Association between frailty and delirium in older adult patients discharged from hospital

Spontaneous retropharyngeal abscess presenting as delirium in a frail older woman: a case-based review

INTRODUCTION

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an uncommon infection in older people, which usually presents with localized upper airway symptoms.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of RPA in a 69-year-old frail woman with co-morbidities, who presented atypically with delirium. She initially complained of general symptoms of malaise, body aches and general decline. Her symptoms progressed to hypoactive delirium before she started to localize her complaints to the upper airway. The delirium presentation of RPA is not commonly reported in the literature. Co-morbidities and frailty are likely to be the underlying risk factors for delirium presentation in this case. Most of the RPA cases reported in older people in the literature presented typically with localized symptoms, however these cases had lower burden of morbidities and reported no frailty. In our case report, poor mouth hygiene and dental caries were thought to be the source of infection. Early intervention with antibiotic treatment for total of four weeks resulted in a full recovery.

CONCLUSION

RPA may present with delirium in older people with frailty and co-morbidities. Poor oral hygiene and dental caries, if left untreated, may progress into serious deep space neck infection.

To Be Frail or Not to Be Frail: This Is the Question-A Critical Narrative Review of Frailty

Many factors have contributed to rendering frailty an emerging, relevant, and very popular concept. First, many pandemics that have affected humanity in history, including COVID-19, most recently, have had more severe effects on frail people compared to non-frail ones. Second, the increase in human life expectancy observed in many developed countries, including Italy has led to a rise in the percentage of the older population that is more likely to be frail, which is why frailty is much a more common concern among geriatricians compared to other the various health-care professionals. Third, the stratification of people according to the occurrence and the degree of frailty allows healthcare decision makers to adequately plan for the allocation of available human professional and economic resources. Since frailty is considered to be fully preventable, there are relevant consequences in terms of potential benefits both in terms of the clinical outcome and healthcare costs. Frailty is becoming a popular, pervasive, and almost omnipresent concept in many different contexts, including clinical medicine, physical health, lifestyle behavior, mental health, health policy, and socio-economic planning sciences. The emergence of the new "science of frailty" has been recently acknowledged. However, there is still debate on the exact definition of frailty, the pathogenic mechanisms involved, the most appropriate method to assess frailty, and consequently, who should be considered frail. This narrative review aims to analyze frailty from many different aspects and points of view, with a special focus on the proposed pathogenic mechanisms, the various factors that have been considered in the assessment of frailty, and the emerging role of biomarkers in the early recognition of frailty, particularly on the role of mitochondria. According to the extensive literature on this topic, it is clear that frailty is a very complex syndrome, involving many different domains and affecting multiple physiological systems. Therefore, its management should be directed towards a comprehensive and multifaceted holistic approach and a personalized intervention strategy to slow down its progression or even to completely reverse the course of this condition.

Study protocol for a national observational cohort investigating frailty, delirium and multimorbidity in older surgical patients: the third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP 3)

INTRODUCTION

Older surgical patients are more likely to be living with frailty and multimorbidity and experience postoperative complications. The management of these conditions in the perioperative pathway is evolving. In order to support objective decision-making for patients, services and national guidance, accurate, contemporary data are needed to describe the impact and associations between frailty, multimorbidity and healthcare processes with patient and service-level outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is comprised of an observational cohort study of approximately 7500 patients; an organisational survey of perioperative services and a clinician survey of the unplanned, medical workload generated from older surgical patients. The cohort will consist of patients who are 60 years and older, undergoing a surgical procedure during a 5-day recruitment period in participating UK hospitals. Participants will be assessed for baseline frailty and multimorbidity; postoperative morbidity including delirium; and quality of life. Data linkage will provide additional details about individuals, their admission and mortality.The study's primary outcome is length of stay, other outcome measures include incidence of postoperative morbidity and delirium; readmission, mortality and quality of life. The cohort's incidence of frailty, multimorbidity and delirium will be estimated using 95% CIs. Their relationships with outcome measures will be examined using unadjusted and adjusted multilevel regression analyses. Choice of covariates in the adjusted models will be prespecified, based on directed acyclic graphs.A parallel study is planned to take place in Australia in 2022.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has received approval from the Scotland A Research Ethics Committee and Wales Research Ethics Committee 7.This work hopes to influence the development of services and guidelines. We will publish our findings in peer-reviewed journals and provide summary documents to our participants, sites, healthcare policy-makers and the public.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN67043129.

The risk and prevalence of pressure injuries in older people in the home care service: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to understand the risk of developing pressure injuries (PIs) and their prevalence rate in older adults in Italy who received public funded home care services and who were often living alone.

METHOD

In May 2019, a cross-sectional study was performed according to the STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. The data collection included demographic variables, a PI risk assessment using the Braden Scale score, the type of mobility devices available, the wound description detailing the PI category, body location and ongoing treatment. Data analysis was conducted using non-parametric descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Of the 2223 patients who participated in the study, the risk of developing a PI as measured with the Braden Scale sore was: 'absent' for 37.7%; 'mild' for 25.8%; 'moderate' for 13.8%; 'high' for 15.5%; and 'severe' for 7.1% of patients. The PI prevalence in the sample of home care service patients was 26%, of which 46% were inpatients with a Braden Scale score of <14. Of the PIs that developed during the study, 65% of these developed in patients in home care and of these, 81% had a Braden Scale score of ≤9.

CONCLUSION

PIs developed not only during hospitalisation but at home. Assessing the commitment of patients and caregivers to PI prevention and treatment strategies in home care services could be key to reducing PI prevalence, hospital admissions for PIs, related complications for older people living at home, and the severity of the PI category.

Association of frailty with health service use among older Chinese adults: analysis of population-based panel data

Background

Frailty is a common syndrome characterized by rapid growth in the aging population that has an impact on healthcare systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of frailty on health service use and whether this effect varies with chronic diseases and socioeconomic status among older individuals in China.

Methods

A balanced panel data analysis was conducted on 3,306 older individuals who completed follow-ups for the three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP) Scale was used to assess frailty status. Negative binomial regression was used to test the associations between frailty status, outpatient visits in the past 4 weeks, and annual inpatient hospital days.

Results

Compared with robust individuals, individuals with pre-frail or frail status were likely to report a higher number of outpatient visits [pre-frail: incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.16-1.41; frail: IRR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.23-1.71], and inpatient hospital days (pre-frail: IRR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.24-1.58; frail: IRR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.81-2.60) after controlling for all covariates. All five frailty components (weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness) were associated with a higher number of inpatient hospital days, and two components (weight loss and exhaustion) were associated with a higher number of outpatient visits. The effect of frailty on inpatient hospital stays persisted in different socioeconomic groups, across all health insurance programmes and physical comorbidities.

Conclusion

Frailty is associated with greater health service use among older individuals. Effective screening, prevention, intervention, and management of frailty may be important to reduce health service use.

Decision making in frail patients at risk of postoperative delirium: A case study and literature review

Preoperative frailty is strongly associated with risks of postoperative delirium. However, gaps exist in targeted recommendations for clinical decision making related to surgical interventions in frail older patients. A case study is presented involving a frail 74-year-old referred to the palliative care team for assistance with clinical decision making and in weighing risks and benefits of a surgical intervention. A literature review on the quantification of postoperative delirium risk and how this information might inform medical decision making in frail surgical patients did not identify clear clinical guidelines. In the absence of practice guidelines, the Patient Priorities Care model is proposed as a framework to help providers working with patients and caregivers facing complex medical decisions to better align interventions with patient values.

Association of preoperative frailty with postoperative delirium in elderly orthopedic trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Among elderly orthopedic trauma patients, the prevalence of delirium during hospitalization has been reported to be as high as 60%. Frail elderly patients have an increased risk of delirium after elective surgery; however, such an association remains underexplored among trauma patients.

AIM

Our goal was to investigate whether preoperative frailty is associated with postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly orthopedic trauma patients.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study. All patients were ≥ 65 years of age and were admitted to the hospital between 01/01/2017 and 08/31/2018 for surgical intervention of a significant extremity fracture. Frailty was assessed using the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness, and loss of weight questionnaire. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. POD was defined as new-onset delirium that occurred within 24 h after surgery. To investigate whether frailty is associated with POD, we performed a multiple variable logistic regression, controlling for biologically relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Five hundred fifty-six patients comprised the analytic cohort. Incidence of POD was 14% (n = 80). Multiple variable regression analysis demonstrated that each unit increment in FRAIL score was associated with a 33% higher likelihood of POD (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.02-1.72, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that preoperative frailty increases the risk of POD in hospitalized, elderly, orthopedic trauma patients. Future studies are needed to determine whether perioperative interventions focused on improving frailty can reduce the risk of POD and improve outcomes in this rapidly growing cohort of patients.

Survival of Frail Elderly with Delirium

This study aims to determine when frailty increases the risks of delirium mortality. Hospital patients falling into the elderly frail or pre-frail category were recruited, some without delirium, some with delirium at admission, and some who developed delirium during admission. We screened for frailty, cognitive status, and co-morbidities whenever possible and extracted drug information and mortality data from electronic health records. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival probability functions were computed at four times, comparing delirium versus non delirium patients. Differences in survival were assessed by a log-rank test. Independent Cox’s regression was carried out to identify significant hazard risks (HR) at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Delirium predicted mortality (log-rank test, p < 0.0001) at all four censoring points. Variables with significant HRs were frailty indicators, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and the use of specific drugs. For the delirium cohort, variables with the most significant 2-year hazard risks (HR(95%CI)) were: male gender (0.43 20 (0.26,0.69)), weight loss (0.45 (0.26,0.74)), sit and stand up test (0.67 (0.49,0.92)), readmission within 30 days of discharge (0.50 (0.30,0.80)), cerebrovascular disease (0.45 (0.27,0.76)), head trauma (0.54 22 (0.29,0.98)), number of prescribed drugs (1.10 (1.03,1.18)), and the use of diuretics (0.57 (0.34,0.96)). These results suggest that polypharmacy and the use of diuretics increase mortality in frail elderly patients with delirium.

The multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) for the prognostic stratification of older inpatients with COVID-19: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study

Background

The topic of prognosis in COVID-19 research may be important in adopting appropriate clinical decisions. Multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) is a frailty assessment tool widely used for stratifying prognosis in older people, but data regarding inpatients, affected by COVID-19, are not available.

Objectives

To evaluate whether MPI can predict in-hospital mortality and the admission to intensive care unit (ICU) in older inpatients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection.

Methods

In this longitudinal, Italian, multi-center study, older patients with COVID-19 were included. MPI was calculated using eight different domains typical of comprehensive geriatric assessment and categorized in three groups (MPI 1 ≤ 0.33, MPI 2 0.34–0.66, MPI 3 > 0.66). A multivariable Cox's regression analysis was used reporting the results as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

227 older patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled (mean age: 80.5 years, 59% females). Inpatients in the MPI 3 were subjected less frequently than those in the MPI 1 to non-invasive ventilation (NIV). In the multivariable analysis, people in MPI 3 experienced a higher risk of in hospital mortality (HR = 6.30, 95%CI: 1.44–27.61), compared to MPI 1. The accuracy of MPI in predicting in hospital mortality was good (Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.68–0.83). People in MPI 3 experienced a significant longer length of stay (LOS) in hospital compared to other participants. No association between MPI and ICU admission was found.

Conclusions

Frailty- as assessed by high MPI score - was associated with a significant higher risk of in-hospital mortality, longer LOS, and lower use NIV, whilst the association with ICU admission was not significant. These findings suggest that prognostic stratification by using the MPI could be useful in clinical decision making in older inpatients affected by COVID-19.

The Association Between Frailty and Delirium Among Hospitalized Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our meta-analysis was to update evidence for the association between frailty and delirium in different types of hospitalized patients, given the large volume of new studies with inconsistent results.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

In this updated meta-analysis, we searched 3 databases (Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library) for observational studies, exploring the association between frailty and delirium from database inception to September 21, 2020, among hospitalized patients. Relevant data were extracted from the studies that were included. A random effects model was conducted to synthesize and pool the effect size of frailty on delirium due to different frailty score instruments, different countries, and various delirium assessments that were used. The participants enrolled in this meta-analysis were hospitalized patients.

MEASURES

Delirium risk due to frailty.

RESULTS

A total of 30 independent studies from 9 countries, consisting of 217,623 patients, was identified, and the prevalence of frailty ranged from 16.20% to 78.00%. Frail patients exhibited an increased risk for delirium compared to those without frailty [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36-3.71]. In addition, different types of hospitalized patients had various OR values, which were 2.43 for selective surgical patients (95% CI 1.88-3.14), 3.61 for medical patients (95% CI 3.61-7.89), 3.76 for urgent surgical patients (95% CI 2.88-4.92), and 6.66 for emergency or critical illness patients (95% CI 1.41-31.47). Subgroup analysis based on the frailty score instrument showed the association still existed when using the Clinical Frailty Scale (OR 4.07, 95% CI 2.71-6.11), FRAIL Scale (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.56-5.13), Frailty Index (OR 6.15, 95% CI 3.75-10.07), frailty phenotype (OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.35-5.66), or Erasmus Frailty Score (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.63-4.77). However, an association between frailty and delirium was not observed when the Edmonton Frail Scale was used (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.91-2.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A 2.96-fold incremental risk of delirium in frail patients underscores the need for early screening of frailty and comprehensive delirium prevention. Appropriate interventions by clinicians should be performed to manage delirium, potentially reducing adverse clinical outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Use of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment to Identify Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

The Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) are widely used in acute care settings to assess nutritional and frailty status, respectively. We aimed to determine whether the scored PG-SGA can identify pre-frailty and frailty status, to simultaneously evaluate malnutrition and frailty in clinical practice.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 329 consecutive patients admitted to an acute medical unit in South Australia.

MEASUREMENTS

Nutritional and frailty status were ascertained with scored PG-SGA and EFS, respectively. Optimal cut-off scores to identify pre-frailty and frailty were determined by calculating the Scored PG-SGA's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Youden Index (YI), Liu index, Receiver Operator Curves (ROC) and Area Under Curve (AUC). Nutritional status and patient characteristics were analysed according to frailty categories.

RESULTS

The optimal cut-off PG-SGA score as determined by the highest YI, to identify both pre-frailty and frailty was >3, with a sensitivity of 0.711 and specificity of 0.746. The AUC was 0.782 (95% CI 0.731-0.833). In this cohort, 64% of the patients were well-nourished, 26% were moderately malnourished and 10% were severely malnourished. Forty-three percent, 24% and 33% of the patients were classified as robust, pre-frail and frail, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed that those robust were significantly younger than those who were pre-frail (-2.8, 95% CI -5.5 to -0.1, p=0.036) or frail (-3.4, 95% CI -5.9 to -1.0, p=0.002). Robust patients had significantly lower Scored PG-SGA than those who were pre-frail (-2.5, 95%CI -3.8 to -1.1, p<0.001) or frail (-4.9, 95% CI -6.1 to -3.7, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The Scored PG-SGA is moderately sensitive in identifying pre-frailty/frailty in older hospitalized adults and can be useful in identifying both conditions concurrently.

The impact of interventions on management of frailty in hospitalized frail older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

One of the most challenging issues for the elderly population is the clinical state of frailty. Frailty is defined as a cumulative decline across psychological, physical, and social functioning. Hospitalization is one of the most stressful events for older people who are becoming frail. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of interventions focused on management of frailty in hospitalized frail older adults.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of research was conducted using the Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ProQuest, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science electronic databases for papers published between 2000 and 2019. Randomized controlled studies were included that were aimed at the management of frailty in hospitalized older adults. The outcomes which were examined included frailty; physical, psychological, and social domains; length of stay in hospital; re-hospitalization; mortality; patient satisfaction; and the need for post discharge placement.

RESULTS

After screening 7976 records and 243 full-text articles, seven studies (3 interventions) were included, involving 1009 hospitalized older patients. The quality of these studies was fair to poor and the risk of publication bias in the studies was low. Meta-analysis of the studies showed statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups for the management of frailty in hospitalized older adults (ES = 0.35; 95% CI: 0. 067-0.632; z = 2.43; P < 0.015). However, none of the included studies evaluated social status, only a few of the studies evaluated other secondary outcomes. The analysis also showed that a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment unit intervention was effective in addressing physical and psychological frailty, re-hospitalization, mortality, and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions for hospitalized frail older adults are effective in management of frailty. Multidimensional interventions conducted by a multidisciplinary specialist team in geriatric settings are likely to be effective in the care of hospitalized frail elderly. Due to the low number of RCTs carried out in a hospital setting and the low quality of existing studies, there is a need for new RCTs to be carried out to generate a protocol appropriate for frail older people.

The Association of a Frailty Index and Incident Delirium in Older Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Introduction/Background

Frailty identifies patients that have vulnerability to stress. Acute illness and hospitalization are stressors that may result in delirium and further accelerate the negative consequences of frailty.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether frailty, identified at hospital admission and as measured by a frailty index, is associated with incident delirium.

Methods

A retrospective, observational, cohort study was done at a Veterans hospital between January 2013 and March 2014. English-speaking patients over 55 years were eligible. Exclusion criteria included inability to complete baseline assessments due to pre-existing cognitive impairment, emergent surgery; and/or admission from a nursing home, pre-existing delirium, and those with psychiatric disease or substance use disorder.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Frailty index (FI) variables included cognitive screening, physical function and comorbidities. The FI was calculated as a proportion of possible deficits (range 0 to 1; higher scores indicate increased frailty). Incident delirium was measured daily by an expert clinician interview.

Results

A total of 247 patients were admitted and 218 met inclusion/exclusion criteria, with a mean age of 71.54 years (SD = 9.53 years) and were predominantly white (92.7%) and male (91.7%). Participants were grouped using FI ranges as non-frail (FI <0.25, n=56 (26%)), pre-frail (FI =0.25–0.35, n=86 (39%)), and frail (FI >0.35, n=76 (35%)). Pre-frailty and frailty were associated with incident delirium (non-frail: 3.6% vs pre-frail: 20.9% vs frail: 29.3%, p=0.001) and total delirium days (mean day =non-frail 0.04 vs pre-frail 0.35 vs frail 0.57, p=0.003). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, pre-frail (adjusted OR=5.64, 95% CI: 1.23, 25.99) and frail status (adjusted OR=6.80, 95% CI: 1.38, 33.45) were independently associated with delirium.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a frailty index is independently associated with incident delirium and suggests that admission assessments for frailty may identify patients at high risk of developing delirium.

Sarcopenia and frailty in individuals with dementia: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Population aging has resulted in an increase in age-related conditions. Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, and frailty, vulnerability to poor resolution of homeostasis after a stressor, are common causes of functional decline in older individuals. There is a paucity of work on how they interrelate with dementia. The objective of this review was to examine the literature on sarcopenia and frailty in dementia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Studies of sarcopenia and frailty in dementia were searched for in EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science, and via hand-searching. Citations were screened for independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. To be eligible for inclusion, the articles needed to fulfil: (1) English language; (2) human studies; and (3) full-text available. Dementia of any aetiology was included. 303 non-duplicate recorders were identified, of which 270 irrelevant papers were excluded. Of the remaining 33, 27 examined frailty and 13 sarcopenia, with six of these measuring both. An increased prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia was noted in dementia patients. However, nine papers did not specify dementia aetiologies. Of those that did (n = 21), 20 examined Alzheimer's disease, with three also including Lewy body dementia, three vascular dementia, and one Parkinson's disease dementia.

CONCLUSION

Most papers examined frailty, rather than sarcopenia, in dementia. The studies were heterogeneous, using different protocols and non-validated definitions. However, dementia patients may have an increased prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia. This review highlights key gaps in accurate diagnosis of frailty/sarcopenia and in non-Alzheimer's dementia.

Frailty is associated with hospital readmission in geriatric patients: a prognostic study

PURPOSE

Targeting health care interventions requires valid measurements when predicting unplanned hospital readmission. The Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) based on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) enables the prediction of mortality and length of stay (LOS) in older hospitalized patients. Our aim was to validate if the MPI as a frailty tool could predict unplanned hospital readmission in geriatric patients.

METHODS

This prognostic study was conducted in geriatric wards. The target population was 65 + -year-old patients hospitalized with acute illness. The MPI tool is derived from eight CGA domains by an interdisciplinary team: social aspects, number of drugs, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental-ADL, cognitive status, severity of morbidity, risk of developing pressure sores, and nutritional status. Patients assessed were categorized into three groups: non-frail (MPI-1), moderate frail (MPI-2) or severe frail (MPI-3). Primary outcome was 30-day unplanned readmission and secondary LOS and 90-day mortality.

RESULTS

In total 1467 patients were included from January 1, 2018, to October 1, 2019. Mean age was 84.2 years (± 7.4) and 59% were women. 15.7% were readmitted. Hazard ratio (HR) for readmission in the MPI-2 group (n = 635) was 2.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-5.29 (p = 0.01), and 2.60; 95% CI 1.27-5.33 (p = 0.009) in the MPI-3 group (n = 711) compared to the MPI-1 group (n = 121). MPI was a predictor of LOS and mortality.

CONCLUSION

Using the MPI tool to identify the frail and non-frail patients is applicable to predict unplanned hospital readmission in geriatric patients. The MPI is superior to the prognostic value of each single domain. MPI will be of great value to health professionals' decision-making.

Development and validation of the delirium risk assessment score (DRAS)

PURPOSE

Development and validation of a delirium risk assessment score. Predisposing risk factors for delirium were used, which are easily assessed at hospital admission without additional clinical or laboratory testing.

METHODS

A systematic literature search identified ten risk factors: acute admission, alcohol use > 4 units/day, cognitive impairment, ADL impairment, age > 75 years, earlier delirium, hearing/vision problems, number of medication ≥ 5, number of morbidities > 2 and male. The DRAS was developed in a mixed patient population (N = 842) by the use of univariate and multivariate analyses and -2 log-likelihood calculation to weigh the risk factors. Based on the sensitivity and specificity, a cutoff score was calculated. The validation was performed in 3 cohorts (N = 408, N = 186, N = 365). In cohort 3, the DRAS was compared (AUC, sensitivity and specificity) to 3 instruments (Inouye, Kalisvaart, VMS rules).

RESULTS

The delirium incidence was 31.8%, 20.3%, 15.6% and 15.1%. All risk factors were independently predictive for delirium, except male. The multivariate analyses excluded morbidities. The final DRAS consists of 8 items; acute admission, cognitive impairment, alcohol use (3 points), ADLimpairment/mobilityproblems (2 points), higher age, earlier delirium, hearing/vision problems, and medication (1 point). The total score is 15 points and at a cut-of score of 5 or higher the patient is at risk of developing a delirium. The cutoff was at 5 or more points, AUC: 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.79), sensitivity 0.77, specificity 0.60. Validation cohorts AUC was 0.75 (95% CI 0.96-0.81), 0.76 (95% CI 0.70-0.83) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.87), sensitivity 0.71, 0.67 and 0.89 and specificity 0.70, 0.72 and 0.60. The comparison revealed the highest AUC for the DRAS.

CONCLUSION

Based on an admission interview, the delirium risk can be easily evaluated using the DRAS shortlist score of predisposing risk factors for delirium in older inpatients.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Delirium in Elderly Patients With Severe Burns: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Little is known about delirium in elderly burn center patients. The aim of this study is to provide information on the prevalence of delirium and risk factors contributing to the onset of delirium. All patients aged 70 years or older admitted with burn injuries to the Burn Center, Maasstad Hospital, in 2011 to 2017 were eligible for inclusion. We retrospectively collected data regarding the presence of delirium, potential risk factors contributing to the onset of delirium and outcome after delirium. We included elderly 90 patients in this study. The prevalence of delirium in our population was 13% (N = 12). Risk factors for delirium were advanced age, increased American Society for Anesthesiologists score, physical impairment and the use of anticholinergic drugs during admission. Patients with delirium had a poorer outcome, with prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality 6 and 12 months after discharge. Delirium is diagnosed in 13% of the elderly patients admitted to our burn center. Risk factors for delirium found in this study are advanced age, poor physical health status, physical impairment, and the use of anticholinergic drugs. Delirium is related to poor outcomes, including prolonged hospital stay and mortality after discharge.

Delirium is prevalent in older hospital inpatients and associated with adverse outcomes: results of a prospective multi-centre study on World Delirium Awareness Day

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common severe neuropsychiatric condition secondary to physical illness, which predominantly affects older adults in hospital. Prior to this study, the UK point prevalence of delirium was unknown. We set out to ascertain the point prevalence of delirium across UK hospitals and how this relates to adverse outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study across 45 UK acute care hospitals. Older adults aged 65 years and older were screened and assessed for evidence of delirium on World Delirium Awareness Day (14th March 2018). We included patients admitted within the previous 48 h, excluding critical care admissions.

RESULTS

The point prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) delirium diagnosis was 14.7% (222/1507). Delirium presence was associated with higher Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS): CFS 4-6 (frail) (OR 4.80, CI 2.63-8.74), 7-9 (very frail) (OR 9.33, CI 4.79-18.17), compared to 1-3 (fit). However, higher CFS was associated with reduced delirium recognition (7-9 compared to 1-3; OR 0.16, CI 0.04-0.77). In multivariable analyses, delirium was associated with increased length of stay (+ 3.45 days, CI 1.75-5.07) and increased mortality (OR 2.43, CI 1.44-4.09) at 1 month. Screening for delirium was associated with an increased chance of recognition (OR 5.47, CI 2.67-11.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium is prevalent in older adults in UK hospitals but remains under-recognised. Frailty is strongly associated with the development of delirium, but delirium is less likely to be recognised in frail patients. The presence of delirium is associated with increased mortality and length of stay at one month. A national programme to increase screening has the potential to improve recognition.

Attitudes towards frailty assessment in clinical practice among psychiatrists in the UK

Purpose

Although there is substantial evidence about the association between frailty and mental illnesses in older people, there is currently little evidence about how this is integrated into psychiatric clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of a sample of psychiatrists in the UK about the concept and assessment of frailty in their clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. Interview schedules and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. NVivo software and an audit trail were used for the data analysis.

Findings

There were ten respondents (all psychiatrists) in this study. From the interviews, it appeared that some respondents were not be fully familiar with existing concepts of frailty. However, from their perspectives, frailty appeared to be multidimensional, reversible and for some could be enhanced by older people’s ability. Negative stereotypes of being frail could undermine the accessibility to appropriate assessment and care. Existing multidisciplinary assessments, with some adjustments to the particular needs of psychiatric patients, can be used to establish a frailty index.

Originality/value

The concept of frailty, especially those concerning its multidimensional and homeostatic nature, should be further examined to make it more applicable to psychiatric practice. Without much more effort, frailty could be assessed within current psychiatric practices. This could constitute a care plan tailored for frail people with a psychiatric illness, so as to improve the outcomes of their treatment and quality of life.

Associations between Frailty and Delirium among Older Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Switzerland's demographic trends show, as elsewhere on the planet, increasing numbers of older and very old adults. This suggests that its healthcare system will suffer serious repercussions, including in the use of care and especially the use of emergency services. Significant numbers of older adults will be at risk of developing multiple chronic conditions including one or more geriatric syndromes, such as frailty and delirium. Few studies to date have documented associations between frailty and delirium.

AIM

To explore the relationships between frailty and delirium in older adult patients consulting (n = 114) at an emergency department (ED) in Switzerland.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a peripheral hospital ED in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Frailty was assessed using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Participants' cognitive states were assessed using the 6-item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ-CODE), completed by the participant's most significant informal caregiver.

RESULTS

The mean participant age was 77.6 years (SD = 7.7); the majority of the subjects were women (54%). The participants took an average of 4.7 different medications a day (SD = 3.2, median = 4). More than half (62%) of the participants were frail; 2 and 14% presented signs and symptoms of delirium and subsyndromal delirium, respectively. A weak but significant association between scores for frailty and delirium (p < 0.05) was demonstrated, and clinical observation confirmed this. A 4-h follow-up measurement of delirium in the ED revealed no significant or clinical difference.

CONCLUSION

Although the literature describes strong associations between frailty and delirium in surgical units and community care settings, the present study only demonstrated a weak-to-moderate association between frailty and delirium in our ED.

Pre-Stroke Frailty Is Independently Associated With Post-Stroke Cognition: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

Post-stroke cognitive impairment is common, but mechanisms and risk factors are poorly understood. Frailty may be an important risk factor for cognitive impairment after stroke. We investigated the association between pre-stroke frailty and acute post-stoke cognition.

METHODS

We studied consecutively admitted acute stroke patients in a single urban teaching hospital during three recruitment waves between May 2016 and December 2017. Cognition was assessed using the Mini-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (min=0; max=12). A Frailty Index was used to generate frailty scores for each patient (min=0; max=100). Clinical and demographic information were collected, including pre-stroke cognition, delirium, and stroke-severity. We conducted univariate and multiple-linear regression analyses with covariates forced in (covariates included were: age, sex, stroke severity, stroke-type, pre-stroke cognitive impairment, delirium, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack) to investigate the association between pre-stroke frailty and post-stroke cognition.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 154 stroke patients. Mean age was 68 years (SD=11; range=32-97); 93 (60%) were male. Median mini-Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was 8 (IQR=4-12). Mean Frailty Index score was 18 (SD=11). Pre-stroke cognitive impairment was apparent in 13/154 (8%) patients. Pre-stroke frailty was significantly associated with lower post-stroke cognition (Standardized-Beta=-0.40; p&lt;0.001) and this association was independent of covariates (Unstandardized-Beta=-0.05; p=0.005). Additional significant variables in the multiple regression model were age (Unstandardized-Beta=-0.05; p=0.002), delirium (Unstandardized-Beta=-2.81; p&lt;0.001), pre-stroke cognitive impairment (Unstandardized-Beta=-2.28; p=0.001), and stroke-severity (Unstandardized-Beta=-0.20; p&lt;0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-stroke frailty may be a moderator of post-stroke cognition, independent of other well-established post-stroke cognitive impairment risk factors. (JINS, 2019, 25, 501-506).

Translating Frailty Research Into Clinical Practice: Insights From the Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation Clinic

Aging researchers have been studying frailty for decades. Experts agree that frailty is a medical syndrome marked by reduced physiologic function, which increases the risk of vulnerability and short-term mortality, particularly in the face of a stressor. Frailty has been shown to predict poor outcomes including falls, disability, major morbidity following surgery, and mortality among older adults. Despite hundreds of papers identifying frailty as a useful marker of risk, its translation into clinical practice has lagged. The Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation (SAFE) clinic was established in 2011 specifically to implement routine and structured frailty assessment and management in a variety of referred patients. Now, more than 7 years after its inception, we offer our "in the trenches" clinical perspective on logistical challenges, the clinical utility of the frailty assessment, and future frailty needs and targets to help further the frailty translation research efforts.

Frailty and Delirium in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationship between frailty and delirium.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles on frailty and delirium published on or before October 31, 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Two authors independently reviewed all English-language citations, extracted relevant data, and assessed studies for potential bias. Articles involving pediatric or neurosurgical populations, alcohol or substance abuse, psychiatric illness, head trauma, or stroke, as well as review articles, letters, and case reports were excluded. Studies underwent qualitative or quantitative analysis according to specified criteria. Using a random-effects or fixed-effects model, relative risk (RR) was calculated for the effect of frailty as a predictor of subsequent delirium. Heterogeneity was tested using Q and I² statistics.

RESULTS

We identified 1,626 articles from our initial search, of which 20 fulfilled the selection criteria (N=5,541 participants, mean age 77.8). Eight studies were eligible for meta-analysis, showing a significant association between Q2 frailty and subsequent delirium (RR = 2.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.65-2.91). There was low variability among studies in the measures of association between frailty and delirium (I² 2.24, p-value Q-statistic = .41) but high heterogeneity in the methods used to assess the two conditions.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis supports the existence of an independent relationship between frailty and delirium, although there is notable methodological heterogeneity between the methods used to assess the 2 conditions. Future studies are needed to better delineate the dynamics between these syndromes.

Operationalizing a frailty index using routine blood and urine tests

Background

Uncomplicated frailty instruments are desirable for use in a busy clinical setting. The aim of this study was to operationalize a frailty index (FI) from routine blood and urine tests, and to evaluate the properties of this FI compared to other frailty instruments.

Materials and methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study on 306 patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized on geriatric wards. An FI comprising 22 routine blood parameters and one standard urine parameter (FI-Lab), a 50-item FI based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (FI-CGA), a combined FI (FI-combined [items from the FI-Lab + others from the FI-CGA]), the Clinical Frailty Scale, rule-based frailty definition, and frailty phenotype were operationalized from data obtained during patients’ hospital stays (ie, before discharge [baseline examination]). Follow-up data were obtained up to 1 year after the baseline examination.

Results

The mean FI-Lab score was 0.34±15, with an upper limit of 0.74. The FI-Lab was correlated with all the other frailty instruments (all P<0.001). The FI-Lab revealed an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for 6-month and 1-year mortality of 0.765 (0.694–0.836) and 0.769 (0.706–0.833), respectively (all P<0.001). Each 0.01 increment in FI-Lab increased the risk (adjusted for age and sex) for 6-month and 1-year mortality by 7.2% and 7.1%, respectively (all adjusted P<0.001). When any of the other FIs (except the FI-combined) were also included in the models, each 0.01 increment in FI-Lab score was associated with an increase in the risk of 6-month and 1-year mortality by 4.1%–5.4% (all adjusted P<0.001).

Conclusion

The FI-Lab showed key characteristics of an FI. The FI-Lab can be applied as a single frailty measure or in combination with/in addition to other frailty instruments.

Comparing the predictive accuracy of frailty, comorbidity, and disability for mortality: a 1-year follow-up in patients hospitalized in geriatric wards

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating and comparing the power of frailty, comorbidity, and disability instruments, together and in parallel, for predicting mortality are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the measures of frailty, comorbidity, and disability in predicting 1-year mortality in geriatric inpatients.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS AND SETTING

A total of 307 inpatients aged ≥65 years in geriatric wards of a general hospital participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

The patients were evaluated in relation to different frailty, comorbidity, and disability instruments during their hospital stays. These included three frailty (the seven-category Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS-7], a 41-item frailty index [FI], and the FRAIL scale), two comorbidity (the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics [CIRS-G] and the comorbidity domain of the FI [Comorbidity-D-FI]), and two disability instruments (disability in basic activities of daily living [ADL-Katz] and the instrumental and basic activities of daily living domains of the FI [IADL/ADL-D-FI]). The patients were followed-up over 1 year.

RESULTS

Using FI, CIRS-G, Comorbidity-D-FI, and ADL-Katz, this study identified a patient group with a high (≥50%) 1-year mortality rate in all of the patients and the two patient subgroups (ie, patients aged 65-82 years and ≥83 years). The CFS-7, FI, FRAIL scale, CIRS-G, Comorbidity-D-FI, and IADL/ADL-D-FI (analyzed as full scales) revealed useful discriminative accuracy for 1-year mortality (ie, an area under the curve >0.7) in all the patients and the two patient subgroups (all P<0.001). Thereby, CFS-7 (in all patients and the two patient subgroups) and FI (in the subgroup of patients aged ≥83 years) showed greater discriminative accuracy for 1-year mortality compared to other instruments (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

All the different instruments emerged as suitable tools for risk stratification in geriatric inpatients. Among them, CFS-7, and in those patients aged ≥83 years, also the FI, might most accurately predict 1-year mortality in the aforementioned group of individuals.