1
|
Iverson GL, Minkkinen M, Karr JE, Berghem K, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Posti JP, Luoto TM. Examining four blood biomarkers for the detection of acute intracranial abnormalities following mild traumatic brain injury in older adults. Front Neurol 2022; 13:960741. [PMID: 36484020 PMCID: PMC9723459 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.960741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-based biomarkers have been increasingly studied for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Biomarker levels in blood have been shown to vary throughout age groups. Our aim was to study four blood biomarkers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light (NF-L), and total tau (t-tau), in older adult patients with MTBI. The study sample was collected in the emergency department in Tampere University Hospital, Finland, between November 2015 and November 2016. All consecutive adult patients with head injury were eligible for inclusion. Serum samples were collected from the enrolled patients, which were frozen and later sent for biomarker analyses. Patients aged 60 years or older with MTBI, head computed tomography (CT) imaging, and available biomarker levels were eligible for this study. A total of 83 patients (mean age = 79.0, SD = 9.58, range = 60-100; 41.0% men) were included in the analysis. GFAP was the only biomarker to show statistically significant differentiation between patients with and without acute head CT abnormalities [U(83) = 280, p < 0.001, r = 0.44; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.67-0.91]. The median UCH-L1 values were modestly greater in the abnormal head CT group vs. normal head CT group [U (83) = 492, p = 0.065, r = 0.20; AUC = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.49-0.77]. Older age was associated with biomarker levels in the normal head CT group, with the most prominent age associations being with NF-L (r = 0.56) and GFAP (r = 0.54). The results support the use of GFAP in detecting abnormal head CT findings in older adults with MTBIs. However, small sample sizes run the risk for producing non-replicable findings that may not generalize to the population and do not translate well to clinical use. Further studies should consider the potential effect of age on biomarker levels when establishing clinical cut-off values for detecting head CT abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant L. Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and the Schoen Adams Research Institute at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, United States,Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mira Minkkinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Justin E. Karr
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ksenia Berghem
- Medical Imaging Centre, Department of Radiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden,UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jussi P. Posti
- Neurocenter, Department of Neurosurgery, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland,Turku Brain Injury Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Teemu M. Luoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland,*Correspondence: Teemu M. Luoto
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Soukola SK, Jämsen ERK, Pauniaho SLK, Ukkonen MT. A population-based study of 2347 fall-related injuries among older people in a Finnish emergency department. Eur Geriatr Med 2020; 11:315-320. [PMID: 32297195 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-020-00288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fall-related injuries are a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and functional decline among older people. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of fall-related emergency department (ED) visits and compare the characteristics of single and recurrent fallers in a population-based sample. METHODS Consecutive patients aged ≥ 80 years and living in the Tampere city region who visited collaborative emergency department within a two-year study period (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016) due to fall-related injury were included. The incidence of fall-related injuries and recurrent falls was calculated using population statistics. RESULTS A total of 6915 ≥ 80-year-old patients visited our ED 17,769 times during the study period. Thirteen percent of these visits (n = 2347, median 87 years, 80-103 years; 74% female) were fall-related. The incidence of fall-related ED visits increased from 94/1000 person-years to 171/1000 among those aged 80-89 years and ≥ 90 years, respectively. Twenty-four percent of patients had recurrent falls (range 2-5) during the observational period. Twenty-five percent of those discharged home had a subsequent fall-related injury within one month after the index visit. The distribution of diagnoses was similar among those with single and recurrent falls. CONCLUSION Fall-related injuries are a significant health issue. Almost one in eight of all ED visits were fall-related, and 24% of patients had recurrent fall-related injuries. The risk of subsequent injury was high during the first month after the first injury, emphasizing the need to intervene with the fall risk promptly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saara K Soukola
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Esa R K Jämsen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Centre of Geriatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Mika T Ukkonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, 33521, Tampere, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barker A, Cameron P, Flicker L, Arendts G, Brand C, Etherton-Beer C, Forbes A, Haines T, Hill AM, Hunter P, Lowthian J, Nyman SR, Redfern J, Smit DV, Waldron N, Boyle E, MacDonald E, Ayton D, Morello R, Hill K. Evaluation of RESPOND, a patient-centred program to prevent falls in older people presenting to the emergency department with a fall: A randomised controlled trial. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002807. [PMID: 31125354 PMCID: PMC6534288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are a leading reason for older people presenting to the emergency department (ED), and many experience further falls. Little evidence exists to guide secondary prevention in this population. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigated whether a 6-month telephone-based patient-centred program-RESPOND-had an effect on falls and fall injuries in older people presenting to the ED after a fall. METHODS AND FINDINGS Community-dwelling people aged 60-90 years presenting to the ED with a fall and planned for discharge home within 72 hours were recruited from two EDs in Australia. Participants were enrolled if they could walk without hands-on assistance, use a telephone, and were free of cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination > 23). Recruitment occurred between 1 April 2014 and 29 June 2015. Participants were randomised to receive either RESPOND (intervention) or usual care (control). RESPOND comprised (1) home-based risk assessment; (2) 6 months telephone-based education, coaching, goal setting, and support for evidence-based risk factor management; and (3) linkages to existing services. Primary outcomes were falls and fall injuries in the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included ED presentations, hospital admissions, fractures, death, falls risk, falls efficacy, and quality of life. Assessors blind to group allocation collected outcome data via postal calendars, telephone follow-up, and hospital records. There were 430 people in the primary outcome analysis-217 randomised to RESPOND and 213 to control. The mean age of participants was 73 years; 55% were female. Falls per person-year were 1.15 in the RESPOND group and 1.83 in the control (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.65 [95% CI 0.43-0.99]; P = 0.042). There was no significant difference in fall injuries (IRR 0.81 [0.51-1.29]; P = 0.374). The rate of fractures was significantly lower in the RESPOND group compared with the control (0.05 versus 0.12; IRR 0.37 [95% CI 0.15-0.91]; P = 0.03), but there were no significant differences in other secondary outcomes between groups: ED presentations, hospitalisations or falls risk, falls efficacy, and quality of life. There were two deaths in the RESPOND group and one in the control group. No adverse events or unintended harm were reported. Limitations of this study were the high number of dropouts (n = 93); possible underreporting of falls, fall injuries, and hospitalisations across both groups; and the relatively small number of fracture events. CONCLUSIONS In this study, providing a telephone-based, patient-centred falls prevention program reduced falls but not fall injuries, in older people presenting to the ED with a fall. Among secondary outcomes, only fractures reduced. Adopting patient-centred strategies into routine clinical practice for falls prevention could offer an opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce falls in patients attending the ED. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000336684).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barker
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Cameron
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leon Flicker
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Glenn Arendts
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Caroline Brand
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne EpiCentre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne EpiCentre, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Forbes
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Terry Haines
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Allied Health Research Unit, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne-Marie Hill
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Judy Lowthian
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Bolton Clarke, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel R. Nyman
- Department of Psychology and Ageing & Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Redfern
- Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Nicholas Waldron
- Health Networks Branch, System Policy and Planning, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Eileen Boyle
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ellen MacDonald
- Emergency Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Darshini Ayton
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Renata Morello
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Keith Hill
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Iverson GL, Reddi PJ, Posti JP, Kotilainen AK, Tenovuo O, Öhman J, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Luoto TM. Serum Neurofilament Light Is Elevated Differentially in Older Adults with Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:2400-2406. [PMID: 30843469 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofilament light (NF-L) might have diagnostic and prognostic potential as a blood biomarker for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, elevated NF-L is associated with several neurological disorders associated with older age, which could confound its usefulness as a traumatic brain injury biomarker. We examined whether NF-L is elevated differentially following uncomplicated mTBI in older adults with pre-injury neurological disorders. In a case-control study, a sample of 118 adults (mean age = 62.3 years, standard deviation [SD] = 22.5, range = 18-100; 52.5% women) presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an uncomplicated mTBI were enrolled. All participants underwent head computed tomography in the ED and showed no macroscopic evidence of injury. The mean time between injury and blood sampling was 8.3 h (median [Md] = 3.5; SD = 13.5; interquartile range [IQR] = 1.9-6.0, range = 0.8-67.4, and 90% collected within 19 h). A sample of 40 orthopedically-injured trauma control subjects recruited from a second ED also were examined. Serum NF-L levels were measured and analyzed using Human Neurology 4-Plex A assay on a HD-1 Single Molecule Array (Simoa) instrument. A high correlation was found between age and NF-L levels in the total mTBI sample (r = 0.80), within the subgroups without pre-injury neurological diseases (r = 0.76) and with pre-injury neurological diseases (r = 0.68), and in the trauma control subjects (r = 0.76). Those with mTBIs and pre-injury neurological conditions had higher NF-L levels than those with no pre-injury neurological conditions (p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.01). Older age and pre-injury neurological diseases are associated with elevated serum NF-L levels in patients with head trauma and in orthopedically-injured control subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant L Iverson
- 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Jussi P Posti
- 3Department of Neurosurgery and Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,4Turku Brain Injury Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Olli Tenovuo
- 4Turku Brain Injury Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juha Öhman
- 6Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- 7Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,8Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,9U.K. Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, United Kingdom.,10Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaj Blennow
- 7Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,8Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Teemu M Luoto
- 6Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Trevisan C, Di Gregorio P, Debiasi E, Pedrotti M, La Guardia M, Manzato E, Sergi G, March A. Decision tree for ward admissions of older patients at the emergency department after a fall. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18:1388-1392. [PMID: 30088330 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.13497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Falls are a prevalent issue for the older population, and for the healthcare system in terms of emergency department (ED) access and hospitalizations. There is still a lack of knowledge and guidelines, however, regarding the need to hospitalize older patients accessing the ED after a fall. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the factors and the decisional process that led to older patients accessing the ED after a fall being admitted to hospital or discharged. METHODS The study sample included 2144 older people who accessed the ED after a fall. For each patient, we obtained information on the nature of the fall and the related injuries, previous falls, dementia and ongoing medical therapies. As the outcome variable, we considered the indication for ward admission after the ED visit. RESULTS Of the 2144 individuals who accessed the ED after a fall, 38% had at least one fracture, and 40.1% were admitted to a ward. The decision tree obtained using the chi-squared automatic interaction detection algorithm showed that the indication for ward admission could be accurately predicted (risk estimate 0.205) by just five factors, namely: presence and severity of fall-related injuries, reportedly suspicious fall dynamics, use of anticoagulants, polypharmacy, and dementia. CONCLUSIONS The need for ward admission in older patients who access the ED after a fall seems to be determined not only by the severity of fall-related injuries, but also by the fall dynamics and the individual's clinical complexity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1388-1392.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Trevisan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Eugenio Debiasi
- Emergency Department, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Martina Pedrotti
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Mario La Guardia
- Emergency Department, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Enzo Manzato
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sergi
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Albert March
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Trevisan C, Di Gregorio P, Debiasi E, Pedrotti M, La Guardia M, Manzato E, Sergi G, March A. Factors influencing short-term outcomes for older patients accessing emergency departments after a fall: The role of fall dynamics. Gait Posture 2017; 58:463-468. [PMID: 28923660 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the relevance of falls in raising the risk of fractures, hospitalization and disability in older age is well recognized, the factors influencing the onset of fractures and the need for ward admission after a fall have yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated which factors and fall dynamics were mainly associated with fall-related injuries and hospitalization among elderly persons accessing the Emergency Department (ED) following a fall. METHODS The study involved 2144 older subjects who accessed the ED after a fall. Data on the fall´s nature and related injuries, ward admissions, history of falls, dementia, and medical therapies were examined for all patients. Considering dynamics, we distinguished accidental falls (due to interaction with environmental hazards while in motion) and falls from standing (secondary to syncope, lipothymia, drop attack, or vertigo). RESULTS The overall prevalence of fractures in our population did not differ significantly with advancing age, though hip fractures were more common in the oldest, and upper limb fractures in the youngest patients. Falls from standing were associated with polypharmacy and with higher ward admission rate despite a lower fractures´ prevalence than accidental falls. The chances of fall-related fractures were more than fourfold as high for accidental dynamics (OR=4.05, 95%CI:3.10-5.29, p<0.0001). Ward admission was associated with polypharmacy, dementia, anticoagulants´ use and fall-related fractures (OR=6.84, 95%CI:5.45-8.58, p<0.0001), while it correlated inversely with accidental fall dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes of falls in older age depend not only on any fall-related injuries, but also on factors such as polypharmacy, cognitive status and fall dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Trevisan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Eugenio Debiasi
- Emergency Department, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Martina Pedrotti
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Mario La Guardia
- Emergency Department, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Enzo Manzato
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Italy; National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Aging Branch, Padova, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Sergi
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Italy.
| | - Albert March
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige, Bolzano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|