La recherche-action au service de l’examen périodique de santé senior

The increase of life expectancy is a major issue to face in the decades to come. A consequence of this increasing life expectancy is the emergence of chronic diseases. It is now acknowledged that individual ageing is strongly influence by biological, psychological, environmental and social variables. Prevention begins at birth and continues throughout life. It is for this reason, that a prevention consultation at certain key moments in life, such as at retirement, is strongly advised. Our doctorate work consisted of documenting the setup of periodic health examinations dedicated to seniors. This was supported by scientific proof provided by carrying out many action researches in the Health Examination centres of French Health Insurance, an approach similar to ‘Evidence Based Medicine’. The action researches were directed towards three main public health issues amongst the elderly which include falling, memory cognitive impairment and macular degeneration related to age. Each action research contributed to the establishment of this health examination for seniors. Indeed, now there is a better recognition of characteristics amongst seniors who have suffered falls thanks to the development of a tool which gives a predictive score a falling, and in turn action strategies. In addition, there is a tool to spot and identify mild cognitive impairment and screening for macular degeneration related to age through the use of telemedicine. Other health topics will need to be explored but French Health Examination Centres already position themselves as responsible decisive actors for the ageing populationLa longévité est un enjeu majeur des prochaines décennies. La conséquence de cette longévité est l’émergence des maladies chroniques. Il est aujourd’hui admis que le vieillissement individuel est fortement influencé par des variables biologiques, psychologiques, environnementales et sociales. La prévention commence à la naissance pour se poursuivre tout au long de la vie. C’est pourquoi, une consultation de prévention à des moments clés du parcours de vie notamment au moment de la retraite est largement conseillée. Notre travail de doctorat a consisté, grâce à la mise en place de plusieurs recherches-actions dans les Centres d’examens de santé de l’Assurance maladie, à documenter par la preuve scientifique, démarche qui rejoint celle de l’Evidence-Based Medecine, la construction d’un examen périodique de santé dédié aux séniors. Les recherches-actions ont concerné trois problématiques de santé publique des personnes âgées que sont la chute, les troubles cognitifs et la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge. Chaque recherche-action a apporté sa contribution à la construction de cet examen de santé senior : une meilleure connaissance des caractéristiques des chuteurs avec élaboration d’un score prédictif de chute et de stratégies de prise en charge de ce risque, des outils simples de repérage des troubles cognitifs légers, un dépistage de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge via la télémédecine. D’autres thématiques de santé seront à explorer mais les Centres d’examens de santé se positionnent d’ores et déjà, comme des acteurs déterminants de la prise en charge des populations vieillissante

Advances and Insights into Neurological Practice 2016-17

Papers published by the European Journal of Neurology reflect the broad interest of practicing neurologists in advances in the aetiology, diagnosis and management of neurological disorders. As a general journal, the proportion of papers in the different subject areas reasonably reflects the case load of a practising neurologist. Stroke represents the largest proportion of papers published, including those on pathophysiology (1-23), acute stroke management (24-47) and the outcome of patients who have suffered stroke (48-72). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

The action research, assistance in setting up a periodical health examination for the elderly

La longévité est un enjeu majeur des prochaines décennies. La conséquence de cette longévité est l’émergence des maladies chroniques. Il est aujourd’hui admis que le vieillissement individuel est fortement influencé par des variables biologiques, psychologiques, environnementales et sociales. La prévention commence à la naissance pour se poursuivre tout au long de la vie. C’est pourquoi, une consultation de prévention à des moments clés du parcours de vie notamment au moment de la retraite est largement conseillée. Notre travail de doctorat a consisté, grâce à la mise en place de plusieurs recherches-actions dans les Centres d’examens de santé de l’Assurance maladie, à documenter par la preuve scientifique, démarche qui rejoint celle de l’Evidence-Based Medecine, la construction d’un examen périodique de santé dédié aux séniors. Les recherches-actions ont concerné trois problématiques de santé publique des personnes âgées que sont la chute, les troubles cognitifs et la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge. Chaque recherche-action a apporté sa contribution à la construction de cet examen de santé senior : une meilleure connaissance des caractéristiques des chuteurs avec élaboration d’un score prédictif de chute et de stratégies de prise en charge de ce risque, des outils simples de repérage des troubles cognitifs légers, un dépistage de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge via la télémédecine. D’autres thématiques de santé seront à explorer mais les Centres d’examens de santé se positionnent d’ores et déjà, comme des acteurs déterminants de la prise en charge des populations vieillissantesThe increase of life expectancy is a major issue to face in the decades to come. A consequence of this increasing life expectancy is the emergence of chronic diseases. It is now acknowledged that individual ageing is strongly influence by biological, psychological, environmental and social variables. Prevention begins at birth and continues throughout life. It is for this reason, that a prevention consultation at certain key moments in life, such as at retirement, is strongly advised. Our doctorate work consisted of documenting the setup of periodic health examinations dedicated to seniors. This was supported by scientific proof provided by carrying out many action researches in the Health Examination centres of French Health Insurance, an approach similar to ‘Evidence Based Medicine’. The action researches were directed towards three main public health issues amongst the elderly which include falling, memory cognitive impairment and macular degeneration related to age. Each action research contributed to the establishment of this health examination for seniors. Indeed, now there is a better recognition of characteristics amongst seniors who have suffered falls thanks to the development of a tool which gives a predictive score a falling, and in turn action strategies. In addition, there is a tool to spot and identify mild cognitive impairment and screening for macular degeneration related to age through the use of telemedicine. Other health topics will need to be explored but French Health Examination Centres already position themselves as responsible decisive actors for the ageing populatio

The Relationship between Frailty, Obesity and Social Deprivation in Non-Institutionalized Elderly People

Background With the increasing prevalence of obesity and the risk of increased dependency among the elderly, it becomes important to characterize the link between obesity and frailty. The relationship between obesity and social deprivation would be bidirectional, with each influencing the other. Objectives Main objective was to study the relationship between frailty as defined by Fried and obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal obesity). Secondary objective was to assess the relationship between frailty and social deprivation. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study, with data collected between January 2014 and December 2015 using a senior periodic health prevention examination form used in the 4 sites of the health examination center, in Rhone, among non-institutionalized seniors (>= 65 years). Frailty was defined according to Fried's criteria. Obesity was defined by a BMI >= 30 kg / m(2)and a waist circumference > 88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. We studied the association between obesity according to BMI >= 30kg / m(2)on the one hand and abdominal obesity on the other hand with frailty according to Fried. The analyzes were adjusted for gender, age, education level, not being in a relationship and social deprivation quantified by the assessment score of deprivation and health inequalities (EPICES score). Results 1593 senior health prevention examination forms were studied. According to BMI, senior women were almost twice as likely to be frail when obese (RR = 1.92, 95% CI [1.06 - 3.45], p = 0.018). The results were similar for abdominal obesity in women aged 65-74 years (RR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.03-4.35], p = 0.029). There was no relationship in men for both types of obesity. Seniors who were socially deprived were 2.7 times more likely to be frail than non-deprived seniors (adjusted RR = 2.76, 95% CI [1.808 - 4.203], p = 30kg / m(2)and high waist circumference) was associated with increased frailty among older, non-institutionalized women who came for a periodic health prevention examination. Screening and prevention of obesity in the elderly appears to be a major public health issue, and remains a priority target for action

Early detection of memory impairment in people over 65 years old consulting at Health Examination Centers for the French health insurance: the EVATEM protocol.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Only half of those living with Alzheimer's disease in France are currently diagnosed, and only one patient in three is supported during the early stages of dementia. This study aims to evaluate three cognitive tests for their predictive ability to diagnose mild cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. For people aged 65 years or over, presenting with a memory complaint, these tests can be performed easily during a preventative consultation. METHOD/DESIGN: The EVATEM (évaluation des troubles de l'équilibre et de la mémoire (evaluation of balance and memory problems)) cohort study was designed to prospectively assess the predictive value of tests for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease in elderly subjects aged 65 years or over. Subjects were recruited from three health examination centers that are part of the French health insurance system. If a memory complaint was identified (using a dedicated questionnaire), the five-word test, the cognitive disorders examination test and the verbal fluency test were administered during a preventative consultation. A memory consultation was performed at a University Hospital to diagnosis any potential cognitive disorder and a one-year follow-up consultation was also scheduled. We recorded 2041 cases of memory complaint at our Health Examination Centers. Cognitive tests were refused by 33.6% of people who had a memory complaint. The number of subjects sent to a University Hospital memory consultation was 832 and 74.5% of them completed this consultation. The study population therefore includes 620 subjects. DISCUSSION: Tests for the early diagnosis of a mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related disorders should be used in centers dedicated to disease prevention. These should guide subjects with memory impairment to full memory consultations at hospitals and improve the access to early medical and behavioral support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01316562