Prevalence Of Geriatric Conditions Research Articles

Beyond the Lung: Geriatric Conditions Afflict Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Self-Reported Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

RationaleChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) predominantly affects older adults. However, the co-morbid occurrence of geriatric conditions has been understudied.ObjectiveCharacterize the prevalence of geriatric conditions among community-dwelling U.S. older adults with self-reported COPD.MethodsWe conducted a nationally representative, cross-sectional study of 3,005 U.S. community-dwelling older adults (ages 57–85 years) from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). We evaluated the prevalence of select geriatric conditions (multimorbidity, functional disability, impaired physical function, low physical activity, modified frailty assessment, falls, polypharmacy, and urinary incontinence) and psychosocial measures (frequency of socializing, sexual activity in the last year, loneliness, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms) among individuals with self-reported COPD as compared to those without. Using multivariate logistic and linear regressions, we investigated the relationships between COPD and these geriatric physical and psychosocial conditions.Main ResultsSelf-reported COPD prevalence was 10.7%, similar to previous epidemiological studies. Individuals with COPD had more multimorbidity [modified Charlson score 2.6 (SD 1.9) vs. 1.6 (SD 1.6)], more functional disability (58.1 vs. 29.6%; adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.3, 4.3), falls in the last year (28.4 vs. 20.8%; adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01, 2.0), impaired physical function (75.8 vs. 56.6%; adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1, 3.7), more frequently reported extreme low physical activity (18.7 vs. 8.1%; adjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5, 3.5) and higher frailty prevalence (16.0 vs. 2.7%; adjusted OR 6.3, 95% CI 3.0,13.0) than those without COPD. They experienced more severe polypharmacy (≥10 medications, 37.5 vs. 16.1%; adjusted OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.0, 4.2). They more frequently reported extreme social disengagement and were lonelier, but the association with social measures was eliminated when relationship status was accounted for, as those with COPD were less frequently partnered. They more frequently endorsed depressive symptoms (32.0 vs. 18.9%, adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.7). There was no noted difference in cognitive impairment between the two populations.ConclusionsGeriatric conditions are common among community-dwelling older adults with self-reported COPD. A “beyond the lung” approach to COPD care should center on active management of geriatric conditions, potentially leading to improved COPD management, and quality of life.

Association of geriatric conditions with survival and health care use in older adults with colon cancer living in long-term care facilities.

12045 Background: Older adults with colon cancer residing in nursing homes are at risk for experiencing geriatric conditions such as cognitive decline, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), needing pain medications, and incontinence, due to cancer and its treatment. We sought to investigate these factors pre- and post-diagnosis and explored their relationship with health care use and survival. Methods: We identified 483 patients age 65+ with colon cancer from 2011-2015 in SEER-Medicare with linked quarterly nursing home assessments from the Minimum Data Set both pre- and post-cancer diagnosis. We determined the number of geriatric conditions (cognitive functioning, limitation in any ADL, pain medication use, bowel/urinary incontinence) at the pre- and post-cancer diagnosis assessment. We created four groups based on changes in these factors from pre- to post- assessment: improved (n = 105), worsened (n = 25), remained limited (n = 240), never limited (n = 113). Regression models estimated how changes from pre- to post-cancer diagnosis were associated with number of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and survival, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance status, cancer stage, number of pre-cancer comorbidities, urban/rural status, and time from diagnosis. Results: Overall, 55.3% of patients were age > 80 at diagnosis, with 64.8% female; 73.3% non-Hispanic white; and 9.9% Stage IV. Pre- versus post-diagnosis, 20.7% vs. 34.8% of patients were limited in cognitive functioning, and 75.4% vs. 77.8% were limited in ADLs. About a third of patients required pain medication, and about half of patients had urinary incontinence, which did not change pre- and post-diagnosis. Patients who remained limited had higher rates of ED visits (Risk ratio [RR] 1.05, p < .01) compared to those never limited. Those who worsened had higher rate of hospitalization (RR 1.44, p < .01) and ED visits (RR 1.63, p < .01). 12-month and 5-year survival was 46.7% and 6.1%, respectively. Factors associated with worse survival in a multivariable model included: remaining limited at both assessments (OR 1.52, p < .01), worsening from prior (OR 2.00, p = .01), as well as older age and higher cancer stage. Conclusions: Older adults with colon cancer residing in nursing homes have high prevalence of geriatric conditions and differential health care use and survival based on the presence of geriatric conditions, highlighting the need to consider geriatric conditions when providing cancer care to this population.

GERIATRIC CONDITIONS AND HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

In the US, 1.7 million low income older adults live in subsidized housing. Previous research suggests that subsidized housing residents have poorer health status than older adults in the general community. However, little is known about the prevalence of geriatric conditions. To understand these factors we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 11,558 Medicare enrollees ages 65+ who were enrolled in the National Health and Aging Trends Study in 2011 or 2015, including 507 living in subsidized housing and 11,051 in the general community. We compared subsidized housing residents to general community residents across measures of sociodemographics, functional limitations, and geriatric syndromes. We also compared the prevalence of hospitalization, move to a higher level of care, and death within five years. Results suggest that compared to general community residents, subsidized housing residents were more likely to be women (66% vs. 55%, p<0.01), racial/ethnic minorities (50% vs. 18%, p<0.01), and to lack a high school diploma (50% vs. 20%, p<0.01). They also had poorer health status, including higher rates of self-reported functional impairment (difficulty with 2 or more ADLs; 16% vs. 10%, p<0.01), probable dementia (15% vs. 8%, p<0.01), and frailty using the three-level Fried frailty index (55% vs 26%, p<0.01). Subsidized housing residents also had higher rates of hospitalization (29% vs. 22%, p<0.01), move to a higher level of care (4% vs. 3%, p<0.01), and death (10% vs. 7%, p<0.01) compared to community-residing peers. These findings will help inform targeted interventions to improve aging in place for this vulnerable population.

Indications for β-Blocker Prescriptions in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

To better understand indications for β-blocker (BB) prescriptions among older adults hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Retrospective observational study of hospitalizations derived from the geographically diverse Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort. We examined Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with an expert-adjudicated hospitalization for HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction = 50% or greater). Discharge medications and indications for BBs were abstracted from medical records. Of 306 hospitalizations for HFpEF, BBs were prescribed at discharge in 68%. Among hospitalizations resulting in BB prescriptions, 60% had a compelling indication for BB-44% had arrhythmias, and 29% had myocardial infarction (MI) history. Among the 40% with neither indication, 57% had coronary artery disease (CAD) without MI and 38% had hypertension alone (without arrhythmia, MI, or CAD), both clinical scenarios with little supportive evidence of benefit of BBs. Among hospitalizations resulting in BB prescription at discharge, 69% had geriatric conditions (functional limitation, cognitive impairment, hypoalbuminemia, or history of falls). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of geriatric conditions between hospitalizations of individuals with compelling indications for BBs and hospitalizations of individuals with noncompelling indications. BBs are commonly prescribed following a hospitalization for HFpEF, even in the absence of compelling indications. This occurs even for hospitalizations of individuals with geriatric conditions, a subpopulation who may be at elevated risk for experiencing harm from BBs.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment: recognition of identified geriatric conditions by community-dwelling older persons.

to study (i) the prevalence of geriatric conditions in community-dwelling older persons at increased risk of functional decline and (ii) the extent to which older persons recognise comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)-identified conditions as relevant problems. trained registered nurses conducted a CGA in 934 out of 1209 older persons at increased risk of functional decline participating in the intervention arm of a randomised trial in the Netherlands. After screening for 32 geriatric conditions, participants were asked which of the identified geriatric conditions they recognised as relevant problems. at baseline, the median age of participants was 82.9 years (interquartile range (IQR) 77.3-87.3 years). The median number of identified geriatric conditions per participant was 8 (IQR 6-11). The median number of geriatric conditions that were recognised was 1 (IQR 0-2). Functional dependency and (increased risk of) alcohol and drug dependency were the most commonly identified conditions. Pain was the most widely recognised problem. CGA identified many geriatric conditions, of which few were recognised as a problem by the person involved. Further study is needed to better understand how older persons interact with identified geriatric conditions, in terms of perceived relevance. This may yield a more efficient CGA and further improve a patient-centred approach.

Geriatric Conditions in a Population-Based Sample of Older Homeless Adults.

Older homeless adults living in shelters have high rates of geriatric conditions, which may increase their risk for acute care use and nursing home placement. However, a minority of homeless adults stay in shelters and the prevalence of geriatric conditions among homeless adults living in other environments is unknown. We determined the prevalence of common geriatric conditions in a cohort of older homeless adults, and whether the prevalence of these conditions differs across living environments. We interviewed 350 homeless adults, aged 50 and older, recruited via population-based sampling in Oakland, CA. We evaluated participants for common geriatric conditions. We assessed living environment using a 6-month follow-back residential calendar, and used cluster analysis to identify participants' primary living environment over the prior 6 months. Participants stayed in 4 primary environments: unsheltered locations (n = 162), multiple locations including shelters and hotels (n = 88), intermittently with family/friends (n = 57), and, in a recently homeless group, rental housing (n = 43). Overall, 38.9% of participants reported difficulty performing 1 or more activities of daily living, 33.7% reported any falls in the past 6 months, 25.8% had cognitive impairment, 45.1% had vision impairment, and 48.0% screened positive for urinary incontinence. The prevalence of geriatric conditions did not differ significantly across living environments. Geriatric conditions were common among older homeless adults living in diverse environments, and the prevalence of these conditions was higher than that seen in housed adults 20 years older. Services that address geriatric conditions are needed for older homeless adults living across varied environments.

Accumulation of geriatric conditions is associated with poor nutritional status in dependent older people living in the community and in nursing homes

To clarify the association between nutritional status and the prevalence of geriatric conditions in dependent older adults. A cross-sectional observational study of dependent older adults aged 65years or older who were living either in the community (n = 511, mean age 81.2years) or in nursing homes (n = 587, mean age 85.2years) was carried out. Data included the participants' demographic characteristics, basic activities of daily living, Charlson Comorbidity Index and the prevalence of eight geriatric conditions (visual impairment, hearing impairment, falls, bladder control problems, cognitive impairment, impaired mobility, swallowing disturbance and loss of appetite). Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-SF). Of 1098 participants, 21.4% (n = 235) were categorized as "malnourished", according to the MNA-SF classification. Participants in the "malnourished" group had a greater number of geriatric conditions than those in the other two groups. A higher prevalence of all the geriatric conditions except for falls was detected in the group with poorer nutritional status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that malnutrition was associated with the number of geriatric conditions, but not with that of comorbidities, even after controlling for confounders. Malnutrition was confirmed to have significant associations with geriatric conditions in dependent older adults.

Prevalence of geriatric conditions, priorities and tailor-made care plans in community dwelling older persons

Prevalence of geriatric conditions, priorities and tailor-made care plans in community dwelling older persons

Geriatric Conditions in Heart Failure

As the U.S. population ages, the prevalence of geriatric conditions in patients with heart failure is increasing, although they currently fall outside the traditional heart failure disease model. In this review, we describe the co-occurrence of four common geriatric conditions (cognitive impairment, frailty, falls, and incontinence) in older adults with heart failure, their mechanisms of interaction, and their association with outcomes. We propose a new paradigm to meet the needs of the aging heart failure population that includes comprehensive assessment of geriatric conditions and tailoring of therapy and surveillance accordingly. Coordination among relevant disciplines such as cardiology and geriatrics may facilitate this transition. Further research is needed in order to understand how to optimize care for patients with specific impairments in order to improve outcomes.

Prevalence of geriatric conditions: A hospital-wide survey of 455 geriatric inpatients in a tertiary medical center

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of common geriatric conditions in a tertiary medical center. We conducted a cross-sectional, hospital-wide survey of 455 inpatients, aged 65 and older, from 24 medical and surgical units of a 2200-bed urban academic medical center in Taiwan. Patients were screened in face-to-face interviews for 15 geriatric conditions. The prevalence of geriatric conditions was determined and compared by medical versus surgical services. Our sample of participants had a mean age of 75.3 ± 6.1 years (±S.D.), range = 65–92. The prevalence of geriatric conditions ranged from 5% (pressure ulcers) to 57% (polypharmacy; taking > 5 prescriptions). The majority was visually impaired (74%) and complained of sleep disturbance during their hospital stay (58%). Prevalence rates of certain geriatric conditions differed significantly between medical and surgical units, suggesting that care should address not only common conditions but also those with higher rates on different units. Furthermore, high rates of geriatric conditions indicate strong needs for care that does not fit into traditional disease models of medicine. Care should be better targeted to address different risks for geriatric conditions of medical versus surgical geriatric inpatients in acute care settings.