One Hundred Explicit Definitions of Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions of Antibiotics in Hospitalized Older Patients: The Results of an Expert Consensus Study

BACKGROUND

In geriatrics, explicit criteria for potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) are useful for optimizing drug use.

OBJECTIVE

To produce an expert consensus on explicit definitions of antibiotic-PIPs for hospitalized older patients.

METHODS

We conducted a Delphi survey involving French experts on antibiotic stewardship in hospital settings. During the survey's rounds, the experts gave their opinion on each explicit definition, and could suggest new definitions. Definitions with a 1-to-9 Likert score of between 7 and 9 from at least 75% of the participants were adopted. The results were discussed during consensus meetings after each round.

RESULTS

Of the 155 invited experts, 128 (82.6%) participated in the whole survey: 59 (46%) infectious diseases specialists, 45 (35%) geriatricians, and 24 (19%) other specialists. In Round 1, 65 explicit definitions were adopted and 21 new definitions were suggested. In Round 2, 35 other explicit definitions were adopted. The results were validated during consensus meetings (with 44 participants after Round 1, and 54 after Round 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study is the first to have provided a list of explicit definitions of potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for hospitalized older patients. It might help to disseminate key messages to prescribers and reduce inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics.

Early rise of glutamate-glutamine levels in mild cognitive impairment: Evidence for emerging excitotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Use proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) non invasive technique to assess the modifications of glutamate-glutamine (Glx) and gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) brain levels in patients reporting a cognitive complain METHODS: Posterior cingular cortex 1H-MRS spectra of 46 patients (19 male, 27 female) aged 57 to 87 years (mean : 73.32 ± 7.33 years) with a cognitive complaint were examined with a MEGA PRESS sequence at 3T, and compounds Glutamateglutamine (Glx), GABA, Creatine (Cr) and NAA were measured. From this data the metabolite ratios Glx/Cr, GABA/Cr and NAA/Cr were calculated. In addition, all patient performed the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) and 2 groups were realized with the clinical threshold of 24.

RESULTS

16 patients with MMSE 〈 24 and 30 patients with MMSE 〉 24. Significant increase of Glx/Cr in PCC of patients with MMSE 〈 24 compared to patients with MMSE 〉 24. Moreover, GABA/Cr ratio exhibited a trend for a decrease in PCC between the two groups, while they showed a significant decrease NAA/Cr ratio.

CONCLUSION

Our results concerning Glx are in agreement with a physiopathological hypothesis involving a biphasic variation of glutamate levels associated with excitotoxicity, correlated with the clinical evolution of the disease. These observations suggest that MRS assessment of glutamate levels could be helpful for both diagnosis and classification of cognitive impairment in stage.

Empirical antibiotic therapy modalities for Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections in older patients and their impact on mortality: a multicentre retrospective study

PURPOSE

Enterobacteriaceae (EB) bloodstream infections (BSI) are frequent and serious in older patients. Physicians are faced with the dilemma of prescribing early appropriate empirical antibiotics to limit the risk of death, and sparing broad-spectrum antibiotic prescription. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of appropriate empirical antibiotics prescription to treat EB BSI in older patients and its impact on survival.

METHODS

This study conducted in 49 centres enrolled retrospectively up to the 10 last consecutive patients aged 75 years and over and treated for EB BSI. Factors related to in-hospital death were investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 487 enrolled patients (mean age 86 ± 5.9 years), 70% had at least one risk factor of being infected by third-generation cephalosporins (3GC)-resistant strain; however, only 13.8% of EB strains were resistant to 3GC. An empirical antimicrobial treatment was initiated for 418 patients (85.8%), and for 86% (n = 360/418) of them, it was considered appropriate. In-hospital mortality was 12.7% (n = 62) and was related to the severity of infection (OR 3.17, CI 95% 1.75-5.75), while a urinary portal of entry was protective (OR 0.34, CI 95% 0.19-0.60). Neither the absence of nor inappropriate empirical antibiotics prescription was associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSION

While patients enrolled in this study were at risk of being infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria, yet mainly treated with 3GC, empirical antibiotics prescription was appropriate in most cases and did not influence mortality.

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is underdiagnosed in older people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: The HYPOAGE observational study

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of real-life data regarding the frequency and predictive factors of hypoglycemia in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to determine the frequency and predictors of hypoglycemia in older patients with insulin-treated T2D.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter study included 155 insulin-treated T2D patients aged 75 years and older with ≥2 self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) daily controls. Participants underwent a geriatric and diabetic assessment and received ambulatory blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for 28 consecutive days with FreeStyle Libre Pro® sensor. Study population (n = 141) has >70% CGM active time. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with SMBG confirmed hypoglycemia (≥70 mg/dL) and with nocturnal level 2 time below range (glucose concentration <54 mg/dL during ≥15 consecutive min between 0.00 and 6.00 am).

RESULTS

The mean age of the 141 analyzed patients was 81.5 ± 5.3 years and 56.7% were male. The mean baseline HbA_1c was 7.9% ± 1.0%. After geriatric assessment, 102 participants (72.3%) were considered as complex and 39 (27.7%) as healthy. The primary endpoint (confirmed SMBG <70 mg/dL) occurred in 37.6% patients. In multivariable analysis, the risk of SMBG-confirmed hypoglycemia was positively associated with a longer duration of diabetes (OR (+1 year) =1.04, (1.00-1.08), p = 0.04) and glycemic variability assessed by CGM (CV %) (OR (+1%) = 1.12, [1.05-1.19], p = <0.001). Nighty-two patients (65.2%) experienced nocturnal time in hypoglycemia (i.e., <54 mg/dL during ≥15 consecutive min between midnight and 6 a.m.). In multivariable analyses, cognitive impairment (OR: 9.31 [2.59-33.4]), heart failure (OR: 4.81 [1;48-15.6]), and depressive disorder (OR: 0.19 [0.06-0.53]) were associated with nocturnal time in hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is very common and largely underdiagnosed in older patients with insulin-treated T2D. CGM is a promising tool to better identify hypoglycemia and adapt diabetes management in this population.

Association between Iron Deficiency and Survival in Older Patients with Cancer

BACKGROUND

iron deficiency (ID) is frequent in older patients.

PURPOSE

to evaluate the association between ID and survival in patients ≥ 75 years old with confirmed solid tumors.

METHODS

a retrospective monocentric study including patients between 2009 and 2018. ID, absolute ID (AID) and functional ID (FID) were defined according to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) criteria. Severe ID was defined by a ferritin level < 30 µg/L.

RESULTS

in total, 556 patients were included, the mean age was 82 (±4.6) years, 56% were male, the most frequent cancer was colon cancer (19%, n = 104), and metastatic cancers were found in 38% (n = 211). Median follow-up time: 484 [190-1377] days. In anemic patients, ID and FID were independently associated with an increased risk of mortality (respectively, HR 1.51; p = 0.0065 and HR 1.73; p = 0.0007). In non-anemic patients, FID was independently associated with better survival (HR 0.65; p = 0.0495).

CONCLUSION

in our study, ID was significantly associated with survival, and with better survival for patients without anemia. These results suggest that attention should be paid to the iron status in older patients with tumors and raise questions about the prognostic value of iron supplementation for iron-deficient patients without anemia.

Different Trajectories of Apathy and Depression Among Subjective Cognitive Impairment Individuals with or without Conversion to Dementia: Results from the Memento Cohort in France

BACKGROUND

Apathy and depression are two early behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders that often occur prior to the onset of cognitive decline and memory disturbances. Both have been associated with an increased risk of conversion to dementia, with a distinct neuropathology.

OBJECTIVE

The assessment of the trajectories of apathy and depression and their independent impact on dementia conversion.

METHODS

Apathy and Depression were measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory for caregiver (NPI) and clinician (NPI-C), among the nondemented individuals reporting subjective cognitive decline (SCD) at baseline. They were followed up over a 60-month period. Some converted to dementia, according to the methodology carried out by the French Memento Cohort.

RESULTS

Among individuals with SCD (n = 2,323), the levels of apathy and depression were low and did not evolve significantly over the 60-month period, despite a trend in apathy increasing as of month 24. Regarding SCD individuals who converted to dementia within the 60-month period (n = 27), the prevalence of depression remained globally steady, while the levels of apathy increased over time.

CONCLUSION

Apathy and depression have different trajectories among individuals with SCD and apathy alone is more likely-compared to depression-to be associated with conversion to dementia.

Procalcitonin to reduce exposure to antibiotics and individualise treatment in hospitalised old patients with pneumonia: a randomised study

BACKGROUND

Treating pneumonia in old patients remains challenging for clinicians. Moreover, bacterial antimicrobial resistance is a major public health threat.

OBJECTIVE

The PROPAGE study evaluated the interest of a strategy using serial measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) to reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy in old patients with pneumonia.

METHODS

PROPAGE took place from Dec.-2013 to Jun.-2016 in eight French geriatric units. It was a prospective, comparative, randomised, open-label study involving old patients (≥ 80 years) who had initiated antibiotic treatment for pneumonia in the previous 48 h. PCT was monitored in all patients and two decision-making PCT-based algorithms guided antibiotic therapy in patients from the PCT group.

RESULTS

107 patients were randomised (PCT, n = 50; Control, n = 57). Antibiotic therapy exposure was reduced in the PCT group as compared to the Control group (median duration of antibiotic therapy, 8 vs. 10 days [rank-test, p = 0.001]; antibiotic persistence rates on Days 6 and 8, 54% and 44% vs. 91% and 72%) and no significant difference was found in recovery rate (84% vs. 89.5%; Pearson Chi² test, p = 0.402).

CONCLUSION

Although, the superiority of the strategy was not tested using a composite criterion combining antibiotic therapy duration and recovery rate was not tested due to the small sample size, the present study showed that monitoring associated with PCT-guided algorithm could help shorten antibiotic treatment duration in the very old patients without detrimental effects. Measuring PCT levels between Day 4 and Day 6 could be helpful when making the decision regarding antibiotic discontinuation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02173613. This study was first registered on 25/06/2014.

Plasma amyloid beta predicts conversion to dementia in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: The BALTAZAR study

INTRODUCTION

Blood-based biomarkers are the next challenge for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and prognosis.

METHODS

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants (N = 485) of the BALTAZAR study, a large-scale longitudinal multicenter cohort, were followed-up for 3 years. A total of 165 of them converted to dementia (95% AD). Associations of conversion and plasma amyloid beta (Aβ)_1-42 , Aβ_1-40 , Aβ_1-42 /Aβ_1-40 ratio were analyzed with logistic and Cox models.

RESULTS

Converters to dementia had lower level of plasma Aβ_1-42 (37.1 pg/mL [12.5] vs. 39.2 [11.1] , P value = .03) and lower Aβ_1-42 /Aβ_1-40 ratio than non-converters (0.148 [0.125] vs. 0.154 [0.076], P value = .02). MCI participants in the highest quartile of Aβ_1-42 /Aβ_1-40 ratio (>0.169) had a significant lower risk of conversion (hazard ratio adjusted for age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E ε4, hippocampus atrophy = 0.52 (95% confidence interval [0.31-0.86], P value = .01).

DISCUSSION

In this large cohort of MCI subjects we identified a threshold for plasma Aβ_1-42 /Aβ_1-40 ratio that may detect patients with a low risk of conversion to dementia within 3 years.

Practical management of frailty in older patients with heart failure: Statement from a panel of multidisciplinary experts on behalf the Heart Failure Working Group of the French Society of Cardiology and on behalf French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology

AIMS

The heart failure (HF) prognosis in older patients remains poor with a high 5-years mortality rate more frequently attributed to noncardiovascular causes. The complex interplay between frailty and heart failure contribute to poor health outcomes of older adults with HF independently of ejection fraction. The aim of this position paper is to propose a practical management of frailty in older patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A panel of multidisciplinary experts on behalf the Heart Failure Working Group of the French Society of Cardiology and on behalf French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology conducted a systematic literature search on the interlink between frailty and HF, met to propose an early frailty screening by non-geriatricians and to propose ways to implement management plan of frailty. Statements were agreed by expert consensus.

RESULTS

Clinically relevant aspects of interlink between frailty and HF have been reported to identify the population eligible for screening and the most suitable screening test(s). The frailty screening program proposed focuses on frailty model defined by an accumulation of deficits including geriatric syndromes, comorbidities, for older patients with HF in different settings of care. The management plan of frailty includes optimization of HF pharmacological treatments and non-surgical device treatment as well as optimization of a global patient-centred biopsychosocial blended collaborative care pathway.

CONCLUSION

The current manuscript provides practical recommendations on how to screen and optimize frailty management in older patients with heart failure.

Impact de COVID 19 sur le statut fonctionnel des populations françaises les plus âgées : Étude multicentrique COVID-OLD

Introduction

L'infection à COVID 19 est une maladie infectieuse sévère dans les populations âgées, induisant des taux de mortalité élevés. Cependant peu d'études ont exploré l'impact de COVID 19 chez les survivants. Les maladies aigues provoquent généralement un déclin fonctionnel de 20 à 50% dans ces populations. L'objectif de notre étude était de mesurer le taux de patients présentant un déclin fonctionnel à 3 mois après la COVID et d'en déterminer les facteurs associés.

Matériels et méthodes

60 centres français ont participé à cette étude prospective observationnelle incluant des patients âgés de 70 ans et plus, hospitalisés pour une COVID 19 entre le 04/10/2020 et le 10/12/20 dans des services de maladies infectieuses ou de gériatrie. Le déclin fonctionnel était défini par une perte d'au moins 0,5 sur le score d'activité de la vie quotidienne (ADL = capacité à transférer, manger, aller au toilette,se laver, s'habiller seul et être continent coté /6) ou/et une perte d'au moins 1 sur le score d'activité instrumentale de la vie quotidienne (IADL, cotés sur /8). Les données sociodémographiques, la sévérité du COVID 19, la présentation clinique, les traitements spécifiques et non spécifiques ont été recueillis. Des analyses univariées et multivariées (sans score de propension) ont été réalisées. Les différences entre les 2 vagues ont été déterminées.

Résultats

Sur les 1083 patients inclus 662 ont eu un suivi avec données complétées. L'âge moyen était de 84 ans. 56% présentaient un déclin fonctionnel à 3 mois, 40% sur les ADLs et 38% pour les IADLs. La perte moyenne était de 1,1 point pour les ADLs et de 1,6 point pour les IADLs. Tous les items des ADL étaient également affectés. La perte fonctionnelle était équivalente durant les 2 vagues.

En analyse univariée (n= 545), la perte d'ADL aiguë avant l'hospitalisation, la confusion, la durée du séjour, la chute, l'immobilisation sont des marqueurs prédictifs du déclin fonctionnel à 3 mois. En analyse multivariée (n=415), seuls La perte d'ADL avant l'hospitalisation et la présence d'une confusion au diagnostic sont prédicteurs de la perte fonctionnelle indépendamment des autres variables (gravité immédiate de la COVID, durée d'hospitalisation, de l'âge, sexe, syndrome d'immobilisation, chute, réhospitalisation dans les 3 Mois).

Conclusion

La majorité de la population survivante à une COVID 19 présente un déclin fonctionnel à 3 mois. La gravité de la perte fonctionnelle avant l'hospitalisation et la confusion au moment du diagnostic sont les 2 prédicteurs indépendants de la gravité immédiate de la COVID et de la durée d'hospitalisation . On ne sait pas ce qui est lié à la comorbidité, à l'absence de réadaptation ou à une longue infection Covid. L'impact de la COVID 19 sur la qualité de vie et les conséquences économiques de cet impact devraient être mesurés.

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Comprehensive geriatric assessment in older people: an umbrella review of health outcomes

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been in use for the last three decades. However, some doubts remain regarding its clinical use. Therefore, we aimed to capture the breadth of outcomes reported and assess the strength of evidence of the use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for health outcomes in older persons.

METHODS

Umbrella review of systematic reviews of the use of CGA in older adults searching in Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane library and CINHAL until 05 November 2021. All possible health outcomes were eligible. Two independent reviewers extracted key data. The grading of evidence was carried out using the GRADE for intervention studies, whilst data regarding systematic reviews were reported as narrative findings.

RESULTS

Among 1,683 papers, 31 systematic reviews (19 with meta-analysis) were considered, including 279,744 subjects. Overall, 13/53 outcomes were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was high certainty of evidence that CGA reduces nursing home admission (risk ratio [RR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-0.89), risk of falls (RR = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.29-0.89), and pressure sores (RR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.24-0.89) in hospital medical setting; decreases the risk of delirium (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.54-0.92) in hip fracture; decreases the risk of physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults (RR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.64-0.93). Systematic reviews without meta-analysis indicate that CGA improves clinical outcomes in oncology, haematology, and in emergency department.

CONCLUSIONS

CGA seems to be beneficial in the hospital medical setting for multiple health outcomes, with a high certainty of evidence. The evidence of benefits is less strong for the use of CGA in other settings.

Presentation and Real-World Management of Giant Cell Arteritis (Artemis Study)

Background: Few studies of daily practice for patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) are available. This French study aimed to describe the characteristics and management of GCA in a real-life setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional, non-interventional, multicenter study of patients ≥50 years old who consulted hospital-based specialists for GCA and were under treatment. Patient characteristics and journey, diagnostic methods and treatments were collected. Descriptive analyses were performed.

Results: In total, 306 patients (67% females, mean age 74 ± 8 years old) were recruited by 69 physicians (internists: 85%, rheumatologists: 15%); 13% of patients had newly diagnosed GCA (diagnosis-to-visit interval <6 weeks). Overall median disease duration was 13 months (interquartile range 5–26). Most patients were referred by general practitioners (56%), then ophthalmologists (10%) and neurologists (7%). Most common comorbidities were hypertension (46%), psychiatric disorders (10%), dyslipidemia (12%), diabetes (9%), and osteoporosis (6%). Initial GCA presentations included cranial symptoms (89%), constitutional symptoms (74%), polymyalgia rheumatica (48%), and/or other extra-cranial manifestations (35%). Overall, 85, 31, 26, and 30% of patients underwent temporal artery biopsy, high-resolution temporal artery Doppler ultrasonography, ¹⁸FDG-PET, and aortic angio-CT, respectively. All patients received glucocorticoids, which were ongoing for 89%; 29% also received adjunct medication(s) (methotrexate: 19%, tocilizumab: 15%). A total of 40% had relapse(s); the median time to the first relapse was 10 months. Also, 37% had comorbidity(ies) related to or aggravated by glucocorticoids therapy.

Conclusion: This large observational study provides insight into current medical practices for GCA. More than one third of patients had comorbidities related to glucocorticoid therapy for a median disease duration of 13 months. Methotrexate and tocilizumab were the most common adjunct medications.

Do diabetic complications influence cancer-related events in people with type 2 diabetes? A cohort approach

AIM

To investigate whether diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications (mMVC) influence cancer-related events in people with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

People with type 2 diabetes from the SURDIAGENE cohort were characterized (duration of diabetes, HbA1c, mMVC, history of cancer) and prospectively followed-up for death and cancer-related events (occurrence, dissemination and cancer-related death).

RESULTS

Between 2002 and 2012, 1468 participants (58% men, mean age 64.8 ± 10.7 years, mean duration of diabetes 14.5 ± 9.9 years at baseline) were enrolled. At baseline, 119 (8%) had a personal history of cancer. Incident cancer occurred in 207 (14%) patients during a mean follow-up of 7.3 ± 3.7 years and was associated with older age, smoking status and personal history of cancer. mMVC were not associated with cancer-related events, considering cancer occurrence, node/metastasis dissemination and cancer-specific death. Risk of all-cause mortality was increased in diabetic patients cumulating cancer history and mMVC (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.25-2.38) compared to those with neither cancer nor mMVC. In our cohort, cancer-related death was not associated with mMVC (HR 1.05, 95%CI 0.67-1.64), but conversely history of cancer was significantly associated with cardiovascular-related death (HR 2.41, 95%CI 1.36-4.26).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, mMVC were not associated with cancer-related events, while history of cancer was significantly associated with cardiovascular death.

NFL strongly correlates with TNF-R1 in the plasma of AD patients, but not with cognitive decline

Peripheral inflammation mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have yet to be accurately characterized and the identification of blood biomarker profiles could help predict cognitive decline and optimize patient care. Blood biomarkers described to date have failed to provide a consensus signature, which is mainly due to the heterogeneity of the methods used or the cohort. The present work aims to describe the potential informativity of peripheral inflammation in AD, focusing in particular on the potential association between the level of plasma neurofilament light (NFL), peripheral inflammation (by quantifying IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, CCL5, TNF-R1, sIL-6R, TIMP-1, IL-8 in blood) and cognitive decline (assessed by the MMSE and ADAScog scales) through a 2-year follow-up of 40 AD patients from the Cytocogma cohort (CHU Poitiers, Pr M. Paccalin). Our results show for the first time a strong correlation between plasma NFL and TNF-R1 at each time of follow-up (baseline, 12 and 24 months), thus opening an interesting perspective for the prognosis of AD patients.

Consensus of experts from the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology on the management of heart failure in very old subjects

The prevalence of heart failure increases with age. In France, the 1-year mortality rate is 35% in subjects aged 80-89 years with heart failure, and 50% after the age of 90 years. In octogenarians, heart failure is associated with high rates of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular events, and is one of the main causes of hospitalization and disability. The prevalence of frailty increases in elderly subjects with heart failure, and the co-occurrence of heart failure and frailty increases the risk of mortality in patients with heart failure. In the elderly, the presence of frailty must be evaluated using a comprehensive geriatric assessment to manage geriatric syndromes, such as cognitive disorders, malnutrition, falls, depression, polypharmacy, disability and social isolation. The objective of heart failure therapy in octogenarians is to reduce symptoms, mortality and hospitalizations, but also to improve quality of life. In the absence of specific studies involving very old subjects, most recommendations are extrapolated from evidence-based data from younger populations. Overall, the epidemiological studies in patients with heart failure aged>80 years highlight the underprescription of recommended drugs. This underprescription may be related to comorbidity, a fear of side-effects and the lack of specific recommendations for drug prescription in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which is common in this very old population. The benefit/risk ratio related to heart failure treatment and comorbidity should be carefully weighed and reassessed on a regular basis. Consideration of disease prognosis according to factors that predict mortality can help to better define the care plan and promote palliative and supportive care when needed.

Determinants of doctors' antibiotic prescriptions for patients over 75 years old in the terminal stage of palliative care

INTRODUCTION

Notwithstanding high prevalence of presumably bacterial infections in elderly persons (EP) in palliative care (PC), there exists no recommendation on the role of antibiotic therapy (ABP) in this type of situation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the determinants of antibiotic prescription by general practitioners (GP) and by doctors practicing in institutions (DPI) for patients>75 years, in end-of-life situations in PC.

METHOD

Descriptive investigation by anonymous self-administered questionnaire disseminated in France by e-mail.

RESULTS

A total of 301 questionnaires analyzed: 113 GP, 188 DPIs. The latter were mainly geriatricians (69, 36.6%) and infectologists/internists (41, 21.8%). Sixty-three (55,75%) GPs and 144 (78.7%) DPIs stated that they had prescribed antibiotics. Practice in "EHPAD" retirement homes or intensive care was often associated with non-prescription of antibiotics. Age, PC training and number of patients monitored bore no influence. Family involvement in decision-making was more frequent for GPs than for DPIs. The main purpose of antibiotic therapy was to relieve different symptoms (fever, respiratory congestion, functional urinary signs). Most of the doctors (81%) had previously encountered complications (allergy, adverse effect), which represented the main causes of treatment discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic use in end-of-life EPs in PC seems frequent. In accordance with the principle of beneficence, its goal of often symptom-related; that said, in the absence of scientific data, antibiotic prescription in end-of-life situations should be individualized in view of observing the other ethical caregiving principles (beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, patient autonomy) and re-evaluated daily.

Frailty and diabetes status in older patients with cancer: impact on mortality in the ANCRAGE cohort

BACKGROUND

Frailty, diabetes and cancer are associated with aging, but the relationship between these conditions is not well defined.

AIMS

We studied older patients with cancer from the prospective single-center cohort ANCRAGE (ANalyses of CanceR in AGEd) aiming to determine the impact of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its vascular complications (VC) on frailty and adverse outcomes (mortality, unplanned readmission) during follow-up.

METHODS

Analysis of cohort patients ≥ 75 years, included between 2009 and 2017, who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Variables of interest were history of T2D and VC, tumor site and metastatic status, CGA including eight domains (social environment, functional status, mobility, nutrition, mood, cognition, polypharmacy and comorbidities) and frailty.

RESULTS

Among 1092 patients (47% female, mean age 82 ± 5 years), 219 (20%) had a reported diagnosis of T2D at baseline including 152 (69%) with VC. The most common tumor sites were prostate (15%), breast (15%), skin (12%), and colorectum (11%); 29% of patients had a metastatic disease. Frailty was highly prevalent (84%). During follow-up (median of 15.3 months), 653 (60%) patients died (60% no T2D, 43% T2D without VC, 66% with VC). After adjustment for age, gender and metastatic status, diabetics with VC had a higher risk of all-cause death (aHR1.89, 1.24-2.86, p = 0.004). Death was more frequently due to a non-cancer cause (p < 0.001). No difference in unplanned readmissions was observed in the three groups. Frailty was an independent risk factor for mortality and unplanned readmissions (p < 0.001 both).

CONCLUSION

In older cancer patients from the prospective ANCRAGE cohort, all-cause mortality was significantly higher in frail patients and those with complicated T2D, a finding questioning the quality of care management in such vulnerable patients, and stimulating further research in this multidisciplinary field.

Prognostic value of Charlson Comorbidity Index in the elderly with a cardioverter defibrillator implantation

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients are often underrepresented in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) trials, and ICD implantation in patients ≥75 years consequently remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate mortality, appropriate ICD therapy rates and survival gain in an elderly population after risk stratification according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

METHODS

This monocentric retrospective study included elderly ICD patients ≥75 years. They were subdivided according to their CCI score into 3 categories (0-1, 2-3 or ≥4 points). Elderly patients were matched 1:2 with younger control ICD patients on gender, type of prevention (primary or secondary) and type of device (associated cardiac resynchronization therapy or not).

RESULTS

Between January 2009 and July 2017, 121 elderly patients (mean age 78 ± 3; 83% male) matched with 242 controls (mean age 66 ± 5) were included. At 5 year follow-up after ICD implantation, overall survival was 78%, 57%, and 29% (P = 0.002) in the elderly with a CCI score of 0-1, 2-3 and ≥4 respectively, and 72% in controls. There was no significant difference regarding ICD appropriate therapy between the 3 subgroups despite a trend towards lower rates of therapy in CCI ≥ 4 points patients (34.2%, 39.7% and 22.8% respectively; P = 0.45). Median potential survival gain after an appropriate therapy was >5, 4.7 and 1.4 years, with a CCI score of 0-1, 2-3 and ≥4 respectively (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients with CCI score ≥ 4 had the lowest survival after ICD implantation and little survival gain in case of appropriate defibrillator therapy. More than age alone, the burden of comorbidities assessed by the CCI could be helpful to better select elderly patients for ICD implantation.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in older patients with cancer: an external validation of the multidimensional prognostic index in a French prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Older patients with cancer require specific and individualized management. The 3-group Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) based on the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) has shown a predictive interest in terms of mortality. The objective of our study was to assess the prognostic value of MPI for 1-year mortality in an external prospective French cohort of elderly patients with cancer.

METHODS

From March 2015 to March 2017 a prospective single-center cohort study enrolled all patients with cancer, aged 75 years and older referred to the geriatric oncology clinic. We used a proportional hazard model for 1-year mortality adjusted for age, sex, tumor sites and metastatic status. C-statistics were used to assess the incremental predictive value of MPI index to these risk factors.

RESULTS

overall, 433 patients underwent CGA with MPI (women 42%; mean age 82.8 ± 4.8 years). The most common tumor sites were prostate (23%), skin (17%), colorectum (15%) and breast (12%); 29% of patients had a metastatic disease; 231 patients (53%) belonged to the "MPI-1" group, 172 (40%) to the "MPI-2" group and 30 patients were classified in the "MPI-3" group. One-year mortality rate was 32% (23% in MPI-1, 41% in MPI-2 and 53% in MPI-3, p = 0.024). All domains of MPI except cognition and living status were significantly associated with mortality at one-year, as well as tumor sites and metastatic status. Higher MPI was associated with a higher mortality risk (adjusted HR 1.56 [95%CI 1.70-2.09] and 1.72 [1.33-2.22] for MPI groups 2 and 3 compared to 1; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to established risk factors, MPI improves risk prediction of 1-year mortality. This practical prognostic tool may help to optimize management of these vulnerable patients.

Using the Multidimensional Prognostic Index to Predict Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Older Persons: A Prospective, Multicenter, International Study

BACKGROUND

Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) is useful as a prognostic tool in hospitalized older patients, but our knowledge is derived from retrospective studies. We therefore aimed to evaluate in a multicenter, longitudinal, cohort study whether the MPI at hospital admission is useful to identify groups with different mortality risk and whether MPI at discharge may predict institutionalization, rehospitalization, and use of home care services during 12 months.

METHODS

This longitudinal study, carried out between February 2015 and August 2017, included nine public hospitals in Europe and Australia. A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment including information on functional, nutritional, cognitive status, risk of pressure sores, comorbidities, medications, and cohabitation status was used to calculate the MPI and to categorize participants in low, moderate, and severe risk of mortality. Data regarding mortality, institutionalization, rehospitalization, and use of home care services were recorded through administrative information.

RESULTS

Altogether, 1,140 hospitalized patients (mean age 84.1 years, women = 60.8%) were included. In the multivariable analysis, compared to patients with low risk group at admission, patients in moderate (odds ratio [OR] = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.79-6.17; p < .001) and severe risk (OR = 10.72, 95% CI: 5.70-20.18, p < .0001) groups were at higher risk of overall mortality. Among the 984 older patients with follow-up data available, those in the severe-risk group experienced a higher risk of overall mortality, institutionalization, rehospitalization, and access to home care services.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of hospitalized older adults, higher MPI values are associated with higher mortality and other negative outcomes. Multidimensional assessment of older people admitted to hospital may facilitate appropriate clinical and postdischarge management.

Using the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) to improve cost-effectiveness of interventions in multimorbid frail older persons: results and final recommendations from the MPI_AGE European Project

MPI_AGE is a European Union co-funded research project aimed to use the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), a validated Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)-based prognostic tool, to develop predictive rules that guide clinical and management decisions in older people in different European countries. A series of international studies performed in different settings have shown that the MPI is useful to predict mortality and risk of hospitalization in community-dwelling older subjects at population level. Furthermore, studies performed in older people who underwent a CGA before admission to a nursing home or receiving homecare services showed that the MPI successfully identified groups of persons who could benefit, in terms of reduced mortality, of specific therapies such as statins in diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation and antidementia drugs in cognitive decline. A prospective trial carried out in nine hospitals in Europe and Australia demonstrated that the MPI was able to predict not only in-hospital and long-term mortality, but also institutionalization, re-hospitalization and receiving homecare services during the one-year follow-up after hospital discharge. The project also explored the association between MPI and mortality in hospitalized older patients in need of complex procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation or enteral tube feeding. Evidence from these studies has prompted the MPI_AGE Investigators to formulate recommendations for healthcare providers, policy makers and the general population which may help to improve the cost-effectiveness of appropriate health care interventions for older patients.

Ageing stereotypes and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AGING): study protocol for an ongoing randomised clinical study

INTRODUCTION

The number of older people diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), the prodromal state of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is increasing worldwide. However, some patients with aMCI never convert to the AD type of dementia, with some remaining stable and others reverting to normal. This overdiagnosis bias has been largely overlooked and gone unexplained. There is ample evidence in the laboratory that negative ageing stereotypes (eg, the culturally shared belief that ageing inescapably causes severe cognitive decline) contribute to the deteriorating cognitive performances of healthy older adults, leading them to perform below their true abilities. The study described here is intended to test for the first time whether such stereotypes also impair patients' cognitive performances during neuropsychological examinations in memory clinics, resulting in overdiagnosis of aMCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The ongoing study is a 4-year randomised clinical trial comparing patients' physiological stress and cognitive performances during neuropsychological testing in memory clinics. A total of 260 patients attending their first cognitive evaluation will be randomised to either a standard condition of test administration, assumed here to implicitly activate negative ageing stereotypes or a reduced-threat instruction condition designed to alleviate the anxiety arising from these stereotypes. Both groups will be tested with the same test battery and stress biomarkers. For 30 patients diagnosed with aMCI in each group (n=60), biomarkers of neurodegeneration and amyloidopathy will be used to distinguish between aMCI with normal versus abnormal AD biomarkers. A 9-month follow-up will be performed on all patients to identify those whose cognitive performances remain stable, deteriorate or improve.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol has been approved by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety and the Sud-Est I French Ethics Committee (2017-A00946-47). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03138018.

Impact of time to surgery in upper femoral fracture in orthogeriatrics

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of hip fracture in the elderly is a major public health issue. Orthogeriatric departments have been developed for these patients at high risk of complications. Time to surgery seems to be an important factor in the care pathway, but remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of less than 24 hours' time to surgery on 1-year morbidity and mortality in patients managed in our orthogeriatric department.

HYPOTHESIS

The study hypothesis was that<24 hours' time to surgery decreases mortality in elderly patients with upper femoral fracture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study from September 2015 to July 2016 included patients aged 75 years and older, eligible for orthogeriatric management of upper femoral fracture. Patients with comorbidities were prioritized for admission and for access to the operating room. Time to surgery was defined as time between the arrival in A&E and transfer to the operating room. The primary endpoint was 1-year survival. Comorbidities were assessed on Charlson score. ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off for time to surgery. Variables significantly associated with mortality were included in a Cox regression model to estimate the adjusted effect of time to surgery on mortality.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients were included; mean age, 87±6.2 years; 26 male (24.1%), 82 female (75.9%). One-year mortality was 24.1% (26/108). Mean time to surgery was 14.1±30.9hours. ROC curve analysis showed a rise in mortality after a cut-off of 22hours 37minutes (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Within a dedicated orthogeriatric department, time to surgery is a significant factor in the management of hip fractures in the elderly. Patients should be prioritized for theater and ideally receive "early" surgery within 24hours of admission to A&E. The potential benefit of "ultra-early" surgery (time to surgery<6hours) requires robust assessment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Retrospective cohort study.

Enteral tube feeding and mortality in hospitalized older patients: A multicenter longitudinal study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The literature regarding enteral nutrition and mortality in older frail people is limited and still conflicting. Moreover, the potential role of comprehensive geriatric assessment is poorly explored. We therefore aimed to investigate whether the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), an established tool that assesses measures of frailty and predicts mortality, may help physicians in identifying patients in whom ETF (enteral tube feeding) is effective in terms of reduced mortality.

METHODS

Observational, longitudinal, multicenter study with one year of follow-up. Data regarding ETF were recorded through medical records. A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment was used to calculate the MPI. Participants were divided in low (MPI-1), moderate (MPI-2) or severe (MPI-3) risk of mortality. Data regarding mortality were recorded through administrative information.

RESULTS

1064 patients were included, with 79 (13 in MPI 1-2 and 66 in MPI-3 class) receiving ETF. In multivariable analysis, patients receiving ETF experienced a higher risk of death (odds ratio, OR = 2.00; 95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.19-3.38). However, after stratifying for their MPI at admission, mortality was higher in MPI-3 class patients (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.09-3.76), but not in MPI 1-2 class patients (OR = 1.51; 95%CI: 0.44-5.25). The use of propensity score confirmed these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

ETF is associated with a higher risk of death. However, this is limited to more frail patients, suggesting the importance of the MPI in the prognostic evaluation of ETF.

Characteristics and management of giant cell arteritis in France: a study based on national health insurance claims data

Objective

Few data are available on the epidemiology and management of GCA in real life. We aimed to address this situation by using health insurance claims data for France.

Methods

This retrospective study used the Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires (EGB) database, a 1% representative sample of the French national health insurance system. The EGB contains anonymous data on long-term disease status, hospitalizations and reimbursement claims for 752 717 people. Data were collected between 2007 and 2015. The index date was defined as the date of the first occurrence of a GCA code. Demographics, comorbidities, diagnostic tests and therapies were analysed. Annual incidence rates were calculated, and incident and overall GCA cases were studied.

Results

We identified 241 patients with GCA. The annual incidence was 7–10/100 000 people ⩾50 years old. Among the 117 patients with incident GCA, 74.4% were females, with mean age 77.6 years and mean follow-up 2.2 years. After the index date, 51.3% underwent temporal artery biopsy and 29.1% high-resolution Doppler ultrasonography. Among the whole cohort, 84.3% used only glucocorticoids. The most-prescribed glucocorticoid-sparing agent was methotrexate (12.0%).

Conclusion

The incidence of GCA in France is 7–10/100 000 people ⩾ 50 years old. Adjunct agents, mainly methotrexate, are given to only a few patients. The use of temporal artery biopsy in only half of the patients might reflect a shift toward the use of imaging techniques to diagnose GCA.

How many patients are eligible for disease-modifying treatment in Alzheimer's disease? A French national observational study over 5 years

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the epidemiology of the prodromal and mild stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients who are eligible for clinical trials with disease-modifying therapies.

SETTINGS

We analysed two large complementary databases to study the incidence and characteristics of this population on a nationwide scope in France from 2014 to 2018. The National Alzheimer Database contains data from 357 memory centres and 90 private neurologists. Data from 2014 to 2018 have been analysed.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients, 50-85 years old, diagnosed with AD who had an Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of ≥20 were included. We excluded patients with mixed and non-AD neurocognitive disorders.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Descriptive statistics of the population of interest was the primary measure.

RESULTS

In the National Alzheimer Database, 550 198 patients were assessed. Among them, 72 174 (13.1%) were diagnosed with AD and had an MMSE ≥20. Using corrections for specificity of clinical diagnosis of AD, we estimated that about 50 000 (9.1%) had a prodromal or mild AD. In the combined electronic clinical records database of 11 French expert memory centres, a diagnosis of prodromal or mild AD, certified by the use of cerebrospinal fluid AD biomarkers, could be established in 195 (1.3%) out of 14 596 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

AD was not frequently diagnosed at a prodromal or mild dementia stage in France in 2014 to 2018. Diagnosis rarely relied on a pathophysiological marker even in expert memory centres. National databases will be valuable to monitor early stage AD diagnosis efficacy in memory centres when a disease-modifying treatment becomes available.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in older patients suffering from infective endocarditis. A prospective multicentric cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to describe the impact of infective endocarditis (IE) on functional, cognitive and nutritional statuses, and to estimate the influence of these parameters on surgical management and mortality.

METHOD

This was a prospective study over 13 months in 14 French hospitals, including patients ≥75 years of age with definite or possible IE. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed during the first week of hospitalization, including a retrospective estimation of functional status 2 months before hospitalization, and 3 months after.

RESULTS

A total of 120 patients were included (mean age 83.1 ± 5.0 (75-101) years). IE was associated with a dramatic impairment of functional status between 2 months prior hospitalization and the first geriatric evaluation (90.8% able to walk vs. 35.5% (p < 0.0001), ADL (Activities in Daily Living) 5.0 ± 1.7 vs. 3.1 ± 2.1 (p < 0.0001)). The 19 operated patients (15.8%) had less comorbidities (cumulative illness rating scale geriatric 10.8 ± 8.2 vs. 15.3 ± 7.1 (p 0.0176)), better functional (ADL 5.9 ± 0.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.8 (p 0.0171) and nutritional (mini nutritional assessment 20.4 ± 5.0 vs. 17.3 ± 6.2 (p 0.0501)) statuses than non-operated patients. Among all infectious, cardiac and geriatric parameters, body mass index (HR 0.9, range 0.8-1, p 0.05) and ADL at the time of the first evaluation (HR 0.7, range 0.6-0.9, p 0.002) were the sole independent predictors of the 3-month (32.5%) and 1-year mortality (42.5%). Three months later, the 57 assessed patients only partially recovered their ADL (3.7 ± 1.9 vs. 5.3 ± 1.4 2 months prior hospitalization and 4.6 ± 1.9 at the first CGA; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Functional and nutritional abilities are crucial components that can be accurately explored through a CGA when managing IE in oldest patients.

Trans ε viniferin decreases amyloid deposits and inflammation in a mouse transgenic Alzheimer model

As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) induces several cellular and molecular damages, it could be interesting to use multi-target molecules for therapeutics. We previously published that trans ε-viniferin induced the disaggregation of Aβ₄₂ peptide and inhibited the inflammatory response in primary cellular model of AD. Here, effects of this stilbenoid were evaluated in transgenic APPswePS1dE9 mice. We report that trans ε-viniferin could go through the blood brain barrier, reduces size and density of amyloid deposits and decreases reactivity of astrocytes and microglia, after a weekly intraperitoneal injection at 10 mg/kg from 3 to 6 months of age.

Prognosis of geriatric patients with severe kidney disease

Over three million French people present a severe chronic kidney disease, among which there is a high prevalence of elder subjects. We conducted a prospective monocentric study in a geriatric acute care ward. The aims were to determine the short-term prognosis of patients with severe chronic kidney disease and to determine the factors associated with mortality at six-months.

METHODS

Patients 75 years of age and older, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² (chronic kidney disease epidemiology CKD-EPI) were recruited. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed at hospital discharge. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed: Activities of daily livings and Instrumental activities of daily livings scores, of the risk of pressure sore with Exton-Smith scale, the cognitive status with MMSE score, nutritional status according to Mini-nutritional assessment short form and albuminemia, comorbidities with Cumulative illness rating scale, number of drugs in presciption and living status. Six months follow-up was performed to assess vital status and evolution of the eGFR.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients were included, mean age 88.6±4.82 years with a mean eGFR of 21.3±6 mL/min. Mortality rate at six months was 36%. Multivariate analysis showed that a high CIRS score (RR=1.52; IC 95% 1.05-2.19) and a decline of creatinine clearance≥ 2 mL/min (4.72; 1.27-17.52) were predictive of mortality. On the opposite, a high MNA-SF score was protective (0.76; 0.62-0.94).

CONCLUSION

Prognosis of geriatric patients with severe chronic kidney disease is poor. Comprehensive geriatric assessment helps to assess short-term prognosis, in a focus of person-centered care.

Study protocol on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: focus on clinical and imaging predictive markers in co-existing lesions

BACKGROUND

One of the crucial challenges for the future of therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to target the main pathological processes responsible for disability and dependency. However, a progressive cognitive impairment occurring after the age of 70, the main population affected by dementia, is often related to mixed lesions of neurodegenerative and vascular origins. Whereas young patients are mostly affected by pure lesions, ageing favours the occurrence of co-lesions of AD, cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Most of clinical studies report on functional and clinical disabilities in patients with presumed pure pathologies. But, the weight of co-morbid processes involved in the transition from an independent functional status to disability in the elderly with co-lesions still remains to be elucidated. Neuropathological examination often performed at late stages cannot answer this question at mild or moderate stages of cognitive disorders. Brain MRI, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) with DaTscan®, amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers routinely help in performing the diagnosis of underlying lesions. The combination of these measures seems to be of incremental value for the diagnosis of mixed profiles of AD, CVD and LBD. The aim is to determine the clinical, neuropsychological, neuroradiological and biological features the most predictive of cognitive, behavioral and functional impairment at 2 years in patients with co-existing lesions.

METHODS

A multicentre and prospective cohort study with clinical, neuro-imaging and biological markers assessment will recruit 214 patients over 70 years old with a cognitive disorder of AD, cerebrovascular and Lewy body type or with coexisting lesions of two or three of these pathologies and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for dementia at a mild to moderate stage. Patients will be followed every 6 months (clinical, neuropsychological and imaging examination and collection of cognitive, behavioural and functional impairment) for 24 months.

DISCUSSION

This study aims at identifying the best combination of markers (clinical, neuropsychological, MRI, SPECT-DaTscan®, PET and CSF) to predict disability progression in elderly patients presenting coexisting patterns.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02052947 .

Prevalence of cancer and management in elderly nursing home residents. A descriptive study in 45 French nursing homes

This study aimed to determine cancer prevalence occurring after the age of 75 in 45 French nursing homes (NH), as well as residents' characteristics and parameters associated with cancer-specific management. Descriptive retrospective study including 214 residents (mean age, 89.7 years) with cancer diagnosed after age 75. The studied parameters were sociodemographic, functional, nutritional and cognitive data; comorbidity assessment; date of tumoral diagnosis; cancer type; tumoral stage; treatment plan; multidisciplinary staff decision and oncologic follow-up. Our results showed that cancer prevalence in NH was 8.4 ± 1.1%, diagnosed before admission in 63% of cases. The most common tumoral sites were skin (26%), digestive tract and breast (18% for both); 12% had metastasis. Cognitive impairment was the most common comorbidity (42%), and 44% of the residents were highly dependent. Multivariate analysis showed that therapeutic decisions were associated with age. Older patients had less staging exploration (odd ratios [ORs], 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.97) and underwent less cancer-specific treatment (ORs, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.86-0.99). Oncologic follow-up was more frequent in younger patients (ORs, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.81-0.99) and those with recent diagnosis (ORs, 0.37; 95%CI, 0.23-0.61). This study identified factors associated with substandard neoplastic management in elderly NH residents. It highlights needs for information, education and training in cancer detection to improve cancer consideration and care in NH.

Positive perception of aging is a key predictor of quality-of-life in aging people

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in France in a cohort over 55 years of age to characterize the impact of psychological dimensions on quality-of-life (QoL).

METHODS

The predictors of QoL in relation with aging were studied using an adapted quality-of-life model, based on emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms, functional status, and general health perception. Adding psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, psychological distress, perceptions of ageing and coping, was hypothesized to improve the QoL model. Responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling and path analysis.

RESULTS

The study involved 258 participants, mean age 66.9±7.9 years. Psychological distress and positive perception of aging exhibited the strongest direct impact on QoL (p<0.0001). Psychological distress also appeared to be mediator on QoL for perceived health status, self-esteem and negative perception of aging. Coping centred on emotion exhibited direct impact on self-esteem and so, indirect impact on QoL (p = 0.0002). Perception of personal financial situation (p = 0.0007) and coping centred on social support (p = 0.02) appeared as direct mediators influencing QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological dimensions are predictors of QOL and have to be taken into account to maximize the resources with a view to successful aging. Further interventions targeting successful aging should focus on positive perception aging.

Treatment compliance with European guidelines and prognosis of Clostridium difficile infection according to age

OBJECTIVE

Age>65 years is associated with the recurrence and poor prognosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Data on elderly patients (≥75 years) is scarce, and little is known about compliance with European guidelines in terms of specific treatment. We aimed to analyze the treatment and prognosis of CDI in two groups of patients aged<and≥75 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective survey from May 2014 to April 2015 in a university hospital including all patients presenting with microbiologically confirmed CDI. Sociodemographic and clinical data, treatment of CDI, recurrences (<8 weeks after CDI treatment completion), new episodes, and mortality were recorded. Follow-up was performed until February 2016.

RESULTS

Overall, 101 patients were included; 45 were aged≥75 years (44.6%). More than two-thirds of CDIs (71/101) were severe. Seven per cent of patients presenting with severe CDI and 10% of patients at increased risk of recurrence received the adequate treatment as per European guidelines. Mean follow-up was 15±4 months (range: 10-22). Among patients aged≥75 years, we observed the same number of recurrences and new episodes of CDI during the follow-up. The 3-month case fatality was significantly higher in the elderly group (P<0.001). The one-year survival rate was 73.2% in younger patients and 45.7% in elderly patients (P=0.0004).

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the poor prognosis of CDI in elderly patients and highlights the lack of compliance with treatment guidelines.

Differential chemokine expression under the control of peripheral blood mononuclear cells issued from Alzheimer's patients in a human blood brain barrier model

Growing evidence highlights the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) role and the chemokine involvement in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) physiopathology. However, few data are available about the impact of AD PBMCs in the chemokine signature in a brain with AD phenotype. Therefore, this study analyzed the chemokine levels in a human blood brain barrier model. A human endothelial cell line from the immortalized cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) and a human glioblastoma U-87 MG cell line, both with no AD phenotype were used while PBMCs came from AD at mild or moderate stage and control patients. PBMCs from moderate AD patients decreased CCL2 and CCL5 levels in endothelial, and also CXCL10 in abluminal compartments and in PBMCs compared to PBMCs from mild AD patients. The CX3CL1 expression increased in endothelial and abluminal compartments with PBMCs from mild AD patients compared to controls. AD PBMCs can convert the chemokine signature towards that found in AD brain, targeting some chemokines as new biomarkers in AD.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Alzheimer's Disease Patients Control CCL4 and CXCL10 Levels in a Human Blood Brain Barrier Model

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by a neuroinflammation triggering chemoattractant signals towards peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which in turn could reduce amyloid plaques after transmigration through the blood brain barrier (BBB). But the chemotactic environment remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze five chemokines known to be involved in AD in three different cellular models to better understand the cellular and molecular interactions in the BBB.

METHOD

Chemokines (CCL-2, 4 and 5, CXCL10 and CX3CL1) were measured in isolated cells, a BBB model without PBMCs (H4 and hCMEC/D3 cells, a neuroglioma and human endothelial cells, respectively) and in a complete BBB model with PBMCs from AD patients at a moderate stage. In one set of experiments, H4 cells were treated with Aβ42.

RESULTS

CCL2 and CCL5 significantly increased in hCMEC/D3 and H4 cells in the complete BBB model. In turn, the rate of CCL2 increased in PBMCs whereas for CCL5, it decreased. CXCL10 increased in all cellular actors in the complete BBB model, compared to isolated cells. For CCL4, PBMCs induced a robust increase in H4 and hCMEC/D3. In turn, the level of CCL4 decreased in PBMCs. Furthermore, PBMCs triggered a significant increase in CX3CL1 in hCMEC/D3. Surprisingly, no effect of Aβ42 was observed in the complete BBB model.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the interest of a BBB model in order to explore chemokine production. For the first time, results showed that PBMCs from patients with AD can control the production of CCL4 and CXCL10 in a human BBB model.

Blood Inflammatory Mediators and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease: A Two Years Longitudinal Study

Peripheral inflammatory processes are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to determine whether plasma inflammatory mediator levels at diagnosis are associated with cognitive decline through a 2-year follow-up in AD patients. Patients (n = 109, mean age 79.44 (6.82) years) were included at diagnosis with MMSE scores between 16 and 25, with C-reactive protein <10 mg/L, and without any acute or chronic inflammation status. Plasma IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL5 were measured using Luminex X-MAP technology at baseline, and after one year and two years of follow-up. The mean values of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL5 at diagnosis were 0.3, 1.94, 6.57, and 69,615.81 pg/mL, respectively. Mean cognitive decline in MMSE was 3.35 points. No correlation between plasmatic value of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, or CCL5 at diagnosis and cognitive decline during the two years of follow-up was found. Cognitive decline in AD does not appear to be predictable by the tested inflammatory mediators.

Plasma amyloid levels within the Alzheimer's process and correlations with central biomarkers

INTRODUCTION

Diagnostic relevance of plasma amyloid β (Aβ) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) process yields conflicting results. The objective of the study was to assess plasma levels of Aβ₄₂ and Aβ₄₀ in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), nonamnestic MCI, and AD patients and to investigate relationships between peripheral and central biomarkers.

METHODS

One thousand forty participants (417 amnestic MCI, 122 nonamnestic MCI, and 501 AD) from the Biomarker of AmyLoïd pepTide and AlZheimer's diseAse Risk multicenter prospective study with cognition, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging assessments were included.

RESULTS

Plasma Aβ_1-42 and Aβ_1-40 were lower in AD (36.9 [11.7] and 263 [80] pg/mL) than in amnestic MCI (38.2 [11.9] and 269 [68] pg/mL) than in nonamnestic MCI (39.7 [10.5] and 272 [52] pg/mL), respectively (P = .01 for overall difference between groups for Aβ_1-42 and P = .04 for Aβ_1-40). Globally, plasma Aβ_1-42 correlated with age, Mini-Mental State Examination, and APOE ε4 allele. Plasma Aβ_1-42 correlated with all CSF biomarkers in MCI but only with CSF Aβ₄₂ in AD.

DISCUSSION

Plasma Aβ was associated with cognitive status and CSF biomarkers, suggesting the interest of plasma amyloid biomarkers for diagnosis purpose.

Negative Aging Stereotypes Impair Performance on Brief Cognitive Tests Used to Screen for Predementia

Objectives

There is today ample evidence that negative aging stereotypes impair healthy older adults' performance on cognitive tasks. Here, we tested whether these stereotypes also decrease performance during the screening for predementia on short cognitive tests widely used in primary care.

Method

An experiment was conducted on 80 healthy older adults taking the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) under Threat or Reduced-threat condition.

Results

Stereotype threat significantly impaired older adults' performance on both tests, resulting in 40% of older adults meeting the screening criteria for predementia, compared with 10% in Reduced-threat condition (MMSE and MoCA averaged).

Discussion

Our research highlights the influence of aging stereotypes on short cognitive tests used to screen for predementia. It is of critical importance that physicians provide a threat-free testing environment. Further research should clarify whether this socially induced bias may also operate in secondary care by generating false positives.