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1.
Geriatrics (Basel) ; 9(4)2024 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39195131

ABSTRACT

Age is but one significant prognostic factor in lung cancer, influencing survival, treatment response, and outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes findings from searches of 11 leading databases of research studies, systematic reviews, book chapters, and clinical trial reports on lung cancer in senior patients, with a focus on geriatric assessment as well as biomarkers. Key prognostic factors for lung cancer in seniors include biological age, functional capability, physical and psychological comorbidities, frailty, nutrition, status, and biomarkers like DNA methylation age. We identified the most valuable assessments that balance efficacy with quality of life. Optimizing care and improving outcomes with senior lung cancer patients benefits from a tailored therapeutic approach incorporating a complex geriatric assessment. A multidisciplinary collaboration between geriatricians, oncologists, and pulmonologists is crucial.

2.
J Pers Med ; 13(12)2023 Nov 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38138857

ABSTRACT

Dementia is a significant health problem worldwide, being the seventh leading cause of death (2,382,000 deaths worldwide in 2016). Recent data suggest there are several modifiable risk factors that, if addressed, can decrease dementia risk. Several national dementia screening programs exist; however, limited-income countries do not have the means to implement such measures. We performed a prospective cross-sectional study in an outpatient department to identify individuals at risk for dementia. Patients with no known cognitive dysfunction seeking a medical consult were screened for dementia risk by means of the cardiovascular risk factors, ageing, and dementia (CAIDE) and modified CAIDE tests. Additionally, we collected demographic and clinical data and assessed each participant for depression, mental state, and ability to perform daily activities. Of the 169 patients enrolled, 63.3% were identified as being in the intermediate-risk or high-risk group, scoring more than seven points on the mCAIDE test. Over 40% of the elderly individuals in the study were assessed as "somewhat depressed" or "depressed" on the geriatric depression scale. Almost 10% of the study population was diagnosed de novo with cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, using a simple questionnaire such as the mCAIDE in a predefined high-risk population is easy and does not represent a major financial burden. At-risk individuals can subsequently benefit from personalized interventions that are more likely to be successful. Limited-resource countries can implement such screening tools in outpatient clinics.

3.
Healthcare (Basel) ; 11(18)2023 Sep 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37761730

ABSTRACT

Despite the significant consequences for medical practice and public health, burnout in healthcare workers remains underestimated. Pandemic periods have increased the reactivity to stress by favoring some changes whose influence are still felt. PURPOSE: This study aims to identify opportune factors during pandemic periods that predispose medical personnel to burnout and the differences between medical staff which worked with COVID-19 patients and those who did not work with COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective study on 199 subjects, medical staff and auxiliary staff from national health units, COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, who answered questions using the Google Forms platform about the level of stress related to the workplace and the changes produced there. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 28). RESULTS: The limited equipment and disinfectant solutions from the lack of medical resources category, the fear of contracting or transmitting the infection from the fears in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic category and the lack of personal and system-level experience in combating the infection due to the lack of information on and experience with COVID-19 were the most predisposing factors for burnout. No significant differences were recorded between those on the front line and the other healthcare representatives. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study identify the stressors generated in the pandemic context with prognostic value in the development of burnout among medical personnel. At the same time, our data draw attention to the cynicism or false-optimism stage of burnout, which can mask a real decline.

4.
Diagnostics (Basel) ; 13(14)2023 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37510126

ABSTRACT

The increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide raises concerns about the urgent need to increase definite measures for the self-determination of different parameters, especially those defining cardiac function. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method used to evaluate autonomic nervous system modulation on the cardiac sinus node, thus describing the oscillations between consecutive electrocardiogram R-R intervals. These fluctuations are undetectable except when using specialized devices, with ECG Holter monitoring considered the gold standard. HRV is considered an independent biomarker for measuring cardiovascular risk and for screening the occurrence of both acute and chronic heart diseases. Also, it can be an important predictive factor of frailty or neurocognitive disorders, like anxiety and depression. An increased HRV is correlated with rest, exercise, and good recovery, while a decreased HRV is an effect of stress or illness. Until now, ECG Holter monitoring has been considered the gold standard for determining HRV, but the recent decade has led to an accelerated development of technology using numerous devices that were created specifically for the pre-hospital self-monitoring of health statuses. The new generation of devices is based on the use of photoplethysmography, which involves the determination of blood changes at the level of blood vessels. These devices provide additional information about heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), step counting, physical activity, and sleep monitoring. The most common devices that have this technique are smartwatches (used on a large scale) and chest strap monitors. Therefore, the use of technology and the self-monitoring of heart rate and heart rate variability can be an important first step in screening cardiovascular pathology and reducing the pressure on medical services in a hospital. The use of telemedicine can be an alternative, especially among elderly patients who are associated with walking disorders, frailty, or neurocognitive disorders.

5.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36429420

ABSTRACT

Burnout in healthcare professionals remains an ongoing concern. There are a number of variables associated with reactivity to stress in healthcare staff. This study wants to identify risk factors which predispose healthcare professionals to burnout. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study included a group of 200 subjects, medical staff and auxiliary staff from the national health units, who gave their free consent to answer the questions regarding the level of perceived stress at work. The screening tool used was disseminated through the Google Forms platform, maintaining the anonymity of the participants. RESULTS: Resident doctors (42%) responded predominantly, reporting the highest level of burnout, with nurses (26.5%) being the least affected (χ2 = 36.73, p < 0.01). Less work experience is correlated with increased burnout (rho = 0.29, p < 0.01). Reactivity to stress was highly associated with workplace, with ambulance staff being the most vulnerable (χ2 = 6.58, p < 0.05). Participants' relationship status significantly influenced the burnout rate, the unmarried, with or without a partner, being more affected (χ2 = 16.14, p < 0.01). There are no significant differences between male and female gender, regarding the average level of burnout (U = 1.47; p > 0.05), nor between living in a house or apartment (U = 4.66; p > 0.05). Positive associations were identified between the level of burnout and variables such as: management pressure, administrative work, routine, regretting decisions regarding patients, harassment at work and sacrifice of personal time. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study identify age, profession, workplace seniority and relationship status as factors associated with burnout in medical personnel.


Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , Humans , Male , Female , Cross-Sectional Studies , Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , Health Personnel , Workplace , Delivery of Health Care
6.
Life (Basel) ; 12(8)2022 Jul 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36013312

ABSTRACT

The demographic trend of aging is associated with an increased prevalence of comorbidities among the elderly. Physical, immunological, emotional and cognitive impairment, in the context of the advanced biological age segment, leads to the maintenance and precipitation of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, more and more data are focused on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying each fragility phenotype and how they potentiate each other. The implications of inflammation, sarcopenia, vitamin D deficiency and albumin, as dimensions inherent in fragility, in the development and setting of chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) have proven their patent significance but are still open to research. At the same time, the literature speculates on the interdependent relationship between frailty and CCSs, revealing the role of the first one in the development of the second. In this sense, depression, disabilities, polypharmacy and even cognitive disorders in the elderly with ischemic cardiovascular disease mean a gradual and complex progression of frailty. The battery of tests necessary for the evaluation of the elderly with CCSs requires a permanent update, according to the latest guidelines, but also an individualized approach related to the degree of frailty and the conditions imposed by it. By summation, the knowledge of frailty screening methods, through the use of sensitive and individualized tools, is the foundation of secondary prevention and prognosis in the elderly with CCSs. Moreover, a comprehensive geriatric assessment remains the gold standard of the medical approach of these patients. The management of the frail elderly, with CCSs, brings new challenges, also from the perspective of the treatment particularities. Sometimes the risk-benefit balance is difficult to achieve. Therefore, the holistic, individualized and updated approach of these patients remains a desired objective, by understanding and permanently acquiring knowledge on the complexity of the frailty syndrome.

7.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35565126

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: In the older population, depression often affects people with chronic medical illnesses, cognitive impairment, or disability. Frailty is another important issue affecting older adults, being difficult to clinically distinguish from frailty in advanced old age. Well-designed interventional studies and clinical strategies targeting both frailty and depression are rare or nonexistent. (2) Methods: We realized a retrospective study in which we included a total of 411 patients that were admitted to the Geriatric Clinic from "Dr. C. I. Parhon" Hospital from Iasi for a period of 13 months. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between depression and frailty in a geriatric population due to the fact that the quality of life is negatively influenced by both frailty and depression. (3) Results: The prevalence of the depressive symptoms screened by the GDS-15 was 66.7%, with women being more depressed than men. Furthermore, an obvious relationship between depression and the dependence degree in performing daily activities has been observed. In addition, the mean MMSE score decreased with an increasing degree of depression. (4) Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the association between frailty and depression, one of them being a risk factor in the development of the other. A poor acknowledgment of the problem and an underdiagnosis of these conditions are important public health concerns due to the high healthcare costs. Thus, an active primary prevention would be imperiously needed in order to diagnose frailty and depression at an early stage, increasing the quality of life of the elderly and also their successful aging.


Subject(s)
Frailty , Aged , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Frail Elderly/psychology , Frailty/diagnosis , Frailty/epidemiology , Geriatric Assessment , Humans , Male , Quality of Life , Retrospective Studies , Romania/epidemiology
9.
Exp Ther Med ; 21(3): 274, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33603881

ABSTRACT

While the incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections has decreased in the last few years, the incidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasing in developed countries. Both infections remain a worldwide reality, strongly related to socio-economic conditions. We retrospectively analyzed the medical files of patients with viral hepatitis hospitalized in the Infectious Disease Hospital Iasi, Romania between 2018 and 2019. The serological confirmed cases of HAV and HEV infections were included in the analysis; included in our analysis were 269 HAV-infected patients. The most affected were males (53.9% cases) aged between 8 and 15 years (53.6% cases). Severe infections were recorded at admission in 2.24% cases and evolution was favorable under supportive and symptomatic treatment. Only three adult males, with no recent history of travel, were confirmed with HEV infection. Even though we have identified a small number of cases, recent studies performed in our region found a seroprevalence of 32.5% in the general population, possibly related to zoonotic transmission. While outbreaks of HAV infection are still noted in our region, a lack of hospitalized HEV-infected patients suggest that most cases are asymptomatic or underdiagnosed. HEV infection remains an underreported disease, possibly due to misdiagnosis, subclinical or dual hepatitis infection, but with a significant risk in vulnerable categories, such as pregnant women or immunosuppressed patients.

10.
Eur J Clin Nutr ; 75(5): 736-747, 2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33087893

ABSTRACT

Tobacco smoking is still a widespread habit in pregnant and breastfeeding women. While the role of these risk factors on neonatal outcomes has been deeply studied, their effect on human milk composition is still not completely clear. This study aimed to report the most up to date evidence about the alteration of breast milk composition of smoking breastfeeding mothers compared to non-smoking ones. We performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Evaluated data were extracted and critically analyzed by two independent authors. PRISMA guidelines were applied, and the risk of bias was assessed (ROBINS), as was the methodological quality of the included studies (GRADE). After applying the inclusion criteria, we included 20 studies assessed as medium or high quality. In all the studies, we analyzed data regarding 1769 mothers (398 smokers and 971 nonsmokers). Smoking was associated with a lower content of lipids, calories, and proteins. Moreover, it was characterized by decreased antioxidant properties and an altered immune status. Smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding is significantly associated with an alteration of milk metabolic properties. Further studies are needed to investigate how these changes can alter newborns' development and outcomes and which molecular patterns are involved.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Milk, Human , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Mothers , Pregnancy , Tobacco Smoking
11.
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther ; 21(3): 315-323, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33244997

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the elderly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more commonly diagnosed in advanced stages. Conservative therapy including chemotherapy in this age group might be challenging because one of the criteria for its indication is the appropriate functional status, and in the elderly this is more difficult to ascertain. Checkpoint inhibitors are recent therapies found to be effective alone or in combinations in patients with advanced NSCLC, but little is known about their efficacy and their safety in such patients.Areas covered: We review clinical studies of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced NSCLC in an attempt to identify peculiarities related to their use in the elderly. The clinical studies discussed enrolled a significant proportion of elderly patients and for some compounds, post-hoc analysis in the elderly was performed. Efficacy data supports the use of such compounds in the elderly and the safety profile is acceptable for all molecules discussed.Expert opinion: In the elderly with advanced NSCLC, checkpoint inhibitors are efficacious and well tolerated and may be appropriate for use in patients with an increased impaired functional status. Furthermore, in this category of patients this therapy may be used as a neoadjuvant therapy in order to improve the resectability of the tumor.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Age Factors , Aged , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasm Staging
12.
Psychogeriatrics ; 20(3): 321-326, 2020 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31957166

ABSTRACT

AIM: Frailty has become an increasingly important topic, being directly correlated with ageing, presence of comorbidities, and also with other factors. It is a state of high vulnerability and is a consequence of ageing-related decline in whole body functioning. In order to initiate preventive and therapeutic measures, we need to identify the characteristics of current frail older adults. To identify the characteristics of frailty depending on age, area of residence and to assess the relationship between frailty and disability, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, depression and comorbidities. METHODS: Included in the study were 663 consecutively admitted patients over the age of 65. Frailty was evaluated using the Fried criteria and a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The mean age of the subjects enrolled in this study was 76.58 ± 6.5 years, most of the patients residing in rural areas (62.4%). RESULTS: A diagnosis of frailty was made in 73% of the study patients. The presence of frailty was found to be negatively correlated, statistically significant with cognitive function assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (P = 0.039, r = -0.094) and malnutrition assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment (P = 0.001, r = -0.151). Also, the presence of frailty was positively correlated, statistically significant with depression evaluated by Geriatric Depression Scale (P = 0.046, r = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is a common condition in the surveyed elderly population. It is associated with the presence of other geriatric syndromes such as malnutrition, cognitive impairment, depression, and is influenced by age.


Subject(s)
Aging , Cognition/physiology , Frail Elderly/psychology , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Nutritional Status , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression , Female , Frailty , Humans , Male , Mental Status and Dementia Tests , Nutrition Assessment , Population Surveillance , Residence Characteristics , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires
13.
Psychogeriatrics ; 20(2): 196-205, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31801183

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This article explores elder abuse in a hospitalised population. We wanted to identify details related to psychological and emotional abuse in the older population in our region and to determine the importance of the Elderly Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI© ) in comprehensive geriatric assessments. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted between March 2015 and May 2016 included 386 consecutive hospitalised patients over 65 years of age. All patients underwent a geriatric assessment, data were collected about their medical history, and the EASI© was administered to each. The main outcome was identifying the presence, the type of abuse and the factors associated with abuse. RESULTS: There were 21.5% of patients who suffered any form of abuse. Women were more frequently abused than men. Emotional abuse was the most common (60.2%) followed by neglect (53%) and physical abuse (22.91%); sexual abuse was absent in our study group. The abused patients had an impaired cognitive function (P = 0.034). They were also malnourished (P ≤ 0.001) and depressed (P = 0.001). The presence of peripheral artery disease, stroke, pneumonia, chronic kidney disease, musculoskeletal diseases and anxiety correlated with the presence of abuse. No statistically significant correlation was found between the degree of independence in instrumental activities of daily living and the presence of abuse (r = 0.105, P = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: EASI is a tool for detecting elder abuse and should be included in the standard geriatric assessment to prevent ageism. The number of abused elderly patients is significant, and the multiple factors associated with abuse are diverse.


Subject(s)
Elder Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Mass Screening/methods , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Geriatric Assessment , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Risk Factors , Romania/epidemiology
14.
Sensors (Basel) ; 19(9)2019 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31052198

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present a new complex electronic system for facilitating communication with severely disabled patients and telemonitoring their physiological parameters. The proposed assistive system includes three subsystems (Patient, Server, and Caretaker) connected to each other via the Internet. The two-way communication function is based on keywords technology using a WEB application implemented at the server level, and the application is accessed remotely from the patient's laptop/tablet PC. The patient's needs can be detected by using different switch-type sensors that are adapted to the patient's physical condition or by using eye-tracking interfaces. The telemonitoring function is based on a wearable wireless sensor network, organized around the Internet of Things concept, and the sensors acquire different physiological parameters of the patients according to their needs. The mobile Caretaker device is represented by a Smartphone, which uses an Android application for communicating with patients and performing real-time monitoring of their physiological parameters. The prototype of the proposed assistive system was tested in "Dr. C.I. Parhon" Clinical Hospital of Iasi, Romania, on hospitalized patients from the Clinic of Geriatrics and Gerontology. The system contributes to an increase in the level of care and treatment for disabled patients, and this ultimately lowers costs in the healthcare system.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons , Eye Movement Measurements , Monitoring, Physiologic , Wireless Technology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Male , Quality of Life , Smartphone , Software , Telecommunications , User-Computer Interface
15.
Expert Opin Pharmacother ; 20(1): 91-93, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30462926

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the main goals in its management is to reduce the number of disease exacerbations. Roflumilast is an anti-inflammatory compound used in patients with advanced COPD and chronic bronchitis in order to fulfill this objective. However, this is not always easily achieved due to the heterogeneity of the population. Clinical trial data can allow more in-depth analysis in order to identify predictors for maximal efficacy in different patient populations. Areas covered: A post hoc pooled data analysis derived from two large-scale randomized controlled trials helped to better define the disease subsets in which roflumilast would exert the maximal therapeutic effect. These are represented by patients with prior hospitalizations for COPD exacerbations and by patients with higher values for eosinophil blood count. This analysis is the focus of our key paper evaluation. Expert opinion: This pooled data analysis suggests that a phenotype/endotype guided therapy has the potential to be impactful on overall survival by reducing the number of exacerbations and increase the life span of patients.


Subject(s)
Aminopyridines/therapeutic use , Benzamides/therapeutic use , Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy , Cyclopropanes/therapeutic use , Disease Progression , Hospitalization , Humans , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
16.
Int Urol Nephrol ; 51(1): 155-162, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30515732

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to objectively and precisely describe, in elderly dialysis patients from a single center, the prevalence of malnutrition and severe cognitive/functional impairment and to establish the prognostic role of malnutrition assessment for patient's severe cognitive/functional status. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A single dialysis center from north-eastern Romania. SUBJECTS: Eighty-one elderly ambulatory hemodialysis patients. INTERVENTION: The aim of the study was to establish in hemodialysis elderly patients a correlation between two malnutrition scores [Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA)] and geriatric tests (Geriatric Depression Scale-GDS), daily activities (Activities of Daily Living-ADL, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living-IADL), and cognitive impairment scores (Mini Mental State Examination-MMSE). A correlation between objective malnutrition parameters (bioimpedance lean tissue index (LTI) and fat tissue index (FTI) by bioimpedance) was also assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Using area under the curve analysis, two malnutrition scores and bioimpedance assessed nutritional status were explored as possible predictors for the most severe category of functional and cognitive status. RESULTS: All patients had mild/moderate malnutrition by SGA, while the MNA test reported malnutrition in 14.5%, and 58% of cases. There was no correlation between subjective scores and objective biomarkers of malnutrition (albumin levels, bioimpedance-derived LTI, FTI). ROC curve analysis showed that MNA and SGA predict the most severe category of depression and functional impairment with relatively good accuracy (specificity, sensibility). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the important correlation between malnutrition and cognitive/functional impairment and confirms that malnutrition scores could be useful in predicting depression and physical dependance in elderly dialysis patients.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Dysfunction , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Malnutrition , Nutrition Assessment , Renal Dialysis , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/physiopathology , Female , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/psychology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Male , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Malnutrition/physiopathology , Malnutrition/psychology , Nutritional Status , Predictive Value of Tests , Prevalence , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Renal Dialysis/methods , Romania/epidemiology
17.
Dev World Bioeth ; 18(3): 299-306, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29933502

ABSTRACT

The article explores the challenges of ensuring voluntary and informed consent which is obtained from potential research subjects in the north-eastern part of Romania. This study is one of the first empirical papers of this nature in Romania. The study used a quantitative survey design using the adapted Quality of Informed Consent (QuIC) questionnaire. The target population consisted of 100 adult persons who voluntarily enrolled in clinical trials. The informed consent form must contain details regarding the potential risks and benefits, the aim of the clinical trial, study design, confidentiality, insurance and contact details in case of additional questions. Our study confirmed that although all required information was included in the ICF, few clinical trial participants truly understood it. We also found that the most important predictive factor for a good subjective and objective understanding of the clinical trial was the level of education. Our study suggests that researchers should consider putting more effort in order to help clinical trials participants achieve a better understanding of the informed consent. In this way they will ensure that participants' decision-making is meaningful and that their interests are protected.


Subject(s)
Clinical Trials as Topic/ethics , Informed Consent/ethics , Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards , Decision Making , Humans , Informed Consent/standards , Research Design , Romania
18.
Curr Gerontol Geriatr Res ; 2017: 7574040, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29147112

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Ageing of societies causes serious political concerns on well-being of old citizens and care for the (frail) old. These concerns increased with the economic crisis of 2008. In European countries policy measures were taken to deal with the consequences of this crisis. This study explores the possible effects of these measures on life satisfaction of older citizens. METHODS: Life satisfaction was assessed through international surveys in 2007 and 2013 and changes in societal conditions, using eight indicators on demography, welfare, and health, are assessed in 31 European countries in 2006 and in 2014. Data are standardised and based on official, national surveys and statistics. RESULTS: The former found that U-shape relationship between age and life satisfaction disappeared after the crisis. Negative changes in social protection and care arrangements, taken after the economic crisis, are related to low life satisfaction in old citizens. CONCLUSIONS: Various societal conditions deteriorated in 2014 as compared to 2006. Policy measures, taken due to the 2008 economic crisis, have changed societal conditions and affected life satisfaction of older citizens negatively. In countries with a rudimentary structure of health and welfare provisions old citizens could not cope with the imposed policy measures.

19.
Maedica (Bucur) ; 12(2): 119-122, 2017 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29090032

ABSTRACT

Abuse of the elderly is a major issue debated worldwide. The most commonly identified form of abuse is the physical abuse. It is also the most frequently studied in the medical literature. However, at least six types of elder abuse are identified, and physical abuse is found in a small proportion of the cases. The consequences of abuse are frequent and, by prolonging hospitalizations, they will be associated with high costs of medical services, and patient's lack of self-confidence which, in time, may lead to social isolation, somatization, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. In this context, the identification and correction of psychological abuse becomes a desideratum of utmost importance for ensuring an optimal therapeutic response. This should be done by using a simple method that does not require qualified personnel, but allows the patient to be guided towards psychological consultation; this study was carried out with the help of the EASI EASI (The Elder Abuse Suspicion Index) questionnaire. We present the case of an 80-year old patient in a rural area, who has been hospitalized several times, admitted for numerous episodes of global cardiac decompensation (about four over the last year). The causes of cardiac decompensation were, systematically, non-compliance with treatment, regardless of all attempts to readjust and simplify the therapeutic schemes. The dynamic geriatric assessment showed a deterioration of the patient's mental and nutritional status and an accentuation of depression. The EASI questionnaire used during the last admission corroborated with the psychological consultation and detected several types of abuse: abandonment, negligence and financial abuse. Given that the complexity of care, the frequency of hospitalizations and the length of stay were reduced, therapeutic compliance increased and the mental and nutritional status improved after correcting the abuse.

20.
Acta Ortop Bras ; 25(4): 132-136, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28955168

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess survival and factors that may influence survival in nonagenarians with hip fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 134 nonagenarian patients admitted for hip fractures over a period of 9 years, and reviewed medical records and survival data from the National Population Register. The analysis included demographic data, ASA score, surgical delay, type of treatment, and mortality. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 92.53 years (range 90-103 years). Of the total, 35.8% of the fractures involved the femoral neck and 64.2% were in the trochanteric region. Overall mortality was 18.7% at 30 days, and 9% at one year. Mean survival for the entire sample was 683±78.1 days, with a median of 339 days; survival in men and women was 595±136.8 days and 734±94.6 days, respectively. We found that type of fracture (p=0.026) and ASA score (p=0.004) were the main factors influencing survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with extracapsular fractures treated by internal fixation had a better survival rate (p=0.047). There was no significant differences between sexes (p = 0.102) or diagnosis (p = 0.537). CONCLUSION: Although nonagenarian patients have numerous comorbidities, surgical treatment using internal fixation seems superior to a conservative approach. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.


OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os fatores que podem influenciar a sobrevida de nonagenários com fratura do quadril. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente 134 pacientes nonagenários internados por fraturas de quadril e seus prontuários, em um período de nove anos. Efetuou-se a revisão de prontuários médicos e os dados sobre a taxa de sobrevida do Registro Nacional de População. A análise incluiu dados demográficos, classificação ASA, atrasos na cirurgia, tipo de tratamento e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi 92,53 anos (de 90 a 103 anos). Do total, 35,8% das fraturas localizaram-se no colo do fêmur e 64,2% na região trocantérica. A mortalidade geral foi 18,7% aos 30 dias seguintes e 9% em um ano. A média de sobrevida de toda a amostra foi de 683 ± 78,1 dias, com mediana de 339 dias. A sobrevida em homens e mulheres foi, respectivamente, 595 ± 136,8 dias e 734 ± 94,6 dias. Constatamos que o tipo de fratura (p = 0,026) e a classificação ASA (p = 0,004) foram os principais fatores que influenciaram a sobrevida. A análise de sobrevida pelo método Kaplan-Meier indicou que os pacientes com fraturas extracapsulares tratados com fixação interna tiveram taxa de sobrevida melhor (p = 0,047). Não houve diferença significativa entre sexos (p = 0,102) ou no diagnóstico (p = 0,537). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar das numerosas comorbidades em pacientes nonagenários, o tratamento cirúrgico com fixação interna parece ser superior à abordagem conservadora. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo Comparativo.

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