老年人慢性心脑疾病并肺感染的纤支镜治疗

目的 :探讨老年人慢性心脑疾病并肺感染纤支镜治疗的效果及安全性。方法 :2 7例老年人心脑疾病包括陈旧性脑梗塞并冠心病心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级 2 4例 ;其中有 2例存在陈旧性前间壁心肌梗塞 ;陈旧性脑梗塞并冠心病和肺心病心功能Ⅲ级 3例。所有患者均患有严重肺部感染 ,均常规用抗生素及治疗、必要时负压吸痰管吸痰治疗达 2～ 8周 ;由于效差而配合应用纤支镜治疗 ,每周 1次。结果 :2 7例患者经纤支镜治疗后 ,均取得满意疗效 ,SpO2 由治疗前的 ( 0 .8772± 0 .0 416 )升至 ( 0 .95 6 4± 0 .0 315 ) ,与治疗前比较差异具有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;其中有 2 5例经 4～ 8周纤支镜配合治疗后康复出院。 2 7例在应用纤支镜治疗中没有出现致命的并发症。结论 :我们认为老年心脑疾病患者在气道痰多、痰阻时应用纤支镜技术疗效确切 ,只要操作手法熟练、轻柔、快捷、分次进行 ,可避免发生严重的并发症。

Appropriate prescribing in the elderly: Current perspectives

Advances in medical therapeutics have undoubtedly contributed to health gains and increases in life expectancy over the last century. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that therapeutic decisions in older patients are frequently suboptimal or potentially inappropriate and often result in negative outcomes such as adverse drug events, hospitalisation and increased healthcare resource utilisation. Several factors influence the appropriateness of medication selectionin older patients including age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, high numbers of concurrent medications, functional status and burden of co-morbid illness. With ever-increasing therapeutic options, escalating proportions of older patients worldwide, and varying degrees of prescriber education in geriatric pharmacotherapy, strategies to assist physicians in choosing appropriate pharmacotherapy for older patients may be helpful. In this paper, we describe important age-related pharmacological changes as well as the principal domains of prescribing appropriateness in older people. We highlight common examples of drugdrug and drug-disease interactions in older people. We present a clinical case in which the appropriateness of prescription medications is reviewed and corrective strategies suggested. We also discuss various approaches to optimising prescribing appropriateness in this population including the use of explicit and implicit prescribing appropriateness criteria, comprehensive geriatric assessment, clinical pharmacist review, prescriber education and computerized decision support tools.

The association between frailty of older stroke patients during hospitalization and one-year all-cause mortality:A multicenter survey in China

Objective:Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome defined as multiple deficits,impairing the capacity to figure out insult.Previous studies have reported a significant association between frailty and mortality in stroke patients.This study aimed to explore the association between frailty and mortality among older Chinese stroke patients.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in older Chinese inpatients from October 2018 to February 2020,and patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke including hemorrhage and ischemia,were included in our study.Frailty of older inpatients with stroke from six hospitals was measured by the FRAIL scale,and a one-year follow-up was performed by well-trained nurses of these hospitals via telephone.Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect the association between frailty and one-year mortality.Results:A total of 530 stroke patients with an average age of 72.94(SD¼5.79)years were included in the present study.There were 37(7.0%)hemorrhagic strokes and 493(93.0%)ischemic strokes,with 228(43.0%)females in this population.The prevalence of frailty was 22.5%.In the logistic regression model with adjustment for age,sex,instrumental activities of daily living(IADL),basic activities of daily living(ADL),education,history of falls,BMI,smoking,alcohol consumption,low handgrip strength,type of stroke and polypharmacy,stroke patients with frailty had an increased risk of one-year mortality compared to those without frailty(OR¼3.38,95%CI:1.22e9.37,P¼0.019).Conclusion:Our study indicated that frailty was an independent risk factor for one-year all-cause mor-tality among older stroke patients in China.Frailty may be an essential factor for clinicians to consider before making a comprehensive treatment,and corresponding mixed interventions,including exercise training and nutritional programs,need to be conducted among older stroke patients.

Aggressive therapy with statins in elderly and malnourished patients with acute myocardial infarction： is the right time to change？

The changes in the demographic profile of the population with longer life expectancy are mainly due to an improvement of lifestyle, prevention and care of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Real-world characteristics of hospitalized frail elderly patients with atrial fibrillation： can we improve the current prescription of anticoagulants？

Background In elderly patients, especially those older than 80 years, atrial fibrillation （AF） is associated with an almost 25% in- creased risk of stroke. Stroke prophylaxis with anticoagulants is therefore highly recommended. The prevalence of factors that have been associated with a lower rate of prescription and adherence to anticoagulant therapy in these patients is little known. The objective of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of elderly subjects, with and without AF, consecutively admitted to an acute geriatric unit, discussing factors that may decrease the persistence on stroke prophylaxis therapy. We also highlight possible strategies to overcome the barriers conditioning the current underuse of oral anticoagulants in this segment of the population. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed on a cohort of elderly patients with and without AF admitted to the Acute Geriatric Unit of San Gerardo Hospital （Monza, Italy）. Results Compared to patients without AF （n = 1216）, those with AF （n = 403） had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index （3 vs. 2, P 〈 0.001）, number of administered drugs （4 vs. 3, P 〈 0.001）, rate of heart failure （36.5% vs. 12%, P 〈 0.001） and chronic kidney disease （20.6 vs. 13.2, P 〈 0.001）. Many patients with AF were frail （54%） or pre-frail （29%）. Conclusions Elderly patients with AF have higher rates of conditions that affect adherence to traditional anticoagulant therapy （vitamin K antagonists, VKA）. New direct oral anticoagulants （DOAs） can help overcome this problem. In order to prescribe the most appropriate VKA or DOAs, with the best efficacy/safety profile and the highest compliance, a comprehensive geriatric assessment should always accompany the scores for thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk stratification.

Is frailty associated with short-term outcomes for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome？

Background Frailty is a new prognostic factor in cardiovascular medicine due to the aging and increasingly complex nature of elderly patients. It is useful and meaningful to prospectively analyze the manner in which frailty predicts short-term outcomes for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS）. Methods Patients aged 〉 65 years, with diagnosis of ACS from cardiology department and geriatrics department were included from single-center. Clinical data including geriatrics syndromes were collected using Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment. Frailty was defined according to the Clinical Frailty Scale and the impact of the co-morbidities on risk was quantified by the coronary artery disease （CAD）--specific index. Patients were followed up by clinical visit or telephone consultation and the median follow-up time is 120 days. Following-up items included all-cause mortality, unscheduled return visit, in-hospital and recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariable regression survival analysis was performed using Cox regression. Results Of the 352 patients, 152 （43.18%） were considered frail according to the study instrument （5-7 on the scale）, and 93 （26.42%） were considered moderately or se- verely frail （6-7 on the scale）. Geriatrics syndromes including incontinence, fall history, visual impairment, hearing impairment, constipation, chronic pain, sleeping disorder, dental problems, anxiety or depression, and delirium were more frequently in frail patients than in non-frail patients （P = 0.000, 0.031, 0.009, 0.014, 0.000, 0.003, 0.022, 0.000, 0.074, and 0.432, respectively）. Adjusted for sex, age, severity of coro- nary artery diseases （left main coronary artery lesion or not） and co-morbidities （CAD specific index） by Cox survival analysis, frailty was found to be strongly and independently associated with risk for the primary composite outcomes： all-canse mortality [Hazard Ratio （HR） = 5.393; 95% CI： 1.477-19.692, P = 0.011] and unscheduled return visit （HR - 2.832; 95% CI： 1.140-7.037, P = 0.025）. Conclusions Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment and Clinical Frail Scale were useful in evaluation of elderly patients with ACS. Frailty was strongly and independently associated with short-term outcomes for elderly patients with ACS.

The oldest patient with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy （TTC） is a rare condition that affects mainly aging women. According to a retrospective review, patients with TTC accounted for approximately 2% of all the patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome （ACS）. A few reports indicated that the average age of TTC patients was 68 years, although children or young adults may also be affected. In US and Europe, a number of contemporary TTC studies report that 90% of patients with TTC are women aged 65-70 years. Meta analysis showed that the age ranged from 10 to 89 years.

Effects of oral premedication on cognitive status of elderly patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Background Sedatives and analgesics are often administered to achieve conscious sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Appropriate concerns have been raised regarding post procedure delirium related to peri-procedural medication in the elderly. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of premedication on new onset delirium and procedural care in elderly patients. Methods Patients 〉 70 years old and scheduled for elective cardiac catheterization were randomly assigned to receive either oral diphenhydramine and diaze- pam （25 rag/5 mg） or no premedication. All patients underwent a mini mental state exam and delirium assessment using confusion assess- ment method prior to the procedure and repeated at 4 h after the procedure and prior to discharge. Patients＇ cooperation during the procedure and ease of post-procedure were measured using Visual Analog Scale （VAS）. The degree of alertness was assessed immediately on arrival to the floor, and twice hourly afterwards using Observer＇s Assessment of Alermess/Sedation Scale （OAA/S）. Results A total of 93 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 77 years, and 47 patients received premedication prior to the procedure. None of the patients in either group developed delirium. Patients＇ cooperation and the ease of procedure was greater and pain medication requirement less both during and after the procedure in the pre-medicated group （P 〈 0.05 for both）. Nurses reported an improvement with patient management in the pre-medicated group （P = 0.08）. Conclusions In conclusion, prcmedication did not cause delirium in elderly patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The reduced pain medication requirement, perceived procedural ease and post procedure management favors premedication in elderly patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Endovascular stent-graft for type B aortic dissection in elderly patients

Objective To report the clinical outcome and complications ofendovascular stent-graft treatment for type B aortic dissection in elderly patients, as compared with younger patients in a single medical center. Methods From May 2002 to July 2008, endovascular stent-graft implantation was performed in 124 patients with type B aortic dissection at the Department of Cardiology, Shenyang Northern Hospital. Among them, 39 patients were 60 yrs or older （ranging ~om 68 to 81 years） while 85 patients were younger than 60 years old （ranging from 31 to 58 years）. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 26 months （ranging from 1 to 78 months）. Clinical data were analyzed between the two groups. Results Comparing with the younger group, the elderly group had higher prevalence of coronary artery disease （59.0% vs 24.7%, P=0.001）. There was no significant difference of complication rates between the 2 groups （38.5% vs 31.8%, P=0.54）. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a similar 5-year survival rate（80.2% vs 89.6%; Log Rank, P=0.31） between the 2 groups. Conclusions Endovascular stent-graft implantation is safe and effective in the treatment of type B aortic dissection for both elderly and younger patients. The procedure-related complication rate seems independent of age .

Shenfu injection plus vinorelbine for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer in promoting the quality of life: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective： The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Shenfu injection plus vinorelbine on the promotion of the quality of life （QOL） in elderly non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients. Methods： A randomized single blind trial method was used. Forty-six patients with stage IIIB-IV of HSCLC were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, the patients were treated with 50 mL Shenfu injection from day 1 to 14, plus vinorelbine （NVB） 25 mg/m^2 on day 1 and 8. In the control group, the patients were only treated with NVB 25 mg/m^2 on day 1 and 8. After two cycle＇s of treatment, QOL, efficacy and toxicity were observed. Results： The QOL was enhanced in both experimental group and control group. However, the difference of KPS after treatment in the experimental group was markedly higher than in the control group （14 ± 10 vs. 8 ± 10, t = 2.116, P = 0.04）, improvement rate of QOL was better than in the control group （76.2% vs. 45.0%, χ^2 = 4.188, P = 0.041）, treatment related toxicity in the experimental group was also markedly lower than in the control group （χ^2 = 3.866, P = 0.049）, but the difference of efficacy between the two groups was not significant （14.3% vs. 15.0%, χ^2 = 0.161, P = 0.688）. Conclusion： Shenfu injection plus vinorelbine can enhance QOL in elderly NSCLC patients.

Geriatric oncology: problems with under-treatment within this population

We are currently faced with an aging population, which is rapidly growing worldwide. Two thirds of cancer occurs in the over 65-year age group. Societal conceptions from the past have created ageist stereotypes; old age is associated with frailty and the elderly are perceived to be destined for deterioration and loss of independence. Cancer within the elderly is also subject to these stereotypes, with elderly cancer patients considered by some not as likely to recover as younger patients with cancer. We summarise and review the current concerns regarding elderly management and treatments utilised for the management of oncological disease in the elderly, and discuss the impact of under-treatment within this population.

Self-management of coronary heart disease in older patients after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Objective To explore how older patients self-manage their coronary heart disease （CHD） aider undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty （PTCA）. Methods This mixed methods study used a sequential, explanatory design and recruited a convenience sample of patients （n = 93） approximately three months after elective PTCA. The study was conducted in two phases. Quantitative data collected in Phase 1 by means of a self-administered survey were subject to univariate and bivariate analysis. Phase 1 findings in- formed the purposive samplhag for Phase 2 where ten participants were selected from the original sample for an in-depth interview. Qualita- tive data were analysed using thematic analysis. This paper will primarily report the findings from a sub-group of older participants （n = 47） classified as 65 years of age or older. Results 78.7% （n = 37） of participants indicated that they would manage recurring angina symptoms by taking glyceryl trinitrate and 34% （n = 16） thought that resting would help. Regardless of the duration or severity of the symptoms 40.5% （n = 19） would call their general practitioner or an emergency ambulance for assistance during any recurrence of angina symptoms. Older participants weighed less （P = 0.02） and smoked less （P = 0.01） than their younger counterparts in the study. Age did not seem to affect PTCA patients＇ likelihood of altering dietary factors such as fruit, vegetable and saturated fat consumption （P = 0.237）. Conclusions The findings suggest that older people in the study were less likely to know how to correctly manage any recurring angina symptoms than their younger counterparts but they had fewer risk factors for CHD. Age was not a factor that influenced participants＇ likelihood to alter lifestyle factors.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in older outpatients with heart failure is associated with physical frailty, especially with the slowness domain

Objective To determine the association between plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） level in patients with heart failure （HF） and physical frailty as well as with each domain of physical frailty. Methods Two hundred and six outpatients of cardiovascular medicine aged 60 years and older who had been hospitalized for HF or had been given a prescription medication for HF were included. Physical frailty was assessed using the following five domains： slowness, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and shrinking, according to the Cardiovascular Health Study. Patients were divided into nonfi-ailty and frailty groups according to frailty scores. Plasma BNP level was measured. The 6-min walk test was performed to measure endurance. Results Plasma BNP was significantly different between the two groups （frailty group： 158.0 i 214.7 pg/mL, nonfrailty group： 65.2 ~ 88.0 pg/mL, P 〈 0.01）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed log-transformed plasma BNP （Log BNP） was significantly associated with physical frailty （OR： 1.68, 95% CI： 1.11-2.56）, and Log BNP was significantly associated with the slowness domain （walking speed 〈 1.0 m/s） of physical frailty （OR： 1.75, 95% Ch 1.15-2.67）. Additionally, Log BNP was negatively correlated to the 6-minute walk distance （6MWD） （p=0.37, P 〈 0.01）, while 6MWD was positively correlated to walking speed （p = 0.66, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions Plasma BNP level was related to physical frailty, especially in the slowness domain. Endurance may intervene in the associations between plasma BNP level and walking speed.

Syncope in older adults

Syncope, defined as a self-limited transient loss of con- sciousness and postural tone due to global cerebral hypoperfusion, is a common reason for emergency room visits, with a third of these visits leading to an inpatient admission.

Non-platinum doublets versus single agents in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients with elderly age and/or poor performance status： a meta-analysis

Objective： The aim of the study was to compare the efficacies and toxicities of non-platinum doublets （doublets group） with a non-platinum single agent （single-agent group） in previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients with elderly age and/or poor performance status （PS）. Methods： The PubMed database was screened. Subsequently, the hazard ratios （HRs） for overall survival （OS） and progression-free survival （PFS）, relative risks （RRs） for overall response rate （ORR） and one-year survival, and odds ratios （ORs） for the different types of toxicities were pooled using the Review Manager 5.0 package. Results： This study comprised of 1427 patients enrolled in four randomized controlled trials. The pooled HR showed that the doublet group could increase ORR （P = 0.002） with no heterogeneity （P = 0.64）, and might improve OS （P = 0.01 / P = 0.06） with heterogeneity （P 0.001）. There was no significant difference in PFS （P = 0.16） and one-year survival （P = 0.25） between two treatment groups. The doublet group led to more grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia than the single-agent group （P = 0.02 and P = 0.000, respectively）. The incidences of grade 3/4 anemia, vomiting, mucositis, constipation, diarrhea, neurotoxicity, allergy, and fatigue between the two treatment groups were insignificant. Conclusion： Except for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, the non-platinum doublets could increase ORR, and might improve OS for NSCLC patients with elderly age and/or poor PS without addition of more side effects; however, the doublets showed an increased rate of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The addition of doublets may not improve PFS and one-year survival.

Assessment and impact of diastolic function by echocardiography in elderly patients

Doppler echocardiography is the gold standard for assessment of diastolic dysfunction, which is increasingly recognised as a cause of heart failure, especially in the elderly. Using a combination of Doppler echocardiography techniques, it is possible to identify grades of dia- stolic dysftmction, estimate left ventricular filling pressures and establish the chronicity of diastolic dysfunction. These physiologi- cally-derived measures have been widely validated against invasive measurements of left heart pressures and have been shown to be prog- nostically valuable in a wide range of clinical settings. This review explores the mechanisms, and approaches to the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in the elderly. The challenge for clinicians is to identify pathophysiological changes from those associated with normal ageing. When used in combination, and taking age into account, Doppler echocardiographic parameters are helpful in the assessment of dyspnoea in older patients and provide prognostic insights.

Advances in caring for the older cancer patient：a report from the 2015 conference of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology

A paradox in cancer research is that the majority of patients enrolled in clinical trials are relatively young and fit while typical patients in daily practice are elderly and have comorbidities and impaired organ function. Given these differences, many major studies provide an imperfect guide to optimizing the treatment of the majority of patients. Since cancer incidence is highly correlated with age, and since the world's population is rapidly ageing, this problem can only increase. For this reason, oncologists and geriatricians need to collaborate in developing tools to systematically assess the health status of elderly patients and their fitness to receive cancer therapies of various intensity. Tailoring anti-cancer treatments and supportive care to individual needs should be seen as part of the move towards personalized medicine. Achieving this goal is as much of a challenge to developing and middle-income countries as it is to western nations. The 2015 annual conference of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology(SIOG) held in Prague, Czech Republic, November 2015 and had a global focus on advancing the science of geriatric oncology and supportive care. Central to this approach is the systematic assessment of life expectancy, independent functioning, and the physical and psychological health of older cancer patients. The assumption behind comprehensive geriatric assessment is that elderly cancer patients have complex needs. The implication is that effective intervention will require a multidisciplinary team. Examples of effective geriatric assessment, multidisciplinary working and supportive care were presented at the SIOG conference.

Aortic valve stenosis： treatments options in elderly high-risk patients

In the last decades, a trend towards a worldwide aging has been reported and diseases which are common in the elderly people would have important implications in clinical practice. Aortic stenosis （AS） is perhaps the most common and most often cause of sudden death among valvular heart diseases. Its prevalence is low among adults aged 〈 60 years, but increases to almost 10% in adults ≥ 80 years.[2] Since the degenerative calcific disease represents the lead- ing cause of AS in developed countries, the improved understanding on its pathogenesis （atherosclerotic processes and/or skeleton key） may offer potentially new targets for preventing and inhibiting AS development and progres- sion.[3] Patients with AS are generally asymptomatic for a prolonged period and the development of symptoms is a critical point in the natural history. Indeed, the prognosis changes dramatically with the onset of symptoms of angina,

Becoming Adults During an Economic Crisis： What Happens to the Second Generations？

The paper presents findings of an empirical study carried out in an Italian area and focused on the effects of the economic crisis on immigrant families： the goal was to identify how the difficulties of these years （not only socio-economic but also in terms of negative attitudes toward immigrants） affect on the life-paths of second generations. What happens to their school career？ Are they forced to leave school in order to improve the family＇s income？ Are they sent back to the country of origin of their parents to reduce life-costs in the immigration country？ Thanks to a collection of around 30 interviews with young people between 18-24 years old and 30 interviews with both parents and social workers, the strategies which families are choosing to face economic and labour difficulties and their effects on integration paths and inter-ethnic relations will be described.