Effects of an Integrated Geriatric-Orthopedic Co-management (InGerO) on the Treatment of Older Orthopedic Patients with Native and Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

PURPOSE: In view of our aging society, co-management with a geriatrician is becoming increasingly important. While such collaborations have been working successfully in trauma surgery for years, it is still unclear whether they are also helpful for non-trauma patients in orthopedics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of such a cooperation in orthopedic non-trauma patients with native and periprosthetic joint infections on the basis of five key areas. RESULTS: Analysis was carried out with 59 patients "with" and 63 "without" geriatric co-management. In the co-management group, delirium was detected significantly more often (p < 0.001), significantly lower pain intensities were measured at the time of discharge (p < 0.001), transfer ability had clearly improved more (p = 0.04), and renal function was more frequently noted (p = 0.04). No significant differences were found with respect to principal diagnoses, surgical procedures performed, complication rates, pressure ulcer and delirium incidence, operative revisions, or length of inpatient stay. CONCLUSION: Orthogeriatric co-management in orthopedic patients with native and periprosthetic joint infections and nontraumatic surgery appears to have positive impacts on recognition and treatment of delirium, pain management, transfer performance, and attention to renal function. Further studies should follow in order to conclusively assess the value of such co-management in orthopedic nontraumatic surgery patients.

Prescriptions of Antipsychotics in Younger and Older Geriatric Patients with Polypharmacy, Their Safety, and the Impact of a Pharmaceutical-Medical Dialogue on Antipsychotic Use.

Geriatric patients are a particularly vulnerable and, at the same time, very heterogeneous group due to their multimorbidity and polypharmacy. Antipsychotics are often prescribed in their complex drug regimens, whereby the prescription of antipsychotics is not without controversy. To date, questions remain as to whether there are differences in the prescribing pattern, safety, and impact of a consultant pharmacist regarding antipsychotic use between younger and older geriatric patients in the heterogenic geriatric group. This monocentric study of 744 patients was based on the analysis of routine data collected from January 2018 to June 2020 in a geriatric department during a weekly pharmaceutical and medical consultation. The frequency of the prescription of antipsychotics in our study was 30.7%. Regarding antipsychotic safety and/or adverse drug reaction (ADR) antipsychotics, only a difference in terms of overuse in younger geriatric patients was found. The binary logistic regression analyses of geriatric patients with antipsychotics revealed that ADRs and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were particularly related to the number of medications prescribed. The higher the number of prescribed drugs, the higher the risk of ADRs and DDIs. In 26.7% of geriatric patients on antipsychotics, the pharmacist made recommendations that were almost exclusively implemented by the physician, with no difference made between the two age groups. The prescriptions of antipsychotics in geriatric patients with polypharmacy, their safety, and the impact of a pharmaceutical-medical dialogue on the use of antipsychotics seem comparable between younger and older geriatric patients in the geriatric setting. Antipsychotics should always be critically considered and used cautiously, whereby a regular pharmaceutical-medical dialogue is recommended in geriatric settings.

Responsive Behaviors and Pain Management in Hospital Dementia Care: A Before and After Comparison of the "Serial Trial Intervention".

Purpose: Responsive behavior, often referred to as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), is among the most critical disorders in dementia whereby nursing personnel in hospitals are increasingly confronted with such symptoms. The purpose was to reduce the level of BPSD in an acute hospital environment through a stepwise procedure followed by the initiation of a needs-oriented treatment. Methods: An open, prospective, interventional study with before-after comparisons was used to implement "Serial Trial Intervention" (STI) in three hospital wards (internal medicine, surgery, geriatric) after its adaption for hospital setting which was supplemented with a detailed pain assessment. Participants were 65 years and older. Potential causes of BPSD were clarified in a stepwise procedure and, if possible, eliminated. The primary outcome was the reduction in BPSD measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q-12) while secondary outcomes were through the use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Results: No significant reduction in NPI-Q-12 could be found. However, significantly more mobilizations and changes of position were carried out. Higher antipsychotic use was seen in the after-groups presumably due to the higher rates of delirium and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the data showed no increase in analgesic use. Conclusion: No significant reduction in NPI-Q-12 was observed in the before-after study. The use of antipsychotics even increased most probably due to a higher incidence of deliriousness in the after-group. However, STI seemed to improve attention to underlying causes of BPSD as well as pain. Proof that STI leads to NPI-Q-12 reduction in hospitals is still pending.

Sex Differences in Behavioral and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Dementia Presentation Regarding Nursing Home Residents with Cognitive Impairment Suffering from Pain - Results of the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-Term Care Study.

OBJECTIVE: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) place a heavy burden on patients as well as caregivers. Recently, pain was identified as an important determinant of BPSD. However, it is not yet known what influence sex has on BPSD and pain. Thus, the present study aimed to identify possible associations between BPSD, pain, and sex. DESIGN: A retrospective evaluation of cross-sectional data derived from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-Term Care (SHELTER) Study database, a cross-national European study on nursing home residents. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 4156 residents who were assessed using the interRAI instrument for Long-Term Care Facilities. Included in the analysis were only patients with cognitive impairment (n = 2822) (67.9%) of which 712 (25.2%) were male and 2110 (74.8%) were female. METHODS: Differences in prevalence were tested using the χ2 test while bivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with sex. RESULTS: Men showed behavioral symptoms such as wandering, verbal and physical abuse as well as sexual uninhibited behavior significantly more often than women. Regarding psychiatric symptoms, only depression was significantly more frequent in women. Surprisingly, in the presence of pain these differences in BPSD incidence between men and women were no longer detectable. Logistic regression analysis showed that in women with dementia/communication problems, the presence of pain could be indicated by resistance to care, sleeping disorders, and possibly by the presence of delusions and anxiety whereas in men it was related to abnormal thought processes, and in both sexes to depression CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: From a clinical point of view, resistance to care and sleeping disorders in women and abnormal thought processes in men as well as depression in both sexes should be seen as indicators of possible underlying pain in noncommunicative people. Thus, knowledge of sex-specific BPSD presentations can improve pain management in this particularly patient group.

[Security and user acceptance of an intelligent home emergency call system for older people living at home with limited daily living skills and receiving home care]. / Sicherheit und Nutzerakzeptanz eines intelligenten Hausnotrufsystems im Einsatz bei älteren pflegebedürftigen zu Hause lebenden Menschen mit eingeschränkter Alltagskompetenz.

BACKGROUND: Technically based support measures are becoming increasingly more important in an aging society. Such support measures can provide a self-determined life in familiar surroundings despite the need for care. An example for such a support measure is an intelligent home emergency call system (iHNR system), which automatically detects critical situations (e.g. falling down), transmits this information to an emergency call center and therefore initiates assistance faster. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this uncontrolled, two center observational study was to evaluate the security and acceptance of an iHNR system used by older people receiving home care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out based on 51 subjects with at least a 6-month observation period using the iHNR system. The iHNR system was installed in all homes of the participants. Interviews about acceptance, perceived and objective security, impact on independence and usability of the new iHNR system were conducted. Analysis was performed with particular respect to depression, quality of life, frailty and self-estimated need for assistance. RESULTS: A total of 39 complete records were collected and evaluated. The participants represented a vulnerable group of people with rather depressive moods, negative quality of life and a high level of frailty without significant changes over the observation period. Positive results were found regarding subjective and objective security and acceptance as well as ease of operation of the iHNR system. The fear of falling was only marginally influenced. CONCLUSION: Acceptance regarding the new iHNR system was high. The system provoked a stronger sense of security while at the same time leading to a reduced sense of control. The system seems to be able to detect critical events and can automatically and quickly alert the necessary help services. Therefore, people in need of care can remain longer in their own homes.

Neurogeriatrics-a vision for improved care and research for geriatric patients with predominating neurological disabilities.

Geriatric medicine is a rapidly evolving field that addresses diagnostic, therapeutic and care aspects of older adults. Some disabilities and disorders affecting cognition (e.g. dementia), motor function (e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease, neuropathies), mood (e.g. depression), behavior (e.g. delirium) and chronic pain disorders are particularly frequent in old subjects. As knowledge about these age-associated conditions and disabilities is steadily increasing, the integral implementation of neurogeriatric knowledge in geriatric medicine and specific neurogeriatric research is essential to develop the field. This article discusses how neurological know-how could be integrated in academic geriatric medicine to improve care of neurogeriatric patients, to foster neurogeriatric research and training concepts and to provide innovative care concepts for geriatric patients with predominant neurological conditions and disabilities.

Observational pain assessment in older persons with dementia in four countries: Observer agreement of items and factor structure of the Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of pain in people with dementia is challenging. Observational scales have been developed, but there is a need to harmonize and improve the assessment process. In EU initiative COST-Action TD1005, 36 promising items were selected from existing scales to be tested further. We aimed to study the observer agreement of each item, and to analyse the factor structure of the complete set. METHODS: One hundred and ninety older persons with dementia were recruited in four different countries (Italy, Serbia, Spain and The Netherlands) from different types of healthcare facilities. Patients represented a convenience sample, with no pre-selection on presence of (suspected) pain. The Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC, research version) item pool includes facial expressions of pain (15 items), body movements (10 items) and vocalizations (11 items). Participants were observed by health professionals in two situations, at rest and during movement. Intrarater and interrater reliability was analysed by percentage agreement. The factor structure was examined with principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation. RESULTS: Health professionals performed observations in 40-57 patients in each country. Intrarater and interrater agreement was generally high (≥70%). However, for some facial expression items, agreement was sometimes below 70%. Factor analyses showed a six-component solution, which were named as follows: Vocal pain expression, Face anatomical descriptors, Protective body movements, Vocal defence, Tension and Lack of affect. CONCLUSIONS: Observation of PAIC items can be done reliably in healthcare settings. Observer agreement is quite promising already without extensive training. SIGNIFICANCE: In this international project, promising items from existing observational pain scales were identified and evaluated regarding their reliability as an alternative to pain self-report in people with dementia. Analysis on factor structure helped to understand the character of the items. Health professionals from four countries using four different European languages were able to rate items reliably. The results contributed to an informed reduction of items for a clinical observer scale (Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition scale with 15 items: PAIC15).

Pain Assessment for Older Persons in Nursing Home Care: An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline.

Up to 80% of nursing home residents are affected by pain. Pain assessment aims to determine pain intensity, quality, and course of pain to underpin diagnostic decision making. In the nursing home population, pain assessment is frequently compromised by cognitive impairment. Characteristics of the nursing home setting, such as resident's age, staff skill mix, and overall aims of the care provided, also need to be taken into account. Therefore, an interdisciplinary evidence-based clinical practice guideline for pain assessment in the nursing home setting was developed. A systematic literature search was carried out covering publications between 2003 and 2015. Thirty-nine studies were included in the preparation of this guideline, supplemented by 12 international reference guidelines. Recommendations were subjected to a structured consensus-finding process with representatives from 37 scientific and professional organizations and patient representatives. The guideline underwent independent peer review before finalization. It comprises 62 recommendations that are grouped into 4 chapters: (1) context of pain assessment in nursing home care; (2) screening; (3) focused assessment; and (4) reassessment/monitoring of pain. Main recommendations stipulate that clinicians should assess the patient's ability to provide self-report of pain when screening for pain and that each resident should be screened for the presence of pain. A focused assessment of pain, performed during rest and activities, should include pain intensity, changed behaviors, general mobility, pain history, comorbidities, and pain medication. Pain should be re-assessed at regular intervals using the same instruments that were used for the focused assessment. Guideline development demonstrated that many aspects of pain assessment in older persons have not received adequate research attention so far. Available studies predominantly possess only low levels of evidence. Therefore, research into this area needs to be systematically developed to address questions of clinical relevance to support patient care.

[Challenging behavior and pain in dementia : Experiences of nursing staff in an acute care hospital]. / Herausfordernde Verhaltensweisen und Schmerz bei Demenz : Erfahrungen von Pflegenden in einem Akutkrankenhaus.

BACKGROUND: People with dementia are receiving treatment in acute care hospitals at increasing rates. Most prominently, patients exhibiting behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are perceived as significant burdens for staff members. Non-detected pain is seen as one substantial reason for behavior that is seemingly unexplainable. In order to gather information about dealing with BPSD a survey was performed. The objective of this study was to enable a more cause-oriented treatment. METHODS: The procedure consisted of an anonymous survey of nurses, by semi-structured interviews with open and closed questions about BPSD: type, frequency, perceived burden, therapeutic countermeasures including pain recognition. RESULTS: A total of 46 nurses from 3 wards (internal, geriatric, surgery) were interviewed. 1. Nurses reported being heavily burdened by patients with BPSD. 2. A structured identification of possible causes as part of an established treatment process was not observed. 3. Offering to talk with the patient in order to identify possible causes for BPSD was seen as the first step in the right direction but is inhibited by the limitations of people with severe dementia. 4. Pain as one important cause for BPSD was known by the staff but was often measured by inadequate instruments. 5. Positioning and mobilization were the most commonly used attempts at treatment. CONCLUSION: Nurses are especially affected in their daily work by patients with BPSD. Clarifying the cause may play a crucial role in treating BPSD.

Pain assessment in advanced dementia. Validity of the German PAINAD-a prospective double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Pain in combination with dementia is a common condition that makes pain recognition significantly more difficult. This results in undertreatment of pain in those suffering from dementia. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale currently represents one of the best approaches to pain detection in dementia. In a pilot study, strong inter-rater and retest reliability of the German version (PAINAD-G) was proven. However, the available data concerning the validity of this instrument were insufficient. The aim of the study was to validate the PAINAD-G scale by a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in people with advanced dementia expected to be in pain. A second aim was to examine whether other observational tools (BISAD = Observation Instrument for Assessing Pain in the Elderly with Dementia) (German: Beobachtungsintrument für das Schmerzassessment bei alten Menschen mit Demenz, Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indicators, Algoplus) were also able to demonstrate a significant difference between the study groups. Surprisingly, the study revealed no difference in "pain reduction" between those treated by oxycodone compared with those treated by placebo. Equally, none of the other 3 observational tools were able to demonstrate a significant difference between the study groups. However, correlations among the 4 observational tools were mostly moderate to high. A number of possible reasons for this observation, such as difficulties regarding sensitivity to change/responsiveness, consistence of the fundamental construct, influence of the early onset study, and efficacy of the analgesic in advanced dementia are discussed.

[Elderly Drivers: Danger or Person at Risk?] / Ältere Autofahrer: Gefahr oder Gefährdete?

Due to the demographic development, a growing proportion of elderly drivers can be expected. Seniors still do not belong to a particularly prominent risk group. Compared to younger drivers, the elderly are responsible for a considerably smaller number of driving accidents. However, in the case of an accident, seniors are mostly responsible for them. They have a higher vulnerability and therefore suffer from serious injuries when accidents occur. Vision, cognition and motor function are the three key elements of driving. It is still unclear, which assessment reflects the driving ability of seniors most suitably. Most likely, one will be to conduct a set of different cognitive and functional assessments. The gold standard is still a standardized driving test.

Switch to Combined GLP1 Receptor Agonist Lixisenatide with Basal Insulin Glargine in Poorly Controlled T2DM Patients with Premixed Insulin Therapy: A Clinical Observation and Pilot Study in Nine Patients.

INTRODUCTION: To prove the feasibility and safety of a conversion to once-daily injected GLP1 agonist (lixisenatide) and long-acting basal insulin analogue (glargine) in patients with T2DM and poorly controlled glycemia previously treated with multiple injections of premixed insulins (iPremix) in an outpatient setting. METHODS: Nine patients with T2DM currently receiving iPremix formulations and poor glycemic control were switched to once-daily injected lixisenatide (Lixi) and basal insulin analogue glargine (iGlar) for a 12-week period. Efficacy was defined as A1c reduction of at least 0.4% and weight loss of 0.5 kg or higher. RESULTS: Five of nine patients achieved A1c reductions of 0.4% (4 mmol/mol) or higher and six of nine patients a weight loss of 0.5 kg or higher. A mean A1C reduction of 0.5% ± 0.5% (6 mmol/mol) and mean weight loss of -1.4 ± 3.6 kg were observed in all patients. Total daily insulin dose after 12 weeks declined from 56 ± 26 IU with iPremix formulations to 47 ± 17 IU in patients taking combined iGlar and Lixi. Corrections with fast acting insulin glulisine (iGlu) were necessary in two patients on a regular basis and in four patients on an irregular basis (2.3 IU mean total daily dose). Two patients did not need additional iGlu. Postprandial glucose profiles were lower in the combined group compared with iPremix throughout the day, which resolved in the afternoon. No metabolic derangements occurred. Mild hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most often reported adverse events affecting three patients. CONCLUSION: The conversion to once-daily injected GLP1 agonist Lixi and basal iGlar could safely be performed in an outpatient setting and was associated with better postprandial glycemic control throughout the day, except dinner, compared to iPremix. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EU clinical trials register EudraCT number 2013-005334-37 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02168491. FUNDING: Sponsored by the Medical University of Vienna and in part supported by Sanofi-Aventis.

Physical Restraint and Antipsychotic Medication Use Among Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.

PURPOSE: To explore antipsychotic (AP) medications and physical restraint use and their effects on physical function and cognition in older nursing home residents. METHODS: This retrospective cohort studied involved 532 residents with dementia from 57 nursing homes participating in the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-Term Care study. Poisson log regression models explored the effect of physical restraint and/or AP medication use on cognitive or functional decline at 6 months. RESULTS: Physical restraint use was associated with a higher risk of both functional and cognitive decline compared with AP medication use alone. These risks were highest among residents receiving both AP medications and physical restraints, suggesting additive effects. DISCUSSION: Physical restraint use, and even more strongly, concurrent physical restraint and AP medication use, is related to function and cognitive decline in nursing home residents with dementia. Antipsychotic use is cautioned, but these results suggest physical restraint use is potentially more risky.

Association between pain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and physical function in dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pain, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and functional impairment are prevalent in patients with dementia and pain is hypothesized to be causal in both neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and functional impairment. As the exact nature of the associations is unknown, this review examines the strength of associations between pain and NPS, and pain and physical function in patients with dementia. Special attention is paid to the description of measurement instruments and the methods used to detect pain, NPS and physical function. METHODS: A systematic search was made in the databases of PubMed (Medline), Embase, Cochrane, Cinahl, PsychINFO, and Web of Science. Studies were included that described associations between pain and NPS and/or physical function in patients with moderate to severe dementia. RESULTS: The search yielded 22 articles describing 18 studies, including two longitudinal studies. Most evidence was found for the association between pain and depression, followed by the association between pain and agitation/aggression. The longitudinal studies reported no direct effects between pain and NPS but some indirect effects, e.g. pain through depression. Although some association was established between pain and NPS, and pain and physical function, the strength of associations was relatively weak. Interestingly, only three studies used an observer rating scale for pain-related behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence does not support strong associations between pain, NPS and physical function. This might be due to inadequate use or lack of rating scales to detect pain-related behaviour. These results show that the relationship between pain and NPS, as well as with physical function, is complicated and warrants additional longitudinal evaluation.

Factors associated with fear of falling and associated activity restriction in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Fear of falling (FOF) is an important threat to autonomy. Current interventions to reduce FOF have yielded conflicting results. A possible reason for this discrepancy could be its multicausality. Some risk factors may not have been identified and addressed in recent studies. The last systematic review included studies until 2006. METHODS: To identify additional risk factors for FOF and to test those mentioned previously, we conducted a systematic literature review. Studies examining FOF in community-dwelling older adults between 2006 and October 2013 were screened. RESULTS: Outcomes are summarized with respect to different constructs such as FOF, fall-related self-efficacy/balance confidence, and FOF-related activity restriction. Odds ratios and p values are reported. There is no clear pattern with regard to the different FOF-related constructs studied. The only parameters robustly associated across all constructs were female gender, performance-based and questionnaire-based physical function, the use of a walking aid, and, less robust, a history of falls and poor self-rated health. Conflicting results were identified for depression and anxiety, multiple drugs, and psychotropic drugs. Other potentially modifiable risk factors were only mentioned in one or two studies and warrant further investigation. Parameters with mainly negative results are also presented. CONCLUSION: Only few risk factors identified were robustly associated across all FOF-related constructs and should be included in future studies on FOF. Some newer factors have to be tested again in different cohorts. The comprehensive overview might assist in the conceptualization of future studies.

Pain assessment in elderly adults with dementia.

Chronic pain is highly prevalent in the ageing population. Individuals with neurological disorders such as dementia are susceptible patient groups in which pain is frequently under-recognised, underestimated, and undertreated. Results from neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies showing that elderly adults are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of pain are of additional concern. The inability to successfully communicate pain in severe dementia is a major barrier to effective treatment. The systematic study of facial expressions through a computerised system has identified core features that are highly specific to the experience of pain, with potential future effects on assessment practices in people with dementia. Various observational-behavioural pain assessment instruments have been reported to be both reliable and valid in individuals with dementia. These techniques need to be interpreted in the context of observer bias, contextual variables, and the overall state of the individual's health and wellbeing.

Use of antipsychotic drugs among residents with dementia in European long-term care facilities: results from the SHELTER study.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common reasons for use of antipsychotic drugs among older individuals with dementia. These drugs are not approved for such use and both the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency have issued warnings to limit such use. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe patterns of antipsychotic drug use in a sample of nursing home residents with dementia in 7 European countries and Israel. DESIGN: This cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study used data from the SHELTER study that collected comprehensive resident data using the interRAI Long-Term Care Facility instrument. METHODS: Fifty-seven long-term care facilities participated from 8 countries, and the sample included 4156 long-term care residents from these settings. Individuals with dementia, both Alzheimer and non-Alzheimer types, were identified. Potential correlates of any antipsychotic and atypical versus conventional antipsychotic drug use among residents with dementia were identified using generalized estimation equation modeling. RESULTS: A total of 2091 individuals with dementia were identified. Antipsychotic drug use among these individuals varied by country, with overall prevalence of use being 32.8% (n = 662). Among antipsychotic users, 7 in 10 were receiving atypical agents. Generalized estimation equation analysis revealed that the strongest correlate of any antipsychotic drug use was severe behavioral symptoms, which increased the likelihood by 2.84. Correlates of atypical versus conventional antipsychotic drug use included psychiatric services, more than 10 medications, moderate behavioral symptoms, and female gender. CONCLUSION: Despite recommendations to avoid the use of antipsychotic drugs in patients with dementia, a large proportion of residents in European long-term care facilities continue to receive such agents. Future work should not only establish the appropriateness of such use through outcomes studies, but explore withdrawal strategies as well as alternative treatment modalities.

Multisite pain, pain frequency and pain severity are associated with depression in older adults: results from the ActiFE Ulm study.

BACKGROUND: there is ample literature showing pain and depression are related. However, different dimensions of pain have been used in former studies. OBJECTIVE: the objective of the study was to compare the strength of the association of different pain dimensions with depression in older adults. METHODS: assessments including evaluation of pain (severity, frequency, chronicity, quality, pain medication, painful body sites) and depression (measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were performed in an observational study in community dwelling older adults (sample mean age 76, n = 1130) in Germany. The associations of different dimension of pain with depression were assessed using descriptive and multivariate methods. RESULTS: the number of painful body areas was most significantly associated with self-reported late life depression (OR 1.20, CI 1.11-1.31). Pain severity and frequency (OR 1.12, CI 1.01-1.23 and OR 1.18, CI 1.01-1.37) were also associated with depression; quality and duration were not. Except for severity (OR 1.12, CI 1.02-1.24) associations of pain dimensions were strongly reduced when controlling for relevant confounders and gender was an effect modifier. CONCLUSIONS: multisite pain, pain severity and frequency were the best predictors of late life depression. Clinicians should be especially aware of depressive disorders when older patients are complaining of pain in multiple areas across the body.

Treatment of pain in European nursing homes: results from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm Care (SHELTER) study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management approaches and associated factors in nursing home residents across Europe. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: Cross-sectional study with 4156 residents who were assessed using the interRAI instrument for Long Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF), including pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management modalities. Those reporting pain were included in the analyses (n = 1900). A deeper analysis was performed for the subsample of residents who reported "current pain," defined as pain at least 1 day within the past 3 days (n = 838), and those who reported "current pain of moderate to severe intensity" (n = 590). RESULTS: Up to 24% of residents who reported pain did not receive any pain medication and up to 11% received it only PRN (as-needed basis), independent of current pain-intensity levels; 61% did not receive any nonpharmacological treatment and 21% received neither pharmacological nor nonpharmacological pain modalities. Considerable differences could be demonstrated across European countries. Factors positively associated with pharmacological pain management were being of female gender, reporting cancer, and having moderate or severe pain. High turnover rates of regular staff and low-to-moderate physicians' availability were negatively associated. Factors positively associated with nonpharmacological treatment were fractures and need of assistance in activities of daily living. Dementia, large nursing home facilities, above-average and high turnover rates of nursing staff, a low physicians' availability, and severe pain intensity were negatively associated. CONCLUSION: Despite some advances in recent years, pain treatment in European nursing home residents remains to be suboptimal and requires further improvement.