Frequency of dementia among elderly admitted to a Geriatrics Inpatients Sector of a Brazilian public hospital / Frequência de demência em idosos internados em enfermaria de geriatria de um hospital público brasileiro

ABSTRACT. Patients with dementia are commonly admitted to inpatient sectors. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of dementia among elderly inpatients admitted to the Geriatrics Sector of a Brazilian Tertiary University Hospital, and to identify associations between dementia and clinical and sociodemographic factors. Methods: All patients admitted to the Geriatrics Sector of a public Brazilian university-hospital from March 1st 2014 to January 31st 2015 were assessed by geriatricians. The patients were divided into groups "with or without diagnosis of dementia". Univariate analysis was performed between these two groups using the Chi-Square Test, Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney Test. Results: One hundred and three elderly inpatients, with a mean age of 82 (±7.9) years, were assessed. Overall, 74.7% had low educational level (<4 years), 66% used polypharmacy, 57.2% developed delirium during hospitalization and 59% were totally dependent for basic activities of daily living. The diagnosis of dementia was observed in 59 (57%) subjects. Conclusion: The frequency of dementia was high among the elderly inpatients evaluated. The association between dementia and certain clinical conditions, such as incontinence, delirium and use of psychoactive drugs, was in line with the medical literature.

RESUMO. Pacientes com demência são comumente admitidos em setores de internação. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a frequência de demência em pacientes idosos internados em uma enfermaria de geriatria de um hospital universitário terciário brasileiro e identificar associações entre demência e fatores clínicos e sociodemográficos. Métodos: Todos os pacientes internados na enfermaria de geriatria de um hospital universitário público brasileiro no período de 1 de março de 2014 a 31 de janeiro de 2015 foram avaliados por geriatras. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: com ou sem diagnóstico prévio de demência. Análise univariada foi utilizada na comparação dos resultados dos dois grupos por meio do Teste do Qui-Quadrado, teste t-Student e o teste de Mann-Whitnney. Resultados: Foram avaliados 103 pacientes idosos, com idade média de 82 (±7,9) anos; 74,7% apresentaram escolaridade baixa (<4 anos), 66% usavam polifarmácia, 57,2% desenvolveram delirium durante a hospitalização e 59% eram totalmente dependentes das atividades básicas da vida diária. O diagnóstico de demência foi observado em 59 indivíduos (57%). Conclusão: A frequência de demência foi alta entre pacientes idosos avaliados. A associação entre demência e certas condições clínicas, como a incontinência, o delírio e o uso de drogas psicoativas, está em consonância com a literatura médica.

DRESS syndrome in the aged: a differential diagnosis to be considered / Síndrome DRESS em idosos: um diagnóstico diferencial a ser considerado

Objectives: To describe and discuss a rare adverse reaction to drugs diagnosed in an elderly female patient after using levofloxacin and metronidazole: the DRESS syndrome (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms). Case Description: A 77-year­old elderly woman was diagnosed with pneumonia. After undergoing treatment with metronidazole and levofloxacin, she developed pruritic skin lesions, eosinophilia, and fever. INVESTIGATIONS: We established a suspected diagnosis of levofloxacin-induced DRESS syndrome, and therefore we switched the antibiotics and then administered corticotherapy. The patient exhibited rapid and progressive improvement without damage to other organs. Differential Diagnosis: Conditions involving eosinophilia, drug hypersensitivity, and/or skin rash. Comments: This syndrome is characterized by skin eruption, systemic symptoms, and eosinophilia. Although the patient did not meet all clinical criteria in the literature, the lack of consensus among authors means that a DRESS syndrome diagnosis could not be ruled out. The condition is rare, but clinicians should be alert to this diagnosis in aged individuals, given its severity and high risk of mortality.

Objetivos: Descrever e discutir um efeito colateral incomum às drogas, diagnosticado em uma paciente idosa em uso de levofloxacino e metronidazol: a síndrome DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms). Descrição do Caso: Uma idosa de 77 anos, diagnosticada com pneumonia, em tratamento com metronidazol e levofloxacino, desenvolveu lesões pruriginosas em pele, eosinofilia e febre. Investigação: Foi estabelecida a hipótese diagnóstica de síndrome DRESS induzida por levofloxacino e, portanto, foram trocados os antibióticos e administrada corticoterapia. Houve melhora rápida e progressiva, sem comprometimento de outros órgãos em todo o processo. Diagnóstico Diferencial: Condições envolvendo eosinofilia, reações adversas a drogas e/ou lesões cutâneas. Comentários: Esta síndrome é caracterizada por erupção cutânea, sintomas sistêmicos e eosinofilia. Apesar da paciente não preencher os critérios clínicos existentes na literatura, por não haver consenso entre os autores, não se pode descartar completamente o diagnóstico de síndrome DRESS. Apesar de incomum, é importante estar atento para esse diagnóstico em idosos, dado a gravidade e o alto risco de mortalidade.

Efficacy of surgical versus conservative treatment in esophageal perforation: a systematic review of case series studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment for esophageal perforation. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. We conducted a search strategy in the main electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase and Lilacs to identify all case series. RESULTS: Thirty three case series met the inclusion criteria with a total of 1417 participants. The predominant etiology was iatrogenic (54.2%) followed by spontaneous cause (20.4%) and in 66.1% the localization was thoracic. In 65.4% and 33.4% surgical and conservative therapy, respectively, was considered the first choice. There was a statistically significance different with regards mortality rate favoring the surgical group (16.3%) versus conservative treatment (21.2%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment was more effective and safe than conservative treatment concerning mortality rates, although the possibility of bias due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the included studies and the level of evidence that cannot be ruled out.