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Level of medical intervention (LMI) has to be adapted to each patient in geriatric care. LMI scales intend to help nonintensive care (NIC) decisions, giving priority to patient choice and collegial discussion. In the present study, we aimed to assess the parameters associated with the NIC decision and whether these parameters differ from those associated with in-hospital mortality.Prospective observational study.All consecutive patients from a French 62-bed acute geriatric unit over 1 year.Factors from the geriatric assessment associated with the decision of NIC were compared with those associated with in-hospital and 1-year mortality, in univariate and multivariate analyses.In total, 1654 consecutive patients (median age 87 years) were included. Collegial reflection led to NIC decision for 532 patients (32%). In-hospital and 1-year mortality were 22% and 54% in the NIC group vs 2% and 27% in the rest of the cohort (P .001 for both). In multivariable analysis, high Charlson Comorbidity Index [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.23, per point], severe neurocognitive disorders (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.67-4.55), dependence (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.45-2.59), and nursing home residence (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.85-3.13) were highly associated with NIC decision but not with in-hospital mortality. Conversely, acute diseases had little impact on LMI despite their high short-term prognostic burden.Neurocognitive disorders and dependence were strongly associated with NIC decision, even though they were not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. The decision-making process of LMI therefore seems to go beyond the notion of short-term survival.

Because of heterogeneity of the elderly population and medical practices, the decision of admission of elderly patients (EP) in intensive care unit is more complex. This study aimed to determine the decision criteria for an early limitation of transfer in intensive care unit (ELTICU) of patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit. This retrospective study included, over a 10-month period, patients ≥75 years and hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit. They were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not an ELTICU decision was taken. In total, 906 EP were included among them 446 with no ELTICU decision. Univariate analysis showed a correlation between ELTICU and a Mini Mental Status score of less than 20/30. Malnutrition had no impact on ELTICU decision. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with an ELTICU decision were an age ≥ 85 years, an hospitalization in the last 6 months (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.72, Confidence Interval (CI) 95% [1.23-2.39]), life in a nursing home (OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.18-3.16]) and the presence of bedsore(s) (OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.20-4.98]). A null Charlson score was associated with the absence of an ELTICU decision (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.26-0.67]). Some criteria are shared between geriatricians, resuscitators and emergency physicians, while others are discordant, illustrating differences in physicians' practices.

Due to the diversity of the elderly population and medical practices, the decision to transfer elderly patients to an intensive care unit is complex. This study aimed to identify the criteria used to take an advance decision to limit transfer to an intensive care unit of patients hospitalised in an acute geriatric unit.This retrospective study included, over a ten-month period, patients75 years and hospitalised in an acute geriatric unit. They were divided into two groups according to whether or not an advanced decision to limit transfer to an intensive care unit had been taken.In total, 906 elderly patients were included in the study. Of them, 446 had no advance decision to limit transfer to an ICU. Univariate analysis showed a correlation between an advance decision to limit transfer to an ICU and a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of less than 20/30. Malnutrition had no impact on the advance decision. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with an advance decision to limit transfer to an ICU were an age 85 years, a hospitalisation in the last six months (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.72, Confidence Interval (CI) 95% [1.23-2.39]), residence in a nursing home (OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.18-0.16]) and the presence of bedsores (OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.20-0.98]). A zero Charlson score was associated with the absence of an advance decision to limit transfer to an ICU (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.26-0.67]).Some criteria are common to geriatricians, intensive care doctors and emergency physicians, while others are discordant, illustrating differences in physicians' practices.

Iron is involved in many types of metabolism, including oxygen transport in hemoglobin. Iron deficiency (ID), ie a decrease in circulating iron, can have severe consequences. We provide an update on iron metabolism and ID, highlighting the particularities in older adults (OAs). There are three iron compartments in the human body: 1) the functional compartment, which consists of heme proteins including hemoglobin, myoglobin and respiratory enzymes; 2) iron reserves (IR), which consist mainly of liver stocks and are stored as ferritin; and 3) transferrin. There are two types of ID. Absolute ID is characterized by a decrease in IR. Its main pathophysiological mechanism is bleeding, which is often digestive and can be due to neoplasia, frequent in OAs. Biological assessment shows low serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS) levels. Furthermore, hypochromic microcytic anemia is frequent, and the serum-soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) level is high. Functional ID, in which IR are high or normal, is due to inflammation, which is also frequent in OAs, particularly in its chronic form. Biological assessments show high serum ferritin, normal or low TS, and normal sTfR levels. Moreover, C-reactive protein is elevated, and there is moderate non-regenerative non-macrocytic anemia. The main characteristics of iron metabolism anomalies in the elderly are the high frequency of ID (20% of ID with anemia in adults ≥85 years) and the severity of its consequences, which include cognitive impairment in case of ID or iron overload and decrease of physical activity in case of ID. In conclusion, causes of ID are frequently intertwined in OAs as a result of the polymorbidity that characterizes them. ID can have dramatic consequences, especially in frail OAs. Thus, measuring the appropriate biological markers prevents errors in the positive diagnosis of ID type, clarifies etiology, and informs treatment-related decision-making.

Background: To understand the reasons for the lack of attractiveness of the Diploma of Specialized Studies (DSS) in Geriatrics (DSSG), we conducted a study to identify the factors influencing medical students’ choice of their future specialty. In addition, we assessed the impact of in-hospital training (IHT) in the departments of our geriatric center on the students’ choice of their future specialty.Methods: We included all students who passed an IHT course in the geriatric center of our university hospital between 1 May 2018 and 31 October 2018. The data were collected using a questionnaire in two parts: one given before the IHT and the other after. The students were classified into two groups: those considering a career in geriatrics before IHT (GDSSG+) and those not considering it (GDSSG−). Results: Seventy-four students, aged a mean 22 years, were included. Of these students, 26%, were considering the possibility of a career in geriatrics before the IHT course (GDSSG+). This rate significantly increased to 42% after IHT (p=0.04). However, none of the students in GDSSG+ preselected geriatrics as their first option; general medicine was the most frequent option.For more than 92% of the students, the comprehensive care of geriatric patients was an asset. The main drawbacks were diagnostic and therapeutic limitations for 60% of the students, and managing aging, disability, and major neurocognitive disorders (MNCD) for 55%. After IHT, the view of geriatrics improved by 74%.Conclusion: Geriatric IHT improves students' opinions of geriatrics and significantly increases the number of students considering a potential career in geriatrics. However, geriatrics still suffers from a lack of prestige.

International audience; Objective Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly prescribed to elderly people, but the epidemiologic data for this population remains scarce. We compared the elderly population taking DOACs and those not taking DOACs (noDOAC). Method We included individuals over 75 years old, affiliated to Mutualite Sociale Agricole of Burgundy (a French regional health insurance agency), who had been refunded for a prescribed DOAC between 1st and 30th September 2017. The DAOC group (DAOCG) and noDOAC group (noDOACG) were compared in terms of demographic conditions, registered chronic diseases (RCD), and number and types of prescribed drugs. In the DOACG, we compared the type of prescribing physician and laboratory monitoring for novel prescriptions (initial) and prescription refills (>= 3 months). Results Of the 19 798 included patients, 1518 (7.7%) were prescribed DAOCs and 18 280 (92.3%) were not. Mean and median age was 85 years in the 2 groups (DOACG and noDOACG). In the DOACG, there were more men (50% vs 40.2%), more RCD (88.9% vs 68.7%) and more drugs per prescription (6 +/- 2.8 vs 5 +/- 2.9) (All P < .01). The DOACG also took more antihypertensive drugs. The most commonly prescribed DOACs were apixaban (42.9%) followed by rivaroxaban (38.4%) and dabigatran (18.6%). Complete blood count, serum creatinine and coagulation function tests were requested for 69.4%, 75% and 22.2%, respectively, of patients prescribed DAOCs. Conclusions The DOACG had more RCD and drugs per prescription than the noDOACG; routine laboratory monitoring was insufficient. What's knownPlatelet aggregation inhibitors (low-dose) are recommended for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients suffering from symptomatic atherosclerosis. The main risk of this treatment is bleeding.A prescription for platelet aggregation inhibitors was found in 34% of geriatric inpatients in this prospective study. Compliance to guidelines was better for symptomatic peripheral artery disease than for primary prevention in accordance with recent publications. Geriatric comorbidities had no impact on the prescription of platelet aggregation inhibitors. Underuse of platelet aggregation inhibitors was observed in 11.3% of cases and overuse in 13.7% of cases.

To understand why students in the 2nd cycle of medical studies choose to complete a Diploma of Specialized Studies (DSS) in geriatrics, we conducted a study to identify the factors influencing the choice of a future specialty. In addition, we assessed the impact of clinical in-hospital training (CIHT) in a geriatric hospital on the students&rsquo, selection of their future specialty. We included all students who completed CIHT in the geriatric facility of our University Hospital between 1 May and 31 October 2018. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire: one part was given before CIHT and the other after. The students were classified into two groups: those considering a career in geriatrics (CIG) before CIHT, forming the group DSS geriatrics+ (GDSSG+), and those not considering it, constituting the group DSS geriatrics&minus, (GDSSG&minus, ). Seventy-four students aged 22 years old were included. Of these students, 26% were considering a CIG before CIHT. This rate increased significantly to 42% after CIHT (p = 0.04). However, none of the students who indicated that they were potentially interested in pursuing geriatrics before CIHT preselected geriatrics as their first option. For more than 92% of the students, the comprehensive care of geriatric patients was an asset. The main drawbacks were diagnostic and therapeutic limitations (60% of students), then managing aging, disability, and neurocognitive disorders (55% of students). After CIHT, the view of geriatrics improved by 74%. In conclusion, geriatric CIHT improves students&rsquo, opinions of geriatrics and increases the number of students considering a CIG. However, geriatrics still suffers from a lack of prestige.