Common Geriatric Syndromes Research Articles

Delirium and frailty in older adults: Clinical overlap and biological underpinnings.

Frailty and delirium are two common geriatric syndromes sharing several clinical characteristics, risk factors, and negative outcomes. Understanding their interdependency is crucial to identify shared mechanisms and implement initiatives to reduce the associated burden. This literature review summarizes scientific evidence on the complex interplay between frailty and delirium; clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological commonalities; and current knowledge gaps. We conducted a PubMed systematic search in June 2023, which yielded 118 eligible articles out of 991. The synthesis of the results-carried out by content experts-highlights overlapping risk factors, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes and explores the influence of one syndrome on the onset of the other. Common pathophysiological mechanisms identified include inflammation, neurodegeneration, metabolic insufficiency, and vascular burden. The review suggests that frailty is a risk factor for delirium, with some support for delirium associated with accelerated frailty. The proposed unifying framework supports the integration and measurement of both constructs in research and clinical practice, identifying the geroscience approach as a potential avenue to develop strategies for both conditions. In conclusion, we suggest that frailty and delirium might be alternative-sometimes coexisting-manifestations of accelerated biological aging. Clinically, the concepts addressed in this review can help approach older adults with either frailty or delirium from a different perspective. From a research standpoint, longitudinal studies are needed to explore the hypothesis that specific pathways within the biology of aging may underlie the clinical manifestations of frailty and delirium. Such research will pave the way for future understanding of other geriatric syndromes as well.

Lessons from the Department of Veterans Affairs: A continuum of age-friendly care for older adults.

With almost 90% of Americans expressing a desire to age in place in their home, many health systems and communities are challenged to provide the right resources, at the right time, to support What Matters to older adults. In the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), approximately 50% of Veterans enrolled in VA health care are aged 65 and older, driving an imperative to provide timely, Age-Friendly care through a broad continuum of services. VA has taken a multifaceted approach to shift Long-Term Services and Supports to promote aging in place through innovation pilots, expansion of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and adoption of Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) practices [or "framework"]. VA is spreading geriatrics knowledge throughout the clinician and trainee workforce, improving skills and practices across all disciplines and care settings. The framework of AFHS creates a shared language to support transitions across ambulatory, hospital, emergency department, home care, and nursing home settings. Through these efforts, VA is reimagining geriatrics, providing an example of the type of care all older adults want and deserve. Since March 2020, 375 care settings across 132/139 (95%) VA parent facilities have earned AFHS recognition. By incorporating AFHS into the infrastructure of the healthcare system, clinicians are prepared to address What Matters across clinical settings and address common geriatric syndromes. Leaders in a variety of health systems can learn from VA efforts to provide a continuum of Age-Friendly programs and services that promote independence, function, well-being and aging in place.

Current status and the future trajectory of geriatric services in Nigeria

The world population of people aged 65 and above, termed as older persons, is increasing rapidly. The number of people aged 65 years or older worldwide is projected to more than double, rising from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050. The number of people aged 80 years or older is growing even faster. Population ageing is an irreversible global trend. It is the inevitable result of the demographic transition – the trend toward longer lives and smaller families – that is taking place even in countries with relatively youthful populations. In 2021, one in 10 people worldwide were aged 65 or above. In 2050, this age group is projected to account for one in six people globally [1]. People are living longer because of better nutrition, sanitation, healthcare, education, and economic well-being. With increasing age, older adults become at greater risk for diseases, disability, and side effects of medications. The common geriatric syndromes suffered by older persons include degenerative joint diseases, falls and mobility issues, sensory impairments (visual and hearing), dementia, sleep disturbances, frailty, and urinary incontinence. These syndromes are described as ‘Giants of Geriatrics’ on account of the impact on quality of life, and functional status of older persons. Geriatricians provide person-centered holistic care that attempts to preserve function and maintain a good quality of life by deploying the comprehensive geriatrics assessment and management approach which involves a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Nigeria has an increasing ageing population that will benefit from a healthcare system that is aligned to their peculiar care needs in the different settings care will be sought. This can be achieved by building capacity in the various disciplines involved in providing comprehensive care to older persons, and including geriatric medicine in the training curriculum for medical students, nurses and all allied health workers.

Geriatric syndrome awareness and its determinants in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the awareness rate of six common geriatric syndromes and related influencing factors among the older adults aged 65 and above in China.MethodsThis is a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 6,653 participants aged 65 and older from four regions who completed a questionnaire on geriatric syndrome awareness. The questionnaire covered demographic data, health information, medication usage, and an assessment scale for knowledge of six geriatric syndromes (GS Awareness Scale).ResultsA total of 6,653 respondents were surveyed, with 5,318 valid questionnaires collected (79.93%), including 1,311 from Zhejiang (24.7%), 1,356 from Beijing (25.5%), 1,373 from Sichuan (25.8%), and 1,278 from Fujian (24.0%). The highest awareness was for falls, with 3,295 individuals (62.0%), followed by dementia with 2,929 individuals (55.1%), malnutrition with 2,907 individuals (54.7%), frailty with 2,156 individuals (40.5%), urinary incontinence with 2,006 individuals (37.7%), and sarcopenia with 1,914 individuals (36.0%). Univariate analysis showed that factors such as region, age, marital status, living situation, educational level, source of respondents, income status, and smoking had statistically significant differences in awareness rates (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that the source of respondents significantly affected the awareness rates (P < 0.05), with the older adults from rural areas having an increased risk of lower awareness compared to urban areas; age also significantly influenced the awareness rates (P < 0.05), with older age groups (76–85, 86–95 years) having a higher risk of reduced awareness compared to those aged 65–75 years.ConclusionsThe awareness of common geriatric syndromes among the older adults population aged 65 years and older in China is notably low. Consequently, there exists a critical need to enhance the formulation of policies regarding geriatric syndromes across various regions, aiming to elevate health literacy among this demographic.

The relationship between accelerometer-based physical activity, sedentary behavior, and seven common geriatric syndromes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

To investigate the causal associations between accelerometer-based physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and seven common geriatric syndromes (GSs) (frailty, falls, delirium, urinary incontinence, dysphagia, hearing loss, and visual impairment) by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Instrumental variables from a genome-wide association study were used for MR analysis. The exposure factors were three PA phenotypes (average acceleration, overall activity, and moderate-intensity activity) and one SB phenotype (SB). The outcome variables were seven common GSs. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was utilized for the primary MR analysis. Additionally, sensitivity, pleiotropy, and heterogeneity analyses were subsequently conducted to assess the robustness of the present study's findings. According to the primary MR results obtained using the IVW method, genetically predicted PA (average acceleration) decreased the risk of two GSs (frailty, p = 0.01; dysphagia, p = 0.03). Similarly, overall activity decreased the risk of two GSs (frailty, p = 0.01; delirium, p = 0.03), and moderate-intensity activity reduced the risk of three GSs (urinary incontinence, p = 0.04; hearing loss, p = 0.02; visual impairment, p = 0.01). Furthermore, SB was causally correlated with a greater risk for three GSs (frailty, p = 0.03; fall, p = 0.01; dysphagia, p = 0.04). This study provided evidence that accelerometer-based PA may be causally associated with a lower risk of GSs, while SB may increase the risk of GSs.

The Relationship Between Sarcopenia And Proteinuria, What Do We Know?

Sarcopenia is one of the most common geriatric syndromes in the elderly. It is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and function, and it can lead to physical disability, falls, poor quality of life, impaired immune system, and death. It is known that, the frequency of sarcopenia increases in the kidney patient population compared to healthy individuals. Although it is known that kidney disease can lead to sarcopenia; our knowledge of whether sarcopenia causes kidney disease is limited. Prior studies have suggested that protein energy wasting may be a risk of de novo CKD. Proteinuria is an important manifestation of kidney disease and there is a relationship between sarcopenia and proteinuria in diabetes, geriatric population, kidney transplant, and nephrotic syndrome. Does proteinuria cause sarcopenia or vice versa? Are they both the results of common mechanisms? This issue is not clearly known. In this review, we examined the relationship between sarcopenia and proteinuria in the light of other studies.

Patient outcome quality indicators for older persons in acute care: original development data using interRAI AC-CGA

BackgroundA range of strategies are available that can improve the outcomes of older persons particularly in relation to basic activities of daily living during and after an acute care (AC) episode. This paper outlines the original development of outcome-oriented quality indicators (QIs) in relation to common geriatric syndromes and function for the care of the frail aged hospitalized in acute general medical wards.MethodsDesign QIs were developed using evidence from literature, expert opinion, field study data and a formal voting process. A systematic literature review of literature identified existing QIs (there were no outcome QIs) and evidence of interventions that improve older persons’ outcomes in AC. Preliminary indicators were developed by two expert panels following consideration of the evidence. After analysis of the data from field testing (indicator prevalence, variability across sites), panel meetings refined the QIs prior to a formal voting process.SettingData was collected in nine Australian general medical wards.ParticipantsPatients aged 70 years and over, consented within 24 h of admission to the AC ward.MeasurementsThe interRAI Acute Care – Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (interRAI AC-CGA) was administered at admission and discharge; a daily risk assessment in hospital; 28-day phone follow-up and chart audit.ResultsTen outcome QIs were established which focused on common geriatric syndromes and function for the care of the frail aged hospitalized in acute general medical wards.ConclusionTen outcome QIs were developed. These QIs can be used to identify areas where specific action will lead to improvements in the quality of care delivered to older persons in hospital.

Association between geriatric characteristics and falls in older patients with overweight and obesity

Objectives: To assess geriatric characteristics and associations with falls among older people with overweight and obesity. Subjects and Methods: A cross- sectional study on 233 older patients with overweight and obesity examined and treated at National Geriatric Hospital from January to May 2023. Falls in the last 12 months and geriatric characteristics were collected by interviewing using a questionnaire. Results: Of the total 233 participants, the proportion of patients with falls in the last 12 months was 16.7%. The majority of study participants had 2 or more diseases, accounting for 94%. Prevalence of polypharmacy was 63.1%. The rate of ADL impairment was 17.6% and IADL impairment was 16.7%. There was 75.5% of study participants had a high likelihood of depression. The majority of study participants rated quality of life at a high and very high level. There is a statistically significant difference in the rate of falls in the last 12 months between the dependent group and the non-dependent group in activities daily living ADL and IADL (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Multi- comorbidities, polypharmacy and depression are the common geriatric syndromes in overweight and obese elderly people. Fall in the past 12 months associated with activities daily living ADL and IADL.

Predictors of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Prefrail and Frail Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of the FRAGSALUD Project.

Frailty is associated with urinary and fecal incontinence, which are common geriatric syndromes. This study aims to identify health factors associated with incontinence in prefrail or frail older adults living in the community. This multicenter cross-sectional study included 225 older adults (75.0 ± 6.4 years) with prefrailty or frailty based on the 5-component Fried phenotype. Physical function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Physical activity, inactivity, and sleep were estimated using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Urinary or fecal incontinence was registered using the Barthel scale (urine and bowel items). Multivariable logistic regression analyses, with age as a covariate, were conducted to identify associations of incontinence. In our participants, 27% presented urinary or fecal incontinence with no sex differences (p = .266). Our results showed that age, daily medication count, and number of falls in the previous year independently predicted incontinence in frail and prefrail older adults (p < .05). Some Fried's criteria, including self-reported exhaustion, gait speed, and handgrip strength, were associated with the presence of incontinence (p < .05), but not Fried's classification. The SPPB total score and its isolated variables were significantly associated with the urinary and fecal incontinence (p < .05). However, none of the accelerometer outcomes showed significant associations with incontinence status. According to this study, age, number of medications, and falls (but not sex) are linked to urinary and fecal incontinence in frail or prefrail older adults living in the community, recommending the assessment of physical function using the SPPB rather than estimating daily physical activity, inactivity, or sleep.

Geriatric Syndromes Frequently (Co)-Occur in Geriatric Rehabilitation Inpatients: Restoring Health of Acutely Unwell Adults (RESORT) and Enhancing Muscle Power in Geriatric Rehabilitation (EMPOWER-GR)

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and co-occurrence of common geriatric syndromes in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. DesignRestoring Health of Acutely Unwell Adults (RESORT) and Enhancing Muscle Power in Geriatric Rehabilitation (EMPOWER-GR) are observational, longitudinal cohorts. SettingGeriatric rehabilitation. ParticipantsGeriatric rehabilitation inpatients (N=1890 and N=200). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresGeriatric syndromes included polypharmacy, multimorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), cognitive impairment, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale/Geriatric Depression Scale), malnutrition (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition), functional limitation (Katz index), falls, physical frailty (Fried), and sarcopenia (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2). ResultsInpatients in RESORT (R) (N=1890, 56% females) had a median age of 83.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 77.6-88.4) and in EMPOWER-GR (E) (N=200, 57% females) of 79.8 years (IQR, 75.0-85.9). Polypharmacy (R, 82.2%; E, 84.0%), multimorbidity (R, 90.4%; E, 85.5%), functional limitation (R, 96.0%; E, 76.5%), and frailty (R, 91.8%; E, 92.2%) were most prevalent. Most inpatients had ≥5 geriatric syndromes at admission in both cohorts (R, 70.0%; E, 72.4%); few inpatients had only 1 (R, 0.4%; E, 1.5%) or no geriatric syndrome (R, 0.2%; E, 0.0%). Geriatric syndromes did not occur in isolation (without other syndromes), except for multimorbidity (R, 1%; E, 5%), functional limitation (R, 3%; E, 2%), falls (R, 0%; E, 4%), and frailty (R, 2%; E, 5%), which occurred in isolation in some inpatients; sarcopenia did not. ConclusionsGeriatric syndromes are highly prevalent at admission to geriatric rehabilitation, with a median of 5 co-occurring syndromes. Implications for diagnosis and intervention potential should be further addressed.

Functional Status in Relation to Common Geriatric Syndromes and Sociodemographic Variables - A Step Forward Towards Healthy Aging.

Geriatric syndromes (GS) are prevalent in the older population, with an impact on morbidity and disability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of functional dependence and ten GS in community older adults and to examine the different associations between these syndromes and sociodemographic variables and their impact on functional dependence. A cross-sectional study of 342 outpatients seen at the geriatric clinic in the period 2015-2023. The mean age was 75±7.4. One-third had functional dependence and 96.2% had at least one GS. The mean number of GS was 3.11±1.74, ranging from 2.56±1.67 in the 60s to 3.55±1.70 in octogenarians. The most common GS found were polypharmacy (79.5%), musculoskeletal pain (49.7%), and Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) (32.7%). Polypharmacy was significantly associated with female sex and chronic pain, whereas sensory impairment was associated with male sex. MND, dizziness, and urinary incontinence were the only GS that significantly predicted functional dependence and were typically associated with increasing age. Functional dependence increases as individuals age, paralleled by increases in MND, urinary incontinence, dizziness, sensory impairment, and constipation. Notably, only MND, incontinence, depression, and dizziness were significant predictors of functional dependence. Consequently, it is imperative to screen older adults presenting with these syndromes for early signs of functional decline to optimize their function and avert subsequent dependence, morbidity, and mortality.

EVALUATION OF SOME COMMON GERIATRIC SYNDROMES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG OLDER PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Objectives: To evaluate some common geriatric syndromes and their associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 184 older patients with knee OA treated at National Geriatric Hospital from May to August 2022. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Geriatric syndromes were assessed. Results: Some common geriatric syndromes in elderly knee OA patients were sleep disorders (72.3%), polypharmacy (54.3%), depression (48.4%), high risk of falls (45.1%), malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition (45.1%), IADL impairment (35.9%), and ADL impairment (32.6%). Cognitive impairment accounted for the lowest proportion (20.7%). There are significant associations between HRQoL and geriatric syndromes (malnutrition, ADL and IADL impairment, high fall risk, cognitive impairment, depression, and sleep disturbance). Patients with the presence of these geriatric syndromes have a poorer quality of life (QoL), in most aspects of HRQoL such as mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes in older people with knee OA. Most of these geriatric syndromes were related to the aspects of the patients’ QoL.

Anticoagulation Patterns Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation.

To assess clinicians' prescribing practices for anticoagulation in older adults with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/F) and determine factors common among those without anticoagulation. We performed a community-based retrospective cohort study of adults aged 65 years and older with a history of nonvalvular AF/F to determine the rate of oral anticoagulation utilization. We also assessed for associations between anticoagulation use and comorbid conditions and common geriatric syndromes. A total of 3832 patients with a diagnosis of nonvalvular AF/F were included (mean [SD] age, 79.9 [8.4] years), 2693 (70.3%) of whom were receiving anticoagulation (51.7%, a vitamin K antagonist; 48.1%, a direct-acting oral anticoagulant). Patients with higher Elderly Risk Assessment index (ERA) scores, a surrogate for health vulnerability, received anticoagulation less often than patients with lower scores. The percentage of patients with a history of falling was higher among those who did not receive anticoagulation than among those who did (44.4% vs 32.8%; P < .001). Similarly, a diagnosis of dementia was more common in the no-anticoagulation group than the anticoagulation group (18.5% vs 12.7%; P < .001). A substantial proportion of older adults with AF/F do not receive anticoagulation. Those without anticoagulation had higher risk of health deterioration based on higher ERA scores and had a higher incidence of dementia and fall history. This suggests that the presence of geriatric syndromes may influence the decision to withhold anticoagulation.

Prevalence of geriatric syndromes among older outpatients with dementia

AbstractBackgroundThe occurrence of geriatric syndromes in people with dementia may result in worsening of independence and autonomy.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted on outpatients with dementia aged ≥ 60 years old. Dementia was diagnosed by neuropsychiatrists following DSM‐5 criteria.. The geriatric syndromes includes nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale‐Short Form), polypharmacy, comorbidities, alcohol use, symptom of depression (Quality of Life in Alzheimer Disease), physical functional (Barthel Index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), lower body strength (30 seconds stand chair test), high risk of fall (Time Up and Go test ≥ 13.5 seconds), hearing loss (Whisper test), low visual acuity (Snellen test) and poor quality sleep (The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index).ResultA total of 87 participants was recruited in the study (mean age: 76.8±1.2 years; female: 65.5%). The median number of geriatrics syndrome per participant was 5 (IQR = 2). The most common geriatric syndromes were loss of independence (96.6% impariment in ≥1 IADL task score), reduced lower body strength (86.2%), risk of malnutrition (78.2%), low speed (74.7%) and risk of falls (67.8%). The prevalence of alcohol use, risk of malnutrition, loss of independence and reduced lower body strength were consistently increase linearly with the severity of dementia.ConclusionThe presence and co‐incidence of geriatric syndromes is common among outpatients with dementia. This finding could have important clinical implications in the clinical work‐up and service delivery in Vietnam. We have begun to think about how we can develop our primary to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches to screening, recognition, and treatment of people with dementia

The relationship between urinary incontinence and abdominal muscle thickness in community-dwelling older women undergoing comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common geriatric syndromes in older adults, especially in women. The aim of this study is to show the relationship between urinary incontinence and abdominal muscle thickness measured by muscle ultrasonography (US) in community-dwelling older women adults. Eighty-seven community-dwelling older women participated in our study. The presence and the type of UI were recorded. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected, and a comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on all participants. Abdominal muscle layer thicknesses were evaluated with muscle US. The prevalence of UI was 55.2% (n = 48) of the study population. The median [IQR] age of the patients in the UI group was 73.0 [69.0-77.5] years and it was 69.0 [67.0-73.0] years in patients without UI (p = 0.007). Abdominal muscle thicknesses were measured smaller in patients with UI than those without UI except for internal oblique muscle thickness. The median [IQR] rectus abdominis muscle thickness was lower in patients with UI than in patients without UI, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.003). RA muscle was associated with UI regardless of age, polypharmacy, malnutrition, and frailty (OR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.38-0.89; p = 0.01). We have shown that UI was independently related to the rectus abdominis muscle thickness, which may reflect the function and mass of the pelvic floor muscles.

238 An age related acute medical unit: creating an age-attuned model of acute care

Abstract Background Multi-morbidity increases with age and older adults are more likely to present to acute hospital services with complex health states/Geriatric syndromes. For people with underlying physical or cognitive illnesses, these issues can be compounded by the built environment of acute hospitals. Meeting the needs of a frail older population is a key challenge for acute hospital services. The main aims of this development quality improvement project were to create a dedicated Age-related acute medical unit using the concept of universal design, with dedicated, Gerontological staffing including a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Gerontology. Methods A project team was convened with representation from Geriatric nursing, Geriatric Medicine, Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP), Estates, Technical services and the executive management team. An appropriate area was identified on the acute floor which was co-located with a newly developed Acute Medical Unit. Using a universal design approach, a 4-cubicle Age Related Assessment Unit (ARAU) including a dedicated multidisciplinary assessment room was created. The role of the RANP in ARAU was developed to provide comprehensive geriatric assessment to older medical patients presenting to unscheduled care. Results Following the implementation of the ARAU there has been a 40% increase in the number of unscheduled older patients (&amp;gt;65’s) assessed in the Acute Medical Unit (Q1 2019 to Q1 2023). Conclusion Operating within a defined scope of practice, the RANP in ARAU/AMU provides advanced specialist geriatric nursing skills and knowledge allowing for the identification of medical, psychosocial and functional needs of older adults for older adults who present to unscheduled care with common geriatric syndromes.

O.4.1-4 Integrated geriatric care - a community approach to preventing falls and frailty of elderly Slovenian

Abstract Purpose The need for geriatric treatment is increasing with the aging of the population. Multimorbid patients with social care problems and increased need for rehabilitation and paliative care are more common. Mortality of the elderly, due to falls is 2.5 times higher in Slovenia than in the other EU countries. Until the national regulation of integrated geriatric care in Slovenian health system and in other relevant environments (community, long-term care, social care) and the establishment of appropriate, licensed postgraduate training for health professionals, it is necessary to start educating wider range of health and social care personnel, for most common geriatric syndromes such as frailty, falls and NCDs. Establishing a community approach to health is one effective way to address vulnerability of elderly population. Project description Project Integration of geriatric care for the elderly is implementing the existing commitment from WHO Decade of healthy ageing and the Slovenian Health Care Plan until 2025. With planned activities, it will ensure equal access to quality and safe health services, integrated and comprehensive treatment and will contribute to the deinstitutionalization of the Slovenian eldest population. It will develop a unified set of tools, for the systematic identification of elderly needs, new digital tools for optimization and better communication between different levels of providers and training a wider range of new and already employed health and social care personnel, for optimal health care. Evaluation of new competency models for health care personnel, training methods and proposed clinical pathways will be carried out at the end of the project. Based on final proposals, we will establish a new approach to the system level of integrated geriatric care and bring the treatment closer to the patient's home. Conclusions Project will also contribute to upgrading competences of physiotherapists, kinesiologists, standard health teams in Health Promotion Centers, community nurses, family medicine and internal medicine doctors and social care workers for the integrated geriatric care for the elderly. It will address especially treatment of the physical component in geriatric syndrome, such as decreased muscle strength, balance, impaired walking and frailty, at different levels of health care and communities.

Association of Functional Status, Cognition, Social Support, and Geriatric Syndrome With Admission From the Emergency Department

The role of patient-level factors that are unrelated to the specific clinical condition leading to an emergency department (ED) visit, such as functional status, cognitive status, social supports, and geriatric syndromes, in admission decisions is not well understood, partly because these data are not available in administrative databases. To determine the extent to which patient-level factors are associated with rates of hospital admission from the ED. This cohort study analyzed survey data collected from participants (or their proxies, such as family members) enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2018. These HRS data were linked to Medicare fee-for-service claims data from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2018. Information on functional status, cognitive status, social supports, and geriatric syndromes was obtained from the HRS data, whereas ED visits, subsequent hospital admission or ED discharge, and other claims-derived comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained from Medicare data. Data were analyzed from September 2021 to April 2023. The primary outcome measure was hospital admission after an ED visit. A baseline logistic regression model was estimated, with a binary indicator of admission as the dependent variable of interest. For each primary variable of interest derived from the HRS data, the model was reestimated, including the HRS variable of interest as an independent variable. For each of these models, the odds ratio (OR) and average marginal effect (AME) of changing the value of the variable of interest were calculated. A total of 42 392 ED visits by 11 783 unique patients were included. At the time of the ED visit, patients had a mean (SD) age of 77.4 (9.6) years, and visits were predominantly for female (25 719 visits [60.7%]) and White (32 148 visits [75.8%]) individuals. The overall percentage of patients admitted was 42.5%. After controlling for ED diagnosis and demographic characteristics, functional status, cognition status, and social supports all were associated with the likelihood of admission. For instance, difficulty performing 5 activities of daily living was associated with an 8.5-percentage point (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.29-1.66) AME increase in the likelihood of admission. Having dementia was associated with an AME increase in the likelihood of admission of 4.6 percentage points (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14-1.33). Living with a spouse was associated with an AME decrease in the likelihood of admission of 3.9 percentage points (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.89), and having children living within 10 miles was associated with an AME decrease in the likelihood of admission of 5.0 percentage points (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.89). Other common geriatric syndromes, including trouble falling asleep, waking early, trouble with vision, glaucoma or cataract, use of hearing aids or trouble with hearing, falls in past 2 years, incontinence, depression, and polypharmacy, were not meaningfully associated with the likelihood of admission. Results of this cohort study suggest that the key patient-level characteristics, including social supports, cognitive status, and functional status, were associated with the decision to admit older patients to the hospital from the ED. These factors are critical to consider when devising strategies to reduce low-value admissions among older adult patients from the ED.

Examination of real-world data from geriatric assessments in a comprehensive cancer center to explore predominant and cancer-specific domains for intervention.

e24027 Background: Older adults (OA) with cancer have a higher risk of harm with cancer treatment. Geriatric Assessment (GA) based treatment modifications can help mitigate toxicity and functional impairment. The Geriatric Oncology Assessment and Plan (GOAL) Clinic was established with the aim of providing age-friendly care to OA with cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute. This retrospective study presents the needs identified using GA in the real-world setting. Methods: Patients (pts) aged ≥65 years are referred to the GOAL clinic by their oncologists/hematologists for age-related concerns. A geriatrics nurse practitioner administers a GA upon initial visit, communicates specific age-related concerns with the referring provider, and subsequently manages any geriatric syndromes that may interfere with their treatment tolerance or outcomes. We analyzed GA data to identify the specific needs of OA with cancer referred to the GOAL clinic. Results: We evaluated 222 pts in the GOAL clinic between September 2020 and January 2023. The median age was 77 years, 52% were female. The most common cancer diagnosis was prostate, followed by breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and bladder. Of the pts assessed, the median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was 1, and the median body mass index (BMI) was 26.4 kg/m2. 12% of pts had a moderate to high risk for malnutrition. A Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) showed minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression in 35%, 20%, 14%, 7%, and 3% of pts, respectively. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 (GAD-7) showed minimal, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety symptoms in 35%, 19%, 9%, and 7% of pts respectively. The median Mini-cog score was 4, and those who reflexed to testing with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) had a median score of 22 out of 30 suggesting mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A greater proportion of pts with prostate cancer (PC) were overweight and had MCI by MOCA (Table 1). Multidisciplinary interventions were implemented, and GA was used to determine the appropriateness of cancer treatment. Conclusions: Cognitive dysfunction and depression were this population's most common geriatric syndromes. PC pts had a higher median BMI and greater proportion of patients with MCI than pts with other cancers. Dysmetabolic syndrome associated with elevated BMI is not a domain of GA but is pertinent to treatment toxicity in PC. MCI is not apparent on a routine oncology evaluation. Interventions are needed to prevent, screen, and treat MCI in OA with cancer, especially PC, and dysmetabolic syndrome in OA with PC.[Table: see text]

Orthogeriatric co-management for older patients with a major osteoporotic fracture: Protocol of an observational pre-post study.

Osteoporotic fractures are associated with postoperative complications, increased mortality, reduced quality of life, and excessive costs. The care for older patients with a fracture is often complex due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and presence of geriatric syndromes requiring a holistic multidisciplinary approach based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Nurse-led geriatric co-management has proven to prevent functional decline and complications, and improve quality of life. The aim of this study is to prove that nurse-led orthogeriatric co-management in patients with a major osteoporotic fracture is more effective than inpatient geriatric consultation to prevent in-hospital complications and several secondary outcomes in at least a cost-neutral manner. An observational pre-post study will be performed on the traumatology ward of the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium including 108 patients aged 75 years and older hospitalized with a major osteoporotic fracture in each cohort. A feasibility study was conducted after the usual care cohort and prior to the intervention cohort to measure fidelity to the intervention components. The intervention includes proactive geriatric care based on automated protocols for the prevention of common geriatric syndromes, a comprehensive geriatric evaluation followed by multidisciplinary interventions, and systematic follow-up. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients having one or more in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes include functional status, instrumental activities of daily living status, mobility status, nutritional status, in-hospital cognitive decline, quality of life, return to pre-fracture living situation, unplanned hospital readmissions, incidence of new falls, and mortality. A process evaluation and cost-benefit analysis will also be conducted. This study wants to prove the beneficial impact of orthogeriatric co-management in improving patient outcomes and costs in a heterogenous population in daily clinical practice with the ambition of long-term sustainability of the intervention. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) Registry: ISRCTN20491828. Registered on October 11, 2021, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN20491828.