Age and ageing
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up to 80% of residents in aged care facilities (ACFs) experience pain, and previous studies have found that older patients with pain are often undertreated. Few studies have been conducted in Australia evaluating the use of analgesic therapy in ACF residents. ⋯ there is a need to optimise the prescribing and administration of regular paracetamol as a first line and continuing therapy for pain management in ACF residents, to potentially improve pain management and reduce opioid requirements. Furthermore, with the risk of falls and fractures increased by concurrent use of opioids and sedatives, the widespread use of these drugs in a population already at high risk was concerning, indicating a need for better education of health professionals in this area.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of functional tasks exercise on older adults with cognitive impairment at risk of Alzheimer's disease: a randomised controlled trial.
the aim of this study was to compare the effects of a functional tasks exercise programme to a cognitive training programme in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. ⋯ a functional tasks exercise programme is feasible for improving cognitive functions and functional status of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. This may serve as a cost-effective adjunct to the existing interventions for populations with mild cognitive impairment.
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accurate and practical assessment methods for assessing appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) is of clinical importance for the diagnosis of geriatric syndromes associated with skeletal muscle wasting. ⋯ we have developed and cross-validated novel anthropometric prediction equations against DEXA for the estimate of ASM designed for application in older orthopaedic patients. Our equation may be of use as an alternative to DEXA in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle wasting syndromes. Further validation studies are required to determine the clinical utility of our equation across other settings, including hip fracture patients admitted from residential care, and also with a longer-term follow-up.
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persistent pain is a major problem in older people, but little is known about older persons' opinion about the treatment of persistent pain. ⋯ physicians need to take a more active role in the process of recognising, assessing and controlling persistent pain in older people.
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hyponatraemia in orthopaedic patients is common but has been poorly investigated following surgery for traumatic hip fracture. The aims of this study were to define the incidence of new-onset post-operative hyponatraemia and to investigate associations between hyponatraemia and patient demographics, medication use and duration of hospital stay. ⋯ hyponatraemia after surgery for hip fracture is common and results in longer hospital stay. This study provides evidence that an average post-operative drop in serum sodium concentration should be expected in this patient group. Moreover, patients taking SSRI or PPI medications may be at increased risk of post-operative hyponatraemia.