Nutritional status, dietary quality and eating disturbance issues among people with dementia in Vietnam: evidence of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Due to cognitive impairments, people with dementia (PWD) often have difficulties in eating and drinking. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, dietary quality and eating disturbance issues among PWD in Vietnam. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Vietnamese National Geriatric Hospital from April to December 2022. We used Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) to classify the severity levels of dementia. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 24-hour recall, eating disturbance questionnaires, and anthropometric indicators were used to evaluate the nutritional status, dietary quality, and eating disorders of study subjects. RESULTS: Overall, among 63 study participants, 74.6 per cent of PWD were at risk of or having malnutrition. By dementia classification according to MMSE scale, people with moderate and severe dementia accounted for 53.3 per cent of those who met the recommended energy levels, compared to 42.4 per cent of people with mild dementia and normal people. In the above two groups, around three per cent of participants reached the recommended amount of fibre. Calcium (50-70%), vitamin A (80-90%), and D (90%) were found to be the most severe deficiency forms of minerals and vitamins in both male and female participants. The majority of participants (90.5%) had at least one form of eating disorders with the most frequent issue being appetite changes (76.2%) and swallowing issues (50.8%). CONCLUSIONS: PWD in our sample frequently experienced malnutrition, a lack of essential nutrients, difficulties swallowing, changes in eating habits and appetite. It is neccesary to early screen and assess nutritional status and swallowing disturbance in PWD, and instruct their caregivers to prepare nutritious meals for them.

Fear of Falling: Exploring Associated Factors among Elderly Residents in the Rural Communities of Vietnam.

This research aimed to explore factors associated with the fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five communes in Soc Son, Hanoi, Vietnam, from March to June 2017. We recruited a total of 487 participants, which provided sufficient data for analysis. The outcome variable was fear of falling. Several covariates, including demographics, medical history, general health status, geriatric syndromes, eye diseases, assessment of fall risk environment, timed up-and-go test, and number of standing up in 30 s, were collected. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to determine predictors associated with FOF. The results showed that 54.6% of the participants had FOF. Furthermore, the logistic multivariable regression model revealed several factors associated with FOF among participants in the research sites, including polypharmacy status (OR: 1.79; 95%CI 1.07-2.99), higher scores in quality of life according to the EQ-5D-5L index (OR:6.27; 95%CI: 2.77-14.17), and having fallen during the past 12 months (OR:4.4; 95%CI: 2.39-8.11). These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between FOF and several associated factors, notably polypharmacy status, quality of life, and having a fall during the past 12 months.

Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Adults with Dementia Living in Vietnamese Nursing Homes.

Better understanding of the quality of life among nursing home residents with dementia is important for developing interventions. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to examine factors associated with poor health-related quality of life in older people with dementia living in nursing homes in Hanoi, Vietnam. In-person interviews were conducted with 140 adults who were 60 years and older with dementia, and information about their quality of life was obtained using the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale. The sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with poor health-related quality of life (lowest quartile) were assessed through the results of physical tests, interviews with nursing home staff, and review of medical records. The average age of the study sample was 78.3 years, 65% were women, and their average QOL-AD total score was 27.3 (SD = 4.4). Malnutrition, total dependence in activities of daily living, and urinary incontinence were associated with poor quality of life after controlling for multiple potentially confounding factors. Our findings show that Vietnamese nursing home residents with dementia have a moderate total quality of life score, and interventions based on comprehensive geriatric assessment remain needed to modify risk factors related to poor health-related quality of life.

Factors associated with frailty in geriatric patients with and without sarcopenia in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and frailty and examine factors associated with frailty among older patients with and without sarcopenia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on older inpatients and outpatients in Vietnam. Participants aged 60 years or older were consecutively enrolled in the study. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria. Fried's frailty phenotype was applied to define frailty. Logistic regression models with frailty as the dependent variable were applied. RESULTS: A total of 835 patients (mean age: 71.3 years, SD 8.4) were recruited. The overall prevalence of frailty was 17%. Among participants with and without frailty, 92% and 47% had sarcopenia, respectively. In unadjusted analysis, sarcopenia was significantly associated with increased frailty (OR 12.3, 95% CI 6.7-22.6) and remained significant after adjustment for sociodemographic factors (OR 6.3, 95% CI: 3.0-12.6) and for both sociodemographic and clinical factors (OR 5.4, 95% CI: 2.4-12.2). Among participants with sarcopenia, older age, inpatient status, having a high risk for falls, malnutrition and a history of hospitalisation in the last year were significantly associated with frailty. Among participants without sarcopenia, the factors associated with frailty were older age, inpatient status, low educational level, high risk of falls and malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results highlighted that sarcopenia and frailty are two related but distinct geriatric syndromes.

The Frail Scale - A Risk Stratification in Older Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of frailty on in-hospital adverse outcomes and net adverse clinical events (NACE) in older patients with acute coronary syndrome. Patients and Methods: This observational study included elderly patients (≥60 years old), diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at admission from February 2021 to August 2021. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE) defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, and major bleeding. Secondary outcome was in-hospital adverse outcomes including arrhythmia, acquired pneumonia, stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Frailty was assessed using the Frail scale (FS). Data about socio-demographics, comorbidities, body mass index, ACS type, coronary angiography, left ventricular ejection fraction, and length of hospital stay were also collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to identify the potential association between frailty and outcomes. Results: Of the 116 ACS patients, 38 patients were frail (32.76%). Frail subjects were more often female (50%) and older (p < 0.01) and had higher rates of in-hospital adverse outcomes (OR = 2.37, p = 0.05) and NACE (OR = 7.12; p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, the increased frail score was significantly associated with increased odds of NACE (unadjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.17-3.35 for each score increase in Frail Score). In multivariable logistic regression, models controlling for age, gender, PCI, LVEF, and coronary angiography (adjusted OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.12-4.29 for each score increase in Frail Score). Conclusion: This study revealed the reference data of frailty assessment in older patients with ACS in Vietnam. Our result indicated that over 30% of ACS older patients presented with frailty which was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital adverse outcomes and NACE. This study also provided promising information about the simple FRAIL scale's potential role in the risk stratification of older patients with ACS.

Estimating the cost of illness of acute Japanese encephalitis and sequelae care in Vietnam and Laos: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a leading cause of acute encephalitis syndrome and resulting neurological disability in Asia and the Western Pacific. This study aims to estimate the cost of acute care, initial rehabilitation and sequelae care, in Vietnam and Laos. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study using a micro-costing approach from the health system and household perspectives. Out-of-pocket direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs, and family impact were reported by patients and/or caregivers. Hospitalization costs were extracted from hospital charts. Acute costs covered expenditures from pre-hospital to follow-up visits while sequelae care costs were estimated from expenditures in the last 90 days. All costs are in 2021 US dollars. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 242 patients in two major sentinel sites in the North and South of Vietnam and 65 patients in a central hospital in Vientiane, Laos, with laboratory-confirmed JE were recruited regardless of age, sex, and ethnicity. In Vietnam, the mean total cost was $3,371 per acute JE episode (median $2,071, standard error [SE] $464) while annual costs were $404 for initial sequelae care (median $0, SE $220) and $320 for long-term sequelae care (median $0, SE $108). In Laos, the mean hospitalization costs in acute stage were $2,005 (median $1,698, SE $279) and the mean annual costs were $2,317 (median $0, SE $2,233) for initial sequelae care and $89 (median $0, SE $57) for long-term sequelae care. In both countries, most patients did not seek care for their sequelae. Families perceived extreme impact from JE and 20% to 30% of households still had sustained debts years after acute JE. CONCLUSIONS: JE patients and families in Vietnam and Laos suffer extreme medical, economic, and social hardship. This has policy implications for improving JE prevention in these two JE-endemic countries.

A single F153Sß3 mutation causes constitutive integrin αIIbß3 activation in a variant form of Glanzmann thrombasthenia.

This report identifies a novel variant form of the inherited bleeding disorder Glanzmann thrombasthenia, exhibiting only mild bleeding in a physically active individual. The platelets cannot aggregate ex vivo with physiologic agonists of activation, although microfluidic analysis with whole blood displays moderate ex vivo platelet adhesion and aggregation consistent with mild bleeding. Immunocytometry shows reduced expression of αIIbß3 on quiescent platelets that spontaneously bind/store fibrinogen, and activation-dependent antibodies (ligand-induced binding site-319.4 and PAC-1) report ß3 extension suggesting an intrinsic activation phenotype. Genetic analysis reveals a single F153Sß3 substitution within the ßI-domain from a heterozygous T556C nucleotide substitution of ITGB3 exon 4 in conjunction with a previously reported IVS5(+1)G>A splice site mutation with undetectable platelet messenger RNA accounting for hemizygous expression of S153ß3. F153 is completely conserved among ß3 of several species and all human ß-integrin subunits suggesting that it may play a vital role in integrin structure/function. Mutagenesis of αIIb-F153Sß3 also displays reduced levels of a constitutively activated αIIb-S153ß3 on HEK293T cells. The overall structural analysis suggests that a bulky aromatic, nonpolar amino acid (F,W)153ß3 is critical for maintaining the resting conformation of α2- and α1-helices of the ßI-domain because small amino acid substitutions (S,A) facilitate an unhindered inward movement of the α2- and α1-helices of the ßI-domain toward the constitutively active αIIbß3 conformation, while a bulky aromatic, polar amino acid (Y) hinders such movements and restrains αIIbß3 activation. The data collectively demonstrate that disruption of F153ß3 can significantly alter normal integrin/platelet function, although reduced expression of αIIb-S153ß3 may be compensated by a hyperactive conformation that promotes viable hemostasis.

Clinical, cytological and ultrasonographic features of incidental thyroid cancer in a hospital-based study in vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid nodules are common diseases of the endocrine system, with a 5% prevalence rate in the general population. This study aimed to identify prevalence, clinical, cytological and ultrasonographic features of incidental thyroid cancer and its associated factors in Vietnam. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of 208 patients with incidental thyroid nodules detected by ultrasound at the Endocrinology Department, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam between November 2019 and August 2020. Clinical information, sonography characteristics of thyroid nodules, results of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), postoperative pathology and lymph node metastasis were collected. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate factors associated with thyroid cancer. RESULTS: A total of 272 thyroid nodules (from 208 participants) were included in this study. The mean age was 47.2 ± 12.0 (years). The rate of incidental thyroid cancer patients detected was 17.3%. Nodules <1 cm in size were significantly more prevalent for malignant nodules. The size of more than half of thyroid cancer nodules was 0.50-0.99 cm. Postoperative pathology of all nodules with Bethesda V and VI was papillary thyroid cancer which was consistent with cytological results. 33.3% of thyroid cancer patients have lymph node metastasis. The regression model showed that thyroid cancer was more likely to occur at a younger age (≤ 45 years vs. >45 years, OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-6.1), taller-than-wide nodules (OR 6.8; 95% CI: 2.3-20.2) and hypo-echoic nodules (OR 5.2; 95% CI: 1.7-15.9). CONCLUSION: The study showed that the prevalence of incidental thyroid cancers was 17.3%, of which 100% was papillary carcinoma. People under the age of 45 and the presence of ultrasound characteristics, such as taller-than-wide and hypoechoic nodules increased risk for malignancy.

Post-stroke depression in Vietnamese patients is associated with decreased sleep quality and increased fatigue: a one-institution cross-sectional analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) during the first year and its associated factors, especially focusing on sleep quality and fatigue severity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among stroke patients in Vietnam's National Geriatric Hospital. Data were collected by using standardized questionnaires for interviewing and evaluating patients at the research site. Several covariables were presented including demographics, stroke-related characteristics, activities of daily living, post-stroke fatigue, and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] scale). PSD was assessed as an outcome variable through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale. To summarize sociodemographic and clinical variables, descriptive statistics were performed. A logistic regression model was used to explore the factors related to PSD. RESULTS: Of 157 patients with stroke, mean age 73.1 (± 9.6), PSD was present in 60 patients (38%). The global score and all PSQI components of participants with PSD showed worse levels than those without depression. Furthermore, the prevalence of PSD was higher in patients with low IADL scores and functional disability at high levels. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the patients with PSD showed higher Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores (OR = 4.11; 95% CI = 1.39; 12.19) and higher scores in two domains of the PSQI scale including subjective sleep quality (OR = 3.03; 95% CI = 1.21; 7.58) and sleep disturbance (OR = 5.22; 95% CI = 1.33; 20.47). CONCLUSION: There is a significant prevalence of depression following stroke. Furthermore, post-stroke fatigue and two PSQI scale components (subjective sleep quality and sleep disturbance) were shown to be associated with PSD. This finding may guide early screening and intervention strategies to address depression following stroke.

Symptom Burden among Hospitalised Older Patients with Heart Failure in Hanoi, Vietnam.

This study aimed to assess the symptom burden among older patients hospitalised for heart failure. This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, from June 2019 to August 2020. Face-to-face interviews were performed to gather the following information: socio-demographic characteristics, heart failure classification, and clinical characteristics (comorbidities, polypharmacy, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), symptom burden, and depression). Symptom burden was assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. A total of 314 patients participated in the study. The mean participant age was 72.67 (SD = 9.42) years. The most frequently reported symptoms on the ESAS were shortness of breath (95.5%), fatigue (94.8%), and anxiety (81.2%). In univariate analyses, depression was significantly associated with heart failure class (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression revealed that major depression was significantly associated with total symptom burden score (Beta: 11.74; 95% CI: 9.24-14.23) and LVEF (Beta: -0.09; 95% CI: -0.17-(-0.007)). Patients hospitalised for heart failure experienced a high burden of symptoms. Further studies addressing adverse outcomes and expanding to community-dwelling older people are essential. Palliative care approaches that target symptom reduction should be considered in patients with heart failure.

Epidemiological Analysis and Genetic Characterization of Parvovirus in Ducks in Northern Vietnam Reveal Evidence of Recombination.

In total, 130 tissue-pooled samples collected from ducks in some provinces/cities in north Vietnam were examined for waterfowl parvovirus genome identification. Twenty-six (20%) samples were positive for the parvovirus infection, based on polymerase chain reaction analysis. Of the 38 farms tested, 14 (36.84%) were positive for the waterfowl parvovirus genome. The rate of the parvovirus genome detection in ducks aged 2−4 weeks (37.04%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that at ages <2 weeks (9.09%) and >4 weeks (16.30%). The positive rate on medium-scale farms (9.36%) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than for small-scale (31.03%) and large-scale (29.73%) farms. The lengths of the four Vietnamese waterfowl parvovirus genomes identified were 4750 nucleotides. Among the four Vietnamese parvovirus genomes, nucleotide identities were from 99.29% to 99.87%. Phylogenetic analysis of the near-complete genomes indicated that the waterfowl circulating in northern Vietnam belonged to the novel goose parvovirus (NGPV) group. The Vietnamese NGPV group was closely related to the Chinese group. Recombination analysis suggested that the Vietnam/VNUA-26/2021 strain was generated by a recombination event. One positive selection site of the capsid protein was detected.

Challenges and Lessons Learned in the Development of a Participatory Learning and Action Intervention to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance: Experiences From Northern Vietnam.

Antibiotic use in the community for humans and animals is high in Vietnam, driven by easy access to over-the counter medicines and poor understanding of the role of antibiotics. This has contributed to antibiotic resistance levels that are amongst the highest in the world. To address this problem, we developed a participatory learning and action (PLA) intervention. Here we describe challenges and lessons learned while developing and testing this intervention in preparation for a large-scale One Health trial in northern Vietnam. We tested the PLA approach using community-led photography, and then reflected on how this approach worked in practice. We reviewed and discussed implementation documentation and developed and refined themes. Five main themes were identified related to challenges and lessons learned: understanding the local context, stakeholder relationship development, participant recruitment, building trust and motivation, and engagement with the topic of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Partnerships with national and local authorities provided an important foundation for building relationships with communities, and enhanced visibility and credibility of activities. Partnership development required managing relationships, clarifying roles, and accommodating different management styles. When recruiting participants, we had to balance preferences for top-down and bottom-up approaches. Building trust and motivation took time and was challenged by limited study team presence in the community. Open discussions around expectations and appropriate incentives were re-visited throughout the process. Financial incentives provided initial motivation to participate, while less tangible benefits like collective knowledge, social connections, desire to help the community, and new skills, sustained longer-term motivation. Lack of awareness and perceived importance of the problem of AMR, affected initial motivation. Developing mutual understanding through use of common and simplified language helped when discussing the complexities of this topic. A sense of ownership emerged as the study progressed and participants understood more about AMR, how it related to their own concerns, and incorporated their own ideas into activities. PLA can be a powerful way of stimulating community action and bringing people together to tackle a common problem. Understanding the nuances of local power structures, and allowing time for stakeholder relationship development and consensus-building are important considerations when designing engagement projects.

Walking Speed Assessed by 4-Meter Walk Test in the Community-Dwelling Oldest Old Population in Vietnam.

This study aims to provide data on usual walking speed in individuals aged 80 years or older and determine the association between walking speed and related factors in community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional study design was conducted to measure walking speed on community-dwelling elders aged 80 years or older in Soc Son district, Vietnam. Walking speed was assessed by a 4-Meter Walk Test with a usual-pace walking mode. Health-related characteristics of participants including risk of falls (The Timed Up and Go test, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), cognitive impairment (Mini-Cog test) and frailty syndrome (The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS)). Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between a slow walking speed and selected factors. A total of 364 older people were recruited, and the majority were female (65.4%). The overall average walking speed was 0.83 ± 0.27 m/s. The proportion of participants with a slow walking speed (<0.8 m/s) was 40.4%. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that age, female, high fall risk (assessed by TUG test), ADL/IADL dependence and frailty syndrome had a negative effect on slow walking speed in this population. The results could provide useful reference data for further investigations and measures in clinical practice.

Accelerating anaerobic digestion process with novel single chamber microbial electrochemical systems with baffle.

A newly designed microbial electrochemical system (MES) with the addition of a baffle between the electrodes was integrated with the anaerobic digestion (AD) process for biogas upgradation. Novel MES configuration attained an increased methane production rate of 292.6 mL/L∙d and methane yield of 0.36 ± 0.006 [Formula: see text] /gCOD, which were higher than the values (185.3 mL/L∙d and 0.33 ± 0.009 [Formula: see text] /gCOD) from the MES operation without baffle, respectively. Moreover, the MES with baffle operation resulted in increased substrate removal (88.4 ± 0.5%) and less volatile fatty acids accumulation with a high energy efficiency of 99.6 %. Microbial community analysis revealed that acids metabolizing bacteria, Firmicutes, and Methanothrix were highly enriched in the cathode biofilm of MES with baffle. This study suggests that the baffle addition into the single chamber MES is beneficial to further improve the methanogenesis process for practical applications in the scaled-up MES-AD process.

Correlations between rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and standard coagulation tests following viper snakebites.

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of venom-induced consumption coagulopathy has been reported in individuals with viper snakebites. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a rapid technique that could be advantageous in assessing and monitoring coagulation disorders. PURPOSE: To explore correlations between ROTEM and standard coagulation tests. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was performed among 41 patients with viper envenomation admitted to the Vietnam Poison Control Center from April 2016 to October 2017. Standard coagulation measurements [platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen level] and ROTEM indicators [clotting time (CT), amplitude (at set time: 5 and 10 minutes), clot information time (CFT) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) for extrinsic (EXTEM), intrinsic (INTEM), and fibrin based (FIBTEM) ROTEM] were obtained. RESULTS: For INTEM, EXTEM, the FIBTEM, proportions of patients with prolonged CT were 34.1%, 63.4%, and 61.0% respectively and the proportions of patients with decreased MCF were 62.2%, 62.2%, and 35.5%, respectively. Moderate correlations were observed between PT and EXTEM CT (r = 0.627), aPTT and INTEM CT (r = 0.626), fibrinogen and FIBTEM MCF (r = 0.723), and platelet count and EXTEM MCF (0.60). CONCLUSION: ROTEM indicated a hypocoagulation state in patients with viper snakebite and was moderately correlated with standard coagulation parameters.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Hanoi, Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) of older diabetic patients is thought to be of value, but there have been limited studies on the prevalence of impairments in the components of a CGA as well as the relationship between CGA and diabetic control in this group. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of components of CGA in older patients with diabetes in National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, and determine the association among domains of CGA with measures of diabetic control. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of diabetic outpatients aged ≥60 years at National Geriatric Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, recruited over 3 months. The CGA questionnaire includes different assessments consisting of cognitive impairment (using Mini-Cog test), depression (using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale), urinary incontinence (using the 3-Incontinence questions), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) dependence, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) dependence, high fall risk (using Hendrich II Fall Risk Model), hearing loss (using Whisper test), low visual acuity (using Snellen test), polypharmacy, malnutrition (using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form), and multiple geriatric conditions (patients had 2 or more geriatric conditions). Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between demographic factors and CGA components with measures of diabetes control. RESULTS: A total of 412 patients were recruited (56.6% female, mean age 71.9 [7.6] years). Prevalence of impairment in components of the CGA was high and highest for vision impairment (94.2%) and multiple geriatric conditions (89.3%). Age <75 years, cognitive impairment, depressive symptom, IADL impairment, and high fall risk were significantly associated with both poor fasting plasma glucose control (>130 mg/dL) and poor HbA1c control (≥7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that geriatric syndromes are common in older diabetic patients and associated with poorer diabetic control. It suggests CGA may be important to conduct in this group by establishing an interdisciplinary Geriatric health care team.

Chronic Pain and Associated Factors Related to Depression among Older Patients in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The interaction of chronic pain and depression among older people has been studied for many years. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of chronic pain and depression among older patients and correlated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 921 older patients at the National Geriatric Hospital from November 2019 to March 2020. We used the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to assess the comorbid condition, a numerical rating scale (NRS) to examine pain severity, and Geriatric Depression Scale-15 items (GDS-15) to measure depression among participants. A chi-square test and Tobit regression were used to analyze the relationships. A total of 921 older patients participated in the study. The proportion of depression accounted for 55.8%. The mean Charlson score and number of diseases were 1.2 and 4.7, respectively. A positive correlation was found between comorbidity and chronic pain and depression. Moreover, socio-demographic variables such as occupation, education, and income were associated with pain and depressive symptoms. This study highlights the issue of mental health in older people with chronic pain. The results indicate the necessity of frequent depression screening, pain management, and social activity programs for older people to enhance their health.

Association of Frailty Status and Functional Disability among Community-Dwelling People Aged 80 and Older in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated associations between frailty and functional disability in elder suburban Vietnamese. METHOD: Cross-sectional analysis was carried out on 251 participants aged 80 and over in Soc Son district. We used the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale including 8 items, and functional disability was defined as ≥3 IADL impairment. We defined frail as ≥3 out of 5 frailty components including weight loss > 5%, weak grip, exhaustion, low walking speed, and low physical activity. RESULTS: Of 251 participants with a mean age of 84.6, 11.2% was classified as frail and 64.5% had ≥3 IADLs. Among the frailty components, low walking speed and low physical activity were significantly associated with increased odds of having ≥3 IADLs: ORs (95% CI) were 4.2 (2.3-7.9) and 3.7 (1.7-8.2). CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with the higher likelihood of having functional disability. Further longitudinal studies are needed to examine the causal this relationship.

A Description of Handgrip Strength in the Very Older Adult People Living in Rural Vietnam and Its Association with Daily Functions.

OBJECTIVE: To describe handgrip strength (HGS) and identify associated factors in community-dwelling older adults in rural Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in community-dwelling older adults 80 years and over in five rural communities in Hanoi, Vietnam. Age-gender-BMI stratified HGS values were reported as means and standard deviations. Demographic characteristics, malnutrition, risk of fall, basic activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were investigated. Multivariate linear regression explored the association between HGS and these factors. RESULTS: In 308 participants, mean age was 85.4 ± 4.2 years. Mean HGS was 21.6 ± 6.1 kg for males and 15.3 ± 4.3 kg for females. HGS in our sample was generally lower than that in other European countries and Asian threshold. Low HGS was correlated with older age (ß = -0.196, p < 0.001), female (ß = -0.443, p < 0.001), low education (ß = -0.130, p < 0.05), risk of falls (ß = -0.114, p < 0.05), and lower IADL (ß = 0.153, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The age-gender-BMI stratified HGS values of 80 years and over community-dwellers in rural Vietnam were described. HGS decreased with advanced age, female, low education, high risk of falls, and impaired IADLs. The results could provide useful reference data for further investigations and measures in clinical practice.