Prognostic Interplay of Functional Status and Multimorbidity Among Older Patients Discharged From Hospital

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic weight of multimorbidity and functional impairment over long-term mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.DesignA prospective multicenter observational study.Setting and ParticipantsOur series consisted of 1967 adults aged ≥65 years consecutively admitted to acute care wards in Italy, in the context of the Report-AGE project.MethodsAfter signing a written informed consent, all patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment by Inter-RAI Minimum Data Set acute care. The primary endpoint of the present study was long-term mortality. Patients were grouped into 3 functional clusters and 3 disease clusters using the K-medians cluster analysis. The association of functional clusters, disease clusters, and Charlson score categories with long-term mortality was investigated through Cox regression analysis and the intercluster classification agreement was further estimated. Finally, the additive effect of either disease clusters or Charlson score on predictive ability of functional clusters was assessed by using changes in Harrell’s C-index and categorical Net Reclassification Index (NRI).ResultsFunctional clusters, disease clusters, and Charlson score were significant predictors of long-term mortality, but the interclassification agreement was poor. Functional clusters predicted mortality with greater accuracy [C-index 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.68] compared with disease clusters (C-index 0.54, 95% CI 0.53–0.56), and Charlson score (C-index 0.58, 95% CI 0.56–0.59). Adding multimorbidity (NRI 0.23, 95% CI 0.14–0.31) or Charlson score (NRI 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.20) to functional cluster model slightly improved the accuracy of prediction.Conclusions and ImplicationsFunctional impairment may better predict prognosis compared with multimorbidity, which may be relevant to optimally address individuals’ needs and to design tailored preventive interventions.     

Combined Effects of Cognitive Impairment and Nutritional Trajectories on Functional Recovery for Older Patients after Hip-Fracture Surgery

ObjectivesMalnutrition and cognitive impairment are associated with poor functional recovery in older adults following hip-fracture surgery. This study examined the combined effects of cognitive impairment and nutritional trajectories on postoperative functional recovery for older adults following hip-fracture surgery.DesignProspective longitudinal correlational study.Setting and ParticipantsThis study recruited 350 older adults (≥60 years of age) who received hip-fracture surgery at a 3000-bed medical center in northern Taiwan from September 2012 to March 2020.MethodsParticipant data were collected over a 2-year period after surgery for nutritional and cognitive status and activities of daily living (ADLs). Participants were grouped by type of nutritional trajectory using group-based trajectory modeling. Generalized estimating equations analyzed associations between trajectory groups/cognitive status at discharge and performance of ADLs.ResultsNutritional trajectories best fit a 3-group trajectory model: malnourished (19%), at-risk of malnutrition (40%), and well-nourished (41%). Nutritional status for the malnourished group declined from 12 months to 24 months following surgery; nutritional status remained stable for at-risk of malnutrition and well-nourished groups. Interactions for cognitive impairment-by-nutritional status were significant: the malnourished + intact cognition subgroup had significantly better ADLs than the malnourished + cognitive impairment subgroup (b = 27.1, 95% confidence interval = 14.0–40.2; P < .001). For at-risk of malnutrition and well-nourished groups, there were no significant differences between cognitive impairment and intact cognition in ADLs. These findings suggest that nutritional status may buffer the negative effect of cognitive impairment on ADLs.Conclusions and ImplicationsBetter nutritional status over time for older adults following hip fracture can protect against adverse influences of cognitive impairment on ADLs during postoperative recovery. Participants with malnutrition and cognitive impairment had the poorest ADLs. These findings suggest interventions tailored to improving nutritional status may improve recovery for older adults following hip-fracture surgery.     

高渗和低渗造影剂对大白鼠肾毒性的实验研究

目的 :研究高、低渗造影剂对甘油致肾损害大鼠和正常大鼠的肾毒性 ,观察山莨菪碱预防肾小管损害的作用。方法 :用 2 5 %甘油按 1ml/ 10 0 g制肾损害大鼠模型 ,然后从静脉注射高渗造影剂 (76 %复方泛影葡胺 ,1ml/ 10 0 g)或优维显 (1m l/ 10 0 g) ,2 4h后各组随机处死 10只大鼠 ,肾脏用 10 %福尔马林固定后做病理检查。结果 :在肾功能损害组 ,给高渗造影剂后 ,可使肾小管管型数和肾小管坏死数明显高于低渗造影剂组和甘油对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ,山莨菪碱可明显减轻肾小管损害 (P<0 .0 5 )。正常肾功能组高、低渗造影剂组之间肾小管损害无显著性差异。结论 :肾功能损害时用低渗造影剂对肾毒性较小 ,山莨菪碱对复方泛影葡胺的肾毒性有一定的预防作用。     

从发病机制概述针刺治疗血管性痴呆的研究进展

血管性痴呆是脑血管病变后所引起的认知功能障碍,是临床中较为常见的痴呆类型。其发病机制源于血管系统损害引起低脑血流灌注、氧化应激等一系列病理过程。针灸作为一种非药物疗法,在脑血管病及相关疾病中有较为广泛的临床应用,许多研究都显示了针灸对认知功能的改善作用,并涉及细胞凋亡、氧化应激、神经炎症、神经递质通路等方面的调节作用。因此,现从血管性痴呆的发病机制角度探讨针刺的治疗作用,以期为进一步揭示针灸在血管性痴呆治疗中的潜在机制提供参考。     

不同认知功能障碍程度阿尔茨海默病患者海马、内嗅皮层体积变化及其与MMSE评分的关系

目的 探讨不同认知功能障碍程度的患者阿尔兹海默病（AD）海马、内嗅皮层体积的变化,及其与简易精神状态检查表（MMSE）评分的相关性。方法 横断面研究。纳入2017年9月—2021年9月联保部队第九六〇医院淄博院区86例AD患者临床和影像学资料,其中男54例、女32例,年龄55~87（73.9±8.1）岁。根据临床痴呆评定量表（CDR）评分将86例患者分为3组,其中36例CDR评分0.5分患者为轻度认知障碍（MCI）组,21例1分患者为轻度AD组,29例2~3分患者为中重度AD组。患者均应用MRI测量双侧海马体积、内嗅皮层体积,采用MMSE评分评估患者认知功能。观察指标：（1）比较3组患者性别、年龄、受教育年限等临床基线资料,以及MMSE评分;（2）比较3组患者海马体积和内嗅皮层体积;（3）分析AD患者MMSE评分与海马、内嗅皮层体积的相关性。结果 （1）3组患者性别、年龄、受教育年限等临床基线资料比较差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。MCI组、轻度AD组、中重度AD组患者MMSE评分依次降低,差异有统计学意义（F=113.29,P<0.001）。（2）MCI组、轻度AD组、中重度AD组左右侧海马体积MRI测量值分别为（3.24±0.32）cm³和（3.22±0.31）cm³、（2.72±0.53）cm³和（2.84±0.56）cm³、（2.31±0.55）cm³和（2.46±0.54）cm³,左右侧内嗅皮层体积分别为（1.42±0.26）cm³和（1.39±0.27）cm³、（1.28±0.24）cm³和（1.24±0.25）cm³、（1.04±0.31）cm³和（1.06±0.34）cm³。3组患者左右侧海马体积、内嗅皮层体积MRI测量值比较,均为MCI组>轻度AD组>中重度AD组,差异均有统计学意义（P值均<0.05）。（3）86例AD患者MMSE评分10~27（20.9±5.2）分,与左右两侧海马体积、内嗅皮层体积MRI测量值均呈正相关（r=0.82、0.81、0.73、0.72,P值均<0.001）。结论 随着认知功能障碍程度的加重,AD患者海马、内嗅皮层体积MRI测量值逐渐减小,且MMSE评分与海马、内嗅皮层体积存在相关性。     

中国9个长寿地区65岁及以上人群血铅浓度与认知功能受损的关联研究

目的探讨65岁及以上人群血铅水平与认知功能受损的关联。方法研究对象来自2017-2018年在我国9个长寿地区开展的“老年健康生物标志物队列研究”,最终将1684名血铅和认知功能数据完整的65岁及以上人群纳入本研究。通过问卷调查和体格检测,收集调查对象的人口学特征、生活方式、健康状况及认知功能评分等信息;同时采集调查对象的静脉血以检测血铅水平。根据血铅水平的四分位数将调查对象分为4组(Q₁-Q₄组),采用多因素logistic回归模型分析血铅浓度与认知功能受损的关系,采用限制性三次样条检验血铅浓度与认知受损之间是否存在非线性关联。结果1684名研究对象年龄为(83.1±11.1)岁,其中女性843名(50.1%);认知功能受损者191名(11.3%)。调整相关混杂因素后,老年人血铅浓度每升高10μg/L,认知功能受损患病风险OR(95%CI)值为1.05(1.01~1.10);与血铅浓度Q1组老年人相比,血铅浓度较高者认知功能受损的患病风险较高,Q₂,Q₃,Q₄组的OR(95%CI)值分别为1.19(0.69~2.05)、1.45(0.84~2.51)和1.92(1.13~3.27)。结论我国9个长寿地区65岁及以上老年人血铅水平与认知功能受损患病风险存在关联。     

Factors influencing routine cognitive impairment screening in older at-risk drinkers: Findings from a qualitative study in the United Kingdom

Cognitive Impairment (CI) screening is recommended for those engaged in harmful levels of alcohol use. However, there is a lack of evidence on implementation. This paper explores the barriers and facilitators to CI screening experienced across a service specifically for older drinkers. The findings draw on data gathered as part of an evaluation of a multilevel programme to reduce alcohol-related harm in adults aged 50 and over in five demonstration areas across the United Kingdom. It is based on qualitative interviews and focus groups with 14 service providers and 22 service users. Findings are presented thematically under the section headings: acceptability of screening, interpretation and making sense of screening and treatment options. It is suggested that engagement with CI screening is most likely when its fit with agency culture and its purpose is clear; where service providers have the technical skills to administer and discuss the results of screening with service users; and where those undertaking screening have had the opportunity to reflect on their own experience of being screened. Engagement with CI screening is also most likely where specific intervention pathways and engagement practices can be accessed to respond to assessed need.     

老年认知功能缺损者二项必选数字记忆测验结果分析

目的：探讨认知功能缺损程度对二项必选数字记忆测验(简称二项测验)成绩的影响。方法：用简易智力状态量表和韦氏成人智力量表简式调查出38例认知功能缺损者(研究组)和19例无认知功能缺损者(对照组)，同时实施二项数字测验。结果：(1)研究组与对照组二项测验容易条目、困难条目、总分的得分差异均无显著性。(2)智商70-89者困难条目分及总分显著高于智商50-69及34-49者；各组间容易条目分的差异均无显著性。(3)二项测验的假阳性率随着认知功能缺损的加重而有增加趋势。结论：二项测验成绩在一定程度上受认知功能缺损的影响，尤其是严重认知功能减退者，应注意假阳性率的问题。     

半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C在肾脏功能早期损伤评估中的应用

目的:探讨半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cystatin C)在肾脏功能早期损伤评估中的应用。方法:检测1338例患者Cystatin C、血尿素(Urea)、血肌酐(Scr)和尿微量蛋白(UMP)。结果:Scr在UMP正常和异常组的比较中,P值>0.05;而Cystatin C的P值<0.01。结论:Cystatin C在肾功能早期损伤评估中灵敏度和特异性比Scr高,可作为肾功能早期损伤的标志物。