Studies in psychosomatic psychiatry and in geriatric psychiatry: The Zaragoza experience

In the context of international interest in the psychiatric comorbidity in medical patients; and the growing international concern for dementia and depression in the elderly population, the Zaragoza Group of CIBERSAM has carried out a series of studies of increasing complexity. The objective of this paper is to describe this trajectory. We describe five generations of studies completed, the inspiring philosophy and results in both lines of research. We have standardised a series of assessment instruments and have documented, in a series of studies, the high prevalence and the negative implications of undetected, untreated psychopathology, including an excess mortality rate in depressed patients. We have also described in cross-national studies the state of the art in psychosomatic psychiatry in Europe, and have developed original methods and instruments for the early detection of "complex" medical patients. In geriatric psychiatry, we have completed cross-national studies both in dementia and depression, and have reported epidemiological data which are considered to be international reference in the field. The ZARADEMP Project includes now analytical, causal data as well as information on risk factors and early markers of the diseases. Conclusions: Translational research and studies including neurobiological bases of psychopathological disturbances should now be the priority to advance in elucidating causes and mechanisms of disturbances observed. CIBERSAM provides the adequate structure to complete high quality collaborative research. Adapted from the source document.