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Author(s): M Díaz de Bustamante [1]; T Alarcón [1, 2, 3]; R Menéndez-Colino [1, 2]; R Ramírez-Martín [1]; Á Otero [2, 3, 4]; J I González-Montalvo [1, 2, 3] Introduction [...], Backgrounds/objectives: Malnutrition is very common in acute hip fracture (HF) patients. Studies differ widely in their findings, with reported prevalences between 31 and 88% mainly because of small sample sizes and the use of different criteria. The aim of this study was to learn the prevalence of malnutrition in a large cohort of HF patients in an comprehensive way that includes the frequency of protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia. Subjects/methods: A 1-year consecutive sample of patients admitted with fragility HF in a 1300-bed public University Hospital, who were assessed within the first 72 h of admission. Clinical, functional, cognitive and laboratory variables were included. Energy malnutrition (body mass index (BMI) [less than] 22 kg/m[sup.2]), protein malnutrition (serum total protein [less than] 6.5 g/dl or albumin [less than] 3.5 g/dl), vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-OH-vitamin D [less than] 30 ng/dl) and sarcopenia (low muscle mass plus low grip strength) were considered. Results: Five hundred nine HF patients were included. The mean age was 85.6[+ or -]6.9 years and 79.2% were women. Ninety-nine (20.1%) patients had a BMI [less than] 22 kg/m[sup.2]. Four hundred nine patients (81.2%) had protein malnutrition. Eighty-seven (17.1%) patients had both energy and protein malnutrition. Serum vitamin D was [less than] 30 ng/ml in 466 (93%) patients. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 17.1%. Conclusions: Protein malnutrition and vitamin D deficiency are the rule in acute HF patients. Energy malnutrition and sarcopenia are also common. A nutritional assessment in these patients should include these aspects together. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2018) 72, 77-81; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.72; published online 17 May 2017

Competing Interests: Conflicto de intereses Los autores declaran no tener ningún conflicto de intereses.

Purpose: Analyse the influence of the nutritional status of older patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery on postoperative complications, mortality and mean length of hospital stay., Methods: We performed a longitudinal observational study including patients older than 80 years who underwent emergency surgery by the general surgery service for abdominal pathology, who were followed by the geriatrics service between September 2018 and May 2021. Malnutrition was diagnosed using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, classifying patients as malnourished and normonourished. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on patients, and postoperative complications, mean length of hospital stay and mortality in-hospital were recorded., Results: 131 patients were included, 84 of them were malnourished and 47 normonourished. Mean age was 86±4.7 years. Malnourished patients had higher incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR]: 6.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-27.6, p<0.05), urinary tract infection (OR 4.72, 95% CI: 1.02-21.95, p<0.05) and bacteraemia (OR 3.51, 95% CI: 1.14-11.1, p<0.05), compared with normonourished patients. Surgical complications were more frequent in malnourished patients (OR 3.34, 95% CI: 1.5-7.44, p<0.05). Mean length of hospital stay in malnourished patients was longer (22.6 (±14.1)) compared with normonourished patients (15.3 (±11.9)) (p<0.005)., Conclusion: Malnutrition in older patients (mean age 86 years old) undergoing emergency abdominal surgery is associated with a poorer clinical course; thus, it must be considered in the evaluation and follow-up of these patients., (Copyright © 2024 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is still limited evidence on the results of prehabilitation in very old frail patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes and course of octogenarian and nonagenarian patients undergoing prehabilitation before surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods : a prospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital from 2018 to 2022. All patients diagnosed with CRC over 80 years old and proposed for surgery were included. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for frailty detection was performed, and the therapeutic decision was taken by the multidisciplinary tumor committee. Prehabilitation led by the geriatric team was performed. The rate of medical and surgical complications, hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and first-year mortality were recorded. Results : CRC surgery was proposed in 184 patients >80 years. After a multidisciplinary decision, surgery was performed on 126 (68.5%) patients, of whom 12 (0.5%) were nonagenarians. Fifty percent of octogenarians and 86% of nonagenarians were frail. Prehabilitation consisted of the following: adapted physical exercise (100%); oral nutritional supplementation (73.8%); anemia treatment (59.5%); delirium prevention (5.6%); antidepressant treatment (15.9%); vitamin D supplementation (21.4%); and pharmacological deprescription (38.1%). The post-surgical complication rate was low (4.3% surgical and 29.4% medical complications), and in-hospital mortality was very low (3.2%). Nonagenarian patients had a higher rate of complications compared to octogenarians (OR 4.0 (95% CI 1.13-14.12))-mainly heart failure (OR 4.68 (95% CI 1.21-18.09))-but there were no differences in hospital stay or first-year mortality. Conclusions : prehabilitation in very old patients with CRC surgery is possible and provides good results.

Objectives: The main objective was to analyze the evolution of muscle of the Quadriceps Rectus Femoris (QRF) between admission and discharge, in older adults hospitalized with an acute medical disease in Acute Geriatric Units (AGUs)., Design: Prospective multicentric observational cohort study., Setting: Seven AGUs from University Hospitals in Spain., Participants: Hospitalized adults ≥ 70 years old, able to ambulate and without severe dementia., Measurements: Ultrasound measurements of QRF were acquired at 2/3 distal between anterior-superior iliac spine and patella in both legs by trained Geriatricians. Ultrasound Chison model ECO2 was used. QRF area, thickness, edema, echogenicity, and fasciculations were measured., Results: From the complete sample (n = 143), in 45 (31.5%) participants, ultrasound images were classified as non-valid by an expert radiologist. Mean age was 87.8 (SD 5.4). Mean hospital stay 7.6 days (SD 4.3). From those with valid images, 36 (49.3%), 2 (2.7%), and 35 (47.9%) presented a decrease, equal values, or an increase in QRF area from baseline to discharge, respectively, and 37 (50.0%), 2 (2.7%), and 35 (47.3%) presented a decrease, equal values, or an increase in QRF thickness, respectively. 26 (35.6%) presented a decrease in more than 0.2 cm 2 of QRF area, and 23 (31.1%) a decrease in more than 0.1 cm of QRF thickness. Only 4 (5.4%) patients presented new edema, while 13 (17.6%) worsened echogenicity., Conclusion: One third of older adults develop significant muscle loss during a hospitalization for acute medical diseases., Trial Registration Number: NCT05113758., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Measurement of muscle mass and function, and thereafter, screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia, is a challenge and a need in hospitalized older adults. However, it is difficult in complex real-world old patients, because usually they are unable to collaborate with clinical, functional, and imaging testing. Ultrasound measurement of quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF) provides a non-invasive, real-time assessment of muscle quantity and quality, and is highly acceptable to participants with excellent inter-rater and intra-rater variability. However, normative data, protocol standardization, and association with longitudinal outcomes, needs further research and consensus., Methods: Prospective exploratory multicenter study in older adults admitted to Acute Geriatric Units (AGUs) for medical reasons. 157 subjects from 7 AGUs of Spain were recruited between May 2019 and January 2022. Muscle ultrasound measurements of the anterior vastus of the QRF were acquired on admission and on discharge, using a previously validated protocol, using a Chieson model ECO2 ultrasound system (Chieson Medical Technologies, Co. Ltd, Wimxu District Wuxi, Jiangsu, China). Measurements included the cross-sectional area, muscle thickness in longitudinal view, intramuscular central tendon thickness, echogenicity, and the presence or absence of edema and fasciculations. Functional, nutritional, and DXA measurements were provided. Clinical follow-up was completed at discharge, and 30 and 90 days after discharge. Variations between hospital admission and discharge ultrasound values, and the relationship with clinical variables, will be analyzed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, or Mc Nemar chi-square tests when necessary. Prevalence of sarcopenia will be calculated, as well as sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound measurements to determine sarcopenia. Kappa analysis will be used to analyze the concordance between measurements, and sensitivity analysis will be conducted for each participating center., Discussion: The results obtained will be of great interest to the scientific geriatric community to assess the utility and validity of ultrasound measurements for the detection and follow-up of sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults, and its association with adverse outcomes., Trial Registration: NCT05113758. Registration date: November 9 th 2021. Retrospectively registered., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To describe a perioperative cross-speciality geriatrics program for patients aged >80 years with colorectal cancer (CRC), aimed to detect and manage frailty and to understand its influence on clinical outcomes., Materials and Methods: Patients aged >80 years with CRC and proposed for surgery were included from October 2018 to March 2020. Comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) were performed. Patients were classified according to the estimated physiological reserve, from fit, frail patients and even the disabled: CGA-1, CGA-2, CGA-3, and CGA-4. Individualised treatment was adapted to each patient's situation. Patients who underwent surgery were followed up by a geriatrician. The presence of complications, length of stay, hospital readmissions at 30 days, and short- and long-term mortality were recorded., Results: Seventy-four patients were included. The mean age was 84.5 ± 4.5 years. 55.4% patients were classified as CGA-1, 24.3% as CGA-2, 16.2% as CGA-3, and 4.1% as CGA-4. No CGA-4 patient was operated on. Frail (CGA-2 and CGA-3) patients had higher medical complications (50% vs 21.2%, p < 0.05) and delirium (30% vs 9.1%, p < 0.05) than fit patients (CGA-1). They also had higher rates of surgical complications (20% vs 15.2%), longer hospital stay (10 ± 6.2 vs 8.4 ± 4.2 days), 30-day readmissions (15% vs 6.3%), and mortality at six (10% vs 3%) and twelve months (20% vs 6.1%), although it was not statistically significant., Conclusion: CGA and prehabilitation can classify patients according to their frailty status, support clinicians in decision-making to achieve tailored treatment, and detect clinical conditions for intervention in multiple domains of health in the perioperative period., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the efficiency of «Cross-speciality Geriatrics» program in patients older than 80 years admitted to the Colorectal Pathology Unit of a General Surgery Department., Material and Methods: A «before-after» study was conducted. The initial period (usual treatment for General Surgery) included patients admitted from 1 st January to 31 st August 2018, and the subsequent period (with support from geriatrics) from 1 st January to 31 st December 2019. Two types of patients were studied: Type 1, who were admitted to the Emergency Department, and Type 2, programmed admissions for colorectal cancer intervention. The Geriatrics intervention consisted of daily monitoring in the ward, collaboration in clinical management, and discharge planning. Furthermore, in Type 2 patients, a previous visit was made in the clinic, which included the detection and approach of frailty and pre-habilitation for surgery., Results: A total of 175 patients were included, of whom 53 were treated by General Surgery and 122 with the co-management of geriatrics. The mean age was 84.9 years (SD 4.8). In the period with the Cross-speciality Geriatrics program, the mean stay was reduced by 10.6 days (39%), and 8.5 days (44%) in types 1 and 2, respectively (P < .01). This led to a decrease in bed occupancy (3.3 beds/day) and a cost reduction (1,215,970 € / year)., Conclusions: The support of Cross-speciality Geriatrics in patients older than 80 years admitted to General Surgery is an efficient care model. These data support its implementation in hospitals where this care line has not yet been developed., (Copyright © 2020 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Increasing numbers of older persons are being treated by specialties other than Geriatric Medicine. Specialists turn to Geriatric Teams when they need to accurately stratify their patients' risk and prognosis, predict the potential impact of their, often, invasive interventions, optimise their clinical status, and contribute to discharge planning. Oncology and Haematology, Cardiology, General Surgery, and other surgical departments are examples where such collaborative working is already established, to a varying extent. The use of the term "Cross-speciality Geriatrics" is suggested when geriatric care is provided in clinical areas traditionally outside the reach of Geriatric Teams. The core principles of Geriatric Medicine (comprehensive geriatric assessment, patient-centred multidisciplinary targeted interventions, and input at point-of-care) are adapted to the specifics of each specialty and applied to frail older patients in order to deliver a holistic assessment/treatment, better patient/carer experience, and improved clinical outcomes. Using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment methodology and Frailty scoring in such patients provides invaluable prognostic information, helps in decision making, and enables personalised treatment strategies. There is evidence that such an approach improves the efficiency of health care systems and patient outcomes. This article includes a review of these concepts, describes existing models of care, presents the most commonly used clinical tools, and offers examples of excellence in this new era of geriatric care. In an ever ageing population it is likely that teams will be asked to provide Cross-specialty Geriatrics across different Health Care systems. The fundamentals for its implementation are in place, but further evidence is required to guide future development and consolidation, making it one of the most important challenges for Geriatrics in the coming years., (Copyright © 2019 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hospital occupancy rate by older patients is high, and it will be even higher in the future. Their hospital stay is usually longer, making it important for hospitals to develop structures with the best efficiency possible., Method: Hospital discharges of patients older than 75years with the 15 most frequent Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) in Geriatrics were recorded during a 5-year period in a 1,200-bed hospital. Length of stay was compared between the two acute geriatric units (AGU), one in the general hospital (GH) and another in an affiliate hospital (AH), as well as with the rest of departments., Results: A total of 14,948 discharged patients were included. Length of stay was 2.9 (25%) days shorter in AGU units than in the rest of departments. Differences were 22% (9.2 vs 11.7days) in 2011, 16% (9.3 vs 11.1days) in 2012, 21% (9.3 vs 11.1days) in 2013, 34% (7.4 vs 11.1days) in 2014, and 25% (8.3 vs 11days) in 2015 in the GH. Differences were 18% (10.4 vs 12.7days) in 2011, 19% (9.5 vs 11.7days) in 2012, 25% (8.8 vs 11.7days) in 2013, 24% (8.8 vs 11.6days) in 2014, and 32% (9 vs 13.1days) in 2015 at the AH, all of them with a P<.05., Conclusions: AGU are 25% more efficient than the rest of hospital departments in managing hospital admissions of patients older than 75years., (Copyright © 2018 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the patient characteristics that predict 1-year mortality after a hip fracture (HF)., Methods: All patients admitted consecutively with fragility HF during 1 year in a co-managed orthogeriatric unit of a university hospital (FONDA cohort) were assesed. Baseline and admission demographic, clinical, functional, analytical and body-composition variables were collected in the first 72 h after admission. A protocol designed to minimize the consequences of the HF was applied. One year after the fracture patients or their carers were contacted by telephone to ascertain their vital status., Results: A total of 509 patients with a mean age of 85.6 years were included. One-year mortality was 23.2%. The final multivariate model included 8 independent mortality risk factors: age >85 years, baseline functional impairment in basic activities of daily living, low body mass index, cognitive impairment, heart disease, low hand-grip strength, anaemia at admission, and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D deficiency. The association of several of these factors greatly increased mortality risk, with an OR (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 5.372 (3.227-8.806) in patients with 4 to 5 factors, and an OR (95% CI) of 11.097 (6.432-19.144) in those with 6 or more factors., Conclusions: In addition to previously known factors (such as age, impairment in basic activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, malnutrition and anaemia at admission), other factors, such as muscle strength and hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D deficiency, are associated with greater 1-year mortality after a HF., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hip fracture (HF) is by far the most common serious fragility fracture. Its care is a major challenge to all healthcare systems., Aim: To determine whether there are characteristics of older people identified via comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) that help identify those with an increased risk of HF., Methods: The demographic, functional, cognitive and nutritional data of a cohort of patients admitted for acute HF were compared with those of a population cohort representing community-dwelling older people in the same urban district without HF. Bivariate analysis was performed on the variables in both the complete samples and in a subsample of age and sex paired subjects, followed by logistic regression analysis., Results: A total of 509 HF patients and 1315 community-dwelling older people were included. The HF patients were older and more frequently women and had more frequent disability and cognitive impairment, lower handgrip strength, lower body mass index (BMI) and a higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency compared with the community controls (P < 0.001). The variables most strongly associated with the presence of HF in the multivariate analysis, aside from age and female sex, were BMI<22 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) = 5.11], disability (OR = 4.32), muscle weakness (OR = 3.01), and vitamin D deficiency (OR = 2.13)., Conclusions: There are easily obtained CGA determinants that are strongly associated with fragility HF. The detection of low weight, disability, malnutrition, muscle weakness, and vitamin D deficiency can help identify at-risk older people to implement prevention strategies., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)