-Objective: To estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment in an elderly population-based cohort, using several Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) cut-off points recommended by Brazilian authors and to examine the percentile distribution of MMSE scores in the study population. Method: A total of 1558 subjects aged ≥60 years (89.4% of the total), living in the city of Bambuí, MG, completed the MMSE and were included in the present study. Results: The estimated prevalences of cognitive impairment varied from 13.2% to 27.0% depending on the cut-off point and agreement varied widely between them (kappa range: 0.38 to 0.88). Cutoff point 13/14 corresponded to the 5 th percentile and 21/22 corresponded to the lower quartile of the MMSE score distribution. Conclusion: In the absence of comparable cut-off points, percentile distributions are more adequate for population-based studies of elderly with low schooling level.KEy wordS: elderly, cognitive symptoms, epidemiology, Brazil.
Normas para o uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental: adequação do ponto de corte em estudos populacionais (evidências do Projeto Bambuí)Resumo -Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de déficit cognitivo em uma base populacional de idosos, utilizando-se os diferentes pontos de corte do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) recomendados por autores brasileiros e verificar a distribuição em percentis da pontuação do MEEM na população estudada. Método: Participaram do estudo 1558 (89,4% do total) indivíduos com idade ≥60 anos residentes na cidade de Bambuí, MG, que foram submetidos ao MEEM. Resultados: A prevalência estimada de déficit cognitivo variou de 13,2% a 27,0%, dependendo do ponto de corte utilizado, observando-se grande variação na sua concordância (índices de kappa entre 0,38 e 0,88). o ponto de corte de 13/14 correspondeu ao 5º percentil e o de 21/22, ao quartil inferior da distribuição dos escores do MEEM. Conclusão: Na ausência de pontos de corte comparáveis, a distribuição em percentis é mais adequada para estudos de base populacional de idosos com baixa escolaridade.
Depression is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is associated with several poor outcomes. However the literature regarding treatment with antidepressants in this population is controversial. The aim of this paper was to systematically review all randomized controlled trials that studied the efficacy of antidepressants for depression in PD (dPD). Studies were retrieved from PubMed (1966-July 2012), Cochrane Library (-July 2012, issue 7), Embase (1980-July 2012), PsycINFO (1980-July 2012), Lilacs (1982-July 2012), secondary references, clinical trials registries and a thesis database. Only double-blind, randomized controlled trials in which an antidepressant was given as the main treatment and compared with placebo and/or another antidepressant were included. Out of the 1438 studies retrieved, only six could be included. Taking into account the five placebo-controlled trials, the overall risk ratio (RR) for response was 1.36 (0.98, 1.87), indicating no statistically significant superiority of antidepressants over placebo. However, in the sensitivity analysis, the RR for response was 1.41 (1.01, 1.96) and 1.48 (1.05, 2.10) after exclusion of one study with questionable results, and when only studies with low risk of bias were considered, respectively. No specific antidepressant class was superior to placebo. In general antidepressant medications were well tolerated. The results suggest antidepressants may be efficacious in the treatment of dPD. However, the results were unstable. In fact, the small number of trials and methodological drawbacks preclude definitive conclusions about their efficacy and tolerability in dPD.
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