An astute old age psychiatrist wants to know the prevalence of dependent personality disorder among the elderly population in his catchment area.
The most appropriate research method he will be employing is:
E. Cross-sectional surveys are best suited for calculating epidemiological measures such as prevalence rates. To detect incidence rates the cross-sectional survey must be conducted at two different time points (to ascertain ‘new’ cases). To detect point prevalence rates a single cross sectional study should be sufficient.
Reference:
Regarding the risk factors for adolescent alcohol problems, which of the following accounts for high attributable risk?
B. Studies show that exposure to maternal drinking in adolescence is a strong risk factor for the development of alcohol problems in early adulthood. For males and females, no association was found between either birth factors or childhood factors and a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol disorders at age 21 years. Externalizing symptoms and maternal factors at age 14 years were significantly associated with alcohol problems. For youths aged 14 years, maternal moderate alcohol consumption accounted for the highest percentage of attributable risk among those exposed.
A new test being evaluated to predict treatment response in geriatric depression utilizes neuroimaging techniques. The overall results of the test are very close to that observed on longitudinal follow-up after treatment (gold standard) but individuals vary widely in the magnitude of the results produced.
Which one of the following correctly describes the properties of this test?
C. Accuracy refers to the extent to which results are close to the truth. In psychometry, it is used interchangeably (and controversially) with the term validity. Precision refers to the extent to which results are consistent or close to each other and hence are reproducible. The new test produces results that are close to the truth as observed from the gold standard results. Hence it is accurate, but the magnitude of measured outcome varies widely among the tested population. Hence it is not precise.
The lifetime prevalence of OCD is estimated to be around:
C. Though OCD was previously thought to be quite rare, recent evidence suggests this is not the case. A lifetime prevalence rate of 2–3% has been suggested. OCD is among the top 20 causes of illness-related disability for people between the ages of 15 and 44. The age of onset of OCD is usually mid-to-late twenties. The female to male ratio is said to be more or less equal, though some studies suggest an excess in females. The mean age of onset for men is around 22 years, for women this is slightly delayed—around 26 years. The illness tends to be secret in most patients with a delay of several years before treatment is sought. OCD is the fourth most common mental illness in world. The disorder presents with comparable prevalence rates across various countries, with some cultural specificity to the content of obsessions.
The prevalence of diabetes is higher among people with schizophrenia.
Which of the following statements is correct with respect to the association between diabetes and psychiatric disorders?
A. The prevalence of diabetes is higher in not only schizophrenia but also in patients with bipolar I disorder (26%) and schizoaffective disorder (50%), independent of psychotropic drug use. Genetic factors have a key role in the association between schizophrenia and diabetes; up to 50% of individuals with schizophrenia were found to have a family history of type 2 diabetes in a study. The increased risk is demonstrated regardless of antipsychotic medication use. Due to frequent screening and blood test in the treatment-resistant group, the detection of hidden impaired glucose tolerance may be higher. Diabetes is estimated to be at least two to four times more prevalent in schizophrenia than in the general population, but significant variability is noted in the actual prevalence rates reported. Difficulties in developing a wide-reaching screening programme may be a source of this variability.
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