Gait Speed and Evolution of Verbal Fluencies in Frail or Prefrail Older People with Type 2 Diabetes. A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor of frailty and cognitive impairment. Impaired gait in older people is associated with incident vascular dementia. We aimed to assess whether in frail or prefrail older subjects with T2D, lower gait speed can be associated with faster cognitive decline. DESIGN: Case-control study nested in a large randomized control trial (RCT, MID-frail); post hoc analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Older frail and prefrail subjects (>70y) with T2D and with no history of cognitive problems were enrolled in a single recruiting center. Participants were divided into two groups depending on their walking speed - above (fast walkers) or below (slow walkers) using a cut off of 1 m/sec. MEASURE: Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and during follow-up with the MMSE, category and letter fluencies at 15 sec (initiation) and 15-60 sec (late). RESULTS: 48 subjects were included, 22 were fast walkers, 26 were slow walkers. The mean follow-up was 60.9 (SD 17.5) weeks. The baseline 0-15 sec letter fluency was higher in fast walkers (p=0.008). There was no difference at baseline with MMSE scores and category fluency. The MID-Frail intervention did not change the evolution of any cognitive changes. Comparisons were adjusted for age, sex and baseline performance, and showed a steeper decline of category fluency score in slow walkers (fast walkers +0.04 (-1.49 to1.56) compared with -0.89 (-2.15 to 0.38), p=0.049) with a moderate effect size. CONCLUSION: In frail or prefrail older adults with diabetes, we observed a decline in category fluency in those with low gait speed.

The Use of Posturography in Investigating the Risk of Falling in Frail or Prefrail Older People with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: In older people, diabetes is associated with an increased risk of falls and frailty. The value of using posturography for evaluating the risk of falling is unclear. In theory, a time-scale analysis should increase the metrological properties of the posturography assessment. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine which posturographic parameters can be used to identify fall-risk patients in a frail diabetic older population and to assess their interest in comparison to usual clinical trials for gait and balance. DESIGN: This is a prospective observational cohort. SETTINGS: frail or pre-frail diabetic patients, in Bordeaux, France. PARTICIPANTS: 84 patients were included in the study (mean age 80.09 years, 64.5% of men).Criteria for inclusion were: age over 70 years, diabetes mellitus for over 2 years, and at least one of the Fried's frailty criteria. MEASUREMENTS: Gait and balance assessments were undertaken at baseline: Static posturography, the timed up and go test, short physical performance battery, and (gait) walking speed. Raw data from posturography were used for wavelet analysis. Data on self reported new falls were collected prospectively during 6 months. RESULTS: The posturography parameter most useful was area of 90% confidence ellipse of statokinesigram (COP90area): area under the ROC curve AUC = 0.617 (95% CI, 0.445-0.789) and OR=1.003 (95%CI 1.000-1.005) p =0.05. The optimum clinical test was the time to walk over 4m AUC=0.735 (95%CI, 0.587-0.882) and OR=1.42 (95%CI 1.08-1.87) p= 0.013. CONCLUSION: Posturography has limited utility for assessment of falls risk in frail older people with diabetes. Gait and balance clinical assessments such as walking speed continue to retain their value.

Frailty and Brain-Muscle Correlates in Older People With Type 2 Diabetes: A structural-MRI Explorative Study.

OBJECTIVES: Muscle alterations, mainly functional alterations are frequently observed in older people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Sarcopenia may be one mechanism of transition to frailty in these people. Thus, we aim to explore the characteristics of muscle and its association with cerebral grey matter volumes within this group. METHODS: Single center study nested within the international MID-Frail (a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-modal intervention in older people with T2DM on frailty and quality of life) trial participants underwent both brain and muscle T1 MRI, nutritional and functional assessments. Muscle areas were measured in rectus femoris (RF). Relationships between MRI grey matter volumes and muscle areas or function tests were described using positive and negative regressions. RESULTS: Twenty-six subjects (7 female, mean age 78.2 y, SD 5.0), 6 frail and 20 pre-frail were explored in this sub-study. Frail subjects had lower Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), hip flexor strength than pre-frail ones but similar BMI and balance. Total SPPB was positively related with hip flexor strength and maximal RF area. Balance SPPB sub-score was unrelated to strength or RF area. MNA score was correlated with hip flexor strength and to global grey matter but not to SPPB. Hip flexor strength was correlated with grey matter areas involved in motor control. Walking time was negatively and rising chair sub-score was positively associated with grey matter volumes of motor areas. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia features were more frequent in frail than prefrail subjects and were associated with decrease in grey matter volumes involved in motor control.

An International Position Statement on the Management of Frailty in Diabetes Mellitus: Summary of Recommendations 2017.

AIM: The International Position Statement provides the opportunity to summarise all existing clinical trial and best practice evidence for older people with frailty and diabetes. It is the first document of its kind and is intended to support clinical decisions that will enhance safety in management and promote high quality care. METHODS: The Review Group sought evidence from a wide range of studies that provide sufficient confidence (in the absence of grading) for the basis of each recommendation. This was supported by a given rationale and key references for our recommendations in each section, all of which have been reviewed by leading international experts. Searches for any relevant clinical evidence were generally limited to English language citations over the previous 15 years. The following databases were examined: Embase, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Trials Register, Cinahl, and Science Citation. Hand searching of 16 key major peer-reviewed journals was undertaken by two reviewers (AJS and AA) and these included Lancet, Diabetes, Diabetologia, Diabetes Care, British Medical Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Frailty and Aging, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, and Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. RESULTS: Two scientific supporting statements have been provided that relate to the area of frailty and diabetes; this is accompanied by evidence-based decisions in 9 clinical domains. The Summary has been supported by diagrammatic figures and a table relating to the inter-relations between frailty and diabetes, a frailty assessment pathway, an exercise-based programme of intervention, a glucose-lowering algorithm with a description of available therapies. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided an up to date evidence-based approach to practical decision-making for older adults with frailty and diabetes. This Summary document includes a user-friendly set of recommendations that should be considered for implementation in primary, community-based and secondary care settings.

Self-rated health as a predictor of mid-term and long-term mortality in older Afro-Caribbeans hospitalised via the emergency department.

PURPOSE: To determine whether self-rated health (SRH) is an independent predictor for mortality in older Afro-Caribbean patients hospitalised for an acute condition. METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients recruited from the University Hospitals of Martinique Acute Care for Elders unit. Patients aged 75 or older and hospitalised for an acute condition were eligible. The outcome was time to death within the 36-week follow-up. SRH was the explanatory variable of interest. Cox's Proportional Hazards model was used to estimate the relationship between SRH and mortality. RESULTS: The 223 patients included in the study were aged 85.1 ± 5.5 years. In total, 123 patients reported "very good to good" health, and 100 "medium to very poor" health. Crude mortality rates at six months, 1, 2, and 3 years were 30.5, 34.8, 48.4, and 57.0%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, SRH reached significant relationship for all mortality timepoints. The adjusted hazard ratios for subjects who perceived their health as medium, poor or very poor was 1.6-2.7 times greater than that of subjects who reported good or very good health. CONCLUSION: Assessment of SRH could have implications for clinical practice, particularly in helping practitioners to better estimate prognosis in the acute care settings.

Impact of nursing home admission on health care use and disease status elderly dependent people one year before and one year after skilled nursing home admission based on 2012-2013 SNIIRAM data.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare disease status and health care use 1 year before and 1 year after skilled nursing home (SNH) admission. METHODS: People over the age of 65 years admitted to SNH during the first quarter of 2013, covered by the national health insurance general scheme (69% of the population of this age), and still alive 1 year after admission were identified (n = 14,487, mean age: 86 years, women: 76%). Their reimbursed health care was extracted from the Système National d'Information Interrégimes de l'Assurance Maladie (SNIIRAM) [National Health Insurance Information System]. RESULTS: One year after nursing home admission, the most prevalent diseases were cardiovascular/neurovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases (affecting 45% and 40% of people before admission vs 51% and 53% after admission, respectively). Physical therapy use increased (43% vs 64% of people had at least one physical therapy session during the year, with an average of 47 vs 84 sessions/person during the year), while specialist consultations decreased (29% of people consulted an ophthalmologist at least once during the year before admission vs 25% after admission; 27% vs 21% consulted a cardiologist). Hospitalization rates were lower during the year following institutionalization (75% vs 40% of people were hospitalized at least once during the year), together with a lower emergency admission rate and a higher day admission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the new French reimbursement database specific to SNH shows that nursing home admission is associated with a reduction of some forms of outpatient care and hospitalizations.

Impact of diet and nutraceutical supplementation on inflammation in elderly people. Results from the RISTOMED study, an open-label randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Eating habits may influence the life span and the quality of ageing process by modulating inflammation. The RISTOMED project was developed to provide a personalized and balanced diet, enriched with or without nutraceutical compounds, to decrease and prevent inflammageing, oxidative stress and gut microbiota alteration in healthy elderly people. This paper focused on the effect on inflammation and metabolism markers after 56 days of RISTOMED diet alone or supplementation with three nutraceutical compounds. METHODS: A cohort of 125 healthy elderly subjects was recruited and randomized into 4 arms (Arm A, RISTOMED diet; Arm B, RISTOMED diet plus VSL#3 probiotic blend; Arm C, RISTOMED diet plus AISA d-Limonene; Arm D, RISTOMED diet plus Argan oil). Inflammatory and metabolism parameters as well as the ratio between Clostridium cluster IV and Bifidobacteria (CL/B) were collected before and after 56 days of dietary intervention, and their evolution compared among the arms. Moreover, participants were subdivided according to their baseline inflammatory parameters (erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein, fibrinogen, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa (TNF-α), and Interleukin 6) in two clusters with low or medium-high level of inflammation. The evolution of the measured parameters was then examined separately in each cluster. RESULTS: Overall, RISTOMED diet alone or with each nutraceutical supplementation significantly decreased ESR. RISTOMED diet supplemented with d-Limonene resulted in a decrease in fibrinogen, glucose, insulin levels and HOMA-IR. The most beneficial effects were observed in subjects with a medium-high inflammatory status who received RISTOMED diet with AISA d-Limonene supplementation. Moreover, RISTOMED diet associated with VSL#3 probiotic blend induced a decrease in the CL/B ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study emphasizes the beneficial anti-inflammageing effect of RISTOMED diet supplemented with nutraceuticals to control the inflammatory status of elderly individuals.

Physical activity at home, at leisure, during transportation and at work in French adults with type 2 diabetes: the ENTRED physical activity study.

AIM: Our study assessed the distribution of physical activity during various typical tasks of daily life in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), a population typified by low physical activity. METHODS: We investigated the duration and intensity of physical activity in four domains (work, leisure, transportation and domestic), and how individual determinants might influence the repartition. The long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was administered to participants from the échantillon national témoin représentatif des personnes diabétiques (ENTRED), a study of French adults with T2D (n=724, 65% men, age 62±10y, BMI 29±5kg.m(-2), HbA1c 7.1±1.1%), and the associations between sociodemographic/clinical characteristics and categories of physical activity intensity (low, moderate or high) were examined by logistic regression. RESULTS: The median total physical activity was 2079 [Q1=893, Q3=3915]MET-min·week(-1). The main contributors to total physical activity were domestic chores, followed by leisure-time activities and transportation (median: 630, 347 and 198MET-min·week(-1), respectively). Absence of cardiovascular complications (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.01-3.47), age<65y (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.30-4.01) and better self-perceived health (OR=2.12, 95% CI=1.18-3.83) were associated with more physical activity. In all patient subgroups (defined by category of physical activity intensity or stratified by determinants of physical activity level), domestic chores were always the main contributor to total physical activity (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Domestic chores are the predominant routine whereby adults with T2D engage in physical activity. This emphasizes the vast potential for promoting voluntary leisure-time physical activity in this population.

Correlates of health-related quality of life in French people with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: Diabetes is known to impair health-related quality of life (HrQol). Our aim was to analyse a comprehensive set of potential determinants of HrQol in a large sample of patients with diabetes. METHODS: This study is based on the ENTRED 2007 study, a representative sample of adults (18 years and older) with diabetes. Data were extracted from postal self-reported questionnaires (from patients and medical practitioners) and from reimbursements from the National health insurance data system. HrQol was assessed with the MOS SF-12 for mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summaries. Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyse the variables associated with HrQol. RESULTS: SF-12 MCS and PCS were available in 2832 patients with T2DM, with a mean age 64 years (1715 males, 56%). Lower income, severe hypoglycaemic episodes, hospitalisation ≥24 h, instrumental daily living (IADL) restriction, low satisfaction for social support and an HbA1c within the 8.1-10.0% range were associated with lower MCS rating, whereas an older age and male gender were associated with higher MCS. Older age, female sex, higher BMI, lower income, insulin treatment, macrovascular complications, severe hypoglycaemic episodes, hospitalisation ≥24 h, and IADL restriction were associated with lower PCS values whereas having no need for social support was associated with higher PCS values. DISCUSSION: HrQol associated factors are multiple but mainly linked with socio-demographic factors, diabetes complications and satisfaction for social support. A patient centred approach should be tested to prevent impairment of HrQol and thus to decrease the burden of diabetes. Assessment of social support should be included.

Characteristics of patients who stop falling after a risk-based multidisciplinary intervention initiated in a geriatric day hospital.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary interventions for fallers have provided conflicting results in part due to the diversity of fallers' profiles. OBJECTIVES: to determine the characteristics of the subgroup of patients with a positive response to a multidisciplinary fall prevention program initiated in a geriatric day hospital. DESIGN: Prospective observational study in day hospital. METHODS: Patients > 75 years referred for falls during the last 3 months benefited from a multidisciplinary assessment to record their characteristics at baseline and to tailor a risk-based multidisciplinary intervention for fall prevention. Patients free from falls at the 3rd or 6th month were compared to persistent fallers for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were assessed at baseline (mean age 85.2 y (SD=0.6)), 44 at the 3rd month and 21 at the 6th month. Baseline characteristics of the patients free from falls at the 3rd month were the lower number of previous non-serious falls (p=0.013), living in nursing home (p=0.045), a higher Berg balance score (p=0.02) and a better mental health-related quality of life (M HQol, p=0.045). On multivariate analysis restricted to home-dwelling patients, the positive predictive factors were less isolation at home (OR=0.028, 95%CI [0-0.813], p=0.037), a lower number of non-serious previous falls (OR= 0.526 [0.309- 0.894], p=0.018), a better M HQol (OR=1.205 [1.000-1.452], p=0.050) and a trend for younger age (OR= 0.662, [0.426-1.027], p=0.066). CONCLUSION: Being able to call upon a support person (familial or institutional) to apply advice and a less serious risk of falling may be preliminary conditions for success in a multidisciplinary intervention initiated in a day hospital.

Real-life comparison of DPP4-inhibitors with conventional oral antidiabetics as add-on therapy to metformin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: the HYPOCRAS study.

AIM: Despite half of all type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients being over 65 and treatment being complicated by an elevated risk of iatrogenic hypoglycaemia, information about antidiabetic treatment is scarce in this age group. This prospective observational study compares DPP4-inhibitors (DPP4-i) with conventional oral antidiabetic drugs (COAD) in the real-life treatment of elderly patients with T2DM uncontrolled on metformin alone. METHODS: Two treatment cohorts (DPP4-i and COAD, constituted on the basis of the GP decision of add-on therapy at the 1st visit) were compared after 6months. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of hypoglycaemic episodes in relationship with glycaemic control assessed by HbA(1c) level. RESULTS: Demographics and disease history were comparable between the two cohorts (DPP4-i, n=931 and COAD, n=257) at baseline. The incidence of hypoglycaemia/severe hypoglycaemia was significantly higher over 6months in the COAD cohort (20.1%/2.4% vs. 6.4%/0.1%; P<0.001) whereas similar improvements were observed in glycaemic control with HbA(1c) down from 7.9% to 7.0% (COAD) and 6.9% (DPP4-i). The 7% target was reached without hypoglycaemia in more patients in the DPP4-i than in COAD cohort (59.7% vs. 45.5%; P<0.001). Patients in both cohorts who experienced hypoglycaemia more frequently had a pre-existing diabetic complication. The COAD was more likely to be discontinued (6.6% vs. 1.6%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This large cohort study of elderly T2DM patients in France shows that the incidence of hypoglycaemia was three times higher in patients prescribed a COAD versus a DPP4-i after 6months while both treatments induced satisfactory glycaemic control.

Design of a Physical Activity Program to Prevent Functional Decline in Onco-Geriatric Patients (CAPADOGE): A Randomized Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer in older patient favours the development of frailty: feeling of exhaustion, loss of weight, decreased muscle strength, slow gait speed, and low physical activity. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of adapted physical activity phone advices in limiting the cancer-induced loss of autonomy and frailty phenotype development. DESIGN: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Patients (>70y) undergoing curative treatment for cancer (n=400) will be recruited from 12 centres. INTERVENTION: The intervention consists in phoned personalized physical activity advices related to strength, aerobic, balance, proprioception, and flexibility. The contacts are performed twice a month during six months and then monthly until 1 year. The intervention complements the PNNS booklet advices (National Nutritional Health Program). The trial compares «individualized phone advices + PNNS¼ to «usual care + PNNS¼. MEASUREMENTS: Functional, cognitive, clinical and self-reported data are assessed before treatment and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 month follow-up. The primary outcome is the proportion of subjects with a one-year decreased SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery) score of one point or more, as compared to baseline. The secondary outcomes include quality of life items, rate of hospitalizations, institutionalizations, mortality, Fried phenotype at 1 and 2 years, and the SPPB score at 2 years. DISCUSSION: This large trial will provide clinical data of the effects of an exercise advices intervention in older patients during cancer therapy on function and cognition evolution, and quality of life. The possibilities of minimizing the development of frailty phenotype due to these advices will be explored.

Insulin resistance, diabetes and cognitive function: consequences for preventative strategies.

Cognitive decline and dementia both place a heavy burden on patients and their relatives, and any means of preventing such age-related changes are worthy of consideration. Those who have the metabolic syndrome with or without diabetes suffer more often from dysexecutive problems and slower psychomotor speed than do other patients. In epidemiological studies, diabetes has appeared to be a risk factor for all types of dementia, including vascular dementia, although the role of the metabolic syndrome in the risk of Alzheimer's disease is still a matter of debate. The possible mechanisms of cognitive alterations are multiple, and may differ according to age group and duration of diabetes or the metabolic syndrome. Drug interventional trials addressing the prevention of cognitive decline through action on the metabolic syndrome are disappointing-albeit scarce at this time. Lifestyle interventions in middle-aged or younger-elderly subjects should also be implemented in the general population.

Hyperglycaemia, microangiopathy, diabetes and dementia risk.

Brain microangiopathy increases in frequency and severity with older age, with the presence of hypertension and to a lesser extent with diabetes. Magnetic resonance imaging is used to provide anatomical descriptions, but at this time only clinical examination and neuropsychological testing can assess white matter functioning. Clinical correlates of microangiopathy appear as subcortical cognitive alterations, but data are controversial about dementia risk. Brain microangiopathy seems to be however a complication of chronic hyperglycaemia, probably due to similar mechanisms occurring in retinopathy and other microvascular complications. To date, many questions have been raised: How can brain microangiopathy progression be monitored? Is there a reversible stage of brain microangiopathy? Which preventive actions should be implemented in aging patients with diabetes? Finally, what type of care should be provided for people with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment or overt dementia to slow down cognitive worsening?

Key priorities in managing glucose control in older people with diabetes.

Older people with diabetes represent a major and increasing proportion of our elderly population and their care requires better organisation. Targets for risk factor control and pathways of care must be adjusted to the subject's general health status. It is thus advisable to screen for frailty. We have carried out a detailed literature review of the studies published on diabetes in older people since 1990. Studies were considered if they included groups or subgroups of diabetic patients > 65 years old. This review discusses the elaboration of general targets for care, the approach to risk factor control, the screening and the specific prevention or management of complications, the integration of geriatric concepts in diabetes care and the specificity of education with respect to frailty status.

Efficacy and safety of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in heel pressure ulcers in elderly patients: results of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Pressure ulcers affect predominantly the elderly and nutritional status is a known risk factor. Guidelines on pressure ulcers provide recommendation on nutritional management. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) is an adjuvant treatment in undernourished elderly patients or in patients with hypercatabolism states. It is a precursor of different amino-acids which play a role in the process of healing. The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of OKG on pressure ulcer area reduction after six weeks of treatment. DESIGN: Multi-centre, international, randomized, comparative, double blind, parallel groups, placebo-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: 160 patients (ITT population) aged over 60 years with a heel pressure ulcer at stage II or III. INTERVENTION: Patients received OKG (n=85) or placebo (n=75) once a day for 6 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Ulcer area was measured each week, using a tracer. The primary endpoint was the percentage reduction of the surface at the final visit: [(Wound areatn - Wound areat0)/ (Wound areat0)]. RESULTS: At inclusion, ulcer area distribution deviated from normal distribution (median ulcer area OKG 6.6 cm(2), placebo 3.9 cm2, p=0.044, Mann-Whitney test). As healing is strongly related to baseline ulcer area, the abnormal distribution was a major bias. Therefore it was decided to perform the analysis on 2 sub-groups of patients according to the mean ulcer area, i.e. above or below 8 cm2. The mean wound area reduction for baseline area 8 cm2 no between group differences on either parameter was detected. When closure rate is considered, a significant difference in favor of OKG group is observed (- 0.07 cm2/day in the OKG group and - 0.04 cm2/day in the placebo groups respectively p=0.007, Mann-Whitney test). Thirty serious adverse events were reported in 28 patients (15 allocated to OKG and 13 to placebo). None of them was considered treatment related. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial supports a potential benefit of OKG 10g daily in the subgroup of patients with pressure ulcers

A call to incorporate the prevention and treatment of geriatric disorders in the management of diabetes in the elderly.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age. However, the management of diabetes in the elderly has received surprisingly little attention. Diabetes in the elderly is associated with a high risk of geriatric syndromes including malnutrition and sarcopenia, functional impairments, falls and fractures, incontinence, depression and dementia. Tight glycaemic control for the prevention of vascular complications is often of limited value in the elderly. However, glycaemic control and non-pharmacological therapy may prevent diabetes symptoms and delay geriatric syndromes. The prevention, screening and treatment of both conventional diabetic complications and geriatric syndromes should be integrated in a management plan to optimize the patients' overall health status and quality of life.

Varying insulin use in older hospitalized patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Observation of insulin use in consecutive hospitalized diabetic older patients in acute care wards with reference to nutritional intakes, measures of functional status, and varying clinical situations. METHODS: Prospective case study in a geriatric medicine ward with CGA, dietary intake measure and used insulin dosage. RESULTS: Among 600 inpatients, 90 diabetic subjects were found. Only 12.2 % diabetic patients had MMSE > 23 and 23.3% were unable to eat without assistance. During the stay 54 patients had received insulin. From admission to discharge or death, doses were 0.39 to 0.19 U/kg (SD 0.41-0.15) during palliative care, 0.43 to 0.45 U/kg (SD 0.20-0.20) in the event of failure of oral therapy, 0.38 to 0.42 U/kg (SD 0.18-0.25) if creatinine clearance was 30 ml/min or lower, and 0.38 to 0.27 U/kg (SD 0.24-0.26) in critical diseases. Dietary intake increased in all during the stay with an energy intake close to 20 kCal/kg/d at discharge, except for those in palliative care, who had a final intake of 8.2 kCal/kg/d (SD 9.1). CONCLUSION: Insulin treatment guidelines adapted to this frail diabetic population are necessary.

A randomized controlled trial on early physiotherapy intervention versus usual care in acute care unit for elderly: potential benefits in light of dietary intakes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of early intensive physiotherapy during acute illness on post hospitalization activity daily living autonomy (ADL). DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial of intensive physiotherapy rehabilitation on day 1 to 2 after admission until clinical stability or usual care. SETTING: acute care geriatric medicine ward. PATIENTS: A total of 76 acutely ill patients, acutely bedridden or with reduced mobility but who were autonomous for mobility within the previous 3 months. Patients in palliative care or with limiting mobility pathology were excluded. Mean age was 85.4 (SD 6.6) years. MEASUREMENTS: At admission, at clinical stability and one month later: anthropometry, energy and protein intakes, hand grip strength, ADL scores, and baseline inflammatory parameters. An exploratory principal axis analysis was performed on the baseline characteristics and general linear models were used to explore the course of ADL and nutritional variables. RESULTS: A 4-factor solution was found explaining 71.7% of variance with a factor "nutrition", a factor "function" (18.8% of variance) for ADL, handgrip strength, bedridden state, energy and protein intakes, serum albumin and C-reactive protein concentrations; a factor "strength" and a fourth factor . During follow-up, dietary intakes, handgrip strength, and ADL scores improved but no changes occurred for anthropometric variables. Intervention was associated only with an increase in protein intake. Better improvement in ADL was found in intervention group when model was adjusted on "function" factor items. CONCLUSION: Physical intervention programs should be proposed according to nutritional intakes with the aim of preventing illness induced disability.