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Biomedical subjects

Yngve Gustafson

Publications and source records attributed to Yngve Gustafson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Relationship between antipsychotic drug use and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in old people with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) commonly occur among cognitively impaired people in geriatric care. BPSD are often managed with antipsychotic drugs, despite the associated serious health risks. The aim of the present study was to discover factors associated with the use of antipsychotics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in all geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, which included 2017 residents aged 65 years and over with cognitive impairment (mean age was 83.5 years). Data were collected from prescription records and observations made by care staff of BPSD among residents during the preceding week. A multivariate regression model was constructed to find factors independently associated with antipsychotic drug use. RESULTS: Eleven factors were independently associated with the use of antipsychotics. Aggressive, verbally disruptive and wandering behavior, hallucinatory and depressive symptoms, male sex, living in a group dwelling for people with dementia, imposed mental workload, the ability to rise from a chair, activities of daily living (ADL) dependency and lower age all correlated significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic drug treatment of old people with cognitive impairment in geriatric care is common, and determined not only by the patient's symptoms but also by factors related more closely to the caregiver and the caring situation. These findings raise important questions about the indications for drug treatment in relation to the patient's quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Poor staff awareness of analgesic treatment jeopardises adequate pain control in the care of older people.

BACKGROUND: Undertreatment of pain is a common problem in geriatric care. The aim of this study was to compare the caring staff 's answers concerning the resident's pain treatment with actual pharmacological pain treatment in a cross-sectional survey of the geriatric care population in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in all geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, including 3,724 inhabitants aged 65 years and over. The mean age was 83.3 and the number of cognitively impaired 2,047 (55.0%). Medication data were obtained from prescription records. The member of staff who knew the resident best judged their pain based on observations the preceding week. RESULTS: The reported pain prevalence in the sample was 56.7%. Of those residents reported to suffer from pain, 27.9% received no analgesics as regular medication. In 72.7% of those cases with reported pain and no pharmacological treatment, the staff member who knew the resident best still thought that the resident was receiving treatment for her/his pain. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of the old people in geriatric care settings suffer from pain, and undertreatment of pain appears to be a significant problem. Even when the resident was not receiving pharmacological treatment for their pain, the assessor, who was expected to know the resident best, still believed in a majority of cases that the resident was receiving treatment. This highlights the need for better communication between the various professional categories involved in geriatric care.

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PubMed2006

Inpatient falls and injuries in older patients treated for femoral neck fracture.

A prospective inpatient study was performed at the Orthopedic and Geriatric Departments at the Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, to study inpatient falls, fall-related injuries, and risk factors for falls following femoral neck fracture surgery. Ninety-seven patients with femoral neck fracture aged 70 years or older were included, background characteristics, falls, injuries, and other postoperative complications were assessed and registered during the hospitalization. There were 60 postoperative falls among 26/97 patients (27%). The postoperative fall event rate was 16.3/1000 Days (95% CI 12.2-20.4). Thirty two percent of the falls resulted in injuries, 25% minor, and 7% serious ones. In multiple regression analyses, delirium after Day 7, HRR 4.62 (95% CI 1.24-16.37), male sex 3.92 (1.58-9.73), and sleeping disturbances 3.49 (1.24-9.86), were associated with inpatient falls. Forty-five percent of the patients were delirious the day they fell. Intervention programs, including prevention and treatment of delirium and sleeping disturbances, as well as better supervision of male patients, could be possible fall prevention strategies. Improvement of the quality of care and rehabilitation, with the focus on fall prevention based on these results, should be implemented in postoperative care of older people.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2006

Health status in the oldest old. Age and sex differences in the Umeå 85+ Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With an increasing population aged 85 years and over, the aim of this study was to describe health status and living conditions in the oldest old and to estimate age and sex differences in a Northern European population. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study, The Umeå 85+ Study, was carried out in the municipality of Umeå in northern Sweden. Out of 319 eligible participants aged 85, 90 and 95 years and over, 253 participated. Structured interviews and assessments were conducted with the participants in their homes, and data were also collected from relatives, caregivers and medical charts. Cognition was screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), depressive symptoms with the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and nutritional status with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed applying the Staircase of ADL (including Katz' Index of ADL) and morale with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). Participants also rated their own health. RESULTS: Over half of the participants had hypertension, one out of four was depressed, and the same proportion had had a hip fracture; the mean number of drugs taken was 6.4+/-4.0. Younger participants had lower rates of diagnoses and prescribed drugs, and were less dependent in ADL and other functional variables; men had lower rates of diagnoses and reported symptoms. The majority of participants rated their general health and morale as good. CONCLUSIONS: There were large variations in social, medical and functional variables within and between age and sex groups. This northern population of the oldest old seems to have a very high prevalence of hypertension, depression, hip fractures, and many prescribed drugs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

High-intensity functional exercise program and protein-enriched energy supplement for older persons dependent in activities of daily living: a randomised controlled trial.

The aims of this randomised controlled trial were to determine if a high-intensity functional exercise program improves balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength in older persons dependent in activities of daily living and if an intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises increases the effects of the training. One hundred and ninety-one older persons dependent in activities of daily living, living in residential care facilities, and with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ? 10 participated. They were randomised to a high-intensity functional exercise program or a control activity, which included 29 sessions over 3 months, as well as to protein-enriched energy supplement or placebo. Berg Balance Scale, self-paced and maximum gait speed, and one-repetition maximum in lower-limb strength were followed-up at three and six months and analysed by 2 x 2 factorial ANCOVA, using the intention-to-treat principle. At three months, the exercise group had improved significantly in self-paced gait speed compared with the control group (mean difference 0.04 m/s, p = 0.02). At six months, there were significant improvements favouring the exercise group for Berg Balance Scale (1.9 points, p = 0.05), self-paced gait speed (0.05 m/s, p = 0.009), and lower-limb strength (10.8 kg, p = 0.03). No interaction effects were seen between the exercise and nutrition interventions. In conclusion, a high-intensity functional exercise program has positive long-term effects in balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength for older persons dependent in activities of daily living. An intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises does not appear to increase the effects of the training.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Delirium in older patients admitted to general internal medicine.

Delirium on the day of admission to general internal medicine wards was studied in 400 consecutive patients aged 70 years and above regarding occurrence, associated factors, clinical profile, length of hospital stay, and mortality. The patients were assessed using the Organic Brain Syndrome Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination, and delirium was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed) criteria. Delirium on the day of admission occurred in 31.3% of the patients and was independently associated with old age, fever on the day of admission (> or = 38 degrees C), treatment with neuroleptics, impaired vision, male sex, and previous stroke. Delirious patients had longer hospital stay (15.4 vs 9.5 days, P < .001), a higher mortality rate during hospitalization (11/125 vs 5/275, P < .001), and a higher 1-year mortality rate (45/125 vs 55/275, P = .001). Delirium is a common complication with often easily identified causes, and it has a serious impact on outcome for older medical patients.

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PubMed2006

A high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program for older people dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities: evaluation of the applicability with focus on cognitive function.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Knowledge concerning the applicability and the effect of high-intensity exercise programs is very limited for older people with severe cognitive and physical impairments. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of a high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities. A second aim was to analyze whether cognitive function was associated with the applicability of the program. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 91 older people (mean age=85.3 years, SD=6.1, range=68-100) who were dependent in personal activities of daily living and randomly assigned to participate in an exercise intervention. Their mean score for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was 17.5 (SD=5.0, range=10-29). METHODS: A high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program was performed in groups of 3 to 7 participants who were supervised by physical therapists. There were 29 exercise sessions over 13 weeks. Attendance, intensity of lower-limb strength and balance exercises, and occurrence and seriousness of adverse events were the outcome variables in evaluating the applicability of the program. RESULTS: The median attendance rate was 76%. Lower-limb strength exercises with high intensity were performed in a median of 53% of the attended exercise sessions, and balance exercises with high intensity were performed in a median of 73% of the attended exercise sessions. The median rate of sessions with adverse events was 5%. All except 2 adverse events were assessed as minor and temporary, and none led to manifest injury or disease. No significant differences were observed in applicability when comparing participants with dementia and participants without dementia. In addition, there was no significant correlation between applicability and the MMSE score. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program is applicable for use, regardless of cognitive function, among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living, living in residential care facilities, and have an MMSE score of 10 or higher.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Depression among the oldest old: the Umeå 85+ study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of depression among the oldest old and to analyze factors associated with depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was undertaken in Umeå, Sweden. Out of 319 eligible participants aged 85, 90 and 95 years and older, it was possible to evaluate 242 people (75.9%) for depression. Data were collected from structured interviews and assessments in the participants' homes, and from medical charts, relatives and caregivers. Depression was screened for using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 and further assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Cognition was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination, activities of daily living (ADL) using the Barthel ADL Index, nutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment and well-being using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. RESULTS: The 85-year-olds had a significantly lower prevalence of depression than the 90- and 95-year-olds (16.8% vs. 34.1% and 32.3%). No sex differences were found. One-third of those with depression had no treatment and among those with ongoing treatment 59% were still depressed. Persons diagnosed with depression had a poorer well-being and a higher 1-year mortality. Logistic regression analyses showed that depression was independently associated with living in institutions and number of medications. CONCLUSION: Depression among the oldest old is common, underdiagnosed and inadequately treated, and causes poor well-being and increased mortality. More knowledge about depression is essential to improve the assessment and treatment of depression among the oldest old.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Morale in the oldest old: the Umeå 85+ study.

OBJECTIVE: to describe morale among the oldest old, and to investigate which social, functional and medical factors are associated with morale in this population. DESIGN: a cross-sectional study. SETTING: a population-based study in the municipality of Umeå, a city in Northern Sweden. SUBJECTS: half of the 85-year-old population, and the total population of 90-year-olds and > or = 95-year-olds (95-103) were asked to participate (n = 319) and 238 were interviewed. METHODS: structured interviews and assessments during home visits, interviews with relatives and caregivers and review of medical charts. The 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) was used to measure morale. Participants were assessed with the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and a symptom questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to find independent factors to explain the variation in the PGCMS score. RESULTS: eighty-four per cent (n = 199) of those interviewed answered the PGCMS. Three-quarters had middle range or high morale. GDS score, type of housing, previous stroke, loneliness and number of symptoms, adjusted for age group and sex, explained 49.3% of the variance of total PGCMS score. CONCLUSIONS: a large proportion of the oldest old had high morale. The most important factors for high morale were the absence of depressive symptoms, living in ordinary housing, having previously had a stroke and yet still living in ordinary housing, not feeling lonely and low number of symptoms. The PGCMS seems applicable in the evaluation of morale among the oldest old.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Daily life among the oldest old with and without previous hip fractures.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the oldest old, with and without previous hip fracture with regard to their ability to perform personal and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL); home adaptations received; possession of assistive devices; perceived health and morale. A random sample drawn from the population of 85-year-olds, all 90-year-olds and all > or =95-year-olds (n =253) in Umeå, a city in northern Sweden, were examined. Data obtained from assessments and interviews carried out in the participants' homes, as well as data from medical charts, were analysed. Those with an earlier hip fracture (n = 58) had more difficulties in performing both personal and instrumental ADLs than those without (n = 195) but regarding individual home adaptations and the possession of assistive devices for personal care, no differences were detected between the groups. Self-perceived health and morale were equally good in both groups. The conclusion drawn is that lifelong consequences, in the form of reduced abilities to perform ADLs and wheelchair dependency are common among the oldest old after a hip fracture. Therefore, trials concerning the effects of more extensive and prolonged rehabilitation following hip fracture would be of great interest

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Delirium is associated with poor rehabilitation outcome in elderly patients treated for femoral neck fractures.

The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for delirium and the impact of delirium on the rehabilitation outcome for patients operated for femoral neck fractures. Sixty-one patients, aged 70 years or older, consecutively admitted to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden for femoral neck fractures were assessed and interviewed during hospitalization and at follow up 4 months after surgery. Delirium occurred in 38 (62%) patients and those who developed delirium were more often demented and/or depressed. Patients with delirium were longer hospitalized and they were more dependent in their activity of daily living (ADL) on discharge and after 4 months. They had poorer psychological well-being and more medical complications than the nondelirious. A large proportion of the patients who developed delirium did not regain their previous walking ability and could not return to their prefracture living accommodation. Delirium after hip fracture surgery is very common especially among patients with dementia or depression. This study shows that delirium has a serious impact on the rehabilitation outcome from both short- and long-term perspectives. Because delirium can be prevented and treated, it is important to improve the care of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

A multifactorial intervention program reduces the duration of delirium, length of hospitalization, and mortality in delirious patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether an education program and a reorganization of nursing and medical care improved the outcome for older delirious patients. DESIGN: Prospective intervention study. SETTING: Department of General Internal Medicine, Sundsvall Hospital, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred patients, aged 70 and older, consecutively admitted to an intervention or a control ward. INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of staff education focusing on the assessment, prevention, and treatment of delirium and on caregiver-patient interaction. Reorganization from a task-allocation care system to a patient-allocation system with individualized care. MEASUREMENTS: The patients were assessed using the Organic Brain Syndrome Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination on Days 1, 3, and 7 after admission. Delirium was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria. RESULTS: Delirium was equally common on the day of admission at the two wards, but fewer patients remained delirious on Day 7 on the intervention ward (n=19/63, 30.2% vs 37/62, 59.7%, P=.001). The mean length of hospital stay+/-standard deviation was significantly lower on the intervention ward then on the control ward (9.4+/-8.2 vs 13.4+/-12.3 days, P<.001) especially for the delirious patients (10.8+/-8.3 vs 20.5+/-17.2 days, P<.001). Two delirious patients in the intervention ward and nine in the control ward died during hospitalization (P=.03). CONCLUSION: This study shows that a multifactorial intervention program reduces the duration of delirium, length of hospital stay, and mortality in delirious patients.

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PubMed2005

Factors associated with falls among older, cognitively impaired people in geriatric care settings: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied factors associated with falls among cognitively impaired older people in geriatric care settings. METHOD: This was a study using all geriatric care settings in a county in northern Sweden. Residents were assessed by means of the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale, supplemented with questions concerning the use of physical restraints, pain, previous falls during the stay, and falls and injuries during the preceding week. Data about both falls and cognition were collected in 3,323 residents age 65 and older. Of these residents 2,008 (60.4%) were cognitively impaired, and they became the study population. Of the participants, 69% were women; mean age: 83.5 years. RESULTS: Of 2,008 cognitively impaired residents, 189 (9.4%) had fallen at least once during the preceding week. Being able to get up from a chair, previous falls, needing a helper when walking, and hyperactive symptoms were the factors most strongly associated with falls. CONCLUSION: Preventing falls in cognitively impaired older people is particularly difficult. An intervention strategy would probably have to include treatment of psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, improvement of gait and balance, and adjustment of drug treatment, as well as careful staff supervision.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Drugs and falls in older people in geriatric care settings.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Falls and their consequences constitute serious health problems in the older population. The aim was to study predisposing factors for falls among older people in geriatric care settings, focusing on drugs. METHODS: This population-based study, with a cross-sectional design, analysed all geriatric care settings, comprising 68 residential care facilities, 31 nursing homes, 66 group dwellings for people with dementia, seven rehabilitation/short-stay units, two somatic geriatric and two psychogeriatric clinics, in the county of Västerbotten; 3604 residents with a mean age of 83.3+/-7.0 (65-103) years (68% women) were included. The residents were assessed by means of the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS) that measures, for example, mobility, paresis, vision, hearing, functions of activities of daily living (ADL), and behavioural and psychiatric symptoms. Drug consumption and falls during the previous week were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred and one residents (8.4%) had sustained a fall at least once during the preceding week. Multivariate analyses showed that a history of falls, the ability to get up from a chair, the need for a helper when walking, pain, cognitive impairment, and use of neuroleptics or antidepressants were all associated with being a faller. Among the antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but not serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were associated with falls. Cholinesterase inhibitors were not associated with falls. CONCLUSIONS: Like functional and cognitive impairment, treatments with antidepressants and neuroleptics are predisposing factors for falls in older people in residential care. However, there seem to be differences between subgroups among these drugs and, from the perspective of fall prevention, SNRIs rather than SSRIs should perhaps be preferred in the treatment of depression in older people.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Effects of a fall prevention program including exercise on mobility and falls in frail older people living in residential care facilities.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Impaired mobility is one of the strongest predictors for falls in older people. We hypothesized that exercise as part of a fall prevention program would have positive effects, both short- and long-term, on gait, balance and strength in older people at high risk of falling and with varying levels of cognition, residing in residential care facilities. A secondary hypothesis was that these effects would be associated with a reduced risk of falling. METHODS: 187 out of all residents living in 9 facilities, > or =65 years of age were at high risk of falling. The facilities were cluster-randomized to fall intervention or usual care. The intervention program comprised: education, environment, individually designed exercise, drug review, post-fall assessments, aids, and hip protectors. Data were adjusted for baseline performance and clustering. RESULTS: At 11 weeks, positive intervention effects were found on independent ambulation (FAC, p=0.026), maximum gait speed (p=0.002), and step height (> or =10 cm, p<0.001), but not significantly on the Berg Balance Scale. At 9 months (long-term outcome), 3 intervention and 15 control residents had lost the ability to walk (p=0.001). Independent ambulation and maximum gait speed were maintained in the intervention group but deteriorated in the control group (p=0.001). Residents with both higher and lower cognition benefited in most outcome measures. No association was found between improved mobility and reduced risk of falling. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise, as part of a fall prevention program, appears to preserve the ability to walk, maintain gait speed, ambulate independently, and improve step height. Benefits were found in residents with both lower and higher cognitive impairment, but were not found to be associated with a reduced risk of falling.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Why the elderly fall in residential care facilities, and suggested remedies.

OBJECTIVE: To study precipitating factors for falls among older people living in residential care facilities. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Five residential care facilities. PARTICIPANTS: 140 women and 59 men, mean age +/- SD 82.4 +/- 6.8 (range, 65-97). MEASUREMENTS: After baseline assessments, falls in the population were tracked for 1 year. A physician, a nurse, and a physiotherapist investigated each event, and reached a consensus concerning the most probable precipitating factors for the fall. RESULTS: Previous falls and treatment with antidepressants were found to be the most important predisposing factors for falls. Probable precipitating factors could be determined in 331 (68.7%) of the 482 registered falls. Acute disease or symptoms of disease were judged to be precipitating, alone or in combination in 186 (38.6%) of all falls; delirium was a factor in 48 falls (10.0%), and infection, most often urinary tract infection, was a factor in 38 falls (7.9%). Benzodiazepines or neuroleptics were involved in the majority of the 37 falls (7.7%) precipitated by drugs. External factors, such as material defects and obstacles, precipitated 38 (7.9%) of the falls. Other conditions both related to the individual and the environment, such as misinterpretation (eg, overestimation of capacity or forgetfulness), misuse of a roller walker, or mistakes made by the staff were precipitating factors in 83 (17.2%) of falls. CONCLUSION: Among older people in residential care facilities, acute diseases and side effects of drugs are important precipitating factors for falls. Falls should therefore be regarded as a possible symptom of disease or a drug side effect until proven otherwise. Timely correction of precipitating and predisposing factors will help prevent further falls.

Accidental Falls↗