Functional capacity and quality of life of hospitalized octogenarians

Effects of exercise interventions on functioning and health-related quality of life following hospital discharge for recovery from critical illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of exercise interventions on functioning and health-related quality of life following hospital discharge for recovery from critical illness.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro data base, and SciELO (from the earliest date available to January 2023) for RCTs that evaluated the effects of physical rehabilitation interventions following hospital discharge for recovery from critical illness.

REVIEW METHODS

Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro Scale. Mean differences (MDs), standard MDs (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met the study criteria, including 1259 patients. Exercise interventions improved aerobic capacity SMD 0.2 (95% CI: 0.03-0.3, I2 = 0% N = 880, nine studies, high-quality evidence), and physical component score of health-related quality of life MD 3.3 (95% CI: 1.0-5.6, I2 = 57%, six studies N = 669, moderate-quality evidence). In addition, a significant reduction in depression was observed MD -1.4 (95% CI: -2.7 to -0.1, I2 = 0% N = 148, three studies, moderate-quality evidence). No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intervention was associated with improvement of aerobic capacity, depression, and physical component score of health-related quality of life after hospital discharge for survivors of critical illness.

Demographic, Clinical, and Quality of Life Profiles of Older People With Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus, one of the main diseases that affects the Brazilian population older than 60 years, is defined as a divergent group of metabolic disorders that present a high level of glycemia (hyperglycemia), causing damage to various organs and systems of the body, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nervous system. It is believed that in 2025, in Brazil alone, there will be more than 18.5 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is important to know the individuals' quality of life in the context of life and culture.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the demographic, clinical, and quality of life profiles of older adults with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university hospital complex in the northern Amazon region.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, exploratory, noninterventional, descriptive, and analytical study using a nonrandom sample of 54 older people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at the geriatrics outpatient clinic of the medium and high complexity university hospital in the western Brazilian Amazon between 2020 and 2022. We used 3 instruments, namely, a sociodemographic questionnaire, a clinical conditions questionnaire, and Diabetes-39. Qualitative data were described using absolute and relative frequencies. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was applied, and the z test was used for inferential analysis. SPSS software (version 27) was used for data analysis, and the significance level was 5%.

RESULTS

Of the 54 interviewees, the majority were women, married, retired, and had a good quality of life. Of these, 48.1% (n=26) were infected by COVID-19, 61.5% (n=16) of whom progressed to long COVID, presenting with fatigue or muscle weakness. As for the quality of life, the "social overload" (P<.001) and "sexual functioning" (P<.001) dimensions had with low scores compared to the "energy and mobility" (P=.005), "diabetes control" (P<.001), and "anxiety and worry" (P<.001) dimensions. Quality of life was negatively impacted in the "anxiety and worry" dimension. Among those affected by COVID-19, most progressed to long COVID; however, there was a lack of data on this theme in the population of older people with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of interviewees progressed to long COVID, with their quality of life negatively impacted in the "anxiety and worry" dimension, reflecting that health actions prioritizing mental health should be implemented by health professionals.

Longitudinal Assessment of Mobility and Self-care Among Critically Ill Older Adults. An Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative Quality Improvement Study

BACKGROUND

Early mobility in the intensive care unit (ICU) is vital to maintaining an older adult patient's performance of activities of daily living, functional mobility, and overall quality of life. Prior studies have shown reduced length of inpatient stay and onset of delirium in patients with early mobilization. Despite these benefits, many ICU patients are often labeled as too sick to participate in therapy and frequently do not receive physical (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) consults until they are considered floor status. This delay in therapy can negatively affect a patient's capacity to participate in his/her self-care, add to the burden on caregivers, and limit disposition options.

OBJECTIVES

Our goals were to perform a longitudinal assessment of mobility and self-care among older patients through their medical ICU (MICU) stays and to quantify visits by therapy services to identify areas for improvement in achieving early intervention in this at-risk population.

METHOD

This was a retrospective quality improvement analysis of a cohort of admissions to the MICU at a large tertiary academic medical center between November 2018 and May 2019. Admission information, PT and OT consult information, Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score, and Modified Barthel Index scores were entered into a quality improvement registry. Inclusion criteria consisted of age older than 65 years and at least 2 distinct visits by PT and/or OT for evaluation. Patients without consults and patients with weekend-only MICU stays were not assessed.

RESULTS

There were 302 MICU patients 65 years or older admitted during the study period. Forty-four percent (132) of these patients received PT/OT consults, and among these, 32% (42) had at least 2 visits to allow comparison of objective scores. Seventy-five percent of patients had improved Perme scores (median, 9.4%; interquartile range, 2.3%-15.6%), and 58% of patients had improved Modified Barthel Index scores (median, 3%; interquartile range, -2% to 13.5%). However, 17% of potential therapy days were missed because of inadequate staffing/time, and 14% were missed because of being sedated or unable to participate.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of patients older than 65 years, receipt of therapy in the MICU led to modest improvements in score-assessed mobility and self-care before transfer to floor. Staffing, time constraints, and patient sedation or encephalopathy appeared to interfere most with further potential benefits. In the next phase, we plan to implement strategies to increase PT/OT availability in the MICU and implement a protocol to increase identification and referral of candidates for whom early therapy can prevent loss of mobility and ability to perform self-care.

Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older People with Functional and Nutritional Impairment and Depressive Symptoms: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil and Portugal

Background: The interaction of quality of life (QoL) with functionality, nutrition and depression has been studied, but few studies have compared different realities. Our objective was to compare the associations of QoL with impaired functionality, nutritional status and depressive symptoms among older people patients treated in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil and Portugal. Methods: Cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with primary data from PHC services in Brazil and Portugal with users over 65 years old. Participants’ scores were classified as “impaired” and “preserved” for QoL, functional decline, nutrition and depression. We used Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Our sample had a total of 150 PHC users. We found lower QoL scores in Brazil, which were associated with the risk of functional decline for the domains Physical Functioning, General Health Perceptions, Mental Health dimensions and Physical Health. Nutritional impairment in the group from Portugal included the domains of Vitality and Social Role Functioning. For depressive impairment, Portugal showed an association with the domains Mental Health, Vitality and Social Role Functioning. Conclusions: QoL was associated with functional and nutritional impairment and depressive symptoms, highlighting physical, mental and social characteristics related to the perception of well-being.

Respostas comportamentais apresentadas por longevos após internação na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e retorno domiciliar

Resumo Objetivo identificar respostas comportamentais apresentadas por longevos no domicílio, após internação na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e alta hospitalar. Método estudo qualitativo, realizado com pessoas de 80 anos ou mais. O cenário da coleta de dados foi a Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e o domicílio de longevos que estiveram internados na unidade, por meio de entrevista aberta. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se o método de análise de conteúdo de Bardin, pautada na teoria de Adaptação de Callista Roy. Todos os cuidados éticos foram respeitados. Resultados emergiram-se duas categorias: Alterações do padrão de resposta às necessidades fisiológicas e perda de autonomia e Alterações psicossociais e comprometimento na realização de atividades cotidianas de lazer e laborais. Conclusão e implicações para a prática as respostas comportamentais foram relacionadas aos modos fisiológicos e psicossociais, que culminaram em dependência e perda de autonomia para realização das atividades básicas de vida. Perceberam-se dificuldades vivenciadas no retorno ao domicílio, que provocaram alterações significativas na realização de atividades cotidianas, evidenciando a necessidade de se iniciar o preparo para o retorno domiciliar, pela equipe multiprofissional, ainda durante a hospitalização. Espera-se que estratégias visando melhorias dos resultados de cuidados críticos sejam implementadas nessa população.

Quality of life in Brazilian elderly: an analysis of healthy aging from the perspective of Potter's global bioethics

INTRODUCTION

Quality of Life (QOL) is essential for healthy aging and through the WHOQOL-Old, it is possible to analyze factors that increase vulnerability and reduce QOL. Aligned with healthy aging is Potter's global bioethics proposing expanded ethics and social justice.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the QOL of Brazilian elderly from the perspective of Potteŕs global bioethics.

METHOD

Analytical observational research with a quantitative approach composed of 280 Brazilian, aged 60 or over, of both gender, volunteers, who answered the WHOQOL-Old online.

RESULT

Global score of 77.9%, with the mean ± standard deviation: Functioning of the senses 86% (17.22 ± 2.80); Autonomy 78.5% (15.7 ± 2.60); Past, present, and future activities 77.3% (15.46 ± 2.34); Social participation 74.9% (14.99 ± 2.62); Death and dying 71.6% (14.33 ± 3.88) and Intimacy 79.1% (15.82 ± 2.82).

CONCLUSION

Elderly perceived their QOL positively. In the quest to promote healthy aging, it is necessary to broaden the vision for social justice proposed by Potteŕs global bioethics.

Potential Efficacy of Pragmatic Exercise Program (SPRINT) during Hospitalization in Older Adults on Health Care and Physical Performance: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Immobilization contribute to iatrogenic decline in hospitalized older adult. Implementing physical activity (PA) seems to be one of the best and easy solution. However, PA interventions are poorly integrated into usual care and those available are either non-specific, need supervision or requested human/material resources. Thus, we aimed to assess the effect of a pragmatic, unsupervised, and specific PA program (SPRINT) on health care practice and functional capacities in hospitalized older patients.

DESIGN

Single arm interventional pragmatic pilot study.

SETTING

Geriatric Assessment Unit (GAU).

PARTICIPANTS

Of the 39 patients (> 65 years) hospitalized in a GAU and eligible, 19 agreed to participate (AP) and 20 declined (N-AP).

INTERVENTION

One of the 4 PA programs, developed by our team, was allocated according to mobility profile. Individual functional capacities (i.e. balance, walking speed, functional mobility profile (PFMP)), active time (METS> 1.5: min), length of hospitalization (LOS), discharge orientation were assessed at admission and discharge of GAU.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable. At discharge, the AP group improved more on walking speed (0.57 ± 0.21 vs. 0.64 ± 0.19; p = 0.013), Berg balance scale (41.8 ± 13.7 vs. 45.1 ± 9.7; p = 0.017) and PFMP (54.0 ± 7.1 vs 55.1 ± 5.5; p = 0.042) than the N-AP group. The LOS was significantly shorter in AP group compared to the N-AP group (5 vs. 36 days; p = 0.026) and more subjects in the AP group were oriented at home without health or social services (89.5 vs. 60%; p=0.065).

CONCLUSION

SPRINT appears effective to counteract iatrogenic decline and decreased the LOS. Moreover, this simple pragmatic PA tool seems to improve the life trajectory and healthcare practice in aging population. Further researches are needed to confirm these promising pragmatic results.

Rastreamento de violência contra pessoas idosas: associação com estresse percebido e sintomas depressivos em idosos hospitalizados

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência e fatores associados à violência em idosos hospitalizados. Método Estudo transversal realizado com 100 idosos internados. Aplicaram-se os instrumentos: H-S/EAST, Escala de Estresse Percebido e Escala de Depressão Geriátrica. Utilizou-se análise descritiva para a caracterização sociodemográfica e clínica. Para associar a idade ao H-S/EAST foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney; estresse percebido com o H-S/EAST foi utilizado o teste T, e sintomas depressivos com o H-S/EAST foi utilizado o teste da Razão Verossimilhança. Resultados A média de idade dos idosos foi 70,39 e 56,0%, houve risco aumentado para violação de direitos pessoais, características de vulnerabilidade e situações potencialmente abusivas. Os fatores associados ao risco aumentado para violação de direitos pessoais ou abuso direto nos idosos foram maior idade, apresentar estresse percebido e ter sintomas de depressão leve a severa. Conclusão e implicação para a prática Esses resultados mostram, portanto, a importância da observação atenta do idoso por parte do enfermeiro para permitir a identificação do risco para violência ou violação de direitos. O que possibilita estabelecer ações preventivas, coordenadas com a participação dos demais profissionais bem como o encaminhamento correto de cada situação, cumprimento do dever legal da profissão e do papel cidadão.

Effect of complementary therapies on functional capacity and quality of life among prefrail and frail older adults: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the effects of complementary therapies on functional capacity and quality of life among prefrail and frail older adults.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

An electronic search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS and PEDro databases for relevant articles published up to September 2019. Only randomized controlled trials with interventions involving complementary therapies for prefrail and frail older adults were included. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane recommendations. The methodological quality of the selected studies was appraised using the PEDro scale and the evidence was synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) scale.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the present review. Six different complementary therapies were identified and the main findings were related to Tai Chi. A very low to moderate level of evidence was found regarding the effectiveness of Tai Chi in terms a functional capacity (balance, mobility, gait speed, functional reach and lower limb muscle strength) and a low level of evidence was found regarding its effect on quality of life. To the other complementary therapies it was not possible to synthetize evidence level.

CONCLUSION

Tai chi may be used as an important resource to improve functional capacity and quality of life among prefrail and frail older adults.