Patterns of inappropriate prescribing and clinical characteristics in patients at admission to an acute care of the elderly unit.

Purpose: Inappropriate prescribing (IP) is common among the elderly and is associated with adverse health outcomes. The role of different patterns of IP in clinical practice remains unclear. The aim of this study is to analyse the characteristics of different patterns of IP in hospitalized older adults.

Integrated health intervention on polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing in elderly people with multimorbidity: Results at the end of the intervention and at 6 months after the intervention.

Background And Objective: To analyse the impact of an integrated health intervention focused on polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing (IP) in elderly people with multimorbidity.

Material And Methods: Patients were referred for assessment and intervention from primary care or hospital to an interdisciplinary team composed of primary and hospital medical staff and nurses. Pharmacological assessment was centred on polypharmacy and IP using the STOPP/START criteria.

A risk score to predict the absence of left ventricular reverse remodeling: Implications for the timing of ICD implantation in primary prevention.

Background: A prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is only indicated when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reassessment remains ≤35% after 3-6 months on optimal pharmacological therapy. However, LVEF may not improve during this period and the patient may be exposed to an unnecessary risk of sudden cardiac death. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of the absence of left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after pharmacological treatment optimization in patients with HFrEF to design a risk score of absence of LVRR.

Geriatric Screening Tools to Select Older Adults Susceptible for Direct Transfer From the Emergency Department to Subacute Intermediate-Care Hospitalization.

Objectives: Early transfer to intermediate-care hospitals, low-tech but with geriatric expertise, represents an alternative to conventional acute hospitalization for selected older adults visiting emergency departments (EDs). We evaluated if simple screening tools predict discharge destination in patients included in this pathway.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Cohort study, including patients transferred from ED to the intermediate-care hospital Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili, Barcelona, during 14 months (2012-2013) for exacerbated chronic diseases.

Basal functional status predicts three-month mortality after a heart failure hospitalization in elderly patients - the prospective RICA study.

Background: Many elderly heart failure (HF) patients show some degree of functional impairment. The study aim was to evaluate the functional status of oldest-old cohort of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of decompensated (HF), and to analyze whether preadmission functional status predicts risk of 3-month mortality.

Methods: We analyzed 1431 elderly (≥ 75 years) patients prospectively included in the Spanish National Registry on HF (RICA).

Clinical characteristics and one-year survival in heart failure patients more than 85 years of age compared with younger.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is frequent in elderly patients, but few studies have focused on patients older than 84 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate major comorbidities and 1-year survival in HF patients aged ≥85 years compared with younger age groups.

Methods: Patients included in a prospective national registry of HF (RICA) were evaluated.

Age-related survival and clinical features in systemic sclerosis patients older or younger than 65 at diagnosis.

Objective: To analyse the differences in SSc clinical features and survival in patients aged > or = 65 years compared with young SSc patients.

Methods: Of a total of 319 SSc patients, we identified 67 (21%) patients aged >65 years. Demographical data such as SSc subsets, the cutaneous complaint, internal organ involvement and the causes of morbidity and mortality were collected.

Paraneoplastic vasculitis in patients with solid tumors: report of 15 cases.

Objective: To review all cases of concurrent vasculitis and solid tumors diagnosed at our Department over a 15-year period and explore evidence that would support the notion of vasculitis being a true paraneoplastic syndrome.

Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with vasculitis and solid tumors within 12 months of each other and prospectively followed until death or our report. We analyzed the main features and outcome of vasculitis in this setting.

[Usefulness of a new index for mortality after hospitalization in adults older than 70 years].

Background And Objective: Walter et al developed and validated a mortality prognostic index in older adults after hospitalization. Our objective was to evaluate the Walter index utility and to compare it with Charlson index and Barthel index in our population.

Patients And Method: 455 patients were included (224 men and 231 women), medium age was 81.