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Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine potential risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety and develop a practical index to help in the diagnosis of separation anxiety in dogs. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 200 dogs with separation anxiety and 200 control dogs with other behavior problems. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, history of behavior problems, home environment, management, potentially associated behaviors, and concurrent problems. RESULTS: Dogs from a home with a single adult human were approximately 2.5 times as likely to have separation anxiety as dogs from multiple owner homes, and sexually intact dogs were a third as likely to have separation anxiety as neutered dogs. Several factors associated with hyperattachment to the owner were significantly associated with separation anxiety. Spoiling activities, sex of the dog, and the presence of other pets in the home were not associated with separation anxiety. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results do not support the theory that early separation from the dam leads to future development of separation anxiety. Hyperattachment to the owner was significantly associated with separation anxiety; extreme following of the owner, departure cue anxiety, and excessive greeting may help clinicians distinguish between canine separation anxiety and other separation-related problems.

Age Factors↗

Self-reported nap behavior and polysomnography at home in midlife women with and without insomnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe self-reported nap behavior and relationships among nap history, nap behavior during the study, indicators of subjective and objective insomnia, and self-reported daytime sleepiness from data previously obtained in a week-long field study of sleep in midlife women with and without insomnia. DESIGN: Descriptive/comparative secondary analysis. SETTING: Individual homes of the participants. PARTICIPANTS: Midlife women (mean age 46+/-4 years) with self-reported insomnia (n=101) and women with adequate sleep (n=30). INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Sleep patterns were assessed by polysomnography (PSG), daily diaries, and a sleep history form. Although all women were requested not to nap, 47% of the women reported nap behavior during the study. Strong relationships were observed between a history of daytime naps and nap behavior (chi2 = 25.63, p < or = .001), and a history of feeling sleepy or struggling to stay awake during the daytime (i.e., sleepiness) and nap behavior (chi2 = 18.05, p < or = .001) during the study. There was also a modest significant (p < or = .05) correlation (r = .25) between tiredness and nap duration during the study. There were no statistical differences in sleep variables between the napping and non-napping groups. In the napping group, there were no differences between women with sleep efficiency < 85% (objective insomnia) and those with sleep efficiency > 85%. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual nap behavior may be indicative of daytime sleepiness in women with insomnia, but it is not necessarily related to subjective or objective measures of insomnia. Women who routinely nap may be unable to refrain from napping during the daytime in long-term research studies.

Adult↗

Blood pressure behavior in the nursing home: implications for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To determine patterns of elevated blood pressure (BP) behavior, their clinical correlates, and the relationship to diagnosis and management of hypertension. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, prevalence survey. SETTING: Forty-five nursing homes owned or managed by a large national chain. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 857 older residents (mean age = 84 years). MEASUREMENTS: Supine and standing (1 and 3 minutes) BP and heart rate, taken four times in one day (before and after breakfast, and before and after lunch) by trained nurses using a random zero sphygmomanometer; medication profile; active medical diagnoses; functional status; sociodemographics. RESULTS: The prevalence of a single, elevated, supine systolic pressure (> or = 160 mm Hg) was 14.3%, and of two to four elevated measures was 14.9%. The pre-breakfast reading was consistently the highest, and mean systolic pressures decreased after breakfast. Compared with those not treated, older residents taking antihypertensive medications had higher systolic pressures at all times and showed the same pattern of decline after breakfast. Isolated diastolic hypertension was uncommon (0.9%). Cardiovascular disease, orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers were more prevalent among older residents who had elevated pressures on multiple occasions (P < .03). Successful antihypertensive treatment was associated with a lower prevalence of orthostatic hypotension. Diuretic use was more likely to be associated with blood pressure control. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of hypertension in frail older people would benefit from multiple, within-day measures, including postural BP, taken before and after meals. Diuretic use alone, or in conjunction with ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, was more likely to be associated with normalized blood pressures.

Aged↗

Home cage activity and behavioral performance in inbred and hybrid mice.

Locomotor activity is a key component in many behavioral tests, suggesting that genetic differences in activity levels may be a critical consideration when comparing mouse strains. In order to assess the relationship between activity and performance, we recorded home cage activity, and locomotion and defecation, a non-activity-linked behavior, in tests of anxiety in inbred (C57BL/6J (B6), n = 25; BALB/cJ (C), n = 24; DBA/2J (D2), n = 28) and hybrid (CB6F1/6J (CB6: B6 x C) n = 19) mice. Under our test conditions, the strains showed significant differences in home cage activity levels: C > B6 > D2. The CB6 mice were similar to the B6 mice in horizontal activity and were intermediate between the parental strains in vertical movement. Based on measures of locomotion and defecation in the open field, emergence and novel object tests, and the elevated zero maze, the C mice appeared to be the most anxious and the B6 were the least anxious. The D2 mice were intermediate on some measures but more similar to B6 mice on others, making ranking them more difficult. In addition, the CB6 mice displayed characteristics of both parental strains. They had greater similarity to B6 mice in measures of horizontal movement in the home cage and locomotion in the open field and emergence tests, but exhibited defecation responses similar to those of C mice in the novel object test and elevated zero maze. The results suggest that strain differences in spontaneous locomotion should be considered when interpreting strain differences in behavioral tests, and that home cage activity may be a useful interpretive aid.

Animals↗

The ontogeny of feeding in rats: V. Influence of texture, home odor, and sibling presence on ingestive behavior.

Terry-cloth texture, home odor, and the presence of siblings modulate the ingestive behavior of infant rats. Unlike warmth, which affects ingestion in pups until at least 15 days of age, the relative importance of these other cues varies with the age of the pup. At 3 days, ingestion is dependent on warmth but is not influenced by the other cues. At 6 days, texture and home odor enhance ingestive behavior (intake, activity, mouthing, and probing), but the presence of siblings has no effect. Home odor or terry-cloth texture did not alter the ingestive behavior of 12-day-olds, but the presence of siblings enhanced milk intake. Thus, during development, the external sensory controls for ingestion become progressively more complex. Warmth serves as a primary permissive cue for ingestion in developing pups, but as pups grow older, other types of cues (such as odor, texture, or social stimuli) also gain significance.

Aging↗

Effects of the home environment on withholding behaviors and conditioning in infant and neonatal rats.

Rats 16 days old received passive-avoidance training in the presence or absence of home litter cues. Rats trained in the context of home litter cues learned the passive avoidance reliably faster than rats trained in isolation. In the presence of home litter cues, 16-day-old rats also exhibited more adultlike spontaneous alternation. Pavlovian conditioning of rats trained at 2 days of age was studied in the presence and absence of conspecifics. These experiments suggest that deficiencies in inhibitory behaviors and conditioning associated with immaturity can be alleviated when the testing environment is made more similar to the home environment.

Animals↗

Correlates of disruptive behavior in severely cognitively impaired nursing home residents.

This article provides information about correlates of "disruptive behaviors" among nursing home residents with dementia. We used averages of multiple observations for a wide range of behaviors (n = 45) across 11 months to gather this information. We placed behaviors into four separate categories: physically aggressive, physically non-aggressive, vocally agitated, and vocally aggressive. Then, we tested associations between these categories and demographic, cognitive, and health variables. Cognitive status and selected demographic variables were associated with the behavior categories; adding health variables did not improve prediction. Lower cognitive status was associated with more disruptive behaviors. Our findings suggest that cognitive status, but not health variables, predicts disruptive behavior among nursing home residents with dementia.

Aged↗

A comparison of physically aggressive behavior in two VA nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an apparent difference in the prevalence of physically aggressive behavior in two Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes, the authors compared ratings by nurses of residents' assaultive behaviors at the beginning and end of two six-month periods in 1987 and 1991. METHODS: The prevalence of assaultive behavior in each of three diagnostic subgroups (neurologic, psychiatric, and medical) at nursing homes A and B was determined using standardized biannual ratings of patients' behavior. Chi square analysis was used to compare prevalence rates and to compare the proportions of nonaggressive patients who were rated as aggressive at the end of each six-month period. RESULTS: Nursing homes A and B were significantly different in the proportions of patients in the three subgroups; facility A had a greater percentage of neurologic and psychiatric patients, and facility B had a greater percentage of medical patients. Both in 1987 and in 1991, the prevalence of assaultive behavior in nursing home A in all three diagnostic subgroups was higher than that in nursing home B, usually by a statistically significant margin. A significantly higher proportion of nursing home A residents in each subgroup who were rated as nonaggressive at the beginning of the two periods were rated as aggressive at the end of each period. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to learn whether the substantial difference in assaultive behavior resulted from intrinsic characteristics of the facilities' populations or from the qualities of their environments.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Suicidal ideation and behavior in children's homes.

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to report the self-destructive and suicidal behavior of 98 children and adolescents in child welfare institutions. The children were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and questionnaires about suicidal and violent behavior, filled in by the child's key worker. Thirty-two per cent of the sample had presented suicidal thoughts, threats or suicide attempts during the previous 6 months. Suicidality was associated with low general functioning level (CGAS<61), self-mutilating behavior and violence. Furthermore, suicidal children had significantly higher CBCL total, externalizing, internalizing, anxious-depressive and aggressive scores. Children with suicide attempts (8% of the sample) had a significantly higher number of different types of traumatic experiences before the placement and higher somatization syndrome scores compared to children with suicidal ideation or non-suicidal children.

Adolescent↗

A survey of Minnesota home care agencies' perceptions of physician behaviors.

A survey of Minnesota home care agencies assessed perceptions of and satisfaction with the home care practices, knowledge, and skills of Minnesota family physicians and other primary care physicians. We found that physicians did not make many home visits and that agencies were moderately dissatisfied with that practice. Family physicians visited significantly more frequently than other primary care physicians and, in rural areas, received significantly higher satisfaction ratings from agencies. The areas most frequently noted that could benefit from improvement of physician skills/knowledge regarding home care were: better home care clinical skills (38.5% of respondents), knowledge of home care technology and capabilities (37%), and knowledge of reimbursement policies and practice (29%).

Clinical Competence↗

Oral administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces selective serotonergic depletion in the nonhuman primate.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has been reported to produce serotonergic depletion in nonhuman primates at doses as low as 2.5 mg/kg (1-2 times the typical human dose). The current study evaluated the dose-response relationships of MDMA (1.25-20.0 mg/kg) using regional concentrations of serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and home cage behavior as endpoints. Adult female rhesus monkeys (n = 16) were treated orally with 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 20.0 mg/kg MDMA twice daily for 4 consecutive days. Eighteen behaviors were measured in the home cage prior to, during, and after MDMA treatment. One month after the last dose, the animals were sacrificed and brains dissected into several regions for neurochemical analyses. 5-HT and 5-HIAA were analyzed via HPLC/EC. The lower doses of MDMA (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg) did not significantly alter 5-HT or 5-HIAA concentrations in any brain region except hippocampus in which 5-HT concentrations were decreased after 2.5 mg/kg. MDMA at 20.0 mg/kg significantly decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in several cortical and midbrain structures. However, 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in brain stem and hypothalamus were not significantly altered after any dose of MDMA. Combined with previous data from this laboratory, these results indicate that the decreased concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in selected brain regions show a selective dose-response relationship for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity as measured by serotonergic depletion in the nonhuman primate.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Characteristics of aggressive subjects in Australian (Melbourne) nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive behavior is common in nursing homes for the elderly. It causes distress to carers and can lead to hospitalization, overmedication, and physical restraint. METHOD: A 6-month prospective study examining the characteristics of aggressive subjects in 11 nursing homes in Melbourne using validated, reliable instruments. RESULTS: During the study, 121 and 143 subjects were rated aggressive on the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behavior in the Elderly and the Staff Observation Aggression Scale, respectively. Aggressive behavior was associated with younger age, men, subsequent mortality, and prescription of psychotropic drugs including neuroleptics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs in the use of psychotropic drugs directed at staff involved in the care of nursing home residents may be of value because these drugs have modest efficacy, have significant side effects, and may simply sedate the patient rather than treat aggressive behavior.

Aged↗

Disruptive behaviors in Veterans Affairs nursing home residents: how different are residents with serious mental illness?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of behavior problems of residents of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes and to compare residents with serious mental illness (SMI) with other resident groups. DESIGN: This study combined cross-sectional resident assessments with administrative data for all residents in VA nursing homes. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between resident characteristics and problem behaviors. SETTING: Nursing home care units in the VA healthcare system. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 9,618 nursing home residents assessed as part of the VA's April 2001 national resident census. MEASUREMENTS: The Patient Assessment Instrument assessed each resident's verbally disruptive, physically aggressive, and socially inappropriate behaviors in the prior 4 weeks. Functional limitations in eating, mobility, toileting, and transfer were assessed. Diagnoses were evaluated for the stay and up to 6 months before assessment. RESULTS: Almost one-fifth (17.9%) of residents received a diagnosis of SMI. Residents with SMI or dementia had greater behavior problems than residents with neither condition. Residents with SMI (and without dementia) exhibited more verbal disruption than residents with dementia (and without SMI), but the two subgroups did not differ in physically aggressive or socially inappropriate behavior. CONCLUSION: Many VA nursing home residents have SMI. Their level of behavior problems is comparable with that of residents with dementia. Clinical practice and nursing home staff training must encompass geriatric mental health and behavior management to meet the needs of residents with SMI.

Aged↗