ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological situation of pre-hospital emergency elderly and non-elderly patients in Chengdu and explore the characteristics of pre-hospital care in the city.MethodAll pre-hospital care records in the Chengdu 120 Emergency System Database in 2017 were retrospectively collected. According to the age of the patients, they were divided into the elderly group (≥60 years old) and the non-elderly group (<60 years old). The disease spectrum, the trends of the number of emergency help calls, the changes in different diseases over time, as well as the disease composition of the patients who died in the two groups were compared.ResultsA total of 179 387 pre-hospital emergency patients were enrolled, including 59 980 elderly patients and 119 407 non-elderly patients. Most of them were male patients in both groups. Patients in the elderly group were mainly between 60 to 89 years old, and the ones in the non-elderly group were mainly between 18 to 59 years old. The pre-hospital emergency patients in the elderly group presented with trauma, nervous system, symptoms and signs, and cardiovascular system diseases mainly, accounting for 29.19%, 14.64%, 13.82%, and 12.86%, respectively. In the non-elderly group, trauma, acute poisoning, and symptoms and signs were predominant, accounting for 50.89%, 10.98%, and 10.08%, respectively. Among the pre-hospital deaths, the number in the elderly group was the larger, accounting for 69.61% (7 043 cases); the mortality rate was 11.74%, with sudden death (28.70%), cardiovascular diseases (25.95%), and respiratory diseases (16.07%) being the major causes. The pre-hospital mortality rate of non-elderly patients was 2.58%, mainly including traumatic diseases (35.41%), sudden death (unknown cause of death) (25.33%), and cardiovascular diseases (17.56%). The number of emergency help calls in the elderly group began to increase gradually from September, reaching a peak in December and hitting the trough in February. While in the non-elderly group, the peak of the emergency help calls appeared in July, and it also fell to the lowest in February. The proportion of the number of emergency help calls in the elderly group was higher in January to February and October to December; while the peak in non-elderly group was in July. The number of emergency help calls in the elderly group were mainly concentrated in the daytime (08:00 to 20:00). In the non-elderly group, the changes in the number of emergency help calls were similar to that of the elderly, however, with another peak (20:00 to 24:00). The proportion of the number of emergency help calls in the elderly group was 06:00 to 09:59, and the peak time of the non-elderly group was in the early morning (00:00 to 04:59) and night (20:00 to 23:59).ConclusionsThe number of pre-hospital care for elderly and non-elderly patients has its own characteristics in terms of the time and the distribution of disease spectrum. Trauma and cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of pre-hospital care and death in Chengdu. And the pre-hospital mortality in the elderly group is much larger than that in non-elderly group. Relevant departments can allocate emergency resources rationally, and focus on improving the on-site rescue capacity towards related diseases.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical effect of sodium chlorophyllin in the treatment of geriatric oncology-related anemia and its significance. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of elderly cancer patients with similar treatment background between December 2011 and February 2013, and the patients were divided into sodium chlorophyllin treatment group and no special treatment group. Then, parallel comparative study was carried out for anemia-related indexes and scores of quality of life. ResultsHemoglobin, red blood cells and quality of life of sodium chlorophyllin treatment group were improved after treatment, and these indexes were also better than those in the no special treatment group (P<0.05). ConclusionSodium chlorophyllin can ameliorate anemia in elderly patients with oncology-related anemia, which is worthy of being popularized.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage in young and elderly patients, to provide evidences for individual clinical diagnosis and treatment, and lay a foundation for building a predictive model of prognosis in cerebral hemorrhage.MethodsPatients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage in the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu were recruited prospectively and continuously from January 2014 to January 2019. They were divided into the youth group (≤50 years old) and the elderly group (>50 years old), and their risk factors, disease characteristics, etiology, and prognosis were analyzed.ResultsA total of 757 patients were recruited. There were 160 cases (21.1%) in the youth group, including 120 males and 40 females, aged from 17 to 50 years, with an average age of (42.06±7.62) years old; 597 cases (78.9%) in the elderly group, including 361 males and 236 females, aged from 51 to 96 years, with an average age of (69.34±10.56) years old. The incidences of hypertension (74.2% vs. 51.2%), diabetes (15.1% vs. 4.4%), coronary heart disease (12.1% vs. 1.3%), and the level of blood glucose at admission [7.1 (5.8, 8.4) vs. 6.3 (5.3, 8.1) mmol/L] in the elderly group were higher than those in the youth group (P<0.05), respectively. However, the proportions of males (60.5% vs. 75.0%), smoking (24.5% vs. 36.9%), and the diastolic blood pressure at admission [(92.37±18.50) vs. (100.95±25.25) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] in the elderly group were lower than those in the youth group (P<0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in systolic blood pressure at admission, Glasgow Coma Score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, initial hematoma volume, hematoma enlargement, brain hernia, location of hemorrhage, midline shift, hydrocephalus, combined subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intraventricular extension (P>0.05). Hypertension was the most common etiology in the two groups. There was a significant difference in the etiology of cerebral hemorrhage between the two groups (P<0.05), the difference was mainly reflected in cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cavernous hemangioma, and arteriovenous malformation. The fatality rate during hospitalization (9.4% vs. 20.9%), 3 months after discharge (10.3% vs. 26.3%), and at 1 year follow-up (19.0% vs. 37.6%) in the youth group was lower than that in the elderly group (P<0.05), respectively. The disability rate 3 months after discharge and at 1 year follow-up in the youth group was lower than that in the elderly group (32.1% vs. 44.2%, 16.9% vs. 34.4%; P<0.05), respectively.ConclusionsThe education of healthy lifestyles should be strengthened to reduce the adverse effects of smoking in young patients. Young patients should choose antihypertensives that can control diastolic blood pressure better. There are more structural abnormalities in young patients, so routine vascular examination is reasonable. It is necessary to focus on whether the original underlying diseases are stable in elderly patients. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is an important cause of cerebral hemorrhage in elderly patients, and is a risk factor of recurrence. Anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy should be cautious.
Objective To systematically review the effect of different nutrient interventions on the physical function of elderly people with frailty through network meta-analysis. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase and Web of Science were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials of different nutrient interventions on physical function of the elderly with frailty, from database inception to June 30, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed using ADDIS 1.16.8, GeMTC 14.3, and Stata 15.0 software. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1 144 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) among different nutrient interventions. Significant differences were not found in vitamin D+ whey protein (VDWP) vs. placebo and Leu vs. placebo in handgrip strength, or VDWP vs. placebo in SPPB. The probability ranking diagram showed that the most effective of handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and SPPB were milk protein concentrate (MPC80), L-carnitime (L-Car), leucine (Leu), and MPC80, respectively. Conclusion The current evidence suggests that nutritional intervention did not significantly improve physical function in the frail elderly. MPC80, Leu, L-Car, and VDVEWP may play a role in improving the physical function of frail elderly people. Nutritional support programs that increase the above nutrients, combined with exercise training may become a better way to improve the physical function of frail elderly.
Objective To explore the current status of digital health literacy among elderly orthopedic perioperative patients and its influencing factors, and to provide a basis for optimizing perioperative management and improving patients’ health management level. Methods Utilizing convenience sampling, elderly orthopedic perioperative patients from China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University were chosen as the subjects between January and April 2024. For the purpose of the questionnaire investigation, the orthopedic patient functional exercise compliance scale, eHealth Literacy Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and general information questionnaire were utilized. We employed univariate analysis and multiple linear stratified regression to investigate the factors influencing digital health literacy. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the interrelationships among variables. Results A total of 143 patients were investigated. Among them, there were 53 males and 90 females. The average age was (69.91±6.35) years old. The average score of the eHealth Literacy Scale was (18.25±9.45) points, the average score of the Social Support Rating Scale was (38.44±7.76) points, and the average score of the orthopedic patient functional exercise compliance scale was (55.16±14.28) points. The determinants of digital health literacy in older orthopedic perioperative patients were social support and educational attainment (P<0.05). Social support and functional exercise adherence were mediated, in part, by digital health literacy (P<0.001). Conclusions The digital health literacy in elderly orthopedic perioperative is generally at a low level. Healthcare professionals need to pay particular attention to patients with lower levels of education. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to enhance patients’ social support from multiple dimensions, in order to improve their digital health literacy and lay a solid foundation for the precise implementation of digital health management during the perioperative.
ObjectiveVideo electroencephalography (VEEG) monitoring for health education of elderly patients based on a process-based communication model, and explore the impact of this model on the success rate, negative emotions, nursing satisfaction, and active cooperation rate of such patients.MethodsFrom September 2017 to September 2019, 118 patients with suspected epilepsy, encephalitis and other diseases who required VEEG monitoring in Suining Central Hospital were selected for this study (patients aged 61 to 73 years; 54 males and 64 females). Patients were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method, 59 patients in each group.A group received routine nursing, and B group received health education based on the process communication model. The monitoring success rate, negative emotion, active cooperation rate, and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe total effective rate in the B group was 86.44%, which was significantly higher than 76.27% in the A group (P<0.05). After nursing intervention, the scores of anxiety and depression in the two groups were significantly decreased, but the decline was greater in the B group (P<0.05). The active cooperation rate and nursing satisfaction of the B group were significantly higher than those of the A group (P<0.05).ConclusionCompared with conventional nursing, health education based on process communication mode can significantly improve the success rate of VEEG monitoring in elderly patients, alleviate the negative emotions of patients, improve the active cooperation rate and nursing satisfaction.
Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of surgical biliary bypass on the elderly patients with unresectable pancreatic head cancer. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases with unresectable pancreatic head cancer treated with palliation methods from July 2002 to June 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to different age and therapeutic program: Nineteen patients, 65 years of age or older, were managed with surgical biliary bypass (group A), 19 patients under 65 years of age were treated by surgical biliary bypass (group B) and 17 patients with the age of 65 years or older received percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (group C). Then the therapeutic results were compared.Results With respect to the postoperative level of serum bilirubin, the incidence of early complications, postoperative hospitalization and mean survival time, no statistically significant difference was found between group A and B (Pgt;0.05). There was one case of recurrent jaundice and one case of gastric output obstruction in group B, while no one suffered postoperative complication in group A, and the difference was statistically significant (Plt;0.01). Compared with group A, the postoperative level of serum bilirubin, the number of patient readmitted, the rate of recurrent jaundice and gastric output obstruction were higher in group C (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01). The mean postoperative hospitalization and overall survival time were significantly shorter in group C than group A (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01, respectively). Conclusion Surgical palliation does not increase the morbidity rate, but it does improve the quality of life in elderly patients with unresectable pancreatic head cancer.
Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
Abstract: Objective To determine the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on postoperative recovery in elderly patients with esophageal cancer. Methods We included 100 elderly patients with esophageal cancer who were admitted at the PLA 100 Hospital between January 2006 and April 2010, and whose diagnoses were confirmed by pathological examination. The patients were divided into an early enteral nutrition (EEN) group and a parenteral nutrition (PN) group, with 50 patients in each group. There were 32 males and 18 females with an average age of 72 years in the EEN group. There were 30 males and 20 females with an average age of 69 years in the PN group. We analyzed the effect of the nutrition administration method on bowel function recovery, hospital stay, complication rate, and nutritional status one week after surgery. Results The anal exhaust time (45.3±12.7 h vs. 73.6±11.7 h), time until anal defecation (80.5 h±15.6 h vs. 140.1±13.2 h), and hospital stay (13.0±1.8 d vs. 15.2±3.3 d) in the EEN group were all shorter than those in the PN group (Plt;0.05). The rates of lung infection, anastomotic leakage, and cardiac complications in the EEN group were significantly lower than those of the PN group (Plt;0.05). One week after the operation, the serum albumin (ALB), peripheral blood lymphocytes, transferrin, and 24 h urea nitrogen (BUN) in the EEN group were higher than those in the PN group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Compared with parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition can promote metabolic function in elderly patients after recovery, reduce morbidity, and promote recovery.
ObjectiveTo compare the early clinical and radiographic outcomes of hemiarthroplasty by a minimal invasive Supercap approach and by a conventional approach for elderly displaced femoral neck fractures. MethodsBetween January and June 2015, 70 geriatric patients with displaced femoral neck fracture underwent cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty by minimally invasive Supercap approach (group A, n=35) or by posterolateral approach (group B, n=35). One patient was excluded from the study in group B because of too wide femur cavity. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, fracture cause, time from fracture to operation, fracture side, fracture classification, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), and hemoglobin-level between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, and complications were recorded. The early clinical evaluations included timed up and go test (TUG), hemoglobin-level, VAS score, and satisfaction. The anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films were taken to measure the stem alignment, difference in leg length, and difference in femoral offset. ResultsAll the patients were followed up 6-11 months (mean, 7.32 months). No patients died during follow-up. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The incision length of group A was significantly smaller than that of group B (P < 0.05). One patient had delayed union of incision in group A (2.86%); 2 patients had deep vein thrombosis in group B (5.88%); and there was no significant difference in the complication rate (χ2=0.764, P=0.512). The postoperative hemoglobin level showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Group A had lower VAS score and higher subjective satisfaction than group B, showing significant difference at 1, 5, and 14 days after operation (P < 0.05). The TUG of group A was significantly shorter than that of group B at 5, 14, and 30 days (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in femoral offset or leg length on the X-ray films (t=1.273, P=0.851; t=0.409, P=0.327). The good rate of stem alignment was 82.86% (29/35) in group A, and was 85.30% (29/34) in group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.584, P=0.497). ConclusionBoth minimal invasive Supercap approach and conventional posterolateral approach are effective and safe for elderly displaced femoral neck fractures in hemiarthroplasty. Supercap approach has the advantages of less trauma, pain relief, and improvement of mobility and rapid rehabilitation.