Measuring what matters to older persons for active living: part II cross-sectional validity evidence for OPAL measure across four countries.

INTRODUCTION: Through interviews with 148 older persons from four countries and in four languages, the content for a 17-item measure of active living was developed. The purpose of this paper is to present further evidence of the extent to which this new measure, Older Persons Active Living (OPAL), is "fit-for-purpose" for measuring the extent of active living at one point in time. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a population aged 65 + and living independently, drawn from a participant panel, HostedinCanada, sampling people from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Netherlands. The survey instrument comprised the OPAL questionnaire rated on importance and frequency, sociodemographics, and information on physical and mental function. The argument-based approach to validity framed the analyses. Logistic regression, structural equation modeling, ordinary least-squares regression, and correlation were used to generate estimates for parameters underpinning validity evidence. RESULTS: A total of 1612 people completed the survey, 100 to 400 people across the 6 country-language strata. The proportion of people rating the items as extremely or quite important ranged from 60 to 90%, with no important differences between men and women and few differences between strata. A single-factor structure was supported. The ordinality of the response options justified an additive total score yielding a near normal distribution (mean: 33.1; SD: 11.5; range 0-51). Correlations with other measures of converging constructs were of moderate strength (~ 0.50), and differences across groups known to affect functioning and health were observed, suggesting a Miminal Important Difference (MID) of 6 out of 51. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence that the 17-item OPAL measure is fit for the purpose of estimating the extent to which older persons are living actively at one point in time.

Measuring what matters to older persons for active living: part I content development for the OPAL measure across four countries.

AIMS: Many older persons do not think of themselves as "patients" but as persons wishing to live as actively as possible for as long as possible. However, most health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures were developed for use with clinical populations. The aim of this project was to fill that gap and to develop, for international use, a measure of what matters to older persons as they age and seek to remain as active as possible, Older Persons for Active Living (OPAL). METHODS: For content development, interviews about active living were conducted with older persons from Canada, USA, UK, and the Netherlands in English, French, Spanish and Dutch, respectively with subsequent thematic analysis and harmonization. RESULTS: Analyses of transcripts from 148 older persons revealed that active living was a "way of being" and not merely doing activities. Saturation was reached and a total of 59 content areas were identified. After grouping similar "ways" together and after conducting a consensus rating of importance, 19 unique and important "ways" remained. In some languages, formulating was challenging for three of the 19, resulting in changes to two English words and dropping two other words, yielding a final list of 17 "ways of being" with harmonized wording in 4 languages. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the significance of listening to older adults and highlights the importance of considering linguistic and cultural nuances in measure development.

"It's a stressful, trying time for the caretaker": an interpretive description qualitative study of postoperative transitions in care for older adults with frailty from the perspectives of informal caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with frailty have surgery at a high rate. Informal caregivers often support the postoperative transition in care. Despite the growing need for family and caregiver support for this population, little is known about the experience of providing informal care to older adults with frailty during the postoperative transition in care. The purpose of this study was to explore what is important during a postoperative transition in care for older adults with frailty from the perspective of informal caregivers. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using an interpretive description methodology. Seven informal caregivers to older adults [aged ≥ 65 years with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 4) who had an inpatient elective surgery] participated in a telephone-based, semi-structured interview. Audio files were transcribed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were constructed: (1) being informed about what to expect after surgery; (2) accessible communication with care providers; (3) homecare resources are needed for the patient; and (4) a support network for the caregivers. Theme 4 included two sub-themes: (a) respite and emotional support and (b) occupational support. CONCLUSIONS: Transitions in care present challenges for informal caregivers of older adults with frailty, who play an important role in successful transitions. Future postoperative transitional care programs should consider making targeted information, accessible communication, and support networks available for caregivers as part of facilitating successful transitions in care.

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of clinical fracture-risk assessment tools in reducing future osteoporotic fractures among older adults: a structured scoping review.

This scoping review described the use, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical fracture-risk assessment tools to prevent future osteoporotic fractures among older adults. Results show that the screening was not superior in preventing all osteoporosis-related fractures to usual care. However, it positively influenced participants' perspectives on osteoporosis, may have reduced hip fractures, and seemed cost-effective. PURPOSE: We aim to provide a synopsis of the evidence about the use of clinical fracture-risk assessment tools to influence health outcomes, including reducing future osteoporotic fractures and their cost-effectiveness. METHODS: We followed the guidelines of Arksey and O'Malley and their modifications. A comprehensive search strategy was created to search CINAHL, Medline, and Embase databases until June 29, 2021, with no restrictions. We critically appraised the quality of all included studies. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the review after screening 2484 titles and 68 full-text articles. Four randomized controlled trials investigated the effectiveness of clinical fracture-risk assessment tools in reducing all fractures among older women. Using those assessment tools did not show a statistically significant reduction in osteoporotic fracture risk compared to usual care; however, additional analyses of two of these trials showed a trend toward reducing hip fractures, and the results might be clinically significant. Four studies tested the impact of screening programs on other health outcomes, and participants reported positive results. Eight simulation studies estimated the cost-effectiveness of using these tools to screen for fractures, with the majority showing significant potential savings. CONCLUSION: According to the available evidence to date, using clinical fracture-risk assessment screening tools was not more effective than usual care in preventing all osteoporosis-related fractures. However, using those screening tools positively influenced women's perspectives on osteoporosis, may have reduced hip fracture risk, and could potentially be cost-effective. This is a relatively new research area where additional studies are needed.

A Regression Tree Analysis to Identify Factors Predicting Frailty: The International Mobility in Aging Study.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome with a multifaceted etiology. We aimed to identify the best combinations of risk factors that predict the development of frailty using recursive partitioning models. METHODS: We analyzed reports from 1,724 community-dwelling men and women aged 65-74 years participating in the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). Frailty was measured using frailty phenotype scale that included five physical components: unintentional weight loss, weakness, slow gait, exhaustion, and low physical activity. Frailty was defined as presenting three of the above five conditions, having one or two conditions indicated prefrailty and showing none as robust. Socio-demographic, physical, lifestyle, psycho-social, and life-course factors were included in the analysis as potential predictors. RESULTS: 21% of pre-frail and robust participants showed a worse stage of frailty in 2014 compared to 2012. In addition to functioning variables, fear of falling (FOF), income, and research site (Canada vs. Latin America vs. Albania) were significant predictors of the development of frailty. Additional significant predictors after exclusion of functioning factors included education, self-rated health, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to obvious risk factors for frailty (such as functioning), socio-economic factors and FOFs are also important predictors. Clinical assessment of frailty should include measurement of these factors to identify high-risk individuals.

"I can't imagine having to do it on your own": a qualitative study on postoperative transitions in care from the perspectives of older adults with frailty.

BACKGROUND: Adults aged 65 and older have surgery more often than younger people and often live with frailty. The postoperative transition in care from hospital to home after surgey is a challenging time for older adults with frailty as they often experience negative outcomes. Improving postoperative transitions in care for older adults with frailty is a priority. However, little knowledge from the perspective of older adults with frailty is available to support meaningful improvements in postoperative transitions in care. OBJECTIVE: To explore what is important to older adults with frailty during a postoperative transition in care. METHODS: This qualitative study used an interpretive description methodology. Twelve adults aged ≥ 65 years with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 4) who had an inpatient elective surgery and could speak in English participated in a telephone-based, semi-structured interview. Audio files were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five themes were constructed: 1) valuing going home after surgery; 2) feeling empowered through knowledge and resources; 3) focusing on medical and functional recovery; 4) informal caregivers and family members play multiple integral roles; and 5) feeling supported by healthcare providers through continuity of care. Each theme had 3 sub-themes. CONCLUSION: Future programs should focus on supporting patients to return home by empowering patients with resources and clear communication, ensuring continuity of care, creating access to homecare and virtual support, focusing on functional and medical recovery, and recognizing the invaluable role of informal caregivers.

Evaluations of postoperative transitions in care for older adults: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Most people having major surgery are over the age of 65. The transition out of hospital is a vulnerable time for older adults, particularly after major surgery. Research on postoperative transitions in care is growing, but it is not clear how postoperative transitions are being evaluated. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize processes and outcomes used to evaluate postoperative transitions in care for older adults. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review that included articles evaluating a postoperative transition in care among adults aged > 65 having major elective surgery. We searched Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), CINHAL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from their respective inception dates to April 6, 2021. We also searched The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov from their respective inception dates to April 6, 2021. Screening and data extraction was completed by reviewers in duplicate. Data relevant to study design and objective, intervention description, and process or outcome evaluations were extracted. Process evaluations were categorized using the Ideal Transitions in Care Framework, and outcome evaluations were categorized using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Triple Aim Framework. RESULTS: After screening titles and abstracts and full-text article review, we included 20 articles in our final synthesis. There was variability in the processes and outcomes used to evaluate postoperative transitions in care. The most common outcomes evaluated were health service utilization (n = 9), including readmission and Emergency Department visits, experiential outcomes (n = 9) and quality of life (n = 7). Process evaluations included evaluating the education provided to patients to promote self-management (n = 6), coordination of care among team members (n = 3) and outpatient follow-up (n = 3). Only two articles measured frailty, one article used theory to guide their evaluations and no articles engaged knowledge users. CONCLUSIONS: There is inconsistency in how postoperative transitions in care were evaluated. There is a need to use theories and to engage key stakeholders involved in postoperative transitions in care, including older adults and their caregivers, to identify the most appropriate approaches for developing and evaluating interventions to meaningfully improve care.

Early mobility after fragility hip fracture: a mixed methods embedded case study.

BACKGROUND: Following a hip fracture up to 60% of patients are unable to regain their pre-fracture level of mobility. For hospitalized older adults, the deconditioning effect of bedrest and functional decline has been identified as the most preventable cause of ambulation loss. Recent studies demonstrate that this older adult population spends greater than 80% of their time in bed during hospitalization, despite being ambulatory before their fracture. We do not fully understand why there continues to be such high rates of sedentary times, given that evidence demonstrates functional decline is preventable and early mobility recommendations have been available for over a decade. METHODS: A descriptive mixed method embedded case study was selected to understand the phenomenon of early mobility after fragility hip fracture surgery. In this study, the main case was one post-operative unit with a history of recommendation implementation, and the embedded units were patients recovering from hip fracture repair. Data from multiple sources provided an understanding of mobility activity initiation and patient participation. RESULTS: Activity monitor data from eighteen participants demonstrated a mean sedentary time of 23.18 h. Median upright time was 24 min, and median number of steps taken was 30. Qualitative interviews from healthcare providers and patients identified two main categories of themes; themes external to the person and themes unique to the person. We identified four factors that can influence mobility; a patient's pre-fracture functional status, cognitive status, medical unpredictability, and preconceived notions held by healthcare providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are multi-level factors that require consideration with implementation of best practice interventions, namely, systemic, healthcare provider related, and patient related. An increased risk of poor outcomes occurs with compounding multiple factors, such as a patient with low pre-fracture functional mobility, cognitive impairment, and a mismatch of expectations. The study reports several variables to be important considerations for facilitating early mobility. Communicating mobility expectations and addressing physical and psychological readiness are essential. Our findings can be used to develop meaningful healthcare provider and patient-centred interventions to address the risks of poor outcomes.

Falls and life-space mobility: longitudinal analysis from The International Mobility in Aging Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate a 4-year longitudinal relationship between falls, recurrent falls, and injurious falls, according to different levels of life-space mobility (LSM). METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of an international cohort study. The participants were older adults from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) aged between 65 and 74 years at baseline. Three waves of data (2012, 2014, 2016) were used. Fall history during the past year was recorded. Recurrent fallers were identified as those who fell at least twice and injurious fallers as participants who required medical attention. LSM measurements included Total Life-Space (LS-C), Maximal Life-Space (LS-M), Assisted Life-Space (LS-A), Independent Life-Space (LS-I) and Restricted Life-space (LS-ID) scores. Generalized estimation equation (GEE) models were used to determine whether life-space mobility measures and their change over time differed between recurrence of falls and injurious falls. RESULTS: At baseline, the prevalence of falls in the last year was 28%. 11.8% reported recurrent falls and 2.6% had serious injurious falls in the last year preceding the assessments. Recurrent fallers were more likely to be female, with insufficient income and, with comorbidities. GEE models showed that life-space mobility was lower among those with recurrent falls or serious injurious falls compared to those who never fell, but the rate of change did not differ over the 4-year follow-up except for the LS-A and LS-I scores, where some improvements were observed over time. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Falls were independently associated with a decrease in LSM over 4 years. Targeting older adults with recurrent and injurious falls with appropriate interventions may improve community mobility and social participation.

Toward a Meaningful Definition of Recovery After Hip Fracture: Comparing Two Definitions for Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the course of recovery and resulting health-related quality of life (HRQL) after low-trauma hip fracture using 2 different definitions of recovery. DESIGN: Inception cohort with 8 assessments over 1 year. SETTING: Participants were recruited from a tertiary-care hospital and followed up in the community. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling hip fracture patients (N=47, 75% of all eligible; aged ≥65y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prefracture functional level was used to identify subgroups of participants with similar trajectories of mobility over time. Recovery in functional mobility was defined in 2 ways: the "traditional" definition (return to prefracture level of functional mobility) and a "targeted recovery" definition (ability to climb 10 steps). Both were measured using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. HRQL was measured using the RAND 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: Participants were categorized into 3 subgroups with: low, medium, and high prefracture functional abilities. Agreement between the 2 definitions of recovery (quantified using κ coefficient) was strong for the medium group (.81; 95% confidence interval, .56-1.00), weak for the high group (.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-.99), and minimal for the low group (.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-.328). Contrary to the traditional definition, patients who achieved targeted recovery had statistically and clinically better HRQL than the rest of the cohort throughout the study (estimated average difference of 10.8 points on RAND 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey; 95% confidence interval, 6.67-15.07). CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between the 2 definitions of recovery ranged from minimal to strong according to patient group. Using a functional target to define recovery predicted HRQL better. It is vital to consider the definition of recovery carefully for research or clinical practice because it can influence subsequent decisions (eg, endorsing a specific intervention or discharging patients).

Fear of falling and its association with life-space mobility of older adults: a cross-sectional analysis using data from five international sites.

Background: fear of falling (FOF) is a major health concern among community-dwelling older adults that could restrict mobility. Objective: to examine the association of FOF with life-space mobility (i.e. the spatial area a person moves through in daily life) of community-dwelling older adults from five diverse sites. Methods: in total, 1,841 older adults (65-74 years) were recruited from Kingston, Canada; Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; Tirana, Albania; Manizales, Colombia and Natal, Brazil. FOF was assessed using the Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I total score), and the life space was quantified using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), a scale that runs from 0 (minimum life space) to 120 (maximum life space). Results: the overall average LSA total score was 68.7 (SD: 21.2). Multiple-linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship of FOF with life-space mobility, even after adjusting for functional, clinical and sociodemographic confounders (B = -0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.26 to -0.04). The FOF × site interaction term was significant with a stronger linear relationship found in the Canadian sites and Tirana compared with the South American sites. After adjusting for all confounders, the association between FOF with LSA remained significant at Kingston (B = -0.32, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.01), Saint-Hyacinthe (B = -0.81, 95% CI -1.31 to -0.32) and Tirana (B = -0.57, 95% CI -0.89 to -0.24). Conclusion: FOF is an important psychological factor that is associated with reduction in life space of older adults in different social and cultural contexts, and the strength of this association is site specific. Addressing FOF among older adults would help improve their mobility in local communities, which in turn would improve social participation and health-related quality of life.

Health-related quality of life in older adults with bilateral knee pain and back pain: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

This study's objective was to examine the association of self-reported bilateral knee pain (KP) and back pain (BP) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, data for 1252 older adults (≥65 years) were included from the Osteoarthritis Initiative project. Self-reported bilateral KP and BP were used to classify participants into four groups: (1) neither bilateral KP nor BP; (2) no bilateral KP with BP; (3) bilateral KP without BP; and (4) both bilateral KP and BP. Health-related quality of life was measured using the health survey short form (SF)-12. We used multiple linear regression analyses to examine the associations of bilateral KP and/or BP with the HRQoL. After controlling for covariates, bilateral KP and BP were associated with poorer HRQoL [physical composite scale (PCS): estimated average (ß) = -13.1, SE = 1.15, p < 0.0001; mental composite scale: ß = -2.71, SE = 1.09, p = 0.013, respectively] compared with the group with neither bilateral KP nor BP. In conclusion, older adults with coexisting bilateral KP and BP had significantly poorer physical and mental HRQoL when compared to peers without these conditions.

Pedometer-facilitated walking intervention shows promising effectiveness for reducing cancer fatigue: a pilot randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanisms for cancer related fatigue suggest that exercise but "not too much and not too little" could be effective. This study aimed to investigate feasibility and estimate the potential effects of a walking exercise program in people with advanced cancer and fatigue. DESIGN: A pilot randomized trial. SETTING: McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, Canada. SUBJECTS: People with advanced cancer undergoing interdisciplinary assessment and rehabilitation with a fatigue level of 4 to 10 on a visual analogue scale. INTERVENTIONS: An 8-week fatigue-adapted, walking intervention, facilitated using a pedometer (STEPS), and offered at the same time as or after rehabilitation. MEASURES: Measures of fatigue, physical function and well-being were administered at entry, and 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimated the odds of response for people receiving the STEPS program in comparison to the odds of response in the controls (odds ratio, OR). RESULTS: Twenty-six persons were randomized to three groups: during rehabilitation, after rehabilitation, and usual care. For the fatigue measures the OR for STEPS offered at any time using an intention-to-treat approach was 3.68 (95%CI: 1.05-12.88); for the physical function measures, the OR was 1.40 (95%CI: 0.41- 4.79) and 2.36 (95%CI: 0.66-8.51) for the well-being measures. CONCLUSION: Fifty percent of eligible people were able to participate. This small trial suggests that a personalized exercise program reduces fatigue and that 100 people are needed in a full strength trial.

Impact of the End PJ Paralysis interventions on patient health outcomes at the participating hospitals in Alberta, Canada.

PURPOSE: Multiple hospitals in Alberta implemented the End PJ Paralysis - a multicomponent inpatient ambulation initiative aimed at preventing the adverse physical and psychological effects patients experience due to low mobility during admission. To inform a scale-up strategy, this study assessed the impact of the initiative based on select process and outcome measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and administrative data were obtained from the hospital Discharge Abstract Database, Research Electronic Data Capture (Redcaps), and Reporting and Learning System for Patient Safety. The variables explored were length of stay, inpatient falls, discharge disposition, pressure injury, patient ambulation, and patient dressed rates. We then used the Interrupted Time Series design for impact analysis. RESULTS: The analysis included discharge abstracts for 32,884 patients and the results showed significant improvements in outcomes at the participating units. The length of stay and inpatient falls were reduced immediately by 1.8 days (B2=-1.80, p = 0.044, 95% CI [-3.54, -0.05]), and 2.2 events (B2=-2.22, p = 005, 95% CI [-3.75, -0.69]). The percentage of patients discharged home increased overtime (B2=.39, p=.006, 95% CI [.11, .66]). Mobilization and dressed rates also improved. CONCLUSIONS: The findings imply the interventions safely mitigated the risk of immobility-induced complications, including deconditioning and hospital-acquired disability.

Immobility during hospitalization is endemic in hospitals and, without intervention, presents a significant risk of physiological deconditioning and subsequent adverse health outcomes, such as functional decline and hospital-acquired disability.This study elevates the importance of preserving functional capacity and dignity of hospitalized patients by encouraging them to get up, dress in personal clothes, and move as much possible.Function-focused initiatives, that include intentional patient ambulation, have the potential to mitigate the risk of immobility-induced deconditioning and other adverse outcomes, such as falls and pressure injury, in older adults.In this study, we have demonstrated the End PJ Paralysis had a positive impact on patient ambulation, length of stay, inpatient falls, and discharge disposition.The study also informed a proposed transformational roadmap to strengthen rehabilitation in the provincial health system and spread the initiative to all the major hospitals to potentially benefit more patients.

Pain symptoms and physical performance in older adults: cross-sectional findings from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS).

PURPOSE: To analyze the associations between pain and physical performance in different aging contexts. METHODS: Data from 1725 older adults from Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and Albania from the 2014 wave of the IMIAS were used to assess the associations between Back Pain (BP) or Lower Limb Pain (LLP) and physical performance by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Three binary logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, study site, education, income sufficiency, BMI, depressive symptoms, and chronic conditions were used to estimate the associations between LLP or BP and SPPB. The SPPB was classified into good performance (8 points or more) and poor physical performance (< 8 points). RESULTS: The mean age of the older men was 71.2 (± 3.0) and the mean age of the women was 71.2 (± 2.8) years. Older men (72.8%, p < 0.05) and women (86.1%, p-value < 0.05) from Albania had the highest frequencies of self-reported general pain. Older women in Colombia had the highest frequencies of LLP or BP (33.5%, p-value < 0.05). In the fully adjusted logistic regression model, LLP or BP was significantly associated with poor SPPB (OR = 0.48, 0.35 to 0.66 95% CI, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pain symptoms are associated with reduced physical performance in older people, even when adjusted for other clinical and sociodemographic factors. Protocols for aiming to increase the level of physical activity to manage pain should be incorporated into health care strategies.

Independent and joint associations of cardiometabolic multimorbidity and depression on cognitive function: findings from multi-regional cohorts and generalisation from community to clinic.

Background: Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) and depression are often co-occurring in older adults and associated with neurodegenerative outcomes. The present study aimed to estimate the independent and joint associations of CMM and depression on cognitive function in multi-regional cohorts, and to validate the generalizability of the findings in additional settings, including clinical. Methods: Data harmonization was performed across 14 longitudinal cohort studies within the Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium (COSMIC) group, spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Three external validation studies with distinct settings were employed for generalization. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they had data for CMM and were free of dementia at baseline. Baseline CMM was defined as: 1) CMM 5, ≥2 among hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease and 2) CMM 3 (aligned with previous studies), ≥2 among diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Baseline depression was primarily characterized by binary classification of depressive symptom measurements, employing the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Global cognition was standardized as z-scores through harmonizing multiple cognitive measures. Longitudinal cognition was calculated as changes in global cognitive z-scores. A pooled individual participant data (IPD) analysis was utilized to estimate the independent and joint associations of CMM and depression on cognitive outcomes in COSMIC studies, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Repeated analyses were performed in three external validation studies. Findings: Of the 32,931 older adults in the 14 COSMIC cohorts, we included 30,382 participants with complete data on baseline CMM, depression, and cognitive assessments for cross-sectional analyses. Among them, 22,599 who had at least 1 follow-up cognitive assessment were included in the longitudinal analyses. The three external studies for validation had 1964 participants from 3 multi-ethnic Asian older adult cohorts in different settings (community-based, memory clinic, and post-stroke study). In COSMIC studies, each of CMM and depression was independently associated with cross-sectional and longitudinal cognitive function, without significant interactions between them (Ps > 0.05). Participants with both CMM and depression had lower cross-sectional cognitive performance (e.g. ß = -0.207, 95% CI = (-0.255, -0.159) for CMM5 (+)/depression (+)) and a faster rate of cognitive decline (e.g. ß = -0.040, 95% CI = (-0.047, -0.034) for CMM5 (+)/depression (+)), compared with those without either condition. These associations remained consistent after additional adjustment for APOE genotype and were robust in two-step random-effects IPD analyses. The findings regarding the joint association of CMM and depression on cognitive function were reproduced in the three external validation studies. Interpretation: Our findings highlighted the importance of investigating age-related co-morbidities in a multi-dimensional perspective. Targeting both cardiometabolic and psychological conditions to prevent cognitive decline could enhance effectiveness. Funding: Natural Science Foundation of China and National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health.

Applying the knowledge to action framework to plan a strategy for implementing breast cancer screening guidelines: an interprofessional perspective.

Integrated knowledge translation (IKT) interventions may be one solution to improving the uptake of clinical guidelines. IKT research initiatives are particularly relevant for breast cancer research and initiatives targeting the implementation of clinical guidelines and guideline implementation initiatives, where collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of practitioners, patients, caregivers, and policy makers is needed for producing optimum patient outcomes. The objective of this paper was to describe the process of developing an IKT strategy that could be used by guideline developers to improve the uptake of their new clinical practice guidelines on breast cancer screening. An interprofessional group of students as well as two faculty members met six times over three days at the KT Canada Summer Institute in 2011. The team used all of the phases of the action cycle in the Knowledge to Action Framework as an organizing framework. While the entire framework was used, the step involving assessing barriers to knowledge use was judged to be particularly relevant in anticipating implementation problems and being able to inform the specific KT interventions that would be appropriate to mitigate these challenges and to accomplish goals and outcomes. This activity also underscored the importance of group process and teamwork in IKT. We propose that an a priori assessment of barriers to knowledge use (i.e., level and corresponding barriers), along with the other phases of the Knowledge to Action Framework, is a strategic approach for KT strategy development, implementation, and evaluation planning and could be used in the future planning of KT strategies.

Providing evidence for content validity of the most frequently used hip specific recovery outcome measures in hip fracture studies: an International Classification of Functioning approach.

PURPOSE: We established the most commonly used clinician and patient-reported hip fracture outcome measures as of 2022, assessed their content validity using an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, and operationalized these results to contribute to an updated hip fracture core set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify articles utilizing outcome measures related to hip fracture. A total of five outcome measures were identified, linked to the ICF, and assessed for content validity via bandwidth percent, content density, and content diversity. RESULTS: Outcome measures were linked to 191 ICF codes, most of which were associated with Activities and Participation. Notably, no outcome measure contained concepts linked to Personal Factors and Environmental Factors were underrepresented across all outcome measures. The modified Harris Hip Score had the highest content diversity (0.67), the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score had the highest bandwidth of ICF content coverage (2.48), and the Oxford Hip Score had the highest content density (2.92). CONCLUSIONS: These results clarify the clinical applicability of outcome measures and guide development of hip fracture outcomes that allow providers to assess the complex role of social, environmental, and personal factors in patient rehabilitation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHip fracture is a complex and disabling pathology predominantly affecting older adults and represents a public health problem.There are a variety of outcome measures used to assess a patient's recovery following a hip fracture, each with distinctive objectives and modes of administration.Content validity metrics associated with the Harris Hip Score suggest it would be a suitable outcome measure during early-stage recovery, whereas the modified Harris Hip Score may be more suitable for tracking long-term recovery tracking.Choosing an outcome measure most appropriate for a hip fracture patient is an individualized decision that must consider aspects such as age, activity level, needs, and environmental factors.

Circumstances and Factors Associated With Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Diagnosed With Heart Disease Using the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To identify the circumstances of falls and the factors associated with falls among older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Baseline (2012) data from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS), a cross-sectional study, were used. Falling was measured by the subjective question, "Have you fallen in the last 12 months?" Several subjective questions were asked to obtain information about the circumstances of falls. Potential clinical factors associated with falling were cognitive status, depressive symptoms, physical performance, grip strength, visual acuity, and fear of falling (FOF). These clinical factors were measured respectively with the Leganes Cognitive Test, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Scales Depressive Symptoms, the Short Physical Performance Battery, a Jamar handgrip dynamometer, the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) tumbling E chart placed at 2 m, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. A χ 2 test was used to determine whether there were significant differences in fall circumstances among older adults with and without CVD. Two-sample t tests were used to test for any significant differences between older adults with and without CVD. Bonferroni correction was applied to limit type I errors and was corrected to .007. Simple and multiple logistic regressions identified which clinical factors were associated with falling. RESULTS: A total of 429 older adults with CVD (mean age 69.5 ± 2.9) and 431 older adults without CVD (69.2 ± 2.9) participated in the study. Approximately 53% of fallers with CVD had 2 or more falls compared with fallers without CVD (39%). The most common location for falling was at home (43%) for fallers with CVD or in the street (50%) for fallers without CVD. Approximately 9% of fallers with CVD needed to be hospitalized while only 3% of fallers without CVD were admitted to the hospital. Approximately 42% of fallers with CVD had some residual sequelae (eg, being unable to walk around the house or do housework) compared with only 27% of fallers without CVD. Fallers with CVD had significantly ( P value < .007) more depressive symptoms (mean ± SD, 14.7 ± 12.9) and poorer physical performance (8.4 ± 3.0) compared with fallers without CVD (10.1 ± 9.4 and 9.6 ± 2.5, respectively); however FOF was the only significant clinical factor ( P value < .05) associated with falling for older adults with CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of recurrent falls is higher among older adults with CVD than those without CVD. Circumstances of falls among fallers with CVD differ from those identified among fallers without CVD. Fear of falling was the only predictor of fall history among older adults with CVD. The results suggest the merit of considering FOF when designing prevention and intervention programs to reduce falls among older adults with CVD.