[Estimation of the risk of drug-related problems in nursing home residents : A retrospective analysis of routine data]. / Einschätzung des Risikos für arzneimittelbezogene Probleme bei Pflegeheimbewohner*innen : Eine retrospektive Analyse von Routinedaten.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy and drug-related problems are major challenges in the care and treatment of nursing home residents. Many interventional studies showed disappointing results, which lead to the question if this could also be due to the selection of the target parameters of these studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A routine data set from six long-term care facilities was retrospectively analyzed. The question is if the recently validated medication risk score (MERIS) is suitable for carrying out a risk assessment in a population of nursing home residents. Associations between MERIS and the dependent variables hospital admissions and falls over 12 months and a weight loss of ≥ 5% over 3 months were examined. RESULTS: Out of 495 residents 38.6% (n = 191) have a high risk of drug-related problems according to MERIS. A univariate regression analysis showed a significantly increased risk of hospital admissions (OR 2.2; p < 0.001) and weight loss of ≥ 5% (OR 1.95; p = 0.041) with high MERIS, but no significant association with falls. In the multivariate regression the risk of hospitalization was increased by diabetes mellitus (OR 1.88; p = 0.004), falls in the same period (OR 1.91; p = 0.001), positive MERIS (OR 1.75; p = 0.006) and decreased with stable weight (OR 0.88; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The results indicate the potential of the score for future research projects and individual risk assessment; however, due to the limitations of retrospective secondary analyses further studies are required.

[Weight loss and malnutrition risk in geriatric patients]. / Gewichtsverluste und Mangelernährungsrisiko bei geriatrischen PatientInnen.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a major challenge in routine clinical practice and is associated with increased mortality. OBJECTIVES: In the research project Prevention and treatment of malnutrition in geriatric patients in hospital funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), routine data were analyzed. The aim was to uncover the causes of malnutrition risks acquired in hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anonymized data from nursing home residents with at least a 3-day hospital stay were analyzed. The study included a total of 2058 residents from 19 nursing homes. The malnutrition risk was assessed by the combined MUST/PEMU (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool/Nursing Measurement of Malnutrition and its Causes) screening and malnutrition by ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) criteria. RESULTS: Of the residents 36.2% (n = 744) had an initial risk of malnutrition and 12.7% (n = 262) were already malnourished. The proportions increased to 48.6% (n = 881) and 14.3% (n = 259) at discharge, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed a significantly increasing probability of developing a malnutrition risk during the hospital stay with the diagnoses diseases of the respiratory system (OR 2.686; CI 95 1.111-4.575), chondropathy and osteopathy (OR 1.892; CI 95 1.149-3.115) and a higher BMI (OR 0.108; CI 95 1.038-1.181), more positive weight changes 6 months before hospital (OR 1.055; CI 95 1.017-1.094) and an increasing hospital stay (OR 1.048; CI 95 1.029-1.067). CONCLUSION: The identification of an initial malnutrition and the prevention of developing a malnutrition risk represent major challenges in clinical practise. Both are equally necessary.