[The coronary patient six months after cardiac rehabilitation: rehabilitation evaluation research (RER study)]

Physical Activity in the Elderly and Frailty Syndrome: A Retrospective Study in Primary Care

Objectives: Physical activity carries numerous therapeutic benefits, and it is more effective when applied before the onset of symptoms. The objective of this study is to compare the correlation of the evaluation of physical activity carried out using the Ricci and Gagnon test and the frailty profile measured by the mSEGA scale in a population of patients consulting in general medicine. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study within a general practitioner clinic in Chaumont and Bologne (Haute-Marne department) during a 3-month period. Patients aged 65 years and up were screened for frailty using the modified SEGA (mSEGA) assessment, and physical activity was measured using the Ricci–Gagnon questionnaire. Results: A total of 44 patients were selected, with a slightly female predominance (59.1%). Of these, 21 patients reported having worked in manual labor. Seven patients were found to be frail using the SEGAm assessment, while 10 (22.73%) patients had an inactive profile according the Ricci–Gagnon score. Malnutrition was detected in six patients (13.64%) using the MNA survey. Frailty as defined by the mSEGA scale had no statistical correlation (p = 0.68) with the Ricci–Gagnon score. A Ricci–Gagnon inactive profile showed statistical correlations with fall indicators (unipedal balance test, p = 0.014) and malnutrition scores using the MNA (p = 0.0057) as well as with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p = 0.027). Conclusion: A systematic survey of the elderly by a general practitioner implementing a regular and suitable physical activity regimen would allow a better screening of frailty, minimizing its complications.

[Education program for cardiac rehabilitation: Impact of the "Drugs" multidisciplinary workshop on the patients' knowledge in the short- and long-term]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the "Drugs" workshop of a therapeutic education program for cardiac rehabilitation on the patients' knowledge in the short and long term.

METHODS

This observational study includes patients who participated in the workshops from June 2016 to June 2017 (10 workshops). The scores obtained on the knowledge assessment survey submitted before (S1), after (S2) and at a distance (S3) from the workshops were compared (total scores and scores per question). The existence of a link between the patients' characteristics and the overall progression was assessed.

RESULTS

The mean total S1 (4.46/10) and S2 (7.98/10) scores were statistically different (n=62; P<0.0001) as well as the S1 (4.46/10) and S3 (7.53/10) scores (n=46; P<0.0001). A significant difference was observed for five out of six questions (P<0,0001) in the first sequence and for four out of six in the second one (P<0,0001). Initially, the best progress was made in terms of actions to be taken if a dose of medication has been missed; the worst one was the role of platelet inhibitors. Among the patients, 93.5% had a higher distance score than initially obtained. None of the chosen patient characteristics had a significant influence on the progression.

CONCLUSION

The workshop significantly improved patients' knowledge in the short and long term, regardless of their profile. This study identified areas for improvement for future workshops.

[Utility of the 6-minute walk test in assessing maintenance of physical activity after cardiac rehabilitation]

Evaluation of therapeutic patient education (TPE) is an integral part of cardiac rehabilitation programs. An important component of this involves assessing continued physical activity (PA) after rehabilitation. Few tools are available to assess the maintenance of physical activity, and we argue that use of a field test like the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can provide some useful indicators. Objective: to study the utility of the 6MWT as a tool for assessing maintenance of PA in post-rehabilitation follow-up. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of 168 patients (133 men and 35 women) with a mean age of 60.65 years (+/-9.7). First, we analyzed the data from a stress test (ST) and a 6MWT at the beginning and end of rehabilitation. We then analyzed the data from a 6MWT and an International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) performed six months after the end of rehabilitation. Results: there was a significant correlation between the 6MWT and the initial and final ST (r=0.5456, p<0.001 for the initial ST, r= 0.604, p<0.001 for the final ST), confirming the validity of using this test in cardiac rehabilitation. We observed a slight correlation between the 6MWT and the IPAQ (r=0.3923, p<0.001) six months post-rehabilitation. The IPAQ results show that patients with a significant level of physical activity during the week maintain their 6MWT distance. Conclusion: the 6MWT is a reliable test in cardiac rehabilitation. It can be used in conjunction with the IPAQ to assess patient adherence to physical activity guidelines in post-rehabilitation follow-up.

[Nutritional education of the coronary patient in practice]

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean diet is one of the food models which showed its ability at the patient at high cardiovascular risk in numerous cohort studies and two major interventional studies: Lyon Heart Study in 1999 and PREDIMED in 2013.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Propose a practical assistance in the analysis of the dietary habits of the coronary patient with a simplified food frequency questionnaire.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Hundred coronary patients followed a program of cardiac rehabilitation and benefited from a nutritional education. The analysis of their dietary habits was made with the questionnaire of frequency of consumption of Rennes upon their arrival and 6months later. We have coded again these data by means of a simplified questionnaire with 15 items and compared the results and their evolution in 6months.

RESULTS

On studied 200 questionnaires, the score of Rennes was 10.6±4.5 and the simplified score 8.2±3.4 with a coefficient of correlation of Pearson r=0.94 (0.91-0.95) at risk P<0.0001. Initial scores were respectively 8.0±4.4 and 6.3±3.4 (r=0.93) and the scores at 6months 13.1±2.9 and 10.1±2.2 (r=0.86). The evolution of the scores of 100 patients were respectively 14.2±11.7% and 12.6±11% (P<0.26).

CONCLUSION

The use of a simplified questionnaire allows to analyze the dietary habits of the coronary patient and to estimate their evolution during a therapeutic educational program.

[Effects of a cardiac rehabilitation programme in coronary patient according to age]

BACKGROUND

Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are well established in coronary heart disease. The effects according to age are less known, especially in France.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluation at 6 months of a CR programme in three groups of patients with different age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and two coronary patients were included in the CR department in Machecoul between 2007 and 2009. They attended the CR programme and were examined at six months. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1, n=103 (<65 years), group 2, n=71 (65 to 75 years) and group 3, n=28 (>75 years). We analysed the exercise capacity (exercise stress testing and six minutes walk-test or 6MWT), two questionnaires (dietary and physical activity) and bio-clinical data.

RESULTS

Exercise capacity improved respectively by 24, 27 and 18% (P<0.004 between G2 and G3). The 6MWT improved by 19, 22 and 25% (P<0.01 between G1 and G3). At 6 months, the 6MWT remain stable, the dietary and physical activity scales improved in the three groups, the body mass index (BMI) was unchanged, HDL cholesterol increased, smoking prevalence was respectively 16, 0 and 0% and medical treatment were optimal in 90, 82 and 79% (NS).

CONCLUSION

If the impact of CR was almost similar in the three groups, a more prolonged physical training seems desirable in patients over 75 years.