Peak expiratory flow rate and sarcopenia risk in older Indonesian people: A nationwide survey.

Reduced peak expiratory flow is a common physiological change in older individuals and age is an important predictor for sarcopenia. We analyzed nationwide survey data to determine the relationship between peak expiratory flow rate and sarcopenia in older Indonesians. Community-dwelling Indonesian individuals aged ≥60 years (n = 2422; mean age = 67.21 y) from the fifth-wave data of the Indonesian Family Life Survey was selected. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on handgrip strength, gait speed, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass measurements. Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs) were categorized according to their percentage of predicted flow rates as <50%, 50% to 80%, and >80%. Confounders previously determined to be associated with sarcopenia occurrence were included. Sarcopenia prevalence was 50.25%. After adjustment for confounders, PEFRs of <50% and 50% to 80% were associated with an increased sarcopenia risk (odds ratio = 5.22 and 1.88, respectively) compared with PEFRs of >80%. Poor lung function was independently associated with sarcopenia occurrence. Future studies should explore the usefulness of PEFR as a risk factor of sarcopenia.

Evaluation of an innovative late-life depression training program.

PURPOSE: This paper describes evaluation findings associated with an innovative, CD-based, self-directed training program that was designed to improve general practice nurses' abilities to identify and care for older adults with depression. DESIGN AND METHODS: A voluntary sample of nurses completed an evaluation that focused on participants' perceptions of changes in their knowledge and skills and usefulness of the program. FINDINGS: Quantitative items received high ratings, and narrative responses to open-ended questions were largely positive. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Many opportunities exist for psychiatric nurses to facilitate, support, and extend training principles to promote late-life depression recognition and treatment.

Depression training in nursing homes: lessons learned from a pilot study.

Late-life depression is common among nursing home residents, but often is not addressed by nurses. Using a self-directed CD-based depression training program, this pilot study used mixed methods to assess feasibility issues, determine nurse perceptions of training, and evaluate depression-related outcomes among residents in usual care and training conditions. Of 58 nurses enrolled, 24 completed the training and gave it high ratings. Outcomes for 50 residents include statistically significant reductions in depression severity over time (p < 0.001) among all groups. Depression training is an important vehicle to improve depression recognition and daily nursing care, but diverse factors must be addressed to assure optimal outcomes.