Transforming the invisible into the visible: disparities in the access to health in LGBT+ older people

Abstract Objectives: To compare variables of access to healthcare between the LGBT+ population aged 50 and over and those non-LGBT+. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Brazil through a confidential online questionnaire. The use of the health system was characterized by the number of preventive tests performed and measured by the PCATool-Brasil scale (a 10-point scale in which higher scores were associated with better assistance in healthcare). The association between being LGBT+ and access to health was analyzed in Poisson regression models. Results: 6693 participants (1332 LGBT+ and 5361 non-LGBT+) with a median age of 60 years were included. In the univariate analysis, it was observed not only lower scores on the PCATool scale (5.13 against 5.82, p < 0.001), but a greater proportion of individuals among those classified with the worst quintile of access to healthcare (< 4 points), 31% against 18% (p < 0.001). Being LGBT+ was an independent factor associated with worse access to health (PR = 2.5, 95% CI 2.04‒3.06). The rate of screening cancer, for breast, colon, and cervical cancer was also found to be lower in the LGBT+ population. Conclusion: Healthcare access and health service experiences were worse in the LGBT+ group than in their non-LGBT peers. Inclusive and effective healthcare public policies are essential to promote healthy aging for all.

COVID-19 outcomes in people living with HIV: Peering through the waves

Abstract Objective To evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients infected with HIV, and to compare with a paired sample without HIV infection. Methods This is a substudy of a Brazilian multicentric cohort that comprised two periods (2020 and 2021). Data was obtained through the retrospective review of medical records. Primary outcomes were admission to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death. Patients with HIV and controls were matched for age, sex, number of comorbidities, and hospital of origin using the technique of propensity score matching (up to 4:1). They were compared using the Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon for numerical variables. Results Throughout the study, 17,101 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and 130 (0.76%) of those were infected with HIV. The median age was 54 (IQR: 43.0;64.0) years in 2020 and 53 (IQR: 46.0;63.5) years in 2021, with a predominance of females in both periods. People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and their controls showed similar prevalence for admission to the ICU and invasive mechanical ventilation requirement in the two periods, with no significant differences. In 2020, in-hospital mortality was higher in the PLHIV compared to the controls (27.9% vs. 17.7%; p = 0.049), but there was no difference in mortality between groups in 2021 (25.0% vs. 25.1%; p > 0.999). Conclusions Our results reiterate that PLHIV were at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality in the early stages of the pandemic, however, this finding did not sustain in 2021, when the mortality rate is similar to the control group.

Delirium in older adults / Delirium em idosos

This narrative review provides a broad examination of the most current concepts on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by fluctuating changes in cognition and consciousness. With the interaction of underlying vulnerability and severity of acute insults, delirium can occur at any age but is particularly frequent in hospitalized older adults. Delirium is also associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including functional impairment, cognitive decline, increased healthcare costs, and death. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and cognitive assessments, preferably following systematized detection instruments, such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium and its consequences are most effectively fought using multicomponent preventive interventions, like those proposed by the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). When prevention fails, delirium management is primarily based on the identification and reversal of precipitating factors and the non-pharmacological control of delirium symptoms. Pharmacological interventions in delirium should be restricted to cases of dangerous agitation or severe psychotic symptoms.

Esta revisão narrativa examina de maneira abrangente os conceitos mais atuais sobre etiopatogenia, diagnóstico, prevenção e tratamento do delirium, uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica aguda caracterizada por mudanças flutuantes na cognição e na consciência. Com a interação entre a vulnerabilidade subjacente e a gravidade dos insultos agudos, delirium pode ocorrer em qualquer idade, mas afeta com notória frequência idosos hospitalizados. Delirium também está associado a diversos desfechos adversos, incluindo prejuízo funcional, declínio cognitivo, aumento dos custos de saúde e morte. O diagnóstico é baseado em avaliações clínicas e cognitivas, com preferência para o uso de instrumentos de detecção sistematizados, como o Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium e suas consequências são combatidos de forma mais eficaz por meio de intervenções preventivas com múltiplos componentes, como as propostas pelo Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). Quando há falha na prevenção, o manejo do delirium se baseia principalmente na identificação e na reversão dos fatores precipitantes e no controle não farmacológico dos sintomas do delirium. As intervenções farmacológicas no delirium devem ser restritas aos casos de agitação perigosa ou sintomas psicóticos graves.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with referral of hospitalized elderly to palliative care / Características clínicas e laboratoriais associadas à indicação de cuidados paliativos em idosos hospitalizados

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with referral of acutely ill older adults to exclusive palliative care. Methods A retrospective cohort study based on 572 admissions of acutely ill patients aged 60 years or over to a university hospital located in São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2013. The primary outcome was the clinical indication for exclusive palliative care. Comprehensive geriatric assessments were used to measure target predictors, such as sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive, functional and laboratory data. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of palliative care. Results Exclusive palliative care was indicated in 152 (27%) cases. In the palliative care group, in-hospital mortality and 12 month cumulative mortality amounted to 50% and 66%, respectively. Major conditions prompting referral to palliative care were advanced dementia (45%), cancer (38%), congestive heart failure (25%), stage IV and V renal dysfunction (24%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8%) and cirrhosis (4%). Major complications observed in the palliative care group included delirium (p<0.001), infections (p<0.001) and pressure ulcers (p<0.001). Following multivariate analysis, male sex (OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.32-3.40), cancer (OR=7.36; 95%CI: 4.26-13.03), advanced dementia (OR=12.6; 95%CI: 7.5-21.2), and albumin levels (OR=0.25; 95%CI: 0.17-0.38) were identified as independent predictors of referral to exclusive palliative care. Conclusion Advanced dementia and cancer were the major clinical conditions associated with referral of hospitalized older adults to exclusive palliative care. High short-term mortality suggests prognosis should be better assessed and discussed with patients and families in primary care settings.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar as características clínicas e laboratoriais associadas à indicação de cuidados paliativos exclusivos em idosos gravemente enfermos. Métodos Neste estudo retrospectivo de coorte, foram incluídas 572 admissões de pacientes gravemente enfermos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, em um hospital universitário, em São Paulo, no período de 2009 a 2013. O desfecho primário foi a indicação clínica de cuidados exclusivamente paliativos. Empregamos avaliações geriátricas amplas padronizadas para mensurar preditores de interesse, incluindo informações sociodemográficas, clínicas, cognitivas, funcionais e laboratoriais. Utilizamos modelos de regressão logística stepwise para identificar preditores independentes de cuidados paliativos. Resultados Foram indicados cuidados exclusivamente paliativos em 152 (27%) casos. No grupo de cuidados paliativos, a mortalidade hospitalar foi de 50%, sendo que a mortalidade acumulada em 12 meses atingiu 66%. Os diagnósticos mais frequentemente apontados como motivadores de cuidados paliativos foram demência avançada (45%), câncer (38%), insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (25%), insuficiência renal estágios 4 e 5 (24%), doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (8%) e cirrose (4%). As complicações mais comuns no grupo de cuidados paliativos foram delírio (p<0,001), infecções (p<0,001) e úlceras por pressão (p<0,001). Após análise multivariada, sexo masculino (OR=2,12; IC95%: 1,32-3,40), câncer (OR=7,36; IC95%: 4,26-13,03), demência avançada (OR=12,6; IC95%: 7,5-21,2) e níveis de albumina (OR=0,25; IC95%: 0,17-0,38) foram identificados como preditores independentes da indicação de cuidados exclusivamente paliativos. Conclusão Demência avançada e câncer foram as condições clínicas mais frequentemente associadas à indicação de cuidados paliativos exclusivos em idosos hospitalizados. A elevada mortalidade a curto prazo sugere que o prognóstico deva ser melhor avaliado e discutido com os pacientes e suas famílias no ambiente de Atenção Primária.

Antipsychoticos na doença de Alzheimer: uma análise crítica / Antipsychotics in Alzheimers disease: a critical analysis

The estimated worldwide prevalence of dementia among adults older than 60 years of age was 3.9% in 2005. About 90% of demented patients will develop neuropsychiatric symptoms (NS) such as delirium, delusion, aggressiveness and agitation. The treatment of NS involves non-pharmacologic strategies (with varying degrees of success according to the scientific literature) and pharmacologic treatment (PT). The present review of literature examined the current role of AP in the management of NS in dementia. Methods: A thematic review of medical literature was carried out. Results: 313 articles were found, 39 of which were selected for critical analysis. Until 2005, the best evidence for PT had supported the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anticholinesterases, memantine and antipsychotics (AP). In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disapproved the use of atypical APs to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with dementia (the same occurred with the typical APs in 2008). After this, at least two important randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trials were published examining the effectiveness of atypical APs in Alzheimers disease (CATIE-AD) and the effects of interrupting AP treatment (DART-AD). Conclusions: Based on the current evidence available, APs still have a place in treatment of the more serious psychotic symptoms, after the failure of non-pharmacological treatment and of an initial approach with selective inhibitors of serotonin uptake, anticholinesterases and memantine.

A prevalência mundial de demencia entre idosos foi de 3,9% em 2005. Cerca de 90% dos dementados apresentarão sintomas como delirium, alucinações, agressividade e agitação. O tratamento dos sintomas não cognitivos envolve estratégias não farmacológicas com sucesso variável de acordo com a literatura e tratamento medicamentoso. A presente revisão de literatura discute o atual papel dos antipsicóticos nos sintomas neurocomportamentais de demência. Métodos: Conduzimos uma revisão temática nas principais bases de dados da literatura. Resultados: 313 artigos sobre o tema foram encontrados e 39 selecionaos para compor uma análise crítica. Até 2005, as melhores evidências para tratamento medicamentoso indicavam o uso de inibidores da acetilcolinesterase memantina e antipsicóticos. Em 2005 o FDA desautorizou o uso de antipsicóticos atípicos em dementados (em 2008 fez o mesmo com os típicos). Após isto, 2 ensaios clínicos randomizados placebo-controlados foram concluídos avaliando a eficácia dos antipsicóticos atípicos em portadores de doença de Alzheimer (CATIE-AD) e os efeitos da interrupção destes (DART-AD). Conclusões: Considerando as evidências atuais, os antipsicóticos ainda têm importância no manejo dos sintomas psicóticos mais sérios, após falha de tratamento não farmacológico e de uma abordagem inicial com inibidores de receptação de serotonina, anticolinesterásicos e memantina.

Campaign, counseling and compliance with influenza vaccine among older persons

OBJECTIVES: Population aging raises concerns regarding the increases in the rates of morbidity and mortality that result from influenza and its complications. Although vaccination is the most important tool for preventing influenza, vaccination program among high-risk groups has not reached its predetermined aims in several settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of clinical and demographic factors on vaccine compliance among the elderly in a setting that includes a well-established annual national influenza vaccination campaign. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 134 elderly patients who were regularly followed in an academic medical institution and who were evaluated for their influenza vaccination uptake within the last five years; in addition, the demographic and clinical characteristics and the reasons for compliance or noncompliance with the vaccination program were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 67.1 percent of the participants received the seasonal influenza vaccine in 2009. Within this vaccinationcompliant group, the most common reason for vaccine uptake was the annual nationwide campaign (52.2 percent; 95 percent CI: 41.4-62.9 percent); compared to the noncompliant group, a higher percentage of compliant patients had been advised by their physician to take the vaccine (58.9 percent vs. 34.1 percent; p,0.01). CONCLUSION: The education of patients and health care professionals along with the implementation of immunization campaigns should be evaluated and considered by health authorities as essential for increasing the success rate of influenza vaccination compliance among the elderly.