Cataract Surgery and Cognitive Benefits in the Older Person: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

TOPIC: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to clarify the association of cataract surgery with cognitive impairment and dementia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The association between vision impairment and cognitive decline is well-established. However, the cognitive benefits of cataract surgery are less clear. Given the lack of cure for dementia, identifying modifiable risk factors is key in caring for patients with cognitive deficits. METHODS: The study was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception through October 11, 2022, for studies reporting the effect of cataract surgery on cognitive impairment and dementia. We pooled maximally adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for dichotomous outcomes and ratio of means (RoM) for continuous outcomes using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was examined using sensitivity and subgroup analyses. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines. RESULTS: This review included 24 articles comprising 558 276 participants, of which 19 articles were analyzed qualitatively. The bias of studies ranged from low to moderate, and GRADE extended from very low to low. Cataract surgery was associated with a 25% reduced risk of long-term cognitive decline compared with those with uncorrected cataracts (HR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.78). This cognitive benefit was seen across various cognitive outcomes and remained robust to sensitivity analyses. Participants who underwent cataract surgery showed a similar risk of long-term cognitive decline as healthy controls without cataracts (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.66-1.06). Additionally, cataract surgery was associated with a 4% improvement in short-term cognitive test scores among participants with normal cognition (RoM, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99), but no significant association was observed among participants with preexisting cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Cataract surgery may be associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, and cataract-associated vision impairment may be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Physicians should be aware of the cognitive sequelae of cataracts and the possible benefits of surgery. The cognitive benefits of cataract surgery should be investigated further in randomized trials. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Systems modelling as an approach for eliciting the mechanisms for hip fracture recovery among older adults in a participatory stakeholder engagement setting.

Introduction: Due to an aging population, the rising prevalence and incidence of hip fractures and the associated health and economic burden present a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Studies have shown that a complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and social factors often affects the recovery trajectories of older adults with hip fractures, often complicating the recovery process. Methods: This research aims to actively engage stakeholders (including doctors, physiotherapists, hip fracture patients, and caregivers) using the systems modeling methodology of Group Model Building (GMB) to elicit the factors that promote or inhibit hip fracture recovery, incorporating a feedback perspective to inform system-wide interventions. Hip fracture stakeholder engagement was facilitated through the Group Model Building approach in a two-half-day workshop of 25 stakeholders. This approach combined different techniques to develop a comprehensive qualitative whole-system view model of the factors that promote or inhibit hip fracture recovery. Results: A conceptual, qualitative model of the dynamics of hip fracture recovery was developed that draws on stakeholders' personal experiences through a moderated interaction. Stakeholders identified four domains (i.e., expectation formation, rehabilitation, affordability/availability, and resilience building) that play a significant role in the hip fracture recovery journey.. Discussion: The insight that recovery of loss of function due to hip fracture is attributed to (a) the recognition of a gap between pre-fracture physical function and current physical function; and (b) the marshaling of psychological resilience to respond promptly to a physical functional loss via uptake of rehabilitation services is supported by findings and has several policy implications.

The association of obstructive sleep apnea with blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's dementia - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and is characterized by the aggregation of extracellular amyloid-beta and intracellular hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with increased AD risk. We hypothesize that OSA is associated with higher levels of AD biomarkers. The study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between OSA and levels of blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of AD. Two authors independently searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies comparing blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of dementia biomarkers between patients with OSA and healthy controls. Meta-analyses of the standardized mean difference were conducted using random-effects models. From 18 studies with 2804 patients, meta-analysis found that cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta-40 (SMD:-1.13, 95%CI:-1.65 to -0.60), blood total amyloid beta (SMD:0.68, 95%CI: 0.40 to 0.96), blood amyloid beta-40 (SMD:0.60, 95%CI: 0.35 to 0.85), blood amyloid beta-42 (SMD:0.80, 95%CI: 0.38 to 1.23) and blood total-tau (SMD: 0.664, 95% CI: 0.257 to 1.072, I2 = 82, p<0.01, 7 studies) were significantly higher in OSA patients compared with healthy controls. These findings suggest that OSA is associated with an elevation of some biomarkers of AD.

Negative and positive experiences of caregiving among family caregivers of older blunt trauma patients.

OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers play a fundamental role in the care of the older blunt trauma patient. We aim to identify risk factors for negative and positive experiences of caregiving among family caregivers. DESIGN: Prospective, nationwide, multi-center cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 110 family caregivers of Singaporeans aged≥55 admitted for unintentional blunt trauma with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) or New Injury Severity Score (NISS)≥10 were assessed for caregiving-related negative (disturbed schedule and poor health, lack of family support, lack of finances) and positive (esteem) experiences using the modified-Caregiver Reaction Assessment (m-CRA) three months post-injury. METHODS: The association between caregiver and patient factors, and the four m-CRA domains were evaluated via linear regression. RESULTS: Caregivers of retired patients and caregivers of functionally dependent patients (post-injury Barthel score <80) reported a worse experience in terms of disturbed schedule and poor health (ß-coefficient 0.42 [95% Confidence Interval 0.10, 0.75], p = .01; 0.77 [0.33, 1.21], p = .001), while male caregivers and caregivers who had more people in the household reported a better experience (-0.39 [-0.73, -0.06], p = .02; -0.16 [-0.25, -0.07], p = .001). Caregivers of male patients, retired patients, and patients living in lower socioeconomic housing were more likely to experience lack of family support (0.28, [0.03, -0.53], p = .03; 0.26, [0.01, 0.52], p = .05; 0.34, [0.05, -0.66], p = .02). In the context of lack of finances, caregivers of male patients and caregivers of functionally dependent patients reported higher financial strain (0.74 [0.31, 1.17], p = .001; 0.84 [0.26, 1.43], p = .01). Finally, caregivers of male patients reported higher caregiver esteem (0.36 [0.15, 0.57], p = .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Negative and positive experiences of caregiving among caregivers of older blunt trauma patients are associated with pre-injury disability and certain patient and caregiver demographics. These factors should be considered when planning the post-discharge support of older blunt trauma patients.

Health Services Use and Functional Recovery Following Blunt Trauma in Older Persons - A National Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Frailty is associated with morbidity and mortality in older injured patients. However, for older blunt-trauma patients, increased frailty may not manifest in longer length of stay at index admission. We hypothesized that owing to time spent in hospital from readmissions, frailty would be associated with less total time at home in the 1-year postinjury period. DESIGN: Prospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: All Singaporean residents aged ≥55 years admitted for blunt trauma with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) or New Injury Severity Score (NISS) ≥10 from March 2016 to July 2018. METHODS: Frailty (by modified Fried criteria) was assessed at index admission, based on questions on preinjury weight loss, slowness, exhaustion, physical activity, and grip strength at the time of recruitment. Low time at home was defined as >14 hospitalized days within 1 year postinjury. The contribution of planned and unplanned readmission to time at home postinjury was explored. Functional trajectory (by Barthel Index) over 1 year was compared by frailty. RESULTS: Of the 218 patients recruited, 125 (57.3%) were male, median age was 72 years, and 48 (22.0%) were frail. On univariate analysis, frailty [relative to nonfrail: odds ratio (OR) 3.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-8.97, P = .01] was associated with low time at home. On multivariable analysis, after inclusion of age, gender, ISS, intensive care unit admission, and surgery at index admission, frailty (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.77-15.34, P < .01) remained significantly associated with low time at home in the 1-year postinjury period. Unplanned readmissions were the main reason for frail participants having low time at home. Frail participants had poorer function in the 1-year postinjury period. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In the year following blunt trauma, frail older patients experience lower time at home compared to patients who were not frail at baseline. Screening for frailty should be considered in all older blunt-trauma patients, with a view to being prioritized for postdischarge support.

Frailty and length of stay in older adults with blunt injury in a national multicentre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering moderate or severe injury after low falls have higher readmission and long-term mortality rates compared to patients injured by high-velocity mechanisms such as motor vehicle accidents. We hypothesize that this is due to higher pre-injury frailty in low-fall patients, and present baseline patient and frailty demographics of a prospective cohort of moderate and severely injured older patients. Our second hypothesis was that frailty was associated with longer length of stay (LOS) at index admission. METHODS: This is a prospective, nation-wide, multi-center cohort study of Singaporean residents aged ≥55 years admitted for ≥48 hours after blunt injury with an injury severity score or new injury severity score ≥10, or an Organ Injury Scale ≥3, in public hospitals from 2016-2018. Demographics, mechanism of injury and frailty were recorded and analysed by Chi-square, or Kruskal-Wallis as appropriate. RESULTS: 218 participants met criteria and survived the index admission. Low fall patients had the highest proportion of frailty (44, 27.3%), followed by higher level fallers (3, 21.4%) and motor vehicle accidents (1, 2.3%) (p < .01). Injury severity, extreme age, and surgery were independently associated with longer LOS. Frail patients were paradoxically noted to have shorter LOS (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients sustaining moderate or severe injury after low falls are more likely to be frail compared to patients injured after higher-velocity mechanisms. However, this did not translate into longer adjusted LOS in hospital at index admission.

Frailty and functional decline after emergency abdominal surgery in the elderly: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Frailty has been associated with an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in elderly patients. We examined the impact of preoperative frailty on loss of functional independence following emergency abdominal surgery in the elderly. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary hospital, enrolling patients 65 years of age and above who underwent emergency abdominal surgery from June 2016 to February 2018. Premorbid variables, perioperative characteristics and outcomes were collected. Two frailty measures were compared in this study-the Modified Fried's Frailty Criteria (mFFC) and Modified Frailty Index-11 (mFI-11). Patients were followed-up for 1 year. Results: A total of 109 patients were prospectively recruited. At baseline, 101 (92.7%) were functionally independent, of whom seven (6.9%) had loss of independence at 1 year; 28 (25.7%) and 81 (74.3%) patients were frail and non-frail (by mFFC) respectively. On univariate analysis, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index and frailty (mFFC) (univariate OR 13.00, 95% CI 2.21-76.63, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with loss of functional independence at 1 year. However, frailty, as assessed by mFI-11, showed a weaker correlation than mFFC (univariate OR 4.42, 95% CI 0.84-23.12, p = 0.06). On multivariable analysis, only premorbid frailty (by mFFC) remained statistically significant (OR 15.63, 95% CI 2.12-111.11, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The mFFC is useful for frailty screening amongst elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery and is a predictor for loss of functional independence at 1 year. Including the risk of loss of functional independence in perioperative discussions with patients and caregivers is important for patient-centric emergency surgical care. Early recognition of this at-risk group could help with discharge planning and priority for post-discharge support should be considered.

Not All Falls Are Equal: Risk Factors for Unplanned Readmission in Older Patients After Moderate and Severe Injury-A National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Readmission after acute care is a significant contributor to health care costs, and has been proposed as a quality indicator. Our earlier studies showed that patients aged ≥55 years who are injured by falls from heights of ≤0.5 m were at increased risk for long-term mortality, compared to patients by high-velocity blunt trauma (higher fall heights, road injuries, and other blunt trauma). We hypothesized that these patients are also at higher risk of readmission, compared to patients injured by high-velocity mechanisms. DESIGN AND MEASURES: Competing risks regression (all-cause unplanned readmission or death) was performed. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data for 5671 patients from the Singapore National Trauma Registry data who were injured from 2011-2013 and aged 55 and over were matched to Ministry of Health admissions data. The registry uses standardized conversion metrics to convert patient histories to fall heights. RESULTS: Patients injured after a low fall were more likely to be readmitted to a hospital, compared to those sustaining injuries by high-velocity blunt trauma. On competing risks analysis, low fall [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.93, P < .01], Charlson Comorbidity Score (CCS≥3 relative to CCS = 0, SHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.04, P = .03), and Modified Frailty Index (MFI≥3 relative to MFI = 0, SHR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44-2.72, P < .001) were associated with higher risk of 30-day readmission. Rehabilitation was associated with reduced 30-day (SHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.86, P < .001) and 1-year (SHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.99, P = .04) readmission. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Our study sheds light on the interpretation of trauma data in aging populations. The detailed fall height information in our registry makes it uniquely placed to facilitate understanding of the paradoxical finding that injuries sustained by low-energy falls are higher risk than those sustained by higher-velocity mechanisms. Low-fall patients should be prioritized for rehabilitation and postdischarge support. The proportion of low-fall patients in a trauma registry should be included in the factors considered for benchmarking.

One-year and three-year mortality prediction in adult major blunt trauma survivors: a National Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of trauma are at increased risk of dying after discharge. Studies have found that age, head injury, injury severity, falls and co-morbidities predict long-term mortality. The objective of our study was to build a nomogram predictor of 1-year and 3-year mortality for major blunt trauma adult survivors of the index hospitalization. METHODS: Using data from the Singapore National Trauma Registry, 2011-2013, we analyzed adults aged 18 and over, admitted after blunt injury, with an injury severity score (ISS) of 12 or more, who survived the index hospitalization, linked to death registry data. The study population was randomly divided 60/40 into separate construction and validation datasets, with the model built in the construction dataset, then tested in the validation dataset. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze 1-year and 3-year mortality. RESULTS: Of the 3414 blunt trauma survivors, 247 (7.2%) died within 1 year, and 551 (16.1%) died within 3 years of injury. Age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.07, p < 0.001), male gender (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12-2.10, p < 0.01), low fall from 0.5 m or less (OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.06-5.87, p < 0.001), Charlson comorbidity index of 2 or more (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.38-3.70, p < 0.01), diabetes (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.68-2.52, p = 0.04), cancer (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.94-3.32, p = 0.08), head and neck AIS 3 or more (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.13-2.84, p = 0.01), length of hospitalization of 30 days or more (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.02-3.86, p = 0.04) were predictors of 1-year mortality. This model had a c-statistic of 0.85. Similar factors were found significant for the model predictor of 3-year mortality, which had a c-statistic of 0.83. Both models were validated on the second dataset, with an overall accuracy of 0.94 and 0.84 for 1-year and 3-year mortality respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adult survivors of major blunt trauma can be risk-stratified at discharge for long-term support.

The Low Fall as a Surrogate Marker of Frailty Predicts Long-Term Mortality in Older Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes including disability, mortality and risk of falls. Trauma registries capture a broad range of injuries. However, frail patients who fall comprise a large proportion of the injuries occurring in ageing populations and are likely to have different outcomes compared to non-frail injured patients. The effect of frail fallers on mortality is under-explored but potentially significant. Currently, many trauma registries define low falls as less than three metres, a height that is likely to include non-frailty falls. We hypothesized that the low fall from less than 0.5 metres, including same-level falls, is a surrogate marker of frailty and predicts long-term mortality in older trauma patients. METHODS: Using data from the Singapore National Trauma Registry, 2011-2013, matched till September 2014 to the death registry, we analysed adults aged over 45 admitted via the emergency department in public hospitals sustaining blunt injuries with an injury severity score (ISS) of 9 or more, excluding isolated hip fractures from same-level falls in the over 65. Patients injured by a low fall were compared to patients injured by high fall and other blunt mechanisms. Logistic regression was used to analyze 12-month mortality, controlling for mechanism of injury, ISS, revised trauma score (RTS), co-morbidities, gender, age and age-gender interaction. Different low fall height definitions, adjusting for injury regions, and analyzing the entire adult cohort were used in sensitivity analyses and did not change our findings. RESULTS: Of the 8111 adults in our cohort, patients who suffered low falls were more likely to die of causes unrelated to their injuries (p<0.001), compared to other blunt trauma and higher fall heights. They were at higher risk of 12-month mortality (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.18-2.58, p = 0.005), independent of ISS, RTS, age, gender, age-gender interaction and co-morbidities. Falls that were higher than 0.5m did not show this pattern. Males were at higher risk of mortality after low falls. The effect of age on mortality started at age 55 for males, and age 70 for females, and the difference was attributable to the additional mortality in male low-fallers. CONCLUSIONS: The low fall mechanism can optimize prediction of long-term mortality after moderate and severe injury, and may be a surrogate marker of frailty, complementing broader-based studies on aging.