Diagnostic Concordance between the Visual Analogue Anxiety Scale (VAS-A) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Anxiety is one of the most common problems among nursing students. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is used to detect anxiety in this population; however, its length hinders speedy detection. For this reason, a faster and more efficient instrument is needed for early detection. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the anxiety measurement scales State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) by establishing a discrimination threshold through the contrast of true positive rates (VPR) and false positive rates (FPR). To this end, a cross-sectional quantitative observational and analytical study was carried out on 185 fourth-year nursing students. The data collected were anxiety (STAI and VAS-A) and socio-demographic variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed a correlation between the two scales (VAS-A and STAI). The VAS-A is a useful instrument for assessing students in a crisis that could potentially generate anxiety. The study established a reasonably safe error probability range (>5%), allowing the VAS-A scale to be used as a rapid diagnostic or pre-diagnostic tool, depending on the scores. The study shows that speedy detection of anxiety using the VAS-A and an in-depth approach with the STAI by teaching staff in crises is possible

Fluid Intake Recommendation Considering the Physiological Adaptations of Adults Over 65 Years: A Critical Review

The aim of this critical review was to clarify recommended fluid intake for older people. A literature search of published articles and guidelines on fluid intake recommendations until April 2020 was carried out using PUBMED, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. In this review, we focused on people over 65 years old at di erent care levels. The results show that the mean fluid intake ranges between 311 and 2390 mL/day. However, it is di cult to know whether this corresponds to the real pattern of fluid intake, due to the variability of data collection methods. With respect to the recommendations, most international organizations do not take into consideration the physiology of ageing or the health problems associated with an older population. In conclusions, we recommend to follow the guideline of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ESPEN is the only guideline which takes into account age. It is also based on EFSA recommendations. This authority takes into consideration all fluids consumed (ranging from food to fluids). If it is known that around 20% of all fluids consumed come from food, the result would e ectively be that the EFSA recommends the same as the ESPEN guidelines: 1.6 L/day for females and 2.0 L/day for males. The findings could help raise the awareness of professionals in the sector with respect to the required fluid intake of the elderly and, in this way, contribute to avoiding the consequences of dehydration

Prevalence and associated factors of fear of falling in older adults in Castellón de la Plana

Objectives: To know the prevalence of fear of falling and to identify its associated factors in the major community population aged 75 and over in the city of Castellón de la Plana. Methodology: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. In the Primary Care Centers, Castellón. A total of 316 persons aged 75 years or older, who had a health card and resided in single-family homes, were sampled intentionally. The data source comes from the fragility survey in Castellón (FRALLE survey). The variables used were fear of falling, sociodemographic factors, health status, health related quality of life. Results: The prevalence of fear of falling from 46%. After analysis, the only factors associated with fear of falling are age ( p <0.001), impaired balance and gait ( p 0.001), depressive symptoms ( p 0.010), self-perception of health ( p 0.001), fragility ( p <0.001), falls ( p <0.001) and quality of life ( p <0.001). Conclusions: This study shows the situation of the elderly population living in the community of Castellón de la Plana, where we see the importance of the fear of falling transmitted by the elderly and this can affect their health and quality of lifeObjetivos: conocer la prevalencia del miedo a caer e identificar sus factores asociados en la población mayor comunitaria de 75 años o más, de la ciudad de Castellón de la Plana. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado en los centros de atención primaria de Castellón. Se incluyó a 316 personas de 75 años o más, que disponían de tarjeta sanitaria y residían en viviendas familiares, a través de un muestreo intencionado. La fuente de datos proviene de la encuesta de fragilidad en Castellón (Encuesta FRALLE). Las variables utilizadas fueron el miedo a caer, los factores sociodemográficos, el estado de salud y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Resultados: una prevalencia del miedo a caer del 46%. Tras el análisis, los únicos factores asociados al miedo a caer son edad ( p < 0,001), alteraciones del equilibrio y la marcha ( p = 0,001), síntomas depresivos ( p = 0,010), autopercepción de la salud ( p 0,001), fragilidad ( p < 0,001), caídas ( p < 0,001) y calidad de vida ( p < 0,001). Conclusiones: este estudio nos muestra la situación de la población mayor que vive en la comunidad de Castellón de la Plana, donde vemos la importancia del miedo a caer que transmiten las personas mayores, lo que puede afectar a su salud y a la calidad de vid

Characteristics and Circumstances of Falls in the Community-Dwelling Older Adult Population

Objective: The study aimed to describe the characteristics and circumstances of falls in the community-dwelling older adult population. Design: This was a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study involving primary health care centers in Lleida and Castellón de la Plana, Spain. Randomized sampling was used to include 966 individuals aged 75 years or older residing in single-family homes and in possession of a health care card. Data were obtained using the Survey on Fragility in Older People in Lleida (FRALLE survey). Study variables included the occurrence of falls in the past year and fall characteristics such as whether it was a first or successive fall, cause, season, and time of the day the fall occurred, whether the respondent fell flat on the ground, and time the participant remained on the floor. Other variables involved the circumstances of the fall, including the general location of the fall and specific location within the home if applicable, lighting/weather conditions, objects which may have precipitated the fall, floor conditions, and type of footwear. Results: The prevalence of falls was 25.9% with regard to the previous year, with 70% of these participants reporting having fallen previously. Falls most often occurred by accident, during the daytime, and in the winter. Variables that showed statistical significance with regard to age group were: falling flat on the ground (P = .031), fall location (P = .000), presence of an object favoring the fall (P = .039), floor conditions (P = .011), and type of footwear (P = .029). By sex, variables that showed statistical significance included the need for assistance to get up (P = .045) and type of footwear (P = .028). Conclusions: The prevalence of falls was found to be similar in the studied cities. The results show the most common characteristics and circumstances of falls in older adults in the community, making it possible to guide future preventive strategies