Y. Fleissig

Body mass index (BMI), body composition and mortality of nursing home elderly residents

The body mass index (BMI) is a key marker of nutritional status among older patients, but does not reflect changes in body composition, The aim of the present study was to investigate BMI levels and body composition in a sample of disabled nursing home residents, and to study possible interrelations between BMI, fat-free body mass (FFM), body fat mass (BFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and 1-year mortality rates. FFM and SMM were assessed by 24-h urine creatinine excretion and BFM as the difference between BMI and FFM. We calculated relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) of 1-year mortality, associated with different levels of BMI, FFM index (where index=value/height(2)), SMM index and BFM index in 82 disabled institutionalized elderly patients. One-year mortality rate was 29.3%. Adjusted relative risk of mortality of low BMI patients was 1.45 (95% CI=0.73-2.89; OR=1.73) and 0.63 (95% CI=0.33-1.60; OR=0.72) in high BMI. Risk of mortality was higher in those having low FMM index or SMM index (RR=2.42, 95% CI=0.36-16.18; OR=2.55 and RR=3.22, 95% CI=0.78-13.32; OR=3.67, respectively). It is concluded that low FFM and SMM indexes among disabled nursing home residents are far better predictors than BMI for 1-year mortality estimation.

Clock drawing task, mini-mental state examination and cognitive-functional independence measure: relation to functional outcome of stroke patients

The use of reliable and valid brief cognitive screening instrument for selecting the appropriate candidates for stroke rehabilitation is crucial. Clinicians often face the question which test should be preferred, that will best correlate with functional outcome. The objective of this study was to compare the clock drawing task with other cognitive tests used for the evaluation of discharge functional outcome in elderly stroke patients. We conducted a retrospective chart study including 151 consecutive patients, admitted for inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation following acute stroke. The clock drawing task (CDT), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the cognitive-functional independence measure (cognFIM) were used to assess the cognitive status. Functional status outcome was evaluated by the functional independence measure (FIM), using absolute and relative parameters of efficacy and efficiency. Correlation coefficients (Pearson correlation) between the three cognitive tests resulted in r-values ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 (P<0.001). All three tests correlated significantly with motor outcomes. MMSE did not confer additive value to CDT. It is concluded that CDT is similar to mini-mental and both are somewhat better than cognFIM with respect to the evaluation of functional status outcome following stroke. The correlations between the tests as well as the simplicity of administration favor the use of either CDT or MMSE in the initial assessment of elderly stroke patients.

Skeletal muscle mass abnormalities are associated with survival rates of institutionalized elderly nursing home residents

BackgroundKnowledge about the changes in skeletal muscle mass in nursing home residents is very limited. We hypothesized that such patients have different types of skeletal muscle mass abnormalities that may affect mortality rates. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of skeletal muscle mass decline, its different clinical phenotypes (sarcopenia, wasting/atrophy and cachexia) and the mortality rates associated with these abnormalities.MethodsA retrospective chart-review study comprising 109 institutionalized nursing home residents. Body mass index, body fat mass, fat free mass, skeletal muscle mass and survival rates were assessed.ResultsSkeletal muscle mass abnormalities were found among 73 out of 109 (67.0%) patients and were more prevalent in males compared with females (97.8% and 43.8%, respectively, p<0.001). Most of these patients had muscle wasting/atrophy (51.4%) or sarcopenia (40.3%), and 9.7% suffered from cachexia. One third of the patients with abnorrmal skeletal muscle mass showed a moderate decline of skeletal muscle mass (34.7%) while the remainder (65.3%) had very low levels of skeletal muscle mass. Each group was characterized by typical medical conditions associated with skeletal muscle mass abnormality. A Kaplan-Meier survival plot of mortality showed only lower one-year survival rates in the group with sarcopenia (60%) and muscle atrophy or cachexia (53%), compared with elderly participants with a normal skeletal muscle mass (73%), (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in 1-year mortality rates between patients with abnormal skeletal muscle mass (whether sarcopenia, cachexia or wasting).ConclusionAbout two thirds of nursing home patients show skeletal muscle mass abnormalities, most within the range of very low skeletal muscle mass rather than moderately low skeletal muscle mass, that are associated with shorter survival rates, compared with normal skeletal muscle mass patients.

Rehabilitation outcomes in patients with full weight-bearing hip fractures

Evaluation of the functional outcome for hip fractured elderly patients has been controversial due to a typical casemix containing both weight bearing and non weight bearing postoperative fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with rehabilitation outcomes in patients who are able to fully weight bearing following surgical repair of femoral neck fracture. We studied 217 consecutive patients admitted for rehabilitation after surgery for hip fracture. Age, gender, marital status, type of fracture and admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were evaluated as possible predictors of rehabilitation outcome. Functional gains were evaluated according to FIM. Dependent outcome variables were calculated as absolute (total FIM gain and daily FIM gain) as well as relative (to potential). Results showed a significant improvement in absolute total and daily FIM gains (19.32+/-8.29, and 0.87+/-0.44, respectively). Relative total functional gain was 0.40+/-0.19. Absolute total functional gain did not depend on FIM admission, whereas all other parameters were significantly correlated with FIM scores on admission, indicating a relatively adverse rehabilitation in patients with an admission FIM of 40 points or lower. The majority (83.9%) of patients were discharged home. A significant association exists between the ability to go home and marital status (P=0.009), as well as with admission FIM (P<0.0001). We conclude that encouraging outcome results are achieved in the elderly with full weight bearing fractures. The absolute functional gains do not depend on FIM admission scores and argues for inclusion of patients with low admission FIM scores to rehabilitation programs. However, the relative gains are significantly better in patients with higher admission FIM scores, thus supporting inclusion of selected patients. This poses serious ethical issues for healthcare policy-makers.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding of nursing home residents is not associated with improved body composition parameters

ObjectivesTo study differences in nutritional status and body composition, by feeding modality, among disabled nursing home residents.DesignA retrospective chart-review study.SettingA nursing wing of a public urban geriatric center.ParticipantsThree groups of patients: non-dysphagic, orally-fed dysphagic and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy -fed dysphagic patients. Intervention: Standard nursing careMeasurementsBasal metabolic rate, total energy expenditure and nitrogen balance under oral or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. Dietary intake was assessed during a 3-days period by daily-food intake protocols and a 24-hours urinary creatinine excretion to detect nitrogen balance and calculate body composition parameters.ResultsData of 117 patients (55.5% females), mean age 84.6±7.5 (range 66–98 years) was analyzed. Dysphagic patients (60) differed from non-dysphagic patients (57) by lower body mass index (p=0.020), fat mass index (p=0.017), daily protein intake (p<0.0001), daily energy intake (p<0.001), protein related energy intake (p<0.001) and a negative nitrogen balance (p<0.001). In regression analyses, dysphagia was associated with increased risk of having a body mass index lower than 22.0kg/m2 (OR=2.60, 95% CI 1.135–5.943), a negative nitrogen balance (OR=2.33, 95% CI 1.063–4.669), a low fat mass index (OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.066–6.007), and low daily protein and energy intakes per body weight (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.316–6.268 and OR=2.99, 95% CI 1.297–6.880). Compared with orally-fed dysphagic patients (21pts.), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy -fed patients (39pts.) received an additional mean energy intake of 30.5% kcal per day and mean protein intake of 26.0%. This additional intake was not associated with improved body composition parameters (such as fat free mass, skeletal mass or body mass index).ConclusionDysphagic nursing home residents are characterized by worse nutritional, metabolic and body composition parameters, compared with non-dysphagic residents. Body composition parameters did not differ between orally-fed and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-fed dysphagic patients, despite significantly better nutritional and metabolic parameters in PEG-fed patients. Other approaches (perhaps physical training, pharmacological etc.) should be sought to improve body composition of such patients.

Increased 1-year mortality rates among elderly hip fracture patients with atrial fibrillation

Background and aims: Prediction of factors associated with survival following hip fracture is important. We studied crude and adjusted survival rates in elderly hip fracture patients with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) to assess possible risk of death associated with AF. Methods: A historical prospective cohort study, comprising 1114 consecutive patients with hip fractures. Subjects were divided into three groups: patients with sinus rhythm (SR), paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) or chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). The main outcome measures were crude and adjusted survival rates at 30, 90 and 365 days, and end of follow-up. Results: AF patients differed from SR patients by gender (p=0.0018), age (p=0.008), heart failure (p<0.001), ischemic heart disease (p<0.001) and history of a stroke (p<0.001). The lowest death rates were observed among SR and PAF patients, whereas CAF patients had the highest rates at each follow-up time point. CAF (but not PAF or SR) patients were at a significantly higher risk of death at both 365 days and at the end of the study (HR 1.786, CI 1.011- 3.155 and HR 1.835, CI 1.302–2.585, respectively). Older age (HR 1.301, CI 1.135–1.491 and HR 1.321, CI 1.321–1.415) and male gender (HR 1.879, CI 1.271–2.779 and HR 1.545, CI 1.251–1.909) also predicted higher risk of death at both 365 days and at the end of the study. Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation cannot be considered to adversely affect short-term survival of hip fracture patients. After 365 day, CAF was associated with a significantly higher risk of death.

The relation of plasma total homocysteine levels to prevalent cardiovascular disease in older patients with ischemic stroke.

The objectives of this study were to describe the distribution of serum levels of total homocysteine (HCys) in a sample of older patients consecutively admitted following acute ischemic cerebral stroke, as compared with healthy controls, and to test for possible relationships of HCys levels to some of the prevalent cardiovascular diseases in these stroke patients. One hundred and thirty-seven stroke patients and 132 healthy controls (age≥60) participated in this study. HCys levels were determined by HPLC method with fluorescence detection. Correlates of HCys levels and clinical data were examined. The results showed that stroke patients (mean age 74.6±9.2) had higher HCys levels as compared with controls (13.8 and 9.8 respectively, p<0.001). Advanced age, male gender, absence of diabetes and a positive history of previous myocardial infarction were the factors associated with HCys levels higher than 10 mmol/L (Odds ratio 2.72, 2.54, 3.12, 3.55, respectively). We conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent in older patients with acute ischemic stroke. Few factors associated with increased risk for hyperhomocysteinemia in these stroke patients were identified. The study supports earlier observations regarding elevated HCys levels in stroke patients and increased prevalence of associated cardiovascular disease.

Perioperative urinary retention, short‐term functional outcome and mortality rates of elderly hip fracture patients

Perioperative urinary retention (POUR) is common among hip fracture patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence, risk factors, functional outcomes and survival rates of patients with and without POUR.

Short-term functional outcome of ischemic stroke in the elderly: A comparative study of atrial fibrillation and non-atrial fibrillation patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether atrial fibrillation affects the short-term functional outcome of elderly patients with ischemic stroke, undergoing post-acute in-hospital rehabilitation. We studied 919 consecutive patients admitted for ischemic stroke rehabilitation, out of whom 19.6% were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The Functional outcome of atrial fibrillation (AF) and non-atrial fibrillation (Non-AF) patients were assessed by the Functional Independence Measurement scale (FIM) at admission and discharge. Data were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square test and by multiple linear regression analysis. Compared with Non-AF, patients with AF were slightly older (p<0.001), and had lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (p=0.001). Discharge total FIM scores were significantly higher in Non-AF compared with AF patients (84.34 ± 29.44 vs. 79.02 ± 30.68, p=0.031). However, total and motor FIM gains at discharge were similar in the two groups. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (p<0.001), admission total and motor FIM (p<0.001) and MMSE score (p<0.001) emerged as the only independent predictors of total, motor and gain FIM scores at discharge. AF was not predictive, whatsoever, of adverse FIM scores (total, motor, gain) at discharge (β=-0.024, p=0.303; β=-0.019, p=-0.455 and β=-0.04, p=0.303, respectively). The finding suggests that Non-AF ischemic stroke elderly show higher total discharge FIM scores, compared with AF patients. However, both groups achieve similar FIM gains during rehabilitation period. AF should not be considered as adversely affecting the short-term rehabilitation process of such patients.

Functional gain following rehabilitation of recurrent ischemic stroke in the elderly: Experience of a post-acute care rehabilitation setting

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether rehabilitation of patients with recurrent ischemic strokes is associated with functional gain. We studied a total of 919 consecutive post-acute ischemic stroke elderly patients admitted for rehabilitation. 22% out of the patients had recurrent stroke on index day. Functional outcomes of first-ever stroke patients and recurrent ischemic stroke patients were assessed by the Functional Independence Measurement scale (FIM™) at admission and discharge. Data was analyzed by t-test, Chi-square test and by multiple linear regression analysis. There were 716 patients with first ever stroke and 203 patients with recurrent stroke. Total and motor FIM scores at admission and total, motor, gain and Montebello Rehabilitation Factor (RFG) FIM scores at discharge were similar in the two groups. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (beta=-0.13, p=0.001) length of stay (beta=0.21, p<0.001), Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE) (beta=0.1, p=0.01), and admission total FIM (beta=-0.12, p=0.01) emerged as the only independent predictors of higher gain FIM scores at discharge. The finding suggests that elderly patients with recurrent ischemic stroke admitted to rehabilitation ward, showed similar FIM gain scores at discharge, compared with first-ever stroke patients. It is concluded that recurrent stroke should not be considered as adversely affecting the short-term functional outcomes of patients in a post-acute rehabilitation setting.