Diabetes in care homes: current care standards and residents' experience

Unraveling the Puzzle: Health Benefits of Probiotics-A Comprehensive Review

A growing number of probiotic-containing products are on the market, and their use is increasing. Probiotics are thought to support the health of the gut microbiota, which in turn might prevent or delay the onset of gastrointestinal tract disorders. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, autism, osteoporosis, and some immunological illnesses are among the conditions that have been shown to possibly benefit from probiotics. In addition to their ability to favorably affect diseases, probiotics represent a defense system enhancing intestinal, nutritional, and oral health. Depending on the type of microbial strain utilized, probiotics can have variable beneficial properties. Although many microbial species are available, the most widely employed ones are lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. The usefulness of these bacteria is dependent on both their origin and their capacity to promote health. Probiotics represent a valuable clinical tool supporting gastrointestinal health, immune system function, and metabolic balance. When used appropriately, probiotics may provide benefits such as a reduced risk of gastrointestinal disorders, enhanced immunity, and improved metabolic health. Most popular probiotics, their health advantages, and their mode of action are the topic of this narrative review article, aimed to provide the reader with a comprehensive reappraisal of this topic matter.

Supporting self-care of long-term conditions in people with dementia: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Long-term conditions are common in people living with dementia; their self-management is an important determinant of wellbeing. Family carers often support or substitute self-care activities, and act as proxies for self-management, as dementia progresses.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct the first systematic review of how management of long-term conditions in people with dementia is best enabled and supported, including factors that facilitate or inhibit self-management and management by a proxy.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Embase and Allied and Complementary Medicine databases up to November 2018.

REVIEW METHODS

We identified the long-term conditions most prevalent in people with dementia that require an element of self-management. We then developed our inclusion criteria to identify qualitative and quantitative studies describing the self-management (or self-management assisted by family carers) of long-term conditions in people with dementia. Two authors independently rated study validity using a standardised checklist. We synthesised qualitative and quantitative findings using a data driven convergent synthesis approach.

RESULTS

We included 12 articles meeting predetermined inclusion criteria: seven qualitative, two case studies, two quantitative and one mixed methods study. We identified four main themes across these studies: (1) dementia symptoms impeding treatment regimens (forgetfulness, decreased understanding, ability to communicate symptoms and behavioural and psychological symptoms); (2) adapting routines to be simpler, (using memory aids and accommodating physical limitations); (3) negotiating self-management support (carer availability and knowledge; balancing needs for safety and empowerment); and (4) interface with professionals, (Routine simplification, condition specific education, and acknowledging carer role).

CONCLUSIONS

People living with dementia can be supported to manage their own health for as long as possible, through simplifying routines and reminding, but where this can no longer be negotiated, carers take over responsibility for self-management, often due to safety concerns. Empowerment of people with dementia to remain involved in their care reduces the loss experienced by this transition. Communication and partnership between clinicians and carers is critical when supporting people living with a long-term condition and dementia. Care planning for people living with dementia and a long-term condition should include explicit discussion of how these partnerships will work and guidance on strategies carers can use to support people to self-manage long-term conditions.

"Everyone else gets ice cream here more often than I do--It burns me up"--Perspectives on Diabetes Care from Nursing Home Residents and their Doctors

BACKGROUND

To explore the perspectives of nursing home (NH) residents with diabetes and their doctors regarding the burdens of living with diabetes and diabetes treatments.

METHODS

Qualitative study of nursing home residents aged 65 and older with diabetes (n = 14) and nursing home physicians (n = 9) at a Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home (known as the Community Living Center). A semi-structured interview was used to elicit nursing home residents' and physicians' perspectives on the burden of diabetes and diabetes treatments. Transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative methods.

RESULTS

The mean age of the nursing home residents was 74; Most (93%) were male and 50% self-identified themselves as white. The mean age of nursing home physicians was 39 and 55% were geriatricians. Dietary restrictions, loss of independence and fingersticks/insulin were noted to be the most burdensome aspects of diabetes. Nursing home residents with a more positive outlook were generally more engaged in their care, while nursing home residents with a more pessimistic outlook were less engaged, allowing their physicians to assume complete control of their care. While physicians noted the potential negative impact of dietary restrictions, nursing home residents' comments suggest that physicians underestimate the burden of dietary restrictions.

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans Affairs nursing home residents were substantially burdened by their diabetes treatments, especially dietary restrictions and fingerstick monitoring. Since there is little evidence that dietary restrictions improve outcomes, fewer dietary restrictions may be appropriate and lead to lower treatment burdens for nursing home residents with diabetes.

Out-of-office hours nurse-driven acute telephone counselling service in a large diabetes outpatient clinic: A mixed methods evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To map the usage of out-of-office hours acute telephone counselling (ATC) provided by diabetes specialist nurses (n=18) for diabetes patients to explore potentials for improvement.

METHODS

A mixed methods study involved mapping of ATC-usage during 6 months and a retrospective audit of frequent users.

RESULTS

Altogether, 3197 calls were registered that were related to 592 individual patients, corresponding to 10% of the population. Proportionally more users suffered from type 1 diabetes (p<0.001). ATC-users' mean HbA1c was 8.8% (73 mmol/mol) compared to 8.1% (65 mmol/mol) for all patients attending the clinic (p<0.001). Hyperglycaemia was the most frequent reason for calling. The use of ATC likely prevented 15 admissions. More than half of the calls came from general nurses based in the community (n=619) and general nurses and nursing assistants based in care homes (n=1018). The majority (75%) of patients called less than five times. However, 8% called 16 times or more accounting for 52% of all calls. A retrospective audit identified them as physically and/or psychologically fragile patients.

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycaemia was the most frequent reason for calling, and insulin dose adjustment the most frequent advice given.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Frequent users identified need additional support.

Nursing home patients with diabetes: prevalence, drug treatment and glycemic control

AIMS

Determine prevalence of diabetes, and describe use of blood glucose lowering (BGL) drugs and glycemic control in Norwegian nursing homes.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study we collected details of BGL drugs, capillary blood glucose measurements (CBGM) in the last four weeks and HbA1c measurements in the last 12 months from the medical records of patients with diabetes, within a population of 742 long-term care patients from 19 randomly selected nursing homes in Western Norway. Descriptive statistics were applied, and Pearson's chi-squared (P≤0.05) or non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals were interpreted as significant effects.

RESULTS

116 patients (16%) had diabetes, 100 of these gave informed consent and medical data were available. BGL treatment was as follows: (1) insulin only (32%), (2) insulin and oral antidiabetics (OADs) (15%), (3) OADs only (27%) and (4) no drugs (26%). Patients with cognitive impairment were less likely to receive medical treatment (P=0.04). CBGM and HbA1c measurements were performed for 73% and 77% of patients, respectively. Mean HbA1c was 7.3% (57 mmol/mol), 46% of patients had an HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol), and CBGM consistent with risk of hypoglycemia was found for 60% of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of diabetes and BGL treatment in Norwegian nursing homes is comparable to other European countries. Although special care seems to be taken when choosing treatment for patients with cognitive impairment, there are signs of overtreatment in the population as a whole. The strict glycemic control unveiled may negatively affect these frail patients' quality of life and increase the risk of early death.

Co-occurrence of diabetes and depression: conceptual considerations for an emerging global health challenge

BACKGROUND

Considering the relationships between diabetes and depression may enhance programs to reduce their individual and shared disease burden.

METHODS

This paper discusses relationships between diabetes and depression, the range of influences on each, conceptual issues central to their definition, and interventions including comprehensive, population approaches to their prevention and management. Foundational and exemplary literature was identified by the writing team according to their areas of expertise.

RESULTS

Diabetes and depression influence each other while sharing a broad range of biological, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural determinants. They may be viewed as: (a) distinct but sometimes comorbid entities, (b) dimensions, (c) parts of broader categories, e.g., metabolic/cardiovascular abnormalities or negative emotions, or (d) integrated so that comprehensive treatment of diabetes includes depression or negative emotions, and that of depression routinely considers possible diabetes or other chronic diseases.

LIMITATIONS

The choice of literature relied primarily on the authors' knowledge of the issues addressed. Some important perspectives and research may have been overlooked.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Collaboration among primary care and specialist clinicians as well as program and public health managers should reflect the commonalities among diabetes, depression, and other chronic mental and physical disorders. Interventions should include integrated clinical care and self-management programs along with population approaches to prevention and management. Self management and problem solving may provide a coherent framework for integrating the diverse tasks and objectives of those living with diabetes and depression or many other varieties of multi-morbidity.