scholarly journals Polypharmacy in elderly patients with falls

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
N. O. Khovasova ◽  
A. V. Naumov ◽  
O. N. Tkacheva ◽  
E. N. Dudinskaya ◽  
V. I. Moroz

Background: Falls in elderly–a multifactorial syndrome. One of the modifiable factors is polypharmacy. STOPP/START criteria are used for correction of polypharmacy in geriatrics.Aim: Assessment of the prevalence of polypharmacy, analysis and correction of pharmacotherapy using STOPP/START criteria in patients with falls.Materials and methods: The study included 655 patients hospitalized in the geriatric department over 60 years of age, who were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=332, 50.7%)–patients with 1 or more falls, group 2 (n=323,49.3%)–patients without falls. The analysis of the received therapy before hospitalization was performed. After that, based on the indications, contraindications and STOPP/START criteria, drug therapy was corrected in patients with falls.Results: Patients of group 1 took 4.5±2.18 drugs, group 2–4.3±2.6. Polypharmacy was diagnosed in 150 (45.2%) patients with falls and in 122 (37.8%) patients without falls. Patients with falls were more likely to receive sleeping pills, NSAIDs. Univariate analysis showed that falls were associated with NSAIDs (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.38–3.35, p=0.001) and sleeping pills (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.02–4.02, p=0.047). An audit and correction of therapy was performed: in 108 (32.5%) patients the number of prescribed drugs was reduced. Patients with falls were prescribed statins, antidementia drugs, anticonvulsants and antidepressants as components of therapy for chronic pain syndrome, chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis, calcium and antiresorbtive therapy, antianemic drugs, vitamin D. Antiplatelet agents, digoxin, sleeping pills and NSAIDs were less frequently prescribed. STOPP/START criteria and their frequency in patients with falls were analyzed. 141 cases of potentially non-recommended but prescribed medications were identified. STOPP criteria were for the administration of NSAIDs (n=53, 37.6%) and acetylsalicylic acid (n=62, 44%). There were 458 cases of potentially recommended but not prescribed medications. The most common START criteria were not for the administration of vitamin D and statins.Conclusion. Half of elderly patients with falls have polypharmacy. These patients are more likely to take sleeping pills and NSAIDs. STOPP criteria most often concerned the appointment of NSAIDs and acetylsalicylic acid, and the START criteria revealed the absence of the appointment of vitamin D and statins.

Author(s):  
G. Bellastella ◽  
L. Scappaticcio ◽  
M. Longo ◽  
R. Carotenuto ◽  
C. Carbone ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is based on the determination of total plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations, but the regulation of vitamin D 25-hydroxylation is not a major consideration and very little information is available on this activity. To check what factors could interfere with the activity of vitamin D-25-hydroxylase and thus alter the 25-OHD concentrations, we looked for potential correlations between 25-OHD and results of liver function tests in healthy adults. Methods This single-centre study was retrospective and consisted of evaluating the correlations between 25-OHD and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in 349 healthy subjects aged from 18 to 65 years. In particular, in Group 1 (n = 119), we looked for correlations between 25OHD and all liver function tests and in Group 2 (n = 230) the correlation between 25OHD and BALP. Results In Group 1, we found no correlation between 25OHD and AST (r =  − 0.03; p = 0.8), ALT (r =  − 0.02; p = 0.91), GGT (r =  − 0.08; p = 0.68), direct bilirubin (r =  − 0.02; p = 0.89), indirect bilirubin (r =  − 0.24; p = 0.21), and total bilirubin (r =  − 0.24; p = 0.21) but one between 25OHD and ALP (r =  − 0.2; p = 0.007); in Group 2, we found a significant negative correlation between 25-OHD and BALP (r =  − 0.2; p = 0.0008). Conclusions The correlations that we found suggest that ALP and BALP might be involved in the regulation of vitamin D-25-hydroxylase activity, but further studies are mandatory to confirm our assumptions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Giannotti Santoro ◽  
L Segreti ◽  
G Zucchelli ◽  
V Barletta ◽  
A Di Cori ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Managing elderly patients with infection or malfunction deriving from a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) may be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of mechanical transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in elderly patients. Methods Patients who had undergone TLE in single tertiary referral center were divided in two groups (Group 1: ≥80 years; group 2:<80 years) and their acute and chronic outcomes were compared. All patients were treated with manual traction or mechanical dilatation. Results Our analysis included 1316 patients (group 1: 202, group 2: 1114 patients), with a total of 2513 leads extracted. Group 1 presented more comorbidities and more pacemakers, whereas the dwelling time of the oldest lead was similar, irrespectively of patient's age. In group 1 the radiological success rate for lead was higher (99.0% vs 95.9%; P<0.001) and the fluoroscopy time lower (13.0 vs 15.0 minutes; P=0.04) than in group 2. Clinical success was reached in 1273 patients (96.7%), without significant differences between groups (group 1: 98.0% vs group 2: 96.4%; P=0.36). Major complications occurred in 10 patients (0.7%) without significative differences between patients with more or less than 80 years (group 1: 1.5% vs group 2: 0.6%; P=0.24). In the elderly group no in-hospital mortality occurred (0.0% vs 0.5%; P=0.42). Conclusions Mechanical TLE in elderly patients is a safe and effective procedure. In the over-80s, a comparable incidence of major complications with younger patients was observed, with at least a similar efficacy of the procedure and no procedural-related deaths. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215145932110096
Author(s):  
Christina Polan ◽  
Heinz-Lothar Meyer ◽  
Manuel Burggraf ◽  
Monika Herten ◽  
Paula Beck ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging healthcare systems worldwide. This study examines geriatric patients with proximal femur fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in secondary disease profile, the impact of the pandemic on hospitalization and further treatment. Methods: In a retrospective monocentric study, geriatric proximal femur fractures treated in the first six months of 2020 were analyzed and compared with the same period of 2019. Pre-traumatic status (living in a care home, under supervision of a legal guardian), type of trauma, accident mechanism, geriatric risk factors, associated comorbidities, time between hospitalization and surgery, inpatient time and post-operative further treatment of 2 groups of patients, aged 65-80 years (Group 1) and 80+ years (Group 2) were investigated. Results: The total number of patients decreased (70 in 2019 vs. 58 in 2020), mostly in Group 1 (25 vs. 16) while the numbers in Group 2 remained almost constant (45 vs. 42). The percentage of patients with pre-existing neurological conditions rose in 2020. This corresponded to an increase in patients under legal supervision (29.3%) and receiving pre-traumatic care in a nursing home (14.7%). Fractures were mostly caused by minor trauma in a home environment. In 2020, total number of inpatient days for Group 2 was lower compared to Group 1 (p = 0.008). Further care differed between the years: fewer Group 1 patients were discharged to geriatric therapy (69.6% vs. 25.0%), whereas in Group 2 the number of patients discharged to a nursing home increased. Conclusions: Falling by elderly patients is correlated to geriatric comorbidities, consequently there was no change in the case numbers in this age group. Strategic measures to avoid COVID-19 infection in hospital setting could include reducing the length of hospital stays by transferring elderly patients to a nursing home as soon as possible and discharging independent, mobile patients to return home.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 2070
Author(s):  
Sagul R. Mugunthan ◽  
Yashwant K. Rao ◽  
Tanu Midha ◽  
Anurag Bajpai

Background: Vitamin D deficiency remains the most common cause of rickets globally and is highly prevalent in developing countries including India. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D and calcium together with calcium alone on growth parameters of children with vitamin D deficiency in community based setting.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in community based setting in Kanpur district. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 395 children between 2 years to 5 years from 5 villages of block Vidhunu. Of these, 138 children were randomized into two groups using balanced block randomization technique. Group 1 received vitamin D with calcium together and group 2 received calcium alone for a period of 12 months. Anthropometry, serum vitamin D, calcium, alkaline phosphatase levels were estimated at baseline and after 12 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Student’s t test was used to analyze the differences in growth and laboratory parameters in the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect of various factors on the growth parameters.Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 78.7%. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. After 12 months, group 1 demonstrated significantly greater improvement in weight SD score (21.4%) and height SD score (10.3%) and growth velocity (9.1 cm/year) compared to group 2 (14.3%, 7.8% and 6.9 cm/ year respectively). Also subjects in group 1 showed significantly greater improvement in serum levels of vitamin D, calcium and alkaline phosphatase than group 2.Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation along with calcium improves the growth of children. Regular supplementation of all children with vitamin D can be considered as a policy for prevention of malnutrition. 


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Giannotti Santoro ◽  
L Segreti ◽  
G Zucchelli ◽  
V Barletta ◽  
F Fiorentini ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction the management of patients with infection or malfunction of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) may be challenging. Purpose The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in elderly patients. Methods a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent to TLE in our center was performed. Patients were divided in two groups: 1) patients 80 years of age or older, 2) patients younger than 80 years. All patients were treated with manual traction or mechanical dilatation. Results our analysis included 1316 patients, with a total of 2513 leads extracted. Group 1 (≥80 years) counted 202 patients and group 2 (<80 years) 1114 patients. The group of elderly patients presented more comorbidities, as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary disease. Patients 80 years of age or older had more pacemakers than ICDs, whereas the dwelling time of the oldest lead, the number of leads and the presence of abandoned leads was similar despite patients age. In group 1 the rate of radiological success for lead was higher than in group 2 (99.0% vs 95.9%; P < 0.001). The clinical success was obtained in 1273 patients (96.7%), without significative differences between groups (98.0% vs 96.4%; P = 0.36). Major complications occurred in 10 patients (0.7%), without significative differences (1.5% vs 0.6%; P = 0.24) (figure 1). Conclusion TLE in elderly patients is a safe and effective procedure. In patients older than 80 years there are not more major complications than in younger patients, and the efficacy of the procedure seems to be superior. Abstract Figure 1


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih Altintoprak ◽  
Eyup Gemici ◽  
Yasin Alper Yildiz ◽  
Mustafa Yener Uzunoglu ◽  
Taner Kivilcim

Purpose. Bezoars are foreign particles from the accumulation of indigestible materials in the gastrointestinal system and a rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction. We aimed at investigating differences in risk factors for the development of intestinal obstruction associated with bezoar in elderly patients.Methods. Hospital records of patients who underwent surgery associated with phytobezoar between January 2004 and May 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups [<65 years (Group 1) and ≥65 years (Group 2)]. Data were examined regarding presence of comorbidity, history of abdominal surgery, operation time, bezoar site, surgical technique, length of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality.Results. Of 121 patients enrolled, 48 (39.7%) were male and 73 (60.3%) were female (range: 24-86 years). Group 1 consisted of 69 patients aged < 65, while Group 2 consisted of 52 patients aged ≥ 65. Comorbidity was reported in 52 (42.9%) patients (mostly diabetes mellitus, 20.7%), while 60 patients (49.6%) had history of abdominal surgery (mostly peptic ulcer, 27.3%). No statistical differences were found between the two groups in terms of sex, bezoar site, surgical technique preferred, history of abdominal surgical intervention, pre- and postoperative CT examination, morbidity rates, and length of hospitalization. But, ratio of peptic ulcer operations history, presence of total comorbidity, and time of surgery decision was higher in Group 2 patients.Conclusion. In bezoar-related intestinal obstruction, duration and outcome of treatment are not affected by age distribution. Possibility of bezoar should primarily be considered in elderly patients with history of peptic ulcer operation.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (6) ◽  
pp. F674-F678 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Friedlaender ◽  
Z. Kornberg ◽  
H. Wald ◽  
M. M. Popovtzer

The effects of 1 alpha (OH)vitamin D3 [1 alpha (OH)D3] and 24,25(OH)2vitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3] on the phosphaturic action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were studied in two groups of parathyroidectomized (PTX) rats. In group 1, PTX PTH-infused rats received intravenous 1 alpha (OH)D3, and in group 2, PTX PTH-infused rats received intravenous 24,25(OH)2D3. PTX PTH-infused rats served as controls. The effects of both vitamin D metabolites on renal PTH-activated adenylate cyclase (AC) were studied in vitro. In group 1, PTH increased fractional excretion of phosphate (CP/CIn) from 0.045 +/- 0.012 (+/- SE) to 0.263 +/- 0.011 (P less than 0.005). 1 alpha (OH)D3 failed to influence this response. In group 2, PTH increased CP/CIn from 0.055 +/- 0.008 to 0.289 +/- 0.027 (P less than 0.005). 24,25(OH)2D3 reduced the PTH-induced rise in CP/CIn from 0.289 +/- 0.027 to 0.192 +/- 0.021 (P less than 0.01) and decreased the urinary excretion of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. In vitro, 24,25(OH)2D3 blunted the PTH-activated AC, whereas 1 alpha (OH)D3 had no effect. These results show that 24,25(OH)D3, similar to two other 25(OH) metabolites of vitamin D-25(OH)vitamin D3 and 1,25(OH)2vitamin D3-suppresses the phosphaturic action of PTH, whereas 1 alpha(OH)D3, which is devoid of a 25(OH) group, lacks this effect. This suggests that a 25(OH) group is a prerequisite for the antiphosphaturic effect of vitamin D, whereas the 1 alpha (OH) group is not essential for this action.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 112-112
Author(s):  
Jeroen Hol ◽  
Joos Heisterkamp ◽  
Barbara Langenhoff

Abstract Background Elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery are at higher risk for postoperative complications and mortality. Currently available literature on elderly patients undergoing an esophagectomy is inconclusive and dates back from the time before minimally invasive techniques were implemented. Methods Length of hospital stay, 90-day morbidity and mortality were analyzed from patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) between 2014 and 2017 in a single center. Data from patients aged 76 years or older was compared to the cohort of patients aged 71 to 75 years old. Results From a consecutive series of in total 187 patients two cohorts were retrieved: 19 patients 76 years or older (group 1) were compared to 41 patients 71 to 75 years old (group 2). Median age was 77 years (76–83) in group 1 and 72 years (71–75) in group 2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in sex, Charlson comorbidity score, number of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiaton, histological tumor type, tumor stage, number of lymph nodes harvested and type of anastomosis. There were no significant differences in length of hospital stay, 90-day morbidity and mortality. The percentage of anastomotic leakage was 21.2% in group 1 and 14.6% in group 2. Mortality was 10.5% and 4.9% respectively. Conclusion No difference was seen in morbidity and mortality after MIE comparing the eldest old to younger old patients. Therefore, patient selection should not be based on calendar age alone. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 1052-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pramila Kalra ◽  
Vinita Das ◽  
Anjoo Agarwal ◽  
Mala Kumar ◽  
V. Ramesh ◽  
...  

Hypovitaminosis D is common in India. In the present prospective partially randomised study of vitamin D (D3) supplementation during pregnancy, subjects were randomised in the second trimester to receive either one oral dose of 1500 μg vitamin D3(group 1,n48) or two doses of 3000 μg vitamin D3each in the second and third trimesters (group 2,n49). Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) at term, cord blood (CB) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), neonatal serum Ca and anthropometry were measured in these subjects and in forty-three non-supplemented mother–infant pairs (usual care). Median maternal 25(OH)D at term was higher in group 2 (58·7, interquartile range (IQR) 38·4–89·4 nmol/l)v. group 1 (26·2, IQR 17·7–57·7 nmol/l) and usual-care group (39·2, IQR 21·2–73·4 nmol/l) (P = 0·000). CB ALP was increased (>8.02 μkat/l or >480 IU/l) in 66·7 % of the usual-care groupv. 41·9 % of group 1 and 38·9 % of group 2 (P = 0·03). Neonatal Ca and CB 25(OH)D did not differ significantly in the three groups. Birth weight, length and head circumference were greater and the anterior fontanelle was smaller in groups 1 and 2 (3·08 and 3·03 kg, 50·3 and 50·1 cm, 34·5 and 34·4 cm, 2·6 and 2·5 cm, respectively)v. usual care (2·77 kg, 49·4, 33·6, 3·3 cm;P = 0·000 for length, head circumference and fontanelle andP = 0·003 for weight). These differences were still evident at 9 months. We conclude that both 1500 μg and two doses of 3000 μg vitamin D3had a beneficial effect on infant anthropometry, the larger dose also improving CB ALP and maternal 25(OH)D.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-139
Author(s):  
L I Allakhverdiyeva ◽  
N G Sultanova ◽  
A O Dzhafarova

Aim. To study the state of the cytokine response in children with atopic bronchial asthma during pharmacological correction with vitamin D. Methods. 63 children aged 3-17 years with atopic bronchial asthma of varying severity were examined. As a control group, 10 practically healthy children of the same age who had no history of allergic manifestations and no hereditary complications, were examined. The patients were divided into two groups matched by age: group 1 included 33 patients with mild (n=20) and moderate (n=13) bronchial asthma who received only basic anti-inflammatory therapy according to the severity of asthma; group 2 included 30 children with mild (n=18) and moderate (n=12) bronchial asthma who received basic anti-inflammatory therapy with vitamin D containing Tridrop [3 drops (1500 IU) per day for 1 month]. Patients were assessed for interleukin-2, -13 and -17 in the blood serum using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after treatment. Results. The results obtained made it possible to clarify the changes in the cytokine spectrum in patients with atopic bronchial asthma in the course of the disease and the effect of pharmacological correction with vitamin D on it. The mean level of interleukin-2 in group 1 remained practically unchanged, the value of this cytokine was 2.77±1.51 pg/ml (p >0.05). In group 2, the mean interleukin-2 level increased to 5.07±1.02 pg/ml (p <0.01). The mean level of interleukin-13 in group 1 patients increased but not significantly, but in group 2 a decrease of interleukin-13 to 11.3±3.8 pg/ml (p <0.05) was registered. Interleukin-17 decreased by 2.6 times in group 2 (4.8±1.6 pg/ml, p <0.01). In group 1 there was no significant change in the level of interleukin-17, in all children it remained elevated (p >0.05). Conclusion. Pharmacological correction with vitamin D on the background of basic anti-inflammatory therapy promotes the positive dynamics of the level of cytokines during the treatment of atopic bronchial asthma, which is related to the ability of vitamin D to regulate the function of Th2 and, as a result, to reduce the synthesis of interleukin-13 and -17, which participate in the pathogenesis of allergies and play an important protective role in bronchial asthma.


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