| 1. |
- Borgström-Bolmsjö, Beata, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence and treatment of heart failure in Swedish nursing homes
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 13:118
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Since the burden of care for elderly patients with heart failure (HF) can be decreased by therapeutic measures, it is important that such patients are identified correctly. This study explores the prevalence of HF in nursing homes in Sweden, with special consideration of the risk of failure to diagnose HF in the study population. A second aim is to explore medication and the adherence to guidelines for the treatment of HF. Methods: 429 patients from 11 nursing homes were included during 2008-2011. Information about diagnoses and medications from patient records, blood samples, questionnaire responses and blood pressure measurements were collected. The baseline characteristics of the patients, their medications and one-year mortality were identified and then compared regarding HF diagnosis and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. A BNP level of greater than 100 ng/L was used to identify potential cases of HF. Results: The point prevalence of HF diagnosis in the medical records in the study population was 15.4%. With the recommended cut-off value for BNP, up to 196 subjects in the study population (45.7%) qualified for further screening of potential HF. The subjects in the HF and non-HF groups were similar with the exception of mean age, BNP levels and Mini Mental State Examination results which were higher in the HF group, and the eGFR and blood pressure, which were lower when HF. The subjects with higher BNP values were older and had lower eGFR, Hb, diastolic blood pressure and BMI. The subjects with HF diagnoses were in many cases not treated according to the guidelines. Loop diuretics were often used without concomitant ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. The subjects without HF diagnoses in the medical records at inclusion but with BNP values greater than 100 ng/L had less appropriate HF medication. The one-year mortality was 52.9% in the population with HF. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the estimated prevalence of HF in nursing homes in Sweden would increase if BNP measurements were used to select patients for further examinations. The pharmacological treatment of HF varied substantially, as did adherence to guidelines.
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| 2. |
- Daly, Robin M., et al.
(författare)
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Gender specific age-related changes in bone density, muscle strength and functional performance in the elderly: a-10 year prospective population-based study
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Age-related losses in bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength, balance, and gait have been linked to an increased risk of falls, fractures and disability, but few prospective studies have compared the timing, rate and pattern of changes in each of these measures in middle-aged and older men and women. This is important so that targeted strategies can be developed to optimise specific musculoskeletal and functional performance measures in older adults. Thus, the aim of this 10-year prospective study was to: 1) characterize and compare age-and gender-specific changes in BMD, grip strength, balance and gait in adults aged 50 years and over, and 2) compare the relative rates of changes between each of these musculoskeletal and functional parameters with ageing. Methods: Men (n = 152) and women (n = 206) aged 50, 60, 70 and 80 years recruited for a population-based study had forearm BMD, grip strength, balance and gait velocity re-assessed after 10-years. Results: The annual loss in BMD was 0.5-0.7% greater in women compared to men aged 60 years and older (p < 0.05- < 0.001), but there were no gender differences in the rate of loss in grip strength, balance or gait. From the age of 50 years there was a consistent pattern of loss in grip strength, while the greatest deterioration in balance and gait occurred from 60 and 70 years onwards, respectively. Comparison of the changes between the different measures revealed that the annual loss in grip strength in men and women aged < 70 years was 1-3% greater than the decline in BMD, balance and gait velocity. Conclusion: There were no gender differences in the timing (age) and rate (magnitude) of decline in grip strength, balance or gait in Swedish adults aged 50 years and older, but forearm BMD decreased at a greater rate in women than in men. Furthermore, there was heterogeneity in the rate of loss between the different musculoskeletal and function parameters, especially prior to the age of 70 years, with grip strength deteriorating at a greater rate than BMD, balance and gait.
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| 3. |
- Eklund, Kajsa, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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One-year outcome of frailty indicators and activities of daily living following the randomised controlled trial; "Continuum of care for frail older people"
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The intervention; "Continuum of Care for Frail Older People", was designed to create an integrated continuum of care from the hospital emergency department through the hospital and back to the older person's own home. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the intervention on functional ability in terms of activities of daily living (ADL). Methods: The study is a non-blinded controlled trial with participants randomised to either the intervention group or a control group with follow-ups at three-, six- and 12 months. The intervention involved collaboration between a nurse with geriatric competence at the emergency department, the hospital wards and a multi-professional team for care and rehabilitation of the older people in the municipality with a case manager as the hub. Older people who sought care at the emergency department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Molndal and who were discharged to their own homes in the municipality of Molndal, Sweden were asked to participate. Inclusion criteria were age 80 and older or 65 to 79 with at least one chronic disease and dependent in at least one ADL. Analyses were made on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Outcome measures were ADL independence and eight frailty indicators. These were analysed, using Chi-square and odds ratio (OR). Results: A total of 161 participated in the study, 76 persons allocated to the control group and 85 to the intervention group were analysed throughout the study. There were no significant differences between the groups with regards to change in frailty compared to baseline at any follow-up. At both the three-and twelve-month follow-ups the intervention group had doubled their odds for improved ADL independence compared to the control (OR 2.37, 95% CI; 1.20 - 4.68) and (2.04, 95% CI; 1.03 - 4.06) respectively. At six months the intervention group had halved their odds for decreased ADL independence (OR 0.52, 95% CI; 0.27 - 0.98) compared to the control group. Conclusions: The intervention has the potential to reduce dependency in ADLs, a valuable benefit both for the individual and for society.
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| 4. |
- Ekvall-Hansson, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Vestibular asymmetry predicts falls among elderly patients with multi- sensory dizziness
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Dizziness is the most common symptom in elderly patients and has been identified as a risk factor for falls. While BPPV is the most common cause of dizziness among elderly, multisensory deficits is the second, with visual, vestibular and proprioceptive reduced function. Asymmetric vestibular function is overrepresented in elderly persons with hip fractures and wrist fractures and can be accessed for screening. The objective was to study if vestibular asymmetry, vibration sense, balances performance, postural sway in quiet stance and self-perceived handicap because of dizziness could predict falls among elderly, dizzy patients. Methods: In this prospective study with one year observation period, 55 patients (41 women, 14 men), 65 to 90 years old (median 80, interquartile range 11) with multisensory dizziness were included. Vestibular function was screened with the headshake test and vibration sense was assessed using a tuning fork. Balance was assessed with four clinical measures and self-perceived dizziness handicap was assessed by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Postural sway was measured using a force plate. Results: Headshake test were pathologic in 24 patients, which substantially increased the risk of falls (OR 3.4). Thirteen of the 21 patients who had fallen (p = 0.03), and all 6 patients who sustained three falls or more (p = 0.04), had vestibular asymmetry. No other measure could predict the risk of falls (OR 0.55-1.71). Conclusion: Signs of vestibular asymmetry among elderly with multisensory dizziness could predict falls. Hence, it seems important to address fall-prevention programs to such a group of patients. Simple bedside tests of vestibular asymmetry might be a possibility to screen for one risk factor for falls among elderly.
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| 5. |
- Furuäng, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Cardiac ventricular dimensions predict cognitive decline and cerebral blood flow abnormalities in aging men.
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 13:May,15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aims of this study are to examine possible associations between left cardiac ventricular measures in sixth decade and cognitive performance, both cross sectionally and longitudinally, and to examine if left cardiac ventricular measures could predict future changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF).
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| 6. |
- Gillsjö, Catharina, et al.
(författare)
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Home : The place the older adult can not imagine living without
- 2011
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 11:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Rapidly aging populations with an increased desire to remain at home and changes in health policy that promote the transfer of health care from formal places, as hospitals and institutions, to the more informal setting of one's home support the need for further research that is designed specifically to understand the experience of home among older adults. Yet, little is known among health care providers about the older adult's experience of home. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of home as experienced by older adults living in a rural community in Sweden.Methods: Hermeneutical interpretation, as developed by von Post and Eriksson and based on Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics, was used to interpret interviews with six older adults. The interpretation included a self examination of the researcher's experiences and prejudices and proceeded through several readings which integrated the text with the reader, allowed new questions to emerge, fused the horizons, summarized main and sub-themes and allowed a new understanding to emerge.Results: Two main and six sub-themes emerged. Home was experienced as the place the older adult could not imagine living without but also as the place one might be forced to leave. The older adult's thoughts vacillated between the well known present and all its comforts and the unknown future with all its questions and fears, including the underlying threat of loosing one's home.Conclusions: Home has become so integral to life itself and such an intimate part of the older adult's being that when older adults lose their home, they also loose the place closest to their heart, the place where they are at home and can maintain their identity, integrity and way of living. Additional effort needs to be made to understand the older adult's experience of home within home health care in order to minimize intrusion and maximize care. There is a need to more fully explore the older adult's experience with health care providers in the home and its impact on the older adult's sense of "being at home" and their health and overall well-being.
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| 7. |
- Jonasson, Stina, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric properties of four fear of falling rating scales in people with Parkinson's disease.
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 14:May 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fear of falling (FOF) is commonly experienced in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a predictor of recurrent falls, a barrier to physical exercise, and negatively associated with health-related quality of life. A variety of rating scales exist that assess different aspects of FOF but comprehensive head-to-head comparisons of their psychometric properties in people with PD are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of four FOF rating scales in people with PD. More specifically, we investigated and compared the scales' data completeness, scaling assumptions, targeting, and reliability.
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| 8. |
- Milos, Veronica, et al.
(författare)
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Fall risk-increasing drugs and falls: a cross-sectional study among elderly patients in primary care
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Falls are the most common cause of injuries and hospital admissions in the elderly. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has created a list of drugs considered to increase the fall risk (FRIDs) and drugs that might cause/worsen orthostatism (ODs). This cross-sectional study was aimed to assess FRIDs and their correlation with falls in a sample of 369 community-dwelling and nursing home patients aged >= 75 years and who were using a multi-dose drug dispensing system. Methods: Data were collected from the patients' electronic medication lists. Retrospective data on reported falls during the previous three months and severe falls during the previous 12 months were collected. Primary outcome measures were incidence of falls as well as numbers of FRIDs and ODs in fallers and non-fallers. Results: The studied sample had a high incidence of both reported falls (29%) and severe falls (17%). Patients were dispensed a mean of 2.2 (SD 1.5) FRIDs and 2.0 (SD 1.6) ODs. Fallers used on average more FRIDs. Severe falls were more common in nursing homes patients. More women than men experienced severe falls. There were positive associations between number of FRIDs and the total number of drugs (p < 0.01), severe falls (p < 0.01) and female sex (p = 0.03). There were also associations between number of ODs and both total number of drugs (p < 0.01) and being community dwelling (p = 0.02). No association was found between number of ODs and severe falls. Antidepressants and anxiolytics were the most frequently dispensed FRIDs. Conclusions: Fallers had a higher number of FRIDs. Numbers of FRIDs and ODs were correlated with the total number of drugs dispensed. Interventions to reduce falls in the elderly by focusing on reducing the total number of drugs and withdrawal of psychotropic medications might improve the quality and safety of drug treatment in primary care.
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| 9. |
- Modig, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Frail elderly patients' experiences of information on medication. A qualitative study
- 2012
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Older patients generally have only poor knowledge about their medicines. Knowledge is important for good adherence and for participating in decisions about treatment. Patients are entitled to be informed on an individual and adequate level. The aim of the study was to explore frail elderly patients' experiences of receiving information about their medications and their views on how the information should best be given. Methods: The study was qualitative in design and was carried out in 2011. Twelve frail elderly (aged 68-88) participants taking cardiovascular medications participated in semi-structured interviews covering issues related to receiving information about prescribed medicines. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to content analysis, in which the text was analysed in five steps, inspired by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: The results revealed that the experiences which the elderly participants had regarding the receiving of medical information fell into two main categories: "Comfortable with information" or "Insecure with information". The elderly felt comfortable when they trusted their physician or their medication, when they received enough information from the prescriber or when they knew how to find out sufficient information by themselves. They felt insecure if they were anxious, if the availability of medical care was poor or if they did not receive enough information. Conclusions: Factors that frequently caused insecurity about information and anxiety were too short consultations, lack of availability of someone to answer questions or of the opportunity to contact the physician if adverse effects are suspected. These factors could easily be dealt with and there must be improvements in the clinics if the patients' feelings of security are to be increased.
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| 10. |
- Modig, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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The assessment of renal function in relation to the use of drugs in elderly in nursing homes; a cohort study
- 2011
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundRenal function decreases with age. Dosage adjustment according to renal function is indicated for many drugs, in order to avoid adverse reactions of medications and/or aggravation of renal impairment. There are several ways to assess renal function in the elderly, but no way is ideal. The aim of the study was to explore renal function in elderly subjects in nursing homes and the use of pharmaceuticals that may be harmful to patients with renal impairment.Methods243 elderly subjects living in nursing homes were included. S-creatinine and s-cystatin c were analysed. Renal function was estimated using Cockcroft-Gault formula, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Concomitant medication was registered and four groups of renal risk drugs were identified: metformin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), angiotensin-converting enzyme -inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and digoxin. Descriptive statistics and the Kappa test for concordance were used.ResultsReduced renal function (cystatin C-estimated GFR < 60 ml/min) was seen in 53%. Normal s-creatinine was seen in 41% of those with renal impairment. Renal risk drugs were rather rarely prescribed, with exception for ACE-inhibitors. Poor concordance was seen between the GFR estimates as concluded by other studies.ConclusionsThe physician has to be observant on renal function when prescribing medications to the elderly patient and not only rely on s-creatinine level. GFR has to be estimated before prescribing renal risk drugs, but using different estimates may give divergence in the results.
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