Influencia de la ocupación en el deterioro cognitivo libre de demencia en una muestra de sujetos mayores de 55 años de Zaragoza

Introduction

The prevalence of cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) varies between 5.1% and 35.9%, increasing between 65 and 85 years. The CIND increases the risk of dementia. Factors such as education, occupation, and social activities are associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. The main objective of this study was to analyse the association between the main occupation developed throughout life and CIND in a general population sample of over 55 years.

Valor pronóstico de los instrumentos de evaluación de enfermedad avanzada y de final de vida en ancianos ingresados en un centro sociosanitario

Objective

To apply 3 advanced chronic disease evaluation tools in elderly patients admitted to an intermediate and long-term care centre, and evaluate its relationship with mortality.

Applications de la spectrométrie de masse de type MALDI-TOF en microbiologie

In the last few years, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) has been introduced in clinical laboratories for routine identification. Initially used for research, MALDI-TOF-MS allows rapid and accurate identification of the main microorganisms isolated from clinical samples, by intact cell mass spectrometry or directly from positive blood culture or urines. Other applications are being in processed as bacterial typing, research and detection of antibiotic resistance or particularly virulent strains.     

El anciano en la unidad de geriatría de agudos

Although the implementation of acute geriatric units (AGUs) in general hospitals has a grade A of evidency, in Spain, only 12% of them have this resource. The estimation of geriatric especializad beds for the care of acute frail elderly people is of 2.6/1000 inhabitants older than 75 years. AGUs have demonstrated to reduce the functional loss associated with the hospitalization and to increase the percentage of older people that can return home, without increases in mortality nor costs. In this review we present the characteristics of patients who benefit from AGUs, the services offered, the structure and functioning of the unit, the role of the professionals that work in it and the quality indicators that must be acomplished.     

Uso de sujeciones físicas en relación con el riesgo de caídas en una residencia de ancianos

Backgrounds and objectivesThe use of physical restraints (PR) is common in the care of the elderly. However, their efficacy and safety are not supported by scientific evidence. The aim of this study was to determine the role of PR in preventing falls.Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study design was used, in which each fall incident (n = 575) was examined in the residents over 65 years of age who resided at the one nursing homes from February 2009 to September 2013. An analysis was made of the association between the use of PR and risk of falls using a multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for the characteristics of residents that were associated with the use of PR according to a bivariate analysis.ResultsRisk factors for falls after accounting for PR use, include: risk of falling (Tinetti test) (OR 4.57; 95% CI 1.76-11.75); ability to walk (OR 6.40; 95% CI 2.78-14.74); hearing impairment (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.05-4.29); and history of a previous fall (OR 17.81; 95% CI 8.83-35.93). The risk of falls was greater in restrained, ambulatory residents with cognitive impairment (OR 18.95; 95% CI 7.06-50.85). No differences were found in injuries between falls that occurred with and without PR.ConclusionsRestraint use was not significantly associated with fewer falls and injuries. The risk of falls could increase in ambulatory residents with cognitive impairment. The study results suggest the need to consider whether restraints provide adequate protection against the risk of falls.     

Réévaluation des dosages de PSA disponibles en France en 2012

The evaluation kits PSA conducted in 2004 by AFSSAPS resumed in 2012 using the same methodology to update the performance of assays available on the French market. Preference should be given to equimolar and accurate assays of PSA for uniform clinical use and correct kinetic monitoring.     

Impacto de la modalidad de terapia de reemplazo renal en adultos mayores frágiles

IntroductionEnd-stage renal disease prevalence is increasing in older adults. Frailty is highly prevalent in older adults with end-stage renal disease. However, there are no prospective studies comparing the performance of the different modalities of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in frail older adults.ObjectiveTo compare clinically relevant outcomes (hospital admission, falls, hip fractures, and mortality) in prefrail and frail older adults according to the modality of RRT: peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis.MethodsA prospective observational study in prefrail and frail older adults (according to FRAIL scale) on peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis was carried out. An evaluation was made using baseline characteristics (age, Charlson, body mass index, time on RRT, compliance with Kt/V dose, haemoglobin, and albumin). The patients were followed-up over 12 months, recording mortality, days and number of hospital admissions, falls, and hip fractures.ResultsA total of 54/65 (83%) older adults on RRT met criteria for prefrailty or frailty, and signed informed consent (27 in each modality). Baseline characteristics were similar, except for serum albumin and time on RRT, both of which were significantly lower in the peritoneal dialysis group. The FRAIL score was similar in both groups. Baseline FRAIL correlated with higher comorbidity, lower albumin levels, and non-compliance of Kt/V dose, while it was independent of age, body mass index, and time on RRT. Days and number of hospital admissions at 12 months were similar in patients on peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis. Survival on peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis was similar. There were no differences in falls or hip fractures.ConclusionsPre-frail and frail older adults on peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis have similar clinical outcomes.     

Hongos queratinofílicos en suelos de parques de la ciudad de Corrientes,Argentina

BackgroundThe soil is a natural reservoir of keratinophilic fungi, which are a small but important group of filamentous fungi, some of which typically develop on keratinized tissues of living animals. There are numerous species of saprophytic fungi with recognized keratinophilic abilities, and several studies have been undertaken in order to link their presence to possible human disease.AimsTo know the biota of geophilic fungi in general and of keratinophilic fungi particularly in soils from two public parks.MethodsSoil samples from two public parks of Corrientes city, Argentina, were studied during two seasons, using the hook technique and serial dilutions for fungal isolation.ResultsUsing the hook technique, 170 isolates were classified into 17 genera and 21 species, among which it is worth mentioning the presence of Microsporum canis. Shannon index for keratinophilic fungi in autumn was 2.27, and 1.92 in spring. By means of the serial dilutions technique, 278 fungi isolated were identified into 33 genera and 71 species. Shannon index in autumn was 3.9, and 3.5 in spring.ConclusionsThe soils studied have particularly favorable conditions for the survival of pathogens and opportunistic geophilic fungi for humans and animals.     

Évaluation de BabelMeSH en français

BabelMeSH is a multilingual search tool for Medline/PubMed. It is intended for users whose primary language is not English. The languages currently supported are: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. The goal of this work is to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the French version. This study consisted of two parts: (1) evaluation of translation of French keywords by BabelMeSH, (2) user feedback. We used two sets of keywords: a list of authors’ keywords in medical journals published in French and a list of terms derived from Web server logs submitted by French-speaking users to search BabelMeSH. English translations by the authors were compared with those translated by BabelMeSH. The accuracy of translation of user submitted terms was evaluated. An online questionnaire using the 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate user opinion on the usefulness of BabelMeSH. One hundred and seventy-four author keywords and 179 user keywords in French were randomly selected to search Medline/PubMed via BabelMeSH. With the author-generated keywords, BabelMeSH exactly matched (word-for-word) the authors’ translations for 69 terms; translations were accurate (similar concept) for 69 keywords; multiple suggestions were given for 19, one of which was the same as the authors’ translation or considered accurate. Partial matches (compound words) were found for 22 keywords. BabelMeSH translations were incorrect for 21 terms. For user search terms, 135 translations and suggestions were considered accurate, 15 partially accurate, 21 were incorrect. Of the eight with multiple suggestions, only one was accurate. Six responses were received from the online questionnaire. The average ratings (5: agree, 1: disagree) for the following statements were: (1) that BabelMeSH was useful: 4.3; (2) the overall quality of citations retrieved was excellent: 4.3; and (3) that they would continue to use BabelMeSH: 4.6. All declared that they had previously searched Medline in English and all, except one, stated that they would recommend it to others. BabelMeSH is an alternative resource for researchers whose native language is other than English. Limited user feedback and the results of an objective evaluation seem to indicate that it could be a useful addition to multilanguage search tools for Medline/PubMed. However, at the time we conducted this study, the development of BabelMeSH was not finished. Therefore, it might be necessary to evaluate BabelMeSH French version in future.