Tackling frailty and functional decline: Background of the action group A3 of the European innovation partnership for active and healthy ageing.

Ageing populations represent a challenge to the sustainability of current healthcare systems. The need to balance these demographic changes with gains in healthy life years and quality of life (QoL) constitutes an additional challenge. Aware of this, the European Commission (EC) launched the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIPonAHA) in 2012. The EIPonAHA is an interdisciplinary and cross-sector initiative involving more than 3000 partners with two specific objectives: to increase the healthy life expectancy of Europeans by two years by 2020, while increasing their QoL. The initiatives of the EIPonAHA have been organized according to six thematic action groups (AGs), with the A3 group targeting areas relating to the prevention of functional decline and frailty. In addition to the good practices of partners, there are several on-going collaborative works. The involvement of the EC includes support through an elaborated research programme in which the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) are the main funding bodies. Screening approaches and preventive interventions constitute most of the initiatives within the A3 AG. Partners are distributed across five sub-groups according to good practices: i) cognitive decline, ii) food and nutrition, iii) physical activity, iv) caregivers, and v) frailty and functional decline. Regular updates of the progression of both good practices and collaborative works are presented in A3 AG meetings. The 2017 meeting in Valencia, Spain, showcased in this paper, provides an up-to-date overview of the current status of A3 activities.

The development of a geriatric postgraduate education assessment instrument using a modified Delphi procedure.

There is currently wide variation in the structure and content of higher medical training in geriatric medicine across Europe and no common framework within which existing efforts can be compared. We set out to develop an audit tool to compare training between countries. An initial review of indexed and grey literature was used to develop an audit tool which was used as the basis of an Internet-based modified Delphi process incorporating the views of 14 expert geriatricians from across Europe. Items in the audit tool were included or excluded when supported by ≥75% or <50% of respondents, respectively. Items supported by 50-74% of respondents were carried forward with additional suggestions and modifications included following Round 1. Thirteen experts representing 12 countries responded to both rounds. 40/45 items were supported at Round 1. Five items were carried forward. A further 13 elements were introduced for consideration at Round 2. Consensus was gained after the second round. The final tool describes 52 items across four domains: general considerations, topics referring to knowledge in patient care, different roles that should be considered in medical training and topics regarding assessment. The resulting tool can be used as a basis for comparing higher medical training programmes in geriatric medicine between countries. Individual countries can use this to audit current practice. At an European Union level, the insights gained through such audit will form the basis of future work to develop an agreed postgraduate curriculum in the specialty.

The Graz Malnutrition Screening (GMS): a new hospital screening tool for malnutrition.

Despite the significant impact of malnutrition in hospitalised patients, it is often not identified by clinical staff in daily practice. To improve nutritional support in hospitals, standardised routine nutritional screening is essential. The Graz Malnutrition Screening (GMS) tool was developed for the purpose of malnutrition risk screening in a large hospital setting involving different departments. It was the aim of the present study to validate the GMS against Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) and Mini Nutritional Assessment-short form (MNA-sf) in a randomised blinded manner. A total of 404 randomly selected patients admitted to the internal, surgical and orthopaedic wards of the University Hospital Graz were screened in a blinded manner by different raters. Concurrent validity was determined by comparing the GMS with the NRS and in older patients (70+ years) with the MNA-sf additionally. According to GMS, 31·9 or 28·5% of the admitted patients were categorised as at 'risk of malnutrition' (depending on the rater). According to the reference standard of NRS, 24·5% of the patients suffered from malnutrition. Pearson's r values of 0·78 compared with the NRS and 0·84 compared with the MNA showed strong positive correlations. Results of accuracy (0·85), sensitivity (0·94), specificity (0·77), positive predictive value (0·76) and negative predictive value (0·95) of GMS were also very high. Cohen's κ for internal consistency of the GMS was 0·82. GMS proves to be a valid and reliable instrument for the detection of malnutrition in adult patients in acute-care hospitals.

Effects of Exercise and Nutrition on the Coagulation System During Bedrest Immobilization.

Immobilization in hospitalized medical patients or during simulation of spaceflight induced deconditioning has been shown to be associated with loss of muscle mass and bone. Resistance vibrating exercise (RVE) and/or high protein diet are countermeasures, which are capable of mitigating the adverse effects of immobilization. We investigated the effect of these countermeasures on the coagulation system. Two groups of volunteers, each of whom performed such countermeasures, were enrolled in the study. Volunteers, who did nothing while bed rested, served as controls. The berest and the intervention protocols were carried out at Clinique d' Investigation, MEDES, Toulouse, France. Eleven healthy men volunteered for this randomized crossover study. The subjects underwent 21 day of 6° head down bed rest (HDBR) followed by a washout period of 4 months. The first group followed an exercise schedule using resistance-vibrating exercise (RVE group). The second group also used the RVE but complemented it with high-protein supplement diet (NeX group). The third group only did bed rest. The highly sensitive methods calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) and thrombelastometry (TEM) were applied to monitor hemostatic changes. In all 3 groups, the hemostatic system shifted toward hypocoagulability during bed rest. For example, peak and thrombin formation velocity (VELINDEX) reduced in this period. Interestingly, a tendency toward hypercoagulation was observed during re-ambulation. In all 3 groups, ttPeak and StartTail were reduced, and Peak and VELINDEX (except in the RVE group) were significantly higher in relation to baseline values. Influence of bed rest on the coagulation system in the 2 groups performing countermeasures (RVE and NeX group) was the same as in the control bed-rested group. Clotting does not seem to be worsened by prolonged immobilization, or by countermeasures such as RVE/exercise or high-protein supplementation during immobilization. Therefore, only hospitalized medical patients at an elevated risk for thrombosis should be treated with anticoagulants. However, clinicians have to be aware that the re-ambulation period following immobilization might be associated with an elevated risk of thrombotic events.

European postgraduate training in geriatric medicine: data of a systematic international survey.

INTRODUCTION: High-quality education and training standards in geriatric medicine are important to develop the profession of geriatric medicine. The objective of the study was to give a structured update on postgraduate specialty training in geriatric medicine throughout Europe to assess the need for further developments in postgraduate education. METHODS: The study was performed as a cross-sectional structured quantitative online survey with qualitative comments. The survey content covered organization, content and educational aspects of specialty training in geriatric medicine in European countries. After piloting, the questionnaire was sent to experts in geriatric medicine with a special interest in postgraduate training who are members of one of the following organizations; European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), European Academy for the Medicine of Aging (EAMA), and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS). RESULTS: Respondents to the survey represented 31 European countries. Geriatric medicine is recognized as an independent postgraduate specialty in 61.3 % (19/31) and as a subspecialty in 29.0 % (9/31) of the countries. In 5 of the 31 countries geriatric medicine is not recognized at all. Nearly all countries offering postgraduate training in geriatric medicine have written, competence-based curricula covering different learning domains. 20/31 countries (64.5 %) have some kind of specialist assessment. DISCUSSION: The survey tries to give an actual condensed picture of postgraduate specialty training in geriatric medicine across Europe. Results show a consistent improvement in the recognition of geriatric medicine as independent specialty over the last decade. Continuous development of specialty training in geriatric medicine is required to medical address the public health needs of an aging population. Competence-based educational models including adequate forms of assessment should be targeted throughout Europe. To emphasize the importance of postgraduate geriatric training, it should be a mission to harmonize training standards across Europe.

The influence of elevated levels of C-reactive protein and hypoalbuminemia on survival in patients with advanced inoperable esophageal cancer undergoing palliative treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inflammation perpetuates individual tumor progression resulting in decreased survival in cancer patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as low levels of albumin on patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: The data of 218 patients with advanced esophageal cancer, who were treated at a single center within 12 years, were evaluated retrospectively. Patient's age, gender, body weight, dysphagia, plasma levels of CRP and albumin, the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) combining both indicators, and survival were assessed for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (18.2%) had hypoalbuminemia and 161 (73.9%) had elevated CRP levels. Patients with hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.001) as well as patients with increased CRP levels (P = 0.001) showed a significantly shorter survival. Weight loss was correlated to elevated plasma CRP (P = 0.022), to diarrhea (P = 0.021), and to dysphagia (P = 0.008). Increasing GPS was significantly associated with poor survival (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CRP levels and hypoalbuminemia are significantly associated with reduced survival and are considered to be an appropriate predictor for poor outcome in advanced esophageal carcinoma. The GPS provides additional detailed prognostication and should be therefore taken into consideration when the individual palliative strategy has to be scheduled.

The role of serum albumin in the prediction of malnutrition in patients at least five yr after heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition after heart transplantation (HTX) is related to graft sclerosis. The risk for malnutrition is often underestimated by conventional measurements. We aimed to compare these with objective assessors for malnutrition. METHODS: Recipients at least five yr after HTX were included. Body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance analysis (BIA), serum albumin (SA) and subjective global assessment (SGA) malnutrition, and concomitant diseases were assessed. The BIA was used as gold standard, and a phase difference (PD) <4 was defined as cutoff. RESULTS: Sixty recipients (47 male, 13 female) were analyzed. The prevalence of malnutrition was according to SGA 6.6% (4/60), BMI 8.3% (5/60), SA 31.6% (19/60), and BIA 48.3% (19/60). PD values did not correlate with BMI (r = 0.118; p = 0.079) or SGA (r = 0.289; p = 0.65), but with SA (r = 0.458; p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis yield SA and sCr as independent predictors for an existing malnutrition. ROC analysis showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.606 for SA as compared to 0.515 for the BMI and 0.698 for sCr in the prediction of existing malnutrition as defined by the PD. CONCLUSION: The BMI or the SGA did not show as much power in predicting an existing alimentary deficiency for heart recipients as did SA.

European undergraduate curriculum in geriatric medicine developed using an international modified Delphi technique.

INTRODUCTION: the rise in the number of older, frail adults necessitates that future doctors are adequately trained in the skills of geriatric medicine. Few countries have dedicated curricula in geriatric medicine at the undergraduate level. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus among geriatricians on a curriculum with the minimal requirements that a medical student should achieve by the end of medical school. METHODS: a modified Delphi process was used. First, educational experts and geriatricians proposed a set of learning objectives based on a literature review. Second, three Delphi rounds involving a panel with 49 experts representing 29 countries affiliated to the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) was used to gain consensus for a final curriculum. RESULTS: the number of disagreements following Delphi Rounds 1 and 2 were 81 and 53, respectively. Complete agreement was reached following the third round. The final curriculum consisted of detailed objectives grouped under 10 overarching learning outcomes. DISCUSSION: a consensus on the minimum requirements of geriatric learning objectives for medical students has been agreed by European geriatricians. Major efforts will be needed to implement these requirements, given the large variation in the quality of geriatric teaching in medical schools. This curriculum is a first step to help improve teaching of geriatrics in medical schools, and will also serve as a basis for advancing postgraduate training in geriatrics across Europe.

Solid organ transplantation: technical progress meets human dignity: a review of the literature considering elderly patients' health related quality of life following transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Many transplant studies in elderly patients focus on survival and mortality rates. It was the aim of this review to evaluate publications dealing with individual patient performance and independence. METHODS: The literature search included all articles retrievable for the hit "transplantation in elderly recipients" between 1960 and 2010. For quality search the inclusion criteria were as follows: older than 60 years and transplanted kidney, liver, heart, lung or pancreas from a deceased or living donor. We focussed on parameters concerning quality of life, frailty, nutritional status/weight loss, drugs/interactions/polypharmacy, gait/osteoporosis/fracture, delirium/dementia and geriatric assessment to address physical and psychosocial functionality of elderly recipients. RESULTS: The initial hit list contained 1427 citations from electronic databases. 249 abstracts thereof were selected for full review. A total of 60 articles met final inclusion criteria. Finally, only five studies met the qualitative inclusion criteria as listed above. CONCLUSION: The number of elderly patients placed on waiting lists has increased dramatically and will further grow. Interdisciplinary collaboration and distinct patient selection is recommended in most of the studies. However, data concerning quality of life and related parameters in elderly transplant recipients are rare.

[Polypharmacy is of major concern in cardiology]. / Polypharmazie in der Kardiologie - ein beachtliches Problem bei Synkopen, QT-Zeit-Verlängerung, Bradykardie und Tachykardie.

Quality improvement in cardiology over the past decade focused on management of acute coronary syndrome with invasive and innovative medical therapies, optimizing treatment of congestive heart failure and the development of repair procedures in valvular heart disease. On the other hand cardiologist and the attendant physicians are confronted with changes in the characteristics of patients in the light of demographic facts. Comorbidity and polypharmacy raise the need for clear concepts. Therapeutic and diagnostic tools of geriatric medicine may help in that context.

[Oral anticoagulation and risk of bleeding in elderly patients - the aspect of polypharmacy]. / Blutungskomplikationen bei geriatrischen Patienten unter oraler Antikoagulation - Aspekte der Polypragmasie.

Oral anticoagulant therapy has been shown to be of benefit also in elderly patients in various therapeutic and prophylactic indications. Despite strong evidence in literature, doctors still refuse to prescribe oral anticoagulants to geriatric patients in daily routine. Main reason for this decision is the fear of secondary bleeding complications. According to clinical trial data, distinct risk factors for bleeding attributed to anticoagulant treatment may be determined: age >70 years, female gender, recurrent bleeding events, alcohol/drug abuse, diabetes, anaemia and polypharmacy. The entire article reveals the literature in Medline and Cochrane Library from 1980 to 2009 including the hits "polypharmacy - anticoagulant treatment - elderly patients". It further highlights risk assessment strategies in elderly patients, and possible pharmacokinetic and -dynamic interactions of drugs co-administered with oral anticoagulants.

[Diuretics-related complications in elderly patients]. / Komplikationen durch Diuretikatherapie bei geriatrischen Patienten.

Diuretics are well studied and evaluated for their beneficial use in geriatric patients. However those drugs are often used without taking care of subjects condition or functional impairment. Known side effects of those substances may be increased by combinations of multiple drugs. Polypharmacy is a strong risk factor for the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR). ADRs are frequently found in combination with the use of diuretics. The remodelling of human body in aging process and uncontrolled therapeutic strategies seem to be causal for that finding. This article tries to work out the potential risk of the usage of those drugs in geriatric patients and its clinical relevance by using literature published in PubMed.

[Drug-related delirium in elderly patients]. / Medikamenten-induzierte Delirien älterer Menschen.

Drugs have been widely associated with the development of delirium in the elderly and represent the most common reversible cause of this condition. This is of importance since successful treatment depends on identifying the reversible contributing factors. Medications with anticholinergic properties, tranquilizers, analgesics and narcotics are common causes of drug-induced delirium. This article provides practical approach to prevent and recognise this condition, reviews the underlying neurotransmitter imbalances and reconsiders age-related changes of pharmacological effects, which may contribute to the development of delirium.

[Polypharmacy and pain treatment]. / Polypharmazie und Schmerztherapie.

Pain is a frequent symptom in clinical practice. Elderly and chronically ill patients are particularly affected. On account of the high prevalence of polypharmacy among these patients, pharmacological pain therapy becomes a challenge for physicians. Drug side effects and drug-drug interactions have to be taken into account so as to minimize the health risk for these patients. Especially the group of NSAID has a high risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. The gastrointestinal, the cardiovascular, the renal and the coagulation system are particularly affected. Except for the toxic effect on the liver (in a high dose) Paracetamol (acetaminophen) has similar risks, to a minor degree, though. According to current data Metamizol is actually better than its reputation. The risk of potential drug interactions seems to be low. Beside the risk of sedation in combination with other drugs, Tramadol and other opioids such as Pethidin may induce the Serotonin syndrome. In order to avoid dangerous drug interactions and adverse side effects in the case of polypharmacy, it is recommended to prefer individual choices instead of sticking to the pain management as proposed by the WHO.

[Polypharmacy and falls in the Elderly]. / Polypharmazie und Stürze im Alter.

Falls and their consequences are a major problem in geriatric medicine. Main causes are the combination of age-related physiological changes with multimorbidity and subsequent polypharmacy. Elderly patients are more susceptible to adverse drug effects and have less compensatory capacity than younger adults. Therefore careful monitoring of side effects is indicated and prescribing for elderly patients calls for alertness in order to identify symptoms as possible adverse drug effects.

Serum cystatin C is an easy to obtain biomarker for the onset of renal impairment in heart transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: With the increasing longevity of heart transplant recipients, the long-term effects of cyclosporine on renal function have become more evident. Highly sensitive, early, and effective monitoring of posttransplant renal function is still being researched. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of cystatin C for patients after heart transplantation. METHODS: Seventy-three long-term recipients of a heart transplant more than 5 years before the study start were included in the analysis with a follow-up of 4 years. Serum creatinine, renal glomerular filtration rate calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, and serum cystatin C levels were collected, and risk factors for renal dysfunction were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed for all patients. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed a prognostic impact of antihypertensive medication and onset of diabetes (P < .001) on renal failure after transplantation. Multivariate analysis yielded cystatin C measured at the study start as a superior prognostic parameter for all time points (area under the receiver operating characteristic 12 months: 0.963; 24 months: 0.910; 48 months: 0.949) compared with the conventionally used creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed an enormous potential of serum cystatin C as an early prognostic and easy to obtain biomarker for renal dysfunction after heart transplantation.