Características epidemiológicas, clínicas y funcionales de los pacientes mayores de 75 años ingresados en un hospital terciario durante la primera ola pandémica por SARS-CoV-2 / Epidemiological, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients older than 75 years admitted to a tertiary hospital during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Fundamento: Analizar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y funcionales de los pacientes ingresados en el Hospital Universitario de Navarra por infección por SARS-CoV-2, así como los factores predictores de mortalidad, durante la primera ola de la pandemia provocada por este virus. Metodología: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo de todos los pacientes hospitalizados mayores de 75 años entre marzo y noviembre de 2020. Se ha obtenido información sobre múltiples variables, entre las que cabe destacar los síndromes geriátricos previos y que han aparecido durante la hospitalización, o los antecedentes médicos considerados relevantes en la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Se ha realizado un análisis descriptivo de los datos, comparaciones según diversos factores de interés y análisis multivariable para analizar los factores asociados a la mortalidad. Resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de un total de 426 pacientes cuya edad media fue de 83,2 años (52,6% varones). El 34,7% fallecieron en el hospital y el 4,5% antes de un mes tras el alta hospitalaria. Los factores relacionados con la mortalidad fueron: peor situación funcional basal, enfermedad renal crónica y fiebre o disnea como formas de presentación. Los síntomas típicos más frecuentes fueron: fiebre, disnea, tos, astenia e hiporexia. Hasta el 42,1% presentaron delirium como síntoma de inicio atípico. Se objetivó un deterioro funcional que no se recuperó al mes de seguimiento (índice de Barthel basal 81,12; 70,08 al alta; 75,55 al mes). Conclusiones: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 ha provocado elevadas tasas de mortalidad en las personas mayores. En este grupo etario, es frecuente la forma de presentación atípica de esta enfermedad y el deterioro funcional durante la hospitalización. En el presente estudio se ha identificado un peor estado funcional previo como predictor de mortalidad. Son necesarios más estudios que evalúen el impacto que la enfermedad y la hospitalización tienen en el paciente mayor...(AU)

Background: The objective of the present study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and functional characteristics of patients admitted to the University Hospital of Navarra due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the predictors of mortality, during the first wave of the pandemic caused by this virus. Methodology: An observational, retrospective study was performed, including all hospitalized patients older than 75 years. Information has been obtained on multiple variables, among which it is worth mentioning previous geriatric syndromes or those that have appeared during hospitalization, or past medical history considered relevant in SARS-CoV-2 infection. A descriptive analysis of the data, comparisons according to various factors of interest and multivariate analysis to analyze factors associated with mortality were carried out. Results: Data have been obtained from a total of 426 patients with a mean age of 83.2 years (52.6% men). 34.7% died in hospital and 4.5% within 1 month after hospital discharge. The factors related to mortality were: worse baseline functional status, chronic kidney disease, and fever or dyspnea as forms of presentation. The most frequent typical symptoms were: fever, dyspnea, cough, asthenia and hyporexia. Up to 42.1% presented delirium as a symptom of atypical onset. We observed a functional deterioration that was not recover after a month of follow-up (baseline Barthel index 81.12; 70.08 at discharge; 75.55 after a month). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused high mortality rates in older adults. In this age group, the atypical presentation of this disease and functional deterioration during hospitalization are frequent. In the present study, a worse previous functional status has been identified as a predictor of mortality. More studies are needed to evaluate the impact that the disease and hospitalization have on the older patient...(AU)

The lived experience of frailty: beyond classification and towards a holistic understanding of health.

PURPOSE: Frailty is characterised by decreased physiological reserves and vulnerability to stressors. Although scales, such as the Fried's Frailty Phenotype (FP), Frailty Index (FI), and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), are used to identify frailty, the lived experience of frailty remains understudied. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational research involved participants aged 65 years and older from Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Participants were categorised into four independent groups: three frail groups based on the aforementioned scales and a non-frail group. Quantitative variables, including self-rated health, CASP-19 quality-of-life score, and frequency of social activities, were analysed and described. RESULTS: The study encompassed 1999 participants with an average age of 72 years, of whom 51% were women. FP exclusively identified 1.6% as frail (n = 32), FI 11.7% (n = 233), and CFS 6.8% (n = 135). More than 60% of all those classified as frail reported their health as good, very good, or excellent, with the lowest proportion (64%) being among frail by FI participants. Frail by FI participants exhibited the lowest mean average CASP-19 score, yet it remained relatively high at 39 out of 57 points. Over 77% of all frail individuals engaged in active leisure activities at least once a month. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need to comprehend frailty holistically beyond its mere identification. It challenges the prevailing belief that frailty inevitably leads to impaired quality of life and limited social engagement. The findings advocate for a reassessment of how both the general public and healthcare professionals perceive frailty.

[Epidemiological, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients older than 75 years admitted to a tertiary hospital during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Características epidemiológicas, clínicas y funcionales de los pacientes mayores de 75 años ingresados en un hospital terciario durante la primera ola pandémica por SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and functional characteristics of patients admitted to the University Hospital of Navarra due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the predictors of mortality, during the first wave of the pandemic caused by this virus. METHODOLOGY: An observational, retrospective study was performed, including all hospitalized patients older than 75 years. Information has been obtained on multiple variables, among which it is worth mentioning previous geriatric syndromes or those that have appeared during hospitalization, or past medical history considered relevant in SARS-CoV-2 infection. A descriptive analysis of the data, comparisons according to various factors of interest and multivariate analysis to analyze factors associated with mortality were carried out. RESULTS: Data have been obtained from a total of 426 patients with a mean age of 83.2 years (52.6% men). 34.7% died in hospital and 4.5% within 1 month after hospital discharge. The factors related to mortality were: worse baseline functional status, chronic kidney disease, and fever or dyspnea as forms of presentation. The most frequent typical symptoms were: fever, dyspnea, cough, asthenia and hyporexia. Up to 42.1% presented delirium as a symptom of atypical onset. We observed a functional deterioration that was not recover after a month of follow-up (baseline Barthel index 81.12; 70.08 at discharge; 75.55 after a month). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused high mortality rates in older adults. In this age group, the atypical presentation of this disease and functional deterioration during hospitalization are frequent. In the present study, a worse previous functional status has been identified as a predictor of mortality. More studies are needed to evaluate the impact that the disease and hospitalization have on the older patient, with the aim of implementing preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures that are necessary to avoid functional deterioration and adverse health events related to it.

A Narrative Review of the Utilisation of the SHARE Frailty Instruments (SHARE-FI and SHARE-FI75+) in the Literature.

This narrative literature review aimed to examine the utilisation of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) frailty instruments: SHARE-FI and SHARE-FI75+. We used the Google Scholar "cited by" function (accessed on February 20th, 2023) to identify all citations of the original SHARE-FI and SHARE-FI75+ studies. Included articles were categorised into four themes: epidemiological studies (prevalence and associated factors); associations with geriatric syndromes, diseases and health outcomes; randomised clinical trials (RCTs); and expert consensus and practice guidelines. Of 529 articles screened (446 citing SHARE-FI and 83 citing SHARE-FI75+), 64 (12.1%) were included. Sixteen (25.0%) were epidemiological; 35 (54.7%) described associations; 10 (15.6%) were RCTs; and 3 (4.7%) were expert consensus or practice guidelines. Frailty was associated with older age; female sex; higher morbidity; lower education; social isolation; worse nutrition and mobility; rheumatological, cardiovascular, and endocrine diseases; and greater healthcare utilisation and mortality. SHARE-FI was used in RCTs as entry criterion, controlling variable, and intervention outcome. SHARE-FI and SHARE-FI75+ have been recommended to aid the management of atrial fibrillation anticoagulation and hypertension, respectively. SHARE-FI and SHARE-FI75+, two open access phenotypical frailty measurement tools, have been utilised for a range of purposes, and mostly in epidemiological/associational studies.

Changes in the clinical profile of acutely hospitalized older patients after the COVID-19 pandemic / Cambios en el perfil clínico de pacientes hospitalizados en una unidad geriátrica de agudos tras la pandemia por COVID-19

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Impact of probiotics and prebiotics in the modulation of the major events of the aging process: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The increase in life expectancy has led to profound changes in disease prevention and health maintenance. Because of the impact of dysbiosis on the host's health, it is worth considering microbiome-targeted therapies to attenuate or delay age-related perturbations. AIM: The aim of the present review was to systematically evaluate the impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the major events that affect individuals aged 65 or older. METHODS: We performed a literature search in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) performed on old people and published between 2009 and 2019 were included. RESULTS: Nine RCTs and 1 secondary analysis (n = 475, 55.8% female) were eligible for inclusion and retrieved in this systematic review. Overall, most interventions resulted in improvements in certain parameters when compared to control (glucose homeostasis, cognitive function, frailty phenotype, gut microbiota profile, immune parameters), while others remained unvariable. CONCLUSIONS: The use of probiotics and prebiotics raises a great opportunity to modulate the process of aging and looks promising for health prevention in old adults. However, more RCTs in subjects older than 65 years are needed to elucidate the suitability of these supplementations and establish the underlying potential mechanisms.

A Feasibility Study for Implementation "Health Arcade": A Study Protocol for Prototype of Multidomain Intervention Based on Gamification Technologies in Acutely Hospitalized Older Patients.

The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a study that will evaluate the feasibility of implementation of Health Arcade prototype multidomain intervention based on physical and cognitive training using gamification technologies at improving care for older people hospitalized with an acute illness. A total of 40 older people will be recruited in a tertiary public hospital at Pamplona, Spain. The intervention duration will be four to nine consecutive days. Additionally, the patients will receive encouragement for maintaining active during hospital stay and for reducing sedentary time. Primary implementation-related outcomes will be the adherence to treatment (i.e., number of games and days completed during the intervention period), reaction or response time, and number of success and failures in each game per day. Secondary implementation-related outcomes will be self-perceived grade of difficulty, satisfaction, enjoyment per game and session, and self-perceived difficulties in handling the prototype hardware. Other health-related outcomes will also be assessed such as functional capacity in activities of daily living, mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, physical activity levels, and mobility. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of multidomain interventions designed to target older persons with an acute illness based on friendly technology. The proposed intervention will increase accessibility of in-clinical geriatrics services, improve function, promote recovery of the health, and reduce economic costs.