Nynke van Dijk

Fear of falling: measurement strategy, prevalence, risk factors and consequences among older persons

BACKGROUND fear of falling (FOF) is a major health problem among the elderly living in communities, present in older people who have fallen but also in older people who have never experienced a fall. The aims of this study were 4-fold: first, to study methods to measure FOF; second, to study the prevalence of FOF among fallers and non-fallers; third, to identify factors related to FOF; and last, to investigate the relationship between FOF and possible consequences among community-dwelling older persons. METHODS several databases were systematically searched, and selected articles were cross-checked for other relevant publications. RESULTS a systematic review identified 28 relevant studies among the community-dwelling elderly. Due to the many different kinds of measurements used, the reported prevalence of FOF varied between 3 and 85%. The main risk factors for developing FOF are at least one fall, being female and being older. The main consequences were identified as a decline in physical and mental performance, an increased risk of falling and progressive loss of health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION this review shows that there is great variation in the reported prevalence of FOF in older people and that there are multiple associated factors. Knowledge of risk factors of FOF may be useful in developing multidimensional strategies to decrease FOF and improve quality of life. However, the only identified modifiable risk factor of FOF is a previous fall. In order to measure the impact of interventions, a uniform measurement strategy for FOF should be adopted, and follow-up studies should be conducted.

Initial orthostatic hypotension: review of a forgotten condition

Several studies have shown that standing up is a frequent (3-10%) trigger of loss of consciousness both in young and old subjects. An exaggerated transient BP (blood pressure) fall upon standing is the underlying cause. IOH (initial orthostatic hypotension) is defined as a transient BP decrease within 15 s after standing, >40 mmHg SBP (systolic BP) and/or >20 mmHg DBP (diastolic BP) with symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion. It differs distinctly from typical orthostatic hypotension (i.e. BP decrease >20 mmHg SBP and/or >10 mmHg DBP after 3 min of standing) as the BP decrease is transient. Only continuous beat-to-beat BP measurement during an active standing-up manoeuvre can document this condition. As IOH is only associated with active rising, passive tilting is of no diagnostic value. The pathophysiology of IOH is thought to be a temporal mismatch between cardiac output and vascular resistance. The marked decrease of vascular resistance during rising is similar to that observed at the onset of leg exercise and is absent during head-up tilting. It is attributed to vasodilatation in the working muscle through local mechanisms. Standing up causes an initial increase in venous return through the effects of contraction of leg and abdominal muscles. The consequent sudden increase in right atrial pressure may contribute to the fall in systemic vascular resistance through a reflex effect. This review alerts clinicians and clinician scientists to a common, yet often neglected, condition that occurs only upon an active change of posture and discusses its epidemiology, pathophysiology and management.

Syncope prevalence in the ED compared to general practice and population: a strong selection process ☆

OBJECTIVE We assessed the prevalence and distribution of the different causes of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) in the emergency department (ED) and chest pain unit (CPU) and estimated the proportion of persons with syncope in the general population who seek medical attention from either their general practitioner or the ED/CPU. METHODS A review of the charts of consecutive patients presenting with TLOC at the ED/CPU of our university hospital between 2000 and 2002 was conducted. Patients younger than 12 years or with a known epileptic disorder were excluded. Age and sex of syncopal patients were compared with those in a general practice and general population data sets. MAIN FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS During the study period, 0.94% of the patients visiting the ED/CPU presented with TLOC (n = 672), of which half had syncope. Only a small but probably selected group of all people with syncope visit the ED/CPU.

What Are the Barriers to Residents' Practicing Evidence-Based Medicine? A Systematic Review.

Purpose Insufficient time and lack of skills are important barriers to the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Residents could have additional barriers because their practice can be strongly influenced by the educational system and clinical supervisors. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to systematically appraise and summarize the literature on the barriers that residents experience in the application of EBM in daily practice. Method The authors searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ERIC for publications preceding January 2008. Additionally, they manually screened the abstracts of relevant conferences (Association for Medical Education in Europe, Society of General Internal Medicine, Society of Medical Decision Making, Ottawa, and Evidence-Based Health Care Teachers & Developers) from January 2001 until January 2008. The search was extended by contacting experts in the field. Original studies on barriers to applying EBM in daily practice were included. Methodological quality was assessed and results were extracted by two reviewers using prespecified forms. Results The search resulted in 511 titles, 84 abstracts, and 3 studies suggested by experts, of which 9 were included in this review. The quality of the included studies was high. The most frequently mentioned barriers for residents were limited available time (28%-85%), attitude, and knowledge and skills. In four studies, specific barriers related to the position of residents, such as influences from staff members, lack of experience in EBM, and low possibilities to change conditions, were described. Conclusions Residents experience specific barriers to practice EBM. These barriers should be recognized and integrated into EBM training programs for residents.

High Diagnostic Yield and Accuracy of History, Physical Examination, and ECG in Patients with Transient Loss of Consciousness in FAST: The Fainting Assessment Study

Background: Transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is a common clinical problem.

Barriers to GPs' use of evidence-based medicine: a systematic review

BACKGROUND GPs report various barriers to the use and practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM). A review of research on these barriers may help solve problems regarding the uptake of evidence in clinical outpatient practice. AIM To determine the barriers encountered by GPs in the practice of EBM and to come up with solutions to the barriers identified. DESIGN A systematic review of the literature. METHOD The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, and the Cochrane Library, until February 2011. Primary studies (all methods, all languages) that explore the barriers that GPs encounter in the practice of EBM were included. RESULTS A total of 14 700 articles were identified, of which 22 fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Of the latter, nine concerned qualitative, 12 concerned quantitative, and one concerned both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The barriers described in the articles cover the categories: evidence (including the accompanying EBM steps), the GPs preferences (experience, expertise, education), and the patients preferences. The particular GP setting also has important barriers to the use of EBM. Barriers found in this review, among others, include lack of time, EBM skills, and available evidence; patient-related factors; and the attitude of the GP. CONCLUSION Various barriers are encountered when using EBM in GP practice. Interventions that help GPs to overcome these barriers are needed, both within EBM education and in clinical practice.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator harm in young patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of inappropriate shocks and complications

BACKGROUND Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted with the intention to prolong life in selected patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes, but ICD implantation is also associated with inappropriate shocks and complications. OBJECTIVE We aimed to quantify the rate of inappropriate shocks and other ICD-related complications to be able to weigh benefit and harm in these patients. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of inappropriate shock and/or other ICD-related complication rates, including ICD-related mortality, in patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes, that is, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy due to a mutation in the lamin A/C gene, long QT syndrome, and short QT syndrome. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to May 30, 2014. RESULTS Of 2471 unique citations, 63 studies comprising 4916 patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes (mean age of 39 ± 15 years) were included. Inappropriate shocks occurred in 20% of patients (crude annual rate of 4.7% per year), with a significantly higher rate in studies published before 2008 (6.1% per year vs 4.1% per year). Moreover, 22% experienced ICD-related complications (4.4% per year) and there was a 0.5% ICD-related mortality (0.08% per year). CONCLUSION ICD implantation carries a significant risk of inappropriate shocks and inhospital and postdischarge complications in relatively young patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes. These data can be used to better inform patients and physicians about the expected risk of adverse ICD events and thereby facilitate shared decision making.

Steep fall in cardiac output is main determinant of hypotension during drug-free and nitroglycerine-induced orthostatic vasovagal syncope

BACKGROUND How much of the hypotension occurring during postural syncope is cardiac output-mediated and how much can be ascribed to a fall in systemic vascular resistance are unknown. The contribution of both determinants may be influenced by the use of vasoactive drugs. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of hypotension during drug-free and nitroglycerine (NTG)-induced vasovagal presyncope in routine tilt table testing. METHODS In this retrospective study, a total of 56 patients (37 female; age 36 +/- 19 years) with suspected vasovagal syncope and a positive tilt test at two clinical centers were selected. In 29 patients, presyncope was provoked by 0.4 mg sublingual NTG, administered in the 60 degrees head-up tilt position. In the other 27 patients, presyncope was provoked by passive tilt alone. Finger arterial pressure was monitored continuously, and left ventricular stroke volume was computed from pressure pulsations. RESULTS After NTG administration, heart rate rose, and peak heart rate was similar in all patients. Use of NTG did not affect circulatory patterns precipitating a vasovagal response. On average in all patients, marked hypotension was mediated by an approximately 50% fall in cardiac output, whereas systemic vascular resistance was well maintained until presyncope. CONCLUSION Hypotension during routine tilt testing is cardiac output-mediated, and the mechanism appears independent of the use of 0.4 mg sublingual NTG. The study data challenge the conventional idea of systemic vasodilation as the overriding cause of hypotension during postural syncope.

Influence of age and gender on the occurrence and presentation of reflex syncope

BackgroundThe clinical history is the cornerstone of diagnosing patients with transient loss of consciousness (TLOC). Reflex syncope is the most common cause of TLOC in patients across all ages. Knowledge of the variation in incidence and clinical features of reflex syncope by age and gender provides important background information to acquire an accurate diagnosis.MethodsIn a cohort of 503 patients presenting with TLOC we established a final diagnosis after systematic evaluation and two years of follow-up. The occurrence of prodromal signs, symptoms, and triggers in patients with reflex syncope was analyzed by both age (< 40 yrs, 40–59 yrs and ≥ 60 years) and gender.ResultsReflex syncope was the most frequently obtained diagnosis (60.2%) in patients of all ages presenting with TLOC. Its occurrence was higher in patients under 40 years (73.4%), than above 60 years of age (45.3%). Pallor (79.9%), dizziness (73.4%), and diaphoresis (63.0%) were the most frequently reported prodromal signs and symptoms. Most triggers and prodromal signs and symptoms were more common in patients under 40 years of age and in women.ConclusionsReflex syncope is nearly twice as common in patients under 40 years of age than in patients aged 60 years or above. Typical signs and symptoms of reflex syncope are more common in younger patients and in women. Therefore, age and gender provide important diagnostic information and can help to decide whether additional testing is necessary.

The attributes of the clinical trainer as a role model: a systematic review.

Purpose Medical trainees (interns and residents) and their clinical trainers need to be aware of the differences between positive and negative role modeling to ensure that trainees imitate and that trainers demonstrate the professional behavior required to provide high-quality patient care. The authors systematically reviewed the medical and medical education literature to identify the attributes characterizing clinical trainers as positive and negative role models for trainees. Method The authors searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, ERIC, and PsycINFO databases from their earliest dates until May 2011. They included quantitative and qualitative original studies, published in any language, on role modeling by clinical trainers for trainees in graduate medical education. They assessed the methodological quality of and extracted data from the included studies, using predefined forms. Results Seventeen articles met inclusion criteria. The authors divided attributes of role models into three categories: patient care qualities, teaching qualities, and personal qualities. Positive role models were frequently described as excellent clinicians who were invested in the doctor–patient relationship. They inspired and taught trainees while carrying out other tasks, were patient, and had integrity. These findings confirm the implicit nature of role modeling. Positive role models’ appearance and scientific achievements were among their least important attributes. Negative role models were described as uncaring toward patients, unsupportive of trainees, cynical, and impatient. Conclusions The identified attributes may help trainees recognize which aspects of the clinical trainer’s professional behavior to imitate, by adding the important step of apperception to the process of learning professional competencies through observation.