The interface of psychiatry and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is well established, with psychiatric comorbidity approaching 20% to 60%. Anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and somatoform disorders are the more frequently occurring comorbid conditions. Moreover, psychosocial stressors and history of trauma and abuse play a significant role in the onset and perpetuation of IBS symptoms. The psychiatric management of IBS more effectively uses a collaborative approach between a mental health practitioner and a primary care clinician or gastroenterologist. Psychiatric treatment includes the use of pharmacotherapy with antidepressants or anxiolytics, psychotherapy, and attention to psychosocial stressors. Psychiatric interventions have consistently demonstrated effectiveness in reducing IBS symptoms and improvement of patient functioning.

Considerable heterogeneity exists in the criteria used for the establishment of stages of impairment for patients with dementia. The valid distinction of stages is important both for clinical interpretation and the study of dementia. This study reports on the use of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) in staging dementia. Using a sample of 42 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer-type dementia, DRS performance and a rating of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were compared with clinical ratings of dementia severity. Total DRS score provides a clinically valid measure of stage of impairment and appeared to provide a better distinction among stages than IADL score. However, use of the IADL score in conjunction with total DRS may improve correspondence with clinical staging over use of the total DRS score alone. Normative data for the DRS are also provided.

No abstract

No abstract