Electronic Health Record Usability and Postsurgical Outcomes Among Older Adults With Dementia.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic health record (EHR) usability, defined as the extent to which the system can be used to complete tasks, can influence patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between EHR usability and postsurgical outcomes of older adults with dementia including 30-day readmission, 30-day mortality, and length of stay (LOS). METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of linked American Hospital Association, Medicare claims data, and nurse survey data was conducted using logistic regression and negative binominal models. RESULTS: The dementia population who received care in hospitals with better EHR usability were less likely to die within 30 days of their admission following surgery compared to hospitals with poorer EHR usability (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91, p = 0.001). EHR usability was not associated with readmission or LOS. DISCUSSION: Better nurse reported EHR usability has the potential to reduce mortality rates among older adults with dementia in hospitals.

Risk factors for postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality in patients ≥ 70 years old with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty (HA) and independent risk factors associated with postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted, patients ≥ 70 years old with HA for hip fracture under general anesthesia were included during COVID-19 and before COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome was defined as postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality. The baseline characteristics and risk factors were collected, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1096 patients were included during COVID-19 pandemic and 1149 were included before COVID-19 pandemic in the study. Patients ≥ 70 years with hip fracture for HA had longer fracture to operation duration (7.10 ± 3.52 vs. 5.31 ± 1.29, P < 0.001), and the incidence of postoperative medical complications (21.90% vs. 12.53%, P < 0.001) and 3-month mortality (5.20% vs. 3.22%, P = 0.025) was higher during COVID-2019 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dementia (OR 2.73; 95% CI 1.37-5.44; P = 0.004), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.92-4.71; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.19-1.30; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for postoperative medical complications. COPD (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.05-4.17; P = 0.035), dementia (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.11-7.94; P = 0.031), postoperative medical complications (OR 4.99; 95% CI 2.68-9.28; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04-1.19; P = 0.002) were associated with increased risk for 3-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found that postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in patients with hip fracture underwent HA were 21.90% and 5.20%, respectively, during the COVID-19. COPD, dementia and longer fracture to operation duration were associated with negative outcome in patients with hip fracture underwent HA during the COVID-19.

Modes of failure of hip hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hemiarthroplasty is a common treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures, but limited Canadian data are available about hemiarthroplasty failure. We evaluated the frequency and predictors of hemiarthroplasty failure in Manitoba. METHODS: In this retrospective multicentre province-wide study, billing and joint registry databases showed 4693 patients who had hemiarthroplasty for treatment of femoral neck fracture in Manitoba over an 11-year period (2005-2015), including 155 hips with subsequent reoperations (open or closed) for treatment of hemiarthroplasty failure. Hospital records were reviewed to identify modes of hemiarthroplasty failure, comorbidities and reoperations. Data were analyzed using χ2 test and Poisson and γ regression models. RESULTS: During our study period, 155 hips (154 patients [3%]) underwent 230 reoperations. Of these, 131 hips (85%) initially had an uncemented unipolar modular implant. Indications for first-time reoperation included periprosthetic femur fracture (49 hips [32%]), dislocation (45 hips [29%]), acetabular wear (28 hips [18%]) and infection (26 hips [17%]). There were 46 hips (30%) that had 2 or more reoperations. Reoperation for dislocation was associated with presence of dementia; acetabular wear was associated with absence of dementia. Time from hemiarthroplasty to reoperation was associated inversely with age at hemiarthroplasty, dislocation and dementia and was directly associated with acetabular wear. The risk of having 2 or more reoperations was associated independently with dislocation, infection, and alcohol abuse. CONCLUSION: Hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture in Manitoba had a low frequency of failure. Risk factors for multiple reoperations included dislocation, infection and alcohol abuse.

Differences in Cataract Surgery Rates Based on Dementia Status.

BACKGROUND: Cataract surgery substantially improves patient quality of life. Despite the rising prevalence of dementia in the US, little is known about use of cataract surgery among this group. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between dementia status and cataract surgery. METHODS: Using administrative insurance claims for a representative sample of 1,125,387 US Medicare beneficiaries who received eye care between 2006 and 2015, we compared cataract surgery rates between patients with and without dementia via multivariable regression models to adjust for patient characteristics. Main outcome measures were annual rates of cataract surgery and hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for receiving cataract surgery. RESULTS: Cataract surgery was performed in 457,128 patients, 23,331 with a prior diagnosis of dementia. 16.7% of dementia patients underwent cataract surgery, compared to 43.8% of patients without dementia. 59 cataract surgeries were performed per 1000 dementia patients annually, versus 105 surgeries per 1000 nondementia patients. After adjusting for patient characteristics, dementia patients were approximately half as likely to receive cataract surgery compared to nondementia patients (adjusted HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.53-0.54). Among the subset of patients who received a first cataract surgery, those with dementia were also less likely to receive second-eye cataract surgery (adjusted HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.86-0.88). CONCLUSION: US Medicare patients with dementia are less likely to undergo cataract surgery than those without dementia. This finding has implications for quality of care and dementia progression. More information is necessary to understand why rates of cataract surgery are lower for these patients, and to identify conditions where benefits of surgery may outweigh risks.

Association between dementia and mortality in the elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to verify the association between dementia and mortality in the elderly undergoing hip fracture surgery, and assessed the mortality of patients with dementia after hip fracture surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until April, 2018 without language restrictions. Two reviewers selected related studies, assessed study quality, and extracted data independently. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived using random-effects model throughout all analyses. The endpoints included 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and more than 1-year mortality. This meta-analysis was performed following PRISMA statement and carried out by using stata14.0 software. RESULTS: Dementia significantly increased postoperative mortality of patients suffered from hip fracture in 30-day [RR = 1.57, 95% CI (1.29, 1.90), P<0.00], 6-month [RR = 1.97, 95% CI (1.47, 2.63), P<0.00], 1-year [RR = 1.77, 95% CI (1.54, 2.04), P<0.00], and more than 1-year follow up [RR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.30, 1.96), P<0.00] respectively. The mortality of dementia patients after hip fracture surgery in 30-day [ES = 12%, 95% CI (8%, 15%)], 6-month [ES = 32%, 95% CI (17%, 48%)], 1-year [ES = 39%, 95% CI (35%, 43%)], and more than 1-year follow up [ES = 45%, 95% CI (32%, 58%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the mortality of patients with dementia suffered from hip fracture surgery is 12%, 32%, 39%, and 45%, and dementia increased 1.57, 1.97, 1.77, and 1.60-fold mortality in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery in 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and more than 1-year follow up respectively.

Strategy of Cardiovascular Surgery for Patients With Dementia as Evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination.

BACKGROUND: The strategy for cardiovascular surgery in dementia patients is controversial, so we aimed to investigate whether preoperative dementia and its severity might affect the outcomes of cardiovascular surgery by evaluating with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Methods and Results: The study group comprised 490 patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Their preoperative cognitive status was evaluated using the MMSE, and analysis was performed to compare the patients with MMSE score <24 (dementia group, n=51) or MMSE score 24-30 (non-dementia group, n=439). Furthermore, the effect of the severity of dementia was analyzed with a cut-off MMSE score of 19/20. Risk factors for surgical outcomes were explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Hospital mortality was 11.8% in the dementia group and 2.1% in the non-dementia group (P=0.002). Regarding the postoperative morbidities, the incidence of cerebrovascular disorder (P=0.001), pneumonia (P=0.039), delirium (P=0.004), and infection (P=0.006) was more frequent in dementia group. Among the patients with MMSE <20, hospital mortality was as high as 25%, and the rate of delirium was 58%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that MMSE score <24 (P=0.003), lower serum albumin (P=0.023) and aortic surgery (P=0.036) were independent risk factors for hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative dementia affects the outcomes of cardiovascular surgery with regard to hospital death and delirium. The surgical indication for patients with MMSE <20 might be difficult, but surgery with an appropriate strategy should be considered for patients with MMSE <24.

Improving surgical outcomes for people with dementia.

Surgical intervention in older people with dementia is becoming increasingly common as the population ages and the number of people with dementia continues to rise. People with dementia have unique needs that require sensitive management at all stages of hospitalisation for surgery. This article sets out a suggested pathway for the care of these patients, in the form of a flow chart. It discusses recognition and assessment of dementia and delirium, issues of capacity and consent, interventions required for optimum care of older people with dementia and peri-operative management. It explores the role of family and friends in achieving integrated care.

Elevated diffusion anisotropy in gray matter and the degree of brain compression.

OBJECT: For several decades, clinicians have predicted intraparenchymal brain pressure or brain tissue compression indirectly based on the degree of distortion of the midline structures (midline shift) and ventricle wall (ventriculomegaly) observed on conventional MRI. However, this method has several limitations. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a novel MRI technique that can provide information about the microstructural properties of compressed tissue. In this study, the authors evaluated whether DTI can precisely define the degree of tissue compression in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). METHODS: The study sample consisted of 18 patients (mean age 71 years, 10 men and 8 women) with unilateral CSDH and 12 age-matched volunteers. Diffusion tensor imaging results were acquired before and after the surgical irrigation in the CSDH group. Subdural pressure during the operation was also measured. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were evaluated at several locations, including the gray matter. RESULTS: The FA values of the gray matter, especially in the caudate nucleus and putamen, were increased in the patients with CSDH compared with the control group. The change in FA data before and after surgery (ΔFA) correlated with the degree of tissue compression evaluated by measurement of the subdural pressure. Furthermore, the increased FA values in patients with CSDH decreased after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that FA values of the gray matter, especially in the caudate nucleus and putamen, may be important markers of tissue compression. The assessment of FA values of the gray matter will result in a new, less-invasive diagnostic technique to evaluate the degree of brain compression.

Spiroplasma spp. biofilm formation is instrumental for their role in the pathogenesis of plant, insect and animal diseases.

Spiroplasma spp. are important phyto and insect pathogens, and candidate causal agent/s of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in man and animals. These filterable wall-less bacteria are widely distributed in nature with an unspecified environmental reservoir. In this study we showed by scanning electron microscopy that spiroplasma form biofilm on an assortment of hard surfaces including mica, nickel and stainless steel. Spiroplasma were stuck to the surfaces by fibrillar threads consistent with curli fibers (an amyloid protein found in bacterial biofilms). After a lengthy time in cultures (6 weeks), spiroplasma in biofilm bound to mica disks lost their spiral shapes and formed coccoid forms interconnected by long (>2 µm) branched membranous nanotubules, therein representing direct conjugate connections between the cells. The affinity of spiroplasma biofilms for mica and nickel, and the membrane communications suggest that soil could be a reservoir for these bacteria. The persistence of clay bound spiroplasma in soil could serve as the mechanism of lateral spread of TSEs by ingestion of soil by ruminants. Spiroplasma binding to stainless steel wire supports bacterial contamination of surgical instruments following surgery on dementia patients as a mechanism of iatrogenic transmission of TSEs, especially with resistance of spiroplasma in biofilms to drying or exposure to 50% glutaraldehyde. The discovery of biofilm formation by spiroplasma addresses questions regarding environmental persistence of these organisms in nature and suggests novel mechanisms of intercellular communication and transmission.

Self-reported functional outcome after surgical intervention in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The goal of this study was to characterize long-term social and functional outcomes in adults treated for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Data for 252 patients treated medically or surgically for idiopathic NPH were obtained through the Hydrocephalus Association Database Project. Data on post-surgical outcomes including improvement in symptoms, the need for in-home care, ability to drive, and employment status were analyzed. Most patients (73.7%) surveyed were treated with a shunt, an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), or both. More patients who underwent surgery reported driving and being employed compared to those who did not have surgery. Most shunt patients had improvements in gait (81.1%), urinary incontinence (55.9%), and dementia (64.4%). Overall, shunt patients reported more dramatic improvements in quality of life as compared to ETV patients (72.2% versus 55.6%). Treating idiopathic NPH with cerebrospinal fluid diversion facilitates a return to independence through improved functional and social outcomes.

From atom to brain: applications of molecular imaging to neurosurgery.

Molecular imaging is a field born out of the happy marriage of molecular biology and radiology. The first installment of this two-part series on molecular imaging demonstrated basic principles for practitioners in the field of the neurosciences. This installment seeks to provide some illustrative examples, insights, and specific applications to the neurosciences. The fields of functional neurosurgery including the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, novel treatments and imaging of tumors, neuroregenerative medicine, and nanotechnology in vascular disorders are covered. Finally, we give some parting thoughts on the future of molecular imaging, including advances in the imaging of neurodegenerative disorders.

Intracranial symptomatic giant arachnoid cyst of the interhemispheric fissure presenting with frontal lobe syndrome.

Symptomatic interhemispheric arachnoid cysts (ACs) are extremely rare lesions seen more frequently in the elderly. Only 13 cases of symptomatic interhemispheric ACs in the elderly have previously been reported. Herein, we describe a 70-year-old female with symptoms of vertigo, memory and behavior disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant arachnoid cyst (AC) on the interhemispheric fissure, which was exerting a mass effect and displacement on the corpus callosum and anterior cerebral vessels, with a massive midline shift. The patient was treated with a cysto-peritoneal shunt. Reports to date have reviewed the pathology, clinical presentation, radiology and surgical management of interhemispheric symptomatic arachnoid cysts in elderly patients.

Liver transplantion in a patient with rapid onset parkinsonism-dementia complex induced by manganism secondary to liver failure

Bilateral and symmetric globus-pallidus hyperintensities are observed on T1-weighted MRI in most of the patients with chronic liver failure, due to manganese accumulation. We report a 53-year-old man, with rapid onset parkinsonism-dementia complex associated with accumulation of manganese in the brain, secondary to liver failure. A brain MRI was performed and a high signal on T1-weighted images was seen on globus-pallidus, as well as on T2-weighted images on the hemispheric white-matter. He was referred to a liver-transplantation. The patient passed away on the seventh postoperative day. Our findings support the concept of the toxic effects of manganese on the globus-pallidus. The treatment of this form of parkinsonism is controversial and liver-transplantation should not be considered as first line treatment but as an alternative one.

Hiperintesidades simétricas e bilaterais dos gânglios da base são observadas em imagens de ressonância magnética encefálica (RM) ponderadas em T1 na maioria dos pacientes com insuficiência hepática crônica devidas ao acúmulo de manganês. Nós relatamos o caso de um homem, com 53 anos de idade, com um complexo parkinsonismo-demência rapidamente progressivo associado com o acúmulo de manganês no cérebro, secundariamente a insuficiência hepática. Uma RM encefálica foi realizada e foram observadas imagens hiperintensas/hipersinal nas imagens ponderadas em T1 no globo pálido e, também, na substância branca dos hemisférios cerebrais ponderadas em T2. Devido à falta de resposta ao tratamento clinico optamos pelo transplante hepático. O paciente faleceu no 7° dia de PO. Nossos achados corroboram o conceito dos efeitos tóxicos do manganês nos gânglios da base/globo pálido. O tratamento desta forma de parkinsonismo é controverso e o transplante hepático não deverá ser considerada uma opção terapêutica de primeira linha, porém como um tratamento alternativo considerando-se os riscos-benefícios dessa escolha.

Screening tests for normal-pressure hydrocephalus: sensitivity, specificity, and cost.

OBJECT: Many tests have been proposed to help choose candidates for shunt insertion in cases of suspected normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). It is unclear what sensitivity and specificity a prospective test must have to improve outcomes, compared with the results of automatic shunt insertion. METHODS: The authors adapted the decision analysis model used in a companion article to allow for application of a screening test. Using the reported sensitivities and specificities of several such tests, they evaluated the effects such tests would have on the expected outcome of an average 65-year-old patient with moderate dementia. They also evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a theoretical screening test with superior sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Although external lumbar drainage comes quite close, none of the screening tests reported to date have sufficient sensitivity and specificity to improve expected outcome in an average candidate, compared with the results of automatic shunt placement in cases of suspected NPH. In addition, even a theoretically improved test would need to be considerably less expensive than prolonged lumbar drainage to be cost-effective in clinical practice.

Reversible dementia in patients with chronic subdural hematomas.

OBJECT: Neuropsychiatric changes following surgery for chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) were analyzed in 26 patients (21 men and five women) by using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised (HDS-R) to determine factors that potentially contribute to neuropsychiatric recovery. METHODS: Burr hole irrigation was performed in every patient to treat the CSDH. The patients' profiles, including age and sex, neuroimaging findings (such as hematoma volume and thickness, as well as midline shift), and preoperative and postoperative scores on the MMSE, HDS-R, and activities of daily living (ADL) scale were recorded. According to preoperative MMSE scores, eight patients (30.8%) were classified as mentally healthy and 18 (69.2%) as suffering from dementia before surgery. Nine of the 18 patients with dementia recovered to a normal psychological state following surgery. Surgery improved not only the patients' independence in ADL (p = 0.0026), but also their neuropsychiatric functions such as orientation and calculation, as estimated by scores on the MMSE (p = 0.0002) and the HDS-R (p = 0.0008). Factors affecting neuropsychiatric status on admission were midline shift (p = 0.0398) and ADL score (p = 0.0124); factors that could be used to predict neuropsychiatric recovery after surgery were patient age (p = 0.0027) and ADL score (p = 0.0193). The results of a logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant predictors of neuropsychiatric recovery after surgery include the following: patient age (p = 0.0049, odds ratio [OR] = 0.842) and preoperative ADL (p = 0.0056, OR = 0.471), MMSE (p < 0.0001, OR = 1.895), and HDS-R (p = 0.0073, OR = 1.303) scores. Results of subgroup analyses demonstrated that patients younger than 74 years of age and those who had preoperative scores lower than 5 on the converted ADL scale, higher than 10 on the MMSE, or higher than 9 on the HDS-R on admission were found to have a significantly better recovery of neuropsychiatric functions after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Dementia is reversible in many patients with CSDH, and surgery can improve not only independence in ADL, but also neuropsychiatric functions. Patients who are younger and/or those who have lower preoperative ADL scores and/or higher preoperative MMSE or HDS-R scores will achieve a good recovery with regard to neuropsychiatric functions after surgery. Estimations of neuropsychiatric function based on MMSE and HDS-R scores were found to be useful in predicting functional outcomes in patients with CSDH.

[Surgical treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus]. / Operativ behandling av normaltrykkshydrocephalus.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an important diagnosis to keep in mind, i.e. the possibility that NPH and not a neurodegenerative disease causes the patient's symptoms with ataxia, urinary incontinence and dementia. Clinical improvement, sometimes a complete reversal of the symptoms, may be seen after a simple surgical procedure. This prospective study was performed by testing eight consecutively shunted patients with a walking test and a cognitive test battery pre- and postoperatively. Improvement 3-4 months after the shunting procedure suggests that NPH was present in six of eight patients. Walking ability was improved after surgery, also in patients with severe dementia. Severe dementia caused by NPH is hardly reversible, though cognitive tests may indicate some improvement. However, early surgical treatment of NPH in patients not suffering from a dementia according to the Mini Mental Status Test may bring improvement in some cognitive functions. Patients with both clinical and radiological signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus should be offered a shunting procedure.

MR imaging of the hippocampus in normal pressure hydrocephalus: correlations with cortical Alzheimer's disease confirmed by pathologic analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR studies have shown hippocampal atrophy to be a sensitive diagnostic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we measured the hippocampal volumes of patients with a clinical diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a potentially reversible cause of dementia when shunted. Further, we examined the relationship between the hippocampal volumes and cortical AD pathologic findings, intracranial pressure, and clinical outcomes in cases of NPH. METHODS: We measured hippocampal volumes from 37 patients with a clinical diagnosis of NPH (27 control volunteers and 24 patients with AD). The patients with NPH underwent biopsy, and their clinical outcomes were followed for a year. RESULTS: Compared with those for control volunteers, the findings for patients with NPH included a minor left-side decrease in the hippocampal volumes (P < .05). Compared with those for patients with AD, the findings for patients with NPH included significantly larger hippocampi on both sides. Although not statistically significant, trends toward larger volumes were observed in patients with NPH who had elevated intracranial pressure, who benefited from shunting, and who did not display cortical AD pathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of hippocampal volumes among patients with a clinical diagnosis of NPH have clear clinical implications, providing diagnostic discrimination from AD and possibly prediction of clinical outcome after shunting.