Place of death in patients with dementia and the association with comorbidities: a retrospective population-based observational study in Germany

Background: Due to increasing life expectancy, more and more older people are suffering from dementia and comorbidities. To date, little information is available on place of death for dementia patients in Germany. In addition, the association of place of death and comorbidities is unknown. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Westphalia-Lippe (Germany), based on the analysis of death certificates from 2011. Individuals with dementia >= 65 years were identified using the documented cause of death. In this context, all mentioned causes of death were included. In addition, ten selected comorbidities were also analyzed. The results were presented descriptively. Using multivariate logistic regression, place of death was analyzed for any association with comorbidities. Results: A total of 10,364 death certificates were analyzed. Dementia was recorded in 1646 cases (15.9%;mean age 86.3 +/- 6.9 years;67.3% women). On average, 1.5 +/- 1.0 selected comorbidities were present. Places of death were distributed as follows: home (19.9%), hospital (28.7%), palliative care unit (0.4%), nursing home (49.5%), hospice (0.9%), no details (0.7%). The death certificates documented cardiac failure in 43.6% of cases, pneumonia in 25.2%, and malignant tumour in 13.4%. An increased likelihood of dying in hospital compared to home or nursing home, respectively, was found for the following comorbidities (OR [95%-CI]): pneumonia (2.96 [2.01-4.35], p = 0.001);(2.38 [1.75-3.25], p = 0.001);renal failure (1.93 [1.26-2.97], p = 0.003);(1.65 [1.18-2.32], p = 0.003);and sepsis (13.73 [4.88-38.63], p = 0.001);(7.34 [4.21-12.78], p = 0.001). Conclusion: The most common place of death in patients with dementia is the retirement or nursing home, followed by hospital and home. Specific comorbidities, such as pneumonia or sepsis, correlated with an increased probability of dying in hospital

The effect of time-to-surgery on outcome in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Whether reducing time-to-surgery for elderly patients suffering from hip fracture results in better outcomes remains subject to controversial debates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>As part of a prospective observational study conducted between January 2002 and September 2003 on hip-fracture patients from 268 acute-care hospitals all over Germany, we investigated the relationship of time-to-surgery with frequency of post-operative complications and one-year mortality in elderly patients (age ≥65) with isolated proximal femoral fracture (femoral neck fracture or pertrochanteric femoral fracture). Patients with short (≤12 h), medium (> 12 h to ≤36 h) and long (> 36 h) times-to-surgery, counting from the time of the fracture event, were compared for patient characteristics, operative procedures, post-operative complications and one-year mortality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hospital data were available for 2916 hip-fracture patients (mean age (SD) in years: 82.1 (7.4), median age: 82; 79.7% women). Comparison of groups with short (n = 802), medium (n = 1191) and long (n = 923) time-to-surgery revealed statistically significant differences in a few patient characteristics (age, American Society of Anesthesiologists ratings classification and type of admission) and in operative procedures (total hip endoprosthesis, hemi-endoprosthetic implants, other osteosynthetic procedures). However, comparison of these same groups for frequency of postoperative complications revealed only some non-significant associations with certain complications such as post-operative bleeding requiring treatment (early surgery patients) and urinary tract infections (delayed surgery patients). Both unadjusted rates of one-year all-cause mortality (between 18.1% and 20.5%), and the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR for time-to-surgery: 1.04; p = 0.55) showed no association between mortality and time-to-surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although this study found a trend toward more frequent post-operative complications in the longest time-to-surgery group, there was no effect of time-to-surgery on mortality. Shorter time-to-surgery may be associated with somewhat lower rates of post-operative complications such as decubitus ulcers, urinary tract infections, thromboses, pneumonia and cardiovascular events, and with somewhat higher rates of others such as post-operative bleeding or implant complications.</p

Patients with femoral or distal forearm fracture in Germany: a prospective observational study on health care situation and outcome

BACKGROUND: Distal radius and proximal femoral fractures are typical injuries in later life, predominantly due to simple falls, but modulated by other relevant factors such as osteoporosis. Fracture incidence rates rise with age. Because of the growing proportion of elderly people in Western industrialized societies, the number of these fractures can be expected to increase further in the coming years, and with it the burden on healthcare resources. Our study therefore assessed the effects of these injuries on the health status of older people over time. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study method, clinical parameters of fracture patients during hospitalization, mortality up to one and a half years after discharge in relation to various factors such as type of fracture, and to describe changes in mobility and living situation. METHODS: Data were collected from all consecutive patients (no age limit) admitted to 423 hospitals throughout Germany with distal radius or femoral fractures (57% acute-care, femoral and forearm fractures; 43% rehabilitation, femoral fractures only) between January 2002 and September 2003. Polytrauma and coma patients were excluded. Demographic characteristics, exact fracture location, mobility and living situation, clinical and laboratory parameters were examined. Current health status was assessed in telephone interviews conducted on average 6–7 months after discharge. Where telephone contact could not be established, at least survival status (living/deceased/date of death) was determined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 12,520 femoral fracture patients (86.8% hip fractures), average age 77.5 years, 76.5% female, and 2,031 forearm fracture patients, average age 67.6 years, 81.6% female. Women's average age was 6.6 (femoral fracture) to 10 years (forearm fracture) older than men's (p < 0.0001). Only 4.6% of femoral fracture patients experienced changes in their living situation post-discharge (53% because of the fracture event), although less than half of subjects who were able to walk without assistive devices prior to the fracture event (76.7%) could still do so at time of interview (34.9%). At time of interview, 1.5% of subjects were bed-ridden (0.2% before fracture). Forearm fracture patients reported no change in living situation at all. Of the femoral fracture patients 119 (0.95%), and of the forearm fracture patients 3 (0.15%) died during hospital stay. Post-discharge (follow-up one and a half years) 1,463 femoral fracture patients died (19.2% acute-care patients, 8.5% rehabilitation patients), but only 60 forearm fracture patients (3.0%). Ninety percent of femoral fracture deaths happened within the first year, approximately 66% within the first 6 months. More acute-care patients with a pertrochanteric fracture died within one year post-discharge (20.6%) than patients with a cervical fracture (16.1%). CONCLUSION: Mortality after proximal femoral fracture is still alarmingly high and highest after pertrochanteric fracture. Although at time of interview more than half of femoral fracture patients reported reduced mobility, most patients (96%) attempt to live at home. Since forearm fracture patients were on average 10 years younger than femoral fracture patients, forearm fractures may be a means of diagnosing an increased risk of later hip fractures

Der Sterbeort älterer Menschen mit einer Demenz

Background!#!Dementia is increasingly perceived as a terminal illness due to disease progression with a shortened life expectancy and often a lack of therapeutic options. In the context of palliative care, the preferred place of death is considered a quality indicator for needs-based patient care. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of places of death of older patients with dementia.!##!Material and methods!#!Death certificates from the years 2001, 2011 and 2017 were evaluated from the most comprehensive study on places of death in Germany to date, conducted in selected regions of Westphalia. Medical information on the cause of death was also analyzed. In this way, deceased patients with dementia ≥ 65 years (ICD-10: F01, F02, F03, G30) were identified and the distribution of their places of death statistically determined.!##!Results!#!Dementia was present in 4720 out of 31,631 (14.9%; 95% CI: 14.5-15.3%) deceased patients ≥ 65 years. The distribution of places of death was as follows (%; age-standardized; 2001/2011/2017): home environment 24.0/19.7/15.8, hospital 40.4/29.0/24.3, palliative care unit 0.0/0.3/1.8, hospice 0.4/0.9/0.9, nursing home 35.2/49.5/57.1 and other places 0.0/0.0/0.0.!##!Conclusion!#!The majority of older patients (≥ 65 years) with dementia die in nursing homes, followed by hospitals and the home environment. Palliative care units and hospices play a subordinate role as places of death for patients with dementia

Prevalence of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in the last 14 days of life in hospital patients: a single-center observational study from Germany

Background: The opportunities available for maintaining and prolonging life in modern medicine give rise to medical-ethical dilemmas in patients at the end of life, raising the question of whether intensified treatment and diagnosis is appropriate in these patients. This affects hospital patients in particular. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study from Germany analyzed hospital records of all deceased patients of a university hospital who died between October 2016 and September 2017. The prevalence of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures during the last 14 days before death was determined. In-hospital transfer practices shortly before patients’ deaths were also examined. Results: A total of 468 hospital patients died. The mean age at death was 76.3±13.7 years; 47.0% [220] were female; 12.0% [56] died on the day of hospital admission, 41.9% [196] 1 to 6 days and 46.1% [216] more than 6 days later; the case mix index (CMI) was 4.6. The majority of patients {57.1% [267]} died on intensive care unit (ICU). Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures within the last 14 days before death: 30.3% [142] resuscitation, 28.6% [134] surgery, 10.9% [51] extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 23.7% [111] renal replacement therapy, 4.3% [20] tracheostomy, 2.8% [13] PTCA/cardiac stenting, 1.9% [9] chemotherapy, 29.3% [137] transfusion of packed red blood cells, 13.7% [64] transfusion of prothrombin complex concentrate, 5.3% [25] cardiac catheter examination, 7.5% [35] upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 79.1% [370] chest X-ray, 41.9% [196] computed tomography. In-hospital transfer from ICU to PCU before patients’ death: 1.5% (4/274 ICU patients). Conclusions: Intensified therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are often performed at the end of life in hospital patients. Closer interdisciplinary cooperation between intensive care and palliative care would be beneficial to improve in-patient care for these patients

The prevalence of bereavement rooms at German hospitals

$\bf Background:$ Hospitals represent the most frequent place of death in Germany. Therefore, these health institutions should be adequately prepared for post-death caring for deceased patients and their bereaved relatives. To enable the next of kin a dignified farewell to the deceased in a private atmosphere, some hospitals have established a bereavement room. To date, no data exist on the prevalence of bereavement rooms at German hospitals. $\bf Methods:$ We conducted a cross-sectional observational study at all German hospitals with 100 or more beds for the year 2016. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the existence, structure and organization of bereavement rooms. The data were presented descriptively by analyzing absolute and relative frequencies. The prevalence of bereavement rooms was derived from these calculated numbers. $\bf Results:$ Of the 1,281 eligible hospitals, a total of 301 hospitals participated (23.5%). A bereavement room existed at 230 hospitals, corresponding to a prevalence of 76.4% (230/301) for the participating hospitals. Concerning all German hospitals ≥100 beds, a prevalence of at least 17.9% (230/1,281) was determined. These special rooms existed most commonly for a duration of 10 to 25 years (39.1%); were mainly located near an autopsy room (46.5%) and in the basement (31.3%); were used very frequently (30.9%), moderately (37.4%) or rarely (24.8%); were mostly designed with esthetic features like flowers and candles (80.4%) and often equipped with religious symbols (79.1%), and had air conditioning in only 37.4% of respondent answers. The responsibility for the bereavement room had mainly been transferred to the hospital pastoral care and the nursing staff. $\bf Conclusions:$ In 2016, less than one in five German hospitals ≥100 beds provided a bereavement room. This may indicate that more attention should be paid to the post-death care of deceased patients and bereaved relatives in hospitals

Place of death in patients with dementia and the association with comorbidities

$\bf Background:$ Due to increasing life expectancy, more and more older people are suffering from dementia and comorbidities. To date, little information is available on place of death for dementia patients in Germany. In addition, the association of place of death and comorbidities is unknown. $\bf Methods:$ A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Westphalia–Lippe (Germany), based on the analysis of death certificates from 2011. Individuals with dementia ≥ 65 years were identified using the documented cause of death. In this context, all mentioned causes of death were included. In addition, ten selected comorbidities were also analyzed. The results were presented descriptively. Using multivariate logistic regression, place of death was analyzed for any association with comorbidities. $\bf Results:$ A total of 10,364 death certificates were analyzed. Dementia was recorded in 1646 cases (15.9%; mean age 86.3 $\pm$ 6.9 years; 67.3% women). On average, 1.5 $\pm$ 1.0 selected comorbidities were present. Places of death were distributed as follows: home (19.9%), hospital (28.7%), palliative care unit (0.4%), nursing home (49.5%), hospice (0.9%), no details (0.7%). The death certificates documented cardiac failure in 43.6% of cases, pneumonia in 25.2%, and malignant tumour in 13.4%. An increased likelihood of dying in hospital compared to home or nursing home, respectively, was found for the following comorbidities (OR [95%-CI]): pneumonia (2.96 [2.01–4.35], $\it p$ = 0.001); (2.38 [1.75–3.25], $\it p$ = 0.001); renal failure (1.93 [1.26–2.97], $\it p$ = 0.003); (1.65 [1.18–2.32], $\it p$ = 0.003); and sepsis (13.73 [4.88–38.63], $\it p$ = 0.001); (7.34 [4.21–12.78], $\it p$ = 0.001). $\bf Conclusion:$ The most common place of death in patients with dementia is the retirement or nursing home, followed by hospital and home. Specific comorbidities, such as pneumonia or sepsis, correlated with an increased probability of dying in hospital

Care of cancer patients at the end of life in a German university hospital: A retrospective observational study from 2014.

BACKGROUND:Cancer care including aggressive treatment procedures during the last phase of life in patients with incurable cancer has increasingly come under scrutiny, while integrating specialist palliative care at an early stage is regarded as indication for high quality end-of-life patient care. AIM:To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and the medical care provided at the end of life of cancer patients who died in a German university hospital. METHODS:Retrospective cross-sectional study on the basis of anonymized hospital data for cancer patients who died in the Munich University Hospital in 2014. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses for factors influencing the administration of aggressive treatment procedures at the end of life. RESULTS:Overall, 532 cancer patients died. Mean age was 66.8 years, 58.5% were men. 110/532 (20.7%) decedents had hematologic malignancies and 422/532 (79.3%) a solid tumor. Patients underwent the following medical interventions in the last 7/30 days: chemotherapy (7.7%/38.3%), radiotherapy (2.6%/6.4%), resuscitation (8.5%/10.5%), surgery (15.2%/31.0%), renal replacement therapy (12.0%/16.9%), blood transfusions (21.2%/39.5%), CT scan (33.8%/60.9%). In comparison to patients with solid tumors, patients with hematologic malignancies were more likely to die in intensive care (25.4% vs. 49.1%; p = 0.001), and were also more likely to receive blood transfusions (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.36 to 3.58; p = 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (OR 2.65; 95% CI, 1.49 to 4.70; p = 0.001) in the last 7 days of life. Contact with the hospital palliative care team had been initiated in 161/532 patients (30.3%). In 87/161 cases (54.0%), the contact was initiated within the last week of the patient's life. CONCLUSIONS:Overambitious treatments are still reality at the end of life in cancer patients in hospital but patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies have to be differentiated. More efforts are necessary for the timely inclusion of specialist palliative care