Assessing the effect of anthocyanins through diet and supplementation on cognitive function in older adults at risk for dementia: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Promising evidence is emerging for the procognitive, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of dietary flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins that provide red, purple and blue plant pigments.

Methods And Analysis: The 'Food for Thought' study is a multicentre, 6-month randomised, parallel 3-arm clinical trial. Its primary aim is to investigate whether anthocyanin consumption, either through diet or supplementation, can prevent memory loss progression and improve inflammatory and cardiovascular health in older adults at risk for dementia.

Predictability of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in preoperative elderly hip fracture patients for post-operative short-term complications: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker of systemic inflammatory response. We investigated predictability of NLR for early adverse outcome after surgery for hip fracture in elderly population.

Methods: We reviewed a total of 971 elderly patients with hip fracture who underwent emergency surgery between January 2017 and July 2020 in the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery at the Wollongong Hospital.

Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Neurobiological, Behavioral, and Psychological Symptoms in Early-Stage Dementia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol.

The slowing of disease progression in dementia in the early stages of diagnosis is paramount to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed and their support networks. Accumulating evidence suggests that CBD, a constituent of , is associated with neuroprotective, neuroendocrine, and psychotherapeutic effects, suggesting that it may be beneficial to dementia treatment. However, no published human study to date has examined this possibility.

Food anthocyanins decrease concentrations of TNF-α in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized, controlled, double blind clinical trial.

Background & Aims: Vascular function, blood pressure and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of major chronic diseases, including both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study investigated the effects of food anthocyanins on microvascular function, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and inflammatory biomarkers in older adults with MCI.

Methods And Results: Thirty-one participants with MCI [19 female, 12 male, mean age 75.

Under-coding of dementia and other conditions indicates scope for improved patient management: A longitudinal retrospective study of dementia patients in Australia.

Background: Under-coding of dementia during hospitalisation results in an inability to identify all patients with dementia using hospital administrative data. Clinical coding can be viewed as a proxy for management; therefore, under-coding indicates dementia was not considered in the patient's management. While under-coding of dementia is well established, there is sparse evidence on whether dementia is coded in subsequent hospitalisations among patients with a known diagnosis.

Hospitalisation for medication misadventures among older adults with and without dementia: A 5-year retrospective study.

Objectives: To compare rates and trends in hospital admissions due to medication misadventure for older adults (≥65 years) with and without dementia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of hospital admissions that occurred between 2012 and 2016, for medication misadventures among older adults living in regional Australia.

Results: Medication misadventures contributed to 10 555 (4.

Evaluation of the impact of a post-hospital discharge Transitional Aged Care Service on frailty, malnutrition and functional ability.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between nutritional status, functional ability and frailty in older adults participating in a 12-week Transitional Aged Care Service program.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a clinical cohort of older adults aged 65+ years after hospital discharge. At entry into the program and at completion, nutritional status was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), frailty status was measured using the Groningen Frailty Indicator and functional ability was measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI).

Breakthrough Medication in Unresponsive Palliative Care Patients: Indications, Practice, and Efficacy.

Context: An unresponsive patient's need and their response to breakthrough medication is determined by clinical assessment and/or observational measures. How closely these methods match the patient's experience is unknown.

Objectives: Determine the efficacy and effectiveness of breakthrough medication in unresponsive patients and the perception of patient comfort made by nurses and family.

Qualitative study of patients and health-care professionals' views on the efficacy of the nutrition as medication oral nutrition supplement program.

Aim: The use of concentrated oral nutrition supplements dispensed in small volumes throughout the day at medication rounds is a common nutrition support strategy. Often termed 'Nutrition as Medication' or NAM, it is associated with excellent rates of patient consumption. However, administration of NAM has been described as suboptimal.

Feasibility of home-based dietetic intervention to improve the nutritional status of older adults post-hospital discharge.

Aim: To determine if a model of home-based dietetic care improves dietary intake and weight status in a specific group of older adults post-hospitalisation.

Methods: The Department of Veterans' Affairs clients aged 65 years and over were recruited from hospitals in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia (n = 32 men, n = 36 women). Nutritional status was assessed at home at baseline (within two weeks post-discharge) and three months post-discharge using a diet history, a food frequency checklist and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Correlation Between Observational Scales of Sedation and Comfort and Bispectral Index Scores.

Context: When palliative care patients enter the phase of unconsciousness preceding death, it is standard practice to initiate or continue a subcutaneous infusion of an opioid plus or minus a sedative. The doses are determined somewhat empirically and adjustments are based on clinical assessment and observational measures of sedation and comfort. Following reports that these observational measures could be misleading, this study assesses their validity by comparing them with an objective measure of sedation, the Bispectral Index Score (BIS).

Factors influencing deprescribing for residents in Advanced Care Facilities: insights from General Practitioners in Australia and Sweden.

Background: General Practitioners (GPs) are responsible for primary prescribing decisions in most settings. Elderly patients living in Advanced Care Facilities (ACFs) often have significant co-morbidities to consider when selecting an appropriate drug therapy. Careful assessment is required when considering appropriate medication use in frail older patients as they have multiple diseases and thus multiple medication.

Efficacy of a progressive resistance exercise program to increase toe flexor strength in older people.

Background: Reduced toe flexor strength is an independent predictor of falls in older people. However it is unknown whether strengthening programs can restore toe flexor strength in older individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a progressive resistance training program, focused specifically on the foot muscles, could improve toe flexor strength in community-dwelling older people.

Barricades and brickwalls--a qualitative study exploring perceptions of medication use and deprescribing in long-term care.

Background: The co-administration of multiple drugs (polypharmacy) is the single most common cause of adverse drug events in the older population, and residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at particularly high risk of medication harm. 'Deprescribing'--the withdrawal of an inappropriate medication with goal of managing polypharmacy and improving outcomes--may improve the quality of life of LTCF residents. The RELEASE study sought to explore perceptions of medication use and the concept of deprescribing in LTCFs.

Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia.

Purpose: Dietary flavonoids, including anthocyanins, may positively influence cognition and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of dementia. We aimed to assess whether daily consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice changed cognitive function in older adults with dementia. Blood pressure and anti-inflammatory effects were examined as secondary outcomes.

Feasibility of implementing routine nutritional screening for older adults in Australian general practices: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Nutrition screening in older adults is not routinely performed in Australian primary care settings. Low awareness of the extent of malnutrition in this patient group, lack of training and time constraints are major barriers that practice staff face. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of including a validated nutrition screening tool and accompanying nutrition resource kit for use with older patients attending general practice.

Development and pilot testing of a decision aid for drivers with dementia.

Background: An increasing number of older adults drive automobiles. Given that the prevalence of dementia is rising, it is necessary to address the issue of driving retirement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how a self-administered decision aid contributed to decision making about driving retirement by individuals living with dementia.

Development and evaluation of the REACH (recognise end of life and care holistically) out in dementia toolkit.

Aim: To identify evidence based signs and symptoms indicative of end stage dementia, and develop the REACH toolkit as an aid for staff to consider a palliative approach.

Method: A systematic literature review was conducted of policy, position documents, guidelines and publications from 1988 to 2011. Inclusion criteria were any report or article identifying the signs and symptoms of end stage dementia which were associated with increased mortality and morbidity.

'We are all time poor' -- is routine nutrition screening of older patients feasible?

Background: Despite clinical guidelines that recommend routine nutrition screening of older patients, this does not generally occur in the Australian general practice setting. This study aimed to identify perceived barriers and opportunities to implementing nutrition screening of older people in general practice.

Methods: Twenty-five in-depth individual interviews were conducted with general practitioners, general practice registrars and practice nurses.

Should oral nutritional supplementation be given to undernourished older people upon hospital discharge? A controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine whether the oral nutritional supplementation of undernourished older people upon discharge from hospital improves muscle function and reduces disability.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Community-based study in two centers in Scotland.

Protein and energy supplementation in elderly people at risk from malnutrition.

Background: Evidence for the effectiveness of nutritional supplements containing protein and energy, often prescribed for older people, is limited. Malnutrition is more common in this age group and deterioration of nutritional status can occur during illness. It is important to establish whether supplementing the diet is an effective way of improving outcomes for older people at risk from malnutrition.

Does vitamin D stop inpatients falling? A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in older people and may increase risk of falls and fracture. Hospital inpatients are at particular risk of falling. Previous studies suggest that vitamin D improves neuromuscular function and reduces falls.