Problem gambling in psychotic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence

INTRODUCTION

Problem gambling (PBG) is more common in people with mental health disorders, including substance use, bipolar, and personality disorders, than in the general population. Although individuals with psychotic disorders might be expected to be more vulnerable to PBG, fewer studies have focused on this comorbidity. The aim of this review was to estimate the prevalence of PBG in people with psychotic disorders.

METHODS

Medline (Ovid), EMBASE, PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of science, and ProQuest were searched on November 1, 2023, without language restrictions. Observational and experimental studies including individuals with psychotic disorders and reporting the prevalence of PBG were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal for systematic reviews of prevalence data. The pooled prevalence of PBG was calculated using a fixed effects generalized linear mixed model and presented through forest plots.

RESULTS

Of 1271 records screened, 12 studies (n = 3443) were included. The overall prevalence of PBG was 8.7% (95% CI = 7.8%-9.7%, I2 = 69%). A lower prevalence was found in studies with a low risk of bias (5.6%; 95% CI = 4.4%-7.0%) compared with studies with a moderate risk of bias (10.4%; 95% CI = 9.2%-11.7%). Different methods used to assess PBG also contributed to the heterogeneity found.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis found substantial heterogeneity, partly due to the risk of bias of the included studies and a lack of uniformity in PBG assessment. Although more research is needed to identify those at increased risk for PBG, its relatively high prevalence warrants routine screening for gambling in clinical practice.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and risk of immune-mediated adverse events: a cohort study comparing extended versus standard interval administration

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated the implementation of extended interval immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in an effort to limit hospital visits, but few studies have examined their safety. This study aimed to compare in oncology outpatients, immune-mediated adverse events (IMAEs) in terms of total number, incidence, severity, and time to occurrence, based on exposure to standard or extended interval ICIs. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients who received at least one dose of an ICI between 2015 and 2021. Data were collected from patient records and pharmacy software. Adjusted logistic, Poisson, and Cox regression models were estimated. A total of 310 patients with a mean age of 67.1 years were included, 130 of whom had the extended interval. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. With the standard and extended intervals, the mean total number of IMAE per participant was 1.02 and 1.18, respectively; the incidence of an IMAE was 62% and 64%. Of the 147 IMAE episodes in the standard interval group, 14 (9.5%) were grade 3 or higher, while there were 15 (12.4%) among the 121 IMAE episodes in the extended interval group. Compared with standard interval, the use of extended interval did not increase the risk of having a first IMAE (adjusted hazard ratio 0.92 (95% CI 0.67-1.26)). This study suggests that the administration of an ICI according to extended interval is as safe as the administration according to standard interval in oncology outpatients.

Omega-3 Blood Levels and Stroke Risk: A Pooled and Harmonized Analysis of 183 291 Participants From 29 Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND

The effect of marine omega-3 PUFAs on risk of stroke remains unclear.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between circulating and tissue omega-3 PUFA levels and incident stroke (total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic) in 29 international prospective cohorts. Each site conducted a de novo individual-level analysis using a prespecified analytical protocol with defined exposures, covariates, analytical methods, and outcomes; the harmonized data from the studies were then centrally pooled. Multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% CIs across omega-3 PUFA quintiles were computed for each stroke outcome.

RESULTS

Among 183 291 study participants, there were 10 561 total strokes, 8220 ischemic strokes, and 1142 hemorrhagic strokes recorded over a median of 14.3 years follow-up. For eicosapentaenoic acid, comparing quintile 5 (Q5, highest) with quintile 1 (Q1, lowest), total stroke incidence was 17% lower (HR, 0.83 [CI, 0.76-0.91]; P<0.0001), and ischemic stroke was 18% lower (HR, 0.82 [CI, 0.74-0.91]; P<0.0001). For docosahexaenoic acid, comparing Q5 with Q1, there was a 12% lower incidence of total stroke (HR, 0.88 [CI, 0.81-0.96]; P=0.0001) and a 14% lower incidence of ischemic stroke (HR, 0.86 [CI, 0.78-0.95]; P=0.0001). Neither eicosapentaenoic acid nor docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a risk for hemorrhagic stroke. These associations were not modified by either baseline history of AF or prevalent CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher omega-3 PUFA levels are associated with lower risks of total and ischemic stroke but have no association with hemorrhagic stroke.

Prevalence and predictors of elder abuse among older adults attending emergency departments: a prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Elder abuse is associated with impaired physical and psychological health. It is, however, rarely identified in emergency departments (EDs). The objective was to determine the prevalence and the predictors of elder abuse among older adults visiting EDs.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was conducted in eight Canadian EDs between May and August 2021. Patients were eligible if they were ≥ 65 years old, oriented to time, and with a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale score 3, 4 or 5. In a private setting, participants were questioned directly about abuse as part of a larger questionnaire exploring ten non-medical problems. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of elder abuse.

RESULTS

A total of 1061 participants were recruited (mean age: 77.1 (SD 7.6) years, female sex: 55.7%, lived alone: 42.5%). Patients mostly attended EDs for pain (19.6%), neurologic (11.3%) or cardiovascular (8.4%) symptoms. The most frequent pre-existing comorbidities were hypertension (67.2%), mental health conditions (33.3%) and cardiac insufficiency (29.6%). Mobility issues outside (41.0%) or inside their home (30.7%) and loneliness (29.4%) were also frequent. Fifty-four (5.1%) participants reported elder abuse, of which 34.3% were aware of available community-based resources. Identified predictors of elder abuse were female sex (OR 2.8 [95%CI 1.4; 5.6]), financial difficulties (OR 3.6 [95%CI 1.8; 7.3]), food insecurity (OR 2.7 [95%CI 1.2; 5.6]), need for a caregiver (OR 2.7 [95%CI 1.5; 5.0]) and at least one pre-existing mental health condition (OR 2.6 [95%CI 1.4; 4.9]).

CONCLUSION

When questioned directly, 5.1% of older adults attending EDs reported experiencing abuse. Female sex, functional impairment, social vulnerability, and mental health comorbidities are associated with elder abuse. Given its importance and relatively high prevalence, ED professionals should have a low threshold to ask directly about elder abuse.

Associations between circulating cardiovascular disease risk factors and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults from the NuAge study

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVRFs) contribute to the development of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Methods

This study examined the associations between circulating CVRF biomarkers and cognition in 386 cognitively healthy older adults (mean age = 78 ± 4 years, 53% females) selected from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). Memory, executive function, and processing speed were assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up. CVRF biomarkers included total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, glucose, insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine, protein carbonyls, and cortisol. Linear mixed models were used to determine associations between individual CVRF biomarkers and cognition at both time points.

Results

HDL-C was most consistently associated with cognition with higher values related to better performance across several domains. Overall, stronger and more consistent relationships between CVRF biomarkers and cognition were observed in females relative to males.

Discussion

Findings suggest that increases in the majority of circulating CVRFs are not associated with worse cognition in cognitively healthy older adults.

The OptimaMed intervention to reduce medication burden in nursing home residents with severe dementia: results from a pragmatic, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Nursing home (NH) residents with severe dementia use many medications, sometimes inappropriately within a comfort care approach. Medications should be regularly reviewed and eventually deprescribed. This pragmatic, controlled trial assessed the effect of an interprofessional knowledge exchange (KE) intervention to decrease medication load and the use of medications of questionable benefit among these residents.

METHODS

A 6-month intervention was performed in 4 NHs in the Quebec City area, while 3 NHs, with comparable admissions criteria, served as controls. Published lists of "mostly", "sometimes" or "exceptionally" appropriate medications, tailored for NH residents with severe dementia, were used. The intervention included 1) information for participants' families about medication use in severe dementia; 2) a 90-min KE session for NH nurses, pharmacists, and physicians; 3) medication reviews by NH pharmacists using the lists; 4) discussions on recommended changes with nurses and physicians. Participants' levels of agitation and pain were evaluated using validated scales at baseline and the end of follow-up.

RESULTS

Seven (7) NHs and 123 participants were included for study. The mean number of regular medications per participant decreased from 7.1 to 6.6 in the intervention, and from 7.7 to 5.9 in the control NHs (p-value for the difference in differences test: < 0.05). Levels of agitation decreased by 8.3% in the intervention, and by 1.4% in the control NHs (p = 0.026); pain levels decreased by 12.6% in the intervention and increased by 7% in the control NHs (p = 0.049). Proportions of participants receiving regular medications deemed only exceptionally appropriate decreased from 19 to 17% (p = 0.43) in the intervention and from 28 to 21% (p = 0.007) in the control NHs (p = 0.22). The mean numbers of regular daily antipsychotics per participant fell from 0.64 to 0.58 in the intervention and from 0.39 to 0.30 in the control NHs (p = 0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

This interprofessional intervention to reduce inappropriate medication use in NH residents with severe dementia decreased medication load in both intervention and control NHs, without important concomitant increase in agitation, but mixed effects on pain levels. Practice changes and heterogeneity within these 7 NHs, and a ceiling effect in medication optimization likely interfered with the intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: # NCT05155748 (first registration 03-10-2017).

Work-Related Psychosocial Factors and Global Cognitive Function: Are Telomere Length and Low-Grade Inflammation Potential Mediators of This Association?

The identification of modifiable factors that could maintain cognitive function is a public health priority. It is thought that some work-related psychosocial factors help developing cognitive reserve through high intellectual complexity. However, they also have well-known adverse health effects and are considered to be chronic psychosocial stressors. Indeed, these stressors could increase low-grade inflammation and promote oxidative stress associated with accelerated telomere shortening. Both low-grade inflammation and shorter telomeres have been associated with a cognitive decline. This study aimed to evaluate the total, direct, and indirect effects of work-related psychosocial factors on global cognitive function overall and by sex, through telomere length and an inflammatory index. A random sample of 2219 participants followed over 17 years was included in this study, with blood samples and data with cognitive function drawn from a longitudinal study of 9188 white-collar workers (51% female). Work-related psychosocial factors were evaluated according to the Demand-Control-Support and the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models. Global cognitive function was evaluated with the validated Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Telomere length and inflammatory biomarkers were measured using standardised protocols. The direct and indirect effects were estimated using a novel mediation analysis method developed for multiple correlated mediators. Associations were observed between passive work or low job control, and shorter telomeres among females, and between low social support at work, ERI or iso-strain, and a higher inflammatory index among males. An association was observed with higher cognitive performance for longer telomeres, but not for the inflammatory index. Passive work overall, and low reward were associated with lower cognitive performance in males; whereas, high psychological demand in both males and females and high job strain in females were associated with a higher cognitive performance. However, none of these associations were mediated by telomere length or the inflammatory index. This study suggests that some work-related psychosocial factors could be associated with shorter telomeres and low-grade inflammation, but these associations do not explain the relationship between work-related psychosocial factors and global cognitive function. A better understanding of the biological pathways, by which these factors affect cognitive function, could guide future preventive strategies to maintain cognitive function and promote healthy aging.

It's all about cognitive trajectory: Accuracy of the cognitive charts-MoCA in normal aging, MCI, and dementia

BACKGROUND

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is an established cognitive screening tool in older adults. It remains unclear, however, how to interpret its scores over time and distinguish age-associated cognitive decline (AACD) from early neurodegeneration. We aimed to create cognitive charts using the MoCA for longitudinal evaluation of AACD in clinical practice.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (9684 participants aged 60 years or older) who completed the MoCA at baseline. We developed a linear regression model for the MoCA score as a function of age and education. Based on this model, we generated the Cognitive Charts-MoCA designed to optimize accuracy for distinguishing participants with MCI and dementia from healthy controls. We validated our model using two separate data sets.

RESULTS

For longitudinal evaluation of the Cognitive Charts-MoCA, sensitivity (SE) was 89%, 95% confidence interval (CI): [86%, 92%] and specificity (SP) 79%, 95% CI: [77%, 81%], hence showing better performance than fixed cutoffs of MoCA (SE 82%, 95% CI: [79%, 85%], SP 68%, 95% CI: [67%, 70%]). For current cognitive status or baseline measurement, the Cognitive Charts-MoCA had a SE of 81%, 95% CI: [79%, 82%], SP of 84%, 95% CI: [83%, 85%] in distinguishing healthy controls from mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Results in two additional validation samples were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cognitive Charts-MoCA showed high validity and diagnostic accuracy for determining whether older individuals show abnormal performance on serial MoCAs. This innovative model allows longitudinal cognitive evaluation and enables prompt initiation of investigation and treatment when appropriate.

Serum ω-3 Fatty Acids and Cognitive Domains in Community-Dwelling Older Adults from the NuAge Study: Exploring the Associations with Other Fatty Acids and Sex

BACKGROUND

Omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs are suggested to play a role in the prevention of cognitive decline. The evidence may be inconsistent due to methodologic issues, including interrelations with other long-chain (14 or more carbons) fatty acids (LCFAs) and use of sex as a confounding factor rather than an effect modifier.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the association between serum n-3 PUFAs and performance across 4 cognitive domains, overall and by sex, while controlling for other LCFAs.

METHODS

In total, 386 healthy older adults (aged 77.4 ± 3.8 y; 53% females) from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging underwent a cognitive evaluation and blood sampling. Verbal and nonverbal episodic memory, executive functioning, and processing speed were evaluated. Serum LCFA concentrations were measured by gas chromatography. LCFAs were grouped according to standard fatty acid classes and factor analysis using principal component analysis (FA-PCA). Multivariate linear regression models were performed, including unadjusted and adjusted models for other LCFAs.

RESULTS

Higher n-3 PUFA concentrations were associated with better nonverbal memory and processing speed in fully adjusted models not including other LCFAs (βs of 0.21 and 0.19, respectively). The magnitude of these associations varied when other LCFAs were entered in the model (βs of 0.27 and 0.32, respectively) or when FA-PCA factors were considered (βs of 0.27 and 0.21, respectively). Associations with verbal episodic memory were limited to higher concentrations of EPA, whereas there was no association between n-3 PUFAs and executive functioning. Higher n-3 PUFAs were associated with better verbal and nonverbal episodic memory in females and with better executive functioning and processing speed in males.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that other LCFAs should be considered when evaluating the association between n-3 PUFAs and cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Sex differences across cognitive domains warrant further investigation.

Prehospital Use of the Esophageal Tracheal Combitube Supraglottic Airway Device: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

In the province of Quebec (Canada), paramedics use the esophageal tracheal Combitube (ETC) for prehospital airway management.

OBJECTIVES

Our main objective was to determine the proportion of patients with successful ventilation achieved after ETC use. Our secondary aim was to determine the number of ETC insertion attempts required to ventilate the patient.

METHOD

This is a retrospective cohort study. All patients who had ≥1 attempt to insert an ETC during prehospital care between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 were included. Prehospital and in-hospital data were extracted. Successful ventilation was defined as thorax elevation, lung sounds on chest auscultation, or positive end-tidal capnography after ETC insertion.

RESULTS

A total of 580 emergency medical services interventions (99.3% cardiac arrests) were included. Most patients were men (62.5%) with a mean age 67.0 years (SD 17.6 years), and 35 (13.1%) of the 298 patients transported to emergency department survived to hospital discharge. Sufficient information to determine whether ventilation was successful or not was available for 515 interventions. Ventilation was achieved during 427 (82.7%) of these interventions. The number of ETC insertion attempts was available for 349 of the 427 successful ETC use. Overall, the first insertion resulted in successful ventilation during 294 interventions for an overall proportion of first-pass success ranging between 57.1% and 72.1%.

CONCLUSION

Proportions of successful ventilation and ETC first-pass success are lower than those reported in the literature with supraglottic airway devices. The reasons explaining these lower rates and their impact on patient-centered outcomes need to be studied.

External validation of the updated Brain Injury Guidelines for complicated mild traumatic brain injuries: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 10% of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have intracranial bleeding (complicated mTBI) and 3.5% eventually require neurosurgical intervention, which is mostly available at centers with a higher level of trauma care designation and often requires interhospital transfer. In 2018, the Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) were updated in the United States to guide emergency department care and patient disposition for complicated mild to moderate TBI. The aim of this study was to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the updated BIG (uBIG) for predicting the need for interhospital transfer in Canadian patients with complicated mTBI.

METHODS

This study took place at three level I trauma centers. Consecutive medical records of patients with complicated mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15) who were aged ≥ 16 years and presented between September 2016 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a penetrating trauma and those who had a documented cerebral tumor or aneurysm were excluded. The primary outcome was a combination of neurosurgical intervention and/or mTBI-related death. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 477 patients were included, of whom 8.4% received neurosurgical intervention and 3% died as a result of their mTBI. Forty patients (8%) were classified as uBIG-1, 168 (35%) as uBIG-2, and 269 (56%) as uBIG-3. No patients in uBIG-1 underwent neurosurgical intervention or died as a result of their injury. This translates into a sensitivity for predicting the need for a transfer of 100% (95% CI 93.2%-100%) and a specificity of 9.4% (95% CI 6.8%-12.6%). Using the uBIG could potentially reduce the number of transfers by 6% to 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients in uBIG-1 could be safely managed at their initial center without the need for transfer to a center with a higher level of neurotrauma care. Although the uBIG could decrease the number of transfers, further refinement of the criteria could improve its specificity.

Plasma Long Chain Fatty Acids and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Comparison of Statistical Analyses

Omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) have been suggested as modifiable protective factors for cognitive decline because of their neuroprotective properties. However, the evidence is still inconsistent regarding types of omega-3 FAs, and the probable interrelation with other circulating long chain FAs (LCFAs). This study aimed to evaluate associations between 14 plasma LCFAs and four cognitive domains using a principal component analysis (PCA) and to compare results with those obtained using standard methods. A group of 386 healthy older adults aged 77 ± 4 years (53% women), selected from the NutCog Study, a sub-study from the Québec cohort on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge), underwent a cognitive evaluation and fasting blood sampling. Verbal and non-verbal episodic memory, executive functioning, and processing speed were evaluated using validated tests. LCFAs circulating concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography using published procedures. Linear regressions adjusted for age, sex, education, and BMI were used to evaluate cross-sectional associations between LCFAs, using PCA or a more standard grouping (omega-3, omega-6, monounsaturated, and saturated LCFAs), and cognitive performance. Higher scoring on the omega-3 PCA factor and higher concentrations of total omega-3 FAs were both associated with better episodic non-verbal memory and processing speed. Higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA omega-3) was also associated with these two cognitive domains and with episodic verbal memory. The associations with total omega-3 FAs taken separately were of smaller magnitude than those with PCA. These results suggest that omega-3 FAs should be considered in combination with other LCFAs when evaluating the association with cognitive function.

Health Impacts and Characteristics of Deprescribing Interventions in Older Adults: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Deprescribing, a relatively recent concept, has been proposed as a promising solution to the growing issues of polypharmacy and use of medications of questionable benefit among older adults. However, little is known about the health outcomes of deprescribing interventions.

Objective

This paper presents the protocol of a study that aims to contribute to the knowledge on deprescribing by addressing two specific objectives: (1) describe the impact of deprescribing in adults ≥60 years on health outcomes or quality of life; and (2) determine the characteristics of effective interventions in deprescribing.

Methods

Primary studies targeting three concepts (older adults, deprescribing, and health or quality of life outcomes) will be included in the review. The search will be performed using key international databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Ageline, PsycInfo), and a special effort will be made to identify gray literature. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles, extract the information, and evaluate the quality of the selected studies. If methodologically feasible, meta-analyses will be performed for groups of intervention studies reporting on deprescribing interventions for similar medications, used for similar or identical indications, and reporting on similar outcomes (eg, benzodiazepines used against insomnia and studies reporting on quality of sleep or quality of life). Alternatively, the results will be presented in bottom-line statements (objective 1) and a matrix outlining effective interventions (objective 2).

Results

The knowledge synthesis may be limited by the availability of high-quality clinical trials on deprescribing and their outcomes in older adults. Additionally, analyses will likely be affected by studies on the deprescribing of different types of molecules within the same indication (eg, different pharmacological classes and medications to treat hypertension) and different measures of health and quality of life outcomes for the same indication. Nevertheless, we expect the review to identify which deprescribing interventions lead to improved health outcomes among seniors and which of their characteristics contribute to these outcomes.

Conclusions

This systematic review will contribute to a better understanding of the health outcomes of deprescribing interventions among seniors.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42015020866; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42015020866

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/25200

[Relation between grip strength of independent elders and functional decline following an emergency department visit : a pan-Canadian study]

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether grip strength and fear of falling are associated with functional decline at 3 or 6 months after a minor trauma assessed in the emergency department.

METHOD

Prospective multicenter cohort study of patient's aged 65 years and older, independent for activities of daily living, consulting the emergency department for minor trauma. Functional status, fear of falling, and grip strength measurements were collected. Functional decline was measured at 3 and 6 months.

STATISTICS

Two groups were compared : one with functional decline, the other without. A ROC curve explored the predictive power of grip strength and initial fear of falling on the occurrence of functional decline.

RESULTS

Participants were 74.7 years old, 52 % men. Initial peak grip strengths were identical (p superior to 0.05). Grip strength and fear of falling were not predictive of functional decline (p = 0.55 and p = 0.53). However, fear of falling was associated with functional decline (OR: 1.141 95 % CI [1.032-1.261]; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In the autonomous elder with minor trauma in the emergency department, grip strength is not associated with subsequent functional decline. But fear of falling is associated with decline at 6 months.

The PREvention Program for Alzheimer's RElated Delirium (PREPARED) cluster randomized trial: a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among older people admitted to both acute and long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Multicomponent interventions have been shown to reduce delirium incidence in the acute care setting (30-73%) by acting on modifiable risk factors. Little work, however, has focused on using this approach to reduce delirium incidence in LTCFs.

METHODS

The objective is to assess the effectiveness of the multicomponent PREPARED Trial intervention in reducing the following primary outcomes: incidence, severity, duration, and frequency of delirium episodes in cognitively impaired residents. This 4-year, parallel-design, cluster randomized study will involve nursing staff and residents in 45-50 LTCFs in Montreal, Canada. Participating public and private LTCFs (clusters) that provide 24-h nursing care will be assigned to either the PREPARED Trial intervention or the control (usual care) arm of the study using a covariate constrained randomization procedure. Approximately 400-600 LTC residents aged 65 and older with dementia and/or cognitive impairment will be enrolled in the study and followed for 18 weeks. Residents must be at risk of delirium, delirium-free at baseline and have resided at the facility for at least 2 weeks. Residents who are unable to communicate verbally, have a history of specific psychiatric conditions, or are receiving end-of-life care will be excluded. The PREPARED Trial intervention consists of four main components: a decision tree, an instruction manual, a training package, and a toolkit. Primary study outcomes will be assessed weekly. Functional autonomy and cognitive levels will be assessed at the beginning and end of follow-up, while information pertaining to modifiable delirium risk factors, medical consultations, and facility transfers will be collected retrospectively for the duration of the follow-up period. Primary outcomes will be reported at the level of intervention assignment. All researchers analyzing the data will be blinded to group allocation.

DISCUSSION

This large-scale intervention study will contribute significantly to the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines for delirium prevention in this frail elderly population, as it will be the first to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent delirium prevention program translated into LTC clinical practice on a large scale.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03718156 , ClinicalTrials.gov .

A nursing mentoring programme on non-pharmacological interventions against BPSD: Effectiveness and use of antipsychotics-A retrospective, before-after study

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and have significant implications for patients and caregivers. Non‐pharmacological interventions (NPI) have shown to be effective in the management of BPSD. However, the use of antipsychotics to treat BPSD remains ubiquitous. This retrospective, before–after study aimed to examine whether a nurse mentoring programme promoting NPI for BPSD management had a significant association with the use of antipsychotics in older adults with major neurocognitive disorders residing in different settings. Results obtained from the medical files of 134 older adults having benefitted from the mentoring programme demonstrate that this intervention significantly reduced BPSD. The effect on antipsychotics use was modest: a 10% reduction in the use of antipsychotics has been observed among patients for which the NPI were effective. However, the use of antipsychotics remained widespread despite the nursing recommendations of the mentoring team of the Center of Excellence on Aging in Quebec (CEVQ).

Discontinuation of bisphosphonates in seniors: a systematic review on health outcomes

PURPOSE

Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis. Despite their benefits on bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures, they have shown adverse effects, sometimes severe, during chronic use. Taken for several years, they achieve long-term bone retention, making deprescribing feasible. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the success and health outcomes of deprescribing of bisphosphonates in seniors, aged over 60 years.

METHODS

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including articles in English, French, or German published before July 2020. Eligible studies included seniors having discontinued bisphosphonates and reported on health outcomes; some allowed meta-analyses on fracture risk.

RESULTS

The review included 9 RCTs and 9 cohort studies of moderate quality. Bisphosphonates were discontinued after 2 to 7 years of use, and BMD or fractures were assessed during follow-up of 0.5 to 5 years. A significant reduction in BMD after discontinuation was observed in 9 of 10 studies. Results on fracture risk after discontinuation are mitigated: 6 RCT extensions showed no increase in the risk of any osteoporotic fractures after discontinuation. Meta-analyses including 4 RCTs showed an increased odds ratio of vertebral fractures of 2.04 (95% CI, 1.39-2.99) among discontinuers. Results from 2 large cohort studies showed no increased risks of any osteoporotic or vertebral fractures, while 2 studies found increased fracture risks.

CONCLUSION

Bisphosphonates have successfully been discontinued low overall fracture risk after at least 3 years of use, but a risk for decreased BMD and increased vertebral fractures remained.

Predictors of neurosurgical intervention in complicated mild traumatic brain injury patients: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the predicting demographic, clinical and radiological factors for neurosurgical intervention in complicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients.

METHODS

Design: retrospective multicenter cohort study. Participants: patients aged ≥16 presenting to all level-I trauma centers in Quebec between 09/2016 and 12/2017 with mTBI(GCS 13-15) and complication on initial head CT (intracranial hemorrhage/skull fracture). Procedure: Consecutive medical records were reviewed and separated into two groups: no neurosurgical intervention and neurosurgical intervention (NSI). Main outcome: neurosurgical intervention. Analysis: multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Four hundred and seventy-eight patients were included and 40 underwent NSI. One patient had radiological deterioration but no clinical deterioration prior to surgery. Subdural hemorrhage ≥4 mm width (OR:3.755 [95% CI:1.290-10.928]) and midline shift (OR:7.507 [95% CI: 3.317-16.989]) increased the risk of NSI. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was associated with a lower risk of NSI (OR:0.312 [95% CI: 0.136-0.713]). All other intracranial hemorrhages were not associated with NSI.

CONCLUSION

Radiological deterioration was not associated with the incidence of NSI. Subdural hemorrhage and midline shift should be predicting factors for neurosurgery. Some patients with isolated findings such as subarachnoid hemorrhage could be safely managed in their original center without being transferred to a level-I trauma center.

Pain induced by investigations and procedures commonly administered to older adults in the emergency department: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the level of pain induced by common interventions performed in older adults consulting to the ED.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective multicentre observational cohort study in two academic EDs (Quebec City, Canada) between June 2018 and December 2019. A convenience sample of well-oriented and haemodynamically stable older adults (≥65 years old) who underwent at least two interventions during their ED stay was recruited. The level of pain was assessed using an 11-point Numerous Rating Scale (NRS) and is presented using median and IQR or categorised as no pain (0), mild (1-3), moderate (4-6) or severe pain (7-10).

RESULTS

A total of 318 patients were included. The mean age was 77.8±8.0 years old and 54.4% were female . The number of pain assessments per intervention ranged between 22 (urinary catheterisation) and 240 (intravenous catheter). All imaging investigations (X-rays, CT and bedside ultrasound) were associated with a median level of pain of 0. The median level of pain for other interventions was as follows: blood samplings (n=231, NRS 1 (IQR 0-3)), intravenous catheters (n=240, NRS 2 (IQR 0-4)), urinary catheterisations (n=22, NRS 4.5 (IQR 2-6)), cervical collars (n=50, NRS 5 (IQR 0-8)) and immobilisation mattresses (n=34, NRS 5 (IQR 0-8)). Urinary catheterisations (63.8%), cervical collars (56.0%) and immobilisation mattresses (52.9%) frequently induced moderate or severe pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Most interventions administered to older adults in the ED are associated with no or low pain intensity. However, urinary catheterisation and spinal motion restriction devices are frequently associated with moderate or severe pain.

Blood-Brain Barrier Crossing Renin-Angiotensin Drugs and Cognition in the Elderly: A Meta-Analysis

[Figure: see text].

Self-help guided by trained lay providers for generalized anxiety disorder in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Only a small proportion of older patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) seek professional help. Difficulties in accessing treatment may contribute to this problem. Guided self-help based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (GSH-CBT) is one way of promoting access to psychological treatment. Moreover, because the therapist’s role in GSH-CBT is limited to supporting the patient, this role could be assumed by trained and supervised lay providers (LPs) instead of licensed providers. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of GSH-CBT guided by LPs for primary threshold or subthreshold GAD in older adults.

Methods

We will conduct a multisite randomized controlled trial comparing an experimental group receiving GSH-CBT guided by LPs (n = 45) to a wait-list control group (n = 45). Treatment will last 15 weeks and will be based on a participant’s manual. Weekly telephone sessions with LPs (30 min maximum) will be limited to providing support. Data will be obtained through clinician evaluations and self-assessment questionnaires. Primary outcomes will be the tendency to worry and severity of GAD symptoms. Secondary outcomes will be anxiety symptoms, sleep difficulties, functional deficit, diagnosis of GAD, and cognitive difficulties. For the experimental group, measurements will take place at pre- and post-treatment and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. For the control group, three evaluations are planned: two pre-treatment evaluations (before and after the waiting period) and after receiving treatment (post-treatment). The efficacy of GSH-CBT will be established by comparing the change in the two groups on the primary outcomes.

Discussion

This project will provide evidence on the efficacy of a novel approach to treat GAD in older adults. If effective, it could be implemented on a larger scale and provide many older adults with much needed mental health treatment through an expanded workforce.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03768544, on December 7, 2018.

Problem Gambling Associated with Aripiprazole: A Nested Case-Control Study in a First-Episode Psychosis Program

BACKGROUND

Aripiprazole has been linked to cases of problem gambling (PBG), but evidence supporting this association remains preliminary. Additionally, data specific to PBG in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) receiving aripiprazole are limited to a few case reports, even though aripiprazole is widely used among this population that might be especially vulnerable to PBG.

METHODS

To examine this association, a nested case-control study was conducted in a cohort of 219 patients followed at a FEP program located in the Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, metropolitan area. Fourteen cases meeting the PBG criteria according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index were identified and matched for gender and index date to 56 control subjects.

RESULTS

In the univariable conditional logistic regression analysis, the use of aripiprazole was associated with an increased risk of PBG (odds ratio [OR] 15.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-670.5). Cases were more likely to have a prior gambling history (either recreational or problematic) than controls at admittance in the program; they were also more frequently in a relationship and employed. After adjustment for age, relationship status, employment and Cluster B personality disorders, the use of aripiprazole remained associated with an increased risk of PBG (OR 8.6 [95% CI 1.5-227.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest that FEP patients with a gambling history, problematic or not, may be at increased risk of developing PBG when receiving aripiprazole. They also highlight the importance of systematically screening for PBG all individuals with psychotic disorders, as this comorbidity hinders recovery. While the results also add credence to a causal association between aripiprazole and PBG, further prospective studies are needed to address some of the limitations of this present study.

The Association Between Dietary Pattern Adherence, Cognitive Stimulating Lifestyle, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults From the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM).

METHODS

Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. CSL was represented by a binary composite indicator based on education, occupational complexity, and social engagement. Global cognition, EF, and VEM were assessed prospectively.

RESULTS

Primary effect models revealed an association between higher Western dietary pattern score and a greater rate of decline in global cognition and EF. Higher Western dietary pattern adherence was also associated with poorer baseline VEM. Primary effect models also revealed that CSL was independently associated with baseline global cognition and EF. Effect modification models suggested an interactive effect between Western dietary pattern and CLS on global cognition only. No associations were found for prudent dietary pattern score.

DISCUSSION

Contributing to existing research supporting the negative impact of consuming an unhealthy diet on cognitive function, the current study suggests increased vulnerability among older adults who do not engage in a CSL. These findings can inform the development of lifestyle intervention programs that target brain health in later adulthood.

Functional and cognitive decline in older delirious adults after an emergency department visit

BACKGROUND

the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of emergency department (ED) stay-associated delirium on older patient's functional and cognitive status at 60 days post ED visit.

METHODS

this study was part of the multi-centre prospective cohort INDEED study. This project took place between March 2015 and July 2016 in five participating EDs across the province of Quebec. Independent non-delirious patients aged ≥65, with an ED stay ≥8 hours, were monitored for delirium until 24 hours post ward admission. A 60-day follow-up phone assessment was conducted. Participants were screened for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method. Functional and cognitive statuses were assessed at baseline and at the 60-day follow-up using OARS and TICS-m.

RESULTS

a total of 608 patients were recruited, 393 of which completed the 60-day follow-up. The Confusion Assessment Method was positive in 69 patients (11.8%) during ED stay or within the first 24 hours following ward admission. At 60 days, delirium patients experienced an adjusted loss of -2.9/28 [95%CI: -3.9, -2.0] points on the OARS scale compared to non-delirious patients who lost -1.6 [95%CI: -1.9, -1.3] (P = 0.006). A significant adjusted difference in cognitive function was also noted at 60 days, as TICS-m scores in delirious patients decreased by -1.6 [95%CI: -3.5, 0.2] compared to non-delirious patients, who showed a minor improvement of 0.5 [95%CI: -0.1, 1.1] (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

seniors who developed ED stay-associated delirium have lower baseline functional and cognitive status than non-delirious patients, and they will experience a more significant decline at 60 days post ED visit.

Printed educational materials: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes

BACKGROUND

Printed educational materials are widely used dissemination strategies to improve the quality of healthcare professionals' practice and patient health outcomes. Traditionally they are presented in paper formats such as monographs, publication in peer-reviewed journals and clinical guidelines. This is the fourth update of the review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of printed educational materials (PEMs) on the practice of healthcare professionals and patient health outcomes. To explore the influence of some of the characteristics of the printed educational materials (e.g. source, content, format) on their effect on healthcare professionals' practice and patient health outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), HealthStar, CINAHL, ERIC, CAB Abstracts, Global Health, and EPOC Register from their inception to 6 February 2019. We checked the reference lists of all included studies and relevant systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised trials (RTs), controlled before-after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series studies (ITSs) that evaluated the impact of PEMs on healthcare professionals' practice or patient health outcomes. We included three types of comparisons: (1) PEM versus no intervention, (2) PEM versus single intervention, (3) multifaceted intervention where PEM is included versus multifaceted intervention without PEM. Any objective measure of professional practice (e.g. prescriptions for a particular drug), or patient health outcomes (e.g. blood pressure) were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers undertook data extraction independently. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. For analyses, we grouped the included studies according to study design, type of outcome and type of comparison. For controlled trials, we reported the median effect size for each outcome within each study, the median effect size across outcomes for each study and the median of these effect sizes across studies. Where data were available, we re-analysed the ITS studies by converting all data to a monthly basis and estimating the effect size from the change in the slope of the regression line between before and after implementation of the PEM. We reported median changes in slope for each outcome, for each study, and then across studies. We standardised all changes in slopes by their standard error, allowing comparisons and combination of different outcomes. We categorised each PEM according to potential effects modifiers related to the source of the PEMs, the channel used for their delivery, their content, and their format. We assessed the risks of bias of all the included studies.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 84 studies: 32 RTs, two CBAs and 50 ITS studies. Of the 32 RTs, 19 were cluster RTs that used various units of randomisation, such as practices, health centres, towns, or areas. The majority of the included studies (82/84) compared the effectiveness of PEMs to no intervention. Based on the RTs that provided moderate-certainty evidence, we found that PEMs distributed to healthcare professionals probably improve their practice, as measured with dichotomous variables, compared to no intervention (median absolute risk difference (ARD): 0.04; interquartile range (IQR): 0.01 to 0.09; 3,963 healthcare professionals randomised within 3073 units). We could not confirm this finding using the evidence gathered from continuous variables (standardised mean difference (SMD): 0.11; IQR: -0.16 to 0.52; 1631 healthcare professionals randomised within 1373 units ), from the ITS studies (standardised median change in slope = 0.69; 35 studies), or from the CBA study because the certainty of this evidence was very low. We also found, based on RTs that provided moderate-certainty evidence, that PEMs distributed to healthcare professionals probably make little or no difference to patient health as measured using dichotomous variables, compared to no intervention (ARD: 0.02; IQR: -0.005 to 0.09; 935,015 patients randomised within 959 units). The evidence gathered from continuous variables (SMD: 0.05; IQR: -0.12 to 0.09; 6,737 patients randomised within 594 units) or from ITS study results (standardised median change in slope = 1.12; 8 studies) do not strengthen these findings because the certainty of this evidence was very low. Two studies (a randomised trial and a CBA) compared a paper-based version to a computerised version of the same PEM. From the RT that provided evidence of low certainty, we found that PEM in computerised versions may make little or no difference to professionals' practice compared to PEM in printed versions (ARD: -0.02; IQR: -0.03 to 0.00; 139 healthcare professionals randomised individually). This finding was not strengthened by the CBA study that provided very low certainty evidence (SMD: 0.44; 32 healthcare professionals). The data gathered did not allow us to conclude which PEM characteristics influenced their effectiveness. The methodological quality of the included studies was variable. Half of the included RTs were at risk of selection bias. Most of the ITS studies were conducted retrospectively, without prespecifying the expected effect of the intervention, or acknowledging the presence of a secular trend.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The results of this review suggest that, when used alone and compared to no intervention, PEMs may slightly improve healthcare professionals' practice outcomes and patient health outcomes. The effectiveness of PEMs compared to other interventions, or of PEMs as part of a multifaceted intervention, is uncertain.

Vitamin D status, cognitive decline and incident dementia: the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D could prevent cognitive decline because of its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations with global cognitive function and incident dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

The Canadian Study of Health and Aging is a 10-year cohort study of a representative sample of individuals aged 65 years or older. A total of 661 subjects initially without dementia with frozen blood samples and follow-up data were included. Global cognitive function was measured using the validated Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) examination. A consensus diagnosis of all-cause dementia and AD was made between the physician and the neuropsychologist according to published criteria. Cognitive decline for a 5-year increase in age at specific 25(OH)D concentrations was obtained using linear mixed models with repeated measures. Hazard ratios of incident dementia and AD were obtained using semi-parametric proportional hazards models with age as time scale.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 5.4 years, 141 subjects developed dementia of which 100 were AD. Overall, no significant association was found between 25(OH)D and cognitive decline, dementia or AD. Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with an increased risk of dementia and AD in women, but not in men.

CONCLUSION

This study does not support a protective effect of vitamin D status on cognitive function. Further research is needed to clarify the relation by sex.

Detection of Residents With Progress Issues Using a Keyword-Specific Algorithm

BACKGROUND

The literature suggests that specific keywords included in summative rotation assessments might be an early indicator of abnormal progress or failure.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the possible relationship between specific keywords on in-training evaluation reports (ITERs) and subsequent abnormal progress or failure. The goal is to create a functional algorithm to identify residents at risk of failure.

METHODS

A database of all ITERs from all residents training in accredited programs at Université Laval between 2001 and 2013 was created. An instructional designer reviewed all ITERs and proposed terms associated with reinforcing and underperformance feedback. An algorithm based on these keywords was constructed by recursive partitioning using classification and regression tree methods. The developed algorithm was tuned to achieve 100% sensitivity while maximizing specificity.

RESULTS

There were 41 618 ITERs for 3292 registered residents. Residents with failure to progress were detected for family medicine (6%, 67 of 1129) and 36 other specialties (4%, 78 of 2163), while the positive predictive values were 23.3% and 23.4%, respectively. The low positive predictive value may be a reflection of residents improving their performance after receiving feedback or a reluctance by supervisors to ascribe a "fail" or "in difficulty" score on the ITERs.

CONCLUSIONS

Classification and regression trees may be helpful to identify pertinent keywords and create an algorithm, which may be implemented in an electronic assessment system to detect future residents at risk of poor performance.

Serial Ottawa 3DY assessments to detect delirium in older emergency department community dwellers

BACKGROUND

delirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among older emergency department (ED) patients. When using physician gestalt, delirium is missed in the majority of patients. The Ottawa 3DY (O3DY) has been validated to detect cognitive dysfunction among older ED patients.

OBJECTIVES

to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serial O3DY assessments to detect delirium in older ED patients.

DESIGN

a prospective observational multicenter cohort study.

SETTING

four Quebec EDs.

PARTICIPANTS

independent or semi-independent older patients (age ≥ 65 years) with an ED stay of at least 8 hours that required hospitalisation.

MEASUREMENTS

eligible patients were evaluated using serial O3DY assessments at least 6 hours apart. The primary outcome was delirium after at least 8 hours in the ED. The reference standard for delirium assessment was the confusion assessment method (CAM). The sensitivity and specificity of the serial O3DY to detect delirium were calculated.

RESULTS

we enrolled 301 patients (mean age 77 years, 49.5% male, 3.0% with a history of mild dementia). Thirty patients (10.0%) were CAM positive for delirium. Patients had a median of three O3DY assessments. Serial O3DY evaluations to detect delirium among patients with at least one abnormal O3DY had a sensitivity of 86.7% (95% confidence interval-CI 69.3-96.2%) and a specificity of 44.3% (95%; CI 38.3-50.4%).

CONCLUSION

serial O3DY testing demonstrates good sensitivity as a screening tool to detect delirium among older adult patients with prolonged ED lengths of stay. Emergency physicians should consider the use of the serial O3DY over clinician gestalt to improve delirium detection.

Acceptability of older patients' self-assessment in the Emergency Department (ACCEPTED)-a randomised cross-over pilot trial

BACKGROUND

patient self-assessment using electronic tablet could improve the quality of assessment of older Emergency Department(ED) patients. However, the acceptability of this practice remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

to compare the acceptability of self-assessment using a tablet in the ED to a standard assessment by a research assistant (RA), according to seniors and their caregivers.

DESIGN

randomised crossover pilot study.

SETTING

The Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus (CHU de Québec-Université Laval) (2018/05-2018/07).

SUBJECTS

(1) ED patients aged ≥65, (2) their caregiver, if present.

METHODS

participants' frailty, cognitive and functional status were assessed with the Clinical Frailty scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Older American Resources and Services scale and patients self-assessed using a tablet. Test administration order was randomised. The primary outcome, acceptability, was measured using the Treatment Acceptability and Preferences (TAP) scale. Descriptive analyses were performed for sociodemographic variables. TAP scores were adjusted using multivariate linear regression. Thematic content analysis was performed for qualitative data.

RESULTS

sixty-seven patients were included. Mean age was 75.5 ± 8.0 and 55.2% were women. Adjusted TAP scores for RA evaluation and patient self-assessment were 2.36 and 2.20, respectively (P = 0.08). Patients aged ≥85 showed a difference between the TAP scores (P < 0.05). Qualitative data indicates that this might be attributed to the use of technology. Data from nine caregivers showed a 2.42 mean TAP score for RA evaluation and 2.44 for self-assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

our results show that older patients believe self-assessment in the ED using an electronic tablet as acceptable as a standard evaluation by a research assistant. Patients aged ≥85 find this practice less acceptable.

Is Benzodiazepine Use Associated With the Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment–Not Dementia in Older Persons? The Canadian Study of Health and Aging

Background: The use of benzodiazepines in relation to cognitive decline remains an area of controversy in aging populations. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the risk of cognitive impairment–not dementia (CIND), Alzheimer disease (AD), and all-cause dementia with benzodiazepine use. The effect modification by sex was also investigated. Methods: Data come from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a 10-year multicentric study involving 10 263 participants randomly selected, 65 years and older, living in the community and in institutions. Current exposure to benzodiazepines was assessed in a face-to-face interview or self-reported in a questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression models, using age as time scale, were conducted to estimate hazard ratios, with adjustment for sex, education, smoking, alcohol intake, depression, physical activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and vascular comorbidities. Results: Data sets included 5281 participants for dementia as the outcome, 5015 for AD, and 4187 for CIND. Compared with nonusers, current use of benzodiazepines was associated with an increased risk of CIND (hazard ratio = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.08-1.72) in the simplest model. Results remained similar in the fully adjusted model (hazard ratio = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.04-1.68). There was no association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia or AD. All these effects were similar between men and women. Conclusion and Relevance: Benzodiazepine use in older people from the general population is related to subsequent occurrence of cognitive dysfunction but not implicated in the pathogenesis of dementia or AD. Caution should be exercised when prescribing benzodiazepines to preserve global cognitive function.

Adapting the Canadian CT head rule age criteria for mild traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

With the ageing population, the prevalence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) among older patients is increasing, and the age criteria of the Canadian CT head rule (CCHR) is challenged by many emergency physicians. We modified the age criteria of the CCHR to evaluate its predictive capacity.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a level 1 trauma centre ED of all mTBI patients 65 years old and over with an mTBI between 2010 and 2014. Main outcome was a clinically important brain injury (CIBI) reported on CT. The clinical and radiological data collection was standardised. Univariate analyses were performed to measure the predictive capacities of different age cut-offs at 70, 75 and 80 years old.

RESULTS

104 confirmed mTBI were included; CT scan identified 32 (30.8%) CIBI. Sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of the CCHR were 100% (89.1 to 100) and 4.2% (0.9 to 11.7) for a modified criteria of 70 years old; 100% (89.1 to 100) and 13.9% (6.9 to 24.1) for 75 years old; and 90.6% (75.0 to 98.0) and 23.6% (14.4 to 35.1) for 80 years old. Furthermore, modifying the age criteria to 75 years old showed a reduction of CT up to 25% (n=10/41) among the individuals aged 65-74 without missing CIBI.

CONCLUSION

Adjusting the age criteria of the Canadian CT head rule to 75 years old could be safe while reducing radiation and ED resources. A future prospective study is suggested to confirm the proposed modification.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides and risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in an older population: a prospective analysis from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

BACKGROUND

Little attention has been paid to neurotoxicants on the risk of dementia. Exposure to known neurotoxicants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides is suspected to have adverse cognitive effects in older populations.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether plasma concentrations of PCBs and OC pesticides are associated with the risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and of all-cause dementia in the Canadian older population.

METHODS

Analyses were based on data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a 3-phase, 10-year population-based study of individuals aged 65+ years. Analyses included 669 clinically assessed subjects, of which 156 developed dementia including 108 incident cases of AD. Subjects were screened at each phase with the 100-point Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS), a measurement of global cognitive function. Statistical analyses included Cox proportional hazards model when the outcome was dementia or AD, and a repeated-measure mixed model when the outcome was the 3MS score.

RESULTS

No association of PCB and OC pesticides with the risk of dementia and AD was observed. Elevated concentrations of PCB congeners nos 118, 153, 156, 163, and OC pesticides 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT) and its metabolite 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) were significantly associated with cognitive decline as assessed with the 3MS. A posteriori analyses suggested that only p,p'-DDE was significantly related to a higher cognitive decline in time based on the 3MS among incident cases of dementia compared to subjects remaining nondemented.

CONCLUSION

PCB and OC pesticide plasma concentrations were not related to the incident diagnosis of neither dementia, nor AD. Using the 3MS scores as the outcome, higher concentrations of four PCB congeners and two OC pesticides were associated with lower cognitive performances in subjects. The association of p,p'-DDE with cognitive decline in time in incident cases of dementia merits further investigation.

Is the Drug Burden Index Related to Declining Functional Status at Follow-up in Community-Dwelling Seniors Consulting for Minor Injuries? Results from the Canadian Emergency Team Initiative Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The Canadian Emergency Team Initiative (CETI) cohort showed that minor injuries like sprained ankles or small fractures trigger a downward spiral of functional decline in 16% of independent seniors up to 6 months post-injury. Such seniors frequently receive medications with sedative or anticholinergic properties. The Drug Burden Index (DBI), which summarises the drug burden of these specific medications, has been associated with decreased physical and cognitive functioning in previous research.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the contribution of the DBI to functional decline in the CETI cohort.

METHODS

CETI participants were assessed physically and cognitively at baseline during their consultations at emergency departments (EDs) for their injuries and up to 6 months thereafter. The medication data were used to calculate baseline DBI and functional status was measured with the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) scale. Multivariate linear regression models assessed the association between baseline DBI and functional status at 6 months, adjusting for age, sex, baseline OARS, frailty level, comorbidity count, and mild cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 846 participants was 77 years and their mean DBI at baseline was 0.24. Complete follow-up data at 3 or 6 months was available for 718 participants among whom a higher DBI at the time of injury contributed to a lower functional status at 6 months. Each additional point in the DBI lead to a loss of 0.5 points on the OARS functional scale, p < 0.001. Among those with a DBI ≥ 1, 27.4% were considered 'patients who decline' at 3 or 6 months' follow-up, compared with 16.0% of those with a DBI of 0 (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

ED visits are considered missed opportunities for optimal care interventions in seniors; Identifying their DBI and adjusting treatment accordingly may help limit functional decline in those at risk after minor injury.

The OptimaMed intervention to reduce inappropriate medications in nursing home residents with severe dementia: results from a quasi-experimental feasibility pilot study

BACKGROUND

Medication regimens in nursing home (NH) residents with severe dementia should be frequently reviewed to avoid inappropriate medication, overtreatment and adverse drug events, within a comfort care approach. This study aimed at testing the feasibility of an interdisciplinary knowledge exchange (KE) intervention using a medication review guidance tool categorizing medications as either "generally", "sometimes" or "exceptionally" appropriate for NH residents with severe dementia.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental feasibility pilot study with 44 participating residents aged 65 years or over with severe dementia was carried out in three NH in Quebec City, Canada. The intervention comprised an information leaflet for residents' families, a 90-min KE session for NH general practitioners (GP), pharmacists and nurses focusing on the medication review guidance tool, a medication review by the pharmacists for participating residents with ensuing team discussion on medication changes, and a post-intervention KE session to obtain feedback from team staff. Medication regimens and levels of pain and of agitation of the participants were evaluated at baseline and at 4 months post-intervention. A questionnaire for team staff explored perceived barriers and facilitators. Statistical differences in measures comparing pre and post-intervention were assessed using paired t-tests and Cochran's-Q tests.

RESULTS

The KE sessions reached 34 NH team staff (5 GP, 4 pharmacists, 6 heads of care unit and 19 staff nurses). Forty-four residents participated in the study and were followed for a mean of 104 days. The total number of regular medications was 372 pre and 327 post-intervention. The mean number of regular medications per resident was 7.86 pre and 6.81 post-intervention. The odds ratios estimating the risks of using any regular medication or a "sometimes appropriate" medication post-intervention were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71-0.92) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74-0.94), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A simple KE intervention using a medication review guidance tool categorizing medications as being either "generally", "sometimes" or "exceptionally" appropriate in severe dementia was well received and accompanied by an overall reduction in medication use by NH residents with severe dementia. Levels of agitation were unaffected and there was no clinically significant changes in levels of pain. Staff feedback provided opportunities to improve the intervention.

Tailoring and evaluating an intervention to improve shared decision-making among seniors with dementia, their caregivers, and healthcare providers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia raises new challenges to ensure that healthcare decisions are informed by research evidence and reflect what is important for seniors and their caregivers. Therefore, we aim to evaluate a tailored intervention to help healthcare providers empower seniors and their caregivers in making health-related decisions.

Methods

In two phases, we will: (1) design and tailor the intervention; and (2) implement and evaluate it. We will use theory and user-centered design to tailor an intervention comprising a distance professional training program on shared decision-making and five shared decision-making tools dealing with difficult decisions often faced by seniors with dementia and their caregivers. Each tool will be designed in two versions, one for clinicians and one for patients. We will recruit 49 clinicians and 27 senior/caregiver to participate in three cycles of design-evaluation-feedback of each intervention components. Besides think-aloud and interview approaches, users will also complete questionnaires based on the Theory of Planned Behavior to identify the factors most likely to influence their adoption of shared decision-making after exposure to the intervention. We will then modify the intervention by adding/enhancing behavior-change techniques targeting these factors. We will evaluate the effectiveness of this tailored intervention before/after implementation, in a two-armed, clustered randomized trial. We will enroll a convenience sample of six primary care clinics (unit of randomization) in the province of Quebec and recruit the clinicians who practice there (mostly family physicians, nurses, and social workers). These clinics will then be randomized to immediate exposure to the intervention or delayed exposure. Overall, we will recruit 180 seniors with dementia, their caregivers, and their healthcare providers. We will evaluate the impact of the intervention on patient involvement in the decision-making process, decisional comfort, patient and caregiver personal empowerment in relation to their own healthcare, patient quality of life, caregiver burden, and decisional regret.

Discussion

The intervention will empower patients and their caregivers in their healthcare, by fostering their participation as partners during the decision-making process and by ensuring they make informed decisions congruent with their values and priorities.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.org, NCT02956694. Registered on 31 October 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2697-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Incidence of delirium in the Canadian emergency department and its consequences on hospital length of stay: a prospective observational multicentre cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We aim to determine the incidence of delirium and describe its impacts on hospital length of stay (LOS) among non-delirious community-dwelling older adults with an 8-hour exposure to the emergency department (ED) environment.

DESIGN

This is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study (March-July 2015). Patients were assessed two times per day during their entire ED stay and up to 24 hours on hospital ward.

SETTING

The study took place in four Canadian EDs.

PARTICIPANTS

338 included patients: (1) aged ≥65 years; (2) who had an ED stay ≥8 hours; (3) were admitted to hospital ward and (4) were independent/semi-independent.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcomes of this study were incident delirium in the ED or within 24 hours of ward admission and ED and hospital LOS. Functional and cognitive status were assessed using validated Older Americans Resources and Services and the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status tools. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to detect incident delirium. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate outcomes.

RESULTS

Mean age was 76.8 (±8.1), 17.7% were aged >85 years old and 48.8% were men. The mean incidence of delirium was 12.1% (n=41). Median IQR ED LOS was 32.4 (24.5-47.9) hours and hospital LOS was 146.6 (75.2-267.8) hours. Adjusted mean hospital LOS was increased by 105.4 hours (4.4 days) (95% CI 25.1 to 162.0, P<0.001) for patients who developed an episode of delirium compared with non-delirious patient.

CONCLUSIONS

An incident delirium was observed in one of eight independent/semi-independent older adults after an 8-hour ED exposure. An episode of delirium increases hospital LOS by 4 days and therefore has important implications for patients and could contribute to ED overcrowding through a deleterious feedback loop.

Psychometric properties of the French Canadian version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory

BACKGROUND

The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and a short form of this instrument (GAI-SF) were developed to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms in older adults in order to compensate for the lack of validated screening tools adapted to the elderly population. This study examined the psychometric properties of the French Canadian version of the GAI, in its complete (GAI-FC) and short form (GAI-FC-SF).

METHOD

A total of 331 community-dwelling seniors between 65 and 92 years old participated in this study.

RESULTS

Both the GAI-FC and the GAI-FC-SF have sound psychometric properties with, respectively, a high internal consistency (α = .94 and .83), an adequate convergent validity (r = .50 to .86 with instruments known to evaluate constructs similar to the GAI or related to anxiety), a good test-retest reliability (r = .89 and .85), in addition to a single-factor structure.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the use of both the GAI-FC and the GAI-FC-SF. The GAI-FC-SF seems to be an interesting alternative to the GAI-FC as a screening tool when time available for assessment is limited.

Validation and diagnostic accuracy of predictive curves for age-associated longitudinal cognitive decline in older adults

BACKGROUND

The Mini-Mental State Examination continues to be used frequently to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults, but it remains unclear how to interpret changes in its score over time to distinguish age-associated cognitive decline from an early degenerative process. We aimed to generate cognitive charts for use in clinical practice for longitudinal evaluation of age-associated cognitive decline.

METHODS

We used data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging from 7569 participants aged 65 years or older who completed a Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline, and at 5 and 10 years later to develop a linear regression model for the Mini-Mental State Examination score as a function of age and education. Based on this model, we generated cognitive charts designed to optimize accuracy for distinguishing participants with dementia from healthy controls. We validated our model using a separate data set of 6501 participants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center's Uniform Data Set.

RESULTS

For baseline measurement, the cognitive charts had a sensitivity of 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 75% to 84%) and a specificity of 89% (95% CI 88% to 90%) for distinguishing healthy controls from participants with dementia. Similar sensitivities and specificities were observed for a decline over time greater than 1 percentile zone from the first measurement. Results in the validation sample were comparable, albeit with lower sensitivities. Negative predictive value was 99%.

INTERPRETATION

Our innovative model, which factors in age and education, showed validity and diagnostic accuracy for determining whether older patients show abnormal performance on serial Mini-Mental State Examination measurements. Similar to growth curves used in pediatrics, cognitive charts allow longitudinal cognitive evaluation and enable prompt initiation of investigation and treatment when appropriate.

Use of Vitamin E and C Supplements for the Prevention of Cognitive Decline

Background: There are few studies of the association between the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cognitive decline is generally viewed as part of the continuum between normal aging and AD. Objective: To evaluate whether the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with reduced risks of cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND), AD, or all-cause dementia in a representative sample of older persons ≥65 years old. Methods: Data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1991-2002), a cohort study of dementia including 3 evaluation waves at 5-yearly intervals, were used. Exposure to vitamins E and C was self-reported at baseline in a risk factor questionnaire and/or in a clinical examination. Results: The data set included 5269 individuals. Compared with those not taking vitamin supplements, the age-, sex-, and education-adjusted hazard ratios of CIND, AD, and all-cause dementia were, respectively, 0.77 (95% CI = 0.60-0.98), 0.60 (95% CI = 0.42-0.86), and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.46-0.83) for those taking vitamin E and/or C supplements. Results remained significant in fully adjusted models except for CIND. Similar results were observed when vitamins were analyzed separately. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Further investigations are needed to determine their value as a primary prevention strategy.

Nutrient Patterns and Their Food Sources in Older Persons from France and Quebec: Dietary and Lifestyle Characteristics

Background: Dietary and nutrient patterns have been linked to health outcomes related to aging. Food intake is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. The aim of the present study was to compare nutrient patterns across two elderly populations sharing a common ancestral cultural background, but living in different environments. Methods: The diet quality, lifestyle and socioeconomic characteristics of participants from the Three-City Study (3C, France, n = 1712) and the Québec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge, Quebec, Canada, n = 1596) were analyzed. Nutrient patterns and their food sources were identified in the two samples using principal component analysis. Diet quality was compared across sample-specific patterns by describing weekly food intake and associations with the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI). Results: Three nutrient patterns were retained in each study: a healthy, a Western and a more traditional pattern. These patterns accounted for 50.1% and 53.5% of the total variance in 3C and NuAge, respectively. Higher education and non-physical occupations over lifetime were associated with healthy patterns in both studies. Other characteristics such as living alone, having a body mass index lower than 25 and being an ex-smoker were associated with the healthy pattern in NuAge. No association between these characteristics and the nutrient patterns was noted in 3C. The healthy and Western patterns from each sample also showed an inverse association with C-HEI. Conclusion: The two healthy patterns showed important similarities: adequate food variety, consumption of healthy foods and associations with common sociodemographic factors. This work highlights that nutrient patterns derived using a posteriori methods may be useful to compare the nutritional quality of the diet of distinct populations.

RADAR: A Measure of the Sixth Vital Sign?

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of RADAR (Recognizing Active Delirium As part of your Routine) as a measure of the sixth vital sign. This study was a secondary analysis of a study (N = 193) that took place in one acute care hospital and one long-term care facility. The primary outcome was a positive sixth vital sign, defined as the presence of both an altered level of consciousness and inattention. These indicators were assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. RADAR identified 30 of the 43 participants as having a positive sixth vital sign and 58 of the 70 cases as not, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 83%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 71%. RADAR's characteristics, including its brevity and acceptability by nursing staff, make this tool a good candidate as a measure of the sixth vital sign. Future studies should address the generalizability of RADAR among various populations and clinical settings.

Adverse Drug Reactions Reported With Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Background: No worldwide pharmacovigilance study evaluating the spectrum of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) in Alzheimer’s disease has been conducted since their emergence on the market. Objective: To describe ChEI related ADRs in Alzheimer’s disease (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) and characterize their seriousness as reported by national pharmacovigilance systems to VigiBase, a World Health Organization International Drug Monitoring Program database, between 1998 and 2013. Methods: All ChEI related reports, submitted to VigiBase between 1998 and 2013 from the five continents were extracted. Analyses were carried out for general, serious, and nonserious ADRs. Results: A total of 18 955 reports (43 753 ADRs) from 58 countries were reported: 60.1% in women; mean age 77.4 ± 9.1 years. Most reports originated from Europe (47.6%) and North America (40.4%). Rivastigmine and donepezil were involved in most reports (41.4% each). The most frequently reported ADRs were neuropsychiatric (31.4%), gastrointestinal (15.9%), general (11.9%), and cardiovascular (11.7%) disorders. During the 2006-2013 period, serious ADRs remained more often reported than nonserious ones; the most serious were neuropsychiatric (34.0%), general (14.0%), cardiovascular (12.1%), and gastrointestinal (11.6%) disorders. Medication errors were reported in 2.0% of serious cases. Death occurred in 2.3% of the reports. Conclusions: This international pharmacovigilance study highlights the ADR pattern induced by ChEIs. Neuropsychiatric events were the most frequently reported ADRs. Serious cardiovascular events were frequently reported, suggesting that their significance has probably been previously underestimated. Given the frailty of the patients and the frequent comedications, caution is advised before introducing a ChEI.

Optimizing social participation in community-dwelling older adults through the use of behavioral coping strategies

PURPOSE

This study aimed to (1) determine the categories of behavioral coping strategies most strongly correlated with optimal seniors' social participation in different activity and role domains and (2) identify the demographic, health and environmental factors associated with the use of these coping strategies optimizing social participation.

METHOD

The sample consisted of 350 randomly recruited community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). Coping strategies and social participation were measured, respectively, using the Inventory of Coping Strategies Used by the Elderly and Assessment of Life Habits questionnaires. Information about demographic, health and environmental factors was also collected during the interview.

RESULTS

Regression analyses showed a strong relationship between the use of cooking- and transportation-related coping strategies and optimal participation in the domains of nutrition and community life, respectively. Older age and living alone were associated with increased use of cooking-related strategies, while good self-rated health and not living in a seniors' residence were correlated with greater use of transportation-related strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study helped to identify useful behavioral coping strategies that should be incorporated in disability prevention programs designed to promote community-dwelling seniors' social participation. However, the appropriateness of these strategies depends on whether they are used in relevant contexts and tailored to specific needs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

Our results support the relevance of including behavioral coping strategies related to cooking and transportation in disability prevention programs designed to promote community-dwelling seniors' social participation in the domains of nutrition and community life, respectively. Older age and living alone were associated with increased use of cooking-related strategies, while good self-rated health and not living in a seniors' residence were correlated with greater use of transportation-related strategies. These factors should be considered in order to optimize implementation of these useful strategies in disability prevention programs. The appropriateness of these selected strategies depends on whether they are used in relevant contexts and tailored to specific needs.

Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of decision boxes on shared decision-making processes

Background

Decision boxes (DBoxes) are two-page evidence summaries to prepare clinicians for shared decision making (SDM). We sought to assess the feasibility of a clustered Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate their impact.

Methods

A convenience sample of clinicians (nurses, physicians and residents) from six primary healthcare clinics who received eight DBoxes and rated their interest in the topic and satisfaction. After consultations, their patients rated their involvement in decision-making processes (SDM-Q-9 instrument). We measured clinic and clinician recruitment rates, questionnaire completion rates, patient eligibility rates, and estimated the RCT needed sample size.

Results

Among the 20 family medicine clinics invited to participate in this study, four agreed to participate, giving an overall recruitment rate of 20%. Of 148 clinicians invited to the study, 93 participated (63%). Clinicians rated an interest in the topics ranging 6.4-8.2 out of 10 (with 10 highest) and a satisfaction with DBoxes of 4 or 5 out of 5 (with 5 highest) for 81% DBoxes. For the future RCT, we estimated that a sample size of 320 patients would allow detecting a 9% mean difference in the SDM-Q-9 ratings between our two arms (0.02 ICC; 0.05 significance level; 80% power).

Conclusions

Clinicians’ recruitment and questionnaire completion rates support the feasibility of the planned RCT. The level of interest of participants for the DBox topics, and their level of satisfaction with the Dboxes demonstrate the acceptability of the intervention. Processes to recruit clinics and patients should be optimized.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-015-0134-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.