Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
-
To characterize the distribution of an index of healthy aging-the Chinese Healthy Aging Index (CHAI)-in Chinese adults aged 60 and older according to sociodemographic characteristics and geographic region and to examine the association between the CHAI and mortality, disability, and functional limitation over 4 years. ⋯ Substantial variation exists in the CHAI according to sociodemographic characteristics and geographic regions. The CHAI could identify Chinese elderly adults with low risk of adverse outcomes and provide incremental value for risk prediction beyond clinically diagnosed comorbidities.
-
To evaluate physicians' views on advance care planning, goals of care, and end-of-life conversations. ⋯ With more than half of physicians reporting that they feel educationally unprepared, there medical school curricula need to be strengthened to ensure readiness for end-of-life conversations. Clinician barriers need to be addressed to meet the needs of older adults and families. Policies that focus on payment for quality should be evaluated at regular intervals to monitor their effect on advance care planning.
-
To compare the association between a restrictive transfusion strategy and cardiovascular complications during hospitalization for hip fracture with the association between a liberal transfusion strategy and cardiovascular complications, accounting for all transfusions from the emergency department to postacute rehabilitation settings. ⋯ A restrictive transfusion strategy in older adults with hip fracture was found to be safe and was associated with fewer cardiovascular complications but more transfusions in rehabilitation settings. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
-
Observational Study
Predictors of Mortality with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Elderly Adults.
To analyze risk factors for early and late mortality in individuals aged 75 and older with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in Italy. ⋯ Mortality is significantly higher in elderly than in younger adults with SAB, particularly in those presenting with septic shock, liver cirrhosis, or SAB due to MRSA. Additional risk factors for mortality included inappropriate empiric antibiotic treatment and not receiving an infectious disease consultation.