Prevalence of suspected abuse of non-institutionalized older people treated in primary care. PRESENCIA study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of suspected abuse of non-institutionalised elderly people and the associated variables. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study in patients aged 65 years or older, non-institutionalised, consecutively selected in primary care (PC). The EASI questionnaires (Suspected Elderly Abuse Index), the EAI questionnaire (Suspected Abuse Index in patients with cognitive impairment), the Barthel index, and the EUROQOL-5D questionnaire were used with patients, and the CASE questionnaire and the Zarit test were used with caregivers. Socio-demographic, health, and quality of life variables were analysed in all patients. RESULTS: Eight hundred four patients were included, mean age 78.9±7.9 years, 58.3% women. The prevalence of suspected abuse was 11.3% (95% CI: 9.1%-13.9%). Suspected abuse was more frequent in women than in men (14.4% vs. 7.1%; odds ratio (OR)=1.97; 95% CI=1.1-3.4; p=0.016) and in those who lived with two or more people compared to those who lived alone (18.4% vs. 7.3%; OR=2.42; 95% CI=1.1-5.0; p=0.017). Among older patients, the lower their dependency, the lower the prevalence of suspected abuse (30.0% in highly dependent vs. 8.7% in non-dependent: p-trend=0.006); and the better the perceived health status, the lower the prevalence of suspected abuse (29.6% in poor health status vs. 6.9% in optimal health status; p-trend=<0.001). Among caregivers, the prevalence of suspected abuse was 20.4% (95% CI=12.8%-28.0%). A trend of higher prevalence of suspected abuse could be observed with higher scores on the CASE questionnaire (56.3% at high risk and 9.6% with no risk of abuse; p-trend=0.007). In the case of the ZARIT questionnaire with scores below 47, the prevalence of suspected abuse was 9.1%, and for scores above 55, it was 52.6% (p-trend<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the PRESENCIA study show that approximately 1 in 10 patients aged ≥65 meet the criteria for suspected abuse. The probability of abuse increases in women, in patients with greater dependency and in patients with poorer perceived health status. Caregivers with greater overload and greater risk presented a greater suspicion of elder abuse.

[Vulnerability and social determinants in diabetes]. / Vulnerabilidad y determinantes sociales en diabetes.

Social determinants of health significantly influence the development and progression of chronic diseases such as type2 diabetes (T2DM). This article examines key social determinants including education, economic stability, neighborhood, and factors such as ethnicity, race, or religion that impact individuals with T2DM. The role of gender as a social determinant is also explored, emphasizing the need for gender-specific considerations in T2DM management and research. Additionally, the impact of poverty on health outcomes is analyzed, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between poverty and disease. Comprehensive measures addressing these determinants are crucial to improving the health and well-being of individuals with T2DM. Addressing social inequalities through targeted interventions can contribute to better treatment outcomes and equitable healthcare.

[Management of patient profiles with type2 diabetes mellitus in Primary Care in Spain: CONTROVERTI2 Program]. / Manejo de perfiles de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo2 en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria en España: Programa CONTROVERTI2.

AIM: To identify existing controversies in the routine management of patients with T2D and to contrast them with the latest scientific evidence and clinical guidelines, in order to help optimize and homogenize the treatment of patients with T2D in Primary Care (PC) in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 240 family doctors responded to an online questionnaire about the management of 6 patient profiles with T2D of increasing complexity. RESULTS: The main drivers for the antihyperglycemic treatment choice are an HbA1c>10% and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), although in evolved patients, the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the risk of hypoglycemia become more relevant. In newly diagnosed patients with an HbA1c>9%, treatment is still initiated with monotherapy (24%). In patients not controlled with metformin, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4-I, 54%) or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I, 39%) are usually added. On the other hand, type1 glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) are mainly associated with obese patients with T2D. In patients not controlled with metformin+sulfonylurea (SU), SU replacement is preferred to adding a third antihyperglycemic agent to background therapy (77% vs. 23%). CONCLUSIONS: T2D treatment in PC is still focused on HbA1c reduction and treatment safety. Thus, DPP4-I are widely used. SGLT2-I are usually preferred for patients with T2D and CVD and GLP1-RA for patients with T2D and obesity, although their use in PC is low.

[Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adolescents and young adults in primary care]. / Manejo de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes en atención primaria.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (DM2) diagnosed in childhood and adolescence is currently increasing, and is characterised by a rapidly progressive decline in beta-cells and insulin resistance. Physical inactivity and obesity are the main risk factors for its development. Diagnostic criteria are similar to those used in adults, although HbA1c as a diagnostic method is questioned. Diabetes-related complications are more aggressive than in adults. Diabetic nephropathy is the most frequent complication in the young population and macrovascular complications appear early, leading to high mortality rates. Healthy lifestyles are the basis of the treatment, and metformin, insulin and liraglutide (approved by FDA for its use in the United States) are the pharmacological options indicated in this population. It is important to establish models of health care transition from paediatric to adult care to ensure continuity of care and avoid patient disengagements.

[The impact of therapeutic inertia and the degree of the medication adherence on the control goals for patients with diabetes]. / Impacto de la inercia terapéutica y del grado de adherencia al tratamiento en los objetivos de control en personas con diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse both the impact of low therapeutic adherence (TA) and therapeutic inertia (TI) on poor blood glucose control and on risk factors for heart disease in patients with DM2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Primary Halth Care centre. A total of 320 patients with DM2 were included and an assessment was made of control goals (HbA1c≤7%, blood pressure ≤130/80mmHg, and LDL-cholesterol≤100mg/dl). A pharmacy retrieval <80% was considered as a lack of TA and the non-modification of treatment in badly controlled patient as TI. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with good control of HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol was 62.5%, 40.9%, and 35.9%, respectively. Lower figures of TA were present in poorly controlled patients, and TI was not found to be related to TA. In the patients with poor HbA1c control, 25.8% had TI, 24.8% poor TA, and 11.9% had both of them. As regards LDL-cholesterol, 3.6% presented poor TA, 70.4% showed TI, and 16% with poor TA and TI (P<.001). As for blood pressure, 3.5% of patients had poor TA, 54.6% had TI, and 21.5% of them had poor TA as well as TI (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of therapeutic adherence and therapeutic inertia were found in a high percentage of poorly-controlled DM2 patients with bad control. Therapeutic inertia was found to be of great relevance in this study.