Barthel Index as a Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Better Activities of Daily Living, Better Prognosis

A New Hospital-At-Home Model for Integrated Geriatric Care: Data from a Preliminary Italian Experience

OBJECTIVE

Hospital-at-home (HaH) has emerged as an alternative to conventional in-hospital care in older adults, possibly reducing hospital admissions and related complications. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients referred to "Gruppo di Intervento Rapido Ospedale-Territorio" (GIROT), a HaH service based on comprehensive geriatric assessment, developed in Florence, Italy, during the postpandemic period.

DESIGN

Retrospective longitudinal study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

GIROT provided home-based care to patients with acute or exacerbated chronic diseases and a high risk of hospital-related complications (ie, patients with moderate-to-severe disability and/or dementia), referred from primary care, emergency departments, or in-hospital units.

METHODS

All-cause mortality and hospitalization rates were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months, and predictors of 6-month mortality were investigated.

RESULTS

Among 391 patients (mean age, 88.4 years; 62.4% female) referred from emergency departments (58.6%), primary care (27.9%), and acute medical units (13.6%), the main diagnoses were respiratory failure (28.4%), acute heart failure (25.3%), and delirium (13.6%). Patients referred from primary care were older and showed a higher prevalence of severe disability and hypomobility. After 1, 3, and 6 months, mortality rates were 34.5%, 45.6%, and 53.8%, and hospitalization rates 7.2%, 21.5%, and 37.9%, respectively. Predictors of 6-month mortality included age [odds ratio (OR), 1.039], severe disability (OR, 3.446), impossible/assisted walking (OR, 4.450) and referral from primary care (OR, 2.066). High global satisfaction with the service was reported.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The GIROT model may help expanding acute health care capacity for older adults at high risk of hospital-related complications. Customized care plans are needed in patients with severe disability/hypomobility, considering also simultaneous palliative care.

Reliability and validity of the Greek adaptation of the Modified Barthel Index in neurorehabilitation patients

BACKGROUND

The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) (Shah version) is a widely used functional assessment measure with greater sensitivity and improved reliability compared to the original Barthel Index.

AIM

The aim of this study was to adapt the MBI for use in Greece and measure its reliability and validity on a Greek neuro-rehabilitation population.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

KAT Hospital Rehabilitation Clinic and National Rehabilitation Centre in Athens, Greece.

POPULATION

A total of 100 rehabilitation inpatients and outpatients consisting of 50 stroke and 50 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients were evaluated.

METHODS

The MBI underwent the proper translation and cultural adaptation procedure as required by the World Health Organization and was administered to 100 rehabilitation patients. For criterion validity evaluation all patients were also assessed with the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz Index) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) physical functioning subscale, both questionnaires having been validated for use in Greece.

RESULTS

The unidimensionality solution was rejected and a two- factor solution was adopted based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (Factor 1 - Transfers and Activities of Daily Living, Factor 2 - Mobility). Very high correlation was presented between the Katz Index score and the Greek MBI Factor 1 (r=0.888, P<0.001) and total score (r=0.873 P<0.001) respectively and high with MBI Factor 2 (r=0.561, P<0.001). High correlation was observed between the SF-36 physical functioning subscale score with MBI Factor 1 (r=0.522, P<0.001), MBI Factor 2 (r=0.590, P<0.001) and MBI Total score (r=0.580, P<0.001). The internal consistency of the MBI Factor 1, Factor 2 and Total score was 0.920, 0.860 and 0.923 respectively. Test-retest reliability was remarkably consistent (total score 0.994, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Greek version of the Modified Barthel Index has been found to exhibit satisfactory levels of reliability and validity.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The Greek MBI adaptation is an adequate and useful instrument for use on Greek neuro-rehabilitation patients.

Brain morphometry and short-term stroke outcome

OBJECTIVE

Aim: The aim of the research was to investigate associations between brain morphometric changes and short-term stroke outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: In this study, 294 patients with acute stroke were enrolled. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) assessment as well as clinical-neurological and cognitive testing.

RESULTS

Results: In the multivariable regression analysis, bicaudate index (OR = 1.3; 95 % CI 1.1 - 1.7, p=0.018) and ventricular index (OR = 0.7; CI 0.5 - 0.9, p=0.005) were associated with an unfavourable short-term stroke outcome. The univariable regression analysis revealed significant associations between mini-mental state examination scale score (MMSE) and width of the longitudinal cerebral fissure in the anterior part of the frontal lobes (FI) (b -0.8, 95% CI -1.6 - -0.1, p=0.037) as well as width of the cerebral fissure in the area of the skull vault (SW) (b -0.9, 95% CI -1.8 - -0.1, p=0.023). In the multivariable regression model bicaudate index was associated with MMSE score (b coefficient (b) = -1.2; 95 % CI -2.1 - -0.3, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: our results show that altered brain morphometric indices are associated with unfavourable short-term stroke outcome and cognitive decline.

Activities of daily living predict periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury following percutaneous coronary intervention: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) and cardiovascular diseases. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association of ADL measured by Barthel index (BI) with periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and injury following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Enrolled patients were stratified into impaired and unimpaired ADL groups according to their BI scores. Logistic regressions were conducted to explore the association of ADL on admission with periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve and subgroup analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

Totally, 16.4% of patients suffered from PMI; the mean age was 65.8 ± 10.4 years old. RCS analysis showed that the morbidity of periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury showed a downward tendency with increasing BI scores. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that impaired ADL was an independent risk factor for periprocedural myocardial infarction (OR = 1.190, 95% CI [1.041, 1.360], P = 0.011) and injury (OR = 1.131, 95% CI [1.017, 1.257], P = 0.023). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between ADL and PMI was founded in several subgroups, while the association between ADL and periprocedural myocardial injury was founded only in BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Impaired ADL at hospital admission was an independent risk factor for periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury among patients following PCI.

A Higher Postoperative Barthel Index at Discharge is Associated with a Lower One-Year Mortality After Hip Fracture Surgery for Geriatric Patients: A Retrospective Case‒Control Study

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between the postoperative Barthel index assessing activities of daily living at discharge and the one-year mortality after hip fracture surgery.

Methods

Patients with hip fracture admitted to Peking University First Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020 were enrolled retrospectively according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Barthel index and other related confounding variables were collected. Logistic regression and Kaplan‒Meier survival curves were constructed to explore the relationship between the postoperative Barthel index at discharge and the one-year mortality of geriatric patients after hip fracture surgery.

Results

A total of 444 patients with a mean age of 81.61±6.14 years were included. A significant difference was not observed in the preoperative Barthel index at admission between the deceased group and the surviving group (38.90±15.83 vs 36.96±10.74, p=0.446). However, the difference in the postoperative Barthel index at discharge between these two groups was statistically significant (43.08±14.40 vs 53.18±13.43, P<0.001). The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the postoperative Barthel index at discharge was an independent risk factor for one-year mortality after adjustment for confounding variables (adjusted OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, p˂0.05). The Kaplan‒Meier survival curve showed that patients who had a high Barthel index (≥50) at discharge had a significantly lower mortality in the long term than patients with a low Barthel index (<50) at discharge (P< 0.001).

Conclusion

The postoperative Barthel index at discharge was independently associated with the one-year mortality of geriatric patients after hip fracture surgery. A higher postoperative Barthel index at discharge indicated a lower mortality after hip fracture surgery. The Barthel index at discharge has the potential to provide essential prognostic information for early risk stratification and directing future care.

COVID-19 does not influence functional status after ARDS therapy

RATIONALE

Health-related quality of life after surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome has come into focus in recent years, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

A total of 144 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 or of other origin were recruited in a randomized multicenter trial.

METHODS

Clinical data during intensive care treatment and data up to 180 days after study inclusion were collected. Changes in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were used to quantify disease severity. Disability was assessed using the Barthel index on days 1, 28, 90, and 180.

MEASUREMENTS

Mortality rate and morbidity after 180 days were compared between patients with and without COVID-19. Independent risk factors associated with high disability were identified using a binary logistic regression.

MAIN RESULTS

The SOFA score at day 5 was an independent risk factor for high disability in both groups, and score dynamic within the first 5 days significantly impacted disability in the non-COVID group. Mortality after 180 days and impairment measured by the Barthel index did not differ between patients with and without COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Resolution of organ dysfunction within the first 5 days significantly impacts long-term morbidity. Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 was not associated with increased mortality or morbidity.

Combination of the Barthel Index at Discharge with GRACE Leads to Improved One-Year Mortality Prediction in Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Purpose

Many older patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have impaired ability for activities of daily living (ADL). Impaired ADL leads to poor prognosis in elderly patients. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score is widely used for risk stratification in AMI patients but does not consider physical performance, which is an important prognosis predictor for older adults. This study assessed whether the Barthel Index (BI) score combine the GRACE score would achieve improved one-year mortality prediction in older AMI patients.

Patients and Methods

This single-center retrospective study included 688 AMI patients aged ≥65 years who were divided into an impaired ADL group (BI ≤60, n = 102) and a normal ADL group (BI >60, n = 586) based on BI scores at discharge. The participants were followed up for one year. Cox survival models were constructed for BI score, GRACE score, and BI score combined GRACE score for one-year mortality prediction.

Results

Patients had a mean age of 76.29 ± 7.42 years, and 399 were men (58%). A lower BI score was associated with more years of hypertension and diabetes, less revascularization, longer hospital stays, and higher one-year mortality after discharge. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified BI as a significant risk factor for one-year mortality in older AMI patients (HR 0.977, 95% CI, 0.963-0.992, P = 0.002). BI (0.774, 95% CI: 0.731-0.818) and GRACE (0.758, 95% CI: 0.704-0.812) scores had similar predictive power, but their combination outperformed either score alone (0.810, 95% CI: 0.770-0.851).

Conclusion

BI at discharge is a significant risk factor for one-year mortality in older AMI patients, which can be better predicted by the combination of BI and GRACE scores.

Association Between Plasma Ceramides and One-Year Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Insight from the PEACP Study

Background

The plasma lipidome profile is likely to improve risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and predict cardiovascular events for secondary disease prevention. Ceramides are involved in the initiation or acceleration of several key pathophysiological processes in atherosclerosis. This study evaluated whether plasma ceramide levels at admission was associated with one-year mortality in patients with ACS.

Methods

In total, 826 patients with ACS from a prospective multicenter study for early evaluation of acute chest pain were enrolled. High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to measure the plasma levels of eleven ceramides (C16-C26). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was cardiac mortality during the one-year follow-up. The relationship between the ceramide levels and mortality was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate discrimination of ceramides.

Results

Eighty-eight (10.7%) patients died after a 12-month follow-up. Five ceramides (C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C24:1 and C24:2) and their ratios to Cer(d18:1/24:0) were independently associated with the risk of all-cause death and cardiac death. Combining the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score with ceramides and their ratios to Cer(d18:1/24:0) had areas under ROC curves ranging from 0.778-0.804 (P<0.001) for all-cause mortality, which was greater than that of the GRACE score alone.

Conclusion

Measurements of long-chain ceramides and very-long-chain ceramides may help in identifying a high risk of mortality beyond traditional assessment tools in patients with ACS.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT04122573.

Evaluation of risk stratification program based on trajectories of functional capacity in patients with acute coronary syndrome: The REACP study

Background

As a validated assessment tool for functional disability (activities of daily living), the Barthel index (BI) assessed initially at admission has the potential to stratify patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Dynamic trajectory evaluation of functional capacity in hospitals may provide more prognostic information. We aimed to establish a novel dynamic BI-based risk stratification program (DBRP) during hospitalization to predict outcomes among ACS patients.

Methods

A total of 2,837 ACS patients were included from the Retrospective Multicenter Study for Early Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain. The DBRP rating (low, medium, and high-risk categories) was calculated from dynamic BI at admission and discharge. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was cardiac mortality.

Results

Of all the included patients, 312 (11%) died during a median follow-up period of 18.0 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative mortality was significantly higher in patients in the higher risk category according to the DBRP. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that, compared to the low-risk category, the higher risk category in the DBRP was an independent strong predictor of all-cause mortality after adjusting for confounding factors (medium-risk category: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.756, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.214-2.540; P = 0.003; high-risk category: HR: 5.052, 95% CI: 3.744-6.817; P < 0.001), and the same result was found for cardiac mortality.

Conclusion

The DBRP was a useful risk stratification tool for the early dynamic assessment of patients with ACS.

Clinical trial registration

[http://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1900024657].

The Predictive Value of Barthel Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score, and D-Dimer in the 28-Day Prognosis of Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Study of 358 Patients

Purpose

To investigate the nursing prediction value of Barthel score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and D-dimer on non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) inpatients.

Methods

The clinical data of 358 NSTEMI patients admitted to the emergency department were analyzed using logistic regression equation and a ROC curve was drawn. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of different indicators was compared. A COX regression model was created, and a survival curve was drawn.

Results

There were significant differences in age, D-dimer, WBC, NT-proBNP, EF (%), BI score, MEWS score, and SOFA score between the 28-day death group and the survival group (P < 0.05). The results showed that D-dimer (P = 0.002), SOFA score (P = 0.017), BI score (P < 0.001), and chest pain symptoms (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of 28-day death. When chest pain symptoms (AUC = 0.585), D-dimer (AUC = 0.945, Z = 8.00, P < 0.01), BI score (AUC = 0.145, Z = 5.36, P < 0.01), and SOFA score (AUC = 0.847, Z = 4.93, P < 0.01) were compared, the results showed that BI score (HR = 0.961, P < 0.01) and SOFA score (HR = 1.316, P < 0.001) had statistical significance on the 28-day survival time of the dead patients.

Conclusion

The Barthel score, SOFA score, and D-dimer are all essential in predicting the severity of NSTEMI patients, with a high nursing evaluation value. The Barthel and SOFA scores are associated with the risk of death within 28 days.

Efficacy and safety of Dengyinnaotong Capsule in patients with Cognitive impairment caused by cerebral Small Vessel Disease: study protocol of a multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled trial (De-CSVD trial)

Background

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common syndrome in the older population, with a prevalence ranging from 5% in subjects aged 50 years to almost 100% in those aged 90 years and older. It is regarded to be a major cause of vascular cognitive impairment. Existing prevention and treatment approaches have not yet shown ideal clinical outcomes. Dengyinnaotong Capsule has shown great potential for improving cognitive function. This trial (De-CSVD trial) is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Dengyinnaotong Capsule on cognitive function in patients with CSVD .

Methods

This multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled trial is planned to recruit at least 270 patients with mild cognitive impairment related to CSVD in 25 centers in China. Recruitment started on 10 May 2021 and is foreseen to end on 31 December 2022. The final follow-up of participants will be completed by the end of March 2023. Participants will be randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to the experimental group (routine basic treatment plus Dengyinnaotong Capsule) or the control group (routine basic treatment). The primary outcome is the change in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes are changes in Shape Trail Test, Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory score from baseline to week 12, new vascular events, and the changes in serum level of homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and D-dimer from baseline to week 4 and 12, respectively. The exploratory outcome is the changes in the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment score from baseline to week 12. Safety assessment is performed by monitoring vital signs, general biochemical examinations, 12-lead electrocardiogram examinations, and incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemia or bleeding events. Visits will be performed at week 0 (baseline, pre-randomization), week 4, and week 12 in the treatment period (post-randomization).

Discussion

This trial is the first to investigate the efficacy and safety of Dengyinnaotong Capsule on cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD. The findings of this study might provide convincing evidence regarding the efficacy of Dengyinnaotong Capsule in patients with mild cognitive impairment related to CSVD.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100045831. Registered on 25 April 2021.

Effect of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine on Delayed Graft Function Following a Donation-After-Cardiac-Death Kidney Transplant: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a risk factor for acute rejection and graft failure after kidney transplant. Previous studies have suggested that dexmedetomidine may be renoprotective, but whether the use of dexmedetomidine would improve kidney allograft function is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on DGF following a donation-after-cardiac-death (DCD) kidney transplant.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China. Adults (18 years or older) who were scheduled for DCD kidney transplant were enrolled between September 1, 2019, and January 28, 2021, and then randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine or normal saline (placebo). One-year postoperative outcomes were recorded. All analyses were based on the modified intention-to-treat population.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients who were randomized to the dexmedetomidine group received a 24-hour perioperative dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion (0.4 μg/kg/h intraoperatively and 0.1 μg/kg/h postoperatively). Patients who were randomized to the normal saline group received an intravenous infusion of the placebo with the same dose regimen as the dexmedetomidine.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the incidence of DGF, defined as the need for dialysis in the first posttransplant week. The prespecified secondary outcomes were in-hospital repeated dialysis in the first posttransplant week, in-hospital acute rejection, and serum creatinine, serum cystatin C, estimated glomerular filtration rate, need for dialysis, and patient survival on posttransplant day 30.

RESULTS

Of the 114 patients enrolled, 111 completed the study (mean [SD] age, 43.4 [10.8] years; 64 male patients [57.7%]), of whom 56 were randomized to the dexmedetomidine group and 55 to the normal saline group. Dexmedetomidine infusion compared with normal saline reduced the incidence of DGF (17.9% vs 34.5%; odds ratio [OR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17-0.98; P = .04) and repeated dialysis (12.5% vs 30.9%; OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13-0.88; P = .02, which was not statistically significant after multiple testing corrections), without significant effect on other secondary outcomes. Dexmedetomidine vs normal saline infusion led to a higher median (IQR) creatinine clearance rate on postoperative days 1 (9.9 [4.9-21.2] mL/min vs 7.9 [2.0-10.4] mL/min) and 2 (29.6 [9.7-67.4] mL/min vs 14.6 [3.8-45.1] mL/min) as well as increased median (IQR) urine output on postoperative days 2 (106.5 [66.3-175.6] mL/h vs 82.9 [27.1-141.9] mL/h) and 7 (126.1 [98.0-151.3] mL/h vs 107.0 [82.5-137.5] mL/h) and at hospital discharge discharge (110.4 [92.8-121.9] mL/h vs 97.1 [77.5-113.8] mL/h). Three patients (5.5%) from the normal saline group developed allograft failure by the post hoc 1-year follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This randomized clinical trial found that 24-hour perioperative dexmedetomidine decreased the incidence of DGF after DCD kidney transplant. The findings support the use of dexmedetomidine in kidney transplants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR1900025493.

Usefulness of 2D Video Analysis for Evaluation of Shoulder Range of Motion during Upper Limb Exercise in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders

Aging and its associated problems related to movement impacts the care of people with psychiatric disorders. This study sought to clarify the usefulness of 2D video analysis for evaluating shoulder range of motion (ROM) during upper limb exercises in patients with psychiatric disorders. Subjects (N=54) were patients with psychiatric disorders categorized as the following:having either a high or low activities of daily living (ADL) score using the Barthel Index;experiencing shoulder ROM limitation, and whether or not compensatory movements were exhibited. Compensatory movement was also considered in patients with Parkinsonism, cerebrovascular disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Shoulder joint ROM was measured using a goniometer and active ROM was captured using ImageJ. No significant difference between passive ROM measured by a goniometer and active ROM measured by ImageJ considering disease groups, ADL level, and shoulder ROM limitation was found. Factoring in compensatory movements, however, significant differences were found between passive and active ROM:existence compensatory movement group, left side (z=-2.30, p=0.02);nonexistence compensatory movement group, right side (z=-2.63, p<0.001). Image-evaluating devices help assess ROM in patients with psychiatric disorders, enhancing the development of physical rehabilitation programs to regain critical ADL, sustaining self-care capabilities. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 70-79, February, 2022.

The association between sleep quality and psychological distress among older Chinese adults: a moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Previous research has found a link between sleep quality and psychological distress. However, the underlying mechanisms of this connection have still not been well explored. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of activities of daily living (ADL), physical activity, and perceived social support in the link between sleep quality and psychological distress among older adults.

METHODS

Three thousand two hundred fifty valid individuals (aged 60 years or above) participated in face-to-face questionnaire-based surveys. Older individuals were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Barthel Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. The PROCESS macro developed by Hayes was used to conduct moderated mediation analysis.

RESULTS

In older adults, sleep quality had a substantial direct influence on psychological distress. ADL mediated the association between sleep quality and psychological distress. Physical activity significantly reduced ADL's mediating influence on the relationship between sleep quality and psychological distress. Furthermore, perceived social support moderated the direct relationship between sleep quality and psychological distress, as well as the second half of the mediating effect of the ADL. Moreover, physical activity and perceived social support were preventive factors that might successfully mitigate the detrimental effects of poor sleep quality on ADL and psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings contribute to existing understanding by clarifying the fundamental mechanisms that link sleep quality and psychological distress. These results may provide a valuable reference to the Chinese government for improving mental health in older individuals.

Family assistants' living and working conditions and their interaction with patient and family caregiver variables

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The progressive and constant aging of the global population together with the economy crises and the social variations within family contexts increasingly leads to the use of external resources (Home Care Workers, HCWs) for health care within one's own family of origin. Purpose of the study is to describe Italian Home Care Workers' (HCWs) living and working conditions and understand the interactions with outcomes of the patients and informal caregiver.

METHODS

Observational study with cross sectional design to evaluate the interaction of HCWs without specific training on patients and informal caregivers' outcomes.

RESULTS

understand Italian HCWs' condition and interaction between these conditions and outcomes of patients and informal caregiver.

CONCLUSIONS

understanding how HCWs' conditions can affect outcome about patient and informal caregivers, represents a fundamental step in order to increase QoL of these families.

Effectiveness of an early, quantified, modified oral feeding protocol on nutritional status and quality of life of patients after minimally invasive esophagectomy: A retrospective controlled study

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies confirmed the safety and feasibility of oral feeding on the first postoperative day (POD) for patients with minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Nonetheless, some clinical concern can lead to delays in early oral feeding on POD 1. To our knowledge, few reports have focused on resolving these clinical concerns. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of an early, quantified, modified oral feeding protocol for patients after MIE and to explore its effect on nutritional status and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

In this prospective controlled trail, 200 patients were selected as the intervention group (IG) from March 2020 to June 2021; 115 patients hospitalized from June 2019 to February 2020 were assigned to the control group (CG). For 2 wk during the postoperative period, IG participants received an early, quantified, modified oral feeding protocol. The recovery of dietary outcomes, nutritional status, and QoL were evaluated after the intervention.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics and baseline physical function. After the intervention, patients in the IG showed a more rapid growth in daily total oral caloric intake and the ratio of oral calorie intake to total calorie required by the body (K/R value) from POD 1 to POD 14, and less weight loss (1.5 ± 1 versus 2.1 ± 1.7 kg; P < 0.05), better serum prealbumin (193.0 ± 26.9 versus 139.3 ± 27.2 mg/L; P < 0.05) than the CG with statistical significance. By the second week of the intervention, IG patients reported higher global QoL and function scores and lower symptom scores than patients in the CG. The IG participants presented a shorter time to first flatus and bowel movement (P < 0.001), a shorter postoperative hospital length of stay, and higher activities of daily living scores (P < 0.05) the those in the CG.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that the early, quantified, modified oral feeding protocol can alleviate postoperative body weight loss, improve the patient's nutritional status, and have a positive effect on QoL and early recovery for patients undergoing MIE.

Ideal Cardiovascular Health in the Oldest-Old and Centenarians and Its Association With Disability and Health-Related Quality of Life

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) indicators among the oldest-old and centenarians and explore their relationships with disability and health-related quality of life of this population.

Methods: One thousand two centenarians from China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study and 798 oldest-old from the China Hainan Oldest-old Cohort study were the target subjects in this analysis. ICH status, disability, and health-related quality of life of study subjects were assessed.

Findings: The median value of ICH indicators among centenarians and the oldest-old is 4 (4–5) and 3 (3–5), respectively. The ICH indicators with the highest percentage of ideal level/status are fasting plasm glucose (FPG) (90.2% of study subjects are at the ideal level), BMI (89.8% of study subjects are at the ideal level), and smoking (89.4% of study subjects are at the ideal status). The disability rates of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) decrease with the increasing number of ICH indicators. The EQ VAS and EQ-5D score show an increasing trend along with the increasing number of ICH indicators (p < 0.05). After adjusting related covariates, the risk of disability and lower health-related quality of life decreased gradually as the number of ICH metrics increased (p < 0.05).

Interpretation: The ICH metrics of centenarians and oldest-old were at a relatively good level, and there was a strong and independent relationship between the number of ICH indicators and disability as well as the lower health-related quality of life.

Silent Myocardial Infarction and Long-Term Risk of Frailty: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background

Silent myocardial infarction (SMI) accounts for more than half of all MIs, and common risk factors and pathophysiological pathways coexist between SMI and frailty. The risk of frailty among patients with SMI is not well established. This study aimed to examine the association between SMI and frailty.

Methods and Results

This analysis included data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Patients without MI at baseline were eligible for inclusion. SMI was defined as electrocardiographic evidence of MI without clinical MI (CMI) after the baseline and until the fourth visit. Frailty was assessed during the fifth visit. A total of 4953 participants were included with an average age of 52.2±5.1 years. Among these participants, 2.7% (n=135) developed SMI, and 2.9% (n=146) developed CMI. After a median follow-up time of 14.7 (14.0–15.3) years, 6.7% (n=336) of the participants developed frailty. Patients with SMI and CMI were significantly more likely to become frail than those without MI (15.6% vs 6.2%, P<0.001 and 16.4% vs 6.2%, P<0.001, respectively). After adjusting for confounders, SMI and CMI were found to be independent predictors of frailty (odds ratio [OR]=2.243, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.307–3.850, P=0.003 and OR=2.164, 95% CI=1.259–3.721, P=0.005, respectively). The association was consistent among the subgroups of age, sex, race, diabetes, and hypertension.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both SMI and CMI were found to be associated with a higher risk of frailty. Future studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of screening for SMI as well as to implement standardized preventive treatment to reduce the risk of frailty.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00005131.