Association between anemia and vitamin D deficiency in German seniors : A retrospective data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anemia and deficiency of vitamin D (VDD) are frequently seen in seniors and an association is suspected. Approximately one third of the German population is affected by VDD, with a rising prevalence among seniors. AIM: To analyze the association between anemia and VDD among German seniors aged ≥ 60 years. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional data analysis (n = 4008) in a nationwide working laboratory medical center (January-December 2019). Study parameters included amongst others: hemoglobin (Hb), calcifediol (25D) and calcitriol (1.25D), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to assess the kidney disease outcomes quality initiative (KDOQI) state. The inclusion criteria were age ≥ 60 years, normal C­reactive protein (CRP) and leucocyte levels. RESULTS: The 25D was estimated in 4008 patients and 1.25D only in 411 patients. Mean age 75 years (± 8.61 years; 60-99 years) with 30.6% males; mean GFR 62 ml/min/1.73 m3 (± 22.74); 20% of patients were anemic, 35% were deficient for 25D (< 50 nmol/l), with men > women (p = 0.014). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant effect of 25D values < 30 nmol/l on hemoglobin in males of KDOQI I-III and females of KDOQI I-IV (R2 = 0.052; p = 0.005; and R2 = 0.124; p < 0.001, respectively). For 1.25D a weak but significant effect on hemoglobin independent of KDOQI was only seen in women (R2 = 0.200; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In this cohort deficiency of 25D and 1.25D was significantly associated with hemoglobin independent of renal function only in women but not in men.

Impact of an interdisciplinary curriculum for dental students (GeriDent-Cologne) on attitudes and awareness towards older people and geriatric conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Training of dental students in the treatment of older patients must also consider the multiple chronic medical conditions that may be present. We developed an interdisciplinary gerodontology training curriculum for dental students (GeriDent-Cologne) to investigate its influence on the attitudes and expectancies of dental students towards the treatment of older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The curriculum (given to fourth-year students) comprised five clinical examination stations that simulated different medical conditions affecting older people. Students were able to experience related issues first hand, express their fears and problems concerning dental treatment in older people and, through discussion with the supervisor, develop strategies to overcome these difficulties and enhance treatment. An extended version of the Los Angeles Geriatric Attitudes Scale was given to fourth- and fifth-year students (who acted as controls) over one semester. RESULTS: Dental students had a positive attitude towards older people, and their attitude did not change after attending the curriculum. However, participating in GeriDent-Cologne had a significant beneficial impact on the feeling of being prepared to treat older people, led to a significantly greater understanding of the impact of medical issues and resulted in a considerably higher level of geriatric clinical knowledge over time. CONCLUSIONS: GeriDent-Cologne led to positive and semester-long changes in awareness and knowledge of specific geriatric problems that influence dental treatment. We recommend the curriculum as a blueprint for the module of senior dentistry implemented in the new German dental licencing regulations.

[Oral health assessment of seniors under outpatient care by family doctors : Development and validation of the geriatric outpatient oral health screening]. / Erfassung der Mundgesundheit von ambulant betreuten Senioren durch Hausärzte : Entwicklung und Validierung des geriatrischen ambulanten Mundgesundheits-Screenings.

BACKGROUND: Despite a high prevalence in the general practitioner (GP) and geriatric field, limitations of oral health of seniors under outpatient care in Germany are not routinely recorded. Since seniors with a high age visit GPs more often than dentists, the question arises whether an interdisciplinary screening instrument can be used to identify reduced oral health in routine practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work was to develop a screening tool for reduced oral health for GPs and to validate this by dental examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The geriatric outpatient oral health screening (GAMS) was developed as a subjective screening instrument to depict dental aspects relevant for geriatric patients, such as chewing problems, pain, periodontitis, bad breath or dry mouth in dichotomous questions. The urgency of a visit to the dentist is also assessed by the family doctor. A total of 75 patients were included and the GAMS and a dental examination were performed for validation. RESULTS: The subjective assessment of patients and dental findings showed reduced oral health especially with recognized risk factors for the development of systemic comorbidities, such as dysphagia and malnutrition, whereas oral health problems were underestimated by patients. Bites, chewing problems and dry mouth showed sufficient correspondence between dental findings and subjective assessment. CONCLUSION: The GAMS could help facilitate the consideration of oral health problems in geriatric patients in a GP setting and promote cooperation with dentists in the sense of European recommendations for action.

[Subjective oral health problems of geriatric outpatients and general medical geriatric findings-a pilot study]. / Subjektive Mundgesundheitsprobleme ambulant betreuter geriatrischer Patienten und allgemeinmedizinisch-geriatrische Befunde ­ eine Pilotstudie.

BACKGROUND: Oral health problems of the aged in Germany are not recorded in general practitioner's practices despite a high prevalence. For this purpose, a subjective geriatric outpatient oral health screening (GAMS) is available. AIM: The aim was to clarify whether subjective oral health problems reported by the GAMS can serve as risk indicators for medical findings in geriatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 75 geriatric patients >75 years old in a family doctor's practice, GAMS, laboratory parameters, e.g. blood count with hemoglobin (g/dl), leukocytes (cells/nl), platelets (cells/nl), sodium (mmol/l), potassium (mmol/l), glucose in serum (mg/dl), HbA1c (HPLC)%, cholesterol (mg/dl) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR, ml/min), Barthel index and timed up and go test (TUG) were carried out. RESULTS: The most common oral health problems were chewing difficulties (19%) and xerostomia (40%). In the case of oral health problems, there were reduced everyday skills (p = 0.066), slower walking speed (0.049), higher serum glucose (p = 0.001) and long-term glucose values (p = 0.002). Bleeding gums are risk indicators for higher leukocyte concentration (p = 0.036). With xerostomia, the hemoglobin value drops by 1.13 g/dl (p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: The GAMS helps to identify oral problems as risk indicators of reduced geriatric health. Also, GAMS can be initiated in cases of the described geriatric pathologies in order to identify possible oral problems.

[Survey on psychosomatic treatment options in geriatric clinical routine: state of the art]. / Umfrage zur Psychosomatik im geriatrischen Klinikalltag: eine Bestandsaufnahme.

BACKGROUND: Mental and physical disorders form a common body of experience and suffering in old age that can negatively influence aging. Experience and handling of age-associated functional impairments are challenging for multimorbid patients, their relatives and the healthcare providers involved. Among patients aged 70 years or older more than 50% suffer from psychopathological symptoms and 30-40% of geriatric inpatients have a psychosomatic or psychiatric comorbidity; however, despite this high prevalence of mental problems in older patients they are hardly ever treated and if treatment is offered it is carried out by specialists for somatic medicine. The aim of the present study of the working group on gerontopsychosomatics of the German Geriatric Society (DGG) was the evaluation of interdisciplinary co-management opportunities for geriatricians who treat inpatients with gerontopsychosomatic needs. METHOD: Online survey among members of the DGG regarding experiences with interdisciplinary co-management of inpatients with gerontopsychosomatic needs. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were senior physicians in a department for geriatrics. While every second institution had access to a psychiatric consultation service, psychosomatic cooperation was only offered in every fifth department. Psychosomatic co-management was particularly required in connection with neurogeriatric problems. CONCLUSION: There is need of gerontopsychosomatic co-management among geriatric inpatients; however, in comparison to gerontopsychiatric co-management the options are deficient and need to be strengthened.

[Perioperative patient blood management in the aged-more than only transfusion? : Review of the 4th symposium of the working group on anemia on the occasion of the annual meeting of the German Geriatric Society in Frankfurt 2019]. / Perioperatives Patient Blood Management im Alter ­ mehr als nur Konservengabe? : Zusammenfassung des 4. Symposiums der AG Anämie anlässlich der Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie in Frankfurt 2019.

Anemia is frequent in older people with one in two geriatric inpatients being affected. Therefore, in elective surgery, such as endoprosthetic treatment it is very likely that anemia is already present in a preoperative setting. So far there are no particular guidelines about perioperative management of anemia in geriatric patients. The existing recommendations of the Patient Blood Management (PBM) network cooperation and the current Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) S3 guidelines on preoperative anemia refer to all patients aged >18 years but without particular consideration of the growing number of oldest old orthogeriatric patients. This is more problematic as anemia in the aged has been shown to be different from anemia in younger patients in terms of diagnostics and treatment. Based on several interdisciplinary lectures, this year the symposium of the working group on anemia of the German Geriatric Society (DGG) focused on the problems of perioperative PBM in orthogeriatric patients and encouraged the discussion about developing PBM treatment recommendations for this patient group.

[The geriatric syndrome of anemia-Summary of the symposium of the working group anemia during the annual meeting of the German Geriatric Society 2018 in Cologne, Germany]. / Anämie als geriatrisches Syndrom ­ Zusammenfassung des Symposiums der AG Anämie anlässlich der Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie 2018 in Köln.

This year's symposium of the working group anemia of the German Geriatric Society (DGG) aimed to underline the multicausality of anemia in the aged and to highlight definition parallels with geriatric syndromes. For these reasons, nutritional and malignant causes for anemia were discussed and the influence of oxidative stress on the development of anemia was underlined. The need for ongoing research in the field of anemia in the aged was emphasized by the lack of perioperative transfusion strategies in geriatric patients.

[Anemia in the aged]. / Anämie im Alter.

Anemia in the aged is still often an underestimated clinical problem; however, in recent years increasing research on this topic has permitted deeper insights, allowing a differentiated approach to anemia in the aged. Meanwhile, multicausality and a negative impact on functional outcome have become characteristics of anemia in older people. This has led to a scientific discussion on the question of accepting anemia as a geriatric syndrome. The present article gives a concise overview of the current state of research on this clinically relevant subject.

[Thromboembolism prophylaxis in old age]. / Thromboembolieprophylaxe im Alter.

Anticoagulation in geriatric patients is challenging regarding the risk of bleeding complications and thromboembolic problems. Age, comorbidities, such as renal insufficiency and polymedication have a vital impact on bleeding and thromboembolic risks; however, age is not an exclusion criterion for withholding anticoagulation. Age is the main risk factor for deep vein thrombosis and atrial fibrillation becomes more relevant with aging. Older patients with atrial fibrillation have a particularly high risk of having a stroke. Therefore, very old patients benefit particularly from oral anticoagulation because the risk of bleeding is outweighed by the clinical benefit of stroke prevention. Risk of bleeding and thromboembolic problems can be easily assessed by established diagnostic tools. This article reviews the epidemiology of thromboembolic problems in the aged as well as current diagnostic and therapeutic steps for primary and secondary prevention.

[Clinical hematological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in old age : Summarized overview of this year's symposium of the Working Group "Anemia in the Aged" on the occasion of the annual conference of the German Geriatric Society (DGG) in Frankfurt]. / Klinisch-hämatologisches Bild des Vitamin-B12-Mangels im Alter : Zusammenfassende Übersicht zum diesjährigen Symposium der AG Anämie im Alter anlässlich des Jahreskongresses der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie in Frankfurt.

The interdisciplinary symposium of the working group "anemia in the aged" on the occasion of the annual conference of the German Society of Geriatrics focused this year on vitamin B12 deficiency in aged patients. Experts from hematopathology, clinical geriatrics and geriatric hematology presented the case of a 78-year-old woman and an interdisciplinary discussion was held on the epidemiology, clinical aspects as well as diagnostic and therapeutic steps. This article reviews the symposium on vitamin B12 deficiency in the aged in the context of the currently available literature.

[Anemia in the aged - a geriatric syndrome? : Second position paper on anemia in the aged by the working group anemia of the German Geriatric Society]. / Anämie im Alter ­ ein geriatrisches Syndrom? : Zweites Positionspapier zur Anämie im Alter der AG Anämie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie.

Geriatric syndromes are the pathognomonic columns of geriatric medicine. In contrast to many syndromes in younger people, in geriatric patients, the chief complaint does not typically represent the specific pathological condition underlying the change in health status. Geriatric syndromes are usually highly prevalent, multicausal and share a number of common risk factors. In recent years, scientific controversy over anemia in the aged has revealed a high prevalence in geriatric patients, which prompted the "working group on anemia" to publish its first position paper at a European level. The development of anemia is multicausal and the causes of the various forms of anemia range from iron deficiency, malnutrition, chronic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, functional organ disorders, impaired synthesis to malignancies. The corresponding pathomechanisms are closely associated with the development of other geriatric syndromes such as gait disorders, sarcopenia, frailty, and falls. Against this backdrop, the "working group on anemia" of the German Geriatric Society has devised a second position paper:"Multicausality and the significant association between anemia and assessment-based quantifiable impairments suggest the consideration of anemia in the aged to be a geriatric syndrome."

Burden of multimorbidity and outcome in ambulatory geriatric hemodialysis patients : Report from the QiN registry in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis are typically characterized by multimorbidity and increasingly by advanced age; however, there are few data on their geriatric needs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of a large cohort of incident patients in ambulatory hemodialysis units with a particular focus on those aged over 80 years in Germany. METHODS: The electronic patient registry of the Board of Trustees (Kuratorium) for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation (KfH) was searched for all patients who began hemodialysis in 1 of the 191 units between 2007 and 2013 and were 65 years and older. Patients were analyzed by age (65-79 years and ≥80 years) for clinical and biochemical characteristics, mortality, quality of life and hospitalizations. RESULTS: Of the 21,355 incident patients, a total of 13,872 (65%) were over 65 years old, with 9998 (46.8%) aged between 65 and 79 years and 3874 (18.1%) patients 80 years or older (oldest old). The spectrum of morbidity was comparable between the two age groups but there was a significantly higher prevalence of anemia, hypoalbuminemia and multimorbidity (>four comorbidities) in the older age group. Median survival was 4.5 years (1638 days) in the younger age group and 2.7 years (978 days) in the older group. Almost half of the patients experienced at least one episode of hospitalization during the first year but there were no significant differences between the age groups (45.9% in younger vs. 47% in older patients). In the older age group 463 (12%) patients survived more than 5 years after initiation of hemodialysis despite the presence of multiple risk factors for adverse clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: More than half of the chronic ambulatory hemodialysis patients were of advanced age and had a very high burden of multimorbidity. Nevertheless, a subgroup of ERSD patients over 80 years old survived at least 5 years on hemodialysis despite the presence of multiple risk factors for adverse clinical outcome. Identification of these patients as well as optimized care for frail hemodialysis patients will require application of geriatric assessment tools in addition to traditional parameters in nephrology. The development and validation of such tools should be the subject of further clinical studies.

[Current insights into anemia in old age : Summary of the symposium "Anemia in old age" on the occasion of the annual congress of the German Society for Geriatrics (DGG) 2016 in Stuttgart]. / Aktuelle Einblicke in die Anämie im Alter : Zusammenfassung zum Symposium "Anämie im Alter" anlässlich der DGG-Jahrestagung 2016 in Stuttgart.

Anemia in advanced age is often a multifactorial condition requiring an interdisciplinary approach. The contributions to the opening interdisciplinary symposium on anemia in older subjects focused on physiological and histopathological as well as on nephrological and neurogeriatric aspects and on the therapeutic implications of this underdiagnosed, yet highly frequent disease. The symposium was the kick-off event for the founding of the German Geriatric Society special interest group on anemia in advanced age.

Testosterone Deficiency and Testosterone Treatment in Older Men.

Frailty is a clinical condition related to changes in metabolism, to sarcopenia, and to decline in muscle mass and strength, bone mineral density, and physical function with aging. The pathophysiology of frailty is multifactorial and associated with comorbidities. Testosterone is implicated in regulating metabolic functions, maintenance of muscle and bone, and inhibition of adipogenesis. In older individuals, reduced testosterone is thought to contribute to an altered state of metabolism, loss of muscle and bone, and increased fat, leading to sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and frailty. While no direct relationship between testosterone deficiency (commonly known as hypogonadism) and frailty has been established (due to the multifactorial nature of frailty), clinical evidence suggests that testosterone deficiency is associated with increased sarcopenia and obesity. Testosterone treatment in frail older men with limited mobility and with testosterone deficiency improved insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and body composition. These changes contribute to better physical function and improved quality of life. Because frailty increases disability, comorbidities, and the risk of hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality in older men, it is warranted to explore the potential usefulness of testosterone treatment in frail men with hypogonadism in order to attenuate the progression of sarcopenia and frailty. In this paper, we will discuss the impact of testosterone deficiency on frailty and the potential role of testosterone treatment in ameliorating and reducing the progression of frailty. Such an approach may reduce disability and the risk of hospitalization and increase functional independence and quality of life.

Association of anemia with functional and nutritional status in the German multicenter study "GeriAnaemie2013".

OBJECTIVES: Anemia and malnutrition are risk factors for frailty in older people but data from multicenter studies among German geriatric inpatients are lacking. This analysis evaluated data from the multicenter study "GerAnaemie2013" commissioned by the German Geriatric Society. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved an analysis of the 579 geriatric inpatients recruited in the context of the German multicenter study "GeriAnaemie2013". Study parameters: Barthel index (BI), handgrip strength, nutritional data (e.g. loss of appetite, loss of weight and decreased food intake). INCLUSION CRITERIA: in-patient age ≥70 years, exclusion criteria: current cancer disease or cancer-associated treatment. Anemia was defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 81.9 years, overall prevalence of anemia 55.1 %, mean hemoglobin (Hb) level 11.9 g/dl, average BI 50.8 points and 30.3 % of all patients were at risk of malnutrition. While univariate analysis revealed a significantly lower BI in anemic patients, this association was no longer seen in multivariate analysis. Regression analysis revealed that a drug intake of > 5 drugs/day doubles the chance of suffering from anemia with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.17 (confidence interval (CI) 1.28-3.68, p = 0.004) as well as a serum albumin level below 3.5 g/dl with an adjusted OR of 2.11 (range 1.40-3.19, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Polymedication and low serum albumin were independent risk factors for anemia in geriatric patients, probably reflecting disease severity.

[Geriatric inpatients with iron deficiency-associated Restless Legs Syndrome. A retrospective analysis]. / Stationär behandelte geriatrische Patienten mit Eisenmangel-assoziiertem Restless-Legs-Syndrom : Eine retrospektive Analyse.

OBJECTIVE: The Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a clinically relevant condition in geriatric patients. An association between iron deficiency and RLS is largely acknowledged. The clinical and therapeutic management of iron deficiency-associated RLS has been, however, poorly evaluated in geriatric patients. METHODS: Data from all RLS inpatients admitted to a geriatric unit between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively collected on demographics and clinical characteristics, iron status, drug treatment including iron substitution, as well as comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) scores. RESULTS: RLS was diagnosed in 56 of the 4,063 admitted patients during the two years. Of the RLS cases, 20 (36%) showed iron deficiency. Thirteen of these were treated with iron substitution according to the existing guidelines. Both RLS patients with and without iron deficiency showed a significant clinical improvement between admission to discharge according to the CGA scores. CONCLUSION: Iron substituted geriatric patients with iron deficiency-associated RLS substantially benefited from the treatment, similarly to RLS patients without iron deficiency. A multidimensional assessment, careful iron metabolism examination and adequate treatment choice should be equally importantly considered in geriatric patients with RLS.

[Efficacy and tolerability of ferric carboxymaltose in geriatric patients with anemia. Data from three non-interventional studies]. / Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit einer intravenösen Eisentherapie bei geriatrischen Patienten mit Anämie. Gepoolte Daten aus drei nicht-interventionellen Studien.

BACKGROUND: Anemia in the elderly is a common clinical finding. Prevalence in hospitalized geriatric patients approximates up to 40% presenting as iron deficiency anemia associated with absolute iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease associated with functional iron deficiency or unexplained anemia. In patients with functional iron deficiency oral iron substitution is ineffective due to elevated hepcidin levels, such as in renal anemia. In these patients intravenous iron substitution represents a cornerstone. However, data among geriatric patients are limited. We conducted three non-interventional studies collecting data with respect to efficacy and tolerance of ferric carboxymaltose (ferinject) in three patient groups (cancer, chronic kidney disease [CKD], chronic inflammatory bowel disease [CIBD]) with anemia and functional iron deficiency. The present sub-analysis describes the results among the geriatric patients (age > 70 years) observed in all three observational studies. PATIENTS, METHODS: 264 patients were analyzed (mean age of 76.9 years [70-90 years; SD +/- 5.2 years]). Patients received an average amount of 1200 mg ferric carboxymaltose (746-1575 mg). RESULTS: Hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001), serum ferritin (p < 0.001) and transferrin saturation (p < 0.05) rose significantly in CKD patients; in CIBD patients hemoglobin and transferrin saturation rose significantly (p < 0.05) while the rise of ferritin failed to be significant. In oncologic patients the rise of hemoglobin and ferritin levels was of high statistic significance (p < 0.001) and transferrin saturation also rose significantly (p = 0.02) Fatigue, mental capacities as well as dyspnea improved among CKD-and CIBD-groups. No severe adverse reactions occurred. CONCLUSION: Administration of ferric carboxymaltose in geriatric patients is well tolerated and offers an effective treatment option for the treatment of functional iron deficiency.

Oral Health and the Association with Blood Parameters in Neurogeriatric Inpatients without Relevant Systemic Inflammation: An Observational Study.

As little evidence is available, we report the oral health of neurogeriatric inpatients and the association with hematological parameters representing systemic health. We performed a cross-sectional investigation of 30 patients undergoing neurogeriatric early rehabilitation and excluded systemic inflammation as a trigger for oral infection (C-reactive protein >5 mg/dL). Outcomes included oral health and hygiene status and routine laboratory parameters. Patients (mean age 79 ± 6 years, mean comorbidities 7 ± 3, and mean Barthel Index at hospital admission 31 ± 18) had impaired oral health (mean 18 ± 7 of their own teeth, elevated plaque indices (2.5 ± 0.4), and bleeding on probing (26 ± 17)), representing short- and long-term reduced oral hygiene. Twenty-four (80%) patients had periodontitis. Laboratory parameters for inflammation, nutrition, and anemia did not correlate with oral health parameters (p > 0.05). The number of teeth correlated moderately with total protein (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) = 0.524; p = 0.003). Plaque indices correlated weakly with number of teeth (rs = -0.460; p = 0.010) and periodontitis diagnosis (rs = 0.488; p = 0.006). Thus, highly vulnerable neurogeriatric inpatients had reduced oral health and hygiene independent of laboratory parameters, representing a high-risk population for oral health problems even without clinically proven systemic infection. This should be considered in future interprofessional therapy planning.

Do subjectively and objectively impaired oral health parameters influence geriatric assessment results in hospitalized geriatric patients?

BACKGROUND: Impaired oral health affects oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL) in orthogeriatric hospitalized patients, and both might be associated with potential risk factors for functional impairment, based on the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and related blood laboratory values. As data on this field are scarce, we investigated possible associations between oral health, items of the geriatric oral health assessment instrument (GOHAI), CGA assessment tools, and relevant laboratory values. METHODS: Explorative cross-sectional pilot study investigating oral and general health, OHrQoL, and functionality based on objective oral health, GOHAI, CGA, and routinely assessed laboratory parameters of orthogeriatric patients. Correlations (Spearman's rho and Pearson's) and regression analysis were performed for the dependent variables functionality, cognition, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and the 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS). RESULTS: Among all participants (N = 40), several GOHAI single items (GOHAI 1,4,5,7,10,11) correlated with certain CGA assessment results (fear of falling, Barthel index, handgrip power). Reduced subjective oral health (GOHAI, xerostomia) and objective oral health (oral hygiene index, root caries index, unstimulated salivation rate) correlated with reduced general health and CGA results (polypharmacy, handgrip power, FES, GDS). Anemia was seen in all participants, but no associations between reduced oral health and laboratory blood values were detected. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the association between impaired subjective and objective oral health, OHrQoL, and physical functional impairment among orthogeriatric patients. Impaired GOHAI item results at the dentist, and the association between GOHAI values and CGA results that implies an association between physical and oral health, should encourage a geriatric check based on CGA, and vice versa. Results encourage interdisciplinary cooperation between geriatricians and dentists, but also indicate the need for further research in this field. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS00013230.

Interdisciplinary assessment and management of a patient with a fibrous gingival enlargement of unknown origin: A case report.

A gingival enlargement of unclear cause could only be diagnosed after interdisciplinary cooperation as plasma cell gingivitis of unknown origin. Interdisciplinary approaches remain crucial when diagnosing rare gum diseases.