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Salis F, Palimodde A, Rundeddu S, Mandas A. STOPP/START Anti-aggregation and Anticoagulation Alerts in Atrial Fibrillation. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2023:CVP-EPUB-131111. [PMID: 37070796 DOI: 10.2174/1570161121666230418163016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is common in the elderly. A key component of AF management is Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (OAT), consisting of Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) or Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs). The aim of the present study is to check, using STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions)/START (Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment) Criteria, if such drugs are potentially inappropriately prescribed/omitted in an elderly population with AF, and to determine their impact on mortality. METHODS This study included patients (n=427) with nonvalvular AF consecutively evaluated between 2013 and 2019 at the Geriatric Outpatient Service, University Hospital of Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy, and followed up for 36 months. The OAT group included 330 patients; the other 97 patients constituted the non-OAT group. The sample was assessed for STOPP/START criteria. RESULTS We found no difference (p>0.1) in comorbidity burden, frailty, and cardio-cerebro-vascular disease prevalence in the two groups, which also did not present a difference in 36-month mortality (p=0.97). OAT was overall appropriately taken, and 62.4% of OAT-group presented the START criterion to take antiplatelets but also the STOPP criterion not to take them, because of the simultaneous anticoagulant intake. In the non-OAT group, 69.1% presented the START criterion to take anticoagulants, and 21.6% the START criterion to take antiplatelets. CONCLUSION Patients with AF are often prone to under or over-prescription, particularly of antithrombotic drugs. The STOPP/START criteria are a valid tool to assess and correct wrong therapeutic choices. In frail and comorbid subjects, survival is not correlated with the assumption of OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Salis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Palimodde
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Samuele Rundeddu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Mandas
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- University Hospital "Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria" of Cagliari - Cagliari, Italy
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Jones HE, Anand A, Morrison I, Hurding S, Wild SH, Mercer SW, Shenkin SD. Impact of MidMed, a general practitioner-led modified comprehensive geriatric assessment for patients with frailty. Age Ageing 2023; 52:7078336. [PMID: 36947740 PMCID: PMC10032632 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION the identification and management of frailty occurs mostly in primary care. Several different models of care exist. This study aimed to assess the impact of a new General Practitioner (GP)-led modified Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) on service delivery, healthcare utilisation and patient outcomes. METHOD patients with moderate-severe frailty (electronic Frailty Index score > 0.24) in Newbattle Medical Practice, Scotland, were eligible for a novel intervention (MidMed) in which an additional GP performed a modified CGA and was directly accessible for appointments. The recruits to the intervention (MidMed) group were compared with those waiting to be enrolled (non-MidMed). Outcomes included unscheduled hospital admissions, primary care consultations, continuity of care (Usual Provider of Care (UPC) index), outpatient attendances and mortality. Adjusted rate ratios (aRR), for MidMed compared to non-MidMed, were estimated using regression models adjusting for demographics and healthcare utilisation histories. RESULTS 510 patients were included: 290 MidMed (mean(SD) age 80.1(7.6)years; 59.6% female) and 220 non-MidMed (75.4(8.6)years; 57.7% female). Median follow-up was 396 days. aRR(95%CI) was 0.46(0.30-0.71) for >1 admission, 0.62(0.41-0.95) >1 Emergency Department (ED) attendance and 1.52(1.30-1.75) for use of primary care, with no difference in outpatient appointments or mortality. Continuity of care was better for the MidMed group (MidMed UPC 0.77(SD 0.19), non-MidMed 0.41(0.18), P < 0.001). CONCLUSION this GP-led service for frail patients was associated with lower risk of hospital readmission/ED reattendance, greater use of primary care and improved continuity of care. More detailed evaluation of novel primary care frailty services, over longer time-periods, including robust randomised controlled trials, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atul Anand
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Ageing and Health Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Sarah H Wild
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Stewart W Mercer
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Susan D Shenkin
- Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Ageing and Health Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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Salis F, Locci G, Mura B, Mandas A. Anemia in Elderly Patients-The Impact of Hemoglobin Cut-Off Levels on Geriatric Domains. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020191. [PMID: 36673001 PMCID: PMC9857598 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of anemia—according to the WHO criteria—on cognitive performances, mood, functional and nutritional status, and comorbidities in a population of subjects aged 65 years or older. The secondary aim of this study was to understand if different hemoglobin cut-off levels are associated with a variation of the mentioned domains’ impairment. Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study, including subjects aged 65 or more consecutively evaluated in an outpatient setting from July 2013 to December 2019. A sum of 1698 subjects met the inclusion criteria. They were evaluated with: MMSE and CDT (cognitive assessment), GDS (mood), BADL, IADL, PPT, and POMA (autonomies), MNA (nutritional status), and CIRS (comorbidities). Results: According to the WHO criteria, non-anemic patients reported significantly better performances than the anemics in BADL (p < 0.0001), IADL (p = 0.0007), PPT (p = 0.0278), POMA (p = 0.0235), MNA, CIRS TOT, CIRS ICC, and CIRS ISC (p < 0.0001). The same tendency has been found by considering the 12 g/dL- and the 13 g/dL-cut-off level in the whole population. The multivariate analysis showed that, considering the 12 g/dL-cut-off level, age (OR: 1.03, p = 0.0072), CIRS (OR: 1.08, p < 0.0001), and gender (OR: 0.57, p = 0.0007) were significant regressors of anemia, while considering the 13 g/dL-cut-off level, age (OR: 1.04, p = 0.0001), POMA (OR: 1.03, p = 0.0172), MNA (OR = 0.95, p = 0.0036), CIRS (OR: 1.17, p < 0.0001), ICC (OR = 0.83, p = 0.018), and gender (OR = 0.48, p < 0.0001) were significant regressors of anemia, while the other CGA variables were excluded by the model (p > 0.01). Conclusions: Our study showed that anemia negatively impact on geriatric people’s general status, regardless of which hemoglobin cut-off level is considered. It also highlighted that hemoglobin concentrations < 13 g/dL, regardless of gender, have an association with the impairment of the affective-functional-nutritional state as well as an increase in comorbidities; therefore, it should be pursuable to consider the elderly person “anemic” if Hb < 13 g/dL regardless of gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Salis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-070-675-4190; Fax: +39-070-675-3122
| | - Giambeppe Locci
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Barbara Mura
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Mandas
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
- University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria” of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
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Salis F, Loddo S, Zanda F, Peralta MM, Serchisu L, Mandas A. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: Application and correlations in a real-life cross-sectional study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:984046. [PMID: 36177326 PMCID: PMC9513036 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.984046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The assessment process of elderly people considers all aspects of an individual's life, including physical, mental, and social aspects. Frailty refers to a decline in physiological functions or strengths leading to increased vulnerability to stressors and decreased ability to cope with them. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a validated and useful tool in this context to holistically study elderly people. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impaired health status in a large geriatric population turning to outpatient service, based on the components of the CGA, and thus to describe its usefulness in real-life clinical practice. The secondary aim of this study was the evaluation of the association between nutritional status, assessed with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)-within the CGA-and cognitive-affective and functional capacities, and multimorbidity. Materials and methods This real-life, retrospective cross-sectional study included subjects consecutively evaluated from January 2009 to December 2020 at the Geriatric Outpatient Service, University Hospital of Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy. A sum of 3,260 patients were subjected to CGA. Results Only a small proportion of the sample (2.24%) showed an absence of impairment in cognitive-affective, functional, and nutritional domains. Moderate correlations were found between MNA and several other CGA variables, namely, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS; ϱ = -0.41, p < 0.0001), Barthel Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (ϱ = 0.51, p < 0.0001), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (ϱ = 0.43, p < 0.0001), and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (ϱ = 0.44, p < 0.0001). A multiple regression also highlighted these variables as significant regressors of MNA. Finally, malnutrition showed a significant association with depression (odds ratio [OR]: 4.97), dependence on ADL (OR: 19.8) and IADL (OR: 7.04), and falling risk (OR: 5.16). Conclusion This study has figured out the complex situation in which geriatric care finds itself the complexity and severe impairment of elderly people. The possibilities of intervention are often limited, but the literature confirms the benefits of good nutritional status on the general health status. The data that emerged from our study fit into this assumption, highlighting the close association between the nutritional domain and the other CGA domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Salis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simona Loddo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Zanda
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Monica Peralta
- University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria” of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Serchisu
- University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria” of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Mandas
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria” of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Fowler AJ, Stephens TJ, Partridge J, Dhesi J. Surgery in older patients: learning from shared decision-making in intensive care. Br J Anaesth 2022:S0007-0912(22)00440-8. [PMID: 36109204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of older patients are having surgical treatments. Similar to older patients admitted to intensive care, they present with additional problems including multimorbidity, frailty, and cognitive impairment. In both intensive care and surgical settings, comprehensive assessment can inform targeted interventions and shared decision-making. We explore the challenges faced by older patients, and by the clinicians treating them.
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Custodero C, Senesi B, Pinna A, Floris A, Vigo M, Fama M, Mastropierro V, Sabbà C, Prete C, Pilotto A. Validation and implementation of telephone-administered version of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (TELE-MPI) for remote monitoring of community-dwelling older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:3363-9. [PMID: 34002336 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-021-01871-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the recent lockdown measures adopted by national authorities to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, many vulnerable older patients with chronic conditions, normally followed in ambulatory setting, needed to be monitored and managed in alternative ways, including telemedicine. AIMS In the framework of a telemedicine program, we aimed to validate and implement a telephone-administered version of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (TELE-MPI) among community-dwelling older outpatients. METHOD From March 9 to May 11, 2020, 131 older patients (82.1 years; 74% females) were interviewed using a telephone-based survey to calculate the TELE-MPI. The standard MPI was performed face-to-face three months apart. The Bland-Altman methodology measured the agreement between the two tools. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to ascertain the prognostic value of TELE-MPI and TELE-MPI classes (low, moderate, or severe risk) on negative outcomes occurring during the lockdown period. RESULTS Mean MPI and TELE-MPI values were 0.523 and 0.522, respectively. Lower and upper 95% limits of agreement were - 0.122 and + 0.124, respectively, with only 4.6% of observations outside the limits. Each 0.1 increase of TELE-MPI score was significantly correlated with higher incidence of psychiatric disorders [odd ratio (OR): 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27, 1.95] and falls (OR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.08, 1.82) in community-dwelling-older adults. DISCUSSION TELE-MPI showed a strong agreement with the standard MPI and was able to predict psychiatric disorders and falls during lockdown period. CONCLUSION TELE-MPI may represent a useful way to follow by remote the health status of older adults.
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Dhesi J, Moonesinghe SR, Partridge J. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the perioperative setting; where next? Age Ageing 2019; 48:624-627. [PMID: 31147709 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is being employed in the perioperative setting to improve outcomes for older surgical patients. Traditionally CGA is delivered by a geriatrician led multidisciplinary team but with the acknowledged workforce challenges in geriatric medicine, it has been suggested that non-geriatricians may be able to deliver CGA. HOW-CGA developed a toolkit to facilitate the delivery of CGA by non-geriatricians in the perioperative setting. Across two hospital sites uptake and implementation of this toolkit was limited by a potential lack of face validity, behavioural and cultural barriers and an acknowledgement that geriatric medicine expertise is key to CGA and optimisation. In-keeping with this finding there has been an observed expansion in geriatrician led CGA services for older surgical patients in the UK. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of perioperative CGA services, implementation science should be combined with health services research methodology and the use of big data through linked national audit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jugdeep Dhesi
- Perioperative medicine for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS), Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London
- Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London
| | - S Ramani Moonesinghe
- University College London Hospitals & National Institute of Health Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Judith Partridge
- Perioperative medicine for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS), Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London
- Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London
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Ekerstad N, Karlson BW, Andersson D, Husberg M, Carlsson P, Heintz E, Alwin J. Short-term Resource Utilization and Cost-Effectiveness of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Acute Hospital Care for Severely Frail Elderly Patients. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2018; 19:871-878.e2. [PMID: 29784592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to estimate the 3-month within-trial cost-effectiveness of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in acute medical care for frail elderly patients compared to usual medical care, by estimating health-related quality of life and costs from a societal perspective. DESIGN Clinical, prospective, controlled, 1-center intervention trial with 2 parallel groups. INTERVENTION Structured, systematic interdisciplinary CGA-based care in an acute elderly care unit. If the patient fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and there was a bed available at the CGA unit, the patient was included in the intervention group. If no bed was available at the CGA unit, the patient was included in the control group and admitted to a conventional acute medical care unit. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A large county hospital in western Sweden. The trial included 408 frail elderly patients, 75 years or older, in need of acute in-hospital treatment. The patients were allocated to the intervention group (n = 206) or control group (n = 202). Mean age of the patients was 85.7 years, and 56% were female. MEASURES The primary outcome was the adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio associated with the intervention compared to the control at the 3-month follow-up. RESULTS We undertook cost-effectiveness analysis, adjusted by regression analyses, including hospital, primary, and municipal care costs and effects. The difference in the mean adjusted quality-adjusted life years gained between groups at 3 months was 0.0252 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0082-0.0422]. The incremental cost, that is, the difference between the groups, was -3226 US dollars (95% CI: -6167 to -285). CONCLUSION The results indicate that the care in a CGA unit for acutely ill frail elderly patients is likely to be cost-effective compared to conventional care after 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Ekerstad
- Department of Cardiology, NU (NÄL-Uddevalla) Hospital Group, Trollhättan-Uddevalla-Vänersborg, Sweden; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis, Linköping University, Sweden.
| | - Björn W Karlson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Andersson
- Department of Management and Engineering, Division of Economics, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Magnus Husberg
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Per Carlsson
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Emelie Heintz
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics (LIME), QRC Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Alwin
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Vilches-Moraga A, Fox J. Geriatricians and the older emergency general surgical patient: proactive assessment and patient centred interventions. Salford-POP-GS. Aging Clin Exp Res 2018; 30:277-282. [PMID: 29411329 PMCID: PMC5856886 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-017-0886-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Increasing numbers of older patients require Emergency admission under General Surgery (EGS). This is a group of heterogeneous and often complex individuals with varying degrees of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, functional, mobility and cognitive impairment. Our article describes the benefits of comprehensive assessment coupled with patient-centred multiprofessional interventions and timely discharge planning. We discuss diverse service models and describe our experience in the planning, development and consolidation of a perioperative service for older EGS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Vilches-Moraga
- Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
| | - Jenny Fox
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
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Brighi N, Balducci L, Biasco G. Cancer in the elderly: is it time for palliative care in geriatric oncology? J Geriatr Oncol. 2014;5:197-203. [PMID: 24560041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons aged 65 and over are the fastest growing segment of the population in most Western countries. Although cancer-related death occurs far more commonly in older people than in any age group, studies on palliative care in older adults are lacking. OBJECTIVE This paper aims at evaluating the needs in elderly patients affected by cancer and the state of the art of the research in palliative care in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was performed (PubMed) to identify relevant studies. Papers were reviewed for relevance to palliative care in the elderly. RESULTS Elderly who need palliative care are frequently disregarded as individuals and may experience discrimination because of their age. Palliative care for older patients relates particularly to multiple treatments for various conditions. This causes extra complexities for the researchers. CONCLUSIONS The aim of the study was not fully achieved due to the paucity of literature focusing upon these issues. The areas of investigation that need to be addressed comprise: establishing the prevailing symptoms in elderly patients, understanding patients' psychological/spiritual well-being and quality of life and elucidating the sources of caregiver burden, adapting research methodologies specifically for palliative care and comparing the needs and the outcomes of this age group to younger patients.
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