Biomedical subjects

Y Fleissig

Publications and source records attributed to Y Fleissig.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Functional outcome of elderly hip fracture patients: does diabetes matter?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus may affect the functional outcome of hip fractured patients. We studied 759 consecutive patients admitted for hip fracture rehabilitation, out of whom 18.2% were diabetics. The functional outcomes of diabetics and nondiabetics were assessed by the functional independence measurement scale (FIM) at admission and discharge. Data were analyzed by t-tests, Pearson correlation, and chi-square test as well as by multiple logistic regression analysis. Compared with nondiabetics, diabetic patients were slightly younger (p=0.003) and more hyperlipidemic (p=0.01), had a higher prevalence of previous stroke (p=0.03) and lower cognitive Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (p=0.007). Absolute and relative FIM parameters, at admission and discharge, were similar in both groups. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes was independently, and inversely, associated with male gender [odds ratio (OR), 2.11 (95% CI, 1.41-3.18)] and higher admission motor-FIM [OR, 1.05 (95% CI, 1.03-1.07)], whereas higher cognitive scores upon admission emerged as being "protective" for being in the motor-FIM gain <20 [OR, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.91-0.97)]. However, diabetes was not associated with any of the parameters indicating unsuccessful rehabilitation. The findings suggest that there is no difference in the functional outcome of diabetic and nondiabetic patients, presenting for rehabilitation after surgery of hip fractures. Diabetes should not be considered as adversely affecting rehabilitation of such patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

A comparative study of Mini-Mental Test, Clock Drawing task and Cognitive-FIM in evaluating functional outcome of elderly hip fracture patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clock drawing task with other cognitive tests used for the prediction of discharge functional outcome, in elderly hip fracture patients. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: A department of geriatric-orthopaedic rehabilitation of a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients undergoing inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation following hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive status was assessed by the Clock Drawing Task, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Cognitive-FIM (cognFIM). Functional status outcome was evaluated by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), using absolute and relative parameters of efficacy and efficiency. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients (Pearson correlation) between the three cognitive tests resulted in values ranging from 0.607 to 0.732 (p < 0.001). Similar correlation coefficients were observed for all cognitive tests when correlated with relative efficacy and efficiency outcome parameters (p < 0.001), but not with absolute outcome parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Clock Drawing Test is similar to Mini-Mental and Cognitive-FIM with respect to the evaluation of functional status outcome following rehabilitation of hip fractures. The similar correlations with functional outcome parameters as well as the simplicity of administration favour the use of either Clock Drawing Task or MMSE in the initial assessment of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

In-hospital referral source and rehabilitation outcome of elderly stroke patients.

To date, there is no data regarding the association of patient in-hospital referral source and stroke rehabilitation outcomes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible relation between in-hospital referring source, whether directly from an emergency ward (EW) or indirectly through a general medical ward (GMW), and the functional outcomes achieved during rehabilitation of such stroke patients. This retrospective observational study included 315 consecutive patients, admitted for rehabilitation following the onset of acute stroke. We compared those referred directly to us from the EW, with others referred from GMWs. Functional status was assessed by Functional Independence Measure method (FIM). Functional outcome was determined by total FIM gain (efficacy) and daily FIM gain (efficiency), both absolute and relative (to potential). The two study groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and diagnosis. FIM admission scores were higher at admission in patients admitted directly from the EW, compared with those referred from GMWs (72.5 +/- 27.5 and 62.7 +/- 25.6, respectively) but similar at discharge (77.4 +/- 28.8 and 80.7 +/- 32.5, respectively). Length of stay (LOS) in the GMW group was longer as compared to the EW group. Efficacy was significantly associated with being married, younger age, hemiplegia, and admission scores between 40-60. Both absolute and relative efficacy and efficiency rates of rehabilitation were significantly lower among patients referred from the EW. We conclude that in-hospital referral source is associated with different rehabilitation outcomes in stroke patients. Direct admission of stroke patients from the EW is associated with lower rehabilitation efficacy and efficiency rates, compared with those admitted from GMWs. The findings support the implementation of different selection methods, underscoring the need of both clinicians and administrators to consider the in-hospital referral source as a potential factor associated with stroke rehabilitation outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

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 > or =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.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed1998

[Evaluation of predictive factors for stroke rehabilitation].

Our objective was to assess the functional disability of stroke patients by the functional independence measure (FIM) and to examine predictive factors for successful rehabilitation. In 127 consecutive stroke patients efficacy of FIM was 23.9 +/- 188, efficiency 0.54 +/- 0.45, and 81.9% of patients returned home. Functional improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in all FIM domains. Multivariate analysis showed that improvement in FIM score was significantly greater in the younger, among the married, the hemiparetic, and those with an admission FIM of 40-60, while efficiency was related only to type of diagnosis. In addition, the hemiparetic were 3.3 times more likely to return home than the hemiplegic. We conclude that rehabilitation priorities should be directed towards patients younger than 75 years and to those with an admission FIM of 40-60 points. The results of this study reaffirm the usefulness of the FIM index in assessing stroke rehabilitation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

[Functions of a geriatric facility].

A geriatric facility in a general hospital is a relatively new service, not clearly defined and varying in character from hospital to hospital. A geriatric rehabilitation department was opened at this hospital in 1973 and has treated more than 1,500 patients. It was originally set up to relieve pressure on the general and surgical wards. It admitted elderly patients who required additional treatment or who could not be discharged due to inability to function independently without a suitable support framework. The department has since focused increasingly on rehabilitation of elderly patients following CVA or fracture of the hip, with increasing emphasis on physiotherapy. At the same time, a geriatric facility system of work was consolidated, whose features are a multidisciplinary team, a thorough study of the patient from many aspects, and search for medical, nursing and rehabilitation solutions best suited to the patient's particular needs. Problems encountered in those admitted have recently changed, and patient turnover is now more rapid and duration of hospitalization has shortened. The department had been transformed from a long-stay ward treating chronic illness to one giving intensive treatment following an acute crisis.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

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.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

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.

Journal Article↗