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Schizophrenia presents a considerable clinical challenge due to limited progress in promoting daily-life functioning among diagnosed individuals. Although cognitive remediation (CR) has emerged as a promising approach to improving cognitive and functional outcomes in schizophrenia, its effectiveness among inpatients and within hospital environments—where opportunities to practice skills in real-world contexts are limited—remains unclear. Here, we aimed to establish the feasibility and initial efficacy of a short, ecological virtual reality-based CR training (CR-EVR) in acute mental health inpatient settings. Efficacy was assessed at four levels: training engagement, near transfer, far transfer, and ecological transfer. Twenty-three inpatients with schizophrenia (Male: 33.3 ± 8.5; 4 Female) completed 8, 20-min CR-EVR sessions, with exercises training the cognitive abilities of inhibition, planning, working memory, shifting, self-initiation, persistence, and attention. Their cognitive functioning, schizophrenia symptoms, functional capacity, and participation in occupations were evaluated pre- and post-training to address four levels of effectiveness. Of the recruited participants, 25.8 % dropped out. Inpatients who completed the full protocol reported high rates of satisfaction (1-not satisfied; 5-very satisfied)) from the intervention (Median = 4, IQR:3.5–5). Post-training, significant improvements were found in the trained cognitive components (intervention engagement: −6.58

Abstract Background Bed rest during hospitalization can negatively impact functional independence and clinical status of older individuals. Strategies focused on maintaining and improving muscle function may help reverse these losses. This study investigated the effects of a short‐term multicomponent exercise intervention on maximal strength and muscle power in hospitalized older patients. Methods This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial was conducted in an acute care unit in a tertiary public hospital. Ninety (39 women) older patients (mean age 87.7 ± 4.8 years) undergoing acute‐care hospitalization [median (IQR) duration 8 (1.75) and 8 (3) days for intervention and control groups, respectively]) were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 46). The control group received standard care hospital including physical rehabilitation as needed. The multicomponent exercise intervention was performed for 3 consecutive days during the hospitalization, consisting of individualized power training, balance, and walking exercises. Outcomes assessed at baseline and discharge were maximal strength through 1 repetition maximum test (1RM) in the leg press and bench press exercises, and muscle power output at different loads (≤30% of 1RM and between 45% and 55% of 1RM) in the leg press exercise. Mean peak power during 10 repetitions was assessed at loads between 45% and 55% of 1RM. Results At discharge, intervention group increased 19.2 kg (Mean Δ% = 40.4%) in leg press 1RM [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.1, 26.2 kg; P

Abstract Background Cognitive assessment in acutely hospitalized older adults is mainly limited to neuropsychological screening measures of global cognition. Performance-based assessments of functional cognition better indicate functioning in real-life situations. However, their predictive validity has been less studied in acute hospital settings. The aim of this study was to explore the unique contribution of functional cognition screening during acute illness hospitalization in predicting participation of older adults one and three months after discharge beyond traditional neuropsychological measures. Methods This prospective longitudinal study included 84 older adults ≥ 65 years hospitalized in internal medicine wards due to acute illness, followed by home visits at one month and telephone interviews at three months (n = 77). Participation in instrumental activities of daily living, social and leisure activities was measured by the Activity Card Sort. In-hospital factors included cognitive status (telephone version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, Color Trails Test), functional cognition screening (medication sorting task from the alternative Executive Function Performance Test), emotional status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), functional decline during hospitalization (modified Barthel index), length of hospital stay, the severity of the acute illness, symptoms severity and comorbidities. Results Functional cognition outperformed the neuropsychological measures in predicting participation declines in a sample of relatively high-functioning older adults. According to a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, the overall model explained 28.4% of the variance in participation after one month and 19.5% after three months. Age and gender explained 18.6% of the variance after one month and 13.5% after three months. The medication sorting task explained an additional 5.5% of the variance of participation after one month and 5.1% after three months, beyond age and gender. Length of stay and the Color Trails Test were not significant contributors to the change in participation. Conclusions By incorporating functional cognition into acute settings, healthcare professionals would be able to better detect older adults with mild executive dysfunctions who are at risk for participation declines. Early identification of executive dysfunctions can improve continuity of care and planning of tailored post-discharge rehabilitation services, especially for high-functioning older adults, a mostly overlooked population in acute settings. The results support the use of functional cognition screening measure of medication management ability in acute settings.

Background/Objectives: Hospitalization due to acute illness in older patients is often associated with anxiety or depressive symptoms. In these circumstances, given that pharmacologic treatment should be avoided to reduce interactions with ongoing medication regimes, psychotherapy techniques should be considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy (RT) on the reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms in acutely hospitalized older patients. Methods: Controlled and prospective study conducted on the Acute Geriatric Unit of a university hospital. Patients included in the intervention group (RT Group) attended a group session focused on RT, whereas those included in the control group (UC) received usual hospital care. Exclusion criteria were severe cognitive impairment, impossibility to mobilize, and clinical/hemodynamic instability. The intervention was based on a multi‐task daily group session of reminiscence activities. The severity of anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAM‐A), depressive symptoms (15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS‐15), loneliness (ESTE‐II social loneliness scale), and fear of death (Collet‐Lester scale) was assessed at admission and discharge in both groups. Results: The intervention was effective in reducing the proportion of patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms during hospitalization. The proportion of patients with moderate–severe anxiety at discharge was 32.1% in the UC and 13.4% in the RT Group (p < 0.001), whereas the proportion of patients with depressive symptoms at discharge was 49.1% in the UC and 19.5% in the RT Group (p < 0.001). The intervention was independently associated with benefits on anxiety levels (RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.83–3.28) and depression (RR 3.71, 95% CI 2.22–6.19) at discharge. No differences were found in loneliness or fear of death. Conclusions: A group reminiscence activity reduces the proportion of patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms during hospitalization for an acute disease. Absolute changes in both anxiety and depression scores, even though significant, were relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive assessment in acutely hospitalized older adults is mainly limited to neuropsychological screening measures of global cognition. Performance-based assessments of functional cognition better indicate functioning in real-life situations. However, their predictive validity has been less studied in acute hospital settings. The aim of this study was to explore the unique contribution of functional cognition screening during acute illness hospitalization in predicting participation of older adults one and three months after discharge beyond traditional neuropsychological measures.Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 84 older adults ≥ 65 years hospitalized in internal medicine wards due to acute illness, followed by home visits at one month and telephone interviews at three months (n = 77). Participation in instrumental activities of daily living, social and leisure activities was measured by the Activity Card Sort. In-hospital factors included cognitive status (telephone version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, Color Trails Test), functional cognition screening (medication sorting task from the alternative Executive Function Performance Test), emotional status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), functional decline during hospitalization (modified Barthel index), length of hospital stay, the severity of the acute illness, symptoms severity and comorbidities.Results: Functional cognition outperformed the neuropsychological measures in predicting participation declines in a sample of relatively high-functioning older adults. According to a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, the overall model explained 28.4% of the variance in participation after one month and 19.5% after three months. Age and gender explained 18.6% of the variance after one month and 13.5% after three months. The medication sorting task explained an additional 5.5% of the variance of participation after one month and 5.1% after three months, beyond age and gender. Length of stay and the Color Trails Test were not significant contributors to the change in participation.Conclusions: By incorporating functional cognition into acute settings, healthcare professionals would be able to better detect older adults with mild executive dysfunctions who are at risk for participation declines. Early identification of executive dysfunctions can improve continuity of care and planning of tailored post-discharge rehabilitation services, especially for high-functioning older adults, a mostly overlooked population in acute settings. The results support the use of functional cognition screening measure of medication management ability in acute settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable evidence has been accumulated on serious acute health outcomes associated with short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). Modifying factors of those associations, however, have been less explored and need further analyses. In this national study, we investigated whether short-term effects of PM 2.5 are modified according to region, cause of mortality/hospitalization, season, age, and sex. PM 2.5 -related adverse health effects were estimated by an ecological time-series study, covering about 80 % of the Canadian population for 18 years (2001-2018). We estimated city-specific associations using daily averages of PM 2.5 and temperature, and daily counts of hospitalizations and mortality (non-accidental all-cause, circulatory, and respiratory). National and regional associations were then estimated with a 2-stage model. We considered potential modifying factors of PM 2.5 -related adverse health effects, and examined linear trends in the annual associations. Nationally, PM 2.5 exposure was associated with both hospitalizations and mortality, and there was evidence of differences by the modifying factors. Of the various causes, circulatory mortality and respiratory hospitalization were more attributable to PM 2.5 exposure. We found regional differences for both all-cause hospitalization and all-cause mortality, and seasonal differences for respiratory hospitalization (warm season) and circulatory hospitalization (cold season). Circulatory mortality risk was significant for seniors and females. All-cause hospitalizations appeared to gradually decrease over time, but annual all-cause mortality remained constant at 0.6 % of the population. Adverse health effects of PM 2.5 exposures may depend on not only PM 2.5 concentration, but also other factors (region, cause, season, age, sex). National estimates for the baseline (age ≥ 1 year, both sexes) risk cannot be interpreted without consideration of the differences by modifying factors. Study findings can be used by seniors, women, and those who have pre-existing health conditions to make informed decisions regarding their health risks from daily exposure to ambient PM 2.5 ., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The study sponsor (Health Canada) had no role in study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the manuscript. The authors also declare that they have no actual or potential competing financial interests, and that this study did not have any relationships or support that might be perceived as constituting a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Abstract Background When older multimorbid people are acutely hospitalized, continuity of care is a fundamental goal in the healthcare process. However, some acute hospitalized older multimorbid patients do not experience continuity of care. This phenomenon is explored using the theoretical framework of Jürgen Habermas “Theory of communicative action”. Methods Acutely hospitalized patients over the age of 65 with two or more chronic conditions and who received home care services were invited to participate in two interviews: one at the emergency department and the other 4–12 weeks after discharge. These interviews formed the basis for an evaluation of patient experience of continuity of care, and the content of the interviews was analyzed using a structured matrix. Results Fifteen patients participated with seven patients evaluated to have continuity of care in their healthcare process. Eight patients were evaluated as not having experienced continuity of care in their healthcare process. The categories from the matrix highlighted a healthcare system that interfered with a patient’s lifeworld with a lack of communication, different expectations, frustration regarding care, strained relations to health care providers and feelings of being objectified. Conclusions We conclude that mutual understanding based on communicative action is essential when it comes to patients’ experiences of continuity of care. Our results justify improving the mutual understanding between patients and professionals in transition between healthcare sectors. Future research should target whether an enhanced focus on communicative action and mutual understanding in particular between non-healthcare professionals and patients will improve the patients’ perception of continuity of care.

Min Zhao,1– 3,* Shuguang Li,2,* Yun Xu,2 Xiaoxia Su,1,2 Hong Jiang2 1School of Nursing, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nursing, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Nursing, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hong JiangDepartment of Nursing, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Urumqi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai 200040, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-182177161812Email hlbjiang0@163.comPurpose: Injurious falls seriously threaten the safety of elderly patients. Identifying risk factors for predicting the probability of injurious falls is an important issue that still needs to be solved urgently. We aimed to identify predictors and develop a nomogram for distinguishing populations at high risk of injurious falls from older adults in acute settings.Patients and Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted at three hospitals in Shanghai, China. Elderly patients with injurious falls from January 2014 to December 2018 were taken as cases, and control patients who did not have falls were randomly matched based on the admission date and the department. The data were collected through a medical record review and adverse events system. The original data set was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a 7:3 ratio. A nomogram was established based on the results of the univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and its discrimination and calibration were verified to confirm the accuracy of the prediction. The cut-off value of risk stratification was determined to help medical staff identify the high-risk groups.Results: A total of 115 elderly patients with injurious falls and 230 controls were identified. History of fractures, orthostatic hypotension, functional status, sedative-hypnotics and level of serum albumin were independent risk factors for injurious falls in elderly patients. The C-indexes of the training and validation sets were 0.874 (95% CI: 0.784− 0.964) and 0.847 (95% CI: 0.771– 0.924), respectively. Calibration curves were drawn and showed acceptable predictive performance. The cut-off values of the training and validation sets were 146.3 points (sensitivity: 73.7%; specificity: 87.5%) and 157.2 points (sensitivity: 69.2%; specificity: 85.5%), respectively.Conclusion: The established nomogram facilitates the identification of high-risk populations among elderly patients, providing a new assessment tool to forecast the individual risk of injurious falls.Keywords: acute hospitalization, elderly adults, injurious falls, nomogram, prediction tool

Abstract Background Being homeless entails higher mortality, morbidity, and prevalence of psychiatric diseases. This leads to more frequent and expensive use of health care services. Medical respite care enables an opportunity to recuperate after a hospitalization and has shown a positive effect on readmissions, but little is known about the cost-effectiveness of medical respite care for homeless people discharged from acute hospitalization. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a 2-week stay in post-hospital medical respite care. Methods A randomized controlled trial and cost-utility analysis, from a societal perspective, was conducted between April 2014 and March 2016. Homeless people aged > 18 years with an acute admission were included from 10 different hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark. The intervention group (n = 53) was offered a 2-week medical respite care stay at a Red Cross facility and the control group (n = 43) was discharged without any extra help (usual care), but with the opportunity to seek help in shelters and from street nurses and doctors in the municipalities. The primary outcome was the difference in health care costs 3 months following inclusion in the study. Secondary outcomes were change in health-related quality of life and health care costs 6 months following inclusion in the study. Data were collected through Danish registries, financial management systems in the municipalities and at the Red Cross, and by using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Results After 3 and 6 months, the intervention group had €4761 (p = 0.10) and €8515 (p = 0.04) lower costs than the control group, respectively. Crude costs at 3 months were €8448 and €13,553 for the intervention and control group respectively. The higher costs in the control group were mainly related to acute admissions. Both groups had minor quality-adjusted life year gains. Conclusions This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a 2-week medical respite care stay for homeless people after hospitalization. The study showed that the intervention is cost-effective. Furthermore, this study illustrates that it is possible to perform research with satisfying follow-up with a target group that is hard to reach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02649595 .

Helle Gybel Juul-Larsen, 1–3 Line Due Christensen, 1, 4 Thomas Bandholm, 1–3, 5 Ove Andersen, 1, 2, 6 Thomas Kallemose, 1 Lillian Mørch Jørgensen, 1, 6 Janne Petersen 1, 7, 8 1Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; 2Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 3Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research - Copenhagen (PMR-C), Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; 4Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark; 5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; 6Emergency Department, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; 7Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; 8Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkCorrespondence: Helle Gybel Juul-LarsenClinical Research Centre, Section 056, Copenhagen University, Amager and Hvidovre Hospitals, Kettegård Allé 30, Hvidovre DK-2650, DenmarkTel +45 38626077Email helle.juul-larsen@regionh.dkPurpose: The majority of acutely admitted older medical patients are multimorbid, receive multiple drugs, and experience a complex treatment regime. To be able to optimize treatment and care, we need more knowledge of the association between different patterns of multimorbidity and healthcare utilization and the complexity thereof. The purpose was therefore to investigate patterns of multimorbidity in a Danish national cohort of acutely hospitalized medical patients aged 65 and older and to determine the association between these multimorbid patterns with the healthcare utilization and complexity.Patients and Methods: Longitudinal cohort study of 129,900 (53% women) patients. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to develop patterns of multimorbidity based on 22 chronic conditions ascertained from Danish national registers. A latent class regression was used to test for differences in healthcare utilization and healthcare complexity among the patterns measured in the year leading up to the index admission.Results: LCA identified eight distinct multimorbid patterns. Patients belonging to multimorbid patterns including the major chronic conditions; diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with higher odds of healthcare utilization and complexity than the reference pattern (“Minimal chronic conditions”). The pattern with the highest number of chronic conditions did not show the highest healthcare utilization nor complexity.Conclusion: Our study showed that chronic conditions cluster together and that these patterns differ in healthcare utilization and complexity. Patterns of multimorbidity have the potential to be used in epidemiological studies of healthcare planning but should be confirmed in other population-based studies.Keywords: chronic conditions, multimorbidity, older medical patients, acute hospitalization, latent class analysis

Growth differentiation 15 (GDF15) is a potential novel biomarker of biological aging. To separate the effects of chronological age and birth cohort from biological age, longitudinal studies investigating the associations of GDF15 levels with adverse health outcomes are needed. We investigated changes in GDF15 levels over 10 years in an age-stratified sample of the general population and their relation to the risk of acute hospitalization and death. Serum levels of GDF15 were measured three times in 5-year intervals in 2176 participants aged 30, 40, 50, or 60 years from the Danish population-based DAN-MONICA cohort. We assessed the association of single and repeated GDF15 measurements with the risk of non-traumatic acute hospitalizations. We tested whether changes in GDF15 levels over 10 years differed according to the frequency of hospitalizations within 2 years or survival within 20 years, after the last GDF15 measurement. The change in GDF15 levels over time was dependent on age and sex. Higher GDF15 levels and a greater increase in GDF15 levels were associated with an increased risk of acute hospitalization in adjusted Cox regression analyses. Participants with more frequent admissions within 2 years, and those who died within 20 years, after the last GDF15 measurement already had elevated GDF15 levels at baseline and experienced greater increases in GDF15 levels during the study. The change in GDF15 levels was associated with changes in C-reactive protein and biomarkers of kidney, liver, and cardiac function. Monitoring of GDF15 starting in middle-aged could be valuable for the prediction of adverse health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When older multimorbid people are acutely hospitalized, continuity of care is a fundamental goal in the healthcare process. However, some acute hospitalized older multimorbid patients do not experience continuity of care. This phenomenon is explored using the theoretical framework of Jürgen Habermas "Theory of communicative action".Methods: Acutely hospitalized patients over the age of 65 with two or more chronic conditions and who received home care services were invited to participate in two interviews: one at the emergency department and the other 4-12 weeks after discharge. These interviews formed the basis for an evaluation of patient experience of continuity of care, and the content of the interviews was analyzed using a structured matrix.Results: Fifteen patients participated with seven patients evaluated to have continuity of care in their healthcare process. Eight patients were evaluated as not having experienced continuity of care in their healthcare process. The categories from the matrix highlighted a healthcare system that interfered with a patient's lifeworld with a lack of communication, different expectations, frustration regarding care, strained relations to health care providers and feelings of being objectified.Conclusions: We conclude that mutual understanding based on communicative action is essential when it comes to patients' experiences of continuity of care. Our results justify improving the mutual understanding between patients and professionals in transition between healthcare sectors. Future research should target whether an enhanced focus on communicative action and mutual understanding in particular between non-healthcare professionals and patients will improve the patients' perception of continuity of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically viable screening tools for detecting individuals at heightened risk for mobility limitations is warranted. However, it remains unclear in acutely hospitalized patients (>75 years) whether handgrip strength might be a good predictor for "proxy" muscle strength. To examine the reliability and validity of handgrip strength test in acute hospitalized older adults in comparison with other standardized muscular strength tests, and to examine its ability to discriminate between presence and absence of mobility limitations. Cross-sectional study. A total of 234 patients (mean age 87.0 years, 46% women) admitted to a tertiary public hospital between 2016 and 2017 were recruited. Maximal (one repetition maximum) and power muscle output of the upper and lower extremity along with functional capacity (as assessed with Barthel index and the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]), and cognitive function was measured at admission. Functional impairment (mobility limitations) was defined at SPPB ≤7 points. Pearson's correlation and multivariable linear regression were evaluated between handgrip test and maximal and muscle power output as the reference method to assess concurrent validity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to estimate handgrip strength cutoff point for likelihood of mobility limitations to assess predictive validity. Findings show moderate-to-strong correlations between standardized muscular strength (reference methods) and handgrip strength test (r = 0.534-0.725). All muscular strength tests show moderate accuracy (area under curve >0.7). Handgrip strength shows the higher positive predictive value (87%) and, therefore, a lower number of false positives. The overall handgrip strength cutoff point for likelihood of mobility limitations was 18.4 kg for men and women. Handgrip strength may be a useful tool for detecting acutely hospitalized older who are at risk of mobility limitations and could aid in focusing interventions on those with higher risk. Randomized clinical trial: NCT02300896. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effect of ambient temperature on hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) in Shenyang, China. We used the distributed delayed nonlinear model to evaluate the impact of ambient temperature on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The study population was divided into four groups: < 65 group and ≥ 65 age groups, female and male groups. The < 65 age group of AECOPD patients was more likely to be affected by high ambient temperature, while the ≥ 65 age group of AECOPD patients was more sensitive to low ambient temperature. The hospitalization risk of MI admission increased in the ≥ 65 age group at 1–8 days delay under low ambient temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An individualized, multicomponent exercise program is effective to reverse the functional and cognitive decline that frequently occur during acute care hospitalization in older patients. The aim was to determine whether improvements in cognition mediate improvements in physical function in acutely hospitalized older patients. A single-center, single-blind randomized clinical trial. Acute care for elderly (ACE) unit in a tertiary public hospital in Navarre (Spain). Hospitalized patients were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention (n = 185) or usual-care group (n = 185). The intervention consisted of a multicomponent exercise-training program performed during 5 to 7 consecutive days (2 sessions/day). The usual-care group received habitual hospital care, which included physical rehabilitation when needed. The main endpoints were changes in cognitive function assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination test and verbal fluency ability, and changes in physical performance by the Short Physical Performance Battery from baseline to discharge. Mediation regression models were generated using ordinary least squares with the PROCESS version 3.2 to determine links between exercise-induced improvements. Mediation regression model analysis indicated a significant and direct beneficial effect of physical exercise on physical function (β = 2.14; P <.0001), and a significant indirect effect of global cognitive function on the direct effect (indirect effect = 0.26; 0.10 to 0.49). Verbal fluency ability also had an indirect effect (0.32; 0.16 to 0.53) on the positive effect of exercise-training on physical function. Cognitive function enhancements mediate physical function improvements in acutely hospitalized older adults after an individualized, multicomponent exercise-training program. ClinicalTrials.gov registration (NCT02300896) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute hospitalization may lead to posthospital syndrome, but no studies have investigated how this syndrome manifests and geriatric syndromes are often used as synonym. However, studies on longitudinal associations between syndromes and adverse outcomes are scarce. We aimed to analyze longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes and functional decline (FD), readmission, and mortality.Methods: Prospective cohort study, including 401 acutely hospitalized patients (aged ≥ 70). We performed: (i) logistic regression analyses to assess associations between patterns of geriatric syndromes as they develop over time (between admission and 1 month postdischarge), and FD and readmission; (ii) generalized estimating equations to assess longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes over five time points (admission, discharge, 1, 2, and 3 months postdischarge) and FD, mortality, and readmission at 3 months postdischarge.Results: After syndrome absent, syndrome present at both admission and 1 month postdischarge was most prevalent. Persistent patterns of apathy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-12.30), pain (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.21-8.8), malnutrition (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.35-8.56), mobility impairment (OR = 6.65, 95% CI = 1.98-22.38), and fear of falling (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.25-8.02) were associated with FD. Developing cognitive impairment (OR = 6.40, 95% CI = 1.52-26.84), fatigue (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.03-21.60), and fall risk (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.21-16.57) postdischarge, was associated with readmission; however, only 4%-6% developed these syndromes. Over the course of five time points, mobility impairment, apathy, and incontinence were longitudinally associated with FD; apathy, malnutrition, fatigue, and fall risk with mortality; malnutrition with readmission.Conclusion: Most geriatric syndromes are present at admission and patients are likely to retain them postdischarge. Several geriatric syndromes are longitudinally associated with mortality and, particularly, persistently present syndromes place persons are at risk of FD. Although few persons develop syndromes postdischarge, those developing cognitive impairment, fatigue, and fall risk were at increased readmission risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Being homeless entails higher mortality, morbidity, and prevalence of psychiatric diseases. This leads to more frequent and expensive use of health care services. Medical respite care enables an opportunity to recuperate after a hospitalization and has shown a positive effect on readmissions, but little is known about the cost-effectiveness of medical respite care for homeless people discharged from acute hospitalization. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a 2-week stay in post-hospital medical respite care.Methods: A randomized controlled trial and cost-utility analysis, from a societal perspective, was conducted between April 2014 and March 2016. Homeless people aged > 18 years with an acute admission were included from 10 different hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark. The intervention group (n = 53) was offered a 2-week medical respite care stay at a Red Cross facility and the control group (n = 43) was discharged without any extra help (usual care), but with the opportunity to seek help in shelters and from street nurses and doctors in the municipalities. The primary outcome was the difference in health care costs 3 months following inclusion in the study. Secondary outcomes were change in health-related quality of life and health care costs 6 months following inclusion in the study. Data were collected through Danish registries, financial management systems in the municipalities and at the Red Cross, and by using the EQ-5D questionnaire.Results: After 3 and 6 months, the intervention group had €4761 (p = 0.10) and €8515 (p = 0.04) lower costs than the control group, respectively. Crude costs at 3 months were €8448 and €13,553 for the intervention and control group respectively. The higher costs in the control group were mainly related to acute admissions. Both groups had minor quality-adjusted life year gains.Conclusions: This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a 2-week medical respite care stay for homeless people after hospitalization. The study showed that the intervention is cost-effective. Furthermore, this study illustrates that it is possible to perform research with satisfying follow-up with a target group that is hard to reach.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02649595. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this cohort study was to examine the association between platelet counts upon acute hospitalization and mortality. The study included all adults in North and Central Denmark Regions with a first acute admission to an internal medicine unit during 2006-2012, categorized by first platelet count within +/-24 hours of admission. We assessed the association between platelet count and in-hospital, 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day mortality using age- and sex-adjusted Cox models. We also stratified analyses by presence/absence of comorbidity and performed additional analyses restricted to patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or infection. Among the 274,148 study patients, the 1-year mortality was 12.6%. The association between platelet count and mortality took the form of an asymmetric U-shaped curve. For 30-day mortality, hazard ratios (HRs) were 5.24 (95% CI: 4.60-5.97) for platelet count < 50 × 109/L and 2.50 (95% CI: 2.33-2.69) for platelet count ≥ 500 × 109/L, compared with a normal platelet count (150-400 × 109/L). A slightly increased risk of mortality was observed for platelet counts < 200 × 109/L and ≥ 250 × 109/L. A similar pattern was observed for 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day mortality and in all subgroups except patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of infection. In this case, patients with a platelet count between 150 × 109/L and 199 × 109/L had the lowest mortality. Platelet counts in adults upon acute hospital admission to internal medicine units, including counts within the normal range, are a predictor of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bed rest during hospitalization can negatively impact functional independence and clinical status of older individuals. Strategies focused on maintaining and improving muscle function may help reverse these losses. This study investigated the effects of a short-term multicomponent exercise intervention on maximal strength and muscle power in hospitalized older patients., Methods: This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial was conducted in an acute care unit in a tertiary public hospital. Ninety (39 women) older patients (mean age 87.7 ± 4.8 years) undergoing acute-care hospitalization [median (IQR) duration 8 (1.75) and 8 (3) days for intervention and control groups, respectively]) were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 46). The control group received standard care hospital including physical rehabilitation as needed. The multicomponent exercise intervention was performed for 3 consecutive days during the hospitalization, consisting of individualized power training, balance, and walking exercises. Outcomes assessed at baseline and discharge were maximal strength through 1 repetition maximum test (1RM) in the leg press and bench press exercises, and muscle power output at different loads (≤30% of 1RM and between 45% and 55% of 1RM) in the leg press exercise. Mean peak power during 10 repetitions was assessed at loads between 45% and 55% of 1RM., Results: At discharge, intervention group increased 19.2 kg (Mean Δ% = 40.4%) in leg press 1RM [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.1, 26.2 kg; P < 0.001] and 2.9 kg (Mean Δ% = 19.7%) in bench press 1RM (95% CI: 0.6, 5.2 kg; P < 0.001). The intervention group also increased peak power by 18.8 W (Mean Δ% = 69.2%) (95% CI: 8.4, 29.1 W; P < 0.001) and mean propulsive power by 9.3 (Mean Δ% = 26.8%) W (95% CI: 2.5, 16.1 W; P = 0.002) at loads ≤30% of 1RM. The intervention group also increased peak power by 39.1 W (Mean Δ% = 60.0%) (95% CI: 19.2, 59.0 W; P < 0.001) and mean propulsive power by 22.9 W (Mean Δ% = 64.1%) (95% CI: 11.7, 34.1 W; P < 0.001) at loads between 45% and 55% of 1RM. Mean peak power during the 10 repetitions improved by 20.8 W (Mean Δ% = 36.4%) (95% CI: 3.0, 38.6 W; P = 0.011). No significant changes were observed in the control group for any endpoint., Conclusions: An individualized multicomponent exercise program including progressive power training performed over 3 days markedly improved muscle strength and power in acutely hospitalized older patients., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Acute medical illness requiring hospitalization usually is a critical event in the trajectory leading to disability in older adults. Functional decline frequently occurs during hospitalization, resulting in a loss of Independence in activities of daily living after discharge. The aim of the study was to assess the functional decline in different ADLs of hospitalized elderly patients in an Acute Care for Elderly (ACE) unit incorporating a body-worn inertial sensor and accompanying custom algorithms. 38 hospitalized older adults (age ≥ 75) were included. The patients completed different functional tasks, including a balance test, Gait Velocity Test (GVT), verbal and arithmetic dual-task gait, and a sit-to-stand ability test at admission and discharge. Movement-related parameters were acquired from a unique tri-axial inertial sensor unit. Maximal muscle strength and muscle power output endpoints were also assessed. The results indicated that significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found at discharge compared with the admission values for gait variability and spatiotemporal parameters in the 4- and 6-meter GVT. These significant gains were also obtained in the verbal GVT. In contrast, a significant reduction was found in the functional status measured with the Barthel Index scale. Regarding to the sit-to-stand ability, lower peak power was observed in the sit-to-stand phase of the task at discharge. In conclusion, inertial sensor unit and our custom, validated, algorithms represent a feasible tool for measuring and monitoring functional trajectory during hospitalization in older adults and they are sensitive to detect differences in movement pattern parameters in different ADLs such as walking and the ability to stand from a seated position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify trajectories of cognitive-affective depressive symptoms among acutely hospitalized older patients and whether trajectories are related to prognostic baseline factors and three-month outcomes such as functional decline, falls, unplanned readmissions, and mortality.Methods: Prospective multicenter cohort of acutely hospitalized patients aged ≥ 70. Depressive trajectories were based on Group Based Trajectory Modeling, using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. Outcomes were functional decline, falls, unplanned readmission, and mortality within three months post-discharge.Results: The analytic sample included 398 patients (mean age = 79.6 years; SD = 6.6). Three distinct depressive symptoms trajectories were identified: minimal (63.6%), mild persistent (25.4%), and severe persistent (11.0%). Unadjusted results showed that, compared to the minimal symptoms group, the mild and severe persistent groups showed a significantly higher risk of functional decline (mild: OR = 3.9, p < .001; severe: OR = 3.0, p = .04), falls (mild: OR = 2.0, p = .02; severe: OR = 6.0, p < .001), and mortality (mild: OR = 2.2, p = .05; severe: OR = 3.4, p = .009). Patients with mild or severe persistent symptoms were more malnourished, anxious, and functionally limited and had more medical comorbidities at admission.Conclusion: Nearly 40% of the acutely hospitalized older adults exhibited mild to severe levels of cognitive-affective depressive symptoms. In light of the substantially elevated risk of serious complications and the fact that elevated depressive symptoms was not a transient phenomenon identification of these patients is needed. This further emphasizes the need for acute care hospitals, as a point of engagement with older adults, to develop discharge or screening procedures for managing cognitive-affective depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The transition between hospital and home is a vulnerable period for acutely hospitalized older patients during which they are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes. Yet, studies describing experiences of a geriatric patient population postdischarge from a patient perspective are missing. Objective To characterize patient experiences with recovering at home after acute hospitalization. Design and Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews, involving 20 recently discharged patients (age ≥ 70), were conducted. A thematic analysis of the content was performed. Results Ten categories were identified as recurring topics, which were grouped into 3 major themes. The first theme describes the effect of hospitalization on daily life. Participants described that the problems they encountered were mostly caused by symptoms they experienced since discharge, which were grouped into 2 themes: (a) physical consequences of hospitalization and (b) motivational and psychological problems after hospitalization. Among most frequently presented symptoms were fatigue, apathy, unsteadiness while standing, and fear of falling. Implications Impairment in mobility and instrumental activities of daily living was the dominant experience for interviewed patients. This disability was mainly attributed to four main symptoms: fatigue, apathy, unsteadiness while standing, and fear of falling. We propose a tentative model that summarizes the role of posthospital symptoms in the recovery process and the potential syndromes (frailty, posthospital syndrome, palliative symptoms, and sickness behavior) that could underlie these shared symptoms which may act as a conceptual framework for future research. Our study points at the relevance of symptom experiences in functional recovery postdischarge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the change in activities of daily living, grip strength and functional mobility in very old patients >75 years old with multimorbidity upon admission to hospital versus 3 weeks after discharge. A second aim was to explore which baseline variables could predict personal activities of daily living 3 weeks after discharge.Methods: This prospective cohort study included 115 home-dwelling older adults (mean 86 years, standard deviation 5.9). Participants were measured with the Timed Up and Go, grip strength and Barthel Index in hospital (T1) and 3 weeks after discharge (T2).Results: After 3 weeks, the participants had significantly improved their activities of daily living, mobility and muscle strength, but were still physically reduced compared to reference values for age-matched elderly home dwellers and were at high risk of falls and further loss of independence. In the multivariate regression analysis, baseline cognitive function and mobility were independently associated with Barthel Index at T2 and explained 47% of the variance three weeks after discharge.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of applying performance-based assessments for elderly in hospital. The result indicates that frail old adults acutely admitted to hospital are in need of rehabilitation 3 weeks after hospitalization. Implications for Rehabilitation Older people with multimorbidity improve their physical function 3 weeks after hospitalization. Nevertheless, they still are physically reduced with respect to reference values for age-matched elderly home dwellers and far below the cutoff score for their risk of falls, continued health decline and loosing their independence.The results imply that older people with multimorbidity are in need of early rehabilitation program during hospitalization and after hospitalization.The use of performance-based measurements enables us to identify older adults at highest risk of decline in health and function and is a key of identifying frail older peoples need for rehabilitation.The Time up and Go test, Grip Strength test and the Barthel Index are considered to complement each other and regarded as useful assessments for frail older people in hospital with acute illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation is often an elective outpatient procedure, but previous studies have shown that approximately 30% are performed during acute hospitalizations.Purpose: This study aims to identify predictors of acute hospitalization versus elective outpatient ICD implantation and evaluate differential clinical outcomes.Methods: We studied 327 first-time ICD recipients between 2011 and 2015. All patients receiving a primary prevention ICD were optimized on guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) prior to consideration for device implantation. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined predictors of ICD implantation during acute hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard regression was used adjusting for patient characteristics to examine associations with clinical outcomes including complications, device therapy, heart failure re-admission, and death.Results: Of all patients, 132 (40.3%) underwent ICD implantation during acute hospitalization, most frequently performed for secondary prevention (n = 76, 57.6%). The most common reason for acute hospitalization ICD implantation in primary prevention patients was an indication for pacing (n = 20, 35.7%). In multivariable adjusted models, secondary prevention indication, non-single chamber device, NYHA class IV symptoms, lower diastolic blood pressure, higher BUN, and lower hemoglobin were significant predictors of ICD implantation during an acute hospitalization. In univariate analysis, acute hospitalization ICD implantation was associated with a higher risk of heart failure re-admission (HR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4) and mortality (HR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.0) but no difference in risk of ICD therapy (HR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.9-2.3) or adverse events (HR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.1). After multivariable adjustment for potential confounders, all outcomes were no different between acute hospitalization versus elective outpatient ICD recipients.Conclusions: Among first-time ICD recipients, specific clinical characteristics predicted acute hospitalization ICD implantation. After adjustment for potential confounders, acute hospitalization ICD implantation was not associated with increased risk of morbidity or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adults with intellectual disabilities experience poorer physical health and health care quality, but there is limited information on the potential for reducing emergency hospital admissions in this population. We describe overall and preventable emergency admissions for adults with vs without intellectual disabilities in England and assess differences in primary care management before admission for 2 common ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs).Methods: We used electronic records to study a cohort of 16,666 adults with intellectual disabilities and 113,562 age-, sex-, and practice-matched adults without intellectual disabilities from 343 English family practices. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) from conditional Poisson regression were analyzed for all emergency and preventable emergency admissions. Primary care management of lower respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections, as exemplar ACSCs, before admission were compared in unmatched analysis between adults with and without intellectual disabilities.Results: The overall rate for emergency admissions for adults with vs without intellectual disabilities was 182 vs 68 per 1,000 per year (IRR = 2.82; 95% CI, 2.66-2.98). ACSCs accounted for 33.7% of emergency admissions among the former compared with 17.3% among the latter (IRR = 5.62; 95% CI, 5.14-6.13); adjusting for comorbidity, smoking, and deprivation did not fully explain the difference (IRR = 3.60; 95% CI, 3.25-3.99). Although adults with intellectual disability were at nearly 5 times higher risk for admission for lower respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections, they had similar primary care use, investigation, and management before admission as the general population.Conclusions: Adults with intellectual disabilities are at high risk for preventable emergency admissions. Identifying strategies for better detecting and managing ACSCs, including lower respiratory and urinary tract infections, in primary care could reduce hospitalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acutely hospitalized older patients have an increased risk of mortality, but at the moment of presentation this risk is difficult to assess. Early identification of patients at high risk might increase the awareness of the physician, and enable tailored decision-making. Existing screening instruments mainly use either geriatric factors or severity of disease for prognostication. Predictive performance of these instruments is moderate, which hampers successive interventions. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among all patients aged 70 years and over who were acutely hospitalized in the Acute Medical Unit of the Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands in 2012. We developed a prediction model for 90-day mortality that combines vital signs and laboratory test results reflecting severity of disease with geriatric factors, represented by comorbidities and number of medications. Among 517 patients, 94 patients (18.2 %) died within 90 days after admission. Six predictors of mortality were included in a model for mortality: oxygen saturation, Charlson comorbidity index, thrombocytes, urea, C-reactive protein and non-fasting glucose. The prediction model performs satisfactorily with an 0.738 (0.667-0.798). Using this model, 53 % of the patients in the highest risk decile (N = 51) were deceased within 90 days. In conclusion, we are able to predict 90-day mortality in acutely hospitalized older patients using a model with directly available clinical data describing disease severity and geriatric factors. After further validation, such a model might be used in clinical decision making in older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over 30 % of older patients experience hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) (i.e., loss of independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)) after an acute hospitalization. Despite its high prevalence, the mechanisms that underlie HAD remain elusive. This paper describes the protocol for the Hospital-Associated Disability and impact on daily Life (Hospital-ADL) study, which aims to unravel the potential mechanisms behind HAD from admission to three months post-discharge.Methods/design: The Hospital-ADL study is a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study aiming to recruit 400 patients aged ≥70 years that are acutely hospitalized at departments of Internal Medicine, Cardiology or Geriatrics, involving six hospitals in the Netherlands. Eligible are patients hospitalized for at least 48 h, without major cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination score ≥15), who have a life expectancy of more than three months, and without disablement in all six ADLs. The study will assess possible cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, physical, and biological factors of HAD. Data will be collected through: 1] medical and demographical data; 2] personal interviews, which includes assessment of cognitive impairment, behavioral and psychosocial functioning, physical functioning, and health care utilization; 3] physical performance tests, which includes gait speed, hand grip strength, balance, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and an activity tracker (Fitbit Flex), and; 4] analyses of blood samples to assess inflammatory and metabolic markers. The primary endpoint is additional disabilities in ADLs three months post-hospital discharge compared to ADL function two weeks prior to hospital admission. Secondary outcomes are health care utilization, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical performance tests, and mortality. There will be at least five data collection points; within 48 h after admission (H1), at discharge (H3), and at one (P1; home visit), two (P2; by telephone) and three months (P3; home visit) post-discharge. If the patient is admitted for more than five days, additional measurements will be planned during hospitalization on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (H2).Discussion: The Hospital-ADL study will provide information on cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, physical, and biological factors associated with HAD and will be collected during and following hospitalization. These data may inform new interventions to prevent or restore hospitalization-associated disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low ambulation rate is common even among acutely ill hospitalized older adults. This prospective observational study conducted among 769 older adults (≥70) hospitalized in acute-care units tested the relationship of satisfaction with hospital environment, sleep-medication consumption, and in-hospital caloric intake to mobility levels during hospitalization on 3 consecutive hospitalization days. Approximately 20% of the patients did not walk, 30% walked only in their room, and 50% mobilized outside their room. A multinomial-logistic regression, controlling for potential intervening factors, showed that sleep-medication avoidance (AOR = 1.99; p < 0.01) and higher caloric intake (AOR = 9.69; p < 0.001) differentiated patients walking outside the room from non-walking patients. Satisfaction with the physical environment was lower in the non-mobile group than in the other two. Results suggest that hospital environment, sleep-medication consumption, and caloric intake during hospitalization need to be addressed in attempts to improve in-hospital mobility in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Employment is a key element in recovery from schizophrenia. Yet 60%-80% of people with schizophrenia are not involved in work occupations. Factors influencing employment were explored mostly in community settings, while the recovery process begins already during hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate parameters that can distinguish during hospitalization between people with schizophrenia who will work in competitive employment, in sheltered employment or will not work after discharge. METHOD: The research followed 104 participants from acute hospitalization to the community, six months after discharge, to obtain employment related data. The participants' cognitive abilities, schizophrenia symptoms, and functional capacity were evaluated during hospitalization. In addition, demography and illness related factors were collected. RESULTS: The results indicate that persons with different employment statuses varied in several parameters during hospitalization. However, the most effective discriminant model includes negative symptoms, functional capacity measure and the number of hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that people with different employment statuses have unique characteristics already during hospitalization. In the future, appropriate rehabilitation programs may be suggested to each group based on these characteristics to promote employment among people with schizophrenia and contribute to recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]