Frailty and Geriatric Syndromes in Vascular Surgical Ward Patients.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative frailty is an important predictor of poor outcomes but the relationship between frailty and geriatric syndromes is less clear. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of frailty and incidence of geriatric syndromes in a cohort of older vascular surgical ward patients, and investigate the association of frailty and other key risk factors with the occurrence of one or more geriatric syndromes (delirium, functional decline, falls, and/or pressure ulcers) and two hospital outcomes (acute length of stay and discharge destination). METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in a vascular surgical ward in a tertiary teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Consecutive patients aged ≥65 years, admitted for ≥72 hr, were eligible for inclusion. Frailty was defined as one or more of functional dependency, cognitive impairment, or nutritional impairment at admission. Delirium was identified using the Confusion Assessment Method and a validated chart extraction tool. Functional decline from admission to discharge was identified from daily nursing documentation of activities of daily living. Falls were identified according to documentation in the medical record cross-checked with the incident reporting system. Pressure ulcers, acute length of stay, and discharge destination were identified by documentation in the medical record. Risk factors associated with geriatric syndromes, acute length of stay, and discharge destination were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 110 participants, 43 (39%) patients were frail and geriatric syndromes occurred in 40 (36%). Functional decline occurred in 25% of participants, followed by delirium (20%), pressure ulcers (12%), and falls (4%). In multivariable logistic analysis, frailty [odds ratio (OR) 6.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-22.1, P = 0.002], nonelective admission (OR 7.2, 95% CI 2.2-25.3, P = 0.002), higher physiological severity (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.1-26.8, P = 0.03), and operative severity (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.2-17.7, P = 0.03) increased the likelihood of any geriatric syndrome. Frailty was an important predictor of longer length of stay (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.8, P = 0.06) and discharge destination (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.2-13.8, P = 0.02). Nonelective admission significantly increased the likelihood of discharge to a higher level of care (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.3-21.6, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty and geriatric syndromes were common in elderly vascular surgical ward patients. Frail patients and nonelective admissions were more likely to develop geriatric syndromes, have a longer length of stay, and be discharged to a higher level of care.

The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions Supported by Telerehabilitation For Recently Hospitalized Adult Medical Patients: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation (via videoconference) for recently hospitalized adult medical patients. Data sources: A search was undertaken across six databases for English language publications from inception to May 2020. Methods: Studies were selected if they included an exercise intervention for recently hospitalized adults, delivered by a physiotherapist via videoconference. Two reviewers independently screened 1,122 articles (21 full text screening) and assessed methodological quality using the Downs and Black Checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken. Results: Three studies met eligibility criteria involving 201 participants with chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Findings demonstrated limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of exercise delivered via telerehabilitation in improving physical function and patient reported quality of life outcomes in recently hospitalized medical patients. Telerehabilitation in this setting was also associated with high attendance rates and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for the benefits of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation for recently hospitalized medical patients. Results do need to be interpreted with caution as further high-quality studies specific to this method of exercise intervention delivery are needed.

Geriatric syndromes in individuals admitted to vascular and urology surgical units.

OBJECTIVES: To document the incidence of geriatric syndromes (delirium, functional decline, falls, and pressure ulcers) in two surgical units and to determine the association between the occurrence of geriatric syndromes and admission type (elective vs nonelective), severity of surgery, and surgical subspecialty unit. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: One vascular surgical unit and one urology surgical unit in an Australian tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older admitted to a study unit for 3 days or more (N = 112). MEASUREMENTS: Delirium was identified using a validated chart extraction tool. Functional decline from admission to discharge was identified from nursing documentation. Falls were identified according to documentation in the medical record cross-checked with the hospital incident reporting system. Pressure ulcers were identified according to documentation in the medical record. RESULTS: Geriatric syndromes were present in 32% of participants. Delirium was identified in 21%, functional decline in 14%, falls in 8%, and pressure ulcers in 5%. Individuals admitted directly from the emergency or outpatient department and interhospital transfers (nonelective) were significantly more likely to develop any geriatric syndrome than those on an elective surgery list before admission to the hospital (41% vs 18%, P = .01). In multivariable analysis, nonelective admission (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-4.7, P = .005), major surgery (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.7-3.7, P = .004) and preexisting impairment in activities of daily living (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-3.6, P = .007) increased the likelihood of geriatric syndromes. CONCLUSION: Geriatric syndromes are common in older adults undergoing surgery, and nonelective admission and major surgery increase the likelihood of geriatric syndromes occurring during hospitalization. Baseline dependency in ADLs is an important risk factor for the occurrence of these conditions.