Jean Peters

Alcohol, dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly: a systematic review

BACKGROUND dementia and cognitive decline have been linked to cardiovascular risk. Alcohol has known negative effects in large quantities but may be protective for the cardiovascular system in smaller amounts. Effect of alcohol intake may be greater in the elderly and may impact on cognition. METHODS to evaluate the evidence for any relationship between incident cognitive decline or dementia in the elderly and alcohol consumption, a systematic review and meta-analyses were carried out. Criteria for inclusion were longitudinal studies of subjects aged >or=65, with primary outcomes of incident dementia/cognitive decline. RESULTS 23 studies were identified (20 epidemiological cohort, three retrospective matched case-control nested in a cohort). Meta-analyses suggest that small amounts of alcohol may be protective against dementia (random effects model, risk ratio [RR] 0.63; 95% CI 0.53-0.75) and Alzheimers disease (RR 0.57; 0.44-0.74) but not for vascular dementia (RR 0.82; 0.50-1.35) or cognitive decline (RR 0.89; 0.67-1.17) However, studies varied, with differing lengths of follow up, measurement of alcohol intake, inclusion of true abstainers and assessment of potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS because of the heterogeneity in the data these findings should be interpreted with caution. However, there is some evidence to suggest that limited alcohol intake in earlier adult life may be protective against incident dementia later.

Cost effectiveness of community leg ulcer clinics: randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objectives: To establish the relative cost effectiveness of community leg ulcer clinics that use four layer compression bandaging versus usual care provided by district nurses. Design: Randomised controlled trial with 1 year of follow up. Setting: Eight community based research clinics in four trusts in Trent. Subjects: 233 patients with venous leg ulcers allocated at random to intervention (120) or control (113) group. Interventions: Weekly treatment with four layer bandaging in a leg ulcer clinic (clinic group) or usual care at home by the district nursing service (control group). Main outcome measures: Time to complete ulcer healing, patient health status, and recurrence of ulcers. Satisfaction with care, use of services, and personal costs were also monitored. Results: The ulcers of patients in the clinic group tended to heal sooner than those in the control group over the whole 12 month follow up (log rank P=0.03). At 12 weeks, 34% of patients in the clinic group were healed compared with 24% in the control. The crude initial healing rate of ulcers in intervention compared with control patients was 1.45 (95% confidence interval 1.04 to 2.03). No significant differences were found between the groups in health status. Mean total NHS costs were £878.06 per year for the clinic group and £859.34 for the control (P=0.89). Conclusions: Community based leg ulcer clinics with trained nurses using four layer bandaging is more effective than traditional home based treatment. This benefit is achieved at a small additional cost and could be delivered at reduced cost if certain service configurations were used. Key messages Leg ulcer clinics based in the community using four layer compression bandaging can be more clinically effective than usual care provided by the district nursing service Community based leg ulcer clinics could be provided more cost effectively than usual home based care for venous leg ulcers Recurrence of venous leg ulcers is an important variable that should be measured in future trials of venous leg ulcer care It is difficult to measure improvements in health related quality of life among people with venous leg ulcers

Health status of Gypsies and Travellers in England

Objective: To provide the first valid and reliable estimate of the health status of Gypsies and Travellers in England by using standardised instruments to compare their health with that of a UK resident non-Traveller sample, drawn from different socioeconomic and ethnic groups, matched for age and sex. Design: Epidemiological survey, by structured interview, of quota sample and concurrent age–sex-matched comparators. Setting: The homes or alternative community settings of the participants at five study locations in England. Participants: Gypsies and Travellers of UK or Irish origin (n = 293) and an age–sex-matched comparison sample (n = 260); non-Gypsies or Travellers from rural communities, deprived inner-city White residents and ethnic minority populations. Results: Gypsies and Travellers reported poorer health status for the last year, were significantly more likely to have a long-term illness, health problem or disability, which limits daily activities or work, had more problems with mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression as assessed using the EuroQol-5D health utility measure, and a higher overall prevalence of reported chest pain, respiratory problems, arthritis, miscarriage and premature death of offspring. No inequality was reported in diabetes, stroke and cancer. Conclusions: Significant health inequalities exist between the Gypsy and Traveller population in England and their non-Gypsy counterparts, even when compared with other socially deprived or excluded groups, and with other ethnic minorities.

Health-related beliefs and experiences of Gypsies and Travellers: a qualitative study

Objective: To illuminate findings of the survey of the health status of Gypsies and Travellers by exploring their health-related beliefs and experiences. Design: Qualitative study of a purposive subsample from in-depth interviews using framework analysis. Setting: The homes or alternative community settings of the participants in five geographically dispersed study locations in England. Participants: 27 Gypsies and Travellers with an experience of ill health, purposively sampled from a larger population participating in an epidemiological survey of health status. Results: The experience of poor health and daily encounters of ill health among extended family members were normalised and accepted. Four major themes emerged relating to health beliefs and the effect of lifestyle on health for these respondents: the travelling way; low expectations of health; self-reliance and staying in control; fatalism and fear of death. These themes dominated accounts of health experience and were relevant to the experience. These themes add richness to the health status data and inform our understanding. Conclusions: Among Gypsies and Travellers, coherent cultural beliefs and attitudes underpin health-related behaviour, and health experiences must be understood in this context. In this group, ill health is seen as normal, an inevitable consequence of adverse social experiences, and is stoically and fatalistically accepted. The provision of effective healthcare and improvement of poor health in Gypsies and Travellers will require multi-agency awareness of these issues.

Socioeconomic status and chronic kidney disease at presentation to a renal service in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with both development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The impact of SES on severity of CKD at presentation to a renal service is less well known. This study investigated the relationship between SES and severity of CKD in a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis involving 1657 patients at the Sheffield Kidney Institute (Sheffield, UK). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS SES was assigned to each patient according to electoral ward of residence by postcode and ranked according to the corresponding British Index of Multiple Deprivation score, which comprises five deprivation quintiles (Q1, least deprived; Q5, most deprived). National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative classification of CKD was used for stratification and analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied for the association of variables/risk factors with CKD (lower GFR) at presentation. RESULTS The age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed CKD at presentation by area of residence, across the five deprivation quintiles, per million population was Q1 = 1495, Q2 = 3530, Q3 = 3398, Q4 = 3989, and Q5 = 19,599. Logistic regression models showed that living in the lowest SES quintile area (Q5) as compared with the highest SES (Q1) was associated with a greater risk for presenting with a lower estimated GFR, after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS Low SES is related to severity of CKD at presentation. Further studies are needed to examine this issue across the various SES categories in the United Kingdom.

The views of nurses to the conduct of a randomised controlled trial of problem drinkers in an accident and emergency department

The Trent Regional Health Authority funded a study in 1995 to train nurses in an accident and emergency (A&E) department to screen all adult attendees for alcohol problems with a view to identifying a sample of problem drinkers to participate in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). In the RCT identified drinkers were to be assigned either to health education plus brief counselling intervention or, as controls, to health education alone. Despite 16654 attendances at A&E during the recruitment phase of the study only 20% of attendees were screened of whom a further 19% were identified as problem drinkers by the CAGE screening questionnaire. Less than half of the problem drinkers were, however, provided with feedback by the nurses, leaving a small group of 264 eligible for entry to the RCT. The great majority of this subgroup refused an initial appointment at the specialist clinic and so the trial was abandoned. A number of in-depth interviews were undertaken with the nurses in an attempt to understand ways in which the overall conduct of the study might have been improved. This paper outlines in some detail some of the reasons for the lack of success with the study which include; general environmental factors that undoubtedly led to stress and poor morale amongst the nursing team, the differences in perception between managers and clinical nurses concerning the value of research and the inadequacy of the initial training programme. The paper concludes that there are problems in the NHS which do not provide a helpful backcloth to the successful conduct of health services research.

Comparison between two districts of the effects of an air pollution intervention on bronchial responsiveness in primary school children in Hong Kong.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact on childrens respiratory health of a government air quality intervention that restricted the sulphur content of fuels to 0.5% from July 1990 onwards. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: This study examined the changes, one and two years after the introduction of the intervention, in airway hyperreactivity of non-asthmatic and non-wheezing, primary 4, 5, and 6, school children aged 9-12 years living in a polluted district compared with those in a less polluted district. Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR)(a 20% decrease in FEV1 provoked by a cumulative dose of histamine less than 7.8 mumol) and bronchial reactivity slope (BR slope) (percentage change in logarithmic scale in FEV1 per unit dose of histamine) were used to estimate responses to a histamine challenge. The between districts differences after the intervention were studied to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. MAIN RESULTS: In cohorts, comparing measurements made before the intervention and one year afterwards, both BHR and BR slope declined from 29% to 16% (p = 0.026) and from 48 to 39 (p = 0.075) respectively in the polluted district; and from 21% to 10% (p = 0.001) and 42 to 36 (p > 0.100) in the less polluted district. Comparing measurements made in 1991 (one year after intervention) with those in 1992 (two years after intervention), only the polluted district showed a significant decline from 28% to 12% (p = 0.016) and from 46 to 35 (p = 0.014), for BHR and BR slope respectively, with a greater decline in both responses (p = 0.018 and 0.073) than in the less polluted district. CONCLUSION: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness tests can be used to support the evaluation of an air quality intervention. The demonstrated reduction in bronchial hyperresponsiveness is an indication of the effectiveness of the intervention.

Health and use of health services: a comparison between Gypsies and Travellers and other ethnic groups.

Objectives. To examine the health status of adults from black and minority ethnic groups and from a socio-economically mixed White population, all resident in England. Design. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey using validated standardised health measures of a sample of Gypsies and Travellers, Pakistani Muslims, African Caribbean, and White adults living in five geographical locations. Health outcomes included general health, health in the past year, limiting long-term illness, anxiety, depression, respiratory symptoms and angina. Results. Of the 520 recruited age–sex matched sample (260 Gypsies and Travellers matched with 260 Pakistani Muslims, African Caribbean, and White residents), 516 were included in this analysis (173 men, 343 women). There were no differences by age between the four groups but men were approximately four years older than women. There were significant statistical differences in smoking status and educational attendance with more Gypsies and Travellers being current smokers (58% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52, 64) versus 25% (14, 38) or lower in the other groups) and having poorer regular educational attendance (61% (54, 68) versus 89% (77, 96) or higher in the other groups). For all health outcomes examined, Gypsies and Travellers had significantly poorer outcomes (after adjustment for age, sex and smoking status) compared with the White population. The health status of the Pakistani Muslims and African Caribbeans was similar to that of the Gypsies and Travellers for health in the past year, asthma, and depression, but other outcomes (cough, sputum) were significantly less prevalent. There were also significant differences in specific outcomes between African Caribbean and Pakistani Muslim populations. Consultations with various health professionals and use of health services varied between the groups. Conclusion. Being a Gypsy or Traveller is associated with even poorer health outcomes than those seen in two other ethnic minority groups resident in England, Pakistani Muslim and African Caribbean, and they in turn have poorer health outcomes than the White residents. More remains to be done to address the health and health service needs of such black and minority ethnic groups.

A systematic review of calcium channel blocker use and cognitive decline/dementia in the elderly.

Objective: Treating hypertension in those aged at least 80 years is now recommended; however, the best antihypertensive to choose remains unexplored. Calcium channel blocker (CCB) use has been associated with a decreased risk of incident dementia in a younger hypertensive group but with an increased risk of cognitive decline in the very elderly. Either result could have a large impact on a vulnerable population. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence relating CCB use to later cognitive decline or dementia in the very elderly. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out. The databases Medline, PubMed, Embase and Psychinfo were searched from 1980 to 22 August 2013. Abstracts were reviewed by two independent reviewers and papers meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted. Results: One thousand, nine hundred and sixty-eight records were reviewed and 10 articles reporting on nine studies retained and extracted. Data were primarily from cohort studies. Only one reported a randomized controlled trial comparing CCBs with placebo. Populations, comparator groups, follow-up times, outcomes and exposure varied and overall results were mixed. It was not possible to combine all studies, but those reporting Alzheimers disease outcomes were combined to produce an overall risk ratio of 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.53–1.17). Conclusion: At present, there is no clear evidence to suggest that CCB use increases or decreases risk of cognitive decline or dementia in the very elderly. A robust clinical trial is now required to resolve this.

A Population-Based Screening for Microalbuminuria Among Relatives of CKD Patients: The Kidney Evaluation and Awareness Program in Sheffield (KEAPS)

BACKGROUND Microalbuminuria has been used to detect subjects at risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes, those with hypertension, and the general population. However, relatives of patients with CKD have not been investigated for microalbuminuria in the United Kingdom. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study evaluating the prevalence of microalbuminuria in relatives of patients with CKD compared with the general population of Sheffield, England. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Participants in the Kidney Evaluation and Awareness Program in Sheffield, a population-based screening program for microalbuminuria. 274 relatives of patients with CKD were studied and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group from the general population. PREDICTOR Family history of CKD. MEASUREMENT & OUTCOMES Screening tools included a questionnaire collating information for demographics, lifestyle, and medical and family history of diabetes, hypertension, and CKD. Urine samples were collected for microalbuminuria estimation. Microalbuminuria measurements were obtained by using immunonephelometry. Microalbuminuria thresholds were defined using albumin-creatinine ratio. RESULTS The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 9.5% in those with a family history of CKD. This was significantly greater than the prevalence of 1.4% in the age- and sex-matched control group with no family history of CKD (P = 0.001). Independent determinants of microalbuminuria in the study population in an adjusted logistic regression model were family history of diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 7.04), obesity (OR, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 6.69), and family history of CKD (OR, 6.96; 95% confidence interval, 3.48 to 13.92). LIMITATIONS Cross-sectional snapshot analysis, microalbuminuria measured once. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of microalbuminuria in relatives of patients with CKD is greater than in an age- and sex-matched control group from the general population. The prognostic value of microalbuminuria in this category of at-risk population remains to be determined in longitudinal studies.