Kidney function and nephrotoxic drug use among older home-dwelling persons with or without diabetes in Finland.

BACKGROUND: Due to these changes in kidney function, aging kidneys are more prone to drug-induced impairments in renal properties. Diabetes has been associated with the declined kidney function and an elevated risk of renal failure. The aim of this study is to compare kidney function and potentially nephrotoxic drug use among home-dwelling older persons with or without diabetes. METHODS: A total of 259 persons with and 259 persons without diabetes and aged ≥65 years were randomly selected to participate in a health examination with complete data gathered from 363 individuals (187 with diabetes and 176 without diabetes). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using CKD-EPI equation. Each participant was categorized based on the nephrotoxic profile of their medications. RESULTS: There were no differences in mean eGFR values (77.5 ± 18.8 vs. 80.5 ± 14.8 ml/min/1.73m2, p = 0.089) or in the proportion of participants with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 among persons with diabetes (16% vs. 10%, p = 0.070), compared to persons without diabetes. Potentially nephrotoxic drug use was similar between the groups. The mean number of potentially nephrotoxic drugs was 1.06 ± 0.88 in those with and 0.97 ± 1.05 in those without diabetes (p = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The kidney function of older persons with diabetes does not differ from that of older persons without diabetes and furthermore potentially nephrotoxic drug use seem to play only a minor role in the decline in kidney function among home-dwelling persons in the Inner-Savo district.

Anticholinergic drug use and its association with self-reported symptoms among older persons with and without diabetes.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Anticholinergic drug use has been associated with a risk of central and peripheral adverse effects. There is a lack of information on anticholinergic drug use in persons with diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate anticholinergic drug use and the association between anticholinergic drug use and self-reported symptoms in older community-dwelling persons with and without diabetes. METHODS: The basic population was comprised of Finnish community-dwelling primary care patients aged 65 and older. Persons with diabetes were identified according to the ICD-10 diagnostic codes from electronic patient records. Two controls adjusted by age and gender were selected for each person with diabetes. This cross-sectional study was based on electronic primary care patient records and a structured health questionnaire. The health questionnaire was returned by 430 (81.6%) persons with diabetes and 654 (73.5%) persons without diabetes. Data on prescribed drugs were obtained from the electronic patient records. Anticholinergic drug use was measured according to the Anticholinergic Risk Scale. The presence and strength of anticholinergic symptoms were asked in the health questionnaire. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of anticholinergic drug use was 8.9% in the total study cohort. There were no significant differences in anticholinergic drug use between persons with and without diabetes. There was no consistent association between anticholinergic drug use and self-reported symptoms. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: There is no difference in anticholinergic drug use in older community-dwelling persons with and without diabetes. Anticholinergic drug use should be considered individually and monitored carefully.

Clinically relevant drug-drug interactions and the risk for drug adverse effects among home-dwelling older persons with and without type 2 diabetes.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Polypharmacy and age are known to increase the risk for potential drug interactions. Type 2 diabetes has been associated with polypharmacy and several comorbidities. Currently, there is no information on whether the frequency of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions and the risk for drug adverse effects differ between older persons with and without diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of drug-drug interactions and the risk for drug adverse effects in these two groups in primary care. METHODS: The basic study population consisted of Finnish home-dwelling primary care patients aged ≥ 65 years (N = 3039). For each person with diabetes, two controls were selected with adjusted age and gender. To collect data, electronic primary care patient records, a structured health questionnaire and a structured health examination conducted by a physician were utilized. Using the SFINX-PHARAO® database, drug-drug interactions and the risk for drug adverse effects were evaluated in 182 persons with type 2 diabetes and 176 persons without diabetes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There were no significant differences in the frequency of drug-drug interactions or the risk for drug adverse effects in persons with and without diabetes. At least one clinically relevant interaction was found in 81 (44.5%) persons with diabetes and 73 (41.5%) persons without diabetes. The most common drugs causing interactions included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and warfarin. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: There is no difference in the frequency of drug-drug interactions or risk for drug adverse effects in older home-dwelling persons with and without diabetes. Due to common comorbidities and commonly used drugs among persons with diabetes, drug-drug interactions involving warfarin or NSAIDs in particular should be carefully monitored to avoid drug adverse effects.

Use of primary health care services among older patients with and without diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the utilization of primary healthcare services by older patients with and without type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Electronic patient records were used to identify persons over 65 years of age with a diagnosis of diabetes. Two age- and sex-adjusted controls without diabetes were extracted for each person with diagnosis of diabetes. A health questionnaire was sent by mail to 527 people with diabetes and 890 controls. Of the persons who answered the questionnaire, 518 persons were randomly selected to participate in a health examination. The study group in this analysis consisted of 187 persons with diabetes and 176 persons without diabetes who attended the health examination. The data on primary health care utilization were extracted from electronic patient records one year before and one after the health examination. RESULTS: Before the onset of the study, the patients with diabetes had more doctor's appointments (p < 0.001), nurse's appointments (< 0.001) and laboratory tests taken (p < 0.001) than those without diabetes After 1-year follow-up period the patients with diabetes had more doctor's appointments (p = 0.002), nurse's appointments (p = 0.006), laboratory tests taken (p = 0.006) and inpatient care at the community hospital (p = 0.004) than patients without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The use of the community hospital increased significantly among patients with diabetes (ratio 2.50; 95% Cl 1.16-5.36) but not by patients without diabetes (ratio 0.91; 95% Cl 0.40.2.06). The number of nurse's appointments increased for patients without diabetes (ratio 1.31; 95% Cl 1.07-1.60) but not for those with diabetes (ratio 1.04; 95% Cl 0.88-1.24). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes visit more often physicians and nurses compared with those without diabetes. During a 1-year follow-up, the use of community hospital care increased significantly among patients with diabetes. In addition to focusing on prevention and care of diabetes, these results suggest the importance of diabetes in planning community-based health care services.

Use of pain relieving drugs in community-dwelling older people with and without type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To analyze the use of pain medication among community-dwelling people aged 65 years or older with and without type 2 diabetes in primary care. METHODS: A total of 187 patients with and 176 patients without diabetes were randomly selected from a primary care sample of 389 patients with diabetes and 604 age- and gender-matched controls. Pain status was defined as no pain, nociceptive pain or neuropathic pain. Pain medication (paracetamol, NSAID, opioids, neuropathic pain medication) use was based on electronic patient records and checked by a physician during a health examination. RESULTS: Some pain was present in 90 (51%) patients without and in 106 (57%) patients with diabetes (p = 0.55). Of the patients without diabetes, 109 (62%) and with diabetes 123 (66%) used some pain medication (p = 0.45). The respective proportions for the regular use were 13% and 11% and for the as needed use 56% and 61%. Diabetes was not associated with any of the pain medications used. The use of pain-relieving drugs was most common for neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated that community-dwelling people with and without diabetes used pain medication similarly. Pain medication was used mostly as needed instead of being regular.

Pain and self-rated health in older people with and without type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Pain and diabetes are related to the decreased self-rated health. The aim of this population-based study was to analyze how pain affects self-rated health among people aged 65 or older with and without type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: Inner Savo district, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Home-dwelling people 65 and older with diabetes, and age- and sex-matched control patients without diabetes were identified from electronic patient records in primary care. Questionnaires were sent home to 514 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 890 individuals without diabetes. MEASUREMENTS: The study participants rated their health with the Likert-type scale and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). According to experienced pain, three groups were formed: (1) subjects without pain or with pain once a week at most, (2) pain more often than once a week, and (3) daily or continuous pain. RESULTS: When adjusted for propensity score, the decreased proportion of people with good self-rated health was associated with frequent pain (p < 0.001). No interaction between diabetes and pain was found (p = 0.55). Respectively, the decreasing ratings of self-rated health in VAS was associated with frequent pain (p < 0.001) without interaction (p = 0.14). Daily pain was associated similarly with poor self-rated health in people with and without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent pain independently and without interaction associated with self-rated health in older adults. Frequent pain may have more significant impact on self-rated health than diabetes. Preventing and treating frequent pain in older people with and without diabetes may have significant potential in retaining and improving self-rated health.

Glycemic control and health-related quality of life among older home-dwelling primary care patients with diabetes.

AIMS: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional capacity in relation to glycemic control among older home-dwelling primary care patients. METHODS: Electronic patient records were used to identify 527 people over 65 years with diabetes. Of these, 259 randomly selected subjects were invited to a health examination and 172 of them attended and provided complete data. The participants were divided into three groups based on the HbA1c: good (HbA1c<48mmol/mol (N=95)), intermediate (HbA1c 48-57mmol/mol (N=48)) and poor (HbA1c>57mmol/mol (N=29)) glycemic control. HRQoL was measured with the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire. Functional and cognitive capacity and mental well-being were assessed with the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). RESULTS: EQ-5D scores for good, intermediate and poor glycemic control were 0.78; 0.74 and 0.70, p=0.037. Sub-items of mobility (p=0.002) and self-care were the most affected (p=0.031). Corresponding trend was found for IADL, p=0.008. A significant correlation was found between MMSE scores and HbA1c. CONCLUSION: Older primary care home-dwelling patients with diabetes and poorer glycemic control have lower functional capacity and HRQoL, especially in regard to mobility and self-care.

Comprehension of before and after in frontotemporal degeneration.

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a dementia syndrome with behavioural problems and deterioration of language functions. The other cognitive domains are relatively preserved for at least the first two years of the disease. We studied the ability of patients with FTLD to understand before and after constructions expressed in Finnish. Ten patients and eight controls were presented eight sentences with different relations and asked questions to test their comprehension. The results showed that the patients generally found after constructions more difficult. The difficulty was not, however, related to normal ageing, as was shown by the performance of the control group.