Characteristics of frequent users of emergency departments living with major neurocognitive disorders: a cohort study / Características dos utilizadores frequentes dos departamentos de emergência que vivem com demência: um estudo de coorte

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever e comparar as características dos adultos idosos, residentes na comunidade, que vivem com demência e que recorreram frequentemente aos departamentos de emergência. METODOLOGIA: Este é um estudo retrospetivo baseado numa análise secundária de dados administrativos provinciais de saúde no Quebeque, Canadá. Incluímos adultos idosos residentes na comunidade do Quebeque considerados utilizadores frequentes dos departamentos de emergência (mínimo de quatro visitas no ano seguinte a uma visita ao departamento de emergência indexada, escolhida aleatoriamente durante o período de 1 de janeiro de 2012 até 31 de dezembro de 2013) e diagnosticados com pelo menos uma condição crônica. Comparamos as características dos utilizadores frequentes que vivem com e sem demência utilizando os testes qui-quadrado e Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: A coorte do estudo consistiu em 21 393 utilizadores frequentes, dos quais 3051 (14,26%) foram identificados como portadores de demência. Os resultados salientam maior carga de condições crônicas, polifarmácia, uso de antipsicótico e serviços de saúde passados entre esses indivíduos. Os resultados também revelam maior proporção de doenças associadas a síndromes geriátricas como trauma e lesão, desnutrição, hipertensão ortostática e distúrbios de marcha. CONCLUSÃO: Os utilizadores frequentes dos serviços de emergência que vivem com demência representam uma população complexa. Os nossos resultados salientam a importância de abordar sistematicamente as suas necessidades, em contextos apropriados e por meio de intervenções personalizadas. (AU)

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe and compare the characteristics of community-dwelling older adults living with or without major neurocognitive disorders who made frequent use of emergency departments. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study based on a secondary analysis of provincial health administrative data in Quebec, Canada. We included community-dwelling older adults from Quebec who were considered frequent emergency department users (a minimum of 4 visits in the year following an index emergency department visit chosen randomly between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013) and who had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. We compared characteristics of frequent users living with or without major neurocognitive disorders using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 21 393 frequent emergency department users, of which 3051 (14.26%) were identified as having a major neurocognitive disorder. The results highlight a higher burden of chronic conditions, polypharmacy, antipsychotic use, and past use of healthcare services among these individuals. The results also reveal a higher proportion of conditions associated with geriatric syndromes such as trauma and injury, malnutrition, orthostatic hypertension, and gait disorders. CONCLUSION: Frequent emergency department users living with major neurocognitive disorders represent a complex population. Our results highlight the importance of systematically addressing their needs in appropriate settings and through customized interventions. (AU)

Preliminary data demonstrate the Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces postoperative length of stay.

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: The Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program promotes clinical standards aimed to optimize the quality of surgical care delivered to older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards improves surgical outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective study with cohort matching. SETTING: Data from a single institution compared with a national data set cohort. PARTICIPANTS: All patients aged ≥75 years undergoing inpatient operations between January 2018 and December 2019 were included. Cohort matching by age and procedure code was performed using a national data set. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline pre- and intraoperative characteristics prospectively recorded using Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) variable definitions. Postoperative outcomes were recorded including complications as defined by VASQIP, 30-day mortality, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients participated in the GSV program, and 308 patients comprised the matched comparison group. There was no difference in postoperative occurrence of one or more complications (p = 0.81) or 30-day mortality (p = 0.61). Patients cared for by the GSV Program had a reduced postoperative length of stay (median 4 days [range 1,31] vs. 5 days [range 1,86]; p < 0.01; and mean 5.4 ± 4.8 vs. 8.8 ± 11.8 days; p < 0.01) compared with the matched cohort. In a multivariable regression model, the GSV Program's reduced length of stay was independent of other associated covariates including age, operative time, and comorbidities (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards reduces length of stay in older adults undergoing inpatient operations. This finding demonstrates both the clinical and financial value of the GSV Program.

Salud oral integral para adultos de 60 años: un análisis territorial de su cobertura a 12 años de su implementación / Comprehensive oral health for adults 60 years of age: a territorial analysis of its coverage 12 years after its implementation

INTRODUCCIÓN. Las personas mayores en Chile tienen alta carga de morbilidad oral y de déficit funcional que afecta directamente su calidad de vida. El programa universal GES Salud Oral Integral del adulto de 60 años, implementado desde el 2007, permite a las personas de 60 años acceder a tratamiento odontológico integral, aunque a la fecha se tiene pocos antecedentes de sus resultados. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la cobertura del programa GES 60 para el año 2019 de los beneficiarios FONASA y su variabilidad territorial desagregada por Servicio de Salud (SS), sexo y tipo de prestador (público o compra de servicios). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio observacional ecológico, utilizando fuentes de datos secundarios de uso público (DEIS, FONASA). Se estimó la cobertura nacional total y por sexo, estratificada para cada SS. RESULTADOS. La cobertura del programa en el sector público de salud fue de un 22,8% el año 2019. La menor cobertura se observó en el SS Arica (5,3%) y la mayor en el SS Arauco (37,9%). La cobertura nacional fue significativamente mayor (valor p=0,001) en mujeres (27,1%) que en hombres (17,9%). La compra de servicios a proveedores externos totalizó el 12,2% de las altas dentales, siendo esta proporción heterogénea entre SS con relación inversa entre Compra de servicios y Cobertura. DISCUSIÓN. La cobertura para el año evaluado fue baja, siendo insuficiente para poder resolver la alta carga de morbilidad de las personas mayores chilenas. Existe una amplia variabilidad territorial de la cobertura, presentando diferencias por sexo y en la compra de servicios.

INTRODUCTION. Elderly people in Chile have a high burden of oral morbidity and functional deficits that directly affect their quality of life. The universal GES program: "Comprehensive Oral Health for the 60-year-old adult", implemented since 2007, allows 60-year-olds to access comprehensive dental treatment, however there is limited evidence of its results to date.The aim of this study is to estimate the coverage of the program for the year 2019 of the public health insurance FONASA beneficiaries and their territorial variability disaggregated by Health Service (HS), sex and type of provider (public or purchase of services). MATERIALS AND METHODS. An observational ecological study was carried out, using secondary data from public sources (DEIS, FONASA). Total national coverage and by sex was estimated, stratified for each SS. Results. The coverage of the program in the public health sector was 22.8% in 2019. The lowest coverage was observed in Arica HS (5.3%) and the highest in Arauco HS (37.9%). National coverage was significantly higher (p-value = 0.001) in women (27.1%) than in men (17.9%). Purchase of services from external providers totaled 12.2% of the dental discharges, this pro-portion being heterogeneous between SS with an inverse relationship between "Purchase of services" and "Coverage". DISCUSSION. The coverage for the evaluated year was low, being insufficient to be able to solve the high burden of morbidity of Chilean elderly. There is a wide territorial variability of coverage, presenting differences by sex and in the purchase of services.

Desafios da COVID-19 nas instituições de longa permanência para idosos em países hispano-americanos / COVID-19: challenges in long-term care facilities for older adults in Hispanic American countries

INTRODUÇÃO: Pouco se sabe sobre o enfrentamento e a mitigação da COVID-19 em instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPIs) na América Latina. OBJETIVO: Descrever como os gestores de ILPIs de países hispano-americanos planejaram e adequaram suas rotinas de enfrentamento da COVID-19 e se foram capazes de cumprir as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal baseado na aplicação de uma pesquisa on-line dirigida aos gestores de ILPIs situadas em países hispano-americanos. Um questionário de 46 questões (adotando os princípios da OMS) foi enviado aos participantes. Estatística descritiva foi usada para resumir os dados. RESULTADOS: Vinte e três gestores responderam à pesquisa, totalizando 874 idosos (5 min - 270 máx); um questionário foi excluído por falta de respostas. Quatorze ILPIs (63,60%) eram privadas com fins lucrativos. A taxa de adesão às recomendações da OMS foi superior a 70% para a maioria das questões. Pouco mais da metade das instituições elaborou um plano estratégico de enfrentamento, ou identificou estratégias para lidar com óbitos de casos suspeitos. Dificuldade para a aquisição de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs) foi relatada por 59,10% das ILPIs investigadas. A capacidade de testagem para o SARS-Cov-2 foi reduzida (36,36% das instituições não dispunham de nenhum teste). CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de adesão às recomendações propostas pela OMS para o enfrentamento da COVID-19 foi superior a 70% para a maioria das ILPIs investigadas. Planos estratégicos de enfrentamento foram elaborados em pouco mais da metade das instituições. A disponibilidade de EPIs e a capacidade de testagem para o SARS-Cov-2 mostraram-se bastante insatisfatórias.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about management and mitigation of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities (LTCF) for older adults in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: To describe how the management of LTCF in Hispanic American countries plan and adapt their routines for coping with COVID-19 and whether they have been able to fulfill recommendations published by the World Health Organization (WHO). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted by online survey of managers of LTCF located in Hispanic American i countries. A 46-item questionnaire (adopting the WHO principles) was sent to participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: Twenty-three care home managers replied, responsible for a total of 874 older people (range: 5 - 270). One questionnaire was excluded because of missing responses. Fourteen LTCF (63.60%) were private, for-profit facilities. The rate of compliance with WHO recommendations exceeded 70% for the majority of items. Just over half of the institutions had developed dû a strategic management plan, or had identified strategies for dealing with deaths of suspected cases. Difficulty acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by 59.10% of the LTCF surveyed. The homes' capacity for SARS-Cov-2 testing was limited (36.36% of the institutions did not have any tests). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of compliance with recommendations published by the WHO for dealing with COVID-19 was greater than 70% at the majority of the LTCF surveyed. More than half of the institutions had strategic management plans. Availability of PPE and SARS-Cov-2 testing capacity were very unsatisfactory.

A puertas cerradas: La vejez en instituciones en Buenos Aires y el Interior: 1850-1950 / Behind closed doors: Old age in institutions in Buenos Aires and in the country: 1850-1950

Un aspecto clave de la historia de la vejez es el de la asistencia a los ancianos pobres, enfermos o sin familia, sobre todo durante el siglo XIX y principios del XX que constituyen la edad de oro del asilo de ancianos. Partiendo de esa constatación y de los principales problemas historiográficos involucrados, se propone como objetivo principal reconstruir la oferta de instituciones existentes y la proporción de personas atendidas. Para ello explora, en primer lugar las posibilidades y límites de las escasas fuentes estadísticas disponibles. En segundo término, propone una comparación exploratoria con el interior del país y con la asistencia a otros grupos de edad, en particular los niños. Tanto por la centralidad de los procesos históricos involucrados (crecimiento urbano, impacto de la inmigración, desarrollo de políticas sociales), como por la consecuente disponibilidad de fuentes, el caso porteño constituye el eje central de la indagación. (AU)

Drug related problems in older adults living with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Compared with those without dementia, older patients with dementia admitted to acute care settings are at higher risk for triad combination of polypharmacy (PP), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and drug-drug interaction (DDI), which may consequently result in detrimental health. The aims of this research were to assess risk factors associated with triad combination of PP, PIM and DDI among hospitalized older patients with dementia, and to assess prevalence and characteristics of PP, PIM and DDI in this population. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 416 older inpatients diagnosed with dementia and referred for specialist geriatric consultation at a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia during 2006-2016 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their exposure to the combination of PP, PIM and DDI: 'triad combination' and 'non-triad combination'. Data were collected using the interRAI Acute Care (AC) assessment instrument. Independent risk factors of exposure to the triad combination were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 181 (43.5%) were classified as triad combination group. The majority of the population took at least 1 PIM (56%) or experienced at least one potential DDI (76%). Over 75% of the participants were exposed to polypharmacy. The most common prescribed PIMs were antipsychotics, followed by benzodiazepines. The independent risk factors of the triad combination were the presence of atrial fibrillation diagnosis and higher medications use in cardiac therapy, psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure to triad combination of PP, PIM and DDI are common among people with dementia as a result of their vulnerable conditions and the greater risks of adverse events from medications use. This study identified the use of cardiac therapy, psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics as predictors of exposure to PP, PIM and DDI. Therefore, use of these medications should be carefully considered and closely monitored. Furthermore, comprehensive medication reviews to optimize medication prescribing should be initiated and continually implemented for this vulnerable population.

Mortality Trends among Older Patients Admitted to the Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: Attaining successful clinical outcomes in the management of hospitalised older patients in the overburdened healthcare services in Nigeria constitutes a major challenge against the backdrop of dearth of data on the predictors of mortality among them. OBJECTIVES: To describe the mortality trends and associated factors among older patients (>60 years) at the Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan between January 2013 and December 2017. METHODS: Hospital records of older patients admitted were analysed. Data extracted included socio-demographic, diagnoses, length of stay from date of admission to discharge or death. Results of vital signs, anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests carried out at admission were also obtained. RESULTS: The mean age of the 1,091 older patients admitted was 73.6±8.6 years. The overall crude proportion of in-hospital deaths was 9.0% (males=11.3% > females=7.2%, p=0.024) and it increased from 4.1% in 2013 to 12.1% in 2017. The overall unadjusted 30-day mortality rate per 1000 patient-days was 28.9 deaths (95% CI 23.5-35.3). The predictors of mortality were increased length of stay on admission OR=1.061 (95% CI 1.005-1.119), being retired OR=1.672 (95% CI 1.011-2.778), stroke OR=4.019 (95% CI 2.258- 7.138), heart failure OR=3.435 (95% CI 1.455-8.100), Sepsis OR=2.176 (95% CI 1.294-3.654), Anaemia OR=2.820 (95% CI 1.320-6.017), Dementia OR=3.701 (95% CI 1.433-9.549) and malignancies OR=2.658 (95% CI 1.181-5.979). CONCLUSION: There was a temporal increase in mortality among older patients. Similarly, staying longer on admission and chronic medical conditions with their complications were the most significant contributors to mortality.

Emergency surgery in geriatrics: A retrospective evaluation in a single center.

BACKGROUND: As life expectancy increases in humans, surgical procedures applied to the elderly people are also increasing in parallel with the developments in surgery and postoperative care. A significant number of studies investigating the morbidity-mortality of geriatric patients are related to patients who are undergoing emergency operations. The present study aims to investigate the factors affecting mortality and morbidity after emergency surgery in elderly people. METHODS: The data of 200 patients aged 65 years and over who were operated under emergency conditions in the University of Health Sciences Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital between January and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Patient's demographic information, including age, gender, ASA physical status, comorbidities, functional dependency or non-dependency of patients, types of operation, anesthesia technique, duration of operation, intraoperative blood transfusion, the changes of hematocrit levels (during the perioperative period), the outcome after surgery (intensive care admission or ward transfer), were recorded. The risk prediction of short-term mortality has been estimated using CCI and APACHE II scoring systems. CONCLUSION: The mean age of the patients was 74.8±6.7 and the number of females (n=134, 67%) outweighed the males. Higher ASA physical status scores, dependent living conditions, long operation time, general anesthesia, intraoperative blood transfusion, low Htc values (<25%), high APACHE II scores and lower scores of 10-years survival by CCI were the factors that affected the acceptance into ICU.

Health profile of older adults assisted by the Elderly Caregiver Program of Health Care Network of the City of São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the health profile of community-dwelling older adults, according to sex, assisted by the Elderly Caregiver Program of the City of São Paulo. METHODS: Secondary data of 535 older adults, assisted by ten Elderly Caregiver Program teams from the southern region of São Paulo, were collected from medical records and the Multidimensional Evaluation of Older People in Primary Care, after verifying the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study and obtaining subjects' consent. RESULTS: Older adults assisted by this program were predominantly female (77.6%), mean age of 76.2±8.0 years. They had negative self-rated health (67.8%), difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living (68.4%) and signs of mood changes (60.3%). A high prevalence of older adults with vision problems (58.8%), polypharmacy (58.1%), memory-related complaints (55.8%) and multiple morbidities (50.6%) were observed. The prevalence of multiple morbidities, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment and signs of mood changes were higher in women. On the other hand, men reported more hearing problems than women. CONCLUSION: The poorer health conditions of the older adults in this study, evidenced by a high prevalence of subjects with negative self-rated health, difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living, multiple morbidities, polypharmacy and other complaints (sensorial changes, depressive and cognitive symptoms), reinforce the importance of this program as a long-term care policy and as a way to ensure these older adults can continue living in their communities.

Time to Surgery Reduction in Hip Fracture Patients on an Integrated Orthogeriatric Unit: A Comparative Study of Three Healthcare Models.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of three different healthcare models (Traditional Model, Geriatric Consultant Model, and Orthogeriatric Unit Model) consecutively applied to a single academic center (University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain) for older hip fracture patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study, including 2741 hip fracture patients older than 64 years, admitted between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2014 to the University Hospital of Salamanca. Patients were divided into three groups according to the healthcare model applied. There were 983 patients on the Traditional Model, 945 patients on the Geriatric Consultant Model, and 813 patients on the Orthogeriatric Unit Model. We recorded age and gender of patients, functional status at admission (Barthel Index, Katz Index, and Physical Red Cross Scale), type of fracture, and intervention, and we analyzed the length of stay, time to surgery, post-surgical stay, and in-hospital mortality according to the healthcare model applied. RESULTS: Hip fractures are much more frequent in women, and an increase in the average age of patients was observed along with the study (P < 0.001). The most common type of fracture in the three models studied was an extracapsular fracture, for which the most common surgical procedure used was osteosynthesis. On the functional status of patients, there were no differences on the ambulatory ability previous to fracture, measured by the Physical Red Cross Scale, and the percentage of patients with a slight dependence determined by the Barthel Index (>60) was similar in both groups, but considering the Katz Index, the percentage of patients with a high degree of independence (A-B) was significantly higher for the group of patients treated on the Orthogeriatric Unit Model period (56%, P = 0.009). The Orthogeriatric Unit Model registered the greatest percentage of patients undergoing surgery (96.1%, P < 0.001) and the greatest number of early surgical procedures (<24 h) (24.8%, P < 0.001). The orthogeriatric unit model showed the shortest duration of stay (9 days median), decreasing by one day in respect of each of the other models studied (P < 0.001). Time to surgery was also significantly reduced with the Orthogeriatric Unit Model (median of 3 days, P < 0.001). With regard to in-hospital follow-up, there was a reduction in in-hospital mortality during the study period. We observed differences among the three healthcare models, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The healthcare model based on an Orthogeriatric Unit seems to be the most efficient, because it reaches a reduction in time to surgery, with an increased number of patients surgically treated on in the first 24 h, and the greatest frequency of surgically-treated patients.

Evaluation of comprehensive care for older adults in primary care services.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of comprehensive care for older adults in primary care services in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 157 primary care services from five health regions in midwestern São Paulo responded, from October to December 2014, the pre-validated 2014 questionnaire for primary care services assessment and monitoring. We selected 155 questions, based on national policies and guidelines on this theme. The responses indicate the service performance in older adults' care, clustered into three areas of analysis: health care for active and healthy aging (45 indicators, d1), chronic noncommunicable diseases care (89 indicators, d2), and support network in aging care (21 indicators, d3). Performance was measured by the sum of positive (value 1) or negative (value 0) responses for each indicator. Services were clustered according to k-means of the performance scores of each domain. After weighting the domains (Z tests), we estimated the associations between the scores of each domain and independent management variables (typology, planning and evaluation of services), with simple and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Chronic noncommunicable diseases care (d2) showed, for all clusters, better average performance (55.7) than domains d1 (35.4) and d3 (39.2). Service performance in the general area of planning and evaluation associates with the performance of older adults' care. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated services had incipient implementation of comprehensive care for older adults. The evaluation framework can contribute to processes to improve the quality of primary health care.

Febrile neutropenia-related care and associated costs in elderly patients with breast cancer, lung cancer, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Limited information is available regarding elderly patients experiencing febrile neutropenia (FN). This study evaluated FN-related care among elderly cancer patients who received high/intermediate FN-risk chemotherapy and experienced ≥ 1 FN episodes. METHODS: We used Medicare data to identify patients aged ≥ 66 years who initiated high/intermediate FN-risk chemotherapy between 1 January 2008 and 31 August 2015 to treat breast cancer (BC), lung cancer (LC), or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and had ≥ 1 FN episodes. We identified within-cycle FN episodes for each chemotherapy cycle on Part A inpatient claims or outpatient or Part B claims. We described the FN-related care setting (inpatient hospital, outpatient emergency department [ED], or outpatient non-ED) and reported mean total cost of FN-related care per episode overall and by care setting (adjusted to 2015 US$). RESULTS: We identified 2138, 3521, and 2862 patients with BC, LC, and NHL, respectively, with ≥ 1 FN episodes (total episodes: 2407, 3840, 3587, respectively). Most FN episodes required inpatient care (BC, 88.1%; LC, 93.0%; NHL, 93.2%) with mean hospital length of stay (LOS) 6.2, 6.5, and 6.8 days, respectively. Intensive care unit admission was required for 20.4% of BC, 29.0% of LC, and 25.7% of NHL hospitalizations (mean LOS: 4.7, 4.7, 5.5 days, respectively). The mean total cost of FN care per episode was $11,959 BC, $14,388 LC, and $15,006 NHL, with inpatient admission the costliest care component ($11,826; $14,294; and $14,873; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly patients with BC, LC, or NHL who experienced FN, most FN episodes required costly hospital care, highlighting the FN burden on healthcare systems.

[Effect of ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation on polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication-an observational study]. / Effekt der ambulanten geriatrischen Komplexbehandlung auf Polypharmazie und potenziell inadäquate Arzneimittel ­ eine Beobachtungsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation (AGR) is a prevention program for multimorbid patients with the contractual agreement to prevent the need for care and hospital admissions and to promote self-sufficiency. It provides an opportunity to reduce the prevalence of polypharmacy and to discontinue potentially inadequate medication (PIM). AIM: The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs and PIM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational longitudinal study was based on claims data from the statutory health insurance AOK Nordost. A comparison of the prescribed drugs with the PRISCUS list was performed. The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs prescribed and PIM in the period of two quarterly periods before and two quarterly periods after AGR. The numbers of prescribed statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were assessed and grouped into further prescriptions, new prescriptions and discontinued drug prescriptions. RESULTS: Out of 699 participants 682 (73% women, mean age 79 years, SD ± 5 years) were analyzed. The number of substances and PIM remained at the same levels after AGR. Psycholeptic, antiphlogistic and psychoanaleptic drugs were the most frequently prescribed PIM. The majority of statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were prescribed further. Antidementia drugs were the medication with the most newly started prescriptions. CONCLUSION: The AGR has no influence on the number of prescribed drugs and PIM. A structured drug review and a conversation with the general practitioner should be strengthened to improve drug safety and reduce polypharmacy as well as undertreatment.

Hospital experience predicts outcomes after high-risk geriatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric patients require specialized perioperative care, yet the impact of geriatric surgery proportion (a measure of experience) and geriatric surgery volume, on clinical outcomes is unknown. This study analyzes the association between proportion and volume and clinical outcomes after high-risk geriatric surgery. METHODS: Using the 2014 National Inpatient Sample, hospital encounters for older adults (≥65 years) undergoing high-risk geriatric surgery were identified. Geriatric surgery volume was defined as a hospital's annual volume of geriatric patients undergoing high-risk geriatric surgery. Geriatric surgery proportion was calculated as volume divided by the sum of high-risk surgeries in all ages. Hierarchical multivariable regression models identified predictors of inpatient mortality, postoperative length of stay, and discharge to nursing facility. RESULTS: There were an estimated 514,950 hospital encounters for older adults undergoing high-risk geriatric surgery from 3,115 hospitals. Mean proportion was 0.53 ± 0.19; median volume was 60 cases per year, ranging from 5 to 3,235. After adjustment, comparing the 90th to 10th percentiles, higher proportion was associated with decreased mortality (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.81 [0.73-0.88]; P < .001) and shorter postoperative length of stay (-4.44% (-5.49 to -3.39%); P < .0001). Higher volume was not associated with mortality but was associated with longer length of stay (7.76% [6.75-8.77%]; P < .0001) and decreased discharge to nursing facility (0.87 [0.79-0.95]; P= .003). CONCLUSION: Treatment of geriatric patients at hospitals with the highest proportion of high-risk geriatric surgery, or the most experience, is associated with improved outcomes. High-proportion hospitals should be examined to understand the mechanisms by which better quality geriatric surgical care is achieved, while lower-proportion hospitals may be targets for quality improvement efforts.

Elderly Patients with Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Are Undertreated and Have Shorter Survival: The LyREMeNET Study.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is rising, especially in elderly patients. The elderly cancer population presents considerable challenges, yet little is known about the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of metastatic NET (mNET) patients. METHODS: The Lyon Real-life Evidence in Metastatic NeuroEndocrine Tumors study (LyREMeNET, NCT03863106) included consecutive mNET patients, diagnosed between January 1990 and December 2017. The exclusion criteria were nonmetastatic NET, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, and mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasms. We aimed to compare patients ≥70 years old to patients <70 years old. RESULTS: A total of 866 patients were included, 198 (23%) were ≥70 years old. There was no significant difference in characteristics except that elderly patients had synchronous metastasis more frequently. Elderly patients received significantly fewer treatments (median of 2.0 vs. 3.0 lines, respectively, p < 0.0001), were significantly less frequently treated by chemotherapy (32 vs. 54%), targeted therapy (16 vs. 30%), peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (5 vs. 16%), and they underwent significantly less frequently locoregional intervention. Median overall survival was significantly shorter in elderly patients (5.2 vs. 9.6 years). The most frequent cause of death was related to disease progression (71%). Multivariate analysis found that, after adjustment for tumor location, tumor grade, and number of metastatic sites, age remained significantly associated with overall survival (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.26-2.18), indicating a poorer survival in patients ≥70 years old in comparison with younger patients (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Patients ≥70 years old have a worse survival, die frequently from their disease, and are undertreated compared to younger patients.

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly patients prescribed at hospital discharge / Fatores associados ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na alta hospitalar

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication prescribed to elderly at hospital discharge from a public hospital, considering the Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly, and to identify the associated factors. Methods Patients aged ≥60 years, admitted in clinical and geriatric units of a public hospital were invited to participate in the study. The information about the use of medicines was collected from the patient's electronic record and through telephone contact. The Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly was used to classify the medication, regardless of the clinical condition. Results A total of 255 elders were included in this study. The frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly was 58.4%. The potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly was positively associated with the presence of depression (odds ratio of 2.208) and polypharmacy (odds ratio of 2.495). The hospitalization in a geriatric unit showed an inverse association with the potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly (odds ratio of 0.513). Conclusion The frequency of potentially inappropriate medication prescription to elderly upon hospital discharge was high. The presence of depression and polypharmacy were directly associated with use of potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly. Admission to the geriatric clinic has become a protection factor for the use of potentially inappropriate medication in elderly. Strategies to improve the elderly pharmacotherapy should implemented aiming at healthcare quality and safety in the transition of care.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a frequência de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na prescrição de alta hospitalar de idosos de um hospital público, considerando o Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para Idosos, e identificar os fatores associados. Métodos Pacientes com idade ≥60 anos, internados nas unidades de clínica médica e geriátrica de um hospital público, foram convidados para participar do estudo. As informações sobre o uso de medicamentos foram coletadas do prontuário eletrônico do paciente e confirmadas por contato telefônico. O Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para Idosos independente da condição clínica foi utilizado para a classificação dos medicamentos. Resultados Foram incluídos no estudo 255 idosos. A frequência de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos foi de 58,4%. O uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos foi associado positivamente à presença de depressão (razão de chance de 2,208) e polifarmácia (razão de chance de 2,495). A internação em unidade de geriatria apresentou associação inversa com uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos (razão de chance de 0,513). Conclusão A frequência de prescrição de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na alta hospitalar foi alta. Depressão e polifarmácia estiveram diretamente associadas ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos. Ficar internado na clínica geriátrica mostrou-se fator protetor para uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos. Estratégias para melhorar a farmacoterapia do idoso devem ser implementadas, visando à qualidade assistencial e à segurança na transição do cuidado.

Health profile of older adults assisted by the Elderly Caregiver Program of Health Care Network of the City of São Paulo / Perfil de saúde dos idosos assistidos pelo Programa Acompanhante de Idosos na Rede de Atenção à Saúde do Município de São Paulo

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the health profile of community-dwelling older adults, according to sex, assisted by the Elderly Caregiver Program of the City of São Paulo. Methods Secondary data of 535 older adults, assisted by ten Elderly Caregiver Program teams from the southern region of São Paulo, were collected from medical records and the Multidimensional Evaluation of Older People in Primary Care, after verifying the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study and obtaining subjects' consent. Results Older adults assisted by this program were predominantly female (77.6%), mean age of 76.2±8.0 years. They had negative self-rated health (67.8%), difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living (68.4%) and signs of mood changes (60.3%). A high prevalence of older adults with vision problems (58.8%), polypharmacy (58.1%), memory-related complaints (55.8%) and multiple morbidities (50.6%) were observed. The prevalence of multiple morbidities, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment and signs of mood changes were higher in women. On the other hand, men reported more hearing problems than women. Conclusion The poorer health conditions of the older adults in this study, evidenced by a high prevalence of subjects with negative self-rated health, difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living, multiple morbidities, polypharmacy and other complaints (sensorial changes, depressive and cognitive symptoms), reinforce the importance of this program as a long-term care policy and as a way to ensure these older adults can continue living in their communities.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar o perfil de saúde de idosos residentes na comunidade, de acordo com o sexo, cadastrados no Programa Acompanhante de Idosos do Município de São Paulo. Métodos Os dados secundários de 535 idosos assistidos por dez equipes do Programa Acompanhante de Idosos da região sul de São Paulo foram coletados a partir da consulta em prontuários e da Avaliação Multidimensional da Pessoa Idosa na Atenção Primária, após verificados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão para o estudo e a autorização dos idosos selecionados. Resultados Os idosos assistidos por este programa eram predominantemente do sexo feminino (77,6%), apresentavam média de idade 76,2±8,0 anos, tinham autoavaliação negativa de saúde (67,8%), comprometimento das atividades instrumentais da vida diária (68,4%) e indícios de alterações de humor (60,3%). Foi observada alta prevalência de idosos com dificuldades para enxergar (58,8%), polifarmácia (58,1%), queixas de problemas de memória (55,8%) e com múltiplas morbidades (50,6%). Na comparação entre os sexos, a presença de múltiplas morbidades, polifarmácia, queixas cognitivas e sinais de alterações de humor foi maior entre as mulheres. Por outro lado, a demanda de maior prevalência entre os homens foi referente a dificuldades em ouvir. Conclusão As piores condições de saúde desses idosos, constatadas pela alta prevalência de autoavaliação negativa de saúde, pelo comprometimento das atividades instrumentais da vida diária, por múltiplas morbidades, pela polifarmácia e outras queixas (alterações sensoriais, sintomas depressivos e alterações cognitivas), reafirmam a importância deste programa como política de cuidados de longa duração e para a manutenção destes idosos residindo na comunidade.

Evaluation of comprehensive care for older adults in primary care services / Avaliação da atenção integral ao idoso em serviços de atenção primária

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of comprehensive care for older adults in primary care services in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS A total of 157 primary care services from five health regions in midwestern São Paulo responded, from October to December 2014, the pre-validated 2014 questionnaire for primary care services assessment and monitoring. We selected 155 questions, based on national policies and guidelines on this theme. The responses indicate the service performance in older adults' care, clustered into three areas of analysis: health care for active and healthy aging (45 indicators, d1), chronic noncommunicable diseases care (89 indicators, d2), and support network in aging care (21 indicators, d3). Performance was measured by the sum of positive (value 1) or negative (value 0) responses for each indicator. Services were clustered according to k-means of the performance scores of each domain. After weighting the domains (Z tests), we estimated the associations between the scores of each domain and independent management variables (typology, planning and evaluation of services), with simple and multiple linear regression. RESULTS Chronic noncommunicable diseases care (d2) showed, for all clusters, better average performance (55.7) than domains d1 (35.4) and d3 (39.2). Service performance in the general area of planning and evaluation associates with the performance of older adults' care. CONCLUSIONS The evaluated services had incipient implementation of comprehensive care for older adults. The evaluation framework can contribute to processes to improve the quality of primary health care.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar o desempenho da atenção integral ao idoso em serviços de atenção primária do Sistema Único de Saúde no estado de São Paulo, Brasi lMÉTODOS Um total de 157 serviços de atenção primária de cinco regiões de saúde do centro-oeste paulista respondeu, de outubro a dezembro de 2014, o instrumento pré-validado Questionário de Avaliação e Monitoramento de Serviços de Atenção Básica 2014. Foram selecionadas 155 questões, com base nas políticas e diretrizes nacionais sobre essa temática. As respostas indicam o desempenho do serviço na atenção ao idoso, agrupadas em três domínios de análise: atenção à saúde para o envelhecimento ativo e saudável (45 indicadores, d1), atenção às doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (89 indicadores, d2) e rede de apoio na atenção ao envelhecimento (21 indicadores, d3). A medida de desempenho foi a soma de respostas positivas (valor 1) ou negativas (valor 0) para cada indicador. Os serviços foram agrupados segundo k-médias dos escores de desempenho de cada um dos domínios. Após a ponderação dos domínios (testes Z), foram estimadas as associações entre os escores de cada domínio e variáveis independentes de gestão (tipologia, planejamento e avaliação dos serviços), por meio de regressão linear simples e múltipla. RESULTADOS A atenção às doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (d2) mostrou, para todos os agrupamentos, melhor desempenho médio (55,7) do que os domínios d1 (35,4) e d3 (39,2). O desempenho do serviço na área geral de planejamento e avaliação esteve associado ao desempenho da atenção ao idoso. CONCLUSÕES Os serviços avaliados apresentaram implementação incipiente da atenção integral ao idoso. O quadro avaliativo pode contribuir para processos de melhoria da qualidade da atenção primária à saúde.

Features of anticholinergic prescriptions and predictors of high use in the elderly: Population-based study.

PURPOSE: Older people are especially vulnerable to negative anticholinergic effects. Although anticholinergic drugs are commonly used among older people, drugs with potent antimuscarinic properties are considered as potentially inappropriate medications for older people. Here, we examined features of anticholinergic use and investigated predictors for the high use of strong anticholinergic agents (ACs) in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 388,629 Korean elderly aged ≥70 years were recruited from the 2012 National Health Insurance Service Elderly cohort database. The use of ACs in 2012 was quantitatively assessed by calculating standardized prescribed doses. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of the high use of strong ACs (≥90 doses). RESULTS: Almost half of the subjects (47.2%) used more than 15 doses of strong ACs during 2012. 17.0% of the subjects had an annual cumulative use of strong ACs over 90 doses. Morbidities such as depression (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.56, 2.48-2.63), Parkinson's disease (2.41, 2.26-2.56), genitourinary diseases (2.12, 2.07-2.16), polypharmacy (3.28, 3.21-3.36), and low income (1.29, 1.25-1.33) were strong predictors of their high use. Antihistamines (chlorpheniramine) and antidepressants (amitriptyline) greatly contributed to the total prescription of strong ACs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the vulnerability of older people to the adverse reactions of strong ACs, their use seems to be at a high level in terms of cumulative usage among some elderly. More attention should be paid to older people with predictive factors of high use of strong ACs. Key points Despite the susceptibility of older people to negative anticholinergic effects, high use of strong anticholinergic agents was is quite frequent; 17.0% of the elderly had an annual cumulative use of these drugs ≥90 doses. Parkinson's disease, depression, genitourinary diseases, low income, and polypharmacy strongly predicted the high use of strong anticholinergic agents. A few strong anticholinergic agents, including antihistamines (chlorpheniramine) and antidepressants (amitriptyline), accounted for the majority of medications prescribed. Understanding the predictors of their high use by medical practitioners may result as more appropriate anticholinergic medications.

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly patients prescribed at hospital discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication prescribed to elderly at hospital discharge from a public hospital, considering the Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly, and to identify the associated factors. METHODS: Patients aged ≥60 years, admitted in clinical and geriatric units of a public hospital were invited to participate in the study. The information about the use of medicines was collected from the patient's electronic record and through telephone contact. The Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly was used to classify the medication, regardless of the clinical condition. RESULTS: A total of 255 elders were included in this study. The frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly was 58.4%. The potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly was positively associated with the presence of depression (odds ratio of 2.208) and polypharmacy (odds ratio of 2.495). The hospitalization in a geriatric unit showed an inverse association with the potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly (odds ratio of 0.513). CONCLUSION: The frequency of potentially inappropriate medication prescription to elderly upon hospital discharge was high. The presence of depression and polypharmacy were directly associated with use of potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly. Admission to the geriatric clinic has become a protection factor for the use of potentially inappropriate medication in elderly. Strategies to improve the elderly pharmacotherapy should implemented aiming at healthcare quality and safety in the transition of care.