scholarly journals Depression, Loneliness, Activities of Daily Living, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults at High-Risk for Dementia

Author(s):  
Sunghee Kim ◽  
Heesook Son ◽  
Kwisoon Choe ◽  
Kyoungsook Lee

As the number of older adults with dementia increases, early diagnosis and intervention are crucially important. The purpose of this study was to conduct dementia screening on older adults to determine whether there are differences in daily activities of living, depression, loneliness, social support, and life satisfaction between older adults at high-risk for dementia compared with low-risk older adults. We hypothesized a negative relationship between high-risk older adults and these factors. This study also hypothesized a moderating effect for social support on the relationship between daily living activities and life satisfaction. This study used a cross-sectional design with survey data. Participants were recruited at 15 public community health centers in South Korea. A total of 609 older adults (male 208, female 401) living in the community were screened for early dementia, and 113 participants (18.9 %) were assigned to the high-risk group. As hypothesized, participants in the high-risk group showed significantly more negative results ​​in terms of activities of daily living, depression, loneliness, social support, and life satisfaction compared with participants in the low-risk group. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for the importance of early screening for dementia and policies for effective dementia prevention.

Author(s):  
Sunghee Kim ◽  
Kwisoon Choe ◽  
Kyoungsook Lee

As the number of older adults with dementia increases, early diagnosis and intervention are crucially important. The purpose of this study was to conduct dementia screening on older adults to determine whether there are differences in depression, loneliness, social support, daily activities of living, and life satisfaction between older adults at high-risk for dementia compared with low-risk older adults. We hypothesized a negative relationship between high-risk older adults and these factors. This study also hypothesized a moderating effect for social support on the relationship between daily living activities and life satisfaction. This study used a cross-sectional design with survey data. Participants were recruited at 15 public community health centers in South Korea. A total of 609 older adults (male 208, female 401) living in the community were screened for early dementia, and 113 participants (18.9%) were assigned to the high-risk group. As hypothesized, participants in the high-risk group showed significantly more negative results in terms of activities of daily living, depression, loneliness, social support, and life satisfaction compared with participants in the low-risk group. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for the importance of early screening for dementia and policies for effective dementia prevention.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel A. Strain ◽  
Audrey A. Blandford ◽  
Lori A. Mitchell ◽  
Pamela G. Hawranik

Background: This study focused on the identification of risk profiles for institutionalization among older adults diagnosed with cognitive impairment-not dementia or dementia in 1991/92 and subsequent institutionalization in the following 5-year period. Methods: Data were from a sample of 123 individuals aged 65+ and their unpaid caregivers in Manitoba, Canada. Cluster analysis was conducted using baseline characteristics of age, cognition, disruptive behaviors, ADLs/IADLs, use of formal in-home services, and level of caregiver burden. Results: Three distinct groups emerged (high-risk [n = 12], medium risk [n = 40], and low risk [n = 71]). The high-risk group had the poorest cognitive scores, were the most likely to exhibit disruptive behaviors, were the most likely to need assistance with ADLs and IADLs, and had the highest level of burden among their caregivers. Follow-up of the groups validated the risk profiles; 75% of the high-risk group were institutionalized within the next 5 years, compared to 45% of the medium-risk group and 21% of the low-risk group. Discussion: The risk profiles highlight the diversity among individuals with cognitive impairment and the opportunity for differential targeting of services for the distinct needs of each group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Hideki Nakano ◽  
Shin Murata ◽  
Kayoko Shiraiwa ◽  
Koji Nonaka

Walking motor imagery ability is thought to be associated with a fear of falling; however, no studies have compared fall risk and motor imagery ability. This study aimed to ascertain the time difference between imagined and physical walking in older adults at low and high risks of falling. Motor imagery ability was assessed using mental chronometry, which measures the imagined time required for movement. Participants included 31 older adults classified as having a high (n = 15) or low (n = 16) risk of falling based on single leg stance time. The time required for imagined and physical walking was measured using 5 m long walkways with three different widths (15, 25, and 50 cm), and the temporal errors (absolute and constant error) were compared. Physical walking time was significantly longer in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group for the 15 and 25 cm wide walkways. The absolute error between the imagined and physical walking times was significantly larger in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group for the 15 and 25 cm wide walkways. There was also a significant difference in the constant error between the high- and low-risk groups between the imagined and physical walking times for all three walkways. Older adults who may be at a higher risk of falling showed longer walking times during action execution but overestimated their performance (i.e., they believe they would be faster) during motor imagery. Therefore, the time difference between imagined and physical walking could, in part, be useful as a tool for assessing fall risk based on motor imagery.


Author(s):  
Yan Fan ◽  
Hong Shen ◽  
Brandon Stacey ◽  
David Zhao ◽  
Robert J. Applegate ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the utility of echocardiography and the EuroSCORE II in stratifying patients with low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (LG SAS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) with or without aortic valve intervention (AVI). The study included 323 patients with LG SAS (aortic valve area ≤ 1.0 cm2 and mean pressure gradient < 40 mmHg). Patients were divided into two groups: a high-risk group (EuroSCORE II ≥ 4%, n = 115) and a low-risk group (EuroSCORE II < 4%, n = 208). Echocardiographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. All-cause mortality was used as a clinical outcome during mean follow-up of 2 ± 1.3 years. Two-year cumulative survival was significantly lower in the high-risk group than the low-risk patients (62.3% vs. 81.7%, p = 0.001). AVI tended to reduce mortality in the high-risk patients (70% vs. 59%; p = 0.065). It did not significantly reduce mortality in the low-risk patients (82.8% with AVI vs. 81.2%, p = 0.68). Multivariable analysis identified heart failure, renal dysfunction and stroke volume index (SVi) as independent predictors for mortality. The study suggested that individualization of AVI based on risk stratification could be considered in a patient with LG SAS and preserved LVEF.


Author(s):  
Johannes Korth ◽  
Benjamin Wilde ◽  
Sebastian Dolff ◽  
Jasmin Frisch ◽  
Michael Jahn ◽  
...  

SARS-CoV-2 is a worldwide challenge for the medical sector. Healthcare workers (HCW) are a cohort vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to frequent and close contact with COVID-19 patients. However, they are also well trained and equipped with protective gear. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody status was assessed at three different time points in 450 HCW of the University Hospital Essen in Germany. HCW were stratified according to contact frequencies with COVID-19 patients in (I) a high-risk group with daily contacts with known COVID-19 patients (n = 338), (II) an intermediate-risk group with daily contacts with non-COVID-19 patients (n = 78), and (III) a low-risk group without patient contacts (n = 34). The overall seroprevalence increased from 2.2% in March–May to 4.0% in June–July to 5.1% in October–December. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection rate was not significantly different between the high-risk group (1.8%; 3.8%; 5.5%), the intermediate-risk group (5.1%; 6.3%; 6.1%), and the low-risk group (0%, 0%, 0%). The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence remained low in HCW in western Germany one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, and hygiene standards seemed to be effective in preventing patient-to-staff virus transmission.


2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJC Dawe ◽  
E Lindisfarne ◽  
T Singh ◽  
I McFadyen ◽  
P Stott

Introduction The Sernbo score uses four factors (age, social situation, mobility and mental state) to divide patients into a high-risk and a low-risk group. This study sought to assess the use of the Sernbo score in predicting mortality after an intracapsular hip fracture. Methods A total of 259 patients with displaced intracapsular hip fractures were included in the study. Data from prospectively generated databases provided 22 descriptive variables for each patient. These included operative management, blood tests and co-mobidities. Multivariate analysis was used to identify significant predictors of mortality. Results The mean patient age was 85 years and the mean follow-up duration was 1.5 years. The one-year survival rate was 92% (±0.03) in the low-risk group and 65% (±0.046) in the high-risk group. Four variables predicted mortality: Sernbo score >15 (p=0.0023), blood creatinine (p=0.0026), ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) grade >3 (p=0.0038) and non-operative treatment (p=0.0377). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the Sernbo score as the only predictor of 30-day mortality (area under curve 0.71 [0.65–0.76]). The score had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 51% for prediction of death at 30 days. Conclusions The Sernbo score identifies patients at high risk of death in the 30 days following injury. This very simple score could be used to direct extra early multidisciplinary input to high-risk patients on admission with an intracapsular hip fracture.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenifer Green ◽  
Connie Wolford ◽  
Jean Marc Olivot ◽  
Gregory Albers ◽  
James Castle

Background: Much controversy exists as to which TIA patients need to be admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment and which can be sent home. One commonly used trigae tool is the ABCD 2 score (Age, presenting Blood Pressure, Clinical symptoms and Duration, and Diabetes). Although this tool gives good information for determining populations at low risk (score of 0-3) and high risk (score of 6-7) of stroke after TIA, it leaves a large moderate risk population (score of 4-5) for whom no clear triage guidance can be given. As previous studies have found large artery atherosclerosis to be a potent risk factor for stroke after TIA, we attempted to further delineate low and high risk TIA populations with the addition of non-invasive arterial imaging to the ABCD 2 score. Methods: All patients referred to the Stanford Stroke Service for possible TIA within 72 hrs of symptom onset between July 2007 and February 2010, and all patients referred to the Highland Park Stroke Service for possible TIA within 72 hrs of symptom onset after October 2009 were screened for enrollment in this observational study. Exclusion criteria included age <18 years, use of TPA at initial presentation, and symptoms lasting >24 hours. 352 patients were invited to enroll, 3 refused. Of the 349 enrolled, follow-up was obtained in 346 patients at 30 days. Patients were placed into two groups: 1) those with ABCD 2 scores of 0-3 or scores of 4-5 AND no sign of hemodynamically significant stenosis in an artery within the distribution of the TIA (Low Risk Group); and 2) those with ABCD 2 scores of 6-7 or scores of 4-5 AND a hemodynamically significant stenosis in an artery within the distribution of the TIA (High Risk Group). Non-invasive arterial imaging included CT angiogram, MR angiogram, and carotid ultrasound - all used at the discretion of the treating physician. 30 day stroke rates with 95% confidence intervals were recorded. Results: Of the 346 patients enrolled, 295 (85.3%) fell into the "Low Risk Group" based on ABCD 2 scoring and non-invasive arterial imaging. Within that group, the stroke rate at 30 days was 1.0% (3 strokes, 95% CI 0.2-3.1%). Within the "High Risk Group", the stroke rate at 30 days was 5.9% (3 strokes, 95% CI 1.4-16.5%). Within the "Low Risk Group", all 3 of the strokes occurred in patients with ABCD 2 scores of 4-5 (3/133 patients - 2.3% stroke rate with 95% CI 0.5-6.7%). The overall stroke rate was 6/346 (1.7%, 95% CI 0.7-3.8%). Conclusions: In our observational study we found that the overall 30 day stroke rate after TIA was quite low. The percentage of all TIA patients falling into the “Low Risk Group” was quite high, and these patients had a particularly low rate of stroke at 30 days. Given the high number of "Low Risk" patients and the low rate of stroke in that group at 30 days, the vast majority of TIA patients could likely be safely evaluated in an rapid outpatient setting provided that the treating physician is confident of the diagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24023-e24023
Author(s):  
Shreya Gattani ◽  
Vanita Noronha ◽  
Anant Ramaswamy ◽  
Renita Castelino ◽  
Vandhita Nair ◽  
...  

e24023 Background: Clinical judgement alone is inadequate in accurately predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adult cancer patients. Hurria and colleagues developed and validated, the CARG score (range, 0–17) as a convenient and reliable tool for predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older cancer patients in America, however, its applicability in Indian patients is unknown. Methods: An observational retrospective and prospective study between 2018 and 2020 was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (IEC-III; Project No. 900596) and registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2020/04/024675). Written informed consent was obtained in the prospective part of the study. Patients aged ≥ 60 years and planned for systemic therapy were evaluated in the geriatric oncology clinic and their CARG score was calculated. Patients were stratified into low (0-4), intermediate (5-9) and high risk (10-17) based on the CARG scores. The CARG score was provided to the treating physicians, along with the results of the geriatric assessment. Chemotherapy-related toxicities were captured from the electronic medical record and graded as per the NCI CTCAE, version 4.0. Results: We assessed 130 patients, with a median age 69 years (IQR, 60 to 84); 72% patients were males. The common malignancies included gastrointestinal (52%) and lung (30%). Approximately 78% patients received polychemotherapy and 53% received full dose chemotherapy. Based on the CARG score, 28 (22%) patients belonged to low risk, 80 (61%) to intermediate risk and 22 (17%) to the high risk category. The AU-ROC of the CARG score in predicting grade 3-5 toxicities was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.51-0.71). The sensitivity and specificity of the CARG score in predicting grade 3-5 toxicities were 60.8% and 78.6%. Grade 3-5 toxicities occurred in 6/28 patients (21%) in the low risk group, compared to 62/102 patients (61%) in the intermediate /high risk group, p = 0.0002. There was also a significant difference in the time to development of grade 3-5 toxicities, which occurred at a median of 2.5 cycles (IQR, 1-3.8) in the intermediate /high risk group and at a median of 6 cycles (IQR, 3.5-8) in the low risk group, p = 0.0011. Conclusions: In older Indian patients with cancer, the CARG score reliably stratifies patients into low risk and intermediate/high risk categories, predicting both the occurrence and the time to occurrence of grade 3-5 toxicities from chemotherapy. The CARG score may aid the oncologist in estimating the risk-benefit ratio of chemotherapy. An important limitation was that we provided the CARG score to the treating oncologists prior to the start of chemotherapy, which may have resulted in alterations in the chemotherapy regimen and dose and may have impacted the CARG risk prediction model. Clinical trial information: CTRI/2020/04/024675.


Author(s):  
Hui Huang ◽  
Si-min Ruan ◽  
Meng-fei Xian ◽  
Ming-de Li ◽  
Mei-qing Cheng ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to construct a prediction model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) ultrasomics features and investigate its efficacy in predicting early recurrence (ER) of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection or ablation. Methods: This study retrospectively included 215 patients with primary HCC, who were divided into a developmental cohort (n = 139) and a test cohort (n = 76). Four representative images—grayscale ultrasound, arterial phase, portal venous phase and delayed phase —were extracted from each CEUS video. Ultrasomics features were extracted from tumoral and peritumoral area inside the region of interest. Logistic-regression was used to establish models, including a tumoral model, a peritumoral model and a combined model with additional clinical risk factors. The performance of the three models in predicting recurrence within 2 years was verified. Results: The combined model performed best in predicting recurrence within 2 years, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.845, while the tumoral model had an AUC of 0.810 and the peritumoral model one of 0.808. For prediction of recurrence-free survival, the 2 year cumulative recurrence rate was significant higher in the high-risk group (76.5%) than in the low-risk group (9.5%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These CEUS ultrasomics models, especially the combined model, had good efficacy in predicting early recurrence of HCC. The combined model has potential for individual survival assessment for HCC patients undergoing resection or ablation. Advances in knowledge: CEUS ultrasomics had high sensitivity, specificity and PPV in diagnosing early recurrence of HCC, and high efficacy in predicting early recurrence of HCC (AUC > 0.8). The combined model performed better than the tumoral ultrasomics model and peritumoral ultrasomics model in predicting recurrence within 2 years. Recurrence was more likely to occur in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, with 2-year cumulative recurrence rates respectively 76.5% and 9.5% (p < 0.0001).


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique N van Dongen ◽  
Rudolf T Tolsma ◽  
Marion J Fokkert ◽  
Erik A Badings ◽  
Aize van der Sluis ◽  
...  

Background: Pre-hospital risk stratification of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) by the complete HEART score has not yet been assessed. We investigated whether pre-hospital risk stratification of patients with suspected NSTE-ACS using the HEART score is accurate in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods: This is a prospective observational study, including 700 patients with suspected NSTE-ACS. Risk stratification was performed by ambulance paramedics, using the HEART score; low risk was defined as HEART score ⩽ 3. Primary endpoint was occurrence of MACE within 45 days after inclusion. Secondary endpoint was myocardial infarction or death. Results: A total of 172 patients (24.6%) were stratified as low risk and 528 patients (75.4%) as intermediate to high risk. Mean age was 53.9 years in the low risk group and 66.7 years in the intermediate to high risk group ( p<0.001), 50% were male in the low risk group versus 60% in the intermediate to high risk group ( p=0.026). MACE occurred in five patients in the low risk group (2.9%) and in 111 (21.0%) patients at intermediate or high risk ( p<0.001). There were no deaths in the low risk group and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in this group was 1.2%. In the high risk group six patients died (1.1%) and 76 patients had myocardial infarction (14.4%). Conclusions: In suspected NSTE-ACS, pre-hospital risk stratification by ambulance paramedics, including troponin measurement, is accurate in differentiating between low and intermediate to high risk. Future studies should investigate whether transportation of low risk patients to a hospital can be avoided, and whether high risk patients benefit from immediate transfer to a hospital with early coronary angiography possibilities.


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