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Abstract Background & aims Body weight is one of the essential indicators of nutritional status, and body weight management is vital in nutritional care. In addition, low body mass index (BMI) was included as a phenotypic criterion in the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Furthermore, low BMI has been used in grading the severity of malnutrition (moderate or severe malnutrition) in the GLIM criteria. A recent cross-sectional study reported that muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients with severely low BMI is less than those of older inpatients with moderately low BMI and non-low BMI. However, the longitudinal relationship between body weight and muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients in each BMI category according to the GLIM criteria remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between body weight and muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients in each BMI category according to the GLIM criteria. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 179 older inpatients (aged ≥ 70 years) (median [IQR] age: 84.0 [79.0–89.0]). The period of this study was between January 2017 and March 2020. In accordance with the cut-off value of a low BMI for patients aged ≥ 70 years in the Asian population according to the GLIM criteria, the participants were divided into the following three groups: the severely low BMI group (

Background & aims: Body weight is one of the essential indicators of nutritional status, and body weight management is vital in nutritional care. In addition, low body mass index (BMI) was included as a phenotypic criterion in the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Furthermore, low BMI has been used in grading the severity of malnutrition (moderate or severe malnutrition) in the GLIM criteria. A recent cross-sectional study reported that muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients with severely low BMI is less than those of older inpatients with moderately low BMI and non-low BMI. However, the longitudinal relationship between body weight and muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients in each BMI category according to the GLIM criteria remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between body weight and muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients in each BMI category according to the GLIM criteria. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 179 older inpatients (aged ≥ 70 years) (median [IQR] age: 84.0 [79.0–89.0]). The period of this study was between January 2017 and March 2020. In accordance with the cut-off value of a low BMI for patients aged ≥ 70 years in the Asian population according to the GLIM criteria, the participants were divided into the following three groups: the severely low BMI group (< 17.8 kg/m2) (n = 47), moderately low BMI group (≥ 17.8 to < 20.0 kg/m2) (n = 38), and non-low BMI group (≥ 20.0 kg/m2) (n = 94). The medians (IQR) of the length of hospital stay of the severely low BMI, moderately low BMI, and non-low BMI groups were 71.0 (49.0–98.0) days, 71.0 (50.0–98.0) days, and 50.5 (36.5–103.0) days, respectively. The primary outcome was a change in muscle mass of the quadriceps. The muscle mass of the quadriceps was examined using ultrasound images (i.e., quadriceps thickness). The changes in quadriceps thickness and body weight were calculated by subtracting the quadriceps thickness and body weight at admission from those values at discharge. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors was used to determine whether the change in body weight was independently and significantly related to the change in quadriceps thickness in the severely low BMI, moderately low BMI, and non-low BMI groups. Results: The means (SD) of the change in quadriceps thickness of the severely low BMI group, moderately low BMI group, and non-low BMI group were 0.0 ± 0.3 cm, 0.1 ± 0.3 cm, and 0.1 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The means of the change in body weight in those groups were 0.4 ± 2.8 kg, − 1.1 ± 2.7 kg, and − 1.3 ± 4.3 kg, respectively. In the severely low BMI group, the change in body weight (β = 0.34, p = 0.006) and quadriceps thickness at admission (β = −0.62, p < 0.001) were significantly and independently related to the change in quadriceps thickness (R2 = 0.645, f2 = 1.817, statistical power = 1.000). In the moderately low BMI and non-low BMI groups, there were no factors that were significantly and independently related to the change in quadriceps thickness. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that change in body weight is positively related to the change in muscle mass of the quadriceps in older inpatients with severely low BMI according to the GLIM criteria. These results imply the importance of body weight management for older inpatients with severely low BMI perspective from the muscle mass of the quadriceps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore older inpatients and their caregivers' care experience and how this relates to the gerontology care practice. Background: Research interest in the conceptualization of safe care for older inpatients was growing, and these studies were predominantly reported from a single or healthcare perspective. There is a shortage of literature on how patients and their caregivers conceptualise safe care. Design: Constructivist grounded theory. Methods: Stage 1 included semi‐structured interviews with inpatients. Stage 2 included semi‐structured interviews with caregivers and six field notes. Purposive and theoretical sampling were used to recruit 61 participants across six healthcare institutions. Data analysis included initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding using constant comparative, field notes and memo writing. Results: The substantive theory to emerge from the data was A balance of unsafe care incidents and interactive cooperative care. This core concept was informed by four categories: unsafe care incidents, interactive cooperative care, person‐centred care, contextual conditions, and one care outcome. The relationships between these categories constituted a balance in which patient‐centred care was the core, unsafe care incidents were the barriers, interactive cooperative care was the facilitator, and the result of the balance was the care outcome. The balance constituted a safe care ecosystem under the interaction of contextual conditions. Conclusions: Interactive cooperative care is vital in enabling care stakeholders to reduce unsafe care incidents, which facilitates them in achieving safe care and further constructing a healthy care ecosystem. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This theory identifies barriers and facilitators encountered by care stakeholders to cope with everyday problems and guides them in developing personalised care plans to ensure patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key summary points: Aim: To examine whether oral health status at admission would be a useful indicator of in-hospital outcomes. Findings: This study found that poor oral health status at admission was associated with a longer length of hospital stay after adjusting for age, sex, and functional oral intake scale scores. Message: Oral health status is critical in preventing the onset of and treating aspiration pneumonia. Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral health status at admission on in-hospital outcomes and how it varies during hospitalization in older patients with aspiration pneumonia. Methods: This prospective cohort study involved patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to an acute care hospital with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. The patients' basic health information, length of hospital stay (LOS), and oral health assessment tool (OHAT), functional oral intake scale (FOIS), pneumonia severity index, and clinical frailty scale scores were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on their median OHAT scores, and intergroup changes were analyzed as a function of time. The relationship between the LOS, FOIS score upon discharge, and OHAT scores at admission was examined using multiple regression analysis. Results: Of the 89 participants (52 were men, with a mean age of 84.8 ± 7.9 years), 75 were discharged. The patients' oral health was measured weekly for 3 weeks after the initial assessment via the OHAT, wherein the median score was 7, with a significant between-group difference. Moreover, OHAT scores improved within both groups throughout their stay. OHAT scores at admission were independently associated with the LOS (B = 5.51, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Poor oral health status at admission was associated with longer hospital stays. Both the high- and low-OHAT groups showed OHAT score improvements. Oral health status is critical in preventing the onset of and treating aspiration pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation can be triggered by a variety of factors, including pathogens, damaged cells, and toxic compounds. It is a biological response of the immune system, which can be successfully assessed in clinical practice using some molecular substances. Because adiponectin, a hormone released by adipose tissue, influences the development of inflammation, its evaluation as a potential measure of inflammation in clinical practice is justified. In the present contribution, statistical comparison of adiponectin concentration and selected molecular substances recognized in clinical practice as measures of inflammation were utilized to demonstrate whether adipose tissue hormones, as exemplified by adiponectin, have the potential to act as a measure of rapidly changing inflammation when monitoring older hospitalized patients in the course of bacterial infection. The study showed no statistically significant differences in adiponectin levels depending on the rapidly changing inflammatory response in its early stage. Interestingly, the concentration of adiponectin is statistically significantly higher in malnourished patients than in people with normal nutritional levels, assessed based on the MNA. According to the results obtained, adiponectin is not an effective measure of acute inflammation in clinical practice. However, it may serve as a biomarker of malnutrition in senile individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the practical experience of delivering a proactive and integrated consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry service model (PICLP). PICLP is designed for older medical inpatients and is explicitly biopsychosocial and discharge-focused. In this paper we report: (a) observations on the training of 15 clinicians (seven senior C-L psychiatrists and eight assisting clinicians) to deliver PICLP; (b) the care they provided to 1359 patients; (c) their experiences of working in this new way. A mixed methods observational study using quantitative and qualitative data, collected prospectively over two years as part of The HOME Study (a randomized trial comparing PICLP with usual care). The clinicians were successfully trained to deliver PICLP according to the service manual. They proactively assessed all patients and found that most had multiple biopsychosocial problems impeding their timely discharge from hospital. They integrated with ward teams to provide a range of interventions aimed at addressing these problems. Delivering PICLP took a modest amount of clinical time, and the clinicians experienced it as both clinically valuable and professionally rewarding. The experience of delivering PICLP highlights the special role that C-L psychiatry clinicians, working in a proactive and integrated way, can play in medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the rate and predictors of death in older individuals with suspected infection at any time during hospital stay in a geriatric acute ward and the prognostic ability of different tools [quick Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), Modified and National Early Warning Scores (MEWS) and (NEWS)] in such population. Prospective observational single-center cohort study. Among patients admitted to an acute geriatric unit of an Italian University Hospital with at least 1 sepsis risk factor, all subjects with suspected infection at admission or during hospital stay (defined as antibiotic prescription and associated culture test) were considered. A geriatric assessment including comorbidity and social, functional, and cognitive status was performed for each patient. Clinical parameters were evaluated at least twice daily throughout hospital stay; qSOFA, MEWS, and NEWS were derived, with positive cutoffs set at ≥2, ≥5, and ≥7, respectively. Among 305 older inpatients (median age 86.0 years, 49.2% female), 21% died during hospital stay. Sepsis was diagnosed in 31.8% of the overall sample and in 64.1% of deceased patients. Deceased patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of prior institutionalization, functional dependence, cognitive impairment, and multimorbidity. The prognostic accuracy of the qSOFA score at infection onset was only fair (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65–0.79, P <.001) and comparable with that of MEWS and NEWS. After multivariable analysis, in-hospital death was positively associated with male sex [odds ratio (OR), 2.11; 95% CI, 1.01–4.44; P =.048] and abnormal white blood cells count (OR, 4.93; 95% CI, 2.36–10.29; P <.001), platelet count (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.10–6.16; P =.029) and serum creatinine (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.30–5.61; P =.008), along with any of the score considered, and negatively associated with autonomy in instrumental activities (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68–0.90; P <.001). Prognosis in older inpatients with infection or sepsis appears to be determined both by the geriatric characteristics and by the severity of the acute event, expressed by recommended tools and blood test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pressure injury (PI) in older inpatients and predictive validity of the Braden scale. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Methods: Conducted in a 2600‐bed tertiary hospital in Northwestern China from January to June 2022, the study included older patients (≥60 years). The Braden scale was used for the risk assessment of PI, and the epidemiological characteristics of PI were observed. The contributing factors of PI in older inpatients were examined using univariate and multiple or multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive validity and optimal cut‐off value were assessed using receiver operating curve (ROC). Results: The study included 13,064 older patients, with a PI incidence of 0.20%, with the highest incidence (0.95%) in those aged ≥80. Age, BMI, Braden score and length of hospital stay were related to PI occurrence. The Braden scale showed an AUC of 0.905 for predicting PI in older inpatients, with a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 86.4%. The optimal cut‐off value of 19 yielded the best predictive performance with a Yoden index of 0.710. Conclusion: PI is most likely to occur in older inpatients with older age, longer hospital stay, lower BMI and Braden score. The Braden scale demonstrated good suitability for predicting PI risk in this population, with an optimal cut‐off value of 19 showing improved predictive accuracy. Patient or Public Contribution: Throughout the investigation, patients or family members cooperated to complete all data investigation and evaluation, and nurses assisted in PI risk assessment, skin evaluation and other work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study identified the correlates of delirium care competency among shift leader nurses in acute medical wards in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to February 2020. We sent request letters to a random sample of 381 general acute care hospitals in Japan. Of these, 68 agreed to participate and distributed 735 self-administered questionnaires to shift leader nurses working in their acute medical wards. The questionnaire included the Self-rated Delirium Care Competency Scale for Shift Leader Nurses in Acute Medical Wards (DCSL-M), developed by the authors. It gathered data on the respondents' demographics and delirium care competency, and investigated a total of 25 variables. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations between delirium care competency and the demographics using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the total, 301 (40.9%) questionnaires were returned. Delirium care competency was high among shift leader nurses who: (1) had experience as a clinical practice preceptor for nursing students; (2) had experience attending training related to dementia or delirium care; (3) worked at a hospital/ward that charged additional medical fees for dementia care; and (4) had access to consulting psychiatrists to refer patients with delirium. Conclusions: The results suggest the need for efforts to improve delirium care competency among shift leader nurses who work in hospitals that do not charge additional medical fees for dementia care or that do not have consulting psychiatrists to refer patients with delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Older inpatients, particularly those with frailty, have increased exposure to complex medication regimens. It is not known whether frailty and complexity of medication regimens influence attitudes toward deprescribing. This study aimed to investigate (1) older inpatients’ attitudes toward deprescribing; (2) if frailty and complexity of medication regimen influence attitudes and willingness to deprescribe - a relationship that has not been investigated in previous studies. Methods In this cross-sectional study, older adults (≥ 65 years) recruited from general medicine and geriatric services in a New Zealand hospital completed the revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire. Hospital frailty risk score (HFRS) was calculated using diagnostic codes and other relevant information present at the time of index hospital admission; higher scores indicate higher frailty risk. Medication regimen complexity was quantified using the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI); higher scores indicate greater complexity. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of attitudes and willingness to deprescribe. Results A total of 222 patients were included in the study, the median age was 83 years and 63% were female. One in two patients reported feeling they were taking too many medications, and 1 in 5 considered their medications burdensome. Almost 3 in 4 (73%) wanted to be involved in decision-making about their medications, and 4 in 5 (84%) were willing to stop one or more of their medications if their prescriber said it was possible. Patients with higher MRCI had increased self-reported medication burden (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.6, 95% CI 1.29, 5.29) and were more interested in being involved in decision-making about their medications (AOR 1.8, CI 0.99, 3.42) than those with lower MRCI. Patients with moderate HFRS had lower odds of willingness to deprescribe (AOR 0.45, CI 0.22,0.92) compared to the low-risk group. Female patients had a lower desire to be involved in decision-making. The oldest old age group( > 80 years) had lower self-reported medication burden and were less likely to want to try stopping their medications. Conclusion Most older inpatients wanted to be involved in decision-making about their medications and were willing to stop one or more medications if proposed by their prescriber. Medication complexity and frailty status influence patients’ attitudes toward deprescribing and thus should be taken into consideration when making deprescribing decisions. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between frailty and the complexity of medication regimens.

Abstract Background Falls are an important cause of injury and death of older people. Hence, analyzing the multifactorial risk of falls from past cases to develop multifactorial intervention programs is clinically significant. However, due to the small sample size, there are few studies on fall risk analysis of clinical characteristics of fallers, especially among older hospitalized patients. Methods We collected data on 153 inpatients who fell (age ≥ 60 years) from the hospital nursing adverse event reporting system during hospitalization at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, China, from January 2018 to December 2020. Patient characteristics at the time of the fall, surrounding environment, primary nurse, and adverse fall events were assessed. The enumeration data were expressed as frequency and percentage, and the chi-squared was performed between recurrent fallers and single fallers, and non-injurious and injurious fall groups. Results Cross-sectional data showed 18.3% of the 153 participants experienced an injurious fall. Compared with single fallers, a large proportion of older recurrent fallers more often experienced preexisting conditions such as cerebrovascular disease or taking hypoglycemic drugs. They were exposed to higher risks and could experience at least 3 fall times in 3 months. Besides, the credentials of their responsible nurses were often higher. Factors that increased the risk of a fall-related injury were hypoglycemic drugs (OR 2.751; 95% CI 1.114–6.795), and nursing adverse events (OR 47.571; 95% CI 14.392–157.247). Older inpatients with bed rails (OR 0.437; 95% CI 0.190–1.005) or falling at the edge of the bed (OR 0.365; 95% CI 0.138–0.964) were less likely to be injured than those without bed rails or not falling at the edge of the bed. Fall risks were significantly correlated with more severe fall-related injuries. Older patients with moderate (OR 5.517; CI 0.687–44.306) or high risk (OR 2.196; CI 0.251–19.219) were more likely to experience fall-related injuries than those with low risk. Conclusions Older inpatient falls are an ongoing challenge in hospitals in China. Our study found that the incidence of fall-related injuries among inpatients aged ≥ 60 years remained at a minor level. However, complex patient characteristics and circumstances can contribute to fall-related injuries. This study provides new evidence on fall-related injuries of older inpatients in China. Based on the factors found in this study, regular fall-related injury epidemiological surveys that investigate the reasons associated with the injuries were crucial when considering intervention measures that could refine fall-related injuries. More prospective studies should be conducted with improved and updated multidisciplinary fall risk assessment and comprehensive geriatric assessment as part of a fall-related injury prevention protocol.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether the decrease in muscular echo-intensity of the quadriceps by ultrasound in older inpatients is related to the improvement of gait independence than the increase of muscle thickness. Design: Longitudinal study Setting: Hospital-based study Participants: This study included 171 inpatients aged ≥ 65 years (median age: 84.0 [77.0–88.0], 56.1% female). Patients who were able to walk independently at hospital admission were excluded from the study. Measurements: Improvement of gait independence during hospital stay was assessed using the change in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gait score (i.e., FIM gait score at hospital discharge minus FIM gait score at hospital admission) and FIM gait score at hospital discharge. Muscular echo-intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps were assessed at hospital admission and discharge using ultrasound images, respectively. Muscular echo-intensity has been shown to be mainly related to intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the change in FIM gait score and FIM gait score at discharge. Results: Change in quadriceps echo-intensity was independently and significantly associated with the change in FIM gait score (β = −0.22, p = 0.017) and FIM gait score at hospital discharge (β = −0.21, p = 0.017). In contrast, change in quadriceps thickness was not independently and significantly associated with the change in FIM gait score (β = 0.16, p = 0.050) and FIM gait score at hospital discharge (β = 0.15, p = 0.050). Conclusions: Our study indicates that a decrease in muscular echo-intensity of the quadriceps by ultrasound is more related to the improvement of gait independence than an increase of muscle thickness in older inpatients. Intervention for intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps may be important for improving gait independence in older inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One-third of older inpatients experience adverse drug events (ADEs), which increase their mortality, morbidity, and health care use and costs. In particular, antithrombotic drugs are among the most at-risk medications for this population. Reporting systems have been implemented at the national, regional, and provider levels to monitor ADEs and design prevention strategies. Owing to their well-known limitations, automated detection technologies based on electronic medical records (EMRs) are being developed to routinely detect or predict ADEs. Objective: This study aims to develop and validate an automated detection tool for monitoring antithrombotic-related ADEs using EMRs from 4 large Swiss hospitals. We aim to assess cumulative incidences of hemorrhages and thromboses in older inpatients associated with the prescription of antithrombotic drugs, identify triggering factors, and propose improvements for clinical practice. Methods: This project is a multicenter, cross-sectional study based on 2015 to 2016 EMR data from 4 large hospitals in Switzerland: Lausanne, Geneva, and Zürich university hospitals, and Baden Cantonal Hospital. We have included inpatients aged =65 years who stayed at 1 of the 4 hospitals during 2015 or 2016, received at least one antithrombotic drug during their stay, and signed or were not opposed to a general consent for participation in research. First, clinical experts selected a list of relevant antithrombotic drugs along with their side effects, risks, and confounding factors. Second, administrative, clinical, prescription, and laboratory data available in the form of free text and structured data were extracted from study participants' EMRs. Third, several automated rule-based and machine learning-based algorithms are being developed, allowing for the identification of hemorrhage and thromboembolic events and their triggering factors from the extracted information. Finally, we plan to validate the developed detection tools (one per ADE type) through manual medical record review. Performance metrics for assessing internal validity will comprise the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, F1-score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Results: After accounting for the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we will include 34,522 residents aged =65 years. The data will be analyzed in 2022, and the research project will run until the end of 2022 to mid-2023. Conclusions: This project will allow for the introduction of measures to improve safety in prescribing antithrombotic drugs, which today remain among the drugs most involved in ADEs. The findings will be implemented in clinical practice using indicators of adverse events for risk management and training for health care professionals; the tools and methodologies developed will be disseminated for new research in this field. The increased performance of natural language processing as an important complement to structured data will bring existing tools to another level of efficiency in the detection of ADEs. Currently, such systems are unavailable in Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Malnutrition negatively affects the prognosis and quality of life of hospitalized patients. However, there are several gaps between evidence-based knowledge and current clinical practice. Our primary aim was to describe the prevalence of malnutrition risk in a cohort of in a cohort of older inpatients; secondly, we explored its predictors and its independent impact on 12-month survival., Methods: Prospective study focused on patients aged 65 years and older consecutively admitted for any reason to the acute geriatric and general medical units of an Italian university hospital. Comprehensive geriatric assessment data, including the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), were collected within 48 hours of admission. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition according to the MNA-SF represented the main outcome. Correlations among clinical variables, nutritional status, and one-year survival were analyzed using multivariable and Cox models., Results: Among 594 patients (median age: 84 years, 49.5 % female), mostly living at home with moderate functional autonomy, 82.3 % were identified as probably malnourished or at risk of malnutrition according to MNA-SF (39.9 % and 42.4 %, respectively). Malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition were positively associated with living alone at home (OR 2.803, 95%CI 1.567-5.177, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with autonomy in IADL (OR 0.765, 95%CI 0.688-0.846, p < 0.001) and the best performance at HST (OR 0.901, 95%CI 0.865-0.936; p < 0.001). After 12 months, 31.8 % of patients was dead and mortality was positively correlated with malnutrition according to MNA-SF (OR 2.493, 95%CI 1.345-4.751, p = 0.004), institutionalization (OR 2.815, 95%CI 1.423-5.693, p = 0.003) and severe cognitive impairment (OR 1.701, 95%CI 1.031-2.803, p = 0.036)., Conclusion: Malnutrition is common among older inpatients upon admission, primarily influenced by their functional and cognitive status, and it is linked to a worse prognosis. Early incorporation of thorough nutritional and functional assessments into clinical practice is crucial to improve prognosis prediction and enable timely, focused interventions targeting modifiable causal factors in a patient-centered approach., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The Authors of this manuscript declare they have no conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim Older inpatients have reduced physical function and walking ability with a higher risk of falls after being discharged home. Gait variability can assess ambulation and is strongly related to the risk of falls. However, the clinical factors affecting gait variability in inpatients have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive factors affecting gait variability in older inpatients. Methods A total of 42 older orthopedic inpatients with fractures of the hip, spine, and other segments and 18 healthy volunteers as the control group were enrolled in this study. Inpatients wore tri-axial accelerometers for a 10m walk before discharge. Gait variability was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) based on five consecutive stride times. Clinical assessment of muscle strength, joint mobility, balance, pain, and activities of daily living were also evaluated. Results The CV in inpatients was higher than that in healthy elderly. Quadriceps muscle strength, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and balance described the CV. When model 2 (adjusted R 2 = 0.473) was compared with model 1 (adjusted R 2 = 0.293), the quadriceps muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion had a major effect on CV, while balance had not a greater influence than these two factors when compared with model 3 (adjusted R 2 = 0.537). Conclusions Poor knee extension strength, balance, and restriction of ankle dorsiflexion mobility have influenced gait variability in older inpatients., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Institutional Review Board in Shimura Hospital issued approval 19. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: This study was supported by the Yuumi Memorial Foundation for Home Health Care. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Xu et al.)

Abstract Background The longitudinal relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and activities of daily living (ADL) in older inpatients remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether decrease of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is related to the recovery of ADL than increase of muscle mass. Methods This longitudinal study included 202 inpatients aged ≥65 years [median age: 83.0 (77.0–88.0), 56.4% female]. Recovery of ADL during hospital stay was assessed using the change in Barthel index (BI) score (i.e. BI score at discharge minus BI score at admission) and BI score at discharge. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Higher echo intensity indicates greater intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the change in BI score and BI score at discharge. Changes in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, quadriceps echo intensity and thickness, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh at admission, age, sex, days from onset disease, BI score at admission, and disease were set as independent variables. Results The means of the change in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness were −2.3 ± 15.7 and 0.1 ± 0.4 cm, respectively. The median of the change in BI score was 15.0 (0.0–30.0). The quadriceps echo intensity at discharge was significantly lower than at admission (P = 0.043). The quadriceps thickness (P = 0.004) and BI score at discharge (P

Abstract Background Previous studies on the relationship between cognitive impairment and adverse outcomes among geriatric inpatients are not representative of older inpatients in China because of insufficient sample sizes or single-center study designs. The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the relationship between cognitive impairment and 1-year adverse health outcomes in older inpatients. Methods This study was a large-scale multi-center cohort study conducted from October 2018 to February 2020. Six tertiary hospitals across China were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method, and eligible older inpatients were selected for the baseline survey and follow-up. The Mini Cognitive Scale and the FRAIL scale were used to screen for cognitive impairment and frailty, respectively. The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We used a generalized estimating model to evaluate the relationship between cognitive impairment and adverse outcomes. Results The study included 5008 men (58.02%) and 3623 women (41.98%), and 70.64% were aged 65–75 years, and 26.27% were aged 75–85 years. Cognitive impairment was observed in 1756 patients (20.35%). There were significant differences between participants with cognitive impairment and those with normal cognitive function for age, gender, surgery status, frailty, depression, handgrip strength and so on. After adjusting for multiple covariates, compared with patients with normal cognitive function, the odds ratio for 1-year mortality was 1.216 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.076–1.375) and for 1-year incidence of frailty was 1.195 (95% CI: 1.037–1.376) in patients with cognitive impairment. Similarly, the regression coefficient of 1-year HRQoL was − 0.013 (95% CI: − 0.024−− 0.002). In the stratified analysis, risk of adverse outcome within 1 year was higher in older patients with cognitive impairment aged over 75 years than those aged 65–74 years. Conclusions We revealed that cognitive impairment was highly correlated with occurrence of 1-year adverse health outcomes (death, frailty, and decreased HRQoL) in older inpatients, which provides a basis for formulating effective intervention measures. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017682 , registered 09 August 2018.

Abstract Background The relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue at admission and recovery of activities of daily living (ADL) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps at admission and recovery of ADL in older inpatients. Methods This prospective study included 404 inpatients aged ≥65 years (54.7% female). Recovery of ADL during hospital stay was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency. Higher BI at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency indicate more improvement in ADL. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with BI score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency. The independent variables were BI score at admission, echo intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps, age, sex, number of medications, C‐reactive protein concentration, updated Charlson Comorbidity Index score, Food Intake Level Scale, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index score, days from onset disease, length of hospital stay, number of units of rehabilitation therapy, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh. Results The medians (inter‐quartile range) of the BI score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency were 60.0 (35.0–80.0), 10.0 (0.0–25.0), and 0.11 (0.00–0.37), respectively. The median (inter‐quartile range) of the length of hospital stay (days) and days from onset disease were 58.0 (39.0–92.0) and 79.0 (49.0–112.0), respectively. Quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly associated with the BI score at discharge (β = −0.13, P

Abstract Background Previous reports suggest that the attributes of frailty are multidimensional and include nutrition, cognition, mentality, and other aspects. We aim to develop an early warning model of frailty based on nutritional risk screening and apply the frailty early warning model in the clinic to screen high-risk patients and provide corresponding intervention target information. Methods The proposed study includes two stages. In the first stage, we aim to develop a prediction model of frailty among older inpatients with nutritional risk. Study data were collected from a population-based aging cohort study in China. A prospective cohort study design will be used in the second stage of the study. We will recruit 266 older inpatients (age 65 years or older) with nutritional risk, and we will apply the frailty model in the clinic to explore the predictive ability of the model in participants, assess patients’ health outcomes with implementation of the frailty model, and compare the model with existing frailty assessment tools. Patients’ health outcomes will be measured at admission and at 30-day follow-up. Discussion This project is the first to develop an early prediction model of frailty for older inpatients according to nutritional risk in a nationally representative sample of Chinese older inpatients of tertiary hospitals. The results will hopefully help to promote the development of more detailed frailty assessment tools according to nutritional risk, which may ultimately lead to reduced health care costs and improvement in independence and quality of life among geriatric patients. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017682 , registered August 9, 2018; and ChiCTR2100044148 , registered March 11, 2021.

Hospital-acquired adverse drug reactions (HA-ADRs) are common in older adults. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the association between HA-ADRs and adverse clinical outcomes. To investigate the incidence and characteristics of HA-ADRs in older adults, and any association with mortality, length of stay, and readmissions. Prospective cohort study. Flinders Medical Centre, a large tertiary referral hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. Older adults admitted under the General Medicine and Acute Care of the Elderly units with no previous diagnosis of dementia. All patients had a Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) assessment performed within 3 days of the admission. Data collected included age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), length of stay, readmissions, and mortality. HA-ADRs were identified by review of individual discharge summaries. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate associations with clinical outcomes including mortality, length of stay, and readmissions. Exploratory analyses were performed for HA-ADR groups based on Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities System Organ Class and World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classifications that accounted for ≥10% of all HA-ADRs. There were 737 patients in the cohort with 72 having experienced a HA-ADRs (incidence = 9.8%). Patients with an HA-ADR had increased length of stay and 30-day readmissions compared with those without an HA-ADR. In multivariate analysis, the number of HA-ADRs was associated with in-hospital mortality and length of stay but not post-discharge mortality or readmissions within 30 days. In exploratory analyses, patients with an HA-ADR to antibacterial drugs had significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality compared with those without these reactions. The number of HA-ADRs are associated with in-hospital mortality and length of stay in older Australian inpatients. The occurrence of HA-ADRs may be a trigger to offer advice to prescribers to prevent future ADRs to similar agents and proactively manage disease to improve health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between muscle mass, intramuscular adipose tissue, and body mass index (BMI) in older inpatients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hospital-based study. Participants: This study included 413 inpatients aged ≥ 65 years (186 men and 227 women). Measurements: Muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps were assessed by measuring the muscle thickness and echo intensity on ultrasound images. To examine the relationship between quadriceps thickness and echo intensity and BMI in total participants and each sex, the Kendall rank correlation coefficient was used. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether BMI was independently and significantly related to the quadriceps thickness and echo intensity, even after adjusting for other variables for total participants and each sex. The independent variables in multiple regression analyses were BMI, age, disease, days from onset disease. Results: The results of the correlation analyses showed that BMI was significantly related to the quadriceps thickness (total participants, τ = 0.431; men, τ = 0.491; women, τ = 0.388) and echo intensity (total participants, τ = −0.239; men, τ = −0.318; women, τ = −0.188). In the multiple regression analysis, BMI was independently and significantly associated with the quadriceps thickness (total participants, β = 0.535; men, β = 0.548; women, β = 0.519) and echo intensity (total participants, β = −0.287; men, β = −0.398; women, β = −0.210). Conclusion: This study indicated that older inpatients with a higher BMI have greater muscle mass and less intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps. These results suggested that a higher BMI in older inpatients is related to higher quadriceps muscle quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hospital inpatients, the associated need for assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) and carer perceptions of hospital care. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Participants were inpatients aged ≥65 years and their carers. Cognitive impairment was measured by clinician auditors using the validated 4 'A's test (4AT), with a score >0 indicating cognitive impairment (1–3, probable dementia; >3, probable delirium). The need for supervision and/or assistance with ADL was recorded from daily nursing documentation. Carers were invited to complete a brief questionnaire. Results: In all, 92 of 216 older inpatients (43%) had cognitive impairment, including 52 (24%) with probable delirium. The need for supervision and/or assistance with ADL increased significantly with 4AT score. Fifty-two carers of patients with cognitive impairment reported feeling welcome and that care was safe. They identified opportunities for better information, greater support and more inclusion of carers. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment is common in older inpatients and is associated with increased care needs. Workforce planning and health professional training need to acknowledge the needs of patients with cognitive impairment. There are opportunities for greater support and more involvement of carers. What is known about the topic?: Cognitive impairment due to delirium and dementia increases with age, and is common in older medical and surgical inpatients. However, cognitive impairment remains under-recognised by healthcare staff. Australian guidelines now recommend routine screening using valid tools, and including carers, when appropriate, when assessing, caring for and communicating with people with cognitive impairment. What does this paper add?: This cross-sectional study using the validated 4AT showed 43% of hospital inpatients aged ≥65 years had cognitive impairment. Participants with cognitive impairment had higher care needs and much longer hospitalisations. Carers of people with cognitive impairment reported unmet information needs in hospital and had limited involvement in assessment and care. What are the implications for practitioners?: Cognitive impairment is common in older inpatients. Hospitals and healthcare professionals must be prepared and equipped to recognise cognitive impairment, and address the accompanying patient and carer needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: It is currently unclear how paracetamol should be dosed in order to increase its efficacy while warranting safety in very old adults. The objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 2 oral paracetamol formulations and its metabolites in hospitalized octogenarians. Methods: Geriatric inpatients aged 80 years and older received a 1000‐mg paracetamol tablet or granulate at 08.00, 14.00 and 20.00. After at least 4 consecutive gifts, plasma samples were collected around the 08.00 dose (trough, +0.5, +1, +2, +4, +5 and +6 h). Plasma concentrations of paracetamol and its metabolites were determined and individual pharmacokinetic parameters were derived. The Edmonton Frail Scale was used to assess frailty. An analgesic plasma target was defined as an average plasma concentration (Cavg) of 10 mg/L. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) age was 86.78 (±4.20) years. The majority (n = 26/36, 72%) received the tablet, 10 (28%) the granulate. Thirty patients (85%) were classified with moderate to severe frailty. Seven (21%) patients had a Cavg above 10 mg/L. The median [interquartile range] time to reach the peak concentration was 50.5 [31.50–92.50] and 42.50 [33.75–106.75] min for the tablet and granulate, respectively. The coefficient of variation was 95% for time to reach the peak concentration and 30% for Cavg of paracetamol. A correlation of Cavg of paracetamol was observed with female sex and total serum bilirubin. Conclusion: Large interindividual differences were found for pharmacokinetic parameters of oral paracetamol in frail inpatients after multiple dosing. Female sex and higher total serum bilirubin concentrations were associated with paracetamol exposure. No significant differences were observed between the tablet and granulate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is still controversy about the relationship between aging and changes in functional ability. This study aims to describe the level of basic activities of daily living (ADL) and higher-level instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in different age groups and explore the factors associated with functional disability in Chinese older inpatients. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 9996 older inpatients aged 65 years and older from six tertiary hospitals in China from October 2018 to February 2019. The levels of ADL and IADL were measured by scores of the Barthel index and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. A mixed-effect generalized linear model was used to examine the association between functional disability and covariates. Results The average ADL score was 89.51 ± 19.29 and the mean IADL score 6.76 ± 2.01 for all participants. There was a trend of decreasing scores along with aging, and significant differences between age groups were also observed (P

BackgroundStudies are scarce in China that explore the association of nutritional status, measured using the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and biochemical data, on adverse clinical outcomes among older inpatients. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in tertiary hospitals of China and the associations between malnutrition and adverse clinical outcomes.MethodsThis prospective study involved 5,516 older inpatients (mean age 72.47 ± 5.77 years) hospitalized in tertiary hospitals between October 2018 and February 2019. The tertiary hospitals refer to the hospital with more than 500 beds and can provide complex medical care services. The MNA-SF was used to assess nutritional status. Multiple logistic regression and negative binomial regression were used to analyze the relationship between nutritional parameters and risk of hospital length of stay (LoS), mortality, and rehospitalization.ResultsWe found that 46.19% of hospitalized patients had malnutrition or malnutrition risk, according to the MNA-SF. Death occurred in 3.45% of patients. MNA-SF scores 0–7 (odds ratio [OR] 5.738, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.473 to 9.48) were associated with a six-fold higher likelihood of death, and scores 8–11 (OR 3.283, 95% CI 2.126–5.069) with a three-fold higher likelihood of death, compared with MNA-SF scores 12–14 in the logistic regression model, after adjusting for potential confounders. A low MNA-SF score of 0–7 (regression coefficient 0.2807, 95% CI 0.0294–0.5320; P < 0.05) and a score of 8–11 (0.2574, 95% CI 0.0863–0.4285; P < 0.01) was associated with a significantly higher (28.07 and 25.74%, respectively) likelihood of increased LoS, compared with MNA-SF score 12–14. MNA-SF scores 0–7 (OR 1.393, 95% CI 1.052–1.843) and 8–11 (OR 1.356, 95% CI 1.124–1.636) were associated with a nearly 1.5-fold higher likelihood of 90-day readmission compared with MNA-SF scores 12–14 in the logistic regression model. Moreover, hemoglobin level, female sex, education level, former smoking, BMI 24–27.9 kg/m2, age 75 years and above, and current alcohol consumption were the main factors influencing clinical outcomes in this population.ConclusionsMalnutrition increases the risk of hospital LoS, mortality, and 90-day readmission. The use of nutritional assessment tools in all hospitalized patients in China is needed. The MNA-SF combined with hemoglobin level may be used to identify older inpatients with a high risk of adverse clinical outcomes. These findings may have important implications for the planning of hospital services.

Background: Consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry services aim to help general hospital staff provide better care for their patients. Recently, many inpatient C-L psychiatry services have adopted proactive and integrated approaches to achieve this aim. Despite these developments, there have been no interview-based studies of patients' and staff members' experiences of the new approaches., Objective: To gain an in-depth understanding of patients' and medical unit staff members' experiences of a proactive and integrated C-L psychiatry service for older medical inpatients (Proactive Integrated C-L Psychiatry [PICLP])., Methods: We conducted an interview-based qualitative study with thematic analysis. The participants were patients and staff who had experienced PICLP during The HOME Study, a randomized trial that evaluated PICLP in 24 medical units of three UK general hospitals., Results: We conducted 97 interviews: 43 with patients or their proxies (family members who were interviewed on behalf of patients with significant cognitive impairment) and 54 with staff members of all relevant disciplines. Patients and staff both described how PICLP was a helpful addition to medical care and discharge planning. It enhanced the medical unit team's ability to address psychological, psychiatric, and social needs and provide patient-centered care. They welcomed proactive biopsychosocial assessments and the broader perspective that these offered on patients' complex problems. They also valued the integration of C-L psychiatrists into the unit teams and their daily contact with them. For patients, it fostered a therapeutic relationship and helped them to be more engaged in decisions about their medical care and discharge planning. For staff, it enabled ready access to psychiatric expertise and training opportunities. The few reported experiences of PICLP being unhelpful were mainly about the greater number of clinicians involved in patients' care and a lack of clarity about professional roles in the integrated team., Conclusions: We found that older inpatients and medical unit staff experienced PICLP as both acceptable and generally helpful. Our findings add to the existing evidence for the benefits of proactive and integrated C-L psychiatry services., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The longitudinal relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and activities of daily living (ADL) in older inpatients remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether decrease of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is related to the recovery of ADL than increase of muscle mass. Methods: This longitudinal study included 202 inpatients aged ≥65 years [median age: 83.0 (77.0–88.0), 56.4% female]. Recovery of ADL during hospital stay was assessed using the change in Barthel index (BI) score (i.e. BI score at discharge minus BI score at admission) and BI score at discharge. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Higher echo intensity indicates greater intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the change in BI score and BI score at discharge. Changes in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, quadriceps echo intensity and thickness, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh at admission, age, sex, days from onset disease, BI score at admission, and disease were set as independent variables. Results: The means of the change in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness were −2.3 ± 15.7 and 0.1 ± 0.4 cm, respectively. The median of the change in BI score was 15.0 (0.0–30.0). The quadriceps echo intensity at discharge was significantly lower than at admission (P = 0.043). The quadriceps thickness (P = 0.004) and BI score at discharge (P < 0.001) were significantly higher than those at admission. Change in quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly associated with the change in BI score (β = −0.25, P = 0.006) and BI score at discharge (β = −0.18, P = 0.006). In contrast, change in quadriceps thickness was not independently and significantly associated with the change in BI score (β = 0.09, P = 0.244) and BI score at discharge (β = 0.06, P = 0.244). Conclusions: Our study indicates that a decrease of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is related to the recovery of ADL than an increase of muscle mass in older inpatients. Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is considered to be a predictor for the recovery of ADL, and intervening for intramuscular adipose tissue may be important for improving ADL in older inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between cognitive impairment and adverse outcomes among geriatric inpatients are not representative of older inpatients in China because of insufficient sample sizes or single-center study designs. The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the relationship between cognitive impairment and 1-year adverse health outcomes in older inpatients.Methods: This study was a large-scale multi-center cohort study conducted from October 2018 to February 2020. Six tertiary hospitals across China were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method, and eligible older inpatients were selected for the baseline survey and follow-up. The Mini Cognitive Scale and the FRAIL scale were used to screen for cognitive impairment and frailty, respectively. The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We used a generalized estimating model to evaluate the relationship between cognitive impairment and adverse outcomes.Results: The study included 5008 men (58.02%) and 3623 women (41.98%), and 70.64% were aged 65-75 years, and 26.27% were aged 75-85 years. Cognitive impairment was observed in 1756 patients (20.35%). There were significant differences between participants with cognitive impairment and those with normal cognitive function for age, gender, surgery status, frailty, depression, handgrip strength and so on. After adjusting for multiple covariates, compared with patients with normal cognitive function, the odds ratio for 1-year mortality was 1.216 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.076-1.375) and for 1-year incidence of frailty was 1.195 (95% CI: 1.037-1.376) in patients with cognitive impairment. Similarly, the regression coefficient of 1-year HRQoL was - 0.013 (95% CI: - 0.024-- 0.002). In the stratified analysis, risk of adverse outcome within 1 year was higher in older patients with cognitive impairment aged over 75 years than those aged 65-74 years.Conclusions: We revealed that cognitive impairment was highly correlated with occurrence of 1-year adverse health outcomes (death, frailty, and decreased HRQoL) in older inpatients, which provides a basis for formulating effective intervention measures.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017682 , registered 09 August 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence of the impact of nutritional risk on health outcomes and hospital costs among Chinese older inpatients is limited. Relatively few studies have investigated the association between clinical and cost outcomes and nutritional risk in immobile older inpatients, particularly those with neoplasms, injury, digestive, cardiac, and respiratory conditions.Methods: This China-wide prospective observational cohort study comprised 5,386 immobile older inpatients hospitalized at 25 hospitals. All patients were screened for nutritional risk using the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002). A descriptive analysis of baseline variables was followed by multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards models and generalized linear model) to compare the health and economic outcomes, namely, mortality, length of hospital stay (LoS), and hospital costs associated with a positive NRS 2002 result.Results: The prevalence of a positive NRS 2002 result was 65.3% (n = 3,517). The prevalence of “at-risk” patients (NRS 2002 scores of 3+) was highest in patients with cardiac conditions (31.5%) and lowest in patients with diseases of the respiratory system (6.9%). Controlling for sex, age, education, type of insurance, smoking status, the main diagnosed disease, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), the multivariate analysis showed that the NRS 2002 score = 3 [hazard ratio (HR): 1.376, 95% CI: 1.031–1.836] were associated with approximately a 1.5-fold higher likelihood of death. NRS 2002 scores = 4 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.491–2.633) and NRS scores ≥ 5 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.498–2.622) were associated with a 2-fold higher likelihood of death, compared with NRS 2002 scores

Background: Previous reports suggest that the attributes of frailty are multidimensional and include nutrition, cognition, mentality, and other aspects. We aim to develop an early warning model of frailty based on nutritional risk screening and apply the frailty early warning model in the clinic to screen high-risk patients and provide corresponding intervention target information.Methods: The proposed study includes two stages. In the first stage, we aim to develop a prediction model of frailty among older inpatients with nutritional risk. Study data were collected from a population-based aging cohort study in China. A prospective cohort study design will be used in the second stage of the study. We will recruit 266 older inpatients (age 65 years or older) with nutritional risk, and we will apply the frailty model in the clinic to explore the predictive ability of the model in participants, assess patients' health outcomes with implementation of the frailty model, and compare the model with existing frailty assessment tools. Patients' health outcomes will be measured at admission and at 30-day follow-up.Discussion: This project is the first to develop an early prediction model of frailty for older inpatients according to nutritional risk in a nationally representative sample of Chinese older inpatients of tertiary hospitals. The results will hopefully help to promote the development of more detailed frailty assessment tools according to nutritional risk, which may ultimately lead to reduced health care costs and improvement in independence and quality of life among geriatric patients.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017682 , registered August 9, 2018; and ChiCTR2100044148 , registered March 11, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue at admission and recovery of activities of daily living (ADL) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps at admission and recovery of ADL in older inpatients. Methods: This prospective study included 404 inpatients aged ≥65 years (54.7% female). Recovery of ADL during hospital stay was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency. Higher BI at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency indicate more improvement in ADL. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with BI score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency. The independent variables were BI score at admission, echo intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps, age, sex, number of medications, C‐reactive protein concentration, updated Charlson Comorbidity Index score, Food Intake Level Scale, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index score, days from onset disease, length of hospital stay, number of units of rehabilitation therapy, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh. Results: The medians (inter‐quartile range) of the BI score at discharge, BI score change, and BI efficiency were 60.0 (35.0–80.0), 10.0 (0.0–25.0), and 0.11 (0.00–0.37), respectively. The median (inter‐quartile range) of the length of hospital stay (days) and days from onset disease were 58.0 (39.0–92.0) and 79.0 (49.0–112.0), respectively. Quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly associated with the BI score at discharge (β = −0.13, P < 0.01), BI score change (β = −0.23, P < 0.01), and BI efficiency (β = −0.21, P < 0.01). Quadriceps thickness was not independently and significantly associated with the BI score at discharge (β = −0.02, P = 0.68), BI score change (β = −0.02, P = 0.79), and BI efficiency (β = 0.03, P = 0.67). Conclusions: Our study indicates that greater intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps at admission is more strongly related to worse recovery of ADL than less muscle mass in older inpatients. Greater intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps in older inpatients is considered to be a predictor of worse recovery of ADL, and intervening for greater intramuscular adipose tissue may be important for improving ADL in older inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an emerging age-related disorder that affects 23% of inpatients leading to malnutrition, dehydration, or aspiration pneumonia. Anticholinergic drugs can cause reduced peristalsis and dry mouth, both related to dysphagia. Aim: To determine the association between anticholinergic burden and oropharyngeal dysphagia in older inpatients. Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study. There are 239 patients. Dysphagia diagnosis based on routine volume-viscosity swallow test. Characteristics: age, functional loss (instrumental and basic activities), frailty (Frail-VIG-Index), geriatric syndromes, polypharmacy, and anticholinergic-cognitive-burden scale at admission. Results: 25.5% of elderly patients diagnosed with dysphagia are more dependent and frailer than non-dysphagic patients. 83.6% scored ≥ 3 points on the ACB Scale [odds ratio: 4.46 (2.13–9.33)], which is statistically associated with dysphagia (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with an ACB of ≥ 3 points at admission are more than four times as likely to develop oropharyngeal dysphagia. Evaluating anticholinergic burden routinely should be considered and, whenever possible, reduce it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Screening for inpatients at risk for long length of stay (LOS) is the first step of an effective hospital care plan for older inpatients. This study aims, in older adults admitted to a geriatric acute care ward, to examine and compare the 6-item brief geriatric assessment (BGA) and the “Programme de Recherche sur l’Intégration des Services pour le Maintien de l’Autonomie” (PRISMA-7) risk levels with long LOS, and to establish their performance criteria (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios) for LOS. Methods Based on an observational, retrospective, cohort design, 166 inpatients aged ≥75 admitted to a geriatric acute care ward of a McGill University-affiliated hospital (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) were recruited. The risk levels of the 6-item BGA (low, moderate and high) and the PRISMA-7 (low versus high) were calculated from a baseline assessment. The LOS was subsequently calculated in number of days. Results Only the 6-item BGA high risk level was associated with a long LOS (Odds ratio = 1.1 with P = 0.028 and Hazard ratio = 2.1 with P = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier distributions showed that there was no significant difference in the delay of hospital discharge between the low and high-risk level reported by the PRISMA-7 (P = 0.381), whereas the 6-item BGA three risk levels differed significantly (P = 0.008), with individuals at high risk levels being discharged later when compared to those with low (P = 0.001) and moderate (P = 0.019) risk levels. Both tools’ performance criteria were poor (i.e.,

Objectives: Progressive resistance training can successfully target functional decline in healthy older communitydwelling adults. There are concerns about the safety and acceptance of its use in frail older populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using progressive resistance training in an older, post-acute, inpatient setting. Methods: A randomised controlled feasibility study was conducted. Appropriate older inpatients undergoing post-acute rehabilitation were recruited. Feasibility measures examined were safety, recruitment, outcome measurement, adherence and retention rates and satisfaction. A range of clinical measures were used to capture changes in body structure and function, activity and participation. Assessments were performed on admission to the study and six weeks later. Results: A sample of 33 patients were included and randomised to the treatment group (n=16) or the control group (n=17). There were no serious adverse events, adherence rates were 63% and retention rates were 82%. While both groups improved between time 1 and 2, there were no significant differences in clinical measures between the groups. Conclusion: Progressive resistance training is a safe and acceptable intervention for use with this population. Further work on the effectiveness of progressive resistance training in this setting is now required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older people is more strongly related to decreased muscle strength, sit-up and sit-down ability, and gait ability than is loss of muscle mass. However, whether increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is more strongly related to declines in activities of daily living (ADL) than is loss of muscle mass in older inpatients remains unclear. This study was performed to examine the relationships of intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps with ADL in older inpatients. This cross-sectional study included 371 inpatients aged ≥65 years. The primary outcomes were ADL and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps. ADL were assessed using the motor-Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Ultrasound images were acquired using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed based on echo intensity and muscle thickness, respectively. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with the motor-FIM score. The independent variables were the echo intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps, age, sex, length of hospital stay, Food Intake Level Scale (FILS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) score, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, updated Charlson comorbidity index (UCCI), number of medications, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh. Quadriceps echo intensity (β = − 0.17), FILS (β = 0.38), GNRI score (β = 0.24), UCCI (β = − 0.16), subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (β = − 0.11), and length of hospital stay (β = 0.09) were independently and significantly associated with the motor-FIM score. Quadriceps thickness (β = 0.10), age (β = − 0.07), sex (β = − 0.04), CRP concentration (β = − 0.04), and number of medications (β = 0.03) were not associated with the motor-FIM score. Increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is more strongly related to declines in ADL than is loss of muscle mass. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether decreasing intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients leads to improvement of ADL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Interdisciplinary geriatric consultation teams (IGCT) are regularly requested to provide comprehensive geriatric assessments in older inpatients. Our primary aim was to evaluate whether medication reviews increased the number of IGCT-provided drug-related recommendations. Secondary aims were to reduce the number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and to identify the acceptance rate of and determinants for the number of recommendations. Methods A before-after study was performed in older inpatients not admitted to acute geriatric wards. The before cohort received usual care (UC); the after cohort was subjected to the intervention (I), consisting of a systematic medication review, based on but not limited to the RASP (Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP in Older Patients) list. The primary outcome measure was the number of IGCT-provided drug-related recommendations. Age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, creatinine clearance and serum creatinine were ascertained upon enrolment. Following variables were determined on admission and at discharge: number of drugs and number as well as type of RASP-identified PIMs. Acceptance by ward-based physicians was also determined. Poisson regression was performed to identify determinants for the primary outcome measure. Results Fifty-nine participants were enrolled (nUC = 29; nI = 30). The intervention increased the number of drug-related recommendations from a median of 0 (IQR: 0–1) to 8 (IQR: 6.75–10) (p

The relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients remains unclear, although a high rate of malnutrition risk has been observed in these patients. Understanding this relationship would be necessary for a management plans for older inpatients. This study aimed to examine the relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients. Three-hundred and twenty-three older inpatients participated in this cross-sectional study. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was assessed based on ultrasound echo intensity. Higher echo-intensity indicates greater amounts of intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the factors that were independently associated with quadriceps echo intensity. GNRI, age, sex (male = 1, female = 2), number of medications, C-reactive protein, updated Charlson comorbidity index, Food Intake Level Scale, the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, motor-Functional Independence Measures, and length of hospital stay were set as the independent variables. GNRI (β = −0.18), age (β = 0.18), sex (β = 0.22), number of medications (β = 0.09), the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (β = −0.29), motor-FIM (β = −0.12), and length of hospital stay (β = 0.11) were significantly and independently associated with the quadriceps echo intensity. The current results revealed that higher malnutrition risk was associated with increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients even after adjusting for other characteristics. Nutritional intervention may be necessary for decreasing intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients who have higher malnutrition risk. • We examined the relation between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue. • Higher malnutrition risk is related to increased intramuscular adipose tissue. • Nutritional intervention may be necessary for decreasing intramuscular adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could lead to poor cardiopulmonary endurance, which affects quality of life and increases the risk of rehospitalization or mortality. However, studies investigating associated factors of cardiopulmonary endurance for COPD inpatients are scant. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether and how age, gender, COPD severity, body composition, dyspnea, respiratory muscle strength, and lower limb muscle strength and endurance were related to cardiopulmonary endurance in elderly inpatients with COPD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a systematic sampling of older inpatients. Data of demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and disease severity were collected, and body mass index was calculated. Degrees of dyspnea were assessed by the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Respiratory muscle strength was reflected by the maximal inspiratory pressure and the maximal expiratory pressure. Lower limb muscle strength and endurance were assessed by a handheld dynamometer and a 30-second sit-to-stand test, respectively. Finally, cardiopulmonary endurance was assessed by a 6-minute walk test. Results: A total of 83 older COPD inpatients participated. The mean age was 74.01 ± 6.93 years. Cardiopulmonary endurance was associated with age, COPD severity, dyspnea, respiratory muscle strength, lower limb muscle strength, and endurance. Predictors of cardiopulmonary endurance were disease severity, dyspnea, and lower limb muscle endurance. These predictors explained 53% of the variance in cardiopulmonary endurance in older inpatients with COPD. Discussion: Cardiopulmonary endurance of hospitalized older adults with COPD should be strengthened by improving conditions of disease severity, dyspnea, and lower limb muscle endurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Slow walking speed, time to perform the five-times-sit-to-stand (FTSS) test and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR; defined as slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint) have been separately used to screen older individuals at risk of cognitive decline. This study seeks to (1) compare the characteristics of older individuals with MCR, as defined through slow walking speed and/or increased FTSS time; and (2) examine the relationship between MCR and its motor components as well as amnestic (a-MCI) and non-amnestic (na-MCI) Mild Cognitive Impairment.Methods: A total of 633, individuals free of dementia, were selected from the cross-sectional “Gait and Alzheimer Interactions Tracking” study. Slow gait speed and increased FTSS time were used as criteria for the definition of MCR. Participants were separated into five groups, according to MCR status: MCR as defined by (1) slow gait speed exclusively (MCRs); (2) increased FTSS time exclusively (MCRf); (3) slow gait speed and increased FTSS time (MCRsaf); (4) MCR; irrespective of the mobility test used (MCRsof); and (5) the absence of MCR. Cognitive status (i.e., a-MCI, na-MCI, cognitively healthy) was also determined.Results: The prevalence of MCRs was higher, when compared to the prevalence of MCRf (12.0% versus 6.2% with P ≤ 0.001). There existed infrequent overlap (2.4%) between individuals exhibiting MCRs and MCRf, and frequent overlap between individuals exhibiting MCRs and na-MCI (up to 50%). a-MCI and na-MCI were negatively [odd ratios (OR) ≤ 0.17 with P ≤ 0.019] and positively (OR ≥ 2.41 with P ≤ 0.019) related to MCRs, respectively.Conclusion: Individuals with MCRf are distinct from those with MCRs. MCRf status does not relate to MCI status in the same way that MCRs does. MCRs is related negatively to a-MCI and positively to na-MCI. These results suggest that FTTS cannot be used to define MCR when the goal is to predict the risk of cognitive decline, such as future dementia.

Background Clinical pharmacist interventions have been shown to improve drug use in older adults. Study findings are seldom externally validated however. Objective First, to validate a minimized iteration of a previously tested intervention of clinical pharmacists in a non-academic setting with limited staffing resources. Second, to compare the potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) reduction to two previous controlled interventional studies. Methods A controlled study was performed at geriatric wards. The control group received usual care. The intervention group was exposed to a clinical pharmacist led medication review, based on the use of the RASP list, (the Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP list in Older Patients). Drug use on admission and at discharge were evaluated, including the number of RASP-identified potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). The PIM reduction was compared to two previous controlled study findings using a linear mixed model. Results Drug use declined during hospital stay, without differences between control (n = 29) and intervention group (n = 32). Antidepressants and hypnotic drugs were discontinued more frequently in IG patients. More PIMs were reduced in the intervention patients (control vs. intervention: 1.0 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001). Across three controlled studies, a robust reduction of 1.56 PIMs (95% confidence interval 1.10-2.02, p < 0.001) was observed in favor of the CP interventions. Conclusion The minimal CP intervention resulted in fewer RASP PIMs. No net reduction of drug use was observed, yet fewer antidepressants and hypnotic drugs were used. The RASP PIM reduction was comparable to previous investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screening for inpatients at risk for long length of stay (LOS) is the first step of an effective hospital care plan for older inpatients. This study aims, in older adults admitted to a geriatric acute care ward, to examine and compare the 6-item brief geriatric assessment (BGA) and the "Programme de Recherche sur l'Intégration des Services pour le Maintien de l'Autonomie" (PRISMA-7) risk levels with long LOS, and to establish their performance criteria (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios) for LOS.Methods: Based on an observational, retrospective, cohort design, 166 inpatients aged ≥75 admitted to a geriatric acute care ward of a McGill University-affiliated hospital (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) were recruited. The risk levels of the 6-item BGA (low, moderate and high) and the PRISMA-7 (low versus high) were calculated from a baseline assessment. The LOS was subsequently calculated in number of days.Results: Only the 6-item BGA high risk level was associated with a long LOS (Odds ratio = 1.1 with P = 0.028 and Hazard ratio = 2.1 with P = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier distributions showed that there was no significant difference in the delay of hospital discharge between the low and high-risk level reported by the PRISMA-7 (P = 0.381), whereas the 6-item BGA three risk levels differed significantly (P = 0.008), with individuals at high risk levels being discharged later when compared to those with low (P = 0.001) and moderate (P = 0.019) risk levels. Both tools' performance criteria were poor (i.e., < 0.70), except for PRISMA-7's sensitivity which was 100%.Conclusion: The 6-item BGA risk levels were associated with LOS, low risk-level being associated with short LOS and high-risk level with long LOS, but no association was reported with the PRISMA-7 risk levels. Both tools had poor performance criteria for long LOS, suggesting that they cannot be used as prognostic tools with current scientific knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and dysphagia in older inpatients. We hypothesized that increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the thigh may indirectly reflect severe dysphagia in older inpatients. This study was cross-sectional, and 103 older inpatients participated. Patients who had stroke that was the obvious cause of dysphagia were excluded. Primary outcomes were intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and severity of dysphagia. Transverse ultrasound images were acquired using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed based on echo intensity and muscle thickness, respectively. Severity of dysphagia was assessed using the Food Intake Level Scale (FILS). We used multiple regression analysis to identify the factors that were independently associated with FILS scores. Echo intensity, age, sex, body mass index, number of medications, C-reactive protein, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), updated Charlson Comorbidity Index, muscle thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, and length of hospital stay were the independent variables. Echo intensity (β = −0.28), number of medications (β = 0.22), GNRI (β = 0.27), and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (β = −0.29) were significantly independently associated with FILS scores. Muscle thickness was not significantly independently related to FILS scores (β = 0.08). In conclusion, our results suggest that increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is associated with dysphagia. Furthermore, this relationship was stronger than that between loss of muscle mass and dysphagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition is common and is a major clinical health problem. The frequency of malnutrition and of the risk of developing malnutrition is typically high amongst older acute care inpatients. A close relation between malnutrition of the hospitalised patient and poor outcome (e.g. complications such as infections and pressure ulcers) is well documented. Malnutrition should be timely recognized by a validated screening tool and appropriate nutritional care should be provided to malnourished and at risk of malnutrition patients. Aim: The present research aims to provide an estimation of the prevalence of malnutrition in older inpatients admitted to the internal medicine department of a Greek public hospital. Another objective of the present research is to estimate the percentage of patients identified as malnourished that were offered Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS). Methodology: During the first trimester of 2018, 147 older patients >65yrs (mean age 78.2 + 7.2 yrs, 61.4% women) were screened for malnutrition with the standardized screening tool Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Patient's medical records were reviewed in order to assess the use of Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS). Results: According to MNA-SF, 20% of patients were malnourished (MNA-SF score 0-7) and 52% were at risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF score 8-11). Amongst 25 (20%) malnourished patients only 8 received ONS. Conclusion: Our research findings confirm the relevant research literature on the high prevalence of malnourished or at risk of malnutrition amongst older internal medicine inpatients. Moreover, our findings also demonstrate the increased likelihood of inadequate nutritional intervention as exhibited by the limited number of malnourished patients provided with ONS for enhancement of energy and protein intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Slow walking speed, time to perform the five-times-sit-to-stand (FTSS) test and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR; defined as slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint) have been separately used to screen older individuals at risk of cognitive decline. This study seeks to (1) compare the characteristics of older individuals with MCR, as defined through slow walking speed and/or increased FTSS time; and (2) examine the relationship between MCR and its motor components as well as amnestic (a-MCI) and non-amnestic (na-MCI) Mild Cognitive Impairment. Methods: A total of 633, individuals free of dementia, were selected from the cross-sectional "Gait and Alzheimer Interactions Tracking" study. Slow gait speed and increased FTSS time were used as criteria for the definition of MCR. Participants were separated into five groups, according to MCR status: MCR as defined by (1) slow gait speed exclusively (MCRs); (2) increased FTSS time exclusively (MCRf); (3) slow gait speed and increased FTSS time (MCRsaf); (4) MCR; irrespective of the mobility test used (MCRsof); and (5) the absence of MCR. Cognitive status (i.e., a-MCI, na-MCI, cognitively healthy) was also determined. Results: The prevalence of MCRs was higher, when compared to the prevalence of MCRf (12.0% versus 6.2% with P ≤ 0.001). There existed infrequent overlap (2.4%) between individuals exhibiting MCRs and MCRf, and frequent overlap between individuals exhibiting MCRs and na-MCI (up to 50%). a-MCI and na-MCI were negatively [odd ratios (OR) ≤ 0.17 with P ≤ 0.019] and positively (OR ≥ 2.41 with P ≤ 0.019) related to MCRs, respectively. Conclusion: Individuals with MCRf are distinct from those with MCRs. MCRf status does not relate to MCI status in the same way that MCRs does. MCRs is related negatively to a-MCI and positively to na-MCI. These results suggest that FTTS cannot be used to define MCR when the goal is to predict the risk of cognitive decline, such as future dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study identified the correlates of delirium care competency among shift leader nurses in acute medical wards in Japan., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to February 2020. We sent request letters to a random sample of 381 general acute care hospitals in Japan. Of these, 68 agreed to participate and distributed 735 self-administered questionnaires to shift leader nurses working in their acute medical wards. The questionnaire included the Self-rated Delirium Care Competency Scale for Shift Leader Nurses in Acute Medical Wards (DCSL-M), developed by the authors. It gathered data on the respondents' demographics and delirium care competency, and investigated a total of 25 variables. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations between delirium care competency and the demographics using multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: Of the total, 301 (40.9%) questionnaires were returned. Delirium care competency was high among shift leader nurses who: (1) had experience as a clinical practice preceptor for nursing students; (2) had experience attending training related to dementia or delirium care; (3) worked at a hospital/ward that charged additional medical fees for dementia care; and (4) had access to consulting psychiatrists to refer patients with delirium., Conclusions: The results suggest the need for efforts to improve delirium care competency among shift leader nurses who work in hospitals that do not charge additional medical fees for dementia care or that do not have consulting psychiatrists to refer patients with delirium., (© 2023 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.)

Background: Interdisciplinary geriatric consultation teams (IGCT) are regularly requested to provide comprehensive geriatric assessments in older inpatients. Our primary aim was to evaluate whether medication reviews increased the number of IGCT-provided drug-related recommendations. Secondary aims were to reduce the number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and to identify the acceptance rate of and determinants for the number of recommendations.Methods: A before-after study was performed in older inpatients not admitted to acute geriatric wards. The before cohort received usual care (UC); the after cohort was subjected to the intervention (I), consisting of a systematic medication review, based on but not limited to the RASP (Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP in Older Patients) list. The primary outcome measure was the number of IGCT-provided drug-related recommendations. Age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, creatinine clearance and serum creatinine were ascertained upon enrolment. Following variables were determined on admission and at discharge: number of drugs and number as well as type of RASP-identified PIMs. Acceptance by ward-based physicians was also determined. Poisson regression was performed to identify determinants for the primary outcome measure.Results: Fifty-nine participants were enrolled (nUC = 29; nI = 30). The intervention increased the number of drug-related recommendations from a median of 0 (IQR: 0-1) to 8 (IQR: 6.75-10) (p < 0.001). The median number of accepted recommendations differed significantly as well (UC vs. I: 0.0 (0.0-0.5) vs. 3.0 (0.0-5.3); p < 0.001). In the intervention cohort, patients were discharged with fewer drugs compared to admission (UC vs. I: 108.5%, IQR: 100.0-135.8% vs. 92%, IQR: 80.5-103.5%; p = 0.002). More RASP PIMs were discontinued in the intervention cohort, with a mean difference of 1.49 RASP PIMs (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70, 2.23; p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified two determinants: allocation to the intervention cohort with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 14.1 (95% CI: 8.30, 23.8) and the number of preadmission drugs with an IRR of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.09).Conclusions: A structured medication review as part of usual IGCT care may contribute to an increased detection of drug-related problems and help to further reduce polypharmacy in older inpatients, not admitted to acute geriatric care wards.Trial Registration: NCT02165618 , retrospectively registered June 17, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]