People with young-onset dementia (YOD) living in nursing homes may experience poor quality of life (QoL) due to advanced dementia, high prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychotropic drug use. However, the course of QoL in institutionalized people with YOD and factors that predict this course are unclear. This knowledge could help health professionals identify appropriate interventions to improve QoL in YOD.

To explore the course of QoL in institutionalized people with YOD and resident-related predictors of that course.

Secondary analyses were conducted with longitudinal data from the Behavior and Evolution in Young-ONset Dementia (BEYOND)-II study. A total of 278 people with YOD were recruited from 13 YOD special care units in the Netherlands. QoL was measured by the proxy assessment of Quality of Life in Dementia (QUALIDEM) questionnaire at four assessments over 18 months. Independent variables included age, gender, dementia subtype, length of stay, dementia severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychotropic drug use at baseline. Multilevel modeling adjusted for correlation within nursing homes and residents was used to determine the course and predictors of QoL.

The total QUALIDEM score (range: 0–111) decreased over 18 months with a statistically significant decline of 0.73 points per six months. A significant increase of QoL over time was seen in the subscales “Care relationship”, “Positive self-image”, and “Feeling at home”. However, a significant decline was observed in the subscales “Positive affect”, “Social relations”, and “Something to do”. Residents’ course of QoL was positively associated with the baseline scores of the QoL, age and longer duration of stay; however, being male, having advanced dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and high rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms at baseline were negatively associated with the course of QoL

Longitudinal changes in QoL in residents with YOD were small over 18 months and QUALIDEM subscales showed multidirectional changes. The largest QoL decline in the subscale “Positive affect” suggests that interventions should be targeted to improve positive emotions, in particular for male residents with neuropsychiatric symptoms and advanced dementia.

Few studies have reported the complexity of the tasks performed by professionals of the Family Health Strategy in Brazil.

Describe the sociodemographics, work conditions, minor psychiatric disorders (MPD) and CAGE positivity of physicians, nurses and dentists employed by the FHS in Feira de Santana (Bahia, Brazil).

Cross-sectional, epidemiological study using standard questionnaires (SRQ-20 and CAGE) to collect anonymous information on the sociodemographics profile, work conditions, mental health and alcohol consumption of physicians, nurses and dentists working for the FHS. The data were analyzed with SPSS software.

The overall prevalence of MPD was 16.0% (physicians=17.4%, nurses=15.5%, dentists=15.2%). The prevalence of alcoholism was 5.0% among physicians and 7.7% among dentists. The features “female gender”, “young adult”, “married”, “affiliated with a cooperative”, “long work week” and “more than one job” predominated in the sample.

The prevalence of MPD and CAGE positivity was smaller in our sample than in other, similar studies.

Minors Mental Disorders (MDM) is a term created to describe symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and somatic complaints.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MDM in São Francisco do Conde (SFC), Bahia.

We conducted a cross-sectional study by randomly selecting 456 individuals aged over 18 years, registered at the Family Health Program of CFS. The data were collected through home visits in the period from October to December 2010. The subjects answered a questionnaire containing the “Self-Report Questionnaire” (SRQ-20), the demographics and lifestyles. The SRQ-20 is composed of 20 questions, four about physical symptoms and sixteen on psycho emotional symptoms. The answers are “yes” or “no” and attributed, respectively, values of “1” and “0”. The cutoff suggested for identifying DPM was seven or more positive responses. The project was approved by a Research Ethics Committee registered the CONEP.

The results showed a prevalence of 37.7% of MDM. Among males the prevalence was 17.6% and in females was 47.5%, this result was statistically significant.

The results showed a high prevalence of psychological distress in this population, especially among females. The results stimulate the continuity of the actions of health surveillance carried out in the city.