Características y resultados tras un año en pacientes ancianos ingresados con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida, intermedia o conservada / Characteristics and one-year outcomes in elderly patients hospitalised with heart failure and preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction

INTRODUCCIÓN: La última guía de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología define 3 tipos de IC según la fracción de eyección (FE): FE reducida (ICFEr) cuando FE<40%, FE intermedia (ICFEi), cuando FE 40-49%, y FE conservada (ICFEc) cuando FE≥50%. El objetivo es analizar las características y resultados de los ancianos ingresados con IC según la nueva categorización por la FE. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo con 531 pacientes diagnosticados de IC, categorizados según la FE, mayores de 75 años e ingresados en 6 servicios de Geriatría en España. Se analizan las características demográficas, clínicas y las comorbilidades, así como la morbimortalidad al año de seguimiento. RESULTADO: Un 17,1% de los pacientes se encuadraron en ICFEr, 10% en ICFEi y 72,9% en ICFEc. Aquellos con ICFEi eran similares a los de ICFEr en cuanto a la menor edad, predominio de hombres e ingreso previo por IC, así como en el uso de fármacos para el bloqueo neurohormonal. En los pacientes con ICFEr, respecto a aquellos con ICFEi e ICFEc, se objetivó mayor porcentaje de muertes (35,2, 24,5 y 25,1%), reingresos por IC (17,6, 15,1 y 14,2%) y eventos (59,3, 45,3 y 50,6%), aunque no hubo diferencias significativas. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en el análisis de supervivencia entre los grupos de FE y las variables de resultados tiempo-dependientes. CONCLUSIONES: En ancianos hospitalizados con IC, los categorizados como ICFEi no muestran claras diferencias en las características clínicas respecto a aquellos con ICFEr o ICFEc. No hubo diferencias en cuanto a la morbimortalidad

INTRODUCTION: The latest European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines define three types of HF according to the ejection fraction (EF): HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) when EF<40%, HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), when EF 40-49%, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) when EF≥50%. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics and results of elderly patients hospitalised with HF according to the new classification using EF. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out with 531 HF patients aged ≥75 years classified according to EF, and admitted in the geriatric wards of 6 hospitals in Spain. An analysis was performed on the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as well as the morbidity and mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: As regards EF, 17.1% had HFrEF, 10% had HFmrEF, and 72.9% had HFpEF. Patients with HFmrEF were more similar to those with HFrEF in terms of a younger age, predominance of men, and previous admission due to HF. This was also the case with the use of drugs for neurohormonal blockade. Patients with HFrEF (compared to those with HFmrEF and HFpEF), had higher mortality (35.2%, 24.5%, and 25.6%, respectively), more readmissions for HF (17.6%, 15.1%, and 14.5%, respectively), and more events (61.5%, 45.3%, and 52.5%, respectively), although there were no significant differences. There were also no differences observed in the survival analysis between the EF groups and the time-dependent outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients hospitalised with HF, those classified as HFmrEF did not show any clear differences with respect to those with HFrEF or HFpEF. There were no differences in terms of morbidity and mortality

[Characteristics and one-year outcomes in elderly patients hospitalised with heart failure and preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction]. / Características y resultados tras un año en pacientes ancianos ingresados con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida, intermedia o conservada.

INTRODUCTION: The latest European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines define three types of HF according to the ejection fraction (EF): HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) when EF<40%, HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), when EF 40-49%, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) when EF≥50%. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics and results of elderly patients hospitalised with HF according to the new classification using EF. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out with 531 HF patients aged ≥75 years classified according to EF, and admitted in the geriatric wards of 6 hospitals in Spain. An analysis was performed on the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as well as the morbidity and mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: As regards EF, 17.1% had HFrEF, 10% had HFmrEF, and 72.9% had HFpEF. Patients with HFmrEF were more similar to those with HFrEF in terms of a younger age, predominance of men, and previous admission due to HF. This was also the case with the use of drugs for neurohormonal blockade. Patients with HFrEF (compared to those with HFmrEF and HFpEF), had higher mortality (35.2%, 24.5%, and 25.6%, respectively), more readmissions for HF (17.6%, 15.1%, and 14.5%, respectively), and more events (61.5%, 45.3%, and 52.5%, respectively), although there were no significant differences. There were also no differences observed in the survival analysis between the EF groups and the time-dependent outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients hospitalised with HF, those classified as HFmrEF did not show any clear differences with respect to those with HFrEF or HFpEF. There were no differences in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Results of an anaemia treatment protocol complementary to blood transfusion in elderly patients with hip fracture / Resultados de un protocolo de tratamiento de anaemia con terapias complementarias a transfusión en anciano con fractura de cadera

Background: Anaemia is a very common condition in elderly patients with hip fracture. The side effects of blood transfusions are well known, and further research on potential alternative therapies is needed. Objectives and design: A non-controlled descriptive study, conducted on 138 patients admitted for hip fracture, aimed at analysing the effects of an anaemia treatment protocol adjunctive to transfusion, based on the use of supra-physiological doses of intravenous iron and erythropoietin (IS/EPOS). The variables collected were, medical history, physical and cognitive status prior to fracture, as well as the need of blood products, medical complications during admission and their functional outcome at three and six months after the fracture were evaluated. Transfusion rates were compared with a historical control group when the only treatment for acute anaemia was transfusion (2011). Results: Almost half (63, 48%) of the patients received blood transfusion, with (91,70%) IS/EPOD. Intravenous iron did not reduce the percentage of transfused patients (56% vs. 44%), but it did reduce the number of blood units required (0.7 units less in IS/EPO group). Patients who required transfusion had a longer hospital stay, (1.7 days; 13.2 vs. 11.5; p<0.005). Patients who received IS had better functional recovery assessed with Barthel index and the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC scale) at 3 and 6 months after the fracture. Patients with malnutrition or subtrochanteric fracture needed more tabletransfusions (p<0.005). Functional recovery at 3 and 6 months after fracture was better in patients who received intravenous iron. Neither blood transfusions nor intravenous iron were associated with infectious complications or increased mortality. The patient series of this study was compared with a group of patients with hip fracture and similar characteristics seen in 2011, before intravenous iron was available, revealing a 17% reduction in blood transfusion needs (p<0.005). Conclusion: The use of intravenous iron in elderly patients with hip fracture may help to reduce the number of blood units needed for the treatment of anaemia, although a causal relationship cannot be established due to not having a control group. Transfusions were associated with longer hospital stay in elderly patients with hip fracture

Introducción: El síndrome anémico es muy frecuente en el anciano ingresado por fractura de cadera. Los documentados efectos secundarios de la transfusión de hemoderivados hacen necesario investigar otras posibles alternativas terapéuticas. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de 138 pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera que evalúa el efecto de un protocolo de tratamiento de anemia perioperatoria complementario a transfusión, basado en el empleo de dosis suprafisiológicas de hierro intravenoso y eritropoyetina (FE/EPO). Se trata de un estudio descriptivo sin grupo control. Se evaluaron los antecedentes médicos de los pacientes, y su situación mental y física previas al ingreso, la necesidad de hemoderivados, las complicaciones en el ingreso y su evolución funcional en los 6 meses posteriores a la fractura. Los ratios de transfusión fueron comparados con los de una muestra histórica de similares características sin tratamiento con ferroterapia intravenosa (2011). Resultados: Recibieron transfusión el 48% de los pacientes (63) y ferroterapia parenteral con eritropoyetina (FE/EPO) el 70% (91). La administración de FE/EPO no disminuyó el porcentaje de pacientes hemotransfundidos (56 vs. 44%) de forma significativa, pero sí redujo el número de unidades de sangre requeridas (0,7 unidades menos en grupo de FE/EPO). Los pacientes que recibieron ferroterapia intravenosa tuvieron una estancia hospitalaria de 1,7 días inferior que los transfundidos (11,5 vs. 13,2; p<0,005). La administración de hierro parenteral se relacionó con tendencia a una mejor recuperación de capacidad de autocuidados y deambulación medidos mediante el índice de Barthel (IB) y la escala de deambulación de Holden (FAC) a los 3 y 6 meses de la fractura. La anemia y la malnutrición al ingreso, así como el tipo de fracturas subtrocantérea se relacionaron de forma independiente a mayor necesidad de transfusión (p<0,005). Ni las transfusiones ni el tratamiento con ferroterapia parenteral se asociaron a más complicaciones infecciosas ni a mayor mortalidad. Al comparar la muestra actual con un control histórico de pacientes con fractura de cadera sin disponibilidad de tratamiento con hierro intravenoso, se observa reducción actual del porcentaje de pacientes transfundidos en un 17% (p<0,005). Conclusión: El empleo de ferroterapia intravenosa en pacientes con fractura de cadera puede reducir el número de unidades de hemoderivados necesarias, sí bien no se puede establecerse una relación causal al no ser un estudio controlado. La transfusión se asocia con una prolongación de la estancia hospitalaria en el anciano ingresado por fractura de cadera

Results of an anaemia treatment protocol complementary to blood transfusion in elderly patients with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a very common condition in elderly patients with hip fracture. The side effects of blood transfusions are well known, and further research on potential alternative therapies is needed. OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: A non-controlled descriptive study, conducted on 138 patients admitted for hip fracture, aimed at analysing the effects of an anaemia treatment protocol adjunctive to transfusion, based on the use of supra-physiological doses of intravenous iron and erythropoietin (IS/EPOS). The variables collected were, medical history, physical and cognitive status prior to fracture, as well as the need of blood products, medical complications during admission and their functional outcome at three and six months after the fracture were evaluated. Transfusion rates were compared with a historical control group when the only treatment for acute anaemia was transfusion (2011). RESULTS: Almost half (63, 48%) of the patients received blood transfusion, with (91,70%) IS/EPOD. Intravenous iron did not reduce the percentage of transfused patients (56% vs. 44%), but it did reduce the number of blood units required (0.7 units less in IS/EPO group). Patients who required transfusion had a longer hospital stay, (1.7 days; 13.2 vs. 11.5; p<0.005). Patients who received IS had better functional recovery assessed with Barthel index and the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC scale) at 3 and 6 months after the fracture. Patients with malnutrition or subtrochanteric fracture needed more tabletransfusions (p<0.005). Functional recovery at 3 and 6 months after fracture was better in patients who received intravenous iron. Neither blood transfusions nor intravenous iron were associated with infectious complications or increased mortality. The patient series of this study was compared with a group of patients with hip fracture and similar characteristics seen in 2011, before intravenous iron was available, revealing a 17% reduction in blood transfusion needs (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous iron in elderly patients with hip fracture may help to reduce the number of blood units needed for the treatment of anaemia, although a causal relationship cannot be established due to not having a control group. Transfusions were associated with longer hospital stay in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Spanish list of potentially inappropriate drugs in the elderly (ES-PIA project).

PURPOSE: In the last decades, different criteria have been developed for detecting inappropriate prescription in older patients. In Spain, translations and adaptations of international lists are available but it would be necessary a national list which could cope with the peculiarities of our health system, existing pharmaceutical market, and prescription habits. We propose in this project the creation of a Spanish potentially inappropriate drugs list which could be applicable in our clinical scenario. METHODS: We use a Delphi method involving 25 experts from different backgrounds (Clinical Pharmacology, Geriatrics, Rational Use of Drugs and Pharmacy, Primary Care and Pharmacoepidemiology, and Pharmacovigilance) that were asked to participate in two-round questionnaires. For analysis, current recommendations of Worth and Pigni were applied, and every statement was classified into one of three groups: strong, moderate, or low agreement. Statements with strong agreement were accepted to be part of the inadequate prescription list. Moderate agreement statements were selected to enter the second questionnaire, and statements with low agreement were further analyzed to determine if it was due to heterogeneity or due to dispersion in the answers. RESULTS: The first questionnaire consisted of 160 proposed sentences, of which 106 reached a high agreement, 32 a moderate agreement, and 22 a low agreement. All sentences proposed in the second questionnaire reached a strong agreement. The total accepted sentences were 138. CONCLUSIONS: We offer a list of inadequate prescription in older patients adapted to the Spanish pharmacopeia and according to the prescription habits in our environment.

Alfabetización en salud y resultados de salud en pacientes muy ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca / Health literacy and health outcomes in very old patients with heart failure

Introducción y objetivos: La alfabetización en salud (AS) se ha asociado con menor mortalidad en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) relativamente jóvenes y de alto nivel educativo en Estados Unidos. Este estudio evalúa la asociación de la AS con el conocimiento de la enfermedad, el autocuidado y la mortalidad por cualquier causa en pacientes muy ancianos con muy bajo nivel educativo. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo con 556 pacientes (media de edad, 85 años) con mucha comorbilidad admitidos por IC en las unidades geriátricas de 6 hospitales españoles. El 74% de los pacientes tenían estudios inferiores a los primarios y el 71%, función sistólica conservada. La AS se valoró con el cuestionario Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults; el conocimiento sobre la IC, con el cuestionario de DeWalt, y el autocuidado, con la European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale. Resultados: El conocimiento sobre la IC aumenta con la AS; comparado con el tercil inferior de AS, el coeficiente beta multivariado (IC95%) de conocimiento sobre la IC fue 0,60 (0,01-1,19) en el segundo tercil y 0,87 (0,24-1,50) en el tercil superior (p de tendencia = 0,008). Sin embargo, la AS no se asoció con el autocuidado de la IC. En los 12 meses de seguimiento hubo 189 muertes. Comparado con el tercil inferior de AS, la HR multivariable (IC95%) de mortalidad fue 0,84 (0,56-1,27) en el segundo tercil y 0,99 (0,65-1,51) en el tercil superior (p de tendencia = 0,969). Conclusiones: No se observó asociación entre la AS y la mortalidad a los 12 meses. Esto puede explicarse en parte por la falta de asociación entre AS y autocuidado (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Health literacy (HL) has been associated with lower mortality in heart failure (HF). However, the results of previous studies may not be generalizable because the research was conducted in relatively young and highly-educated patients in United States settings. This study assessed the association of HL with disease knowledge, self-care, and all-cause mortality among very old patients, with a very low educational level. Methods: This prospective study was performed in 556 patients (mean age, 85 years), with high comorbidity, admitted for HF to the geriatric acute-care unit of 6 hospitals in Spain. About 74% of patients had less than primary education and 71% had preserved systolic function. Health literacy was assessed with the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults questionnaire, knowledge of HF with the DeWalt questionnaire, and HF self-care with the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale. Results: Disease knowledge progressively increased with HL; compared with being in the lowest (worse) tertile of HL, the multivariable beta coefficient (95%CI) of the HF knowledge score was 0.60 (0.01-1.19) in the second tertile and 0.87 (0.24-1.50) in the highest tertile, P-trend = .008. However, no association was found between HL and HF self-care. During the 12 months of follow-up, there were 189 deaths. Compared with being in the lowest tertile of HL, the multivariable HR (95%CI) of mortality was 0.84 (0.56-1.27) in the second tertile and 0.99 (0.65-1.51) in the highest tertile, P-trend = .969. Conclusions: No association was found between HL and 12-month mortality. This could be partly due to the lack of a link between HL and self-care (AU)

Health Literacy and Health Outcomes in Very Old Patients With Heart Failure.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Health literacy (HL) has been associated with lower mortality in heart failure (HF). However, the results of previous studies may not be generalizable because the research was conducted in relatively young and highly-educated patients in United States settings. This study assessed the association of HL with disease knowledge, self-care, and all-cause mortality among very old patients, with a very low educational level. METHODS: This prospective study was performed in 556 patients (mean age, 85 years), with high comorbidity, admitted for HF to the geriatric acute-care unit of 6 hospitals in Spain. About 74% of patients had less than primary education and 71% had preserved systolic function. Health literacy was assessed with the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults questionnaire, knowledge of HF with the DeWalt questionnaire, and HF self-care with the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale. RESULTS: Disease knowledge progressively increased with HL; compared with being in the lowest (worse) tertile of HL, the multivariable beta coefficient (95%CI) of the HF knowledge score was 0.60 (0.01-1.19) in the second tertile and 0.87 (0.24-1.50) in the highest tertile, P-trend = .008. However, no association was found between HL and HF self-care. During the 12 months of follow-up, there were 189 deaths. Compared with being in the lowest tertile of HL, the multivariable HR (95%CI) of mortality was 0.84 (0.56-1.27) in the second tertile and 0.99 (0.65-1.51) in the highest tertile, P-trend = .969. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between HL and 12-month mortality. This could be partly due to the lack of a link between HL and self-care.

The frailty syndrome is associated with adverse health outcomes in very old patients with stable heart failure: A prospective study in six Spanish hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on the association between the frailty syndrome and adverse health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) have used non-standard definitions of frailty. This study examined the association of frailty, diagnosed by well-accepted criteria, with mortality, readmission and functional decline in very old ambulatory patients with HF. METHODS: Prospective study with 497 patients in six Spanish hospitals and followed up during one year. Mean (SD) age was 85.2 (7.3) years, and 79.3% had LVEF >45%. Frailty was diagnosed as having ≥3 of the 5 Fried criteria. Readmission was defined as a new episode of hospitalisation lasting >24h, and functional decline as an incident limitation in any activity of daily living at the 1-year visit. Statistical analyses were performed with Cox and logistic regression, as appropriate, and adjusted for the main prognostic factors at baseline. RESULTS: At baseline, 57.5% of patients were frail. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for mortality among frail versus non-frail patients was 1.93 (1.20-3.27). Mortality was higher among patients with low physical activity [1.64 (1.10-2.45)] or exhaustion [1.83 (1.21-2.77)]. Frailty was linked to increased risk of readmission [1.66 (1.17-2.36)] and functional decline [odds ratio 1.67 (1.01-2.79)]. Slow gait speed was related to functional decline [odds ratio 3.59 (1.75-7.34)]. A higher number of frailty criteria was associated with a higher risk of the three study outcomes (P trend<0.01 in each outcome). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty was associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality, hospital readmission and functional decline among older ambulatory patients with HF.

Intervención geriátrica en el anciano ingresado por fractura de cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara: repercusión clínica, asistencial y económica / Geriatric intervention in elderly hip fracture patients admitted to University Hospital of Guadalajara: clincal, healthcare and economical repercussions

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados asistenciales y la repercusión económica de la intervención geriátrica en pacientes mayores de 75 años con fractura de cadera en fase aguda. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara (HUGU). Se evaluaron parámetros asistenciales del total de los pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera en el HUGU entre los años 2002 y 2013 (n=2.942), tales como número anual de casos, la estancia preoperatoria, la estancia global y la mortalidad. Evaluación del efecto de la intervención geriátrica protocolizada iniciada en 2006 mediante la comparación de datos entre las etapas previa y posterior a su puesta en marcha. Resultados. La intervención geriátrica ha supuesto una reducción progresiva de estancia media y la mortalidad, aunque con una tendencia aumentar la estancia prequirúrgica. Comparando la actividad del 2013 con la del 2006, la estancia media se redujo del 18,5 al 11,2 días (-39,2%) y la mortalidad desde el 8,9 hasta el 6,8% (-23%). Por el contrario, la estancia preoperatoria media se mantuvo en 2,7 días de media en los años postintervención, frente a 2,4 en los años previos. A pesar del incremento anual del precio diario de la hospitalización por factura de cadera, el descenso de la estancia implica una reducción del coste del proceso que supera los 900.000 euros anuales. Conclusiones. La intervención geriátrica contribuye a la reducción observada de la mortalidad y la estancia hospitalaria por fractura de cadera, disminuyendo el coste de la hospitalización (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the healthcare outcomes and economic impact of geriatric intervention in patients over 75 years old with hip fracture in acute phase. Material and methods. Retrospective study of patients admitted to the University Hospital of Guadalajara (HUGU) due to hip fracture. An analysis was made of the number of cases per year, preoperative period, hospital stay, and mortality of all the patients over 75 years admitted to the HUGU due to hip fracture between 2002 and 2013. Results. A total of 2942 patients were included. Comparing the activity of 2013 to that of 2006, the mean hospital stay fell from 18.5 to 11.2 days (-39.2%), and mortality from 8.9% to 6.8% (-23%). In contrast, the mean preoperative stay remained at a mean of 2.7 days versus 2.4 in previous years in the early post-intervention period. Hospital stay decreased, despite a progressive annual increase in the daily cost of hospitalisation due to hip fracture surgery, the reduced stay led to a reduction of the total cost by more than 900,000 euros each year. Geriatric intervention has gradually reduced mean hospital stay and mortality, although with a tendency to increase mean preoperative stay. Conclusions. Geriatric intervention in patients with hip fracture reduces mortality and length of hospital stay, and decreasing costs (AU)

[Geriatric intervention in elderly hip fracture patients admitted to University Hospital of Guadalajara: Clincal, healthcare and economical repercussions]. / Intervención geriátrica en el anciano ingresado por fractura de cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara: repercusión clínica, asistencial y económica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the healthcare outcomes and economic impact of geriatric intervention in patients over 75 years old with hip fracture in acute phase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients admitted to the University Hospital of Guadalajara (HUGU) due to hip fracture. An analysis was made of the number of cases per year, preoperative period, hospital stay, and mortality of all the patients over 75 years admitted to the HUGU due to hip fracture between 2002 and 2013. RESULTS: A total of 2942 patients were included. Comparing the activity of 2013 to that of 2006, the mean hospital stay fell from 18.5 to 11.2 days (-39.2%), and mortality from 8.9% to 6.8% (-23%). In contrast, the mean preoperative stay remained at a mean of 2.7 days versus 2.4 in previous years in the early post-intervention period. Hospital stay decreased, despite a progressive annual increase in the daily cost of hospitalisation due to hip fracture surgery, the reduced stay led to a reduction of the total cost by more than 900,000 euros each year. Geriatric intervention has gradually reduced mean hospital stay and mortality, although with a tendency to increase mean preoperative stay. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric intervention in patients with hip fracture reduces mortality and length of hospital stay, and decreasing costs.

Prevalencia de delírium al ingreso en una unidad de agudos de geriatría / No disponible

No disponible

Factores epidemiológicos, clínicos y analíticos asociados a diarrea por Clostridium difficile en población anciana hospitalizada. Estudio de casos y controles / Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory factors related to Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in an elderly hospitalized population. A case-control study

Objetivos: evaluar los factores epidemiológicos, clínicos y analíticos relacionados con la aparición de diarrea asociada a Clostridium difficile en población anciana hospitalizada. Material y métodos: diseño caso-control. Los casos son pacientes mayores de 65 años con diarrea y toxina para C. difficile positiva en heces. Se analizaron 2 controles por cada caso, de igual sexo y edad, con diarrea y toxina para C. difficile negativa en heces. Resultados: se estudiaron 120 historias clínicas, 40 casos y 80 controles (el 55%, mujeres), con una edad media de 82,2 años. La estancia media hospitalaria fue mayor en los casos con toxina positiva, así como la duración de la antibioterapia previa a la diarrea, y las diferencias fueron significativas. Los casos presentaban fiebre alta y dolor abdominal con más frecuencia que los controles (p 0,05). En el análisis multivariante resultó significativo como valor asociado a C. difficile la antibioterapia prolongada previa a la aparición de la diarrea. La mayoría de los pacientes recibió metronidazol o vancomicina como tratamiento de la infección por C. difficile. Conclusiones: la sospecha de infección por C. difficile debe ser alta en los pacientes que han recibido tratamiento antibiótico durante períodos muy prolongados. La estancia hospitalaria es mayor en los casos de diarrea asociada a C. difficile

Objectives: to assess epidemiological, clinical and laboratory factors related to Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in an elderly hospitalized population. Material and methods: a retrospective case-control study was performed. Cases consisted of patients over 64 years old with diarrhoea and positive C. difficile toxin in stool sample. Two controls were analyzed for each case, matched for age and gender. Controls consisted of patients who had diarrhoea during hospitalization but were negative for C. difficile toxin. Results: a total of 120 medical records were reviewed. There were 40 cases and 80 controls (55% women). The mean age was 82 years. The mean length of hospital stay was longer in patients with positive CD toxin (P.05). Multivariate analysis showed that prolonged antibiotic therapy was an independent factor for this infection. Most of the patients received metronidazole or vancomycin as treatment for C. difficile-associated diarrhoea. Conclusions: a high index for suspicion should be maintained for C. difficile infection in patients who have received prolonged antibiotic therapy. Length of hospital stay is longer in patients with C. difficile-associated diarrhoea

Grupos de utilizacion de recursos en unidades de agudos y media estancia de servicios de geriatria (*) / Resource utilazation groups in acute care units and average lengths of stay in geriatric units

Fundamentos: En los últimos años se han implantado en nuestro país Sistemas de Clasificación de Pacientes (SCP) con objeto de medir el 'producto hospitalario'. Sin embargo los sistemas más tradicionales resultan poco adecuados para la población anciana, en los que la incapacidad asociada a la enfermedad resulta determinante para explicar el consumo de recursos y los resultados asistenciales. Por ello, nos planteamos aplicar en servicios especializados de atención al anciano un sistema que contempla este parámetro, los Grupos de Utilización de Recursos (RUG), analizando las características y diferencias en la distribución en función de RUG en cuatro Servicios de Geriatría. Métodos: Se estudian transversalmente, mediante cortes sucesivos en períodos superiores a la estancia media en cada unidad, los pacientes ingresados en las unidades de agudos y media estancia de los Servicios de Geriatría del Hospital Monte Naranco (HMN) (n=318), Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja (HCCR) (n=384), Hospital General de Guadalajara (HG) (n=272) y Hospital Virgen del Valle (HVV) (n=390), en lo relativo a su distribución según la clasificación RUG-T18. Las posibles diferencias entre los centros se analizaron mediante el test estadístico chi-cuadrado (SPSS para windows) Resultados: Para el conjunto de la muestra los pacientes se concentran en los grupos R, S y C de la clasificación, con muy escasa representación de los grupos P y B, detectándose diferencias entre los centros. Así, el HCCR es el que maneja una mayor proporción de pacientes del grupo R (47,64 por ciento vs. 23,66 por ciento en el HMN, 20,57 por ciento en el HG y 20,53 por ciento en el HVV) y una menor proporción de pacientes del grupo S (3,12 por ciento vs 6,40 por ciento en el HMN, 9,92 por ciento en el HG y 9,76 por ciento en el HVV) y C (48,94 por ciento vs 76,29 por ciento en el HMN, 66,89 por ciento en el HG y 68,36 por ciento en el HVV). Igualmente es posible detectar diferencias en el análisis individual para las unidades de agudos y media estancia. Conclusiones: Los grupos de utilización de recursos pueden resultar de utilidad para establecer diferencias en las cargas asistenciales en la atención hospitalaria a los pacientes ancianos (AU)

Atención sanitaria al anciano frágil: de la teoría a la evidencia científica / Health care to frail elderly: from theory to cientific evidence

No disponible