An innovative solid oral nutritional supplement to fight weight loss and anorexia: open, randomised controlled trial of efficacy in institutionalised, malnourished older adults.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the impact of a solid nutritional supplement on the weight gain of institutionalised older adults>70 years with protein-energy malnutrition. The innovation of these high-protein and high-energy cookies was the texture adapted to edentulous patients (Protibis®, Solidages, France).

Design: An open, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

[Transfusions in the elderly: peculiarities and the role of nurses].

Given the prevalence of anaemia in elderly people and its consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality, transfusions are common procedures in geriatrics. A survey was carried out of 41 nurses working in geriatrics to discover the conditions in which these transfusions are carried out and the particularities of a transfusion in an elderly person.

Management of apathy in nursing homes using a teaching program for care staff: the STIM-EHPAD study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing home (NH) staff education to manage apathy in older individuals with a diagnosis of dementia.

Methods: Sixteen NHs agreed to participate, and 230 demented apathetic residents were randomly assigned to the reference group (RG) or the intervention group (IG). IG received a month of weekly 4-h training.

[Adaptations of psychotropic drugs in patients aged 75 years and older in a departement of geriatric internal medecine: report of 100 cases].

The elderly often with multiple diseases are particularly at risk from adverse drug reactions. Nearly half of iatrogenic drug in the elderly are preventable. Some medications such as psychotropic drugs are particularly involved in iatrogenic accidents.

Detection of mild hyposalivation in elderly people based on the chewing time of specifically designed disc tests: diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives: To compare sialometry with chewing time (including swallowing) of specifically designed disc tests.

Design: Index test versus reference standard (sialometry; 60 patients); reliability study (10 patients).

Setting: Outpatient dental clinic and geriatric ward, Nice University Hospital, France.

Non-pharmacological management of behavioural symptoms in nursing homes.

Background: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are often reported in institutions for the elderly.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a staff education intervention to manage BPSD in older people with a diagnosis of dementia.

Methods: The trial was conducted in 16 nursing homes; 306 patients with a diagnosis of dementia and presenting BPSD were selected.

Different modes of weight loss in Alzheimer disease: a prospective study of 395 patients.

Background: Alzheimer disease is often accompanied and worsened by malnutrition. Patterns of weight loss can differ by the patients concerned and by the outcome and interventions required.

Objective: Our aim was to describe and analyze 2 modes of weight loss (progressive and severe) in the course of Alzheimer disease.