Functional disability and death wishes in older Europeans: results from the EURODEP concerted action

Purpose

Physical illness has been shown to be a risk factor for suicidal behaviour in older adults. The association between functional disability and suicidal behaviour in older adults is less clear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between functional disability and death wishes in late life.

Methods

Data from 11 population studies on depression in persons aged 65 and above were pooled, yielding a total of 15,890 respondents. Level of functional disability was trichotomised (no, intermediate, high). A person was considered to have death wishes if the death wish/suicidal ideation item of the EURO-D scale was endorsed. Odds ratios for death wishes associated with functional disability were calculated in a multilevel logistic regression model.

Results

In total, 5 % of the men and 7 % of the women reported death wishes. Both intermediate (OR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.42; 2.52) and high functional disability (OR 3.22, 95 % CI 2.34; 4.42) were associated with death wishes. No sex differences could be shown. Results remained after adding depressive symptoms to the model.

Conclusions

Functional disability was independently associated with death wishes in older adults. Results can help inform clinicians who care for older persons with functional impairment.     

Targeted Analysis of Tears Revealed Specific Altered Metal Homeostasis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PurposeSpecific altered metal homeostasis has been investigated in the tear film of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients considering that metal dyshomeostasis contributes to the production of free radicals, inflammation, and apoptosis and results in conformational changes of proteins.MethodsA multitargeted approach based on spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry techniques has been implemented to the multiplexed quantitation of lactoferrin (LF), S100 calcium binding protein A6 (S100A6), metallothionein 1A (MT1A), complement factor H (CFH), clusterin (CLU), amyloid precursor protein (APP), Mg, P, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ca, in the tear film from 60 subjects, 31 patients diagnosed with the dry form of AMD, and 29 healthy individualsResultsSignificant up-regulations of MT1A (1.9-fold) and S100A6 (1.4-fold) and down-regulations of LF (0.7-fold), Fe (0.6-fold), Mg (0.7-fold), and Cu (0.7-fold) were observed in AMD patients, when compared to control subjects. Of all the studied variables, only APP showed negative correlation with age in the AMD group. Also, positive correlations were observed for the variables Mg and Na, Cu and Mg, and P and Mg in both the AMD and control groups, whereas positive correlations were exclusively determined in the AMD group for Cu and LF, Na and Ca, and Mg and Ca. The panel constituted of MT1A, Na, and Mg predicts AMD disease in 73% of cases.ConclusionsThe different levels of target metals and (metallo-)proteins in the tear film suggest altered metal homeostasis in AMD patients. These observed pathophysiological changes may be related with the anomalous protein aggregation in the macula.     

A cadaveric model for transesophageal echocardiography transducer placement training: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) is used in the emergency department to guide resuscitation during cardiac arrest. Insertion of a TEE transducer requires manual skill and experience, yet in some residency programs cardiac arrest is uncommon, so some physicians may lack the means to acquire the manual skills to perform TEE in clinical practice. For other infrequently performed procedural skills, simulation models are used. However, there is currently no model that adequately simulates TEE transducer insertion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of using a cadaveric model to teach TEE transducer placement among novice users.METHODS: A convenience sample of emergency medicine residents was enrolled during a procedure education session using cadavers as tissue models. A pre-session assessment was used to determine prior knowledge and confidence regarding TEE manipulation. Participants subsequently attended a didactic and hands-on education session on TEE placement. All participants practised placing the TEE transducer until they were able to pass a standardized assessment of technical skill(SATS). After the educational session, participants completed a post-session assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-five residents participated in the training session. Mean assessment of knowledge improved from 6.2/10 to 8.7/10(95% confidence interval [CI] of knowledge difference 1.6–3.2, P<0.001) and confidence improved from 1.6/5 to 3.1/5(95% CI of confidence difference 1.1–2.0, P<0.001). There was no relationship between training level and the delta in knowledge or confidence.CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, the use of a cadaveric model to teach TEE transducer placement methods among novice users is feasible and improves both TEE manipulation knowledge and confidence levels.     

The use of transvaginal sonography for evaluation of postmenopausal ovarian size and morphology

Ultrasonic evaluation has been suggested as a possible screening tool for early changes in ovarian morphology. This study uses transvaginal sonography to evaluate the ovaries in postmenopausal women who were scheduled for gynecologic surgery unrelated to adnexal disease. The findings of ultrasonic ovarian examination are compared with the findings at surgery and the pathologic evaluation of the ovaries. Nine (17.3%) abnormal ovaries were identified by ultrasonography and at surgery and were confirmed at pathologic examination. Among the abnormal ovaries there were one malignancy (10%) and two neoplasms with known malignant potential (20%). One ovary that was identified to have microscopic areas of Brenner tumor cells at pathologic examination was described as normal by both ultrasound and surgical evaluation. The sensitivity (90%) and specificity (100%) of vaginal sonography were the same as that of gross examination of the ovary at the time of surgery. We conclude that vaginal sonography is a reliable tool in the detection of early abnormalities in the postmenopausal ovary.     

Is a T-tube Necessary after Common Bile Duct Exploration?

BACKGROUND: T-tube drainage used to be standard practice after surgical choledocholithotomy, but there is now a tendency in some centers to close the common bile duct (CBD) primarily. This study was designed to review the complications associated with T-tube drainage after CBD exploration and to determine whether primary closure of the bile duct reduces postoperative morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective audit was performed on patients undergoing CBD exploration between July 1997 and March 2007, who were identified from the theatre database of one teaching hospital. Intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were recorded from the clinical notes. RESULTS: During the study period, 158 patients (97 women; median age 65 (range, 25-90) years) underwent CBD exploration. A T-tube was inserted in 91 patients (group I) and the CBD was closed primarily in 67 (group II). One or more biliary complications occurred in 26 patients (16.5%): 20 (22.0%) in group I and 6 (8.9%) in group II (p = 0.03). In group I, 15 had a biliary leak (3 needed reoperation), 2 had accidental slippage of the tube, 2 an entrapped T-tube, and 1 a retained stone. In group II, six patients had biliary leakage, two of whom were re-explored. Six patients in group I also had peritubal infection, necessitating the use of antibiotics. There were three deaths: two in group I (1 T-tube-related) and 1 in group II (p = 1, not significant). CONCLUSION: There is a lower biliary complication rate associated with primary closure of the CBD than after T-tube drainage.