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Background: Benzodiazepines and z-drugs increase the fall risk in older adults. There is a lack of real-world data examining the association between falls and deprescribing medications., Objective: In a retrospective cohort study of older adults with chronic benzodiazepine or z-drug use receiving care at an academic health system from January 2017 to December 2020, we explored the association between medication discontinuation and falls., Methods: Chronic use was defined as ≥ 3 medication dispensings and cumulative days' supply ≥ 45 days within 100 days in 2018. Discontinuation was defined as a dispensing gap of ≥ 180 days within 1 year of chronic use eligibility, with a secondary definition requiring a gap of ≥ 90 days. Non-discontinuers (n = 524) were matched 4:1 to discontinuers (n = 131) if they had a fill in the same month as the matched discontinuation index date. The association between discontinuation and a fall during 2.25-year follow-up was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. The analysis was repeated using a gap of ≥ 90 days (n = 279 discontinuers; 1116 matched non-discontinuers)., Results: The cumulative incidence of falls-related acute visits was 6.9% for discontinuers and 9.7% for non-discontinuers [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-1.31]. Using the 90-day-gap definition, the cumulative incidence was 9.3% for discontinuers and 8.5% for non-discontinuers (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.70-1.77)., Conclusion: Benzodiazepine/z-drug discontinuation was not associated with reduced risk of falls. However, the relationship between discontinuation and falls varies depending on the definitions used. It is essential to examine different discontinuation definitions in larger studies while considering other relevant clinical outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) medications are linked to higher morbidity and mortality in older adults. Hospitalization allows for deprescribing opportunities. This qualitative study investigates clinician and patient perspectives on CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalization using a behavioral change framework, aiming to inform interventions and identify recommendations to enhance hospital deprescribing processes., Methods: This qualitative study focused on hospitalists, primary care providers, pharmacists, and patients aged ≥60 years hospitalized on a general medicine service and prescribed ≥1 CNS medications. Using semi-structured interviews and focus groups, we aimed to evaluate patient medication knowledge, prior deprescribing experiences, and decision-making preferences, as well as provider processes and tools for medication evaluation and deprescribing. Rapid qualitative analysis applying the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) framework revealed themes influencing deprescribing behavior in patients and providers., Results: A total of 52 participants (20 patients and 32 providers) identified facilitators and barriers across deprescribing steps and generated recommended strategies to address them. Clinicians and patients highlighted the opportunity for CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalizations, facilitated by multidisciplinary teams enhancing clinicians' capability to make medication changes. Both groups also stressed the importance of intensive patient engagement, education, and monitoring during hospitalizations, acknowledging challenges in timing and extent of deprescribing, with some patients preferring decisions deferred to outpatient clinicians. Hospitalist and pharmacist recommendations centered on early pharmacist involvement for medication reconciliation, expanding pharmacy consultation and clinician education on deprescribing, whereas patients recommended enhancing shared decision-making through patient education on medication adverse effects, tapering plans, and alternatives. Hospitalists and PCPs also emphasized standardized discharge instructions and transitional care calls to improve medication review and feedback during care transitions., Conclusions: Clinicians and patients highlighted the potential advantages of hospital interventions for CNS medication deprescribing, emphasizing the necessity of addressing communication, education, and coordination challenges between inpatient and outpatient settings., (© 2024 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is associated with increased risk of hospitalizations and emergency room visits and varies by racial and ethnic subgroups. Medicare's nationwide medication therapy management (MTM) program requires that Part D plans offer an annual comprehensive medication review (CMR) to all beneficiaries who qualify, and provides a platform to reduce PIM use. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of CMR on PIM discontinuation in Medicare beneficiaries and whether this differed by race or ethnicity., Methods: Retrospective cohort study of community-dwelling Medicare Part D beneficiaries ≥66 years of age who were eligible for MTM from 2013 to 2019 based on 5% Medicare fee-for-service claims data linked to the 100% MTM data file. Among those using a PIM, MTM-eligible CMR recipients were matched to non-recipients via sequential stratification. The probability of PIM discontinuation was estimated using regression models that pooled yearly subcohorts accounting for within-beneficiary correlations. The most common PIMs that were discontinued after CMR were reported., Results: We matched 24,368 CMR recipients to 24,368 CMR non-recipients during the observation period. Median age was 74-75, 35% were males, most were White beneficiaries (86%-87%), and the median number of PIMs was 1. In adjusted analyses, CMR receipt was positively associated with PIM discontinuation (adjusted relative risk [aRR]: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.20-1.32). There was no evidence of differential impact of CMR by race or ethnicity. The PIMs most commonly discontinued after CMR were glimepiride, zolpidem, digoxin, amitriptyline, and nitrofurantoin., Conclusions: Among Medicare beneficiaries who are using a PIM, CMR receipt was associated with PIM discontinuation, suggesting that greater CMR use could facilitate PIM reduction for all racial and ethnic groups., (© 2024 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) medication use is common among older adults, yet the impact of hospitalizations on use remains unclear. This study details CNS medication use, discontinuations, and user profiles during hospitalization periods., Methods: Retrospective cohort study using electronic health records on patients ≥65 years, from three hospitals (2018-2020), and prescribed a CNS medication around hospitalization (90 days prior to 90 days after). Latent class transitions analysis (LCTA) examined profiles of CNS medication class users across four time points (90 days prior, admission, discharge, 90 days after hospitalization)., Results: Among 4666 patients (mean age 74.3 ± 9.3 years; 63% female; 70% White; mean length of stay 4.6 ± 5.6 days (median 3.0 [2.0, 6.0]), the most commonly prescribed CNS medications were antidepressants (56%) and opioids (49%). Overall, 74% (n = 3446) of patients were persistent users of a CNS medication across all four time points; 7% (n = 388) had discontinuations during hospitalization, but of these, 64% (216/388) had new starts or restarts within 90 days after hospitalization. LCTA identified three profile groups: (1) low CNS medication users, 54%-60% of patients; (2) mental health medication users, 30%-36%; and (3) acute/chronic pain medication users, 9%-10%. Probability of staying in same group across the four time points was high (0.88-1.00). Transitioning to the low CNS medication use group was highest from admission to discharge (probability of 9% for pain medication users, 5% for mental health medication users). Female gender increased (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.3), while chronic kidney disease lowered (OR 0.5, 0.2-0.9) the odds of transitioning to the low CNS medication use profile between admission and discharge., Conclusions: CNS medication use stays consistent around hospitalization, with discontinuation more likely between admission and discharge, especially among pain medication users. Further research on patient outcomes is needed to understand the benefits and harms of hospital deprescribing, particularly for medications requiring gradual tapering., (© 2024 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Polypharmacy is common in older adults and is associated with adverse drug events, cognitive and functional impairment, increased healthcare costs, and increased risk of frailty, falls, hospitalizations, and mortality. Many barriers exist to deprescribing, but increased efforts have been made to develop and implement deprescribing interventions that overcome them. This narrative review describes intervention components and summarizes findings from published randomized controlled trials that have tested deprescribing interventions in older adults with polypharmacy, as well as reports on ongoing trials, guidelines, and resources that can be used to facilitate deprescribing. Most interventions were medication reviews in primary care settings, and many contained components such as shared decision making and/or a focus on patient care priorities, training for healthcare professionals, patient facing education materials, and involvement of family members, representing great heterogeneity in interventions addressing polypharmacy in older adults. Just over half of study interventions were found to perform better than usual care in at least one of their primary outcomes, and most study interventions were assessed over 12 months or less., Competing Interests: Competing interests: We have read and understood the BMJ policy on declaration of interests and declare the following interests: AH reports funding from the US Deprescribing Research Network (R24AG064025), honorariums and conference support from Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, and honorariums from the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy. No other authors declare interests., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Importance: Comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) are offered to qualifying US Medicare beneficiaries annually to optimize medication regimens and therapeutic outcomes. In 2016, Medicare adopted CMR completion as a Star Rating quality measure to encourage the use of CMRs., Objective: To examine trends in CMR completion rates before and after 2016 and whether racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in CMR completion changed., Design, Setting, and Participants: This observational study using interrupted time-series analysis examined 2013 to 2020 annual cohorts of community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 years and older eligible for a CMR as determined by Part D plans and by objective minimum eligibility criteria. Data analysis was conducted from September 2022 to February 2024., Exposure: Adoption of CMR completion as a Star Rating quality measure in 2016., Main Outcome and Measures: CMR completion modeled via generalized estimating equations., Results: The study included a total of 561 950 eligible beneficiaries, with 253 561 in the 2013 to 2015 cohort (median [IQR] age, 75.8 [70.7-82.1] years; 90 778 male [35.8%]; 6795 Asian [2.7%]; 24 425 Black [9.6%]; 7674 Hispanic [3.0%]; 208 621 White [82.3%]) and 308 389 in the 2016 to 2020 cohort (median [IQR] age, 75.1 [70.4-80.9] years; 126 730 male [41.1%]; 8922 Asian [2.9%]; 27 915 Black [9.1%]; 7635 Hispanic [2.5%]; 252 781 White [82.0%]). The unadjusted CMR completion rate increased from 10.2% (7379 of 72 225 individuals) in 2013 to 15.6% (14 185 of 90 847 individuals) in 2015 and increased further to 35.8% (18 376 of 51 386 individuals) in 2020, in part because the population deemed by Part D plans to be MTM-eligible decreased by nearly half after 2015 (90 487 individuals in 2015 to 51 386 individuals in 2020). Among a simulated cohort based on Medicare minimum eligibility thresholds, the unadjusted CMR completion rate increased but to a lesser extent, from 4.4% in 2013 to 12.6% in 2020. Compared with White beneficiaries, Asian and Hispanic beneficiaries experienced greater increases in likelihood of CMR completion after 2016 but remained less likely to complete a CMR. Dual-Medicaid enrollees also experienced greater increases in likelihood of CMR completion as compared with those without either designation, but still remained less likely to complete CMR., Conclusion and Relevance: This study found that adoption of CMR completion as a Star Rating quality measure was associated with higher CMR completion rates. The increase in CMR completion rates was achieved partly because Part D plans used stricter eligibility criteria to define eligible patients. Reductions in disparities for eligible Asian, Hispanic, and dual-Medicaid enrollees were seen, but not eliminated. These findings suggest that quality measures can inform plan behavior and could be used to help address disparities.

Deprescribing is the intentional dose reduction or discontinuation of a medication. The development of deprescribing interventions should take into consideration important organizational, interprofessional, and patient-specific barriers that can be further complicated by the presence of multiple prescribers involved in a patient's care. Patients who receive care from an increasing number of prescribers may experience disruptions in the timely transfer of relevant healthcare information, increasing the risk of exposure to drug-drug interactions and other medication-related problems. Furthermore, the fragmentation of healthcare information across health systems can contribute to the refilling of discontinued medications, reducing the effectiveness of deprescribing interventions. Thus, deprescribing interventions must carefully consider the unique characteristics of patients and their prescribers to ensure interventions are successfully implemented. In this special article, an international working group of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, epidemiologists, and researchers from the United States Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN) developed a socioecological model to understand how multiple prescribers may influence the implementation of a deprescribing intervention at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal level. This manuscript also includes a description of the concept of multiple prescribers and outlines a research agenda for future investigations to consider. The information contained in this manuscript should be used as a framework for future deprescribing interventions to carefully consider how multiple prescribers can influence the successful implementation of the service and ensure the intervention is as effective as possible., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Falls are the most common medication-related safety event in older adults. Deprescribing fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) may mitigate fall risk. This study assesses the effects of an innovative deprescribing program in reducing FRID burden and falls-related acute visits over 1 year., Methods: The Falls Assessment of Medications in the Elderly (FAME) Program is a pilot deprescribing program designed to improve medication safety in Veterans aged ≥65, screening positive for high fall risk at the Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Central case finding and electronic case reviews with deprescribing recommendations were completed by an interdisciplinary team, forwarded to prescribers for approval, then implemented during follow-up telephone visits by FAME team. Primary outcome was change in FRID burden calculated by modified Drug Burden Index (DBI) at 1 year and an exploratory outcome was 1-year fall-related acute visits., Results: Overall, 472 patients (236 intervention cases, 236 matched controls) were included in the study. Of the 236 patients receiving a FAME deprescribing plan, 147 had recommendations approved by prescriber and patient. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the 1-year change in modified DBI was -0.15 (95% CI -0.23, -0.08) in the intervention cohort and -0.11 (-0.21, -0.00) in the matched control cohort (p = 0.47). The odds of increasing DBI by a clinically important threshold of 0.5 was significantly lower in the FAME cohort (OR 0.37, 0.21, 0.66). Fall-related acute events occurred in 6.3% of patients in the intervention group versus 11.0% in control patients over a one-year period (p = 0.10)., Conclusions: The program was associated with a significantly lower odds of further increasing FRID burden at 1 year compared to matched controls. An electronic case review and telephone counseling program has the potential to reduce drug-related falls in high-risk older adults., (© 2023 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Poor functional status is a key marker of morbidity, yet is not routinely captured in clinical encounters. We developed and evaluated the accuracy of a machine learning algorithm that leveraged electronic health record (EHR) data to provide a scalable process for identification of functional impairment., Methods: We identified a cohort of patients with an electronically captured screening measure of functional status (Older Americans Resources and Services ADL/IADL) between 2018 and 2020 (N = 6484). Patients were classified using unsupervised learning K means and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding into normal function (NF), mild to moderate functional impairment (MFI), and severe functional impairment (SFI) states. Using 11 EHR clinical variable domains (832 variable input features), we trained an Extreme Gradient Boosting supervised machine learning algorithm to distinguish functional status states, and measured prediction accuracies. Data were randomly split into training (80%) and test (20%) sets. The SHapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) feature importance analysis was used to list the EHR features in rank order of their contribution to the outcome., Results: Median age was 75.3 years, 62% female, 60% White. Patients were classified as 53% NF (n = 3453), 30% MFI (n = 1947), and 17% SFI (n = 1084). Summary of model performance for identifying functional status state (NF, MFI, SFI) was AUROC (area under the receiving operating characteristic curve) 0.92, 0.89, and 0.87, respectively. Age, falls, hospitalization, home health use, labs (e.g., albumin), comorbidities (e.g., dementia, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic pain), and social determinants of health (e.g., alcohol use) were highly ranked features in predicting functional status states., Conclusion: A machine learning algorithm run on EHR clinical data has potential utility for differentiating functional status in the clinical setting. Through further validation and refinement, such algorithms can complement traditional screening methods and result in a population-based strategy for identifying patients with poor functional status who need additional health resources., (© 2023 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Importance: Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are now available in the US; however, their clinical and economic outcomes are unknown., Objective: To project the clinical and economic outcomes of traditional hearing aid provision compared with OTC hearing aid provision., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cost-effectiveness analysis used a previously validated decision model of hearing loss (HL) to simulate US adults aged 40 years and older across their lifetime in US primary care offices who experienced yearly probabilities of acquiring HL (0.1%-10.4%), worsening of their HL, and traditional hearing aid uptake (0.5%-8.1%/y at a fixed uptake cost of $3690) and utility benefits (0.11 additional utils/y). For OTC hearing aid provision, persons with perceived mild to moderate HL experienced increased OTC hearing aid uptake (1%-16%/y) based on estimates of time to first HL diagnosis. In the base case, OTC hearing aid utility benefits ranged from 0.05 to 0.11 additional utils/y (45%-100% of traditional hearing aids), and costs were $200 to $1400 (5%-38% of traditional hearing aids). Distributions were assigned to parameters to conduct probabilistic uncertainty analysis., Intervention: Provision of OTC hearing aids, at increased uptake rates, across a range of effectiveness and costs., Main Outcomes and Measures: Lifetime undiscounted and discounted (3%/y) costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs)., Results: Traditional hearing aid provision resulted in 18.162 QALYs, compared with 18.162 to 18.186 for OTC hearing aids varying with OTC hearing aid utility benefit (45%-100% that of traditional hearing aids). Provision of OTC hearing aids was associated with greater lifetime discounted costs by $70 to $200 along with OTC device cost ($200-$1000/pair; 5%-38% traditional hearing aid cost) due to increased hearing aid uptake. Provision of OTC hearing aids was considered cost-effective (ICER<$100 000/QALY) if the OTC utility benefit was 0.06 or greater (55% of the traditional hearing aid effectiveness). In probabilistic uncertainty analysis, OTC hearing aid provision was cost-effective in 53% of simulations., Conclusions and Relevance: In this cost-effectiveness analysis, provision of OTC hearing aids was associated with greater uptake of hearing intervention and was cost-effective over a range of prices so long as OTC hearing aids were greater than 55% as beneficial to patient quality of life as traditional hearing aids.

We sought to understand the current state of research in adult Hospital Medicine by repeating a 2018 survey of leaders in Hospital Medicine with changes to improve the response rate of surveyed programs. We also analyzed the public sources of federal research funding and MEDLINE-indexed publications from 2010 through 2019 among members of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM). Of the 102 contacted leaders of Hospital Medicine groups across the country, 49 responded, for a total response rate of 48%. Among the 3397 faculty members represented in responding programs, 72 (2%) of faculty were identified as conducting research for more than 50% of their time. Respondents noted difficulties at every stage of the research development pipeline, from a lack of mentors to running a fellowship program to a lack of applicants seeking further research training. Improvements to our research training pipeline will be essential to the long-term improvement of our profession., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Hospital Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Hospital Medicine.)

Background: While 60% of older adults have hearing loss (HL), the majority have never had their hearing tested., Objective: We sought to estimate long-term clinical and economic effects of alternative adult hearing screening schedules in the USA., Design: Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis simulating Current Detection (CD) and linkage of persons with HL to hearing healthcare, compared to alternative screening schedules varying by age at first screen (45 to 75 years) and screening frequency (every 1 or 5 years). Simulated persons experience yearly age- and sex-specific probabilities of acquiring HL, and subsequent hearing aid uptake (0.5-8%/year) and discontinuation (13-4%). Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated according to hearing level and treatment status. Costs from a health system perspective include screening ($30-120; 2020 USD), HL diagnosis ($300), and hearing aid devices ($3690 year 1, $910/subsequent year). Data sources were published estimates from NHANES and clinical trials of adult hearing screening., Participants: Forty-year-old persons in US primary care across their lifetime., Intervention: Alternative screening schedules that increase baseline probabilities of hearing aid uptake (base-case 1.62-fold; range 1.05-2.25-fold)., Main Measures: Lifetime undiscounted and discounted (3%/year) costs and QALYs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs)., Key Results: CD resulted in 1.20 average person-years of hearing aid use compared to 1.27-1.68 with the screening schedules. Lifetime total per-person undiscounted costs were $3300 for CD and ranged from $3630 for 5-yearly screening beginning at age 75 to $6490 for yearly screening beginning at age 45. In cost-effectiveness analysis, yearly screening beginning at ages 75, 65, and 55 years had ICERs of $39,100/QALY, $48,900/QALY, and $96,900/QALY, respectively. Results were most sensitive to variations in hearing aid utility benefit and screening effectiveness., Limitation: Input uncertainty around screening effectiveness., Conclusions: We project that yearly hearing screening beginning at age 55+ is cost-effective by US standards., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Society of General Internal Medicine.)

Importance: Adult hearing screening is not routinely performed, and most individuals with hearing loss (HL) have never had their hearing tested as adults., Objective: To project the monetary value of future research clarifying uncertainties around the optimal adult hearing screening schedule., Design, Setting, and Participants: In this economic evaluation, a validated decision model of HL (DeciBHAL-US: Decision model of the Burden of Hearing loss Across the Lifespan) was used to simulate current detection and treatment of HL vs hearing screening schedules. Key model inputs included HL incidence (0.06%-10.42%/y), hearing aid uptake (0.54%-8.14%/y), screening effectiveness (1.62 × hearing aid uptake), utility benefits of hearing aids (+0.11), and hearing aid device costs ($3690). Distributions to model parameters for probabilistic uncertainty analysis were assigned. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) and expected value of partial perfect information (EVPPI) using a willingness to pay of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) was estimated. The EVPI and EVPPI estimate the upper bound of the dollar value of future research. This study was based on 40-year-old persons over their remaining lifetimes in a US primary care setting., Exposures: Screening schedules beginning at ages 45, 55, 65, and 75 years, and frequencies of every 1 or 5 years., Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were QALYs and costs (2020 US dollars) from a health system perspective., Results: The average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for yearly screening beginning at ages 55 to 75 years ranged from $39 200 to $80 200/QALY. Yearly screening beginning at age 55 years was the optimal screening schedule in 38% of probabilistic uncertainty analysis simulations. The population EVPI, or value of reducing all uncertainty, was $8.2 to $12.6 billion varying with willingness to pay and the EVPPI, or value of reducing all screening effectiveness uncertainty, was $2.4 billion., Conclusions and Relevance: In this economic evaluation of US adult hearing screening, large uncertainty around the optimal adult hearing screening schedule was identified. Future research on hearing screening has a high potential value so is likely justified.

Background: Transition-related patient safety errors are high among patients discharged from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and interventions are needed to improve communication between hospitals and SNF providers. Our objective was to describe the implementation of a pilot telehealth videoconference program modeled after Extension for Community Health Outcomes-Care Transitions and examine patient safety errors and readmissions., Methods: A multidisciplinary telehealth videoconference program was implemented at two academic hospitals for patients discharged to participating SNFs. Process measures, patient safety errors, and hospital readmissions were evaluated retrospectively for patients discussed at weekly conferences between July 2019-January 2020. Results were mapped to the constructs of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) model. Descriptive statistics were reported for the conference process measures, patient and index hospitalization characteristics, and patient safety errors. The primary clinical outcome was all-cause 30-day readmissions. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was conducted using logistic regression models fit to compare the probability of 30-day hospital readmission in patients discharged to participating SNFs across 7 months prior to after telehealth project implementation., Results: There were 263 patients (67% of eligible patients) discussed during 26 telehealth videoconferences. Mean discussion time per patient was 7.7 min and median prep time per patient was 24.2 min for the hospital pharmacist and 10.3 min for the hospital clinician. A total of 327 patient safety errors were uncovered, mostly related to communication (54%) and medications (43%). Differences in slopes (program period vs. pre-implementation) of the probability of readmission across the two time periods were not statistically significant (OR 0.95, [95% CI 0.75, 1.19])., Conclusions: A pilot care innovations telehealth videoconference between hospital-based and SNF provider teams was successfully implemented within a large health system and enhanced care transitions by optimizing error-prone transitions. Future work is needed to understand process flow within nursing homes and its impact on clinical outcomes., (© 2022 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Deprescribing may be particularly beneficial in patients with medical complexity and suspected cognitive impairment (CI). We describe central nervous system (CNS) medication use and side effects in this population and explore the relationship between anticholinergic burden and sleep. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a pilot randomized-controlled trial in older adult veterans with medical complexity (Care Assessment Need score > 90), and suspected CI (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status score 20−31). CNS medication classes included antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, H2-receptor antagonists, hypnotics, opioids, and skeletal muscle relaxants. We also coded anticholinergic-active medications according to their Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score. Other measures included self-reported medication side effects and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). ACB association with sleep (PSQI) was examined using adjusted linear regression. In this sample (N = 40), the mean number of prescribed CNS medications was 2.2 (SD 1.5), 65% experienced ≥ 1 side effect, and 50% had an ACB score ≥ 3 (high anticholinergic exposure). The ACB score ≥ 3 compared to ACB < 3 was not significantly associated with PSQI scores (avg diff in score = −0.1, 95% CI −2.1, 1.8). Although results did not demonstrate a clear relationship with worsened sleep, significant side effects and anticholinergic burden support the deprescribing need in this population.

Objectives: Although emerging evidence suggests that hearing loss (HL) is an independent risk factor for falls, it is unclear how HL may impact falls risk in adults with vestibular dysfunction and nonvestibular dizziness. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of HL on falls in patients with vestibular dysfunction and nonvestibular dizziness relative to a group of patients without dizziness. In addition, this study aimed to evaluate whether there was an interactive effect between HL and vestibular dysfunction or nonvestibular dizziness on the odds of falling., Design: The authors conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 2,750 adult patients with dizziness evaluated at a tertiary care center vestibular clinic between June 1, 2015, and October 7, 2020. Only patients with available self-reported falls status, as extracted from the electronic medical record, were included. Patients were classified into the following diagnostic groups based on rotary chair testing and videonystagmography: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV, n = 255), unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH, n = 456), bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH, n = 38), central dysfunction (n = 208), multiple diagnoses (n = 109), and dizzy, nonvestibular (n = 1,389). A control group of patients without dizziness (n = 295) was identified by a random sample of audiology patients. Degree of HL was characterized by the 4-frequency pure tone average (PTA) (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) of the better hearing ear. Demographic variables, comorbidities, cognitive impairment status, and falls-associated medications were extracted from the electronic medical record and included as covariates during analysis. Potential associations between PTA and falls status and possible interactions between diagnostic group and PTA were explored using multivariate logistic regression., Results: The BVH and central dysfunction groups had the highest rates of self-reported falls at 26.3% and 26.9%, respectively. The control group had the lowest rate of self-reported falls at 6.4%. With the exception of the multiple diagnoses group, all diagnostic groups had elevated odds of falling compared with the control group, when adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, cognitive impairment status, and falls-associated medications. There was no significant association between degree of HL and falls status (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93, 1.11; p = 0.713) when adjusting for diagnostic group and all other covariates. Furthermore, there were no significant interactions between diagnostic group and degree of HL on the odds of falling., Conclusions: These results indicate that HL was not associated with falls in patients with vestibular dysfunction or nonvestibular dizziness, while adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and falls-associated medications. There was no significant interactive effect observed between HL and vestibular dysfunction or nonvestibular dizziness on the odds of falling. As previously reported, vestibular dysfunction and nonvestibular dizziness were independently associated with falls relative to a group of patients without dizziness. A population-based study utilizing more robust falls data is needed to explore a potential association between HL and falls in those with vestibular dysfunction., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Falls are considered a significant public health issue and falls risk increases with age. There are many age-related physiologic changes that occur that increase postural instability and the risk for falls (i.e., age-related sensory declines in vision, vestibular, somatosensation, age-related orthopedic changes, and polypharmacy). Hearing loss has been shown to be an independent risk factor for falls. The primary objective of this study was to determine if hearing aid use modified (reduced) the association between self-reported hearing status and falls or falls-related injury. We hypothesized that hearing aid use would reduce the impact of hearing loss on the odds of falling and falls-related injury. If hearing aid users have reduced odds of falling compared with nonhearing aid users, then that would have an important implications for falls prevention healthcare., Design: Data were drawn from the 2004-2016 surveys of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). A generalized estimating equation approach was used to fit logistic regression models to determine whether or not hearing aid use modifies the odds of falling and falls injury associated with self-reported hearing status., Results: A total of 17,923 individuals were grouped based on a self-reported history of falls. Self-reported hearing status was significantly associated with odds of falling and with falls-related injury when controlling for demographic factors and important health characteristics. Hearing aid use was included as an interaction in the fully-adjusted models and the results showed that there was no difference in the association between hearing aid users and nonusers for either falls or falls-related injury., Conclusions: The results of the present study show that when examining self-reported hearing status in a longitudinal sample, hearing aid use does not impact the association between self-reported hearing status and the odds of falls or falls-related injury., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Understanding the factors that influence hospital mobility, especially in the context of a heightened focus on falls prevention, is needed to improve care., Objective: This qualitative study uses a socioecological framework to explore factors that influence hospital mobility in older adults., Design: Qualitative research PARTICIPANTS: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with medically-ill hospitalized older adults (n = 19) and providers (hospitalists, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists (n = 48) at two hospitals associated with an academic health system., Approach: Interview and focus group guides included questions on perceived need for mobility, communication about mobility, hospital mobility culture, and awareness of patients' walking activity. Data were analyzed thematically and mapped onto the constructs of the socioecological model., Key Results: A consistent theme among patients and providers was that "mobility is medicine." Categories of factors reported to influence hospital walking activity included intrapersonal factors (patients' health status, fear of falls), interpersonal factors (patient-provider communication about mobility), organizational factors (clarity about provider roles and responsibilities, knowledge of safe patient handling, reliance on physical therapy for mobility), and environmental factors (falls as a never event, patient geographical locations on hospital units). Several of these factors were identified as potentially modifiable targets for intervention. Patients and providers offered recommendations for improving awareness of patient's ambulatory activity, assigning roles and responsibility for mobility, and enhancing education and communication between patients and providers across disciplines., Conclusion: Patients and providers identified salient factors for future early mobility initiatives targeting hospitalized older adults. Consideration of these factors across all stages of intervention development and implementation will enhance impact and sustainability., (© 2021 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Objectives: To develop a prognostic model for hospital admissions over a 1-year period among community-dwelling older adults with self-reported hearing and/or vision impairments based on readily obtainable clinical predictors., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from 1999 to 2006., Participants: Community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries, aged 65 years and older, with self-reported hearing and/or vision impairment (N = 15,999)., Measurements: The primary outcome was any hospital admission over a predefined 1-year study period. Candidate predictors included demographic factors, prior healthcare utilization, comorbidities, functional impairment, and patient-level factors. We analyzed the association of all candidate predictors with any hospital admission over the 1-year study period using multivariable logistic regression. The final model was created using a penalized regression method known as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Model performance was assessed by discrimination (concordance statistic (c-statistic)) and calibration (evaluated graphically). Internal validation was performed via bootstrapping, and results were adjusted for overoptimism., Results: Of the 15,999 participants, the mean age was 78 years and 55% were female. A total of 2,567 participants (16.0%) had at least one hospital admission in the 1-year study period. The final model included seven variables independently associated with hospitalization: number of inpatient admissions in the previous year, number of emergency department visits in the previous year, activities of daily living difficulty score, poor self-rated health, and self-reported history of myocardial infarction, stroke, and nonskin cancer. The c-statistic of the final model was 0.717. The optimism-corrected c-statistic after bootstrap internal validation was 0.716. A calibration plot suggested that the model tended to overestimate risk among patients at the highest risk for hospitalization., Conclusion: This prognostic model can help identify which community-dwelling older adults with sensory impairments are at highest risk for hospitalization and may inform allocation of healthcare resources., (© 2020 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Rectal cancer surgery is a technically complex procedure. Moreover, short-term outcomes show high rate of complications especially in elderly and laparoscopic surgery has not demonstrated to be able to reduce this complication rate. Robotics has several advantages in pelvic surgical procedures, which could have an impact in complication rates in elderly patients., Aims: The aim of our study is to demonstrate whether robotic surgery has any influence on the reduction of complications in the aged population undergoing rectal cancer., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of 151 patients who underwent robotic surgery for rectal cancer. We divided our population into three groups: under 65-year-old, between 65- and 80-year-old and above 80-year-old. We recorded complications in each group intra and post procedure., Results: The present study included 151 patients (94 males). Of them, 77 patients were under 66 year old, 63 patients were between 66 and 79 year old and 11 patients were 80 year old and above. The analysis showed conversion rates of 10.38%, 13.69%, 27.27%, and the complication rate of 23.4%, 23.8%, and 27.3% in each group. Univariate analysis showed no differences between the three groups. Nevertheless, there were statistical differences from BMI, ASA and neoadjuvant therapy. In multivariant analysis only neoadjuvant therapy was significant., Conclusions: Robotic approach does not decrease complications in elderly population and conversion is similar in these age groups. So we should not rule out robotic surgery in elderly patients, although we must select each case with a multidisciplinary approach.

This study describes the availability of physical activity information in the electronic health record, explores how electronic health record documentation correlates with accelerometer-derived physical activity data, and examines whether measured physical activity relates to venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis use. Prospective observational data comes from community-dwelling older adults admitted to general medicine (n = 65). Spearman correlations were used to examine association of accelerometer-based daily step count with documented walking distance and with duration of VTE prophylaxis. Only 52% of patients had documented walking in nursing and/or physical therapy/occupational therapy notes during the first three hospital days. Median daily steps recorded via accelerometer was 1,370 (interquartile range = 854, 2,387) and correlated poorly with walking distance recorded in physical therapy/occupational therapy notes (median 33 feet/day [interquartile range = 12, 100]; r = .24; p = .27). Activity measures were not associated with use or duration of VTE prophylaxis. VTE prophylaxis use does not appear to be directed by patient activity, for which there is limited documentation.

Background: Hospital-acquired disability (HAD) is common and often related to low physical activity while in the hospital., Objective: To examine whether wearable hospital activity trackers can be used to predict HAD., Design: A prospective observational study between January 2016 and March 2017., Setting: An academic medical center., Participants: Community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 years or older, enrolled within 24 hours of admission to general medicine (n = 46)., Main Measures: Primary outcome was HAD, defined as having one or more new activity of daily living deficits, decline of four or greater on the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (calculated between baseline and discharge), or discharge to a skilled nursing facility. Hospital activity (mean active time, mean sedentary time, and mean step counts per day) was measured using ankle-mounted accelerometers. The association of the literature-based threshold of 900 steps/day with HAD was also evaluated., Results: Mean age was 73.2 years (SD = 9.5 years), 48% were male, and 76% were white. Median length of stay was 4 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.0-6.0 days); 61% (n = 28) reported being able to walk without assistance of another person or walking aid at baseline. Median daily activity time and step counts were 1.1 h/d (IQR = 0.7-1.7 h/d) and 1455.7 steps/day (IQR = 908.5-2643 steps/day), respectively. Those with HAD (41%; n = 19) had lower activity time (0.8 vs 1.4 h/d; P = .04) and fewer step counts (1186 vs 1808 steps/day; P = .04), but no difference in sedentary time, compared to those without HAD. The 900 steps/day threshold had poor sensitivity (40%) and high specificity (85%) for detecting HAD., Conclusions: Low hospital physical activity, as measured by wearable accelerometers, is associated with HAD. Clinicians can utilize wearable technology data to refer patients to physical/occupational therapy services or other mobility interventions, like walking programs. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:261-265, 2020., (© 2019 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Anastomotic dehiscence is a common complication of anterior resection. In this work, we evaluate the management of the pelvic cavity after low rectal resection using vacuum closure (VAC) with a gastroscope, and we establish factors that determine the success of closure and analyzed the rate of ileostomy closure after leakage was resolved., Patients and Methods: This is a descriptive case series analysis conducted at a tertiary hospital. Twenty-two patients with low colorectal anastomosis leakage or opening of the rectal stump after anterior resection for rectal cancer were included. They were treated with VAC therapy., Results: The total number of endoscopic sessions was 3.1 ± 1.9 in the anterior resection with anastomosis group and 3.2 ± 1.8 in the Hartmann group. In 11 patients the therapy was administered in an ambulatory setting. The mean time to healing was 22.3 ± 14.7 days. Full resolution was achieved in 19 patients (followed-up 1 year). Ileostomy closure was carried out in 5 patients (38.46%) during follow-up. None of these patients showed leakage signs. Statistically significant differences were obtained depending on the onset of therapy, with better results in patients who underwent earlier vacuum-assisted therapy (before the sixth week after initial surgery), P = .041., Conclusions: VAC therapy is an alternative to surgery that can be safely administered in an ambulatory setting. Early administration in the 6 weeks following surgery is an independent predictive factor for successful closure; however, colonic transit was only recovered in a small percentage of patients.

Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is an important consideration for hospitalized older adults, and the Padua Prediction Score (PPS) is a risk prediction tool used to prioritize patient selection. We developed an automated PPS (APPS) algorithm using electronic health record (EHR) data. This study examines the accuracy of APPS and its individual components versus manual data extraction., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized general internal medicine patients, aged 70 and over. Fourteen clinical variables were collected to determine their PPS; APPS used EHR data exports from health system databases, and a trained abstractor performed manual chart abstractions. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of the APPS, using manual PPS as the gold standard for classifying risk category (low vs. high). We also examined performance characteristics of the APPS for individual variables., Results: PPS was calculated by both methods on 311 individuals. The mean PPS was 3.6 (standard deviation, 1.8) for manual abstraction and 2.8 (1.4) for APPS. In detecting patients at high risk for VTE, the sensitivity and specificity of the APPS algorithm were 46 and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity for APPS was poor (range: 6-34%) for detecting acute conditions (i.e., acute myocardial infarction), moderate (range: 52-74%) for chronic conditions (i.e., heart failure), and excellent (range: 94-98%) for conditions of obesity and restricted mobility. Specificity of the automated extraction method for each PPS variable was > 87%., Conclusion: APPS as a stand-alone tool was suboptimal for classifying risk of VTE occurrence. The APPS accurately identified high risk patients (true positives), but lower scores were considered indeterminate., Competing Interests: None., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The authors developed a Transitions of Care (TOC) curriculum to teach and measure learner competence in performing TOC tasks for older adults. Internal medicine interns at an academic residency program received the curriculum, which consisted of experiential learning, self-study, and small group discussion. Interns completed retrospective pre/post surveys rating their confidence in performing five TOC tasks, qualitative open-ended survey questions, and a self-reflection essay. A subset of interns also completed follow-up assessments. For all five TOC tasks, the interns' confidence improved following completion of the TOC curriculum. Self-confidence persisted for up to 3 months later for some but not all tasks. According to the qualitative responses, the TOC curriculum provided interns with learning experiences and skills integral to performing safe care transitions. The TOC curriculum and a mixed-method assessment approach effectively teaches and measures learner competency in TOC across all six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competency domains.

This review examined effects of structured exercise (aerobic walking, with or without complementary modes of exercise) on cardiorespiratory measures, mobility, functional status, healthcare utilization, and quality of life in older adults (≥60 years) hospitalized for acute medical illness. Inclusion required exercise protocol, at least one patient-level or utilization outcome, and at least one physical assessment point during hospitalization or within 1 month of intervention. MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies published from 2000 to March 2015. Qualitative synthesis of 12 articles, reporting on 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental trials described a heterogeneous set of exercise programs and reported mixed results across outcome categories. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool. Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed, incorporating measurement of premorbid function, randomization with intention-to-treat analysis, examination of a targeted intervention with predefined intensity, and reported adherence and attrition.

Background: Adults aged 65 years and older account for more than 33% of annual visits to internal medicine (IM) generalists and specialists. Geriatrics experiences are not standardized for IM residents. Data are lacking on IM residents' continuity experiences with older adults and competencies relevant to their care., Objective: To explore patient demographics and the prevalence of common geriatric conditions in IM residents' continuity clinics., Methods: We collected data on age and sex for all IM residents' active clinic patients during 2011-2012. Academic site continuity panels for 351 IM residents were drawn from 4 academic medical center sites. Common geriatric conditions, defined by Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders measures and the American Geriatrics Society IM geriatrics competencies, were identified through International Classification of Disease, ninth edition, coded electronic problem lists for residents' patients aged 65 years and older and cross-checked by audit of 20% of patients' charts across 1 year., Results: Patient panels for 351 IM residents (of a possible 411, 85%) were reviewed. Older adults made up 21% of patients in IM residents' panels (range, 14%-28%); patients ≥ 75 (8%) or 85 (2%) years old were relatively rare. Concordance between electronic problem lists and chart audit was poor for most core geriatric conditions. On chart audit, active management of core geriatric conditions was variable: for example, memory loss (10%-25%), falls/gait abnormality (26%-42%), and osteoporosis (11%-35%)., Conclusions: The IM residents' exposure to core geriatric conditions and management of older adults was variable across 4 academic medical center sites and often lower than anticipated in community practice., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare they have no competing interests. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by, the DHHS, HRSA, BHPr, NIH, or the US government.

Background: Thromboprophylaxis regimens include pharmacologic and mechanical options such as intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCDs). There are a wide variety of IPCDs available, but it is uncertain if they vary in effectiveness or ease of use. This is a systematic review of the comparative effectiveness of IPCDs for selected outcomes (mortality, venous thromboembolism [VTE], symptomatic or asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis, major bleeding, ease of use, and adherence) in postoperative surgical patients., Methods: We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL from January 1, 1995, to October 30, 2014, for randomized controlled trials, as well as relevant observational studies on ease of use and adherence., Results: We identified 14 eligible randomized controlled trials (2633 subjects) and 3 eligible observational studies (1724 subjects); most were conducted in joint arthroplasty patients. Intermittent pneumatic compression devices were comparable to anticoagulation for major clinical outcomes (VTE: risk ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-2.64). Limited data suggest that concurrent use of anticoagulation with IPCD may lower VTE risk compared with anticoagulation alone, and that IPCD compared with anticoagulation may lower major bleeding risk. Subgroup analyses did not show significant differences by device location, mode of inflation, or risk of bias elements. There were no consistent associations between IPCDs and ease of use or adherence., Conclusions: Intermittent pneumatic compression devices are appropriate for VTE thromboprophylaxis when used in accordance with current clinical guidelines. The current evidence base to guide selection of a specific device or type of device is limited., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An important contributor to hospital-associated disability is immobility during hospitalization. Preliminary results from STRIDE, a clinical demonstration program of supervised walking for older adults admitted to the hospital with medical illness, are reported. The STRIDE program consisted of a targeted gait and balance assessment by a physical therapist, followed by daily walks supervised by a recreation therapy assistant for the duration of the hospital stay. To examine program effectiveness, STRIDE participants (n = 92) were compared with individuals referred but not enrolled (because of refusal or because program was at capacity, n = 35). Median length of stay was 4.7 days for STRIDE participants and 5.7 days for individuals receiving usual care (P = .31). There was one inpatient fall in each group (not associated with a STRIDE walk). Overall, 92% of STRIDE participants were discharged to home (rather than a skilled nursing facility (SNF)) compared to 74% of individuals receiving usual care (P = .007). Thirty-day emergency department visit rates and readmission rates were not significantly different between the two groups. STRIDE, a supervised walking program for hospitalized older adults, was feasible and safe, and program participants were less likely to be discharged to a SNF than a demographically similar comparison group. STRIDE is a promising interdisciplinary approach to promoting mobility and improving outcomes in hospitalized older adults., (© 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, The American Geriatrics Society.)

Objective: To use electronic health record (EHR) data to examine the association between inpatient medication exposure and risk of hospital readmission., Design: Retrospective, observational study., Setting: Tertiary and quaternary care academic health system in Durham, North Carolina., Participants: All individuals aged 60 and older who were residents of Durham County, North Carolina and were hospitalized and discharged alive from Duke University Hospital between 2007 and 2009 (N = 4,627)., Measurements: Independent variables were inpatient exposure to individual medication classes. Primary outcome was readmission to a Duke Health System hospital within 30 days., Results: Readmission rate was 21% (n = 955). In adjusted models, exposure to anticonvulsants (odds ratio OR 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.48), benzodiazepines (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04-1.44), corticosteroids (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07-1.50), and opioids (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.06-1.47) was associated with greater likelihood of readmission. Exposure to antidepressants (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.16-2.96) and opioids on the cardiology service (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.01-3.07) and exposure to opioids on the medicine service (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.17-3.22) were associated with greater odds of readmission than for individuals on the surgery service., Conclusion: Exposure of hospitalized elderly adults to certain medication classes was associated with greater likelihood of readmission. Incorporating medication data from EHRs may improve the performance of hospital readmission prediction models., (© 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, The American Geriatrics Society.)

This study sought to determine whether guideline-recommended clinical criteria to select men for osteoporosis screening provide significantly better sensitivity than the osteoporotic screening tool (OST) among men who later went on to have a hip fracture, and whether the sensitivity differs by race. This retrospective observational study uses data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Austin Automation Center. We identified 825 male veterans with hip fractures from 2007 to 2009. Clinical risk factors used as screening selection criteria were abstracted from five accepted guidelines. Outpatient encounters were examined for each subject to determine whether they would have met screening selection criteria for each guideline in the 5 years before their hip fracture event. Sensitivities for each guideline were compared with the OST, using McNemar's exact test. Sensitivities of Veterans Affairs Health Service Research and Development Services (VA HSR&D) and National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) guidelines were 77% and 82%, respectively, and were significantly better than the OST sensitivity of 72% (P<0.05). Sensitivities of American College of Physicians (ACP; 68%), VA Secretary's Letters (45%) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (13%) were significantly worse than the OST sensitivity (P<0.001). The sensitivities of the VA HSR&D, ACP and NOF were significantly higher in Whites compared with non-Whites (76% vs 65%, P<0.01; 70% vs 58%, P<0.01; and 84% vs 70%, P<0.001, respectively). Only VA HSR&D and NOF clinical screening criteria are more sensitive than OST in identifying veterans who subsequently experience hip fractures, and these sensitivities vary by race.

The incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is expected to rise precipitously over the next several decades, as will the associated healthcare related costs. The epidemiology and disease manifestations of PD may differ when comparing women to men. Women are for example less likely to acquire PD, and in several studies have demonstrated a delayed onset of motor symptoms. Women, however, are more likely to experience PD-related complications that may lead to disability (e.g. depression and medication-associated dyskinesia). Further, there are purported differences in the treatment and treatment outcomes in PD men compared to women. Whether estrogen, other hormonal activity, or whether multiple factors underpin these findings remains unknown. Also unknown is whether estrogen itself may represent a therapeutic option for symptomatic PD treatment. This review summarizes what is known about gender differences in epidemiology, clinical features, treatment outcomes (medical and surgical/deep brain stimulation), and social impact among all available PD studies. We offer expert opinion regarding the shortcomings of the current evidence, and we propose a detailed list of studies that will help to clarify important gender related PD questions. Our hope is that this review will spark comparative effectiveness research into improving care and outcomes in women with PD., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of the divalent ions of iron, cobalt, nickel and copper based on the formation of their complexes with 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridylmethylene) thiocarbonohydrazide (DPTH) is proposed. The resolution of quaternary mixtures of these metallic ions was accomplished by several chemometric approaches. A comparative study of the results obtained for simultaneous determinations in mixture by using principal component regression (PCR) and partial least-squares regression (PLS-1 and PLS-2) for absorbance, first-derivative and second-derivative data is presented. In general, the best recovery values are obtained by the PLS-2 method for absorbance data. This procedure allows the simultaneous determination of the cited ions in alloys and biological materials Good reliability of the determination was proved.

A flowthrough spectrophotometric sensor for the determination of cobalt at the nanogram per millilitre level using pyridoxal 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone as reagent and integrated preconcentration and detection in the flow cell is proposed. The method is highly selective for cobalt(II); it features detection and determination limits of 0.02 and 0.06 mug ml(-1) respectively, and a linear range of at least 0.04-18 mug ml(-1). The method is subject to very few interferences because the strongly acidic medium used prevents the formation of most complexes of the reagent with other metal ions. The method was applied to the determination of cobalt in pharmaceutical preparations.

A sensitive inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric sequential method for the determination of trace heavy metals (cadmium, cobalt, copper and nickel) in biological samples after extraction of the metals into isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) containing 1,5-bis-(di-2-pyridylmethylene)thiocarbonohydrazide (DPTH) is described. A systematic study was made to determine the optimum conditions for extraction of the metals into IBMK. The complexes formed are quite soluble in IBMK, so much so that this allows the use of aqueous-to-organic phase volume ratios of up to 40 and hence the determination of concentrations down to 40 times lower than those afforded by the direct non-extractive method. The method has been used for the determination of these elements in various biological materials with good results.

The instrumental development and analytical applications of derivative ultraviolet/visible region absorption spectrophotometry produced in the last seven years (since 1987) are reviewed.

A method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of cadmium, copper and zinc based on the formation of their complexes with 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridylmethylene)thiocarbonohydrazide is proposed. The absorption curves of these complexes overlap severely in the scanning range 380-480 nm. The analyte concentrations are calculated by a least squares fit of the pure spectra to the mixture spectra. A linear determination range of 0.1-1.7 mug/ml for cadmium, 0.1-1.3 mug/ml for copper and 0.2-1.2 mug/ml for zinc were obtained. The effect of interference was studied. The method has been applied to the determination of these metal ions in various type of materials.

A method is proposed for the solvent extraction of cadmium using 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridylmethylene)thiocarbohydrazide (DPTH) as extractant. The optimum extraction conditions were evaluated from a critical study of the effect of pH, concentration of extractant, shaking time and ionic strength. The maximum volume ratio of the aqueous to organic phase was 30:1 for a single-stage extraction of99-100% of the metal ion. The detection limit is 0.01 ng/ml cadmium, and the calibration is linear from 0.1 to 5 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation for 10 replicate measurements is 1.8% for 2 ng/ml cadmium. The extraction method was applied to the determination of cadmium in some biological materials using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

The synthesis, physicochemical properties and interactions of two new thiocarbohydrazones, namely 1,5-bis[1-(2-pyridyl) ethylidene] thiocarbonohydrazide (APTH) and 1,5-bis[phenyl-(2-pyridyl) methylene] thiocarbonohydrazide (BPTH) have been studied as well as the use of both compounds as extracting reagents. These thiocarbohydrazones form yellow complexes with bivalent metal ions, and these are extractable into methyl isobutyl ketone. Conditions for quantitative extraction of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) are established from a critical study of the effect of pH, shaking time, reagent concentration in the organic phase, ionic strength and volume ratio of aqueous to organic phase.

The synthesis, physicochemical properties and interactions with metal ions of three new reagents of the N-phenylthiosemicarbazone family, namely pyridoxal phenylthiosemicarbazone, 3-hydroxypyridine-2-aldehyde phenylthiosemicarbazone and 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(phenylthiosemicarbazone), as well as their ionization constants and the spectral features of their complexes with transition-element cations are reported. A photometric determination of cobalt with pyridoxal phenylthiosemicarbazone in perchloric acid medium is proposed and has been used in analysis of steels.

The simultaneous determination of gallium and aluminium by using conventional fluorimetry and derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrometry has been studied. These determinations are based on the formation of fluorescent complexes of gallium and aluminium with salicylaldehyde carbohydrazone (SACH). In the conventional method, two samples are analysed under different analytical conditions, and the results are evaluated by solving a system of two simultaneous equations. In the derivative synchronous method (at pH = 2.6, in an ethanol-water medium containing 72% of ethanol), the following conditions are used: a constant wavelength difference of 20 nm between the monochromator settings, a time-constant of 1.5 sec, a scan-speed of 120 nm/min, and a derivative wavelength difference of 10 nm; gallium can be determined in the range 7-38 ng/ml, and aluminium between 6 and 45 ng/ml. The synchronous method shows more advantages, and has been used in the determination of both metal ions in diverse biological samples (animal tissues and human serum) with good results.

Theoretical aspects, instrumental devices and analytical applications of derivative ultraviolet-visible region absorption spectrophotometry are reviewed.

The synthesis, characteristics, properties and metal-ion interactions of 2-(3'-sulphobenzoyl)-pyridine thiosemicarbazone and phenyl thiosemicarbazone have been studied. These substances exhibit three pK values in aqueous solution, and form water-soluble chelates with high molar absorptivities, which may be used in analysis, especially the iron(II) chelates (lambda(max) 620-630 nm). The behaviour of the iron-reagent systems has been investigated.

The characteristics and analytical applications of picolinaldehyde 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone are described. This compound gives coloured reactions with cobalt(II), iron(II) and (III), nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II) and other ions, that are much more sensitive than those with picolinaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. The 1:2 yellow cobalt(II) complex has been used for the spectrophotometric determination of cobalt in the presence of iron, and applied to steel analysis.