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Background: Statins are progressively accepted as being associated with reduced mortality. However, few real-world statin studies have been conducted on statin use in older people and especially the most frail, that is, the nursing home residents. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of statin intake in nursing home residents on all-cause mortality. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 1,094 older people residing in 6 nursing homes in Flanders (Belgium) between March 1, 2020 and May 30, 2020. We considered all residents who were taking statins for at least 5 days as statin users. All-cause mortality during the 3 months of data collection was the primary outcome. Propensity score overlap-weighted logistic regression models were applied with age, sex, functional status, diabetes, and cardiac failure/ischemia as potential confounders. Results: 185 out of 1,094 residents were on statin therapy (17%). The statin intake was associated with decreased all-cause mortality: 4% absolute risk reduction; adjusted odds ratio 0.50; CI 0.31–0.81, p = 0.005. Conclusions: The statin intake was associated with decreased all-cause mortality in older people residing in nursing homes. More in-depth studies investigating the potential geroprotector effect of statins in this population are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual violence (SV) is linked to mental health problems in adulthood and old age. However, the extent of sexual victimisation in old age psychiatry patients is unknown. Due to insufficient communication skills in both patients and healthcare workers, assessing SV in old age psychiatry patients is challenging. Aims: To assess lifetime and sexual victimisation in the past 12‐months, correlates and SV disclosure in an old age psychiatry population. Methods: Between July 2019 and March 2020, 100 patients at three old age psychiatry wards across Flanders participated in a face‐to‐face structured interview receiving inpatient treatment. The participation rate was 58%. We applied the WHO definition of SV, encompassing sexual harassment, sexual abuse with physical contact without penetration, and (attempted) rape. Results: In 57% of patients (65% F, 42% M) SV occurred during their lifetime and 7% (6% F, 9% M) experienced SV in the past 12‐months. Half of the victims disclosed their SV experience for the first time during the interview. Only two victims had disclosed SV to a mental health care professional before. Conclusions: Sexual victimisation appears to be common in old age psychiatry patients, yet it remains largely undetected. Although victims did reveal SV during a face‐to‐face interview to a trained interviewer, they do not seem to spontaneously disclose their experiences to mental health care professionals. In order to provide tailored care for older SV victims, professionals urgently need capacity building through training, screening tools and care procedures. Key Points: Sexual victimisation appears to be common in old age psychiatry patients. Over 57% of patients experienced sexual violence (SV) during their lifetime, 7.3% in the past 12‐monthsSexual victimisation remains largely undetected in old age psychiatry patients. Only two victims had disclosed SV to a mental health care professional before the interviewVictims did reveal SV during a face‐to‐face interview to a trained interviewer. Half of the victims disclosed SV for the first time during the interviewTo better detect signs, prevent, mitigate and respond to SV in old age psychiatry patients, professionals urgently need capacity building through training, detection tools and care procedures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Elderly hospitalized patients have low survival rates after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially in the long term. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status on acute geriatric wards and the characteristics of the preceding decision-making process. Methods. On all 94 geriatric wards in Flanders, Belgium (2002), the geriatrician who performed the bulk of clinical work was asked to fill in a retrospective structured mail questionnaire. Results. The response rate was 72.3%. A DNR status was attributed to 20.3% of patients. A significant higher prevalence of patients with DNR status was found on wards with a geriatrician who had been active in patient care for 15 years or less and on wards with a DNR policy. Mostly, DNR status was attributed when the patient's condition declined (34.0%) or became critical (29.0%). Geriatricians consulted at least one person in 81.0% of the cases: (head) nurses in 72.2%, next of kin in 61.9%, the patient's general practitioner in 22.6%, and the patient him- or herself in 15.7%. Reasons stated to make a DNR decision were the prognosis (68.1%) and the physical condition of the patient (62.2%). Age was mentioned in only 21.1% of the cases, always in combination with other reasons. Conclusions. One fifth of patients on acute geriatric wards in Flanders have DNR status. The decision to attribute DNR status is most often made late in the course of the disease. (Head) nurses and the patient's next of kin are often consulted, the patient and his or her general practitioner rarely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the nursing and medical interventions performed in the last 48 hours of life and the quality of dying of patients dying in acute geriatric hospital wards.Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. Twenty-three acute geriatric wards in 13 hospitals in Flanders, Belgium. Patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours before dying in the participating wards. Structured after-death questionnaires, filled out by the nurse, the physician, and the family carer most involved in end-of-life care. Main outcome measures were several nursing and medical interventions reported to be performed in the last 48 hours of life and the quality of dying.Results: Of 993 patients, we included 338 (mean age 85.7 years; 173 women). Almost 58% had dementia and nearly half were unable to communicate in the last 48 hours of their life. The most frequently continued or started nursing and medical interventions in the last 48 hours of life were measuring temperature (91.6%), repositioning (83.3%), washing (89.5%), oxygen therapy (49.7%), and intravenous fluids and nutrition (30%). Shortness of breath, lack of serenity, lack of peace, and lack of calm were symptoms reported most frequently by nurses and family carers.Conclusion: Many nursing and medical interventions are continued or started in the last hours of a patient's life, which may not always be in their best interests. Furthermore, patients dying in acute geriatric wards are often affected by several symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]