Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To determine the association of the frailty phenotype with subsequent healthcare costs and utilization. ⋯ Intermediate stage and frail older community-dwelling women had higher subsequent total healthcare costs and utilization after accounting for multimorbidity and functional limitations. Frailty phenotype assessment may improve identification of older adults likely to require costly, extensive care.
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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.
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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.
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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.