Reliability of a short questionnaire for the diagnosis of severe disability in polypathological patients attended in hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive evaluation of polypathological patients (PP) should always include a functional evaluation. For this purpose, a modified version of the Barthel Index (BI) is the most applied questionnaire, and it consists of a 10-variable scale. The aim of this study was to develop a screening and confirmation tool to diagnose high disability with the fewest number of dimensions of the BI as possible. METHOD: This present cross-sectional observational multicentre study included PP attended in 36 Spanish hospitals that were divided into two geographical areas (Western and Eastern). The Western area was considered to be the derivation subgroup of PP, and the Eastern area was the validation subgroup. Complete disability for each item (value of 0) was assessed for the diagnosis of severe disability. Diagnostic validity indices (sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values [NPV and PPV, respectively], and negative and positive likelihood ratios [NLR and PLR, respectively]) were determined for the derivation subgroup. The dimensions with the best diagnostic validity indices were then used to evaluate the validation subgroup. RESULTS: The analysis included 1521 PP, 753 PP from the Western area and 768 PP from the Eastern area. Needing complete help for bathing showed the highest NPV and lowest NLR in the derivation/validation subgroups (NPV 96.87/95.54, NLR 0.07/0.13). Being disabled for feeding alone showed high PPV and PLR values (PPV 97.97/95.65, PLR 109.25/49.62), as did disability for transfers (PPV 98.48/97.96, PLR 143.36/107.68). In addition, complete disability for feeding and transfers had the best PPV and PLR in both subgroups (PPV 100/100, PLR X/0). CONCLUSIONS: A two-dimension mini-Barthel Index may represent a reliable diagnostic test for severe disability in PP.

Effects of renin-angiotensin blockers/inhibitors and statins on mortality and functional impairment in polypathological patients.

BACKGROUND: Frail and polypathological patients (PP) are often undertreated with evidence-based cardiovascular drugs, as their benefits are uncertain in this population. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of treatment with renin-angiotensin system blockers/inhibitors (ACEI/ARB), statins and/or beta-blockers on survival rates and functional decline in PP with evidence-based clinical indications for treatment with any of these drug families. METHOD: Prospective observational multicentre cohort study with a 12-month follow-up period. We selected PP with any condition of the following: chronic heart failure, coronary heart disease, chronic renal disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus with any visceral involvement, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. Clinical, functional (Barthel index), socio-familial risk data and drug prescriptions were measured at baseline. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to identify variables independently associated with survival and functional decline. RESULTS: The analysis included 1260 PP. The mean age was 79±9.5 years. The mortality rate was 34.5%. Statin (aHR 0.671; P=0.001), beta-blocker plus statin (aHR 0.645; P=0.007), ACEI/ARB plus statin (aHR 0.680; P=0.002), or combined ACEI/ARB plus statin plus beta-blocker (aHR 0.541; P=0.000) prescriptions were associated with longer survival times. Additionally, PP whose Barthel index was ≥60 showed a lower risk of disability progression if treated with statins (aOR=0.476; P=0.000), or their combinations, mainly with ACEI/ARB plus beta-blockers (aOR 0.563; P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of statins, alone or in combination with other drugs, may impact the survival and functional decline in polypathological patients. Further prospective blinded randomised assays are needed to confirm these observations.

La discapacidad como barrera a la adherencia terapéutica en pacientes pluripatológicos: papel del cuidador principal / Disability as a barrier to drug adherence in polypathological patients: role of main carer

ObjetivoEstablecer los factores predictores de adherencia a la medicación en pacientes pluripatológicos polimedicados.Material y métodosEstudio transversal realizado en el área de un centro de salud dependiente de un hospital universitario. Entre marzo de 2003 y marzo de 2005 se reclutaron 265 pacientes pluripatológicos polimedicados, excluyéndose 84 pacientes por datos incompletos, no aceptar participar o exitus antes de la finalización del estudio. Investigadores diferentes de los médicos responsables encuestaron a los pacientes, estableciéndose la adherencia a la medicación por un método subjetivo mediante encuesta estructurada.ResultadosEl grado de discapacidad fue el factor determinante de adherencia. En pacientes sin cuidador e índices de Barthel inferiores a 100 la adherencia fue muy escasa y dependiente del número de fármacos. Sin embargo, en presencia de un cuidador permanente y dependencia severa el porcentaje de pacientes cumplidores fue muy superior al de los menos discapacitados e incluso que los no discapacitados, e independiente del número de fármacos.ConclusionesEn pacientes pluripatológicos polimedicados, el soporte de un cuidador puede permitir superar la barrera que supone la discapacidad para la adherencia terapéutica, obteniendo mejor adherencia que en pacientes teóricamente no dependientes. Este hecho puede ayudar a diseñar futuros estudios prospectivos sobre adherencia en esta población particularmente frágil(AU)

ObjectivesTo determine which social and individual factors may predict adherence to medication in patients with more than two chronic symptomatic diseases (polypathological patients) under polypharmacy.MethodsCross-sectional observational study. In a primary care area assigned to our teaching hospital 265 patients with multiple chronic diseases and polypharmacy were recruited over a 6 month period. 84 patients with uncompleted data or died before finishing our study were excluded.MethodsAn structured interview performed by a investigator different from responsible physicians was used.MethodsDrug adherence was assessed by a subjective method.ResultsDisability measured by Barthel index was was the main predictor of drug adherence.ResultsPatients without carer support and Barthel Index lower than 100 showed the poorer drugResultsadherence. In the later group number of drugs also affected adherence. However, in patients with carer available, medication adherence was better, mostly in more disabled ones, and unaffected by other factors.ConclusionsIn patients with multiple chronic diseases, social support by a carer may allow disabled patients to overcome the barrier of disability leading to a better drug adherence, even than non-disabled ones. These findings may help to design future prospective studies on medication adherence performed in this peculiar frail population(AU)

[Disability as a barrier to drug adherence in polypathological patients: role of main carer]. / La discapacidad como barrera a la adherencia terapéutica en pacientes pluripatológicos: papel del cuidador principal.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which social and individual factors may predict adherence to medication in patients with more than two chronic symptomatic diseases (polypathological patients) under polypharmacy. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study. In a primary care area assigned to our teaching hospital 265 patients with multiple chronic diseases and polypharmacy were recruited over a 6 month period. 84 patients with uncompleted data or died before finishing our study were excluded. An structured interview performed by a investigator different from responsible physicians was used. Drug adherence was assessed by a subjective method. RESULTS: Disability measured by Barthel index was was the main predictor of drug adherence. Patients without carer support and Barthel Index lower than 100 showed the poorer drug adherence. In the later group number of drugs also affected adherence. However, in patients with carer available, medication adherence was better, mostly in more disabled ones, and unaffected by other factors. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple chronic diseases, social support by a carer may allow disabled patients to overcome the barrier of disability leading to a better drug adherence, even than non-disabled ones. These findings may help to design future prospective studies on medication adherence performed in this peculiar frail population.