Factors associated with mortality of elderly people due to COVID-19: Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant health crisis, marked by high mortality rates on a global scale, with mortality from the disease being notably concentrated among the elderly due to various factors. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the biological and non-biological factors associated with COVID-19 mortality rates among the elderly worldwide. METHODS: The following databases will be consulted: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. Longitudinal observational studies (cohort and case-control-risk factors) will be included. The risk of bias, defined as low, moderate, high, will be assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Quality Assessment Tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Two independent authors will conduct the searches, and any possible disagreements will be resolved by a third author. Heterogeneity between study results will be assessed using a standard X2 test with a significance level of 0.05, and an I2 value will be calculated to further assess heterogeneity. The random effects model for meta-analyses will be adopted to distribute the weight between the studies and standardize their contributions. The meta-analyses will be conducted using RevMan software. DISCUSSION: Despite the numerous publications on COVID-19 mortality among the elderly, there is still a gap in knowledge, as there is no systematic review and meta-analysis that summarizes the main biological and non-biological associated factors globally. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will consolidate the latest evidence and address gaps in the overall understanding of biological or non-biological associated factors. This knowledge will facilitate the development of appropriate health strategies for this demographic group and pave the way for further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42023400873).

Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy for Institutionalized Patients With Dementia: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT: Animal-assisted interventions have been used in recent years to complement other therapies of various types for dementia patients. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to evaluate the benefits of dog-assisted interventions for the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and functional areas of the lives of dementia patients. DESIGN: The research team designed an experimental study that used dog-assisted therapy (DAT) as the intervention. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Enoc Center, a nursing home, in Azucaica, Toledo, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 21 residents who had been living at the center for more than one year, were over 65 years old, and had symptoms associated with dementia or affective disorders. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly divided into three groups: the control, intervention, and healthy groups. The intervention and healthy groups attended the DAT in addition to the center's regular therapies. The control group didn't attend the DAT but did attend the center's regular therapies. The program occurred over six months, with weekly sessions of 45 minutes in both cases. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were evaluated at baseline and postintervention using specific scales appropriate to an area: (1) cognitive-Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), (2) functional-Modified Barthel Index, (3) affective-Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale: Short Form and (4) behavioral-Neuropsychiatric Inventory Scale (NPI). RESULTS: The study revealed significant differences between the control group and the intervention group and between the control group and the healthy group in the cognitive, affective, and behavioral areas but not in the functional area. CONCLUSIONS: The program was beneficial for elderly institutionalized patients with dementia in the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive areas.