Unmet needs in Primary Care of older clients with mental health concerns.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the unmet needs of older clients with perceived mental health problems who attend primary healthcare services. DESIGN: Unmet needs were derived from (i) the health concerns and caregiver network availability provided by a General Practitioner (GPs) and from (ii) a qualitative analysis of an open question about needs completed by informal caregivers (ICs) of those clients. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised 436 clients with mean age of 75.2 years and 110 ICs with mean age of 56.7 years. SETTING: Primary healthcare centers in the North of Portugal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Community Assessment of Risk Instrument-CARI (Clarnette RM, Ryan JP, O'Herlihy E, et al. The community assessment of risk instrument: investigation of inter-rater reliability of an instrument measuring risk of adverse outcomes. J Frailty Aging 2015;4: 80-9; O'Caoimh R, Healy E, Connell EO, et al. The Community Assessment of Risk Tool (CART): investigation of inter-rater reliability for a new instrument measuring risk of adverse outcomes in community dwelling older adults. Irish J Med Sci 2012.) and qualitative data about needs. RESULTS: Several needs were observed in relation to (1) mental state (e.g. cognition, anxiety/depression); (2) functionality (e.g. IADLS, bathing, mobility); (3) medical state (e.g. chronic diseases, vision deficits) and (4) IC ability to meet clients' needs. From the categorical analysis of the ICs' answers, an amount of unmet needs not only health related but also related with referrals and legal issues were found. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a large number of unmet needs of older people. The evaluation of the clients combined with the evaluation of the testimonials of ICs enables the understanding of difficulties of both clients and caregivers, and which needs should be prioritized.

Perceived Risk of Death in Older Primary Care Patients.

There is a large gap between life expectancy and healthy life years at age 65. To reduce this gap, it is necessary that people with medical concerns perceived at higher risk of adverse outcomes are readily identified and treated. The same goes for the need to implement prevention plans. The main objectives of this study are to, in a first step, (a) estimate the percentage of medical concerns, (b) identify factors associated with this concern; in a second step, (c) estimate the perceived risk of death, and (d) evaluate the ability of medical concerns to predict this risk. Results show that the existence and severity of medical concerns are crucial in the prediction of perceived risk of death. Early identification of severity of medical concerns and the availability and adequacy of informal caregiving should allow healthcare professionals to promptly initiate an appropriate assessment and treatment of older patients.

Effectiveness of a psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers of older adults.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study explored the effectiveness of psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers called 'Caring at home'. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample included 60 informal caregivers of elderly people (≥60 years) living in the community. Socio-demographic information of informal caregivers and care receivers was collected with the COPE Index. The assessment protocol comprised four scales: 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, General Health Questionnaire-12, Positive Aspects of Caregiving and Caregiver Strain Index Modified. There were five assessment moments: a pretest, a post-test and three follow-ups. RESULTS: Informal caregivers had an average age of 52.08 years (SD = 9.11) and were mainly women (90.0%), married/partnered (75.0%) and children of the care recipients (61.7%). The median time spent in care was 12 hours/day (IQR = 18). Results showed a favourable evolution after the psychoeducational intervention, a significant improvement in caregivers' mental health (p = 0.03) from pretest to 1st follow-up (2/3 months after the psychoeducational intervention) and the maintenance of the other assessed dimensions of the caregivers' behaviour. IMPLICATIONS: The psychoeducational intervention seems to promote improvements in mental health and the maintenance of other favourable conditions at baseline. These results may indicate that psychoeducational programme are beneficial to minimise or prevent adverse effects of caregiving.

Pulmonary Embolization After Gastric Varices Obliteration.

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NB2CYA) is frequently used in the treatment of variceal hemorrhage with a success rate in hemostatic control of 87%-100%. Although rare, complications include esophageal perforation, infection, or arterial and venous embolization. We present the case of a 67-year-old male with chronic ethanolic liver disease hospitalized due to melena and hematemesis. He had anemia requiring transfusion support, octreotide, and pantoprazole infusion. Upper digestive endoscopy was performed showing gastric varices with a hemorrhagic rupture point treated with cyanoacrylate. The patient developed respiratory failure over the next 48 hours with chest computed tomography (CT) angiography showing several dense, scattered linear images, with arterial vascular trajectories suggestive of cyanoacrylate embolization. It was decided to provide ventilatory support with invasive mechanical ventilation, initiate systemic corticosteroid therapy, and transfer the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU). The patient was ventilated for 11 days with initial favorable evolution, but after two episodes of decompensation of his chronic liver disease (CLD) (hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome) and a new nosocomial pneumonia, he ended up dying. The present case illustrates a rare but potentially fatal complication associated with cyanoacrylate, highlighting the importance of a high suspicion index in cases of respiratory failure and dyspnea after this therapy.

Pulmonary Mucormycosis in a Poorly Controlled Diabetic Patient.

Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. It is characterized by several syndromes with rhino-orbito-cerebral and pulmonary involvement. We report the case of a 49-year-old patient admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis and Influenza B pneumonia nonresponsive to treatment, which was later diagnosed with pulmonary mucormycosis. After correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment with isavuconazole, the patient had a favorable evolution, which reinforces the importance of an accurate diagnosis.

Intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative acute kidney injury in major abdominal surgery: a cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Several studies investigating the association between intraoperative urine output and postoperative AKI have shown conflicting results. Here, we investigated the association of intraoperative oliguria with postoperative AKI in a cohort of patients submitted to elective major abdominal surgery. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent elective major abdominal surgery from January 2016 to December 2018. AKI was defined according to the serum creatinine criteria of the KDIGO classification. Intraoperative oliguria was defined as urine output of less than 0.5 mL/kg/h. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were analyzed. In the first 48 h after surgery the incidence of AKI was 19.4%. Postoperative AKI was associated with hospital mortality (p=0.011). Twenty percent of patients developed intraoperative oliguria. There was no association between preexisting comorbidities and development of intraoperative oliguria. There was no correlation between the type of anesthesia used and occurrence of intraoperative oliguria, but longer anesthesia time was associated with intraoperative oliguria (p=0.007). Higher baseline SCr (p=0.001), need of vasoactive drugs (p=0.007), and NSAIDs use (p=0.022) were associated with development of intraoperative oliguria. Intraoperative oliguria was not associated with development of postoperative AKI (p=0.772), prolonged hospital stays (p=0.176) or in-hospital mortality (p=0.820). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients we demonstrated that intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative AKI in major abdominal surgery.

Measuring Acetabular Version after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Two Radiographic Methods.

Objective The objective of the present work was to compare the measurement of acetabular component version on anteroposterior (AP) and on cross-table radiographs after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Radiographs of 60 hips with a primary THA were selected. Version was calculated on the AP radiograph using the Lewinnek method and, on the cross-table, using the Woo and Morrey direct method. Results Mean and standard deviation (SD) were different on both radiographs, being 9.7° ± 5.5° on the AP, whereas in the cross-table the measurements were 20.6° ± 8.4° ( p < 0.001). Minding our aim of 10°, the cross-table measurements were statistically different from it ( p < 0.001), while the AP measurement did not differ ( p = 0.716). Conclusion The present study showed that the best way to correctly evaluate the acetabular component positioning following a THA is by measuring anteversion and abduction on an AP radiograph after confirming, in a cross-table radiograph, that the component is not retroverted.

Frailty Status and Polypharmacy Predict All-Cause Mortality in Community Dwelling Older Adults in Europe.

European population ageing is associated with frailty, a complex geriatric syndrome, and polypharmacy, both resulting in adverse health outcomes. In this study we aimed to evaluate the impact of frailty and polypharmacy, on mortality rates, within 30 months, using a cohort of SHARE participants aged 65 years old or more. Frailty was assessed using a version of Fried's phenotype criteria operationalized to SHARE while polypharmacy was defined as taking five or more drugs per day. We found a prevalence of 40.4% non-frail, 47.3% pre-frail and 12.3% frail participants. Moreover, a prevalence of polypharmacy of 31.3% was observed, being 3 three times more prevalent in frail individuals and two times in pre-frail individuals, when compared with non-frail. Individuals with both conditions had shown higher mortality rates. Comparing with non-polymedicated non-frail individuals all the other conditions are more prone to die within 30 months. Polymedicated older and male participants exhibited also higher mortality rates. This work shows polypharmacy and frailty to be associated with a higher risk of all-cause of mortality and highlights the need to decrease 'unnecessary' polypharmacy to reduce drug-related issues and also the need to assess frailty early to prevent avoidable adverse outcomes.

Prevalence of frailty status among the European elderly population: Findings from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe.

AIM: In the present study, we aimed to update the data of frailty status in the European community-dwelling population of older adults, based on the latest data released (wave 6) of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe database, and to study the impact of each criterion on frailty assessment. METHODS: Frailty status was assessed applying a version of the Fried phenotype operationalized for the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe. We included all participants who answered all the questions used in a frailty assessment and who disclosed their sex and, furthermore, who were aged ≥50 years. Our final sample was 60 816 individuals. Of these, the mean age was 67.45 ± 9.71 years; 38 497 (56.4%) were women. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of pre-frailty was 42.9% (ranging from 34.0% in Austria to 52.8% in Estonia), and frailty was 7.7% (ranging from 3.0% in Switzerland to 15.6% in Portugal). Pre-frailty and frailty prevalence increased along with age, and were more frequent among women. Regarding the five criteria considered on frailty assessment, exhaustion seems to be the criterion that contributes most to frailty status, followed by low activity, weakness, loss of appetite and slowness. CONCLUSIONS: With this work, we showed that >50% of the European population aged >50 years are pre-frail/frail, which must be considered when designing interventions to reduce/postpone/mitigate the progression of this condition, thus reducing the burden associated with it. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 723-729.

Screening of Dementia in Portuguese Primary Care: Methodology, Assessment Tools, and Main Results.

The objectives of this article are as follows: (1) to describe the assessment protocol used to outline people with probable dementia in Primary Health Care; (2) to show the methodological design and procedure to obtain a representative sample of patients with probable dementia; and (3) to report the main characteristics of the sample collected in the context of the study "Characteristics and needs of people with probable dementia." The study protocol was based on the "Community Assessment of Risk and Treatment Strategies (CARTS) Program" and is composed by a set of instruments that allow the assessment of older adults with probable dementia in several areas (health, psychological, functionality, and other). Descriptive analysis was used to characterize the final sample (n = 436). The study protocol as well as the methodological procedure to obtain the referral of research participants and data collection on the condition of people with probable dementia in Primary Health Care proved to be a valuable tool to obtain a sample of patients distributed by the full range of probable dementia in a large geographical area. Results may allocate the design of care pathways for old people with cognitive disorders to prevent, delay impairment, and/or optimize quality of life of patients.

Intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative acute kidney injury in major abdominal surgery: a cohort analysis / A oligúria intraoperatória não prediz lesão renal aguda pós-operatória em grandes cirurgias abdominais: Análise de uma coorte

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Several studies investigating the association between intraoperative urine output and postoperative AKI have shown conflicting results. Here, we investigated the association of intraoperative oliguria with postoperative AKI in a cohort of patients submitted to elective major abdominal surgery. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent elective major abdominal surgery from January 2016 to December 2018. AKI was defined according to the serum creatinine criteria of the KDIGO classification. Intraoperative oliguria was defined as urine output of less than 0.5 mL/kg/h. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 165 patients were analyzed. In the first 48 h after surgery the incidence of AKI was 19.4%. Postoperative AKI was associated with hospital mortality (p=0.011). Twenty percent of patients developed intraoperative oliguria. There was no association between preexisting comorbidities and development of intraoperative oliguria. There was no correlation between the type of anesthesia used and occurrence of intraoperative oliguria, but longer anesthesia time was associated with intraoperative oliguria (p=0.007). Higher baseline SCr (p=0.001), need of vasoactive drugs (p=0.007), and NSAIDs use (p=0.022) were associated with development of intraoperative oliguria. Intraoperative oliguria was not associated with development of postoperative AKI (p=0.772), prolonged hospital stays (p=0.176) or in-hospital mortality (p=0.820). Conclusion: In this cohort of patients we demonstrated that intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative AKI in major abdominal surgery.

Resumo Introdução: Lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma complicação comum em pacientes submetidos a grandes cirurgias abdominais, e está associada a considerável morbimortalidade. Vários estudos investigando a associação entre débito urinário intraoperatório e LRA pós-operatória mostraram resultados conflitantes. Neste trabalho investigamos a associação de oligúria intraoperatória com LRA pós-operatória em uma coorte de pacientes submetidos à grandes cirurgias abdominais. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de centro único envolvendo pacientes adultos submetidos à grandes cirurgias abdominais, de janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2018. A LRA foi definida segundo critérios de creatinina da KDIGO. Definimos oligúria intraoperatória como débito urinário inferior a 0,5 mL/kg/h. Fatores de risco foram avaliados por análise de regressão logística multivariada. Resultados: Analisamos 165 pacientes. Nas primeiras 48 horas após a cirurgia, a incidência de LRA foi de 19,4%. LRA pós-operatória foi associada à mortalidade hospitalar (p = 0,011). 20% dos pacientes desenvolveram oligúria intraoperatória, sem associação com comorbidades preexistentes. Não houve correlação entre o tipo de anestesia e oligúria intraoperatória; entretanto, maior tempo de anestesia esteve associado à oligúria intraoperatória (p = 0,007). Maior creatinina sérica (Cr) inicial (p = 0,001), necessidade de drogas vasoativas (p = 0,007) e uso de AINEs (p = 0,022) foram associados à oligúria intraoperatória. Oligúria intraoperatória não foi associada ao desenvolvimento de LRA no pós-operatório (p = 0,772), à permanência hospitalar prolongada (p = 0,176) ou à mortalidade intra-hospitalar (p = 0,820). Conclusão: Demonstramos que a oligúria intraoperatória não prediz LRA pós-operatória em cirurgias abdominais de grande porte.

Measuring Acetabular Version after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Two Radiographic Methods / Medição da versão acetabular após artroplastia total do quadril: Comparação de dois métodos radiográficos

Abstract Objective The objective of the present work was to compare the measurement of acetabular component version on anteroposterior (AP) and on cross-table radiographs after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Radiographs of 60 hips with a primary THA were selected. Version was calculated on the AP radiograph using the Lewinnek method and, on the cross-table, using the Woo and Morrey direct method. Results Mean and standard deviation (SD) were different on both radiographs, being 9.7° ± 5.5° on the AP, whereas in the cross-table the measurements were 20.6° ± 8.4° (p < 0.001). Minding our aim of 10°, the cross-table measurements were statistically different from it (p < 0.001), while the AP measurement did not differ (p = 0.716). Conclusion The present study showed that the best way to correctly evaluate the acetabular component positioning following a THA is by measuring anteversion and abduction on an AP radiograph after confirming, in a cross-table radiograph, that the component is not retroverted.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar a medição da versão do componente acetabular em radiografias em incidência anteroposterior (AP) e crosstable após artroplastia total do quadril (ATQ). Métodos Foram selecionadas radiografias de 60 quadris com ATQ primário. A versão foi calculada na radiografia AP usando o método de Lewinnek e, na cross-table, usando o método direto do Woo e Morrey. Resultados A média e o desvio padrão (DP) foram diferentes em ambas as radiografias, sendo 9,7° ± 5,5° no AP, enquanto na cross-table foram 20,6° ± 8,4° (p < 0,001). Considerando nosso objetivo de 10°, as medidas da cross-table foram estatisticamente diferentes dele (p < 0,001), enquanto a medição AP não diferiu (p = 0,716). Conclusão O presente estudo mostrou que a melhor maneira de avaliar corretamente o posicionamento do componente acetabular após uma ATQ é medindo a anteversão e a abdução em uma radiografia AP após confirmar, em uma radiografia cross-table, que o componente não é retrovertido.

Perceived Risk of Mental Health Problems in Primary Care.

In the face of limited resources and an aging population with increasingly care needs, healthcare systems must identify community-dwelling older adults with mental health problems at higher risk of adverse outcomes such as institutionalization, hospitalization and death, in order to deliver timely and efficient care. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of mental health concerns and the associated perceived risk of adverse outcomes in a large sample of older patients in primary care (PC). We trained general practitioners and nurses to use the Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community to rank perceived risk of mental health concerns (including neurocognitive and mood disorders) from 1 (mild) to 3 (severe). The mean age of the 4499 people assessed was 76.3 years (SD = 7.3) and 2645 (58.8%) were female. According to the PC team 1616 (35.9%) were perceived to have mental health concerns of whom 847 (52.4%) were mild, 559 (34.6%) were moderate and 210 (13%) were severe. Patients with mental health concerns had higher odds of perceived risk of adverse outcomes (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.83-2.69 for institutionalization; OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.41-1.94 for hospitalization; OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.42-2.01 for death). These results suggest a high prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults and supports the need for early identification of patients at high-risk of adverse healthcare outcomes.

Prevalence of phenotypic frailty during the aging process in a Portuguese community / Prevalência de fragilidade fenotípica em pessoas em processo de envelhecimento numa comunidade portuguesa

The present study is based on the conceptual model defined by Fried which explains phenotypic frailty through the presence of the following criteria: weight loss; exhaustion; low physical activity; slowness and weakness. The aim of the present study was to identify the behaviour of phenotypic frailty and outline the profile of the frail elderly person. In order to do this, a random stratified sample of 339 individuals residing in the community was obtained. A frailty protocol was developed, composed of measures related to the aging process and phenotypic frailty. The results indicated a high prevalence of this syndrome (34.9%). It occurs more frequently among women (40.9%) and at more advanced ages (60.4%). The criteria that appeared most frequently in association with frailty are low physical activity (88.9%) and slowness (86.4%). Frail elderly individuals were characterized by being widow/separated/divorced (46.7%); illiterate (71.1%); living within a family with some degree of dependence (41.6%); living in unsuitable conditions (44.9%); having limited social relations (54.2%) and not receiving social support (37.6%). It can be concluded that frailty is a prevalent condition, and that the profile of the frail individual is associated with a set of characteristics that result in greater vulnerability, which suggests possible areas of intervention to minimize and delay this syndrome.

Este trabalho de investigação está alicerçado concetualmente no modelo teórico de fragilidade definido por Fried, que explica o fenótipo de fragilidade através da presença dos seguintes critérios: perda de peso; resistência; actividade física; lentidão e fraqueza. São objectivos desta investigação: conhecer como a fragilidade fenotípica se comporta e delinear o perfil da pessoa idosa frágil. Para tal, constitui-se uma amostra aleatória estratificada, composta por 339 sujeitos a residirem na comunidade. Desenvolveu-se um protocolo de fragilidade, composto por medidas relacionadas com o processo de envelhecimento e com o fenótipo de fragilidade. Os resultados apontam para uma elevada prevalência desta síndrome (34,9%). Está mais presente nas mulheres (40,9%) e nas idades mais avançadas (60,4%). Os critérios mais cotados, na condição de fragilidade, são a baixa actividade física (88,9%) e a lentidão (86,4%). A pessoa idosa frágil em termos sociodemográficos caracterizada por ser viúvo/ separado/divorciado (46,7%); iletrado (71,1%); viver no seio de uma família com alguma dependência (41,6%); habitar em condições inadequadas (44,9%); manter relações sociais restritas (54,2%) e não ter apoio social (37,6). Conclui-se que a fragilidade é uma condição prevalente e que o perfil de pessoa frágil esta associado a um conjunto de características que conferem uma maior vulnerabilidade, o que fornece orientações para potenciais áreas de intervenção de forma a minorar e retardar esta síndrome.