scholarly journals Use of translated versions of the MMSE with South Asian elderly patients in the UK

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
Rashda Tabassum ◽  
Syed Hasan Jawed

The elderly population is increasing all over the world, a trend expected to continue well into the next century, particularly in low-income countries (Levkoff et al, 1995). There is an established association between increasing age and cognitive decline (Fillenbaum, 1984) and dementias are common in this age group.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salar Mohammaddokht ◽  
Mohammad Saadati ◽  
Babak Kashefimehr ◽  
Saber Azami-Aghdash

Abstract Background: Several countries in the world have distinct policies and frameworks to assessment and promote fitness to drive in the elderly. Accordingly, this study has been conducted to analyze the processes, models, and policies to assessment fitness to drive and improving driving in the elderly in the world.Method: Expected data were collected using keywords older, old, elderly, aging, ageing, senior, polic*, process, programme, plan, guideline, framework, driving capacity, driving eligibility, safe drive, fitness to drive, renewal driving license, commercial driver, driving qualification, driving ability, driving evaluation, driving assessment and their Persian equivalents from various English-language databases included: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Persian-language databases Included: IranDoc, SID, and MagIran. In this study, the Arkesy and O’Malley frameworks were employed.Results: Eventually, 24 papers and reports were included in the study. Vision assessment was the main item to judge the fitness to drive in the elderly, followed by driving assessment, cognitive assessment, and motor assessment. The in-person, postal, and online renewal of license were the most common method of renewal. General practitioners were the principal performers to measure driving fitness. In most all reports and papers, there were policies on empowering the elderly driver, including providing safe driving tips, optional driving skills tests, holding retraining courses, and so on. The most significant supporting policies included introducing alternative transportation to preserve the independence of the elderly. This study explained that clinical assessment is normally performed in drivers older than 75 years old to diagnose disorders and treat and prevent them in distinct time periods.Conclusion: Most high-income countries have worthwhile experience in measuring and improving the fitness to drive in the elderly and enforce different laws according to environmental, social, and political conditions. Utilizing these experiences by considering economic and social differences can be useful and practical for middle and low-income countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hui Liu ◽  
Ye-Ran Wang ◽  
Qing-Hua Wang ◽  
Yang Chen ◽  
Xian Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Understanding the long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on cognitive function is essential for monitoring the cognitive decline in the elderly population. This study aims to assess the current cognitive status and the longitudinal cognitive decline in elderly patients recovered from COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 1539 COVID-19 inpatients aged over 60 years who were discharged from three COVID-19-designated hospitals in Wuhan, China, from February 10 to April 10, 2020. In total, 466 uninfected spouses of COVID-19 patients were selected as controls. The current cognitive status was assessed using a Chinese version of the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status-40 (TICS-40) and the longitudinal cognitive decline was assessed using an Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Cognitive assessments were performed 6 months after patient discharge. Results Compared with controls, COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores [TICS-40 median (IQR): 29 (25 to 32) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.19 (3.00 to 3.63) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores than non-severe COVID-19 patients [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.13 (3.00 to 3.56), p < 0.001] and controls [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR) 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had a higher proportion of cases with current cognitive impairment and longitudinal cognitive decline than non-severe COVID-19 patients [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 9 (0.69 %), p < 0.001; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): 60 (25.21 %) vs. 63 (4.84 %), p < 0.001] and controls [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 0 (0 %), p < 0.001; MCI: 60 (25.21 %) vs. 20 (4.29 %), p < 0.001)]. COVID-19 severity, delirium and COPD were risk factors of current cognitive impairment. Low education level, severe COVID-19, delirium, hypertension and COPD were risk factors of longitudinal cognitive decline. Conclusions Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of long-term cognitive decline in elderly population. COVID-19 patients, especially severe patients, should be intensively monitored for post-infection cognitive decline.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Dae Jung Kim ◽  
Jung Yeon Heo ◽  
Hyun Soo Kim

It has been a year and half since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As of July 23, 2021, more than 193 million people worldwide have been confirmed to contract the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 4.15 million deaths. In Korea, about 185,000 people have been confirmed and 2,066 have died of COVID-19. Korea is in the middle of the fourth wave of trends, and the metropolitan area is in the top stage of social distancing. Since the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination began in the UK in December 2020, the number of people who complete vaccination is only 13.3% around the world, and many low-income countries have less than 5%. In Korea, the first vaccination rate was 32.27%, but only 13% completed the vaccination until July 23. As expected, there has been a lot of confusion, controversy, and even fake news and rumors over the past five months since the vaccination against COVID-19 began in Korea on February 26, 2021. People’s views on vaccination are bound to vary depending on their experience, perspective, and even political stance. In this article, we wanted to introduce the arguments and conflicts that could arise during vaccinations and suggest what we should think about so that many people can get vaccinated without hesitation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 968-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zarina Nahar Kabir ◽  
Tamanna Ferdous ◽  
Tommy Cederholm ◽  
Masuma Akter Khanam ◽  
Kim Streatfied ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveIn stating the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations aims to halve malnutrition around the world by 2015. Nutritional status of the elderly population in low-income countries is seldom focused upon. The present study aimed to evaluate the magnitude of malnutrition among an elderly population in rural Bangladesh.Design and settingData collection for a multidimensional cross-sectional study of community-based elderly people aged 60 years and over was conducted in a rural area in Bangladesh.SubjectsOf 850 randomly selected elderly individuals, 625 participated in home interviews. Complete nutritional information was available for 457 individuals (mean age 69 ± 8 years, 55% female). Nutritional status was assessed using an adapted form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) including body mass index (BMI). Age, sex, education, household expenditure on food and self-reported health problems were investigated as potential predictors of nutritional status.ResultsBMI < 18.5 kg m− 2, indicating chronic energy deficiency, was found in 50% of the population. MNA revealed a prevalence of 26% for protein–energy malnutrition and 62% for risk of malnutrition. Health problems rather than age had a negative impact on nutritional status. Level of education and food expenditure were directly associated with nutritional status.ConclusionIn order to reduce world hunger by half in the coming decade, it is important to recognise that a substantial proportion of the elderly population, particularly in low-income countries, is undernourished.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Bedoll ◽  
Marta van Zanten ◽  
Danette McKinley

Abstract Background Accreditation systems in medical education aim to assure various stakeholders that graduates are ready to further their training or begin practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of medical education accreditation around the world and describe the incidence and variability of these accreditation agencies worldwide. This paper explores trends in agency age, organization, and scope according to both World Bank region and income group. Methods To find information on accreditation agencies, we searched multiple online accreditation and quality assurance databases as well as the University of Michigan Online Library and the Google search engine. All included agencies were recorded on a spreadsheet along with date of formation or first accreditation activity, name changes, scope, level of government independence, accessibility and type of accreditation standards, and status of WFME recognition. Comparisons by country region and income classification were made based on the World Bank’s lists for fiscal year 2021. Results As of August 2020, there were 3,323 operating medical schools located in 186 countries or territories listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Ninety-two (49%) of these countries currently have access to undergraduate accreditation that uses medical-specific standards. Sixty-four percent (n = 38) of high-income countries have medical-specific accreditation available to their medical schools, compared to only 20% (n = 6) of low-income countries. The majority of World Bank regions experienced the greatest increase in medical education accreditation agency establishment since the year 2000. Conclusions Most smaller countries in Europe, South America, and the Pacific only have access to general undergraduate accreditation, and many countries in Africa have no accreditation available. In countries where medical education accreditation exists, the scope and organization of the agencies varies considerably. Regional cooperation and international agencies seem to be a growing trend. The data described in our study can serve as an important resource for further investigations on the effectiveness of accreditation activities worldwide. Our research also highlights regions and countries that may need focused accreditation development support.


Author(s):  
Brendon Stubbs ◽  
Kamran Siddiqi ◽  
Helen Elsey ◽  
Najma Siddiqi ◽  
Ruimin Ma ◽  
...  

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). TB multimorbidity [TB and ≥1 non-communicable diseases (NCDs)] is common, but studies are sparse. Cross-sectional, community-based data including adults from 21 low-income countries and 27 middle-income countries were utilized from the World Health Survey. Associations between 9 NCDs and TB were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated using disability weights provided by the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study. Eight out of 9 NCDs (all except visual impairment) were associated with TB (odds ratio (OR) ranging from 1.38–4.0). Prevalence of self-reported TB increased linearly with increasing numbers of NCDs. Compared to those with no NCDs, those who had 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 NCDs had 2.61 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.14–3.22), 4.71 (95%CI = 3.67–6.11), 6.96 (95%CI = 4.95–9.87), 10.59 (95%CI = 7.10–15.80), and 19.89 (95%CI = 11.13–35.52) times higher odds for TB. Among those with TB, the most prevalent combinations of NCDs were angina and depression, followed by angina and arthritis. For people with TB, the YLDs were three times higher than in people without multimorbidity or TB, and a third of the YLDs were attributable to NCDs. Urgent research to understand, prevent and manage NCDs in people with TB in LMICs is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Piera Federico ◽  
Emilio Francesco Giunta ◽  
Annalisa Pappalardo ◽  
Andrea Tufo ◽  
Gianpaolo Marte ◽  
...  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary tumour of the liver with the greatest incidence, particularly in the elderly. Additionally, improvements in the treatments for chronic liver diseases have increased the number of elderly patients who might be affected by HCC. Little evidence exists regarding HCC in old patients, and the elderly are still underrepresented and undertreated in clinical trials. In fact, this population represents a complex subgroup of patients who are hard to manage, especially due to the presence of multiple comorbidities. Therefore, the choice of treatment is mainly decided by the physician in the clinical practice, who often tend not to treat elderly patients in order to avoid the possibility of adverse events, which may alter their unstable equilibrium. In this context, the clarification of the optimal treatment strategy for elderly patients affected by HCC has become an urgent necessity. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the available data regarding the treatment of HCC in elderly patients, starting from the definition of “elderly” and the geriatric assessment and scales. We explain the possible treatment choices according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) scale and their feasibility in the elderly population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S267-S267
Author(s):  
Jong Hun Kim ◽  
Byung Chul Chun ◽  
Joon Young Song ◽  
Hyo Youl Kim ◽  
In-Gyu Bae ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The national immunization program (NIP) of annual influenza vaccination to the elderly population (≥65 years of age) in the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been implemented since 1987. Recently, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) through the NIP has been provided to the elderly population in the ROK since May 2013. The aim of this study was to assess PPV23 and influenza vaccine (IV) effectiveness in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) among elderly patients ≥65 years of age. Methods A case–control study using a hospital-based cohort was conducted. Cases of PP including bacteremic PP and nonbacteremic PP were collected from 14 hospitals in the pneumococcal diseases surveillance program from March 2013 to October 2015. Controls matched by age and sex in the same hospital were selected. Demographic, clinical information, and vaccination histories were collected. Previous immunization was categorized into “vaccinated” if a patient had received vaccines as follows: PPV23 (4 weeks to 5 years) and IV (2 weeks to 6 months) prior to the diagnosis of PP for case patients and prior to the hospital admission for control patients. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated, controlling for underlying medical conditions. Vaccine effectiveness was defined as (1 – OR) × 100. Results During the study period, a total of 661 cases (104 bacteremic PP cases and 557 nonbacteremic PP cases) and 661 controls were enrolled for analyses. For overall patients ≥65 years of age, there was no significant vaccine effectiveness against PP. For young elderly patients with 65–74 years, IV alone (1.2%, [95% confidence interval (CI) −95.3% to 50.0%]) and PPV23 alone (21.9%, [95% CI −39.0% to 56.1%]) were not effective. However, significant vaccine effectiveness of PPV23 plus IV against PP was noted (54.4%, [95% CI 6.9–77.7%], P = 0.031). For older elderly patients ≥75 years of age, no significant vaccine effectiveness was observed. Conclusion Our study indicates that PPV23 plus IV may be effective in preventing PP among young elderly patients with 65–74 years, suggesting additive benefits of influenza plus PPV23 vaccination. Further studies are required to confirm the persistent additive protective effectiveness. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Author(s):  
Ana R. Ortega ◽  
Mª José Calero

The objective of this paper was to study the evolution of cognitive status and of functional dependency in patients over 65 and how these relate to different demographic variables. The sample consisted of 259 elderly people admitted to the Hospital Neurotraumatológico in Jaen (Spain) with a diagnosis of bone fracture. Sociodemographic data was obtained through a semi-structured interview. Furthermore, the following tests were also administered: Barthel Index, Lawton and Brody’s Scale, Phototest, and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly. According to the results of this study, elderly patients show increased dependency during hospitalization and a mild recovery at discharge, but without regaining their dependency values prior to hospitalization. There is a differential incidence of functional decline as a function of gender, where women have significantly lower functional dependency at home than men and they do not decline as much as men do from their status prior to hospitalization. Also, we have encountered significant inverse relations between the different levels of dependency and cognitive status, and the age of the elderly patient. Moreover, married patients experienced greater functional gain than did the widowed patients, regardless of gender.


2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
André de Oliveira Baldoni ◽  
Farah Maria Drumond Chequer ◽  
Elisa Raquel Anastácio Ferraz ◽  
Danielle Palma de Oliveira ◽  
Leonardo Régis Leira Pereira ◽  
...  

In recent decades, the world has undergone a demographic transformation with a rapid growth of the elderly population, resulting in an increased demand for funds to maintain their health and drug consumption. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes occurring in the elderly can interfere directly in the adverse effects of drugs and increase the risk of intoxication. In addition, there are external factors interfering with the pharmacotherapy of the elderly, such as inappropriate use and the lack of access to information. Many therapeutic classes of drugs should be used with caution or avoided in the elderly population, such as anti-inflammatory and some anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics and digitalis. If not managed carefully, these medicines can affect the safety and quality of life in the elderly. Thus, the aim of this review was to identify drugs that should be used with caution in elderly patients in order to avoid intoxication and/or adverse drug events.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document