Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in older adults living in nursing home: a survival analysis on the shelter study.

Background: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines have been proved to be effective and safe in preventing and controlling infection among elderly, reducing morbidity and mortality. However, some evidences raised health concerns related to these vaccinations. This study aims to identify prevalence and outcomes related to influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in a large European population of frail old people living in nursing homes (NHs). Methods: We conducted a survival analysis of NH residents participating to the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-TERm project, a prospective cohort study collecting information on residents admitted to 57 NH in eight countries (Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Israel). Clinical and demographical data were collected using the international resident assessement instrument for long-term care facilities. Incident mortality was recorded during 1-year follow-up. A shared-frailty Cox regression model was used to assess the impact of vaccination status on mortality. Results: Mean age of 3510 participants was 84.6 years (SD = 7.7). In total, 81.7 and 27.0% received influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, respectively. Overall, 727 (20.7%) residents died during the follow-up period. After adjusting for potential confounders, which included age, sex, number of diseases, depression, cognitive and functional status, influenza (HR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.66-0.97) and the combination of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.57-0.91), but not pneumococcal vaccination alone (HR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.25-1.06), were associated with a statistically significant reduction in mortality in respect of no vaccinations. Conclusion: In a population of older adult living in NH influenza and the combination of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination were associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality respect to no vaccination.

Delivery of Care to Nursing Home Residents With Diabetes: Results From the SHELTER Study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe health care and preventive service provision to nursing home (NH) residents with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to analyze factors determining use of selected services. DESIGN: In the period between 2009 and 2011, the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care (SHELTER) project, a 12-month prospective cohort study, was conducted to assess 4037 NH residents aged 60 years and older residing in 59 NHs in 7 European countries and Israel. METHODS: The InterRAI tool for long-term care facilities was used to assess care needs and provided health care services. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were applied to describe differences between NH residents with (DR) and without DM (non-DR), and to find factors determining use of services and care provided to both groups. RESULTS: DR more often than non-DR were hospitalized (18.2% vs 14.3%) and required rehabilitation (23.8% vs 18.2%) or clinically complex care (15.9% vs 13.7%). They also more frequently received a repositioning program (26.8% vs 22.7%), a wound care (15.1% vs 9.8%), and some preventive services as yearly eye examination (41.0% vs 35.9%), pneumococcal vaccination (33.5% vs 26.6%), mammography in women (12.1% vs 7.4%), and colonoscopy (5.6% vs 3.6%). Yet, rates of some of them (mammography, colonoscopy, hearing and dental examinations) were very low in both study cohorts with exception of annual influenza vaccination (82.1%) and yearly blood pressure checkup (95.0%). Interestingly, DM enhanced odds only for mammography [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.09, P = .004) and eye examination (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03-1.42; P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: DR more frequently receive care related to DM clinical complexity; nevertheless, the recommended frequency of preventive procedures is not met both in DR and non-DR.

Dual Sensory Impairment and Cognitive Decline: The Results From the Shelter Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether nursing home residents with concurrent vision and hearing impairment, dual sensory impairment (DSI), have a greater cognitive decline over time than do those without sensory impairment and whether social engagement modifies this association. METHODS: Based on the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm Care study, 1,989 nursing home residents who were assessed using the interRAI LTCF at 6-month intervals over 1 year were included. Multivariate linear regression models with time-variant exposure variables of sensory impairment and social engagement using generalized estimating equations were performed to predict cognitive function measured by the Cognitive Performance Scale (range 0-6). RESULTS: Residents with DSI had a greater cognitive decline [changes in Cognitive Performance Scale over 1 year = 1.12 (95% confidence interval = 0.81:1.42)] compared to those with either vision or hearing impairment [0.67 (0.53:0.64)] and those without sensory impairment [0.56 (0.48:0.64)]. A lower level of social engagement was also associated with a greater cognitive decline. The combined exposure variable of sensory impairment and social engagement revealed the greatest cognitive decline for socially disengaged residents with DSI [1.87 (1.24:2.51)] and the potential effect modification of social engagement on the association between DSI and cognitive decline; DSI was not associated with a greater cognitive decline among socially engaged residents, while it was associated among socially disengaged residents DISCUSSION: Cognitive function declines faster in nursing home residents with DSI only when residents were not socially engaged. Therefore, residents with DSI might cognitively benefit from interventions to improve involvement in social life at nursing homes.

Suppressive effect of citalopram on plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2.

BACKGROUND: Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRi), is widely used to treat major depression. Patients treated with SSRIs suffer more frequently from bleeding disorders caused by the antiplatelet effect of SSRIs. METHODS: To investigate the potential suppressive effect of citalopram treatment on plasma thromboxane B2 levels and its possible correlation with actual plasma concentration of citalopram. Plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 and citalopram were examined in a cohort of 77 aspirin-treated geriatric patients before and in the third week of citalopram therapy. RESULTS: Citalopram therapy led to a significant decrease of plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 compared to its levels before initiation of the therapy. Furthermore, we have shown negative correlation in thromboxane B2 levels and actual plasma concentration of citalopram. Actual plasma concentrations of citalopram were significantly higher compared to younger adult patients treated with similar dose. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we have shown that even short-term citalopram therapy led to a suppression of thromboxane B2 production in aspirin-treated patients. This suppressive effect correlates with actual plasma concentration of citalopram.

The characteristics of diabetic residents in European nursing homes: results from the SHELTER study.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in European nursing homes (NHs), and the health and functional characteristics of diabetic residents (DMR) aged 60 years and older. DESIGN: Between 2009 and 2011, the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care (SHELTER) project, a 12-month prospective cohort study, was conducted to assess NH residents across different health care systems in 7 European countries and Israel. METHODS: The study included 59 NHs in 8 countries with a total of 4037 residents living in or admitted to a NH during the 3-month enrollment period. The multidimensional InterRAI instrument for Long-Term Care Facilities (InterRAI-LTCF) was used to assess health and functional status among residents. Descriptive statistics and linear, ordinal, and logistic regression were used to perform the analyses. RESULTS: We found a 21.8% prevalence of DM among NH residents. Residents with DM (DMRs) were significantly younger compared with non-DMRs (82.3, SD ± 7.7; 84.6, SD ± 8.4; P < .001). DMRs were more frequently overweight or obese, and presented more often with ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and stroke than residents without DM. DMRs also took more drugs, had pressure ulcers (PU) or other wounds more often, and more frequently had urinary incontinence (UI); they also reported worse self-perceived health. DM independently of other factors increased risk of PU occurrence (odds ratio 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.86; P = .036) and decreased probability of higher pain scores (B = -0.28; 95% CI -0.41 to -0.14; P < .001). DM was not associated with ADL dependency, cognitive impairment, and depression in NH residents. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of DM in European NH residents is comparable to US national NH surveys, and to UK and German NH data based on glucose-level testing. DMRs compared with non-DMRs have more comorbid conditions, and a particularly higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases and obesity, PU, and severe UI. DMRs should be regarded as a specific group of residents who require an interdisciplinary approach in medical and nursing care.

Impact of dual sensory impairment on onset of behavioral symptoms in European nursing homes: results from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-Term Care study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if dual sensory impairment (DSI) in the form of a combined visual and hearing impairment is associated with the onset of behavioral symptoms in nursing homes. METHODS: A total of 1524 nursing home residents without behavioral symptoms at baseline followed for 12 months in 59 nursing homes from the Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, and The Netherlands. The interRAI instrument for long-term care facilities was assessed by trained staff at baseline and 12 months later. RESULTS: Altogether, 11% of residents had a new onset of behavioral symptoms (wandering, verbal abuse, physical abuse, socially inappropriate behavior, public disrobing, and resisting care) at 12-month follow-up. In multivariate analyses adjusted for potential confounders, DSI residents had significantly higher incidence of new behavioral symptoms at 12-month follow-up, irrespective of the severity of vision and hearing impairments [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3:3.4 for mild DSI, OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.6:4.0 for moderate DSI, and OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2:3.7 for severe DSI] compared with residents without sensory impairment. Among the different types of symptoms, only abusive behaviors were less likely to be associated with DSI. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that DSI could play a significant role in the development of behavioral symptoms in nursing home residents. More attention should be paid to DSI even when each of vision and hearing function is only minimally impaired.

Prevalence and correlates of hearing and visual impairments in European nursing homes: results from the SHELTER study.

BACKGROUND: Visual and hearing impairments are known to be related to functional disability, cognitive impairment, and depression in community-dwelling older people. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of sensory impairment in nursing home residents, and whether sensory impairment is related to other common clinical problems in nursing homes, mediated by functional disability, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 4007 nursing home residents in 59 facilities in 8 countries from the SHELTER study were analyzed. Visual and hearing impairments were assessed by trained staff using the interRAI instrument for Long-Term Care Facilities. Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for functional disability, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms were used to analyze associations of sensory impairments with prevalence of clinical problems, including behavioral symptoms, incontinence, fatigue, falls, problems with balance, sleep, nutrition, and communication. RESULTS: Of the participants, 32% had vision or hearing impairment (single impairment) and another 32% had both vision and hearing impairments (dual impairment). Residents with single impairment had significantly higher rates of communication problems, fatigue, balance problems, and sleep problems, as compared with residents without any sensory impairment. Those with dual impairment had significantly higher rates of all clinical problems assessed in this study as compared with those without sensory impairment. For each clinical problem, the magnitude of the odds ratio for specific clinical problems was higher for dual impairment than for single impairment. CONCLUSION: Visual and hearing impairments are associated with higher rates of common clinical problems among nursing home residents, independent of functional disability, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms.

The non-antidepressant effects of citalopram: a clinician's perspective.

The authors present an overview of the most often discussed questions concerning citalopram, i.e. its proven effect on the QT interval and related dose reductions. They discuss citalopram's antiplatelet effect including the most recent data and draw attention to serotonin syndrome as its incidence is still underestimated. They go on to discuss hyponatremia pointing out that this condition may develop even in those taking low doses of citalopram. Finally, the authors provide a brief overview of the latest findings on osteoporosis and the serotonergic mechanism inducing it in individuals treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.