Solitude in old age: a scoping review of conceptualisations, associated factors and impacts.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to map the existing scientific research about solitude in older adults, focusing on its conceptualizations, associated factors, and impacts. METHOD: A scoping review was conducted, searching Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Academic Search Complete databases for publications from 1985 until December 2023. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included. The main findings suggest a wide-ranging conceptualisation of solitude, with most studies (n = 16) adopting neutral definitions such as "being alone, without communicating with others"; and a subset of studies adopting definitions that alluded to "positive solitude" (as the choice of being with oneself, underscoring potential benefits). Individual characteristics were identified as key associated factors of solitude. Both positive impacts and negative impacts were reported. CONCLUSION: The variability in conceptualisation and impacts likely stems from methodological and theoretical differences in approaching solitude. This underscores the need for additional research to establish a widely accepted conceptual framework. Such consensus could enhance the understanding of the conditions contributing to positive and negative impacts associated with solitude and inform targeted interventions.

Polypharmacy and drug interactions in older patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy in older adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy leads to increased risks of drug interactions, translating in potential hazardous health outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and severe-drug interactions (SDIs) in older patients with cancer. Antineoplastic agents (ANAs) involvement and possible risk contexts (comorbidities with cardiac risk, and high-risk medications) were also analysed. METHODS: Observational study with older adults (≥ 65 years) diagnosed with cancer, who were treated with antineoplastic agents (ANAs); it was conducted in three hospitals from the north of Portugal. Data collection was obtained using self-reports and medical records. DDIs were identified and classified using Micromedex® software. Descriptive and association analyze statistics were performed. Statistical hypothesis tests with p value less than 0.05 were considered significant. All statistical procedures and analysis were performed with R version 4.1.3. RESULTS: We enrolled 552 patients. Polypharmacy prevalence was 88.40%; 76.45% and 56.16% of the patients presented with DDIs and SDIs, respectively. SDIs with ANAs were found in 21.20% of the patients. High-risk medications were associated with a higher risk of polypharmacy, DDIs, and SDIs. Polypharmacy and DDIs were higher in patients with hypertension or diabetes. SDIs were higher in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy, potential DDIs and SDIs were highly prevalent in older adults with cancer. A careful review of the medication administered is necessary to decrease it. These findings warrant further research to optimize medication in this population and decrease problems related to medication, which may lead to emergency room visits and hospitalisations, compromising patient safety and/or ongoing treatments.

Profiling early adopters of 'iSupport-Portugal': a country-specific version of a worldwide adapted digital support program for informal caregivers of people with dementia.

Introduction: Informal caregivers are the backbone of dementia care. iSupport is a World Health Organization digital support program for caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) that has been culturally adapted in several countries. iSupport was previously assessed for its feasibility in Portugal, and this country-specific version is now being utilized as a remote measurement tool (RMT). It constitutes the first internationally developed iSupport platform that is technically and scientifically enhanced to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables of dementia care dyads. This paper characterizes the early adopters of iSupport-Portugal and discusses its exploration as a RMT. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected between February and July 2023 from users registering on isupport-portugal.pt. To characterize caregivers and PwD, eligibility was limited to unpaid caregivers assisting community dwelling PwD (n = 173). Data were collected through self-administered instruments in users' accounts. Caregivers completed psychosocial measures on burden, anxiety, depression, quality of life, desire to institutionalize and usage of community services. Textual data on caregivers' needs underwent content analysis. Results: Among the early adopters of iSupport-Portugal (n = 365), 52.3% were informal caregivers, while 44.7% were health/social care professionals or others. Most caregivers were female (82.7%), middle-aged (M 51.7 years), highly educated (M 15.3 years) and supporting a parent (70.5%). Caregivers cared for a median of 24 h/week and 60.8% lived with the PwD. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were reported for 94.1% of PwD, who scored as moderately dependent (Barthel Index: M 14.0). Significant burden was reported by 88.4% of caregivers (≥21 on ZBI-22). Among caregivers scoring borderline or abnormal (≥8 on HADS) for anxiety, depression, or both (75.5%), 30.8% sought mental health counseling. Caregivers supporting a PwD not using community services scored higher on anxiety (p = 0.003), and depression (p = 0.009). Text data revealed unmet practical, emotional, and informational needs. Discussion: iSupport-Portugal has garnered fair initial interest from caregivers, particularly from those who are children, highly educated, and employed. Early adopters exhibited significant psychological distress, and both practical and emotional needs, which contrast with limited use of support services for themselves and the PwD. iSupport-Portugal shows promise for descriptive research on care dyads, particularly among newer generations of caregivers.

Development process, clinical utility, and preliminary psychometric evidence of a new tool for screening psychological distress in renal care settings: the Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer (HD-DT).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop, evaluate the clinical utility, and test the psychometric properties of a new tool - the Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer (HD-DT) - designed to screen self-reported psychological distress and its sources in adults receiving hemodialysis. METHODS AND MEASURES: Phase 1 focused on the process of developing and evaluating the content validity and clinical utility of the HD-DT using a stepwise mixed-methods approach; in Phase 2, the measurement properties of the European Portuguese version of the HD-DT were tested against reference measures in a cross-sectional study (n = 134 people on hemodialysis); while in Phase 3 the HD-DT was translated and culturally adapted into American English using forward-backward translation and review by a panel of experts. RESULTS: Qualitative findings suggested that the HD-DT was perceived by feedback panels as practical and useful for rapidly screening psychological distress in nephrology centers. The European Portuguese version of this new tool showed good test-retest reliability and high diagnostic accuracy using a cutoff point of ≥ 6 for total distress. High convergent validity was found with reference measures that assess psychological health, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential clinical utility of the HD-DT as an acceptable, reliable, and valid measure that can be used by health psychologists in clinical practice and research in renal care settings. Data collection to validate the American English version of the HD-DT is currently underway.

Influence of chronic medical conditions on older patients' willingness to deprescribe medications: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Aging correlates with a heightened prevalence of chronic diseases, resulting in multimorbidity affecting 60% of those aged 65 or older. Multimorbidity often leads to polypharmacy, elevating the risk of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and adverse health outcomes. To address these issues, deprescribing has emerged as a patient-centered approach that considers patients' beliefs and attitudes toward medication and reduces inappropriate polypharmacy in older adults. Our study aims to investigate whether certain chronic medical conditions are associated with older patients' willingness to deprescribe medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 or older taking at least one regular medication. Data included demographics, clinical characteristics, and responses to the Portuguese revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics characterized participants, while multiple binary logistic regression identified associations between chronic medical conditions and willingness to deprescribe. RESULTS: Among the participants (median age: 72 years, 65.6% female), 91.6% had multimorbidity. The analysis revealed that willingness to deprescribe significantly increased with the presence of gastric disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.123; 95% CI 1.221, 13.915) and age (aOR = 1.121; 95% CI 1.009, 1.246). Conversely, prostatic pathology (aOR = 0.266; 95% CI 0.077, 0.916), higher scores in the rPATD appropriateness factor (aOR = 0.384; 95% CI 0.190, 0.773), and rPATD concerns about stopping factor (aOR = 0.450; 95% CI 0.229, 0.883) diminished patients' willingness to deprescribe. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the intricate relationship between older patients' attitudes toward deprescribing and chronic medical conditions. We found that gastric disease was associated with an increased willingness to deprescribe medications, while prostate disease was associated with the opposite effect. Future research should explore how patients with specific diseases or groups of diseases perceive deprescribing of medications general and for specific medications, aiding in the development of targeted interventions.

The Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer for Caregivers (HD-DT-C): development and testing of the psychometric properties of a new tool for screening psychological distress among family caregivers of adults on hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: To develop and test the measurement properties of the HD-DT-C, a new tool designed to facilitate the screening of psychological distress and its sources in family caregivers of adults on hemodialysis. METHODS: The present investigation was carried out in three phases: Phase 1 focused on the process of developing and exploring the content validity and clinical utility of the HD-DT-C using a mixed-methods approach and feedback panels; Phase 2, where the psychometric properties of this new tool were tested in a cross-sectional study (n = 106 caregivers); and Phase 3, where the European Portuguese version of the HD-DT-C was translated and culturally adapted into American English using a forward-backward translation procedure, followed by an expert panel review. RESULTS: Findings suggested that the HD-DT-C was perceived by feedback panels as practical, appropriate, and useful for increasing dialysis provider/family caregiver communication in nephrology centers. The European Portuguese version of the HD-DT-C showed good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.991 for the barometer and κ ≥ 0.80 in 77% of the checklist items), high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.956), and strong convergent validity (all r ≥ 0.50) with reference measures that assess quality of life, caregiver burden, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cutoff scores with good clinical utility (CUI + ≥ 0.70) were recommended for screening distress in research (≥ 6) and clinical practice (≥ 5). CONCLUSION: The HD-DT-C is a brief, reliable, valid, and acceptable measure for identifying self-reported psychological distress and its sources among people caring for a family member or friend on hemodialysis. Future research is needed to explore the measurement properties of the American English version of this new tool.

The Connected We St@nd programme: A feasibility pilot study of an online self-management intervention for adults on in-centre haemodialysis and family caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: The 'Connected We St@nd' is an online self-management intervention programme for people receiving in-centre haemodialysis and family caregivers that combines an educational and psychosocial support component. This study aimed to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability before proceeding to a large-scale trial. DESIGN: This was a pre-post single-arm feasibility pilot study conducted with adults undergoing in-centre haemodialysis and family caregivers. METHODS: Feasibility was based on eligibility, consent, retention, completion and intervention adherence rates, while acceptability was assessed in post-intervention focus group interviews. RESULTS: Twenty-six people (16 adults on haemodialysis and 10 family caregivers) recruited through social networks completed the intervention. Consent, retention and completion rates were excellent (>90%) and eligibility (77.5%) and intervention adherence were satisfactory (69% for the psychosocial support sessions). Qualitative findings revealed that participants shared positive feelings regarding their participation in the programme. The valuable interactions with group peers and health psychologists during the support sessions, the perception of the adequacy and coherence of the programme's contents and materials and the participants' confidence in using the platform developed to deliver the intervention were some of the aspects highlighted as facilitators of intervention acceptability. Additionally, people on haemodialysis and caregivers reported that participation in the programme brought several educational and emotional benefits (e.g., additional disease-related knowledge, improved communication and coping skills, greater confidence in managing dialysis complications or caregiving demands) that helped increase their self-management skills and psychosocial adjustment to the demands of kidney failure and renal therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the 'Connected We St@nd' programme is likely to be feasible and acceptable for adults on haemodialysis and family caregivers, thus representing a promising resource for the future of interdisciplinary renal rehabilitation. Suggestions were made to fine-tune the intervention design to proceed with a large-scale trial.

Contributing Factors for (Non)Adherence to a Physical Exercise Program for People With Neurocognitive Disorder From the Caregivers' Perspective.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To explore the perception of informal caregivers about the barriers, motivators, and facilitators toward the participation of care recipients with neurocognitive disorder (NCD) in a physical exercise program. METHODS: This is an exploratory qualitative study, including 20 informal caregivers (67.5 ± 13.94 years old; age range: 37-86; 65% male) from the "Body & Brain" community intervention project. Semistructured interviews were performed by a trained researcher; data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis guidelines, under the socioecological framework. RESULTS: Two main barriers, 3 motivators, and 5 facilitators to participation in a physical exercise program were perceived by caregivers, illustrating the relationship between the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community levels toward individuals' participation. Care recipients' reluctance to participate and physical environment constraints emerged as the main barriers to participation, whereas the health professionals' advice, the need for a stimulating activity, and the potential physical and mental health benefits emerged as motivators. Factors facilitating the involvement and maintenance in the program included care recipients' satisfaction and enjoyment, benefits on their general health, routine, and social connectedness; an overall positive evaluation of the physical exercise program's structure and organization was also highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise interventions targeting people with NCD should promote a welcoming environment that facilitates individuals' well-being and social interaction. Caregivers have a key role in promoting care recipients' motivation. Health professionals play an important role in recommending participation by raising awareness of potential benefits to recipients and caregivers. Future interventions should be conducted in appropriate community settings and implemented by a specialized professional in small groups. These findings provide insights into the factors that may increase the success rate of exercise interventions specifically designed for individuals with NCD.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Assessing Symptoms in Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review Using COSMIN Guidelines.

CONTEXT: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) may have an important role in screening and monitoring for unpleasant symptoms in kidney failure. However, there is still little evidence on the psychometric properties of the measures available to assess physical and psychological symptoms in people on hemodialysis. This gap makes it difficult to decide which measure is the most appropriate for use in clinical practice and research with this population. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to critically appraise, compare, and summarize the quality of the measurement properties of PROMs used to assess symptoms in adults on hemodialysis. METHODS: The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393441). The last database search update was performed on November 25, 2022. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines informed methodological quality assessment, data extraction, analysis, and synthesis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven primary studies reported the measurement properties of 16 PROMs used to assess physical and psychological symptoms in adults on hemodialysis. Results showed that most measures lacked the necessary psychometric evidence to attest their suitability for this study population, and few underwent rigorous validation procedures. Overall, caveats were found on methodological quality and evidence of content validity and structural validity, and little data was available on responsiveness, measurement error, and cross-cultural validity. CONCLUSION: The current systematic review provides the basis for identifying PROMs with potential utility for assessing symptoms in hemodialysis care. Several recommendations are presented to help guide future research aimed at improving the rigor of validation and/or translation procedures of existing (and future) measures using COSMIN guidelines.

Do physical fitness and cognitive function mediate the relationship between basic activities of daily living and quality of life in older adults with dementia?

PURPOSE: Independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) is associated with quality of life (QoL) in individuals with dementia. However, the contribution of physical and cognitive functions to this relationship needs further examination. This study aims to examine the mediating effect of physical fitness and cognitive function in the relationship between independence in basic ADLs and QoL among older adults with dementia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 107 older adults with dementia (74.8% women; age 78.21 ± 7.70 years). Independence in basic ADL and QoL were evaluated using the Barthel Index (BI) and QoL- Alzheimer's Disease Scale, respectively. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale and the Mini-Mental State Examination were applied to assess cognitive function. Physical fitness was evaluated using the 30-s chair stand, 2-min step and the Timed-Up and Go tests. A structural equation modelling (SEM) with bootstrapping estimation was conducted to determine the relationship between all variables. RESULTS: Independence in basic ADL positively affected QoL and this association was mediated by physical fitness (ß = 0.242, p = 0.011). No statistically significant results were observed when testing cognitive function as a mediator between BI and QoL (ß = 0.009, p = 0.345). CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness (i.e., lower body strength, aerobic capacity, and mobility) plays a role in the relationship between basic ADL independence and QoL of older adults with dementia, reinforcing the need to improve and monitor these parameters throughout the disease progression. Future longitudinal studies should explore the temporal relationship between physical and cognitive function and its contribution to basic ADL independence and QoL.

Recommendations of good practice to prevent aspiration pneumonia in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia living in nursing homes: A modified e-Delphi study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is a subset of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of food and fluids to the lungs and is highly prevalent in the older population. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is one of the risk factors for AP and it is also associated with malnutrition, dehydration and poor functional outcomes. As pneumonia is the second most common infection in nursing homes (NHs) and OD represents a major concern to NH staff, good practices for the prevention of AP in older adults at risk of OD are needed. PURPOSE: The aim of this modified e-Delphi study is to build consensus among a panel of experts regarding a set of recommendations for NH staff on good practices to prevent AP in older adults at risk of OD living in NHs. The objective of this paper is to establish the methodology inherent to the Delphi study. METHODS: An online modified Delphi study will be developed in three rounds. Criteria for the Delphi panel participants include holding a master's or doctoral degree in OD or speech and language therapy; or having 10 or more years of experience in OD; or having at least one scientific publication related to OD. A previously described modified Delphi methodology will be used to achieve consensus (75% agreement). An additional round will be performed to collect the experts' perspectives regarding the priority for application of each recommendation previously validated. DISCUSSION: This protocol aimed to describe the methodology of a future Delphi study on the prevention of AP, seeking to fulfil the gap in the literature regarding this topic. The modified Delphi technique is a widely used method for collecting experts' opinion in health sciences, but the absence of standardised guidelines allows some heterogeneity between studies with the same aim. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is related to three main risk factors: impaired safety of swallow, impaired nutritional status and poor oral health. It is known that being dependent for feeding is one of the main risk factors for AP and around 50% of nursing home (NH) residents need feeding assistance. Thus, it is important to promote specialised intervention and care by the NH staff for preventing AP. What this paper adds to existing knowledge It is hypothesised that increasing the knowledge of NH staff regarding the best practices for preventing AP in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) will improve outcomes such as quality of life, incidence of AP and mortality. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The recommendations resulting from this study will address a current gap in healthcare practice of NH staff regarding older adults at increased risk for OD and, consequently, for AP.

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms are Related to Blood-biomarkers in Major Neurocognitive Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are highly prevalent among individuals with major neurocognitive disorders (MNCD). OBJECTIVE: Here, we characterized blood biomarkers (metabolic, inflammatory, neurotrophic profiles and total antioxidant), body composition, physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with MNCD according to NPS. METHODS: The sample comprised 34 older adults (71.4% women; 74.06±6.03 yrs, with MNCD diagnosis) categorized according to 50th percentile [Low (≤12) or High (≥13)] for NPS (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire). Sociodemographic, clinical data, body composition, anthropometric, cognitive assessment (ADAS-Cog), physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test), QoL (QoL-Alzheimer's Disease scale) were evaluated, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Low compared to high NPS group showed higher levels of IL-6, IGF-1and neurotrophic zscore (composite of IGF-1, VEGF-1, BDNF). Additionally, low compared to high NPS group have higher QoL, aerobic fitness and upper body and lower body strength. CONCLUSION: The severity of NPS seems to be related to modified neurotrophic and inflammatory outcomes, lower physical fitness, and poor QoL. Strategies to counteract NPS development may preserve the physical and mental health of individuals with MNCD.

Unmet Psychosocial Needs of Health Care Professionals in Europe During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Approach.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected everyday life and working conditions for most Europeans, particularly health care professionals (HCPs). Over the past 3 years, various policies have been implemented in various European countries. Studies have reported on the worsening of mental health, work-related stress, and helpful coping strategies. However, having a closer look is still necessary to gain more information on the psychosocial stressors and unmet needs of HCPs as well as nonmedical staff. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to obtain quantitative information on job-related stressors of physicians and nurses and the coping strategies of HCPs and nonmedical staff at 2 periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. By further analyzing qualitative comments, we wanted to gain more information on the psychosocial stressors and unmet needs of HCPs as well as nonmedical staff on different levels of experience. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 2 time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in several European countries. The first study period (T1) lasted between April 1 and June 20, 2020, and the second study period (T2) lasted between November 25, 2021, and February 28, 2022. On a quantitative level, we used a questionnaire on stressors for physicians and nurses and a questionnaire on coping strategies for HCPs and nonmedical staff. Quantitative data were descriptively analyzed for mean values and differences in stressors and coping strategies. Qualitative data of free-text boxes of HCPs and nonmedical staff were analyzed via thematic analysis to explore the experiences of the individuals. RESULTS: T1 comprised 609 participants, and T2 comprised 1398 participants. Overall, 296 participants made 438 qualitative comments. The uncertainty about when the pandemic would be controlled (T1: mean 2.28, SD 0.85; T2: mean 2.08, SD 0.90) and the fear of infecting the family (T1: mean 2.26, SD 0.98; T2: mean 2.02, SD 1.02) were the most severe stressors identified by physicians and nurses in both periods. Overall, the use of protective measures (T1: mean 2.66, SD 0.60; T2: mean 2.66, SD 0.60) and acquiring information about COVID-19 (T1: mean 2.29, SD 0.82; T2: mean 1.99, SD 0.89) were identified as the most common coping strategies for the entire study population. Using thematic analysis, we identified 8 themes of personal experiences on the micro, meso, and macro levels. Measures, working conditions, feelings and emotions, and social climate were frequently mentioned topics of the participants. In T1, feelings of isolation and uncertainty were prominent. In T2, feelings of exhaustion were expressed and vaccination was frequently discussed. Moreover, unmet psychosocial needs were identified. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for improvement in pandemic preparedness. Targeted vocational education measures and setting up of web-based mental health support could be useful to bridge gaps in psychosocial support needs in future crises.

Should Caregivers Also Be Included in Multicomponent Physical-Exercise-Based Interventions for People with a Neurocognitive Disorder? The Caregivers' Perspective.

Informal caregivers of people with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) may play a decisive role in guaranteeing partners' participation in community-based physical exercise interventions. However, little is still known about their perspective on being involved in such programs that are specifically designed for their partners. This study aimed to explore the views of caregivers of people with NCDs about taking part in a multicomponent physical exercise intervention with their partners and to explore the perceived impact of this program on those caregivers who enrolled in it. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 20 caregivers (67.5 ± 13.94 years; seven female) from the "Body & Brain" project. Ten took part in the physical exercise sessions (active-participating caregivers), and the others did not (social-participating caregivers). Data retrieved from semi-structured interviews were analyzed following a thematic analysis approach. Regardless of their participation level, all caregivers reported their inclusion to be important in enhancing their partners' initiation and engagement in the sessions; also, they all identified personal gains. Active-participating caregivers reported exercise-related benefits on general health, enjoyment, and social connectedness. Social-participating caregivers considered this intervention an opportunity for respite and appreciated being involved only occasionally (i.e., occasional gatherings or telephone contacts). The findings support the inclusion of caregivers in physical exercise interventions designed for partners with NCDs, considering their decisive role in the partners' adherence and engagement and due to the perceived gains. Future community-based interventions designed for people with NCDs should consider giving caregivers the opportunity to choose whether they want or not to be actively involved in the exercise sessions. Further studies with larger samples are needed to verify these results, comparing caregivers' point of view at baseline and post-intervention.

Comorbid Depressive and Anxiety Symptomatology in Older Adults: The Role of Aging Self-Stereotypes, Loneliness, and Feelings of Guilt Associated with Self-Perception as a Burden.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the differences between older adults' symptom profiles (subclinical, anxiety, depressive, and comorbid) in negative aging self-stereotypes, loneliness, and feelings of guilt associated with self-perception as a burden. Participants were 310 community-dwelling people aged 60 years and over. The sample was grouped into four symptom profiles of older adults: anxiety, depressive, comorbid anxiety-depression, and subclinical symptoms. We carried out multinomial logistic regression analyses to analyze the role of assessed variables in the explanation of the four symptom profiles. Older adults who reported a comorbid symptomatology presented higher negative aging self-stereotypes and feelings of loneliness than the other three profiles. Compared with the subclinical profile, older adults who reported clinical symptomatology (anxiety, depressive, and comorbid profile) presented higher feelings of guilt associated with self-perception as a burden. The findings of this study suggest potential associations that may contribute to understanding and treating comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults.

Comorbid Depressive and Anxiety Symptomatology in Older Adults: The Role of Aging Self-Stereotypes, Loneliness, and Feelings of Guilt Associated with Self-Perception as a Burden

The main objective of this study was to analyze the differences between older adults’ symptom profiles (subclinical, anxiety, depressive, and comorbid) in negative aging self-stereotypes, loneliness, and feelings of guilt associated with self-perception as a burden. Participants were 310 community-dwelling people aged 60 years and over. The sample was grouped into four symptom profiles of older adults: anxiety, depressive, comorbid anxiety-depression, and subclinical symptoms. We carried out multinomial logistic regression analyses to analyze the role of assessed variables in the explanation of the four symptom profiles. Older adults who reported a comorbid symptomatology presented higher negative aging self-stereotypes and feelings of loneliness than the other three profiles. Compared with the subclinical profile, older adults who reported clinical symptomatology (anxiety, depressive, and comorbid profile) presented higher feelings of guilt associated with self-perception as a burden. The findings of this study suggest potential associations that may contribute to understanding and treating comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults. (AU)

Consensus on the Terms and Procedures for Planning and Reporting a Usability Evaluation of Health-Related Digital Solutions: Delphi Study and a Resulting Checklist.

BACKGROUND: Usability evaluation both by experts and target users is an integral part of the process of developing and assessing digital solutions. Usability evaluation improves the probability of having digital solutions that are easier, safer, more efficient, and more pleasant to use. However, despite the widespread recognition of the importance of usability evaluation, there is a lack of research and consensus on related concepts and reporting standards. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to generate consensus on terms and procedures that should be considered when planning and reporting a study on a usability evaluation of health-related digital solutions both by users and experts and provide a checklist that can easily be used by researchers when conducting their usability studies. METHODS: A Delphi study with 2 rounds was conducted with a panel of international participants experienced in usability evaluation. In the first round, they were asked to comment on definitions, rate the importance of preidentified methodological procedures using a 9-item Likert scale, and suggest additional procedures. In the second round, experienced participants were asked to reappraise the relevance of each procedure informed by round 1 results. Consensus on the relevance of each item was defined a priori when at least 70% or more experienced participants scored an item 7 to 9 and less than 15% of participants scored the same item 1 to 3. RESULTS: A total of 30 participants (n=20 females) from 11 different countries entered the Delphi study with a mean age of 37.2 (SD 7.7) years. Agreement was achieved on the definitions for all usability evaluation-related terms proposed (usability assessment moderator, participant, usability evaluation method, usability evaluation technique, tasks, usability evaluation environment, usability evaluator, and domain evaluator). A total of 38 procedures related to usability evaluation planning and reporting were identified across rounds (28 were related to usability evaluation involving users and 10 related to usability evaluation involving experts). Consensus on the relevance was achieved for 23 (82%) of the procedures related to usability evaluation involving users and for 7 (70%) of the usability evaluation procedures involving experts. A checklist was proposed that can guide authors when designing and reporting usability studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a set of terms and respective definitions as well as a checklist to guide the planning and reporting of usability evaluation studies, constituting an important step toward a more standardized approach in the field of usability evaluation that may contribute to enhancing the quality of planning and reporting usability studies. Future studies can contribute to further validating this study work by refining the definitions, assessing the practical applicability of the checklist, or assessing whether using this checklist results in higher-quality digital solutions.

How to Promote Gerotranscendence in Older Adults? A Scoping Review of Interventions.

Gerotranscendence is a psychosocial theory that proposes older adults experience a mindset shift in multiple dimensions (cosmic, coherence, solitude), associated with different constructs, such as life satisfaction and well-being. Increasing studies are employing gerotranscendence, but the practical aspects of how gerotranscendence can be developed are still underexplored. This review involved an assessment of the size and scope of the existing literature on interventions related to gerotranscendence and their effect on participants' well-being. Six databases were searched, and eight studies were selected: five were observational, while three were randomized control trials. Findings showed that gerotranscendence can be developed through weekly thematic encounters. Moreover, the interventions examined in the selected studies were described as having positively impacted participants' mental health and life satisfaction. Future studies should explore gerotranscendence interventions using a rigorous methodology and long-term follow-up data to add consistency to these findings.

Predictors of older patients' willingness to have medications deprescribed: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Deprescribing is a complex process requiring a patient-centred approach. One frequently expressed deprescribing barrier is patients' attitudes and beliefs towards deprescribing. This study aimed to identify the predictors of patients' willingness to have medications deprescribed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with community-dwelling patients aged ≥65 who are taking at least one regular medication. Data collection included patients' demographic and clinical characteristics and the Portuguese revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to present the patients' characteristics. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of the patients' willingness to have medications deprescribed. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two participants (median age 72 years; 65.6% female) were included. Most (83.33%) were willing to have medications deprescribed, and the predictors were age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.136; 95% CI 1.026, 1.258), female sex (aOR = 3.036; 95% CI 1.059, 8.708) and the rPATD concerns about stopping factor (aOR = 0.391; 95% CI 0.203, 0.754). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were willing to have their medications deprescribed if it is recommended by their doctors. Older age and female sex increased the odds of willingness to deprescribe; higher concerns about stopping medications decreased the odds. These findings suggest that addressing patients' concerns about stopping their medicines may contribute to deprescribing success.

Urinary Hydration Biomarkers and Water Sources in Older Adults with Neurocognitive Disorder.

The risk of dehydration in older adults with neurocognitive disorder (NCD) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess hydration status, its determinants, and water intake sources in older adults with NCD. A sample of 30 participants (≥60 years) was included. Sociodemographic, clinical data and one 24-h urine sample were collected. Urinary osmolality, sodium, potassium, volume, and creatinine were quantified. Inadequate hydration status corresponded to urine osmolality > 500 mOsm/Kg, or a negative Free Water Reserve (FWR). Two 24-h food recalls were used to assess dietary intake and water sources. The adequacy of total water intake (TWI) was estimated according to EFSA. The contribution of food and beverages to TWI was calculated, and their associations with the urinary osmolality median were tested. Of the total number of participants, 30% were classified as having inadequate hydration status, with no differences between sexes. Regarding TWI, 68.4% of women and 77.8% of men did not reach the reference values. Water (23%), followed by soup (17%), contributed the most to TWI, while vegetables (2%) and alcoholic/other beverages (3%) contributed the least. According to the median urinary osmolality, there was no significant difference in sociodemographic/clinical characteristics. It is critical not to overlook hydration in this vulnerable population.