Usefulness of point of care ultrasound in older adults: a multicentre study across different geriatric care settings in Spain and the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an imaging technique performed bedside. To date, few published studies have reported the usefulness of multiorgan POCUS in Geriatrics. The objective of this study was to describe the utility of multiorgan POCUS in the care of older adults admitted to geriatric care settings. METHODOLOGY: Observational retrospective study of patients admitted to geriatric settings in Spain and UK. Multiorgan POCUS was performed when there was a specific clinical suspicion or unexplained torpid clinical course despite physical examination and complementary tests. A geriatrician with a certificate degree in comprehensive ultrasound and long-standing experience in POCUS carried out POCUS. All patients underwent multiorgan POCUS in a cephalo-caudal manner. RESULTS: Out of 368 patients admitted to geriatric units, 29% met the inclusion criteria. Average age was 85.9 years (SD ± 6.1). POCUS identified 235 clinically significant findings (2.2 per patient). Findings were classified as 37.9% confirmed diagnosis, 16.6% ruled out diagnosis, 14.9% unsuspected relevant diagnoses and 30.6% clinical follow-ups. POCUS findings led to changes in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in 66.3 and 69.2% respectively, resulted in completion or avoidance of invasive procedures in 17.8 and 15.9%, respectively, facilitating early referrals to other specialities in 14.9% and avoiding transfers in 25.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: Multiorgan POCUS is a tool that aids in the assessment and treatment of patients receiving care in geriatrics units. These results show the usefulness of POCUS in the management of older adults and suggest its inclusion in any curriculum of Geriatric Medicine speciality training.

[Coordination between primary care and a geriatrics service, 20 years later]. / Coordinación entre atención primaria y un servicio de geriatría, 20 años después.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of the care and coordination activity of a specialized hospital team (Geriatric Home Care-AGD team) in support of Primary Care (PC) for the care of geriatric patients. LOCATION: Health-5 area of the Community of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Evaluation of patients attended at home at the request of PC by AGD, in 1997-1999 and twenty years later, in 2017-2019. Sociodemographic, clinical, functional and mental variables were recorded. Also care data such as time to first visit, average length of stay, origin and destination of patients, reason for consultation and main reason for disability. RESULTS: 524 patients (58% of the total) requested from AP in 1997-1999 and 1196 (72.2% of the total) in 2017-2019 were attended. Currently we show an older patient, more physically and mentally disabled, with a higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes and greater social fragility. Dementia has increased as the main reason for incapacity, with an increase in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and clinical control as the main reasons for referral. CONCLUSIONS: in our setting, after 20 years, AGD continues to be an important support for PC in the complex approach to frail elderly patients confined to their homes, who are increasingly vulnerable from a clinical, functional, cognitive and social point of view. It contributes to the management of geriatric syndromes, deprescription, direct hospital admissions when needed without having to go to the emergency department, and a decrease in institutionalization, facilitating the maintenance of the patient at home.

Health impact on the elderly survivors of COVID-19: Six months follow up.

PURPOSE: To analyse factors associated with mortality at 6 months in survivors older than 70 years after hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Descriptive observational study with follow-up at 6 months. All patients over 70 years of age, discharged from the Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja, after hospitalization for COVID-19 consecutively during the months March to May 2020 were included. The outcome at 6 months (mortality, readmissions) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were included. Mean age 88.5±6.73, women 69.1%. High comorbidity 33.9%. Mean previous Barthel Index was 65.39±33.64 and at discharge 58.12±34.04. 24.2% had severe polypharmacy and 47.9% severe frailty. Six months after hospital discharge, 13% died and 23.8% required at least one readmission. More than half of the sample had some of the following sequelae: dyspnea 20%(33), functional impairment 41.7%(69), cognitive impairment 31.3%(52) or depressive symptoms 42.4%(70). Functional impairment at discharge was associated with an increased risk of mortality (OR 5.33; 95% CI 1.11-25.73). CONCLUSIONS: The functional status was a factor associated with risk of mortality at 6 months.

[Evolution of the profile of patients attended by a hospital Geriatric Home Care Unit in the last 20 years]. / Evolución del perfil de las personas mayores atendidas por una unidad de atención domiciliaria especializada en geriatría en los últimos 20 años.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of the profile of patients attended by a Geriatric Home Care (GHC) Unit and its care activity in the last two decades. METHODS: Data on the historical activity of the AGD Unit from 2001 to 2020, grouped into 5-year periods, were recorded. Sociodemographic, clinical, functional (Functional Red Cross Scale and Barthel index) and mental (Mental Red Cross Scale) variables were collected, baseline and at inclusion to AGD. Also the waiting time until first visit, mean follow-up, origin of referral, destination at the end of the intervention, reason for consultation and cause of functional dependence were also included. A descriptive analysis was performed with the SPSSv.23 program. RESULTS: Ten thousand six hundred fifty-four patients attended in AGD (1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020). A progressive increase in age and in the number of geriatric syndromes was observed. Patients presented higher functional and cognitive decline, and the number of patients living alone and in need of private assistance increased. The duration of the intervention decreases and Primary Care remains the main source and destination at the end of the intervention, with dementia standing out as the main cause for functional dependence. CONCLUSION: The vulnerability of the populations in need of specialised geriatric care is increasing: patients are older, and have more geriatric syndromes, high functional and cognitive decline, and suffer social frailty; more work is needed to address the role of these support units in the community, as well as their coordination with Primary Care teams.

Mortality risk factors in a Spanish cohort of oldest-old patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in an acute geriatric unit: the OCTA-COVID study.

PURPOSE: To determine predictors of in-hospital mortality related to COVID-19 in oldest-old patients. DESIGN: Single-center observational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients ≥ 75 years admitted to an Acute Geriatric Unit with COVID-19. METHODS: Data from hospital admission were retrieved from the electronic medical records: demographics, geriatric syndromes (delirium, falls, polypharmacy, functional and cognitive status) co-morbidities, previous treatments, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic characteristics. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were consecutively included (62.7% females, mean age of 86.3 ± 6.6 years). Barthel Index (BI) was < 60 in 127 patients (42.8%) and 126 (42.0%) had Charlson Index CI ≥ 3. Most patients (216; 72.7%) were frail (Clinical Frailty Scale ≥ 5) and 134 patients (45.1%) had dementia of some degree. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 37%. The following factors were associated with higher in-hospital mortality in a multi-variant analysis: CURB-65 score = 3-5 (HR 7.99, 95% CI 3.55-19.96, p < 0.001), incident delirium (HR 1.72, 1.10-2.70, p = 0.017) and dementia (HR 3.01, 95% CI 1.37-6.705, p = 0.017). Protective factors were concurrent use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.72, p = 0.002) or prescription of hydroxychloroquine (HC 0.37 95% CI 0.22-0.62, p < 0.001) treatment during admission. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that recognition of geriatric syndromes together with the CURB-65 score may be useful tools to help clinicians establish the prognosis of oldest-old patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.

Health status in survivors older than 70 years after hospitalization with COVID-19: observational follow-up study at 3 months.

PURPOSE: To analyze factors associated with mortality at 3 months and readmissions, functional and cognitive decline, anorexia and affective disorders in patients aged > 70 years surviving after hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Patients aged > 70 years, discharged after hospitalization with COVID-19. OUTCOME VARIABLES: mortality, readmissions, functional and cognitive impairment, anorexia and mood disorder. RESULTS: 165 cases at 3 months after hospital discharge, 8.5% died and 20% required at least one hospital readmission. The presence of severe dependence at discharge (BI < 40) was associated at 3 months with a higher risk of mortality (OR 5.08; 95% CI 1.53-16.91) and readmissions (OR 4.53; 95% CI 1.96-10.49). The post-hospitalization functional deterioration was associated with persistence of deterioration at 3 months (OR 24.57; 95% CI 9.24-65.39), cognitive deterioration (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.03-5.25) and affective (OR 4.40; 95% CI 1.84-10.55) CONCLUSIONS: Loss function in older people after hospitalization by COVID-19 may contribute to identify patients with a higher risk of sequelae in the short term that require closer follow-up.

[Impact of a centralised hospital admission system on the efficacy and efficiency of a geriatric functional recovery unit]. / Repercusión de un sistema centralizado de ingresos sobre la eficacia y eficiencia de una unidad geriátrica de recuperación funcional.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a change in the management of admissions on the activity and care outcomes of a Geriatric Functional Recovery Unit (GFRU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted. Since 2000, the Hospital Central Cruz Roja GFRU has been collecting data grouped into periods of 4 years, except for the centralised admissions (September 2016-December 2018). The data collected on admission included the Red Cross Functional and Mental scales, the Barthel index, the main diagnosis of the functional decline (grouped into stroke, orthopaedic problem, and multifactorial immobility episodes), and comorbidity evaluated by the Charlson index. The following outcome variables were analysed: the overall and relative functional gain at discharge; length of hospital stay; the functional efficiency, discharges to nursing homes, and transfers to acute care units. An analysis was made of the relationship between the admissions from the centralised unit and the previous period (directly admission managed by GFRU), using multivariate analysis (linear regression for continuous outcome variables and logistic regression for the dichotomous ones), adjusted for admission variables. RESULTS: Patients admitted from the centralised unit showed a greater overall and relative functional gain (difference between both means: 3.49 points, 95% CI; 1.65-5.33, and 12.41%, 95% CI; 0.74-24.08, respectively), longer stay (12.92 days, 95% CI; 11.54-14.30) and lower efficiency (-0.36, 95% CI; -0.16 to -0.57), higher risk of institutionalisation (OR 1.61, 95% CI; 1.19-2.16), and transfers to acute care units (OR 3.16, 95% CI; 2.24-4.47). CONCLUSIONS: A centralised admissions system had an influence on the improvement of functional parameters in the patients, but with a longer length of hospital stay, and lower efficiency. Increases in institutionalisation at discharge and transfers to acute care units were also observed.

Health impact on the elderly survivors of COVID-19: Six months follow up / Impacto en la salud de los ancianos supervivientes de COVID-19: seguimiento a los 6 meses

Purpose: To analyse factors associated with mortality at 6 months in survivors older than 70 years after hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2.Methods: Descriptive observational study with follow-up at 6 months. All patients over 70 years of age, discharged from the Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja, after hospitalization for COVID-19 consecutively during the months March to May 2020 were included. The outcome at 6 months (mortality, readmissions) were collected.Results: A total of 165 patients were included. Mean age 88.5±6.73, women 69.1%. High comorbidity 33.9%. Mean previous Barthel Index was 65.39±33.64 and at discharge 58.12±34.04.24.2% had severe polypharmacy and 47.9% severe frailty.Six months after hospital discharge, 13% died and 23.8% required at least one readmission. More than half of the sample had some of the following sequelae: dyspnea 20%(33), functional impairment 41.7%(69), cognitive impairment 31.3%(52) or depressive symptoms 42.4%(70).Functional impairment at discharge was associated with an increased risk of mortality (OR 5.33; 95% CI 1.11–25.73).Conclusions: The functional status was a factor associated with risk of mortality at 6 months. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar los factores asociados a la mortalidad a los 6 meses en los supervivientes mayores de 70 años tras el ingreso hospitalario por SARS-CoV-2.Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo con seguimiento a los 6 meses. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 70 años, dados de alta en el Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja, tras ingreso hospitalario por COVID-19 de forma consecutiva durante los meses de marzo a mayo de 2020. Se recogieron los resultados a los 6 meses (mortalidad, reingresos).Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes. Edad media: 88,5±6,73, mujeres: 69,1%. Alta comorbilidad del 33,9%. La media del índice de Barthel previo fue de 65,39±33,64 y al alta 58,12±34,04. El 24,2% tenía polifarmacia severa y el 47,9% fragilidad severa.Seis meses después del alta hospitalaria, el 13% falleció y el 23,8% requirió al menos un reingreso. Más de la mitad de la muestra tenía alguna de las siguientes secuelas: disnea el 20% (33), deterioro funcional el 41,7% (69), deterioro cognitivo el 31,3% (52) o síntomas depresivos el 42,4% (70).El deterioro funcional al alta se asoció a un mayor riesgo de mortalidad (OR: 5,33; IC 95%: 1,11-25,73).Conclusiones: El estado funcional fue un factor asociado al riesgo de mortalidad a los 6 meses. (AU)

Polineuropatía periférica sensitivo-motora paraneoplásica asociada a anti-Ri: a propósito de un caso / Paraneoplastic sensory-motor peripheral polyneuropathy associated with anti-Ri: A case report

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Lesiones cutáneas en probable relación con calcifilaxis no urémica en paciente octogenaria: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Skin lesions in probable relation to non-uremic calciphylaxis in an octogenarian patient: Clinical case and review of the literature

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Coordinación entre atención primaria y un servicio de geriatría, 20 años después / Coordination between primary care and a geriatrics service, 20 years later

Objetivo: Describir la evolución de la actividad asistencial y de la coordinación de un equipo especializado hospitalario (equipo de Atención Geriátrica Domiciliaria-AGD) en el apoyo a atención primaria (AP) para la atención de pacientes geriátricos. Emplazamiento: Antigua área de Salud-5 de la Comunidad de Madrid. Participantes, intervenciones y mediciones principales: Evaluación de los pacientes atendidos en su domicilio a petición de AP por AGD, en 1997-1999 y 20 años después, en 2017-2019. Se registraron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, funcionales y mentales. También datos asistenciales como el tiempo hasta la primera visita, la estancia media, la procedencia y destino de los pacientes, el motivo de consulta y el motivo principal de discapacidad. Resultados: Se atendieron 524 pacientes (58% del total) solicitados desde AP en 1997-1999 y 1196 (72,2% del total) en 2017-2019. Actualmente se muestra un paciente de mayor edad, más incapacitado física y mentalmente, con mayor prevalencia de síndromes geriátricos y mayor fragilidad social. Ha aumentado la demencia como motivo principal de incapacidad, observándose un incremento de la Valoración Geriátrica Integral (VGI) y del control clínico como motivos principales de derivación. Conclusiones: En nuestro medio, transcurridos 20 años, AGD continúa siendo un importante apoyo para AP en el complejo abordaje de los pacientes ancianos frágiles recluidos en su domicilio, que son cada vez más vulnerables desde el punto de vista clínico, funcional, cognitivo y social. Contribuye en el manejo de los síndromes geriátricos, la deprescripción, los ingresos directos hospitalarios cuando se necesitan sin pasar por urgencias y la disminución en la institucionalización, facilitando el mantenimiento del paciente en su domicilio.(AU)

Objective: To describe the evolution of the care and coordination activity of a specialized hospital team (Geriatric Home Care-AGD team) in support of Primary Care (PC) for the care of geriatric patients. Location: Health-5 area of the Community of Madrid. Participants, interventions and main measurements: Evaluation of patients attended at home at the request of PC by AGD, in 1997-1999 and twenty years later, in 2017-2019. Sociodemographic, clinical, functional and mental variables were recorded. Also care data such as time to first visit, average length of stay, origin and destination of patients, reason for consultation and main reason for disability. Results: 524 patients (58% of the total) requested from AP in 1997-1999 and 1196 (72.2% of the total) in 2017-2019 were attended. Currently we show an older patient, more physically and mentally disabled, with a higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes and greater social fragility. Dementia has increased as the main reason for incapacity, with an increase in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and clinical control as the main reasons for referral. Conclusion: sin our setting, after 20 years, AGD continues to be an important support for PC in the complex approach to frail elderly patients confined to their homes, who are increasingly vulnerable from a clinical, functional, cognitive and social point of view. It contributes to the management of geriatric syndromes, deprescription, direct hospital admissions when needed without having to go to the emergency department, and a decrease in institutionalization, facilitating the maintenance of the patient at home.(AU)

Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en una paciente octogenaria / Inflammatory bowel disease in octogenarian woman

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