Effect of home-based and remotely supervised combined exercise and cognitive intervention on older adults with mild cognitive impairment (COGITO): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate phase between normal cognitive ageing and dementia and poses a serious threat to public health worldwide; however, it might be reversible, representing the best opportunity for secondary prevention against serious cognitive impairment. As a non-pharmacological intervention for those patients, interventions that combine physical exercise and cognitive training, whether delivered simultaneously or sequentially, may have superior effects on various cognitive domains, including global cognition, memory, executive function and attention. The supportive evidence remains incomplete. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a combined exercise and cognitive intervention in Chinese older adults with mild cognitive impairment (COGITO), empowered by digital therapy and guided by the Health Action Process Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (HAPA-TPB theory) in a home-based setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a randomised controlled, assessor-blinded multi-centre study. Four parallel groups will include a total of 160 patients, receiving either a combined exercise and cognitive intervention, an isolated exercise intervention, an isolated cognitive intervention or only health education. These interventions will be conducted at least twice a week for 50 min each session, over 3 months. All interventions will be delivered at home and remotely monitored through RehabApp and Mini-programme, along with an arm-worn heart rate telemetry device. Specifically, supervisors will receive participants' real-time training diaries, heart rates or other online monitoring data and then provide weekly telephone calls and monthly home visits to encourage participants to complete their tasks and address any difficulties based on their training information. Eligible participants are community-dwelling patients with no regular exercise habit and diagnosed with MCI. The primary outcome is cognitive function assessed by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) and Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D), with baseline and three follow-up assessments. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, physical fitness, sleep quality, intrinsic capacity, frailty, social support, adherence, cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking University. Research findings will be presented to stakeholders and published in peer-reviewed journals and at provincial, national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300073900.

A systematic review of fall prediction models for community-dwelling older adults: comparison between models based on research cohorts and models based on routinely collected data.

BACKGROUND: Prediction models can identify fall-prone individuals. Prediction models can be based on either data from research cohorts (cohort-based) or routinely collected data (RCD-based). We review and compare cohort-based and RCD-based studies describing the development and/or validation of fall prediction models for community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Medline and Embase were searched via Ovid until January 2023. We included studies describing the development or validation of multivariable prediction models of falls in older adults (60+). Both risk of bias and reporting quality were assessed using the PROBAST and TRIPOD, respectively. RESULTS: We included and reviewed 28 relevant studies, describing 30 prediction models (23 cohort-based and 7 RCD-based), and external validation of two existing models (one cohort-based and one RCD-based). The median sample sizes for cohort-based and RCD-based studies were 1365 [interquartile range (IQR) 426-2766] versus 90 441 (IQR 56 442-128 157), and the ranges of fall rates were 5.4% to 60.4% versus 1.6% to 13.1%, respectively. Discrimination performance was comparable between cohort-based and RCD-based models, with the respective area under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranging from 0.65 to 0.88 versus 0.71 to 0.81. The median number of predictors in cohort-based final models was 6 (IQR 5-11); for RCD-based models, it was 16 (IQR 11-26). All but one cohort-based model had high bias risks, primarily due to deficiencies in statistical analysis and outcome determination. CONCLUSIONS: Cohort-based models to predict falls in older adults in the community are plentiful. RCD-based models are yet in their infancy but provide comparable predictive performance with no additional data collection efforts. Future studies should focus on methodological and reporting quality.

Trajectories in long-term condition accumulation and mortality in older adults: a group-based trajectory modelling approach using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

OBJECTIVES: To classify older adults into clusters based on accumulating long-term conditions (LTC) as trajectories, characterise clusters and quantify their associations with all-cause mortality. DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal study using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing over 9 years (n=15 091 aged 50 years and older). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to classify people into clusters based on accumulating LTC over time. Derived clusters were used to quantify the associations between trajectory memberships, sociodemographic characteristics and all-cause mortality by conducting regression models. RESULTS: Five distinct clusters of accumulating LTC trajectories were identified and characterised as: 'no LTC' (18.57%), 'single LTC' (31.21%), 'evolving multimorbidity' (25.82%), 'moderate multimorbidity' (17.12%) and 'high multimorbidity' (7.27%). Increasing age was consistently associated with a larger number of LTCs. Ethnic minorities (adjusted OR=2.04; 95% CI 1.40 to 3.00) were associated with the 'high multimorbidity' cluster. Higher education and paid employment were associated with a lower likelihood of progression over time towards an increased number of LTCs. All the clusters had higher all-cause mortality than the 'no LTC' cluster. CONCLUSIONS: The development of multimorbidity in the number of conditions over time follows distinct trajectories. These are determined by non-modifiable (age, ethnicity) and modifiable factors (education and employment). Stratifying risk through clustering will enable practitioners to identify older adults with a higher likelihood of worsening LTC over time to tailor effective interventions to prevent mortality.

Cross-sectional study of cognitive impairment and visual impairment among the elderly population in residential care in India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES).

OBJECTIVE: To report the relationship between visual impairment (VI) and cognitive impairment (CI) among the older population living in residential care homes in Hyderabad, India. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 41 homes for the aged centres in the Hyderabad region. PARTICIPANTS: 965 participants aged ≥60 years from homes for the aged centres. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual impairment and cognitive impairment. METHODS: The Hindi mini-Mental Status Examination (HMSE) questionnaire was used to assess the cognitive function. The final HMSE score was calculated after excluding vision-dependent tasks (HMSE-VI). A detailed eye examination was conducted, including visual acuity (VA) measurement for distance and near vision, using a standard logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart under good illumination. CI was defined as having a HMSE-VI score of ≤17. VI was defined as presenting VA worse than 6/12 in the better-seeing eye. Near VI (NVI) was defined as binocular presenting near vision worse than N8 and distance VA of 6/18 or better in the better-seeing eye. Multiple logistic regression was done to assess the association between VI and CI. RESULTS: The mean age (±SD) was 74.3 (±8.3) years (range: 60-97 years). There were 612 (63.4%) women, and 593 (61.5%) had a school education. In total, 260 (26.9%; 95% confidence intervals: 24.2 to 29.9) participants had CI. The prevalence of CI among those with VI was 40.5% compared with 14.6% among those without VI (p<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that the participants with VI for distance vision had three times higher odds of having CI (OR 3.09; 95% confidence intervals: 2.13 to 4.47; p<0.01). Similarly, participants with NVI had two times higher odds of having CI (OR 2.11; 95% confidence intervals: 1.36 to 3.29; p<0.01) after adjusting for other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: CI was highly prevalent among those with distance and near VI. VI was independently and positively associated with CI after adjusting for potential confounders. Interventions can be planned to address VI in this vulnerable population which could have a ripple effect in preventing cognitive decline.

Assessing the impact of frailty in elderly patients undergoing emergency laparotomies in Singapore.

Introduction: The global rise in ageing populations poses challenges for healthcare systems. By 2030, Singapore anticipates a quarter of its population to be aged 65 or older. This study addresses the dearth of research on frailty's impact on emergency laparotomy (EL) outcomes in this demographic, emphasising the growing significance of this surgical intervention. Method: Conducted at 2 tertiary centres in Singapore from January to December 2019, a retrospective cohort study examined EL outcomes in patients aged 65 or older. Frailty assessment, using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), was integrated into demographic, diagnostic and procedural analyses. Patient data from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital provided a comprehensive view of frailty's role in EL. Results: Among 233 participants, 26% were frail, revealing a higher vulnerability in the geriatric population. Frail individuals exhibited elevated preoperative risk, prolonged ICU stays, and significantly higher 90-day mortality (21.3% versus 6.4%). The study illuminated a nuanced connection between frailty and adverse outcomes, underlining the critical need for robust predictive tools in this context. Conclusion: Frailty emerged as a pivotal factor influencing the postoperative trajectory of older adults undergoing EL in Singapore. The integration of frailty assessment, particularly when combined with established metrics like P-POSSUM, showcased enhanced predictive accuracy. This finding offers valuable insights for shared decision-making and acute surgical unit practices, emphasising the imperative of considering frailty in the management of older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Potentially inappropriate medication as a predictor of poor prognosis of COVID-19 in older adults: a South Korean nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between exposure to potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) and poor prognosis of COVID-19 in older adults, controlling for comorbidity and sociodemographic factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Nationwide retrospective cohort study based on the national registry of COVID-19 patients, established through the linkage of South Korea's national insurance claims database with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency registry of patients with COVID-19, up to 31 July 2020. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2217 COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age who tested positive between 20 January 2022 and 4 June 2020. Exposure to PIM was defined based on any prescription record of PIM during the 30 days prior to the date of testing positive for COVID-19. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality and utilisation of critical care from the date of testing positive until the end of isolation. RESULTS: Among the 2217 COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age, 604 were exposed to PIM prior to infection. In the matched cohort of 583 pairs, PIM-exposed individuals exhibited higher rates of mortality (19.7% vs 9.8%, p<0.0001) and critical care utilisation (13.4% vs 8.9%, p=0.0156) compared with non-exposed individuals. The temporal association of PIM exposure with mortality was significant across all age groups (RR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.23~2.24), and a similar trend was observed for critical care utilisation (RR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.26~2.39). The risk of mortality and critical care utilisation increased with exposure to a higher number of PIMs in terms of active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug categories. CONCLUSION: Exposure to PIM exacerbates the poor outcomes of older patients with COVID-19 who are already at high risk. Effective interventions are urgently needed to address PIM exposure and improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Demographic, socioeconomic and health determinants of depressive symptoms in adults 50 years and older from Mexico: a secondary data longitudinal analysis from the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: Depression in ageing adults is a public health problem. Worldwide studies have identified social and health risk factors for depressive symptoms. However, little is known about their longitudinal determinants in Mexico. OBJECTIVES AND SETTING: To find the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their longitudinal individual and contextual risk factors in Mexican adults aged 50 and older. DESIGN: Secondary data of 6460 persons aged 50 years and older from the Mexican Health and Aging Study were analysed using a 'between-within' panel data analysis approach. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 35% in 2003 to 38% in 2015. The significantly longitudinal factors associated with these symptoms were getting older (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03), being a woman (OR 2.39, 95% CI 2.16 to 2.64), less time spent in formal education (0 years and less than 6 years OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.75 and OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.50, respectively), lower net worth (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.17), being recently unemployed (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.25), increased (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.25) or increasing number (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.31) of chronic conditions, poor (OR 4.68, 95% CI 4.26 to 5.15) or worsened (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.61 to 1.81) self-rated health and having impairments on instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (OR 2.94 95% CI 2.35 to 3.67) or a new IADL impairment (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.89), as well as having impairments on ADLs (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.86) or a new ADL impairment (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.48). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in Mexican adults aged 50 and older is high. Our findings show that they are longitudinally associated with the individual's demographic, socioeconomic, health and disability characteristics. Efforts in public policy should focus on preventing chronic conditions and disability, as well as fighting inequalities to reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Comparing COVID-19 vaccination coverage, adverse reactions and impact of social determinants of health on vaccine hesitancy in ADRD/MCI and non-ADRD/MCI population: protocol for a retrospective cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for vulnerable people with underlying chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These individuals face unique challenges, including higher risk of COVID-19, difficulties in adopting preventive behaviours and vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about adverse reactions. Therefore, efforts to promote vaccination, including boosters tailored to the currently circulating virus, are essential for people with ADRD/MCI. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study protocol is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 vaccination coverage and adverse reactions among individuals with ADRD/MCI in comparison to those without ADRD/MCI. Additionally, the proposed study aims to investigate the impact of social determinants of health on COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine hesitancy in individuals with ADRD/MCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A retrospective cross-sectional study will be conducted utilising data from the All of Us (AoU) Researcher Workbench. Relevant data fields are extracted from sources including demographic information, COVID-19 Vaccine Survey, Basic Survey, Health Access & Utilization, Social Determinants of Health, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) data. Data on vaccination, adverse reactions and vaccine hesitancy will be collected through COVID-19 vaccine survey questionnaires. Propensity score matching and binary logistic regression will be applied to assess the vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy, while controlling for demographic characteristics and social determinants of health factors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol received approval from the Institutional Review Board at Florida State University (STUDY00004571). Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences.

Association between continuity of care and inappropriate prescribing in outpatient care in Germany: a cross-sectional analysis conducted as part of the LoChro trial.

OBJECTIVES: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) are common in multimorbid patients. This study aims to describe PIMs and PPOs in an open-access outpatient setting and to investigate any association between continuity of care (CoC) and PIMs and PPOs in multimorbid older patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using patient-confirmed outpatient medication plans to describe PIMs and PPOs using the 'Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescription/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment' version 2. Four Poisson regressions modelled the number of PIMs and PPOs using context-adapted versions of the Usual Provider of Care (UPC) and the Modified Modified Continuity Index (MMCI) as measures for CoC. SETTING: Southern Germany, outpatient setting. PARTICIPANTS: 321 participants of the LoChro-trial at 12-month follow-up (both arms). The LoChro-trial compared healthcare involving an additional care manager with usual care. Inclusion criteria were age over 64, local residence and scoring over one in the Identification of Older patients at Risk Screening Tool. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Numbers of PIMs and PPOs. RESULTS: The mean number of PIMs was 1.5 (SD 1.5), lower than the average number of PPOs at 2.9 (SD 1.7). CoC showed similar results for both indices with a mean of 0.548 (SD 0.279) for MMCI and 0.514 (SD 0.262) for UPC. Both models predicting PPOs indicated more PPOs with higher CoC; statistical significance was only demonstrated for MMCI (MMCI~PPO: Exp(B)=1.42, 95% CI (1.11; 1.81), p=0.004; UPC~PPO: Exp(B)=1.29, 95% CI (0.99; 1.67), p=0.056). No significant association between PIMs and CoC was found (MMCI~PIM: Exp(B)=0.72, 95% CI (0.50; 1.03), p=0.072; UPC~PIM: Exp(B)=0.83, 95% CI (0.57; 1.21), p=0.337). CONCLUSION: The results did not show a significant association between higher CoC and lesser PIMs. Remarkably, an association between increased CoC, represented through MMCI, and more PPOs was found. Consultation of different care providers in open-access healthcare systems could possibly ameliorate under-prescribing in multimorbid older patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00013904.

An Unusual Case of Abdominal Pain in a Geriatric Man.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis, historically known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is a rare form of autoimmune-induced vasculitis most common in children. This disease is characterized by a purpuric rash, arthritis, digestive tract complication, and renal inflammation (Hopkins). CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 78-year-old man in the emergency department with findings of weakness, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea for 3 days and a new-onset bilateral lower extremity rash. Diagnostic imaging and labs diagnosed this patient with immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) with associated acute kidney injury and abdominal mesenteric edema. Why Should an Emergency Physician be Aware of This? Recognition of IgAV by emergency physicians and assessment of multiple organ involvement is critical to expedite treatment and minimize complications. Particularly, physicians should consider and recognize the increased severity and different presentation of IgAV in adults in comparison with the more widely known manifestation in children.

Addressing inequalities in the perioperative care for older adults.

Older adults constitute a large proportion of patients undergoing surgery and present with complexity, predisposing them to adverse postoperative outcomes. Inequalities exist in the provision of surgical care across the United Kingdom evidenced by increased waiting times in areas of social deprivation, a disparity in the provision of surgical care across geographic locations as well as a variation in the medical management of comorbidities in surgical patients. Addressing inequalities in the delivery of perioperative care for older adults necessitates a multi-faceted approach. It requires implementation of an evidence-based approach to optimisation of older surgical adults using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and optimisation methodology at scale, development of an age-attuned, flexible, transdisciplinary workforce, a restructuring of funding to commission services addressing the needs of the older surgical population and a change in culture and professional and public understanding of the needs of the older surgical patient.

Antibiotic prescribing practice using WHO Access, Watch and Reserve classification and its determinants among outpatient prescriptions dispensed to elderly population in six community chain pharmacies in Asmara, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess antibiotic prescribing practice and its determinants among outpatient prescriptions dispensed to the elderly population. DESIGN: A prescription-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Six community chain pharmacies in Asmara, Eritrea. PARTICIPANTS: All outpatient prescriptions dispensed to the elderly population (aged 65 and above) in the six community chain pharmacies in Asmara, Eritrea. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected retrospectively, between 16 June 2023 and 16 July 2023. Antibiotic prescribing practice was assessed using the 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification system. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed using IBM SPSS (V.26.0). P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Of the 2680 outpatient prescriptions dispensed to elderly population, 35.8% (95% CI: 34.0, 37.6) contained at least one antibiotic. Moreover, a total of 1061 antibiotics were prescribed to the elderly population. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were ciprofloxacin (n=322, 30.3%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (n=145, 13.7%). The Access category accounted for the majority of antibiotics (53.7%) with 32.1% from the Watch category. Prescriber qualification (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)= 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.81) and polypharmacy (AOR= 2.32, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.27) were significant determinants of antibiotic prescribing in the elderly population. Besides, sex (AOR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.98), prescriber qualification (AOR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.30 to0.81) and level of health facility (AOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.81) were significant determinants of a Watch antibiotic prescription. CONCLUSION: Antibiotics were prescribed to a considerable number of the elderly population, with more than half of them falling into the Access category. Further efforts by policy-makers are needed to promote the use of Access antibiotics while reducing the use of Watch antibiotics to mitigate risks associated with antimicrobial resistance.

Patient and proxy perspectives in decision-making for geriatric hip fracture management in the Netherlands: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives with the decision-making process between surgery and palliative, non-operative management of geriatric hip fracture patients and their proxies. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study was performed. Patients and proxies were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke's six-step guide. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Hip fracture patients in the Netherlands were eligible for inclusion. For hip fracture patients with a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia and for patients who opted for palliative, non-operative management, proxies were included. RESULTS: A total of 16 interviews were conducted, consisting of 4 patient interviews and 12 proxy interviews. Five themes were identified during thematic analysis: (1) underlying patient values, (2) the provision of information, (3) reasons to consider either palliative, non-operative management or surgery, (4) involvement in decision and (5) realisation of expectations. Information provided by the physician varied in terms of desired level of detail but involved discussing the advantages and disadvantages of surgery and palliative, non-operative management. Patients and proxies underscored the importance of achieving optimal quality of life, and the disparity between expected and actual treatment outcomes was unpleasant and negatively influenced the overall experience. CONCLUSIONS: In-depth analysis provided a unique insight into the patient and proxy perspectives in shared decision-making for geriatric hip fracture management in the acute setting. Overall, there were differences between reported experiences and preferences of participants. This heterogeneity stresses the importance of keeping a person-centred approach during shared decision-making. Other key considerations during shared decision-making include physicians informing patients from professional experience and communicating sensitively about both treatment options and prognosis. Physicians should aim to provide realistic, sensitive and timely information to both patients and proxies during the choice between curation and palliation for their hip fracture.

Optimizing drug therapy for older adults: shifting away from problematic polypharmacy.

INTRODUCTION: The accelerated discovery and production of pharmaceutical products has resulted in many positive outcomes. However, this progress has also contributed to problematic polypharmacy, one of the rapidly growing threats to public health in this century. Problematic polypharmacy results in adverse patient outcomes and imposes increased strain and financial burden on healthcare systems. AREAS COVERED: A review was conducted on the current body of evidence concerning factors contributing to and consequences of problematic polypharmacy. Recent trials investigating interventions that target polypharmacy and emerging solutions, including incorporation of artificial intelligence, are also examined in this article. EXPERT OPINION: To shift away from problematic polypharmacy, a multifaceted interdisciplinary approach is necessary. Any potentially successful strategy must be adapted to suit various healthcare settings and must utilize all available resources, including artificial intelligence.

Impact of physiotherapy access on health-related quality of life following hip fracture: an observational study on 30 752 hip fractures from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register 2014-2018.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients receiving private community physiotherapy (PT) the first year after a hip fracture. Second, to determine whether utilisation of PT could improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: In an observational cohort study, 30 752 hip fractures from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register were linked with data from Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Control and Payment of Health Reimbursements Database. Association between covariates and utilisation of PT in the first year after fracture, the association between covariates and EQ-5D index score and the probability of experiencing 'no problems' in the five dimensions of the EQ-5D were assessed with multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Median age was 81 years, and 68.4% were females. Most patients with hip fracture (57.7%) were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists classes 3-5, lived alone (52.4%), and had a low or medium level of education (85.7%). In the first year after injury, 10 838 of 30 752 patients with hip fracture (35.2%) received PT. Lower socioeconomic status (measured by income and level of education), male sex, increasing comorbidity, presence of cognitive impairment and increasing age led to a lower probability of receiving postoperative PT. Among those who used PT, EQ-5D index score was 0.061 points (p<0.001) higher than those who did not. Correspondingly, the probability of having 'no problems' in three of the five dimensions of EQ-5D was greater. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of the patients with hip fracture had access to private PT the first year after injury. This may indicate a shortcoming in the provision of beneficial post-surgery rehabilitative care reducing post-treatment HRQoL. The findings underscore the need for healthcare policies that address disparities in PT access, particularly for elderly patients, those with comorbidities and reduced health, and those with lower socioeconomic status.

Is geriatric medicine teaching homogeneous? The analysis of geriatric medicine courses at Polish undergraduate medical programmes.

PURPOSE: We aimed to analyse the characteristics of geriatric courses offered to undergraduate medical students in higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Poland. METHODS: We searched the official websites of the HEIs offering the medical degree programmes and directly contacted the dean's offices and HEIs representatives to retrieve the relevant information. The documents were analysed for course content, teaching methods, duration, and recommended texts. We also checked the obtained curricula for the reference to of the learning objectives related to geriatric medicine, selected from the currently endorsed Polish educational standards (ES) provided by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. RESULTS: Geriatric medicine courses were obligatory at all included HEIs (n = 19), but the courses differed in structure and content. The courses varied in duration from 11 to 60 h and were primarily lecture based. Simulation was utilized at only one HEI and e-learning at two institutions. Out of 315 learning objectives, we acknowledged only 9 as geriatric. They were not always found in all curricula. Two HEIs included self-described learning objectives in their curricula. Across all HEIs, a total of 29 recommended texts (published between 1995 and 2021) were identified, including 2 English-language texts. CONCLUSION: Geriatric medicine was a mandatory subject for medical students of the included HEIs. However, there was a lack of uniformity in the offered courses. This leaves room for the development of a unified undergraduate geriatrics curriculum to effectively address diverse geriatric issues across Europe. The importance of this matter is highlighted by demographic trends and workforce challenges.

ChatGPT: A Conceptual Review of Applications and Utility in the Field of Medicine.

Artificial Intelligence, specifically advanced language models such as ChatGPT, have the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare, medical education, and research. In this narrative review, we evaluate the myriad applications of ChatGPT in diverse healthcare domains. We discuss its potential role in clinical decision-making, exploring how it can assist physicians by providing rapid, data-driven insights for diagnosis and treatment. We review the benefits of ChatGPT in personalized patient care, particularly in geriatric care, medication management, weight loss and nutrition, and physical activity guidance. We further delve into its potential to enhance medical research, through the analysis of large datasets, and the development of novel methodologies. In the realm of medical education, we investigate the utility of ChatGPT as an information retrieval tool and personalized learning resource for medical students and professionals. There are numerous promising applications of ChatGPT that will likely induce paradigm shifts in healthcare practice, education, and research. The use of ChatGPT may come with several benefits in areas such as clinical decision making, geriatric care, medication management, weight loss and nutrition, physical fitness, scientific research, and medical education. Nevertheless, it is important to note that issues surrounding ethics, data privacy, transparency, inaccuracy, and inadequacy persist. Prior to widespread use in medicine, it is imperative to objectively evaluate the impact of ChatGPT in a real-world setting using a risk-based approach.

Anticholinergic deprescribing: A case report demonstrating improved cognition and function with minimal adverse withdrawal effects.

Anticholinergic-induced cognitive impairment may be partially reversible upon cessation. A barrier to deprescribing of anticholinergics is the unknown risk of anticholinergic adverse drug withdrawal events (ADWE), with only limited information available on the incidence, timing and severity of anticholinergic ADWE. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who experienced significant cognitive improvement following deprescribing long-term use of a strong anticholinergic drug, doxepin, and dose reduction of another possible anticholinergic agent. The patient decided to abruptly stop taking doxepin, despite a planned careful taper with twice weekly monitoring, but did not experience any severe anticholinergic ADWE and subsequently had significantly improved cognitive function. Future research should focus on better understanding the risk of anticholinergic ADWE so that anticholinergic deprescribing decisions, including how often and by how much to taper, can be made confidently and safely.