Native and foreign healthcare workers’ knowledge of appropriate use of antibiotics: a prospective pre-post study in Danish nursing homes

Abstract Aim: The aim was to determine the association between healthcare workers’ (HCWs) country of birth and their knowledge of appropriate use of antibiotics, and whether the association changed after an educational intervention. Background: Older residents in nursing homes have been recognized to receive excessively antibiotic treatments. HCWs often represent an important link between the older resident and the general practitioner prescribing the antibiotics, thus their knowledge of appropriate use of antibiotics is important. Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective pre-post study. Totally, 312 HCWs from 7 nursing homes in Denmark were included. For statistical analyses, χ2 test and a linear mixed regression model were applied. Findings: Native HCWs were more likely to have a higher percentage of correct responses to single statements related to knowledge of appropriate use of antibiotics. Native HCWs had a significantly higher knowledge-of-antibiotic score compared to foreign HCWs (−7.53, P < 0.01). This association remained significant after adjusting for relevant covariates (−5.64, P < 0.01). Native HCWs’ mean change in knowledge-of-antibiotic score after the intervention did not differ from the foreign HCWs’ mean change in knowledge-of-antibiotic score. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that HCWs born outside Denmark reveal a lower knowledge-of-antibiotic score than HCWs born in Denmark despite comparable educational backgrounds. All participants increased their knowledge from baseline to follow-up. Our findings also indicate that an educational seminar cannot equalize the difference in knowledge between native and foreign HCWs. Studies with larger sample size and a more detailed measurement of cultural identity should investigate this association further.

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Re-Increased Male Suicide Rates in the Recovery Phase Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000656 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 422-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Masatsugu Orui

Keyword(s):

Social Connectedness ◽

Recovery Phase ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Period Analysis ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Male Suicide ◽

The Social ◽

The Difference

Abstract. Background: Monitoring of suicide rates in the recovery phase following a devastating disaster has been limited. Aim: We report on a 7-year follow-up of the suicide rates in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred in March 2011. Method: This descriptive study covered the period from March 2009 to February 2018. Period analysis was used to divide the 108-month study period into nine segments, in which suicide rates were compared with national averages using Poisson distribution. Results: Male suicide rates in the affected area from March 2013 to February 2014 increased to a level higher than the national average. After subsequently dropping, the male rates from March 2016 to February 2018 re-increased and showed a greater difference compared with the national averages. The difference became significant in the period from March 2017 to February 2018 ( p = .047). Limitations: Specific reasons for increasing the rates in the recovery phase were not determined. Conclusion: The termination of the provision of free temporary housing might be influential in this context. Provision of temporary housing was terminated from 2016, which increased economic hardship among needy evacuees. Furthermore, disruption of the social connectedness in the temporary housing may have had an influence. Our findings suggest the necessity of suicide rate monitoring even in the recovery phase.

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Frequency of drug consumption and falls in a one-year follow-up study among the inhabitants of nursing homes

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2008.28443 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 149 (43) ◽

pp. 2053-2059

Author(s):

Mária Bényi ◽

Zsuzsanna Kéki ◽

Péter Rákos-Zichy ◽

Vilmosné Panics ◽

Ivett Honvéd

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

One Year

Az időskori esések egészségügyi, szociális, gazdasági terhe igen jelentős napjainkban is. A demográfiai változások következtében a problémával továbbra is számolni kell. Európa-szerte nagy figyelem hárul az időskori balesetek megelőzésére. A szerzők egy európai uniós program keretében kutatást végeztek a szociális otthoni körülmények között élők esési gyakoriságáról, illetve annak okairól. Cél: A kutatás célja az volt, hogy az esések gyakoriságán kívül azok háttere is feltárásra kerüljön, különös tekintettel a gyógyszerfogyasztásra. Adatok, módszer: Egységes kérdőív alapján két szociális otthonban, amelyeknek együtt 1016 lakója van, egyéves vizsgálat történt. A munka során az ápolószemélyzet rögzített minden esést és azok körülményeit, következményeit. Az okok között kiemelt helyen szerepeltek a környezeti tényezők mellett a fogyasztott gyógyszerek. Ez utóbbiakat az elnevezésük alapján tovább vizsgáltuk, a hatásukat és az elesést okozó mellékhatásukat illetően. Az adatfeldolgozás SPSS 14.0 programmal történt. Eredmények: A szociális otthonok lakói között 1013 esés történt a 12 hónap során. Az esetek kétharmadában valamilyen egészségügyi ellátást igényelt az elesett személy. A leggyakrabban horzsolás, zúzódás, illetve bőrsérülés jött létre (20–24%). Combnyaktörés 3%-ban, egyéb törés 1,8%-ban következett be. Szinte minden lakó fogyaszt gyógyszert: 19% háromfélét vagy annál kevesebbet, a többség ennek a többszörösét. Az egy főre jutó maximális gyógyszerfogyasztás 19 volt, az átlag 6. Az esést okozó mellékhatások tekintetében a maximum 43 volt, az átlag 14. Az egyes mellékhatások gyakoriságát, halmozódását külön is bemutatjuk. Következtetések: Az időskori esések száma, aránya jelentős a szociális otthonban élők körében. Ennek egyik oka lehet az igen nagy mennyiségű gyógyszerfogyasztás, amelynek mellékhatása következtében nő az elesés rizikója.

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European Recommendations for the Management of Healthcare Workers Occupationally Exposed to Hepatitis

European Journal of Medicine and Natural Sciences ◽

10.26417/ejmn.v2i1.p49-49 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Enis Uruci

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

World Health ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Transferase Activity ◽

Mediterranean Countries

Exposure prevention is the primary strategy to reduce the risk of occupational bloodborne pathogen infections in healthcare workers (HCW). HCWs should be made aware of the medicolegal and clinical relevance of reporting an exposure, and have ready access to expert consultants to receive appropriate counselling, treatment and follow-up. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and demonstration of immunisation before employment are strongly recommended. HCWs with postvaccinal anti-HBs levels, 1-2 months after vaccine completion, .or=10 mIU/mL are considered as responders. Responders are protected against HBV infection: booster doses of vaccine or periodic antibody concentration testing are not recommended. Alternative strategies to overcome non-response should be adopted. Isolated anti-HBc positive HCWs should be tested for anti-HBcIgM and HBV-DNA: if negative, anti-HBs response to vaccination can distinguish between infection (anti-HBs .or=50 mIU/ml 30 days after 1st vaccination: anamnestic response) and false positive results(anti-HBs .or=10 mUI/ml 30 days after 3rd vaccination: primary response); true positive subjects have resistance to re-infection. and do not need vaccination The management of an occupational exposure to HBV differs according to the susceptibility of the exposed HCW and the serostatus of the source. When indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis with HBV vaccine, hepatitis B immunoglobulin or both must be started as soon as possible (within 1-7 days). In the absence of prophylaxis against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, follow-up management of HCV exposures depends on whether antiviral treatment during the acute phase is chosen. Test the HCW for HCV-Ab at baseline and after 6 months; up to 12 for HIV-HCV co-infected sources. If treatment is recommended, perform ALT (amino alanine transferase) activity at baseline and monthly for 4 months after exposure, and qualitative HCV-RNA when an increase is detected. Introduction Bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) represent an important hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs) (1). In the general population, HCV prevalence varies geographically from about 0.5% in northern countries to 2% in Mediterranean countries, with some 5 million chronic carriers estimated in Europe; while HBV prevalence ranges from 0.3% to 3%. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year in Europe 304 000 HCWs are exposed to at least one percutaneous injury with a sharp object contaminated with HBV, 149 000 are exposed to HCV and 22 000 to HIV. The probability of acquiring a bloodborne infection following an occupational exposure has been estimated to be on average.

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Prevalence and Course of IgA and IgG Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Germany: Interim Results from an Ongoing Observational Cohort Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050498 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 498

Author(s):

Mark Reinwald ◽

Peter Markus Deckert ◽

Oliver Ritter ◽

Henrike Andresen ◽

Andreas G. Schreyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Observational Cohort Study ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Observational Cohort

(1) Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to intensified exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the ongoing pandemic. We prospectively analyzed the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs at baseline and follow up with regard to clinical signs and symptoms in two university hospitals in Brandenburg, Germany. (2) Methods: Screening for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies was offered to HCWs at baseline and follow up two months thereafter in two hospitals of Brandenburg Medical School during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in an ongoing observational cohort study. Medical history and signs and symptoms were recorded by questionnaires and analyzed. (3) Results: Baseline seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA was 11.7% and increased to 15% at follow up, whereas IgG seropositivity was 2.1% at baseline and 2.2% at follow up. The rate of asymptomatic seropositive cases was 39.5%. Symptoms were not associated with general seropositivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2; however, class switch from IgA to IgG was associated with increased symptom burden. (4) Conclusions: The seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was low in HCWs but higher compared to population data and increased over time. Screening for antibodies detected a significant proportion of seropositive participants cases without symptoms.

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POS0208 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO BIOLOGICALS. WOMEN FARE WORSE ACROSS INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS DISEASES - DATA FROM THE BIOREG

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 320.1-321

Author(s):

E. Loibner ◽

V. Ritschl ◽

B. Leeb ◽

P. Spellitz ◽

G. Eichbauer-Sturm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Gender Difference ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Inflammatory Arthritis ◽

Tnf Inhibitors ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference ◽

All Diseases

Background:Gender differences in prevalence and disease course are known in various rheumatic diseases; however, investigations of gender difference concerning therapeutical response have yielded variable results.Objectives:The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate, whether a gender difference in response rate to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and apremilast in bDMARD-naïve patients could be observed across the three most prevalent inflammatory arthritis diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondylarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Additionally, a response to individual TNF blockers was investigated in this respect.Methods:Data from bDMARD-naïve RA-, SpA- and PsA-patients from Bioreg, the Austrian registry for biological DMARDs in rheumatic diseases, were used. Patients with a baseline (Visit 1=V1) and follow-up visits at 6 months (Visit 2=V2) and 12 months (Visit 3=V3) were included and response to therapy with TNF-inhibitors (TNFi), furthermore to therapy with rituximab, tocilizumab and apremilast was analyzed according to gender. The remaining bDMARDs were not analyzed due to small numbers. Key response-parameter for RA was disease activity score (DAS28), whereas for PsoA the Stockerau Activity Score for Psoriatic Arthritis (SASPA) and for SpA the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were employed; in addition, the Health assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used. Data were analyzed in R Statistic stratified by gender using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests.Results:354 women and 123 men with RA (n=477), 81 women and 69 men with PsA (n=150), 121 women and 191 men with SpA (n=312) were included. No significant differences in biometrics was seen between female and male patients at baseline in all diseases.In RA patients overall DAS28 decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (DAS28: V1: male: 4.38 [3.66, 5.11], female: 4.30 [3.68, 5.03], p(m/f) = 0.905; V2: male: 2.66 [1.73, 3.63], female: 3.10 [2.17, 3.98], p(m/f) = 0.015; V3: male: 2.25 [1.39, 3.36], female: 3.01 [1.87, 3.87], p(m/f) = 0.002). For TNF inhibitors (n=311), there was a significant difference between genders at V2 (Fig.1a). Patients receiving Rituximab (n=41) displayed a significantly higher DAS28 at baseline in females, which diminished in the follow up: V1: (p(m/f) p=0.002; V2: p=0.019; V3: p=0.13); response to tocilizumab (n=63) did not show any gender differences.In PsA patients overall SASPA decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (SASPA: V1: male: 4.00 [2.80, 5.20], female: 4.40 [2.80, 5.80], p(m/f) = 0.399; V2: male: 2.20 [1.20, 3.50], female: 3.40 [2.00, 5.00], p(m/f) = 0.071; V3: male: 1.80 [0.80, 2.70], female: 3.01 [2.35, 4.80], p(m/f) = 0.001). For TNF inhibitors (n=79), there was a significant difference between genders at V3 (Fig 1a). For Apremilast (n=39), there was a significant difference between genders at V2 (Fig.1c).In SpA patients overall BASDAI decreased from baseline (V1) to V2 and V3 (BASDAI: V1: male: 4.70 [2.88, 6.18], female: 4.80 [3.30, 6.20], p(m/f) = 0.463; V2: male: 3.05 [2.00, 4.60], female: 3.64 [2.62, 5.41], p(m/f) = 0.039; V3: male: 3.02 [1.67, 4.20], female: 3.65 [2.18, 5.47], p(m/f) = 0.016). In V3 a differential BASDAI in response to TNFi (n=299) was observed (Fig.1a).Possible differences of response to individual TNFi (etanercept, infliximab, other TNFi) measured by HAQ were investigated in all diseases together. The difference between male and females was significant at baseline for all 3 TNFi; whereas with the use of ETA the significant difference was carried through to V2 and V3, it was lost with the use of IFX and was variable with the other TNFi (Fig.1b)Figure 1.Conclusion:Female patients showed a statistically lower response to TNFi in all three disease entities (RA, SpA and PsoA) to a variable degree in our homogenous central european population. Interestingly, the difference was not uniform across individual TNFi when measured by HAQ. Gender differences were also seen in response to Apremilast.Disclosure of Interests:Elisabeth Loibner: None declared, Valentin Ritschl: None declared, Burkhard Leeb Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Roche, MSD, Pfizer, Actiopharm, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Kwizda, Celgene, Sandoz, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Grant/research support from: TRB, Roche, Consultancies: AbbVie, Amgen, Roche, MSD, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Kwizda, Eli-Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz;, Peter Spellitz: None declared, Gabriela Eichbauer-Sturm: None declared, Jochen Zwerina: None declared, Manfred Herold: None declared, Miriam Stetter: None declared, Rudolf Puchner Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Janssen, Kwizda, MSD, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Pfizer, Celgene, Grünenthal, Eli-Lilly, Franz Singer: None declared, Ruth Fritsch-Stork: None declared

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Arterial Stiffness Assessed by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Its Alterations After Treatment

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery ◽

10.1177/15385744211023281 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 153857442110232

Author(s):

Spyridon N. Mylonas ◽

Konstantinos G. Moulakakis ◽

Nikolaos Kadoglou ◽

Constantinos Antonopoulos ◽

Thomas E. Kotsis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Surgical Repair ◽

Open Repair ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Baseline Values ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Repair Group

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential difference on the arterial stiffness among aneurysm patients and non-aneurysm controls, as well as to explore potential changes between patients treated either with endovascular or open repair. Materials and Methods: A 110 patients with an infrarenal AAA were prospectively enrolled in this study. Fifty-six patients received an EVAR, whereas 54 patients received an open surgical repair. Moreover, 103 gender and age-matched subjects without AAA served as controls. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was applied for measurement of the arterial stiffness. Results: CAVI values were statistically higher in the AAA patients when compared with control subjects. Although at 48 hours postoperatively the CAVI values were increased in both groups when compared to baseline values, the difference in CAVI had a tendency to be higher in the open group compared to the endovascular group. At 6 months of follow up the CAVI values returned to the baseline for the patients of the open repair group. However, in the endovascular group CAVI values remained higher when compared with the baseline values. Conclusion: Patients with AAAs demonstrated a higher value of CAVI compared to healthy controls. A significant increase of arterial stiffness in both groups during the immediate postoperative period was documented. The increase in arterial stiffness remained significant at 6 months in EVAR patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of a decreased aortic compliance after stentgraft implantation on the cardiac function of patients with AAA.

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A Model of Stress Change under the First COVID-19 Pandemic among the General Public in Japanese Major Cities and Rural Areas

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031207 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1207

Author(s):

Misato Uehara ◽

Makoto Fujii ◽

Kazuki Kobayashi

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Explanatory Variable ◽

Large City ◽

Stress Change ◽

Multiple Factor Analysis ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Private Research ◽

The Difference ◽

The Relationship

Research on stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been dominated by the cases of healthcare workers, students, patients, and their stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the relationship between the amount of stress change under the COVID-19 pandemic and demographic factors (age, sex, occupation, etc.) in residents of a large city and a rural area of Japan. A total of 1331 valid responses were received in June 2020 from residents of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagano registered with a private research firm. We were able to identify 15 statistically significant variables out of 36 explanatory variables, which explained the significant increase in stress compared to the pre-pandemic period. Multiple-factor analysis showed that the relationship with people is a more significant explanatory variable for the level of increase in stress than the difference in environment between big cities (Tokyo, Osaka) and rural areas (Nagano), the type of housing, and the decrease in income compared to the pre-pandemic period.

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Impact of immediate postpartum insertion of TCu380A on the quantity and duration of lochia discharges in Tanzania

Contraception and Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.1186/s40834-020-00145-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Projestine Selestine Muganyizi ◽

Grasiana Festus Kimario ◽

France John Rwegoshora ◽

Ponsian Patrick Paul ◽

Anita Makins

Keyword(s):

Service Providers ◽

International Federation ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Contraceptive Device ◽

Postpartum Contraception ◽

Gynecology And Obstetrics ◽

Intrauterine Contraceptive ◽

The Difference

Abstract Background The insertion of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUD) for the purpose of contraception immediately after delivery is becoming popular in countries where the use of IUD for contraception has been extremely low. Since 2015, Tanzania implemented the initiative by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to institutionalize PPIUD. As a result of capacity building and information delivery under the initiative, there have been increased uptake of the method. Working in this context, the focus of the study was to generate evidence on the effect of TCu380A IUD on amount and duration of lochia and equip service providers with evidence-based knowledge which can help them in counselling their PPIUD clients. Objective Establish impact of postpartum TCu380A on amount and duration of lochia. Methods A prospective cohort study of delivered women in two teaching hospitals in Tanzania with immediate insertion of TCu380A or without use of postpartum contraception in 2018. TCu380A models; Optima (Injeflex Co. Brazil) and Pregna (Pregna International, Chakan, India) were used. Follow-up was done by weekly calls and examination at 6th week. Lochia was estimated by Likert Scale 0–4 relative to the amount of lochia on the delivery day. An estimated 250 women sample (125 each group) would give 80% power to detect a desired 20% difference in the proportion of women with prolonged lochia discharges among the Exposed and Unexposed groups. Data analysis was by SPSS. Results Two hundred sixty women were analysed, 127 Exposed and 133 Unexposed. Medical complaints were reported by 41 (28.9%) Exposed and 37 Unexposed (27.8%), p = 0.655. Lack of dryness by end of 6th week was to 31 (23.3%) Exposed and 9 (7.1%) Unexposed, p < 0.001. Exposed had higher weekly mean lochia scores throughout with the difference most marked in 5th week (3.556 Versus 2.039, p < 0.001) and 6th week (1.44 Versus 0.449, p<0.001). Conclusion PPIUD is associated with increased amount of lochia and slows progression to dryness within 6 weeks of delivery. The implications of PPIUD clients’ needs to be informed about the possibility of delayed dryness of lochia at time of counseling are discussed.

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Fibromuscular dysplasia with recurrence after “long-term” following percutaneous transcatheter renal angioplasty: two case reports with a review of 26 patients

BMC Nephrology ◽

10.1186/s12882-021-02342-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shuntaro Oribe ◽

Takafumi Toyohara ◽

Eikan Mishima ◽

Takehiro Suzuki ◽

Koichi Kikuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fibromuscular Dysplasia ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Renal Angioplasty ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Angioplasty ◽

The Difference

Abstract Background Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) often causes renal artery stenosis with renovascular hypertension. Recent clinical outcomes encourage percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) to treat FMD; however, the necessary follow-up period remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies have not revealed the difference in the period until recurrence between two major types of FMD—multifocal and focal. Case presentation We describe two patients with multifocal FMD who developed hypertension during their teenage years and had recurrence of FMD > 10 years after PTRA. We further examined the types of FMD and age of onset in 26 patients who underwent PTRA. The period until recurrence of multifocal FMD was longer than that of focal FMD. Moreover, patients with early-onset multifocal FMD are likely to have a delayed recurrence after PTRA compared to other types. Conclusions Our report suggests that patients with multifocal FMD, especially those with onset at an early age, may need long-term follow-up for at least ≥ 10 years.

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Age-dependency in mortality of Finnish family caregivers: a nationwide register-based study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1191 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

T M Mikkola ◽

H Kautiainen ◽

M Mänty ◽

M B von Bonsdorff ◽

T Kröger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Family Caregiver ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Lower Mortality ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

The Difference ◽

Caregiver Role ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Purpose Mortality appears to be lower in family caregivers than in the general population. However, there is lack of knowledge whether the difference in mortality between family caregivers and the general population is dependent on age. The purpose of this study was to analyze all-cause mortality in relation to age in family caregivers and to study their cause-specific mortality using data from multiple Finnish national registers. Methods The data included all individuals, who received family caregiver's allowance in Finland in 2012 (n = 42 256, mean age 67 years, 71% women) and a control population matched for age, sex, and municipality of residence (n = 83 618). Information on dates and causes of death between 2012 and 2017 were obtained from the Finnish Causes of Death Register. Flexible parametric survival modeling and competing risk regression adjusted for socioeconomic status were used. Results The total follow-up time was 717 877 person-years. Family caregivers had lower all-cause mortality than the controls over the follow-up (8.1% vs. 11.6%) both among women (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.61-0.68) and men (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.70-0.77). Younger adult caregivers had equal or only slightly lower mortality than their controls, but after age 60, the difference increased markedly resulting in over 10% lower mortality in favor of the caregivers in the oldest age groups. Caregivers had lower mortality for all the causes of death studied, namely cardiovascular, cancer, neurological, external, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dementia than the controls. Of these, the lowest was the risk for dementia (subhazard ratio=0.29, 95%CI: 0.25-0.34). Conclusions Older family caregivers have lower mortality than the age-matched controls from the general population while younger caregivers have similar mortality to their peers. This age-dependent advantage in mortality is likely to reflect selection of healthier individuals into the family caregiver role. Key messages The difference in mortality between family caregivers and the age-matched general population varies considerably with age. Advantage in mortality observed in family caregiver studies is likely to reflect the selection of healthier individuals into the caregiver role, which underestimates the adverse effects of caregiving.

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