Profiles of Geriatric Syndromes and Resources in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective: Older patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) are at high risk for frailty and geriatric syndromes (GSs), which modulate their individual prognosis and are therefore relevant for further management. Because few studies have evaluated the geriatric profile of older AF patients, this secondary analysis aims to further characterize the patterns of GSs and geriatric resources (GRs) in AF patients and their association with anticoagulation use. Methods: Data from 362 hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older with AF (n = 181, 77.8 ± 5.8 years, 38% female) and without AF (non-AF [NAF]; n = 181, 77.5 ± 5.9 years, 40% female) admitted to an internal medicine and nephrology ward of a large university hospital in Germany were included. All patients underwent usual care plus a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) including calculation of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and collection of 17 GSs and 10 GRs. Patients were followed up by telephone 6 and 12 months after discharge to collect data on their health status. Results: The mean MPI score of 0.47 indicated an average risk of poor outcome, and patients with AF had a significantly higher MPI than those without AF (p = 0.040). After adjustment for chronological age, biological sex, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) for relevant chronic diagnoses and MPI as a proxy for biological age, AF patients had significantly more mnestic resources (63.5% vs. 33.1%, p < 0.001), a tendency for less age-appropriate living conditions (56.4% vs. 72.9%, p = 0.051) and more sensory impairment (78.5% vs. 52.5%, p < 0.001) than NAF patients. They also had a higher number of GSs (p = 0.046). AF patients on oral anticoagulants (OACs, n = 91) had less age-appropriate living conditions (48.4% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.05) and mnestic resources (36.3% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.01), but more emotional resources (80.2% vs. 65.6%, p < 0.05) and chronic pain (56% vs. 40%, p < 0.05) than patients without OACs (n = 90). Overall, mortality at 1 year was increased in patients with a higher MPI (p < 0.009, adjusted for age, sex and CIRS), with a diagnosis of AF (p = 0.007, adjusted for age, sex, CIRS and MPI), with of male sex (p = 0.008, adjusted for age, CIRS and MPI) and those with AF and treated with hemodialysis (p = 0.022, compared to AF patients without dialysis treatment). Conclusions: Patients with AF and patients with AF and OACs show differences in their multidimensional frailty degree as well as GR and GS profiles compared to patients without AF or with AF not treated with OACs. Mortality after 1 year is increased in AF patients with a higher MPI and dialysis, independently from OAC use and overall burden of chronic disease as assessed per CIRS. GRs and GSs, especially age-appropriate living conditions, emotional resources, sensory impairment and chronic pain, can be considered as factors that may modify the individual impact of frailty, underscoring the relevance of these parameters in the management of older patients.

Outcomes of the Nonendoscopic Transoral Approach to Subcondylar Mandible Fractures.

PURPOSE: The transoral approach (TRA) to subcondylar fractures without any endoscopic or transbuccal assistance is not a common technique. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the quality of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between the TRA and the retromandibular approach (RMB), including types and frequencies of postoperative complications. METHODS: In our retrospective cohort study, we enrolled a sample of patients with displaced subcondylar mandible fractures treated by ORIF. The predictor was the approach mode: TRA or RMB. In postoperative computed tomography (CT) data sets, we measured the angles of the condylar process in relation to references: 1) midline, 2) lateral ramus border, and 3) posterior ramus border. The primary outcome variable was the reduction outcome, which was calculated as the difference between the total of all angles of the operated side and the non-affected side. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications extracted from patients' files. Other variables were age, gender, number of plates, operation time and a modified AO trauma score. In bivariate analysis, we compared the outcome between both groups. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included in total, with TRA performed in 50%. Patients with TRA were younger (31 vs 41, P = .003), and the trauma score was lower (1.9 vs 3.3, P < .001). Reduction outcome remained comparable between both techniques (mean 3.7° for both, P = .92). Complication rates were similar, although facial nerve palsy was absent for TRA (0 vs 4, P = .039). CONCLUSION: We suggest TRA for selected patients with displaced, single fragmented subcondylar fractures. Reduction outcome shows a comparable exactness to RMB, while TRA is safer for the facial nerve.

Role of a multidimensional prognosis in-hospital monitoring for older patients with prolonged stay.

OBJECTIVES: The Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) is a prognostic tool-amongst others-validated for mortality, length of hospital stay (LHS) and rehospitalisation risk assessment. Like the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), the MPI is usually obtained at hospital admission and discharge, not during the hospital stay. The aim of the present study was to address the role of an additional CGA-based MPI measurement during hospitalisation as an indicator of "real-time" in-hospital changes. STUDY DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two-hundred consecutive multimorbid patients (128 M, 72 F, median age 75 (78-82)) admitted to an internal medicine ward of a German metropolitan university hospital prospectively underwent a CGA and a prognosis calculation using the MPI on admission and discharge. Seven to 10 days later, an intermediate assessment (IA) was performed for patients needing a longer stay. RESULTS: The median LHS was 10 (6-19) days. As expected, patients who received an IA had poorer prognosis as measured by higher MPI values (P = .037) and a worse functional status at admission than patients who had a shorter stay (P = .025). In case of prolonged hospitalisation, significant changes in the MPI were detected between admission and IA, both in terms of improvement and deterioration (P < .001). Different overtime courses were observed during prolonged hospitalisation according to the severity of prognosis (P < .001). CONCLUSION: A CGA-based MPI evaluation during hospitalisation can be used as an objective instrument to detect changes in multidimensional health course. Prompt identification of the latter may enable quick tailored interventions to ensure overall better outcomes at and after discharge.

The impact of oral health on prognosis of older multimorbid inpatients: the 6-month follow up MPI oral health study (MPIOH).

PURPOSE: There is clear evidence for an association between oral health and systemic illnesses, geriatric syndromes, and mortality. Frail and multimorbid older people often suffer from insufficient oral health care, but standardized dental examinations are not routinely performed in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to verify the practicability of in-hospital oral health examinations and to identify their association with patients' prognosis as assessed by means of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)-based Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI). METHODS: One hundred hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older (mean age 76.9 years (SD 6.4); 58.2% male, 41.8% female) underwent a CGA-based MPI calculation at discharge with subdivision into three mortality risk groups (MPI-1, low risk, score 0-0.33; MPI-2, moderate risk, score 0.34-0.66; MPI-3, high risk, score 0.67-1). To identify the current oral health status and the Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), three oral health examinations were performed. Information on survival, the incidence of oral diseases, dental appointments, and treatments up to 6 months after discharge were collected. RESULTS: All oral health examinations were feasible during hospitalization and were associated with MPI prognosis, even though they were not associated with 6-month mortality. The MPI could not predict the use of dental health care or treatment, as, irrespective of MPI and oral health examinations, dental services were underutilized during follow up. CONCLUSION: Besides MPI evaluation, oral health examinations should be implemented into an inhospital course to improve clinical decision-making as well as secondary and tertiary prevention of oral health- and related systemic diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013607 (07.02.2019, retrospectively registered).

Epithelial loss of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation leads to disturbed enamel and impaired dentin matrix formation in postnatal developed mouse incisor.

The formation of dentin and enamel matrix depends on reciprocal interactions between epithelial-mesenchymal cells. To assess the role of mitochondrial function in amelogenesis and dentinogenesis, we studied postnatal incisor development in K320E-TwinkleEpi mice. In these mice, a loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), followed by a severe defect in the oxidative phosphorylation system is induced specifically in Keratin 14 (K14+) expressing epithelial cells. Histochemical staining showed severe reduction of cytochrome c oxidase activity only in K14+ epithelial cells. In mutant incisors, H&E staining showed severe defects in the ameloblasts, in the epithelial cells of the stratum intermedium and the papillary cell layer, but also a disturbed odontoblast layer. The lack of amelogenin in the enamel matrix of K320E-TwinkleEpi mice indicated that defective ameloblasts are not able to form extracellular enamel matrix proteins. In comparison to control incisors, von Kossa staining showed enamel biomineralization defects and dentin matrix impairment. In mutant incisor, TUNEL staining and ultrastructural analyses revealed differentiation defects, while in hair follicle cells apoptosis is prevalent. We concluded that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in epithelial cells of the developed incisor is required for Ca2+ homeostasis to regulate the formation of enamel matrix and induce the differentiation of ectomesenchymal cells into odontoblasts.

Osteotomy speed, heat development, and bone structure influence by various piezoelectric systems-an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate osteotomy speed, heat development, and bone structure influence from osteotomies performed by various piezoelectric devices and insert tips. These devices and tips were compared among each other with regard to conventional rotatory and oscillating systems with special focus on the insert tip design and thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The osteotomies were conducted on porcine ribs utilizing 12 different insert tips (straight and angulated) and three conventional systems. After time and temperature measurements, histological analysis was carried out. Light microscopy was used to evaluate the roughness of the osteotomic surface and to search for indications of thermal bone necrosis. A special software analyzing tool was employed to determine cutting width (mm) and debris (%). RESULTS: All piezoelectric tips created smooth cuts. Cutting widths in general were wider than the actual insert tip size with a tendency for narrow straight insert tips producing relatively wide osteotomies, whereas narrow angulated inserts produced relatively small osteotomies. None of the samples demonstrated distinct indication of necrosis. Overall, there was only a small amount of debris in all osteotomy gaps. Conventional rotatory saws were faster and created less heat compared to all tested piezoelectric systems. Straight tips proved faster osteotomy speed than angulated tips. Thin insert tips indicated to have a positive correlation to osteotomy time and performed faster than conventional microsaw. The average temperature rise was lower when using conventional systems, but critical exceeding temperatures were only observed in short-time exceptional cases. In general, temperature rise was less when using angulated inserts. CONCLUSION: All tested tips are appropriate for bone surgery. Only small differences were found among the piezoelectric insert tips. Although conventional rotatory systems in general performed faster osteotomies, special designed and thin piezoelectric insert tips seem to have a positive influence on osteotomy speed. Ultimately, none of the tested devices or inserts combined all best features of speed, heat development, bone structure influence, and safety. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Narrow and straight piezoelectric insert tips demonstrated reduced osteotomy times. Nevertheless, a combination of conventional and piezoelectric systems in clinical practice might be the best way to work time-efficient, patient-oriented, and safe. The choice of instrument should be based on clinical experience of the user and should be evaluated individually depending on the case.