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Hung Manh Pham,1,2 Anh Phuong Nguyen,1,2 Huong Thi Thu Nguyen,3,4 Tam Ngoc Nguyen,3,4 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,3,4 Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,3,4 Huong Thi Thanh Nguyen,5,6 Anh Trung Nguyen,3,4 Quang Ngoc Nguyen,1,2 Giang Song Tran,1 Huyen Thi Thanh Vu3,4 1Vietnam National Heart Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 2Department of Cardiology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 3Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 4Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 5Physiology Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 6Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, 100000, VietnamCorrespondence: Anh Phuong Nguyen, Vietnam National Heart Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam, Tel +84 989314464, Email npa6@bachmai.edu.vnPurpose: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of frailty on in-hospital adverse outcomes and net adverse clinical events (NACE) in older patients with acute coronary syndrome.Patients and Methods: This observational study included elderly patients (≥ 60 years old), diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at admission from February 2021 to August 2021. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE) defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, and major bleeding. Secondary outcome was in-hospital adverse outcomes including arrhythmia, acquired pneumonia, stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Frailty was assessed using the Frail scale (FS). Data about socio-demographics, comorbidities, body mass index, ACS type, coronary angiography, left ventricular ejection fraction, and length of hospital stay were also collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to identify the potential association between frailty and outcomes.Results: Of the 116 ACS patients, 38 patients were frail (32.76%). Frail subjects were more often female (50%) and older (p < 0.01) and had higher rates of in-hospital adverse outcomes (OR = 2.37, p = 0.05) and NACE (OR = 7.12; p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, the increased frail score was significantly associated with increased odds of NACE (unadjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.17– 3.35 for each score increase in Frail Score). In multivariable logistic regression, models controlling for age, gender, PCI, LVEF, and coronary angiography (adjusted OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.12– 4.29 for each score increase in Frail Score).Conclusion: This study revealed the reference data of frailty assessment in older patients with ACS in Vietnam. Our result indicated that over 30% of ACS older patients presented with frailty which was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital adverse outcomes and NACE. This study also provided promising information about the simple FRAIL scale’s potential role in the risk stratification of older patients with ACS.Keywords: Frail scale, elderly, acute coronary syndrome

Huyen Thi Thanh Vu,1,2 Hue Thi Mai,3 Huong Thi Thu Nguyen,1,2 Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,1,2 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,1,2,4 Tam Ngoc Nguyen,1,2 Thang Pham,1,2 Lan Thi Mai Nguyen,1 Giang Thu Vu,5 Hai Quang Pham,6,7 Hai Thanh Phan,6,7 Bach Xuan Tran,3,8 Carl A Latkin,8 Cyrus SH Ho,9 Roger CM Ho,6,10,11 Anh Trung Nguyen1,2 1Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam; 5Center of Excellence in Evidence-Based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 6Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; 7Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; 8Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; 9Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; 10Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; 11Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeCorrespondence: Huong Thi Thu NguyenScientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, 1A Phuong Mai - Dong Da, Hanoi 100000, VietnamTel +84 973056334Email thuhuonglk@hmu.edu.vnPurpose: The high prevalence of chronic pain and difficulties in pain management in older people are challenging for healthcare providers globally. Patient satisfaction regarding pain management is one of the measures to assess efficacy of pain control as well as healthcare services. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the older patients’ satisfaction with pain management and its associated factors in Vietnam.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from May to October 2018. Face-to-face interviews were conducted on 495 older patients with chronic pain by using a structured questionnaire. The Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale (PTSS) was used to assess the level of satisfaction with pain management. A Tobit regression model was used to estimate factors associated with satisfaction toward pain management.Results: The mean total satisfaction score was 1.77 (SD= 0.22). Older patients were most satisfied with the aspect of side effects of pain relief medication (mean=0.66, SD=0.56). On the contrary, they were most dissatisfied with information provided about pain and its treatment and efficacy of pain relief medication. Outpatients were less satisfied with information provided, the impact of current medication and pain management in general compared to inpatients. The regression model showed that patients with severe pain tended to be more dissatisfied with pain management than those with no pain.Conclusion: This study indicated that the general satisfaction with chronic pain management in older patients was quite good especially in the aspect of pain medication’s side effects. However, dissatisfactory factors remained, including information provided about pain and efficacy of current pain medication. Intensive training regarding pain in geriatric care, health education communication for older people, and improved quality of medical services should be performed to ensure the quality of pain management, especially in the older population.Keywords: chronic pain, elderly, pain management, satisfaction, Vietnam

Tam Ngoc Nguyen,1,2 Anh Trung Nguyen,1,2 Long Quynh Khuong,3 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,1,2 Huong Thi Thu Nguyen,1,2 Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,1,2,4 Minh Van Hoang,3 Thang Pham,1,2 Tu Ngoc Nguyen,5 Huyen Thi Thanh Vu1,6 1Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam; 5Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 6Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Huyen Thi Thanh VuDepartment of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, 01 Ton That Tung, Dong Da, Hanoi, VietnamTel +84913531579Email vuthanhhuyen11@hmu.edu.vnBackground: The SARC-F questionnaire has been developed as a rapid diagnostic test that can be used to screen for sarcopenia.Aim: To investigate the reliability and validity of the Vietnamese version of SARC-F as a screening tool for sarcopenia in older patients in Vietnam.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in older people attending the outpatient clinics of the National Geriatric Hospital in Vietnam. Muscle mass (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), handgrip strength and gait speed were assessed. SARC-F was validated against the three standard criteria for sarcopenia: the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019) and European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2).Results: There were 764 participants (mean age 71.5 ± 8.9 years). The Vietnamese SARC-F questionnaire had a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.85). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 49.2% according to SARC-F and 48.3%, 61.1% and 52.6% according to FNIH, AWGS 2019 and EWGSOP2, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of SARC-F in identifying sarcopenia were 67.1% and 66.7% (for FINH), 66.7% and 67.1% (for AWGS 2019), and 64.9% and 68.2% (for EWGSOP2). The AUCs of SARC-F were 0.71– 0.72 against the three sarcopenia criteria.Conclusion: The Vietnamese version of SARC-F questionnaire has acceptable diagnostic value for sarcopenia. SARC-F could be used as an initial screening for sarcopenia in hospital clinics.Keywords: older patients, sarcopenia, SARC-F, Vietnam

Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,1–3 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,1,3 Thang Pham,1,3 Cuong Tat Nguyen,4 Giang Thu Vu,5 Long Hoang Nguyen,6 Bach Xuan Tran,7,8 Huyen Thi Thanh Vu,1,3 Carl A Latkin,8 Cyrus SH Ho,9 Roger CM Ho6,10 1Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Department of Gerontology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; 5Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 6Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 7Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 8Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; 9Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore; 10Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeCorrespondence: Thu Thi Hoai NguyenNational Geriatric Hospital, 1A Phuong Mai, Hanoi 100000, VietnamTel +84 96 284 1944Email nththu.bvlk@gmail.comPurpose and aim: The activity center (AC), an effective model for health support and health-related quality of life improvements for older people, has been operating for many years worldwide. This study aimed to assess the necessity of and preference for attending AC and its desired functions and facilities in elderly people in Vietnam.Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at parks and senior clubs, with 121 participants from 6 February to 20 April 2017, in Hanoi. The health status, preference, and willingness-to-pay for AC use of respondents were assessed.Results: Over 75% of respondents agreed to establish an AC for older people. Among them, approximately 71.7% were willing to pay a monthly fee for this center. Elderly individuals who obtain regular physical examination when feeling pain/discomfort and who were participating in clubs for elder people were more likely to agree to establish and pay for an AC. Meanwhile, women who have to take care of grandchildren, people who were saving money and people who had children working in organizations or who were freelancers were less likely to agree to establish and pay for AC.Conclusion: The results suggest the feasibility of establishment of ACs in Vietnam, with a high proportion of participants agreeing to such establishing and willing to pay for the AC.Keywords: activity center, older people, elderly, Vietnam

Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,1–3 Huyen Thi Thanh Vu,1,3 Tam Ngoc Nguyen,1,3 Huyen Thi Dao,3 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,1,3 Huong Thu Thi Nguyen,1,3 Anh Kim Dang,4 Anh Trung Nguyen,1,3 Thang Pham,1,3 Giang Thu Vu,5 Bach Xuan Tran,6,7 Carl A Latkin,7 Cyrus SH Ho,8 Roger C Ho9,101National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; 5Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam; 6Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 7Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; 8Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; 9Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 10Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporePurpose: Nutritional status is an important element for the wellness among older diabetic outpatients. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of the older diabetic outpatient by using the Mini-Nutrition Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) tool, and describe the relationship among related factors in older diabetic outpatients in the National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2015 in the National Geriatric Hospital. A total of 158 diabetic patients aged ≥60 years at the Outpatient Department were included in this study. Patients were interviewed face-to-face to evaluate their nutritional status by using the MNA-SF. Socio-demographic, diabetic treatment information, frailty, exhaustion, cognitive function, hand grip strength and 4 m walk test were collected. Multivariate regression was used to determine factors associated with nutritional status.Results: The mean age was 69.52 (SD=6.758) with 31% patients malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. A significant association was found between the nutritional status and exhaustion, cognitive impairment, and frailty. In multiple logistic regression, the study found that risk of malnutrition was associated with frailty (OR=8.45; 95%CI=1.91–37.39) and cognitive impairment (OR=2.21; 95%CI=1.01–4.84).Conclusion: The results suggest that frailty was significantly associated with risk of malnutrition in older diabetic outpatients. Thus, early screening by nutritional assessment, and other interventions might improve the nutritional status of older outpatients with diabetes to prevent this complication and its effects.Keywords: elderly, nutritional status, outpatients, Vietnam