老年慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者的围手术期处理

目的探讨大于65岁老年慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者全麻下鼻内镜手术治疗的围手术期处理。方法回顾分析71例行鼻内镜手术的老年鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者的临床资料,将患者分为不伴和伴随慢性疾病的A、B两组。对B组进行充分的术前处理后,行鼻内镜手术。比较A、B组的疗效。结果术后随访6—12个月,A组术后总有效率95．45％,B组为95．92％,二者无统计学上差异（P〉0．05）。术后并发症5例,A组2例,B组3例。结论老年鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者行鼻内镜手术前,评估危险因素,重视并积极给予相应预防性治疗,采取有效的围手术期处理,是取得良好手术效果的关键。     

基于主成分分析法的某医院老年病科医疗质量与效率的评价分析

目的通过对某医院老年病科2007—2012年的医疗工作质量进行综合评价,为医院和上级部门提供客观、科学的分析管理依据。方法选择10项反映医疗质量和运行效率的指标,应用主成分分析法进行统计分析,对6年的医院老年病科医疗工作做出定量综合评价。结果6年来某医院老年病科医疗工作综合评价显示,医疗质量逐年上升,运行效率逐年下降。结论评价某医院老年病科医疗质量需要针对效率指标和质量指标进行综合分析,以便为老年病科管理部门提供客舰、合理、可行的管理依据。     

Older patients’ depressive symptoms 6 months after prolonged hospitalization: Course and interrelationships with major associated factors

The aim of this study was to examine the course of depressive symptoms in older patients 6 months following a prolonged, acute hospitalization, especially the interrelationships among depressive symptoms and its major associated factors. For this study, we conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study of 351 patients aged 65 years and older. Participants were recruited from five surgical and medical wards at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan and assessed at three time points: within 48 h of admission, before discharge, and 6 months post-discharge. The course of depressive symptoms was dynamic with symptoms increased spontaneously and substantially during hospitalization and subsided at 6 months after discharge, but still remained higher than at admission. Overall, 26.7% of older patients at hospital discharge met established criteria for minor depression (15-item Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS-15) scores 5–9) and 21.2% for major depression (GDS-15 scores >10). As the strongest associated factors, functional dependence and nutritional status influenced depressive symptoms following hospitalization. Depressive symptoms at discharge showed significant cross-lagged effects on functional dependence and nutritional status at 6 months after discharge, suggesting a reciprocal, triadic relationship. Thus, treating one condition might improve the other. Targeting the triad of depressive symptoms, functional dependence, and nutritional status, therefore, is essential for treating depressive symptoms and improving the overall health of older adults hospitalized for acute illness.     

Geriatric depression and its relation with cognitive impairment and dementia

Different subtypes of depressive syndromes exist in late life; many of them have cognitive impairment and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate them from dementia. This research aimed to investigate subtypes of geriatric depression associated with cognitive impairment, searched for differential variables and tried to propose a study model. A hundred and eighteen depressive patients and forty normal subjects matched by age and educational level were evaluated with an extensive neuropsychological battery, scales to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms and daily life activities (DLA). Depressive patients were classified in groups by SCAN 2.1: Major Depression Disorder (MDD) (n: 31), Dysthymia Disorder (DD) (n: 31), Subsyndromal Depression Disorder (SSD) (n: 29), Depression due to Dementia (n: 27) (DdD). Neuropsychological significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between depressive groups, demonstrating distinctive cognitive profiles. Moreover, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in DLA between DdD vs all groups and MDD vs controls and vs SSD. Age of onset varied in the different subtypes of depression. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were significant variables that helped to differentiate depressive groups. Significant correlations between BDI and Neuropsychological tests were found in MDD and DD groups. Depressive symptoms and its relation with neuropsychological variables, MMSE, cognitive profiles, DLA and age of onset of depression should be taken into consideration for the study of subtypes of geriatric depression.     

The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly population

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease and an important health care problem in older adults. The impact of age and specific geriatric issues on COPD in elderly patients has not been well established.MethodsA cross-sectional study of elderly COPD patients was conducted in Japan by using a regional COPD registry database. We compared indices of disease severity (pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, quality of life, and frequency of exacerbations), presence of comorbidities, geriatric conditions (cognitive function, mental status, and activities of daily living [ADL]), and adherence to prescribed drug regimens between elderly and younger patients with COPD.ResultsIn total, 279 patients with stable COPD (median age, 74 years) were identified; 86% of these patients were elderly (65 years of age or older). Elderly COPD patients, especially those who were 75 years of age or older, had significantly more cases of dyspnea, lower exercise tolerance, and poorer ADL and a higher incidence of severe exacerbations than younger patients (all P<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, was significantly higher in elderly COPD patients. Elderly COPD patients had specific geriatric conditions, including cognitive impairment. Adherence to inhaled drug regimens in elderly patients was as favorable as that in younger patients.ConclusionsAge and specific geriatric conditions have a great negative impact on COPD in elderly patients. Geriatric conditions should be addressed in the management of elderly COPD patients.     

老年骨科手术患者行全身麻醉和硬膜外麻醉对术后认知功能的影响

目的观察老年骨科手术患者行全身麻醉和硬膜外麻醉对术后认知功能的影响。方法选择200例行骨科大手术的老年患者,分为观察组和对照组各100例,观察组行硬膜外麻醉,对照组行全身麻醉,使用简易精神状况检查量表(MMSE)对2组老年患者麻醉前后的不同时间点认知功能进行评估。结果两组患者麻醉前MMSE评分无统计学差异(P>0.05);对照组麻醉后6、12、24 h的MMSE评分与本组麻醉前比较存在明显差异(均P<0.01);观察组麻醉后6、12 h的MMSE评分与本组麻醉前比较存在明显差异(均P<0.01);两组患者麻醉后12、24 h的MMSE评分存在明显差异(P<0.01)。结论老年骨科手术患者行全身麻醉和硬膜外麻醉后24 h内均出现认知功能障碍,全身麻醉对术后认知功能的影响更明显。     

Differences in the Symptom Experience of Older Oncology Outpatients

ContextThe relatively low number of older patients in cancer trials limits knowledge of how older adults experience symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment.ObjectivesThis study evaluated for differences in the symptom experience across four older age groups (60–64, 65–69, 70–74, ≥75 years).MethodsDemographic, clinical, and symptom data from 330 patients aged >60 years who participated in one Australian and two U.S. studies were evaluated. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the occurrence, severity, frequency, and distress of 32 symptoms commonly associated with cancer and its treatment.ResultsOn average, regardless of the age group, patients reported 10 concurrent symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were physical in nature. Worrying was the most common psychological symptom. For 28 (87.5%) of the 32 Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale symptoms, no age-related differences were found in symptom occurrence rates. For symptom severity ratings, an age-related trend was found for difficulty swallowing. As age increased, severity of difficulty swallowing decreased. For symptom frequency, age-related trends were found for feeling irritable and diarrhea, with both decreasing in frequency as age increased. For symptom distress, age-related trends were found for lack of energy, shortness of breath, feeling bloated, and difficulty swallowing. As age increased, these symptoms received lower average distress ratings.ConclusionAdditional research is warranted to examine how age differences in symptom experience are influenced by treatment differences, aging-related changes in biological or psychological processes, or age-related response shift.     

支持性心理治疗对老年抑郁症患者疗效及生活质量的影响

目的：探讨支持性心理治疗对老年抑郁症患者疗效及生活质量的影响。方法选择门诊老年抑郁症患者106例,采用随机数字表法分为干预组和对照组,每组各53例,两组均采用抗抑郁常规药物治疗,对照组接受常规护理指导,干预组接受支持性心理治疗,治疗时间为8周。治疗前后采用17项汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）、健康评定量表（SF-36）评定两组疗效及健康相关生活质量。结果干预8周后,干预组患者HAMD总分为（5．3＆#177;2．2）分,对照组为（8．2＆#177;2．8）分,两组比较差异有统计学意义（t＝5．7243,P＜0．01）。干预组治愈率为54．9％,对照组为31．9％,两组比较差异有统计学意义（χ2＝5．2484,P＜0．05）。治疗8周后,干预组SF-36量表各维度得分均高于对照组,其中干预组患者躯体疼痛得分为（13．7＆#177;3．3）分,总体健康得分为（8．5＆#177;1．2）分,社会功能得分为（8．6＆#177;3．3）分,精神健康得分为（5．6＆#177;2．0）分,对照组分别为（6．3＆#177;2．4）,（4．3＆#177;0．9）,（3．7＆#177;1．0）,（3．3＆#177;0．8）分,两组比较差异均有统计学意义（t值分别为12．6035,19．4704,9．7711,7．3578;P＜0．05）。结论支持性心理治疗有利于提高老年抑郁患者的疗效及生活质量。     

Falls in very old people: The population-based Umeå 85+ Study in Sweden

The aim of this study was to describe incidences of falls and fall-related injuries, and to identify predisposing factors for falls in very old people in a prospective population-based follow-up study for falls. The study is part of the Umeå 85+ Study which includes half of the population aged 85, and the total population aged 90 and ≥95 (−103), in Umeå, Sweden. Of the 253 people interviewed, 220 (87%) were followed up for falls for 6 months, of whom 109 lived in ordinary and 111 in institutional housing. A comprehensive geriatric baseline assessment was made through interviews and testing during home visits. Forty percent of the participants did fall a total 304 times, corresponding to 2.17 falls per Person Year (PY). It occurred 0.83 injuries per PY, including 0.14 fractures per PY. In a Cox regression analysis, the independent explanatory risk factors for time to first fall were dependency in activities of daily living (ADL), thyroid disorders, treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and occurrence of falls in the preceding year. It could be predicted that every seventh participant and every third of the people who did fall would suffer a fracture within 1 year. ADL, thyroid disorders and treatment with SSRIs should be considered in fall prevention programmes.     

Teaching of geriatric health in India: Mapping the terrain

ABSTRACT

India is currently undergoing a rapid demographic transition along with a dramatic upsurge in the number of elderly adults. Creating a cadre of specialized health care professionals in geriatric medicine is clearly vital to address the health care needs of this growing population. The authors undertook a mapping of the available academic programs in geriatric health in India and examined their content, duration, architecture, and student intake. A total of 20 programs were identified in geriatric health, thus highlighting a paucity of training options in this field. Compared to Western countries, relatively few programs are offered in clinical and public health geriatrics in India. This is further compounded by an insignificant thrust of geriatrics in undergraduate health professional curricula. Our results underscore the need for a national-level curricular initiative to strengthen and mainstream the teaching of geriatric health in the country. Alternative educational strategies such as blended learning and interprofessional education should be explored to enhance geriatric health workforce competence.