Estimating protein intake in sarcopenic older adults: combining food diaries and weighed powders versus 24-hour urine collections.

Objectives: Adequate protein intake and protein supplementation has a beneficial role in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. The achievement and quantification of the recommended total protein intake by sarcopenic older adults receiving protein supplementation has not been studied. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of protein intake estimated from a combination of four-day food diaries and weighed protein powders against total protein intake estimated from 24-h urine samples.

The efficacy and feasibility of an immersive virtual reality game to train spatial attention orientation after stroke: A stage 2 report.

Spatial neglect is a post-stroke attention deficit for which there is no evidence-based intervention. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) may increase treatment efficacy, as it allows to train spatial attention in a rich environment. This study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of an IVR patient-tailored training (HEMIRehApp).

Tracking the journey: Gastrointestinal transit and intraluminal pH dynamics in aging populations using wireless motility capsule.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) changes may alter drug absorption, potentially impacting both efficacy and safety of oral pharmacotherapy. However, the GI physiology is rarely studied in the aging population. This study aimed to explore GI transit time and pH in geriatric inpatients and older adults, and compare these findings with those from young volunteers.

Patterns of Antipsychotic Use in Belgian Nursing Homes 2017-2022: Admission is a Decision Point.

Objectives: Chronic antipsychotic use among nursing home (NH) residents carries risks with uncertain benefits. Despite guidelines recommending restricted use, these agents remain widely prescribed. This study investigates chronic antipsychotic use in Belgian NHs.

Decreased Kidney Function Explains Higher Vancomycin Exposure in Older Adults.

Introduction: Older adults face a higher risk of vancomycin-related toxicity given their (patho)-physiological changes, making early management of supratherapeutic exposure crucial. Yet, data on vancomycin exposure in older adults is scarce. This study aims to compare vancomycin concentrations between older and younger patients, emphasizing supratherapeutic concentrations and the effect of patient characteristics.

Evidence-based definition of hypoprolactinemia in European men aged 40-86 years: the European male ageing study.

Empirical evidence for a low normal or reference interval for serum prolactin (PRL) is lacking for men, while the implications of very low PRL levels for human health have never been studied. A clinical state of "PRL deficiency" has not been defined except in relation to lactation. Using data from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS), we analyzed the distribution of PRL in 3,369 community-dwelling European men, aged 40-80 years at phase-1 and free from acute illnesses.

Meta-analysis on the interrelationship between sarcopenia and mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Sarcopenia has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including cognitive dysfunction. However, its specific interrelationship with neurocognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other types of dementia has not been thoroughly explored. This meta-analysis aims to summarize the existing evidence on this interrelationship.

Prevalence and trends in polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy: a retrospective national database analysis (2012-2021).

Background: Polypharmacy is a growing concern, impacting patient safety and healthcare costs. Monitoring its prevalence and temporal trends is essential for effective healthcare management.

Aim: This study aimed to determine prevalence and trends of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in Belgium.

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) as an indicator of leydig cell insufficiency (LCI) in Middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism: reference range and threshold.

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a circulating biomarker for Leydig cell functional capacity in men, also indicating Leydig Cell Insufficiency (LCI) and potential primary hypogonadism. Using results from large cohort studies we explore sources of biological and technical variance, and establish a reference range for adult men. It is constitutively secreted with little within-individual variation and reflects testicular capacity to produce testosterone.

Appropriateness of antithrombotics in geriatric inpatients with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation occurs in nearly half of geriatric inpatients and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Suboptimal anticoagulation use is an important concern in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antithrombotic therapies in this patient cohort.

Agreement Between a Colorimetric Assay and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Quantifying Paracetamol Plasma Concentrations.

Special populations, like geriatric patients, experience altered paracetamol pharmacokinetics (PK), complicating pain management. More PK research is essential to optimize paracetamol (acetaminophen) dosing. Yet, the reference method ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) is not readily available.

Does testosterone influence the association between sleep and frailty in men: results from the European Male Aging Study.

Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between sleep disturbance and frailty. The mechanism is unknown, although it has been suggested that hormonal factors may play a role.

Methods: The aim was to determine the association between sleep duration, sleep quality and frailty, and to determine whether testosterone influenced this association.

Optimizing pharmacotherapy and deprescribing strategies in older adults living with multimorbidity and polypharmacy: EuGMS SIG on pharmacology position paper.

Inappropriate polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults and presents a significant healthcare concern. Conducting medication reviews and implementing deprescribing strategies in multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy are an inherently complex and challenging task. Recognizing this, the Special Interest Group on Pharmacology of the European Geriatric Medicine Society has compiled evidence on medication review and deprescribing in older adults and has formulated recommendations to enhance appropriate prescribing practices.

Trial in Elderly with Musculoskeletal Problems due to Underlying Sarcopenia-Faeces to Unravel the Gut and Inflammation Translationally (TEMPUS-FUGIT): protocol of a cross-sequential study to explore the gut-muscle axis in the development and treatment of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Gut microbiota (GM) might play a role in muscle metabolism and physiological processes through a hypothesized gut-muscle axis, influencing muscle mass and function and thus, sarcopenia. The Trial in Elderly with Musculoskeletal Problems due to Underlying Sarcopenia-Faeces to Unravel the Gut and Inflammation Translationally (TEMPUS-FUGIT) aims to explore the gut-muscle axis in sarcopenia.

Methods: First, in a cross-sectional case-control phase, 100 community-dwelling adults without sarcopenia will be compared to 100 community-dwelling adults (≥ 65 years) with sarcopenia of similar age-, gender and BMI-ratio, participating in the ongoing 'Exercise and Nutrition for Healthy AgeiNg' (ENHANce; NCT03649698) study.

Number of CAG repeats and mortality in middle aged and older men.

Design: The androgen receptor (AR) mediates peripheral effects of testosterone. Previous data suggests an association between the number of CAG repeats in exon-1 of the AR gene and AR transcriptional activity. The aim of this analysis was to determine the association between the number of AR CAG repeats and all-cause mortality in men and the influence of testosterone level on the association.

How do geriatricians evaluate decision-making ability for older adults with cognitive impairment? Results from an European survey.

Context: The assessment of decision-making ability of older adults with cognitive impairment is a complex challenge that geriatricians often face in relation to risk-taking situations (driving, aging in place, financial decisions, etc.). However, there are no clear and consensual practice guidelines.

Acoustic stimulation as a promising technique to enhance slow-wave sleep in Alzheimer's disease: results of a pilot study.

Study Objectives: Sleep disturbances are common in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and a reduction in slow-wave activity is the most striking underlying change. Acoustic stimulation has emerged as a promising approach to enhance slow-wave activity in healthy adults and people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. In this phase 1 study we investigated, for the first time, the feasibility of acoustic stimulation in AD and piloted the effect on slow-wave sleep (SWS).

Predictors for unplanned hospital admissions in community dwelling adults: A dynamic cohort study.

Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use are associated with unplanned hospital admissions. Targeted interventions might reduce the hospitalization risk. Yet, it remains unclear which patient profiles derive the largest benefit from such interventions.

Barriers and facilitators for physical activity on acute geriatric and rehabilitation wards: a survey study.

Objectives: During hospitalisation, physical inactivity is common among older patients and is associated with adverse outcomes, e.g. functional decline.

Guideline-Directed Medical Therapies for Heart Failure with a Reduced Ejection Fraction in Older Adults: A Narrative Review on Efficacy, Safety and Timeliness.

Heart failure is a prevalent syndrome among older adults, with a major impact on morbidity and mortality. Higher age is correlated with underuse of guideline-directed medical therapies which, in turn, has been linked to worse clinical outcomes. Importantly, most evidence so far has been collected in adults who were younger, less multi-morbid and polymedicated compared with those who are commonly treated in daily clinical practice.

The impact of a pharmacist intervention on post-discharge hypnotic drug discontinuation in geriatric inpatients: a before-after study.

Background: Chronic use of hypnotic agents is prevalent in older adults, who as a result are at increased risk for certain adverse events, such as day-time drowsiness and falls. Multiple strategies to discontinue hypnotics have been tested in geriatric patients, but evidence remains scarce. Hence, we aimed to investigate a multicomponent intervention to reduce hypnotic drug use in geriatric inpatients.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling of oral drug absorption in older adults - an AGePOP review.

The older population consisting of persons aged 65 years or older is the fastest-growing population group and also the major consumer of pharmaceutical products. Due to the heterogenous ageing process, this age group shows high interindividual variability in the dose-exposure-response relationship and, thus, a prediction of drug safety and efficacy is challenging. Although physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling is a well-established tool to inform and confirm drug dosing strategies during drug development for special population groups, age-related changes in absorption are poorly accounted for in current PBPK models.

Are inflammatory markers associated with sarcopenia-related traits in older adults with sarcopenia? - A cross-sectional analysis of the ENHANce study.

Aims: To explore the relationship between inflammatory markers and sarcopenia-related traits in sarcopenic older adults.

Methods: Baseline data of the ongoing Exercise and Nutrition for Healthy AgeiNg (ENHANce) study were used for a secondary, exploratory, cross-sectional analysis. ENHANce is a 5-armed triple blinded randomized controlled trial, in older adults (>65y) with sarcopenia defined according to the revised criteria of the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) aiming to assess the effect of combined anabolic interventions (protein supplement, omega-3 supplement and physical exercise) on physical performance, compared to single/placebo interventions.