Search

Age is becoming less of a consideration to aggressive medical and surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients older than 80 years showed similar gains from total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in terms of nutritional and inflammatory markers compared to patients 35 to 50 years old. A database of patients aged ≥80 years old (group 1) and patients between 35 and 50 (group 2), on TPN for greater than 1 week, was compiled from the Nutrition Support Service (NSS) database. Patients had C-reactive protein (CRP), prealbumin, and albumin drawn twice weekly. Patients were matched 1:1 based on gender, diabetes, smoking, Subjective Global Assessment score, and diagnosis. Both groups showed comparable improvements in nutritional and inflammatory markers. There were no statistically significant differences in weekly changes to prealbumin, albumin, CRP, and CRP:prealbumin (C:P) ratio between group 1 and group 2 patients. Both groups had similar complication rates (line-related thrombosis, catheter-related bloodstream infections, intra-abdominal sepsis), days on TPN, length of hospitalization, and mortality rate. Patients older than 80 years benefit from aggressive nutritional support by administration of TPN. Age should not be used as an exclusion criterion for patients requiring TPN.

The purpose of this survey is to generate baseline data on the level of HIV infection awareness and willingness to participate (WTP) in hypothetical vaccine trials, ahead of any trial conduct in Nigeria. In a cross-sectional survey, 500 respondents were interviewed, including sex workers, male motorcycle taxi drivers, students, and the general public. About 153 (30.6%) of the respondents did not believe that correct and consistent use of condom can protect people from getting HIV, while about 66 (13.2%) respondents believed it is possible to get HIV by sharing meal with an infected person. Population groups considered at high risk for HIV were less aware of the disease, however, they were more willing to participate in HIV vaccine trials compared those at low risk of the disease. A total of 55% expressed WTP in a hypothetical vaccine trial after they were informed about it. Age, population group, and ethnicity were significantly associated with WTP.

Prosanta Mondal,1 John A Gjevre,2 Regina M Taylor-Gjevre,3 Hyun J Lim11Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, 2Division of Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, 3Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaBackground: Sleep health questionnaires are often employed as a first assessment step for sleep pathology. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) are two commonly employed questionnaire instruments. Aspects of sleep health may be measured differently depending on choice of instrument.Objectives: In a patient population at high risk for sleep disorders, referred for polysomnography (PSG), we evaluated the level of association between results from these two instruments. Questionnaire results were also compared with measured PSG parameters.Methods: Records of patients undergoing overnight PSG in the sleep laboratory between February–June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were met by 236 patients. PSQI and ESS scores, demographic information, and PSG data were extracted from each record for analysis. Four subgroups based on normal/abnormal values for ESS and PSQI were evaluated for between-group differences.Results: Of 236 adult participants, 72.5% were male, the mean age was 52.9 years (13.9), mean body mass index (BMI) 34.4 kg/m2 (8.3), mean ESS 9.0 (4.8; range: 0–22), PSQI mean 8.6 (4.2; range: 2–19). The Pearson correlation coefficient was r = 0.13 (P = 0.05) for association between ESS and PSQI. Participants with an abnormal ESS were more likely to have an abnormal PSQI score (odds ratio 1.9 [1.1–3.6]; P = 0.03). Those with an abnormal ESS had higher BMI (P = 0.008) and higher apnea–hypopnea indexes (AHI) (P = 0.05). Differences between the four subgroups were observed for BMI and sex proportions, but not for AHI.Conclusions: We observed limited association between these two commonly used questionnaire instruments, the ESS and the PSQI. These two questionnaires appear to evaluate different aspects of sleep. In terms of clinical application, for global assessment of patients with sleep problems, care should be taken to include instruments measuring different facets of sleep health.Keywords: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, polysomnography, sleep disorders