Geriatric Care

Prevalence, pattern, and potential predictors of microvascular complications in aging Nigerians with type 2 diabetes

2024-06-13T08:17:12+00:00

In low-resource settings like Nigeria, the rising prevalence of diabetes is accompanied by an excessive burden of microvascular complications from diabetes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of microvascular complications among older patients with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a 2-year retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out among elderly diabetes patients at the Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Center outpatient diabetes clinic. A total of 148 diabetic patients were included in the study; the mean (± standard deviation) age was 70.89 (±6.99) years, with 71.6% of the studied population being female. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the prevalence and predictors of microvascular complications. Results show that the prevalence of microvascular complications in older diabetes patients was 73.9% [95% confidence interval (CI)=66.7-81.6] with peripheral neuropathy (77.1% prevalence, 95% CI=67.9-84.8) being the most common and retinopathy being the least prevalent (95% CI=4.7-16.8). The significant predictors of developing microvascular complications were intake of oral agents only [p=0.013, odds ratio (OR)=2.35, 95% CI=1.15-16.81], number of comorbidities (p=0.041, adjusted OR=5.28, 95% CI=1.09-27.93) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.042, OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.04). Considering the high prevalence of microvascular complications among aging patients with diabetes mellitus, older patients should comply with oral medications and undergo regular check-ups, and more advocacy should be undertaken to strengthen geriatric healthcare systems to mitigate comorbidities and reduce complications.

The medical treatment needs and in-home care service utilization of the elderly: a population-based data analysis of long-term care insurance payments in Tokyo, Japan

2024-03-25T10:24:11+00:00

How can we improve in-home care for the elderly with medical treatment needs? The purpose of this study is to investigate medical treatment and examine the use of home care services. We analyzed the long-term care insurance service payments data in City A (n=18,882) as of January 2019 and checked 12 medical treatment care needs items. The results showed that 10.1% (1913 of a total of 18,882) of people required medical treatment. The analysis was carried out by using a filter, “living in home” (n=15,320). We focused on urinary catheter and tube feeding. The study subjects are categorized into three groups: group 1 [both tubes (n=61)], group 2 [either tube (n=564)], and group 3 [no tube (n=14,698)]. The home help utilization rate was 27.9% in group 1, 29.9% in group 2, and 20.5% in group 3 (p<0.01). The home visit nursing utilization rate was 11.5% in group 1, 23.7% in group 2, and 8.1% in group 3 (p<0.01).

Enteral nutrition for elderly patients in intensive care unit settings

2024-05-09T09:51:55+00:00

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the management of frail elderly patients. Indeed, effective management can reduce common pathological situations, such as malnutrition, refeeding syndrome, and aspiration pneumonia, which can increase morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit settings. To optimize this management, it is essential to have knowledge of basic aspects such as timing, route, and composition of nutrition, as well as the prevention and management of the most common adverse events.

Hyponatremia: practical considerations in the acute geriatric setting

2024-03-25T10:24:14+00:00

In older adults, hyponatremia often represents a medical emergency and is frequently associated with neurological manifestations or symptomatic pictures that the clinician mistakes for other pathologies. This paper deals with some practical considerations in the assessment and management of hyponatremia in older adults in the acute care setting, following the clinical discussion that took place at the Soave (Italy) meeting convened by the scientific committee of the Italian Society of Geriatrics Hospital and Territory.

A case report of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving upper limb soft tissue in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on immunosuppressive therapy

2024-03-25T10:24:18+00:00

An 80-year-old woman affected by rheumatoid arthritis on immunosuppressive therapy was evaluated for an 11-month history of swelling of her left upper limb. The patient did not report systemic symptoms. Ultrasonographic examination showed hypoechoic masses in the upper limb soft tissue, brachial vein thrombosis, and suspected malignant axillary lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy of the lymphadenopathy for histologic examination; a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was made. The patient started anticoagulation therapy and chemotherapy, with a follow-up at a hematology clinic. At a 3-month follow-up visit in our clinic, the swelling of her left upper limb decreased, and an ultrasonographic control demonstrated a reduction in the size and number of the soft tissue masses and resolution of vein thrombosis.

38° Congresso nazionale SIGOT | Roma, 22-24 maggio 2024

2024-05-22T06:16:02+00:00

Abstract Book of the 38° SIGOT National Congress | Roma, May 22-24, 2024.