A schedule for tapering glucocorticoid treatment in patients with severe SARS-CoV 2 infection can prevent acute adrenal insufficiency in the geriatric population.

Objective And Design: Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been widely used in symptomatic patients for the treatment of COVID-19. The risk for adrenal insufficiency must be considered after GC withdrawal given that it is a life-threatening condition if left unrecognized and untreated. Our study aimed to diagnose adrenal insufficiency early on through a GC reduction schedule in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Warfarin Treatment and All-Cause Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between warfarin treatment and different strata of all-cause mortality risk assessed using the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) based on information collected using the Standardized Multidimensional Assessment Schedule for Adults and Aged Persons (SVaMA) in community-dwelling older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Older community-dwelling adults who underwent a SVaMA evaluation establishing accessibility to homecare services and nursing home admission from 2005 to 2013 in the Padova Health District, Italy.

Change in the Multidimensional Prognostic Index Score During Hospitalization in Older Patients.

We investigated and describe change in the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) score between admission and discharge in 960 older patients admitted to 20 geriatric units for an acute disease or a relapse of a chronic disease. The MPI was calculated at admission and at discharge. Subjects were divided into three groups of MPI score, low risk (MPI-1 value ≤0.

Statin Treatment and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Frail Older Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Older adults are often excluded from clinical trials. Decision making for administration of statins to older patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is under debate, particularly in frail older patients with comorbidity and high mortality risk. We tested the hypothesis that statin treatment in older patients with DM was differentially effective across strata of mortality risk assessed by the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), based on information collected with the Standardized Multidimensional Assessment Schedule for Adults and Aged Persons (SVaMA).

Physicians' and nurses' experiences of end-of-life decision-making in geriatric settings.

Background And Aims: In Italy there is a paucity of empirical data on practices concerning end-of-life decisions (ELDs) in geriatrics. We aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of ELDs made by Italian physicians and nurses in the geriatric setting.

Methods: In 2009, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to 54 geriatric units, 21 hospices, and 382 nursing homes in the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions, and to professionals in the area who are members of the Italian Gerontology and Geriatrics Association.

Outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in older patients: effects of age, neurological deficit severity and blood pressure (BP) variations.

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between BP variations and neurological deficit outcome in old-old patients after AIS. Fifty-four patients (66-96 years), admitted consecutively for stroke were assessed, using a non-invasive BP monitoring (NIBPM), measuring mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and their variation between days 1 and 7. Neurological assessment and cognitive function were evaluated using the NIH stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the short portable mental status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), respectively.

Reliability of body temperature measurements in hospitalised older patients.

Aims And Objectives: To compare different body temperature assessment methods in older people and to assess the role of cognitive and functional characteristics in temperature recordings.

Background: Axillary gallium-in-glass thermometers are commonly used. Their accuracy depends on the proper placement of the device and their permanence in place for eight minutes.