Predictors of 6-month mortality in elderly patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease discharged from a medical ward after acute nonacidotic exacerbation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical outcomes and variables associated with 6-month mortality in very elderly patients admitted for nonacidotic acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: General medicine acute care ward. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-four elderly patients with COPD (mean age+/-standard deviation 82+/-7, 55.7% female) admitted to the hospital because of non-acidotic AECOPD. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive and mood status and physiological variables were measured. Self-reported comorbidities were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. In-hospital and long-term mortality and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: At admission, this elderly population with AECOPD had low cognitive performance (mean Mini-Mental State Examination score 21+/-5), no presence of significant depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale score 4+/-3), good nutritional status (body mass index (BMI) 25.1+/-5.5), moderate comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index 4.0+/-1.9), high functional disability (Barthel Index (BI) 52+/-34), and moderate severity of acute exacerbation (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 9.7+/-4.2). Two hundred twenty-five inpatients with AECOPD were successfully discharged, whereas 15 were transferred to the intensive care unit, and four died in the hospital. The 6-month cumulative mortality rate in discharged patients with AECOPD was 20%. Multivariate Cox analysis shows that lower BMI (beta=-0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.73-0.99), higher APACHE II score (beta=0,17; 95% CI=1.03-1.36), and lower BI at discharge (beta=-0.02; 95% CI=0.96-0.99) were independently associated with 6-month mortality. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition, severity of exacerbation and disability status could be identified as risk factors associated with 6-month mortality of elderly patients admitted for nonacidotic AECOPD.

Pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a challenge for physician, families, and patients. An individualized, multimodal treatment plan addressing the treatment of cognitive, behavioural and functional decline is essential. Aim of the paper is to describe the principal components of the treatment plan of AD patients. METHODS: A review of the recent literature was performed. RESULTS: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) play an important role in the improvement of cognitive decline in mild to moderate AD, even if the improvement is not permanent. Data obtained from the CRONOS project (involving about 500 Alzheimer Evaluation Units) replicate in the real world those obtained in controlled trials, confirming that AD patients may benefit from AChEI treatment. Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) requires education of caregivers, non pharmacological interventions, identification and treatment of medical illnesses or environmental precipitating conditions, specific pharmacological treatment. Traditional neuroleptics are widely used for BPSD treatment, but limited data support their use, and side-effects are frequent and severe. Atypical antipsychotics are effective in treating BPSD, and safer than traditional neuroleptics. However, the increased risk of cerebrovascular accident in patients taking risperidone or olanzapine limited currently their use in demented subjects. The use of antidepressant drugs, as well as behavioral approach, may improve depressive symptoms frequently accompanying AD. CONCLUSIONS: Although at present there is no cure for AD, several drug treatments and care strategies may improve or stabilize cognitive and behavioral symptoms, and improve the quality of life of patients and families.