Factors Associated With COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths in French Nursing Homes.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics and management of residents in French nursing homes with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to determine the risk factors for COVID-19-related hospitalization and death in this population. DESIGN: A retrospective multicenter cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred eighty nursing home residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 between March 1 and May 20, 2020, were enrolled and followed until June 2, 2020, in 15 nursing homes in Marseille's greater metropolitan area. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment type, and clinical outcome data were collected from patients' medical records. Multivariable analysis was used to determine factors associated with COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. For the former, the competing risk analysis-based on Fine and Gray's model-took death into account. RESULTS: A total of 480 residents were included. Median age was 88 years (IQR 80-93), and 330 residents were women. A total of 371 residents were symptomatic (77.3%), the most common symptoms being asthenia (47.9%), fever or hypothermia (48.1%), and dyspnea (35.6%). One hundred twenty-three patients (25.6%) were hospitalized and 96 (20%) died. Male gender [specific hazard ratio (sHR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.35], diabetes (sHR 1.69, 95% CI 1.15-2.50), an altered level of consciousness (sHR 2.36, 95% CI 1.40-3.98), and dyspnea (sHR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.62) were all associated with a greater risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization. Male gender [odds ratio (OR) 6.63, 95% CI 1.04-42.39], thermal dysregulation (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.60-4.38), falls (2.21 95% CI 1.02-4.75), and being aged >85 years (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.32-4.24) were all associated with increased COVID-19-related mortality risk, whereas polymedication (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.77) and preventive anticoagulation (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.79) were protective prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Male gender, being aged >85 years old, diabetes, dyspnea, thermal dysregulation, an altered level of consciousness, and falls must all be considered when identifying and protecting nursing home residents who are at greatest risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death.

Pattern of SARS-CoV-2 infection among dependant elderly residents living in long-term care facilities in Marseille, France, March-June 2020.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report the results of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-based screening campaigns conducted on dependent elderly residents (compared with staff members) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Marseille, France, and the follow-up of positive cases. METHODS: Data from 1691 elderly residents and 1000 members of staff were retrospectively collected through interviewing the medical teams in 24 LTCFs and using the hospitals' electronic health recording systems. RESULTS: Elderly residents were predominantly female (64.8%) with a mean age of 83.0 years. SARS-CoV-2 detection among residents (226, 13.4%) was significantly higher than among staff members (87, 8.7%) (P < 0.001). Of the 226 infected residents, 37 (16.4%) were detected on a case-by-case basis due to their COVID-19 symptoms and 189 (83.6%) were detected through mass screening. Most (77.0%) had possible COVID-19 symptoms, including respiratory symptoms and signs (44.5%) and fever (46.5%); 23.0% were asymptomatic. A total of 116 (51.4%) patients received a course of oral hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (HCQ-AZM) for ≥ 3 days; 47 (20.8%) died. Through multivariate analysis, the death rate was positively associated with being male (30.7% vs. 14.0%, OR = 3.95, P = 0.002), aged > 85 years (26.1% vs. 15.6%, OR = 2.43, P = 0.041) and receiving oxygen therapy (39.0% vs. 12.9%, OR = 5.16, P < 0.001) and negatively associated with being diagnosed through mass screening (16.9% vs. 40.5%, OR = 0.20, P= 0.001) and receiving HCQ-AZM treatment ≥ 3 days (15.5% vs. 26.4%, OR = 0.37, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The high proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and independent factors for mortality suggest that early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients in LTCFs may be effective in saving lives.

Impact of an awareness of the doctors treating on the decrease of the prescriptions of antipsychotics in the demented residents in Ehpad.

BACKGROUND: Despite the context of several national warnings, antipsychotics drugs are commonly used to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD). AIM: To observe a decrease of antipsychotic drug prescription, in old NH (nursing homes) residents with dementia, after an awareness of their general practitioner. METHODS: Observational, prospective, multicenter study. The study population corresponds to NH residents with dementia, and antipsychotic drug consumption, in nursing homes volunteered to participate. Awareness-raising is carried out through information documents. The evaluation criteria is the proportion of residents under antipsychotics after sensitization. RESULTS: out of the 30 nursing homes included, 26.7% of the patients were prescribed at least one antipsychotic and 15% were both demented and under antipsychotics. A total of 317 residents with dementia and antipsychotics were included 15% of the total NH population. Psychotropic drug co-prescriptions was very frequent 43.2% also used benzodiazepines, 37.2% anxiolytics and 33.1% antidepressants. Agitation, aggressiveness, opposition to care and wandering were the most commonly BPSD encountered. After a first sensitization, we obtained a 15.5% decrease of antipsychotic prescriptions. CONCLUSION: A personalized sensitization towards GP allowed a reduction of antipsychotic drugs prescription in NH residents with dementia and BPSD.

Analgesic consumption in nursing homes: observational study about 99 nursing homes.

Few analgesics' studies in nursing homes are available. Quantitative and qualitative analgesic consumption evaluation in nursing homes in 2012. Multicenter, descriptive, retrospective and observational study about French Korian Nursing homes' residents, using Medissimo solution, and under at least one analgesic treatment during 2012. We considered as chronic prescription a duration greater than or equal to 28 days and as short prescription a duration less than 28 days. Population studied is 10.818 residents. 62% consumed at least one analgesic, 51% had a chronic analgesic consumption, 11% had a short analgesic consumption and 25% had an analgesic consumption both short and chronic. 47% residents under analgesic treatment received at least one prescription of painkillers "when require". Short prescription represents 19% of analgesic prescriptions: 57% are level 1 only, 20% are level 3 only and 16% are level 2 only. Chronic prescription represents 81% of analgesic prescriptions: 68% are level 1 only, 13% are level 2 only and 5% are level 3 only. 18 INNs were prescribed in nursing homes: paracetamol in 74% of cases, tramadol in 13% of cases, opioids and NSAIDs in 8% of cases. Our study reveals an analgesic consumption sometimes inappropriate with respect to paracetamol, tramadol and NSAIDs consumptions in addition to an overuse of fentanyl patch consumption. Residents in nursing homes are high analgesics consumers, often chronic. Paracetamol is the reference molecule.