospital of Attica). For the statistical analysis, the program SPSS was used.

The participants (423 patients): average age 45.9 years old (sd = 13.1), 60.8% men, 63.7% involuntary admitted, disorder onset: 28.4 years (sd = 12.1), diagnosis of Schizophrenia 72.1%, Bipolar disorder 16.8%, Depression 11.1% with substance abuse in 18.7%, and reason of admission: auto/hetero- agression 24.3%, relapse of the disease 46.1%, interruption of drug therapy 27%. 67,5% showed aggression at the admission, 25.6% were administered more than one antipsychotic drug at the admission, along with benzodiazepines in 53.7%. During their hospitalization, aggression was reduced to 22.9%, with verbal aggression first in line with 14.4%, and 41.9% of the patients were administered more than one antipsychotic drug. The SGAs dominated and were administered in combination with stabilizers, antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

There are few documented points to guide daily practice, and it seems that case reports, advices from other colleagues and/or personal experience may influence in an important way the therapy of psychiatric patients who show aggressive behavior.

To compare soft-tissue complications following implantation of different bone conduction hearing devices.

Adults who underwent implantation of different bone conduction hearing devices, between January 2008 and December 2016, were included in the study. Five groups were identified depending on the soft-tissue approach: (1) split-thickness skin flap with use of dermatome; (2) Sheffield ‘S’-shaped incision with skin thinning; (3) linear incision without skin thinning (hydroxyapatite-coated abutment); (4) ‘C’-shaped full-thickness incision for passive transcutaneous bone conduction hearing devices; and (5) post-aural incision for active transcutaneous bone conduction hearing devices. The main outcome measures were different soft-tissue complications.

The study comprised 120 patients (group 1 = 20 patients, group 2 = 35, group 3 = 35, group 4 = 20, and group 5 = 10). Soft tissue related problems were encountered in 55 per cent of patients from group 1, 26 per cent in group 2, 3 per cent in group 3, and 0 per cent in groups 4 and 5.

There was a reduction in soft tissue related complications with reduced soft-tissue handling. In addition, there was a shift from an initial skin-penetrating (percutaneous) approach to a non-skin-penetrating (transcutaneous) approach.

Visual vertigo is defined as a condition in which there is worsening or triggering of vestibular symptoms in certain visual environments. Previous studies have associated visual vertigo with an increased prevalence of underlying white matter lesions on brain imaging.

This study evaluated the magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain from a cohort of patients with visual vertigo, and compared the outcomes to an age- and gender-matched group of healthy volunteers.

White matter lesions were observed in 17.9 per cent of the patient group and in 16.3 per cent of the control group. The prevalence of white matter lesions in the patient group was not too different to that expected based on age.