Potentially inappropriate medication use in institutionalized older adults according to the Beers Criteria

A exigência de cuidados específicos, aliada aos novos arranjos familiares, tem contribuído para a crescente institucionalização dos idosos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o uso de medicamentos por idosos institucionalizados utilizando os Critérios de Beers. Este estudo longitudinal prospectivo foi realizado nas três instituições de longa permanência para idosos de Campo Grande, Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Todos os sujeitos com 60 anos ou mais foram incluídos em Novembro de 2011 e acompanhados até Novembro de 2012. Dezoito idosos foram excluídos, sendo a amostra final composta por 133 sujeitos com idade entre 60 e 113 anos. O total de medicamentos utilizados foi 212 na instituição A, 532 na B e 1329 na C. Foram identificados 34 medicamentos inapropriados, prescritos 89 vezes na instituição A (41.98%), 49 prescritos 177 vezes na B (67.29%) e 90 prescritos 460 vezes na C (34.61%). Este estudo demonstrou diferença estatística na utilização de medicamentos inapropriados entre os gêneros (p=0.007). Os anti-histamínicos de 1ª geração foram os medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos mais utilizados (15.34%). Houve elevada frequência no uso de MPI, os quais podem desencadear efeitos colaterais acentuados e comprometer mais a saúde fragilizada do idoso institucionalizado. Ainda, a adoção dos Critérios de Beers na prescrição contribui para minimizar as reações adversas e interações medicamentosas.The need for specific care, coupled with new family arrangements, has contributed to the increasing institutionalization of elderly members. The purpose of this study was to evaluate drug use by institutionalized older adults according to Beers Criteria. This prospective, longitudinal study was conducted in the three non-profit long-stay geriatric care institutions of Campo Grande, in the Central-West region of Brazil. All subjects aged 60 years and above on November 2011 were included and followed until November 2012. Eighteen subjects were excluded and the final sample consisted of 133 individuals aged 60 to 113 years. Overall, 212 medications were used at geriatric care institution A, 532 at B, and 1329 at C. Thirty-four drugs were inappropriately prescribed 89 times at geriatric care institution A (41.98%), 49 prescribed 177 times at B (33.27%), and 91 prescribed 461 times at C (34.68%). Statistical differences in the inappropriate drug use were found between genders (p=0.007). The most commonly used potentially inappropriate medication were first-generation antihistamines (15.34%). There was a high frequency in the use of potentially inappropriate medications which can initiate marked side effects and may compromise the fragile health of institutionalized elderly. Thus, adopting the Beers Criteria in prescribing medication contributes to minimize adverse reactions and drug interactions

Integrated continuous care: collaborating with the elderly functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Integrated Continuous Care on the functional independence of the elderly. This cohort study included participants aged 60 years or older who had experienced a disabling event or disease, and were admitted to rehabilitation in a Brazilian Integrated Continuous Care Unit. The functional gain was evaluated by the Barthel index. Fifty-nine elderly individuals admitted due to a disabling event or disease at the ICCU were assisted from March 2014 to February 2015. Since twenty-two of these were excluded, only 37 participants were evaluated. The mean age of the elderly that were included was 70.41 years (± 1.40) and most of them presented an ischemic stroke diagnosis (64.9%). The total functional gain was 24.05 (± 3.84) points, with an average stay of 32.32 (± 2.18) days. When compared with the degree of dependence on the admission and at discharge, total or severe dependence was identified in 62.2% on admission and mild dependence or total independence was identified in 54.1% at discharge, with a significant decrease in the percentage of the elderly with total dependence between admission and discharge (McNemar test, p = 0.001). At hospital discharge, 70.3% of the elderly had better individual performance in their Activities of Daily Living than at hospital admission and none of them got worse. The multi-professional team-based approach in the Integrated Continuous Care assistance model favors the elderly with gain in functionality and independence. The social network involvement of the elderly lead to their empowerment and co-responsibility along with their family/caregiver in pursuit of the therapeutic goals established together

Integrated continuous care: implementation in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The demographic transition that occurred in Brazil brought changes in its health indicators. Integrated Continuous Care (ICC) was organized as a health care model aimed at increasing the independence and well-being of people with acute or recent functional dependence. This study aimed to describe the development and implementation of the Integrated Continuous Care in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This care model utilized the principles of the National Humanization Policy, such as the extended and shared clinic, embracement, educational practices and meetings with caregivers, families, and patients, open visits, participation and autonomy of the patient and family in the construction of the Singular Therapeutic Project, and shared discharge from hospital. Assistance and support to patients who were already released from ICC must be increased in the primary health care setting to ensure continuity of recovery, better readaptation, and successful family and social reintegration. As a positive result, we set up an outpatient clinic for ICC patients who needed continuous clinical follow-up after rehabilitation. This allows patient re-evaluation, reduces re-admission rates, and maintains the domiciliary care management educational process. As an innovative approach to improving health care outcomes, ICC allows the patients to leave the hospital environment and go home on some weekends. The ICC project has enabled many advances, especially in patient-centered care and shared decision-making. The support of the São Julião Hospital administration has been vital to the success of ICC Unit treatments

Non-polarized cytokine profile of a long-term non-progressor HIV infected patient

The HIV-1 initial viral infection may present diverse clinical and laboratory course and lead to rapid, intermediate, or long-term progression. Among the group of non-progressors, the elite controllers are those who control the infection most effectively, in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this paper, the TH1, TH2 and TH17 cytokines profiles are described, as well as clinical and laboratory aspects of an HIV-infected patient with undetectable viral load without antiretroviral therapy. Production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 was detected; in contrast IL-4 was identified. Host-related factors could help explain such a level of infection control, namely the differentiated modulation of the cellular immune response and a non-polarized cytokine response of the TH1 and TH2 profiles. Keywords: Interleukins, HIV seropositivity, Disease progression, Antiretroviral therap

Transitioning through AIDS epidemics - gender and temporality

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To understand the evolution of AIDS over time in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, using incidence, lethality, and mortality coefficients. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological study based on time series analysis of secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System reported between 1985 and 2012. RESULTS: The prevalence of AIDS was higher among men, with evidence of feminization during the first 14 years of the epidemic. There was no statistically significant sex difference in AIDS lethality. Women were 1.3 times more likely to survive than men. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences must be considered when designing new HIV/AIDS prevention strategies