Scientific Research

Background: Managing agitation and other behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is a significant challenge and impacts on quality of life for people living with dementia. The priority is to find effective non pharmacological interventions as drug treatments can have significant side effects.

Objectives: This review evaluates the effectiveness of structured physical activity on agitation in people living with dementia Methods A rapid review of the literature was carried out following PRISMA guidelines. Four electronic databases were searched (Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Embase) looking for interventional studies that used a structured physical activity programme in people with a diagnosis of dementia, studied the effects of this activity on BPSD and compared this with a control group that did not follow an exercise programme.

Results: From 112 identified articles, 13 were included in this review, involving a total of 1546 participants. The results were analysed and synthesised according to the type of exercise intervention (aerobic, multicomponent or strength training) and by the frequency and intensity of the intervention. Quality assessment using CAPS guidelines indicated four studies as higher quality with seven being of moderate quality. The results showed that aerobic exercise in particular appears to be effective in reducing agitation and those studies with higher adherence to exercise tended to demonstrate more positive effects on agitation and BPSD.

Conclusions: There is evidence that physical activity can be effective in the reduction of agitation in older adults with a dementia diagnosis. Further research is needed to clarify the type of intervention that is most beneficial and strategies to make physical activity more acceptable and available to older people with dementia need to be established

Introduction

Institutional care for older people is a relatively new social phenomenon in Egypt that is associated with societal stigma. Traditionally dependent older people are looked after by family members at home. There are currently 145 care homes in Egypt, mostly based in Cairo serving 2% of the older population. The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of paid caregivers on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated with their professional roles. This knowledge is crucial to deliver a culturally sensitive training program for caregivers, and enhance their job satisfaction, ultimately leading to person-centred high-quality care.

Method

Two focus group meetings, 90 minutes each, were conducted with 39 caregivers in a private care home in Cairo. Each group was further divided into four working sub-groups using a SWOT approach to guide the discussion. Generic themes were identified, analysed, and agreed on by the group participants.

Results

Thirty-nine caregivers (31 % males), age range 18-50 years, were interviewed including undergraduate and qualified nurses and social workers. Five themes were identified: administration, team values, training, place and equipment, and residents and families. SWOT findings related to each theme are summarised below: Theme Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats Administration Support and flexibility Poor incentives Access to healthcare services Lack of rest facilities Team values Peer support Mixed qualities in different leaders Outdoor recreational activities Lone working Training Mentoring program Unfulfilled training needs Regular updates on comprehensive geriatrics assessment No medical cover Place & equipment Resident accommodation Not always fit for purpose Health and safety compliance Cost of accommodation Residents & families Sharing knowledge Discriminatory attitudes towards staff Documentation of residents’ priorities Unfounded complaints

Conclusion

Reflecting on the views of paid caregivers provided valuable insight that could enhance the quality of institutional care for older people in Cairo.

Introduction. Falls are a common complication of Parkinson’s disease, driven in part by an underlying cholinergic deficit that contributes to gait and cognitive impairment. Phase 2 studies have established that amelioration of this deficit using cholinesterase inhibitors may reduce falls.

Methods.  CHIEF-PD (CHolinesterase Inhibitor to prEvent Falls in Parkinson's Disease) is a phase 3 randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of rivastigmine to prevent falls in Parkinson's disease that recruited from NHS sites. Relationships between the Principal Investigators’ specialty and the participants baseline characteristics were evaluated using linear, logistic and ordinal logistic regression. Cognitive impairment was defined as MoCA ≤26, while falls in the prior 12 months were separated into ordinal quartiles (1-2, 3-5, 6-12, 13+).

Results. Recruitment to CHIEF-PD commenced in January 2020 and completed in April 2023. Recruitment increased up until the start of the pandemic and thereafter there were 2 peaks. Potential participants were identified through clinic lists, databases, via national and local media and charities. 600 participants were enrolled across 38 sites. Sites enrolled between 1 and 74 participants, each. The median recruitment rate was 19 participants per month (IQR 6-27). 14 (37%) sites had Principal Investigators that were neurologists and 24 (63%) sites had PIs that were geriatricians. Most participants (76%) were over the age of 65 years. Compared with neurologists, geriatricians recruited older patients (difference in means 2.08 (95% CI 0.68, 3.48); p=0.004), with similar levels of cognitive impairment (OR 1.20 (95% CI 0.85, 1.69); p=0.293) and a lower fall rate (OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.34, 0.62); p<.001) at baseline.

Conclusion. Recruitment of older participants to a clinical trial an investigational medicinal product (ctimp) throughout the covid-19 pandemic across 38 uk centres was feasible using multiple strategies. characteristics varied according sub-speciality principal investigator site.

Introduction

The housebound population are growing in number, with a large proportion living rurally or in coastal areas, which increases the risks of isolation and health inequalities. This population are an under researched and underserved group (Public Health England, 2019). Being unable to leave the home is a factor for living in the poorest of health, which contributes to advancing levels of frailty, Curtis et al (2018). Considering the current focus of empowerment to ‘age well’ (NHS England Long Term Plan, 2019), a granular understanding of community focused ageing well interventions is the focus of this review to empower clinicians to ‘make every contact count’ (NHS England 2020).

Method

A narrative evidence review of findings has been completed entitled ‘ageing well interventions to improve and maintain independent living for community housebound populations.’ The review was registered with PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD 42022371047) and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). Data screening was undertaken by two reviewers at each stage to ensure accuracy, quality, and reliability.

Results

The results have identified key health interventions designed and delivered by community clinicians, including benefits of exercise, medication review, oral health, and health empowerment to improve outcomes for the housebound population. The results have outlined a total of twenty-nine outcome measures, which have been examined intrinsically and extrinsically to explore greatest impact for housebound health.

Conclusion

At the time of the Autumn conference, the research study will have completed the systematic review and be able to present findings to illustrate the areas of intervention synthesized for the target population. Key to this will be understanding the effectiveness and generalizability to a wider population of the literature findings. The poster presentation will be able to share progress of the wider study with opportunities to take part.

Curtis, L and Price, H. (2018) Meeting the challenges of housebound patients with diabetes. Practical Diabetes. 35:2. Pp55-57.

National Health Service England (2019) Long Term Plan. NHS England. London.

National Health Service England (2020) Making Every contact count: a consensus statement. NHS England. London.

Public Health England. (2019) Health Profile for England. Public Health England. London.

Introduction

In the European Union, life expectancy has increased from 74 to 81 years between 1990 and 2018. Time spans living in ill health are also increasing. Vaccine recommendations focus primarily on vaccines that prevent death thereby extending length of life. The focus should also include vaccines that promote healthy ageing (HA), improving the quality of longer lifespans. The aims of this review are to describe the impact of herpes zoster (HZ) in adults ≥50 Years of Age (YOA), and to summarise the available evidence on how the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) contributes to HA.

Methods

We conducted a narrative review of published literature on the impact of developing HZ on HA and the ability of vaccination to prevent the subsequent burden of disease. Specifically, we describe HZ impact on functioning ability and quality of life, and impact of RZV on reducing the burden of HZ in adults ≥50 YOA.

Results

One in three people develop HZ in their lifetime. Approximately, 15 million cases of HZ occur annually worldwide in adults ≥50 YOA. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN, pain persisting for ≥ 90 days) occurs in up to 30% of patients, with HZ ophthalmicus affecting up to 25% of patients. HZ presents as a unilateral, vesicular rash with pain scored as “worst pain imaginable” in ≥15% of patients. Treatment options for HZ and its complications are limited and suboptimal with only 14% of patients with PHN satisfied with their treatment. Pain significantly impacts sleep, mood, physical, social and mental functioning. RZV elicits a strong and long-lasting immune response, targeting the decline in cellular immunity. RZV reduced the burden of HZ pain and interference on activities on daily living by >90% in adults aged ≥50 YOA.

Conclusion

RZV, by preventing HZ episodes, supports maintenance of functional ability contributing to wellbeing in older age.

Introduction: Older people may be less likely to receive cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) for the management of chronic heart failure. We aimed to describe differences in clinical response, complications, and subsequent outcomes following CRT implantation in older patients when compared to those that were younger.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients implanted with CRT between March 2008 and July 2017. We recorded complications, symptomatic and echocardiographic response, hospitalisations for heart failure, and all-cause mortality comparing patients aged <70, 70-79, and ≥80 years.

Results: During the study period, 574 patients (median age 76 years [IQR 68-81], 73.3% male) received CRT.  Patients aged ≥80 years had worse symptoms at baseline and were more likely to have co-morbidities. Although the provision of guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure was less optimal in those ≥80 years old, left ventricular function was similar at baseline. Older patients were less likely to receive CRT-defibrillators (which were twice as likely to require generator replacement) compared to CRT-pacemakers. Complications were infrequent and not more common in older patients. Age was not a predictor of symptomatic or echocardiographic response to CRT (67.2%, 71.2%, and 62.6% responders in patients aged <70, 70-79, and ≥80 years, respectively; p=0.43) and time to first heart failure hospitalisation was similar across all groups (p=0.28). Finally, estimated 10-year survival was lower for older patients (49.9%, 23.9%, and 6.8% for patients aged <70, 70-79, and ≥80 years, respectively; p<0.001).

Conclusion: The benefits of CRT were consistent in selected older patients (≥80 years) despite a greater burden of co-morbidities and less optimal provision of guideline-directed medical therapy. These findings support the use of CRT in an aging population. 

Introduction

Patient and Public involvement is a cornerstone of the DREAM (Digital and Remote Enhancements for the Assessment and Management of older people) project. An advisory group of 10 diverse older people and carers was established to shape the research through regular discussions and explore inclusive involvement approaches for future work.

Methods

We conducted a reflective process evaluation to highlight the impact of the involvement process on the project and our public partners themselves. We collated impact logs, reflections and feedback from our public partners and an artist recorded the impacts using illustration.

Results

The advisory group:

• helped to lay the foundations of the project and steered its development with their views, knowledge and experiences
• shaped how evidence is captured and analysed so that it is usable, acceptable and makes sense to older people and carers
• provided insights to consider for implementation and shaped our dissemination strategy

Our public partners and researchers also expressed relational impacts such as shared ownership. Public partners joined this project to improve health care for other people. They felt safe to share their experiences and be listened to. It gave them confidence in their health management, and they have built friendships. People also found comfort in the diversity of individuals and sharing common concerns.

Conclusion(s)

Public partners have been instrumental in the development of the DREAM project and supported the programme by being a critical friend beyond the remit of the research. Continued communication and feedback resulted in public partners feeling heard and their suggestions acted upon.  Researchers and public partners felt gratitude, ownership and joy working on this project, and finding shared values. Our involvement approaches have shaped reciprocal relationships and had impact on our research culture, forming a foundation to the values of the people it is serving.

Introduction: A growing body of evidence suggests that metabolic syndrome is associated with endocrine disorders, including thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome may further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, thus increasing mortality. This study was conducted to assess thyroid function in patients with metabolic syndrome and to assess its relationship to components of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 170 geriatric patients. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference) and blood pressure were taken. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone).

Results: Thyroid dysfunction was observed in 31.9% (n = 54) of patients with metabolic syndrome. Subclinical hypothyroidism (26.6%) was the main thyroid dysfunction followed by overt hypothyroidism (3.5%) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.7%). Thyroid dysfunction was much more common in women (39.7%, n=29) than in men (26%, n=25), but not statistically significant (p=0.068). The relative risk of having thyroid dysfunction in women was 1.525 (CI: 0.983-2.368) compared to men. Significant differences (p = 0.001) were observed in waist circumference between patients with and without thyroid dysfunction and HDL cholesterol that had a significant negative correlation with thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism, is common among patients with metabolic syndrome and is associated with some components of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference and HDL cholesterol).

Introduction

Little is known about how Health Care Professionals (HCPs) conducting Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) assess spiritual needs.  

The aim of this study was to better understand how UK HCPs understand and incorporate assessment of spirituality into CGA for community dwelling frail older people.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with HCPs who regularly undertake CGA in the community as well as Anna Chaplains (ACs) whose remit is to provide chaplaincy to community dwelling older people. An inductive approach was taken using a topic guide to structure the interviews.  Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVIVO. Ethics approval was granted through St Augustine’s College of Theology.

Results

Three HCPs and two ACs were interviewed. Three themes emerged.

Firstly, that spiritual assessment needs time, trust and skill and cannot be established using checklists. Assessment hinges on building a rapport between the patient and HCP. HCPs and ACs suggested potential questions that could support assessment of spiritual needs.  Secondly, supporting spirituality is focused on sustaining identity, fostering hope and encouraging spiritual growth.  Finally, health care professionals lacked confidence and understanding in how to recognise and meet spiritual needs. Several suggestions were made as to how to address this. 

Key conclusion

All participants agreed that incorporating assessment of spirituality into CGA was important but that doing so effectively requires understanding and skill. The questions suggested by participants mapped well onto existing models of spirituality in ageing and frailty. Study findings could be used to develop training for HCPs undertaking CGA.

Background: Non-communicable disease, multimorbidity and frailty are posing considerable challenges as global populations age. Healthcare systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are having to rapidly adapt services to meet the needs of older people.

Objective: This study, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, aimed to establish whether screening older people for frailty on admission to hospital could be used to identify those at greatest risk of adverse outcomes.

Methods: At baseline assessment, 308 participants aged ≥60 years, admitted to medical wards at four hospitals in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, were screened for frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). After 10-12 months, participants, and their informants, were contacted by telephone to establish clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (+ / - 95% confidence interval) for mortality, with dichotomised CFS frailty status (frail if ≥5) as the independent variable.

Results: Primary outcome data were obtained for 194 (63.0%) of the original participants after a mean follow-up period of 10.8 (+/- 0.9) months. Mean age was 75.1 years and 99 (51%) of the respondents were female. A total of 100 (51.5%) respondents were deceased and hazard ratios for all-cause mortality demonstrate that those with frailty were at significantly greater risk of mortality (HR 2.27 [CI 1.39 – 3.69], p<0.01), an effect that persisted even after adjustment for age, baseline Barthel Index, education and number of chronic conditions.

Conclusion: For older people living in Tanzania, unplanned admission to hospital is associated with high mortality and frailty is a strong independent predicator. In accurately identifying which older people are at the greatest risk, frailty screening using the CFS could provide a starting point for the development of targeted care pathways and interventions.