Mark O. Farber

Impact and recognition of cognitive impairment among hospitalized elders.

BACKGROUND Older adults are predisposed to developing cognitive deficits. This increases their vulnerability for adverse health outcomes when hospitalized. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment (CI) among hospitalized elders based on recognition by lCD-coding versus screening done on admission. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING Urban public hospital in Indianapolis. PATIENTS 997 patients age 65 and older admitted to medical services between July 2006 and March 2008. MEASUREMENTS Impact of CI in terms of length of stay, survival, quality of care and prescribing practices. Cognition was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). RESULTS 424 patients (43%) were cognitively impaired. Of those 424 patients with CI, 61% had not been recognized by ICD-9 coding. Those unrecognized were younger (mean age 76.1 vs. 79.1, P <0.001); had more comorbidity (mean Charlson index of 2.3 vs.1.9, P = 0.03), had less cognitive deficit (mean SPMSQ 6.3 vs. 3.4, P < 0.001). Among elders with CI, 163 (38%) had at least one day of delirium during their hospital course. Patients with delirium stayed longer in the hospital (9.2 days vs. 5.9, P < 0.001); were more likely to be discharged into institutional settings (75% vs. 31%, P < 0.001) and more likely to receive tethers during their care (89% vs. 69%, P < 0.001), and had higher mortality (9% vs. 4%, P = 0.09). CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment, while common in hospitalized elders, is under-recognized, impacts care, and increases risk for adverse health outcomes.

Interventions to Improve the Physical Function of ICU Survivors: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND ICU admissions are ever increasing across the United States. Following critical illness, physical functioning (PF) may be impaired for up to 5 years. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of interventions targeting PF among ICU survivors. The objective of this study was to identify effective interventions that improve long-term PF in ICU survivors. METHODS MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Physiotherapy Evidence-Based Database (PEDro) were searched between 1990 and 2012. Two reviewers independently evaluated studies for eligibility, critically appraised the included studies, and extracted data into standardized evidence tables. RESULTS Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included exercise/physical therapy (PT), parenteral nutrition, nurse-led follow-up, spontaneous awakening trials, absence of sedation during mechanical ventilation, and early tracheotomy. Nine studies failed to demonstrate efficacy on PF of the ICU survivors. However, early physical exercise and PT-based interventions had a positive effect on long-term PF. CONCLUSIONS The only effective intervention to improve long-term PF in critically ill patients is exercise/PT; its benefit may be greater if started earlier. Further research in this area comparing different interventions and timing is needed.

Delirium in hospitalized patients: Implications of current evidence on clinical practice and future avenues for research—A systematic evidence review

BACKGROUND Despite the significant burden of delirium among hospitalized adults, critical appraisal of systematic data on delirium diagnosis, pathophysiology, treatment, prevention, and outcomes is lacking. PURPOSE To provide evidence-based recommendations for delirium care to practitioners, and identify gaps in delirium research. DATA SOURCES Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) information systems from January 1966 to April 2011. STUDY SELECTION All published systematic evidence reviews (SERs) on delirium were evaluated. DATA EXTRACTION Three reviewers independently extracted the data regarding delirium risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and outcomes, and critically appraised each SER as good, fair, or poor using the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS Twenty-two SERs graded as good or fair provided the data. Age, cognitive impairment, depression, anticholinergic drugs, and lorazepam use were associated with an increased risk for developing delirium. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is reliable for delirium diagnosis outside of the intensive care unit. Multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions are effective in reducing delirium incidence in elderly medical patients. Low-dose haloperidol has similar efficacy as atypical antipsychotics for treating delirium. Delirium is associated with poor outcomes independent of age, severity of illness, or dementia. CONCLUSION Delirium is an acute, preventable medical condition with short- and long-term negative effects on a patients cognitive and functional states.

Effect of hypoxemia on sodium and water excretion in chronic obstructive lung disease

To determine the role of hypoxemia in the pathogenesis of impaired sodium and water excretion in advanced chronic obstructive lung disease, 11 clinically stable, hypercapneic patients requiring long-term supplemental oxygen were studied. The renal, hormonal, and cardiovascular responses to sodium and water loading were determined during five-and-a-half-hour studies on a control day (arterial oxygen tension = 80 +/- 6 mm Hg) and on an experimental day under hypoxic conditions (arterial oxygen tension = 39 +/- 2 mm Hg). Hypoxemia produced a significant decrease in urinary sodium excretion but did not affect urinary water excretion. Hypoxemia also resulted in concomitant declines in mean blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, and filtered sodium load. Renal plasma flow and filtration fraction were unchanged whereas cardiac index rose. On the control day, plasma renin activity and norepinephrine levels were elevated whereas aldosterone and arginine vasopressin levels were normal; none of these four hormones was affected by hypoxemia. Renal tubular function did not appear to be altered by hypoxemia as there was no significant change in fractional reabsorption of sodium. The concurrent decreases in glomerular filtration rate, filtered sodium load, and mean blood pressure at constant renal plasma flow suggest that the reduction in urinary sodium excretion was due to an effect of hypoxemia on glomerular function, possibly related to impaired renovascular autoregulation.

TISSUE WASTING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, THE ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME, AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Malnutrition is common among individuals suffering from hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), advanced HIV disease, and in patients with chronic, severe congestive heart failure. Although increased morbidity and mortality has been associated with weight loss in these conditions, the pathophysiology of malnutrition remains somewhat unclear for each. In COPD, the primary postulated mechanism is hypermetabolism resulting in elevated total caloric expenditure arising from increased airway resistance, increased O2 cost of ventilation, increased dietary induced thermogenesis, inefficient substrate use and perhaps, increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In AIDS, postulated mechanisms include hypermetabolism arising from increased activation of proinflammatory cytokines, along with futile cycling of fatty acids and de novo lipogenesis early in the course of HIV infection; intestinal malabsorption and anorexia also play a role in many inflicted individuals. In cardiac cachexia, dietary and metabolic factors, and levels and activity of cytokines, thyroid hormone, catecholamines and cortisol have been suggested as being responsible for causing weight loss in a most cases.

Comparison and Agreement Between the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale in Evaluating Patients’ Eligibility for Delirium Assessment in the ICU

BACKGROUND Delirium evaluation in patients in the ICU requires the use of an arousal/sedation assessment tool prior to assessing consciousness. The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) are well-validated arousal/sedation tools. We sought to assess the concordance of RASS and SAS assessments in determining eligibility of patients in the ICU for delirium screening using the confusion assessment method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study in the adult medical, surgical, and progressive (step-down) ICUs of a tertiary care, university-affiliated, urban hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The cohort included 975 admissions to the ICU between January and October 2009. RESULTS The outcome measures of interest were the correlation and agreement between RASS and SAS measurements. In 2,469 RASS and SAS paired screens, the rank correlation using the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.91, and the agreement between the two screening tools for assessing CAM-ICU eligibility as estimated by the κ coefficient was 0.93. Analysis showed that 70.1% of screens were eligible for CAM-ICU assessment using RASS (7.1% sedated [RASS −3 to −1]; 62.6% calm [0]; and 0.4% restless, agitated [+1 to +3]), compared with 72.1% using SAS (5% sedated [SAS 3]; 66.5% calm [4]; and 0.6% anxious, agitated [5, 6]). In the mechanically ventilated subgroup, RASS identified 19.1% CAM-ICU eligible patients compared with 24.6% by SAS. The correlation coefficient in this subgroup was 0.70 and the agreement was 0.81. CONCLUSION Both SAS and RASS led to similar rates of delirium assessment using the CAM-ICU.

Bacon (bleomycin, adriamycin, CCNU, oncovin and nitrogen mustard) in squamous lung cancer. Experience in fifty patients

Fifty patients with inoperable squamous carcinoma of the lung, 38 with extensive, and 12 with limited disease, were treated with BACON. Tumor regression > 50% was observed in 17 patients (45%) with extensive, and four patients (33%) with limited disease. Stabilization of disease for ⩾ 8 weeks was seen in four extensive and eight limited patients, and had the same prognostic importance with regard to survival as response: in extensive disease, responding and stable patients had median survival (MST) of 26 weeks from start of therapy, while MST for non‐responders was 9 weeks. MST in limited disease (all patients responding or stable) was 32 weeks. Analysis of survival in extensive disease by performance status showed improvement in each category over historical control results for supportive care alone. BACON was better tolerated and probably more effective when CCNU was given every 8 weeks, rather than every 4 weeks.

Enhancing Care for Hospitalized Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundApproximately 40% of hospitalized older adults have cognitive impairment (CI) and are more prone to hospital-acquired complications. The Institute of Medicine suggests using health information technology to improve the overall safety and quality of the health care system.ObjectiveEvaluate the efficacy of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to improve the quality of care for hospitalized older adults with CI.DesignA randomized controlled clinical trial.SettingA public hospital in Indianapolis.PopulationA total of 998 hospitalized older adults were screened for CI, and 424 patients (225 intervention, 199 control) with CI were enrolled in the trial with a mean age of 74.8, 59% African Americans, and 68% female.InterventionA CDSS alerts the physicians of the presence of CI, recommends early referral into a geriatric consult, and suggests discontinuation of the use of Foley catheterization, physical restraints, and anticholinergic drugs.MeasurementsOrders of a geriatric consult and discontinuation orders of Foley catheterization, physical restraints, or anticholinergic drugs.ResultsUsing intent-to-treat analyses, there were no differences between the intervention and the control groups in geriatric consult orders (56% vs 49%, P = 0.21); discontinuation orders for Foley catheterization (61.7% vs 64.6%, P = 0.86); physical restraints (4.8% vs 0%, P = 0.86), or anticholinergic drugs (48.9% vs 31.2%, P = 0.11).ConclusionA simple screening program for CI followed by a CDSS did not change physician prescribing behaviors or improve the process of care for hospitalized older adults with CI.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and the renin-aldosterone axis during exercise in man.

Under non-exercise conditions, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) elevation suppresses plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (PA). A similar effect of ANP on PRA-PA during exercise has been suggested but not demonstrated. We measured ANP, PRA, PA, plasma potassium (K+), and changes in plasma volume (PV) and blood volume (BV) at rest and during incremental cycle ergometer exercise to exhaustion in ten healthy males. Plasma concentrations (mean +/- SE) of hormones and electrolytes increased (P less than 0.05) during exercise: ANP (68 +/- 14 to 207 +/- 48 pg.ml-1), PA (11.2 +/- 2.2 to 18.8 +/- 3.4 ng.dl-1), PRA (5.1 +/- 1.1 to 8.2 +/- 1.6 ng.ml-1.90 min-1), and K+ (4.2 +/- 0.1 to 5.5 +/- 0.1 mEq). PV and BV declined, reaching maximal deflections from baseline during the 100% stage (12.9 +/- 1.5 and 8.4 +/- 0.8% decreases, respectively). There were positive correlations between ANP and PRA (r = 0.58; P less than 0.01), ANP and PA (r = 0.56; P less than 0.01), and PRA and PA (r = 0.80; P less than 0.001). Increases in K+ did not correlate with increases in PA. The fall in PV correlated with elevations in PRA (r = -0.67; P less than 0.01) and PA (r = -0.58; P less than 0.01), and the fall in BV correlated with elevations in PRA (r = -0.62; P less than 0.01) and PA (r = -0.44; P less than 0.02). ANP production was related to exercise intensity (gauged by heart rate response; r = 0.58; P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airways Hyperresponsiveness in High School Athletes

Adult athletes have a higher prevalence (11%–50%) of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) than the population at large (7%–11%): reports describing EIB/AHR in adolescent athletes are scant. Hypotheses: 1) a minimum AHR prevalence of 20% would be revealed in a group of high school athletes; 2) demographic data would predict AHR; 3) AHR‐positive athletes would preferentially choose low ventilation sports. Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) was used to test for AHR in 23% of all athletes (79 of 343) of a midwestern high school. The AHR was defined by at least a 10%, 20%, or 25% decline in FEV1, FEF25–75, or PEFR at 1, 5, 10, or 15‐min post‐EVH, respectively. Results: 30 of 79 (38%) tested positive for AHR; demographic data tended to predict AHR, as correlations between the total number of years exercised with the greatest decline in FEV1 and the total number of days exercised with the greatest decline in FEV1 following the EVH challenge tended to be significant (r = 0.354; p = 0.055 and r = 0.314; p = 0.091, respectively); and 69% of AHR‐positive students played only low ventilation sports. Conclusion: AHR prevalence was 38% in athletes of a midwestern high school; demographic data tended to predict AHR; those with AHR preferentially play low ventilation sports.