Mechanisms of motoric cognitive risk-Hypotheses based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies of older adults.

We aimed to refine the hypothesis that motoric cognitive risk (MCR), a syndrome combining measured slow gait speed and self-reported cognitive complaints, is prognostic of incident dementia and other major causes of morbidity in older age. We propose mechanisms on the relationship between motor and cognitive function and describe a roadmap to validate these hypotheses. We systematically searched major electronic databases from inception to August 2021 for original longitudinal cohort studies of adults aged ≥60 years that compared an MCR group to a non-MCR group with any health outcome. Fifteen cohorts were combined by meta-analysis. Participants with MCR were at an increased risk of cognitive impairment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.49-2.08; I2  = 24.9%), dementia (aHR 2.12, 1.85-2.42; 33.1%), falls (adjusted Relative Risk 1.38, 1.15-1.66; 62.1%), and mortality (aHR 1.49, 1.16-1.91; 79.2%). The prognostic value of MCR is considerable and mechanisms underlying the syndrome are proposed.

Evaluation of physical health in an in-patient psychiatric rehabilitation setting.

BACKGROUND: The mortality gap between patients with and without serious mental illness (SMI) is around 15-20 years. Here, we aim to identify some of the factors contributing to that gap via poor physical health and sub-optimal medical management. METHODS: We report the results of a detailed cross-sectional study of physical health parameters in an in-patient rehabilitation population in Scotland, including a consideration of concordance with guidelines and comparisons to healthy populations. RESULTS: Data was collected from 57 of all 62 in-patients. 42% were obese (compared to 28% of the population), 84% were smokers (vs 16%), 16% were hypertensive, 22% had raised HbA1c, 50% had raised cholesterol, 47% had QRISK >10%. 68% agreed to a full physical health review, 65% agreed to flu vaccination. Completed screening uptake compared to the Scottish population was low: Cervical (30% vs 69%), Bowel (8% vs 64%), Breast (23% vs 72%), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (0% vs 78%). Patients generally had up to date recorded weight (100%), blood pressure (98.2%), heart rate (98.2%) and lipids (89.4%), but not ECG's (61.4%) or Diabetes screening (59.6%). Following review, 17 referrals were made to medics/surgeons, 29 to broader specialties, 24 medications were started, 9 stopped and 27 changed: most commonly statins (12 patients), vitamin D (8 patients) and hypoglycemics (5 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight cardiovascular risk factors and cancer screening as specific areas to target for improving poor physical health in populations with SMI. Patients are often willing to engage but specific ways to lower the barriers to screening and treatment are required.

Paradoxical refractory hypotension following adrenaline administration in a patient taking clozapine.

Clozapine is a potent antipsychotic commonly used for refractory schizophrenia. Adverse effects are well recognised including constipation, intestinal obstruction, agranulocytosis and cardiomyopathy. We present a case of paradoxical refractory hypotension following epinephrine administration in a patient taking clozapine. A psychiatric inpatient who had been taking clozapine for many years developed paralytic ileus and obstruction requiring surgical intervention. Following initiation of epinephrine administration intraoperatively he developed refractory hypotension which improved only when epinephrine was weaned off. This effect is likely due to uninterrupted ß2-agonist activity in the presence of clozapine-induced α-blockade. Clinicians need to have greater awareness of this serious interaction and avoid the use of epinephrine in patients taking clozapine.