Clinical interventions in aging
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The purpose of this article was to examine the relative importance of patients' self-advocacy and perceived physicians' advocacy for impacting patients' satisfaction in terms of physician communication and physician-patient relationship. We also examine the influence of physicians' emotional support and patients' demographic as well as health characteristics on patients' satisfaction. ⋯ These findings raise questions about consumer empowerment among older adults and underscore their desire for and appreciation of physicians' advocacy. Findings are discussed in the context of power imbalance between elderly patients and their doctors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of injecting intra-articular platelet-rich plasma or prolotherapy on pain score and function in knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that usually occurs in older people and leads to pain and disabilities. OA treatment ranges from drug therapy to surgery. Drug and rehabilitation therapy are preferred over surgery, and, especially, there is a tendency toward compounds causing regenerative changes in the knee joint. In the present study, the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and prolotherapy (PRL) were examined on the level of pain and function of the knee joint in patients with OA. ⋯ Results of the present study suggested a significant decrease in the overall WOMAC score of patients who undergo either PRP therapy or PRL. This positive change in the overall WOMAC score led to an improvement in the quality of life of patients with knee OA shortly after the first injection. PRP injection is more effective than PRL in the treatment of knee OA.
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Our aim was to investigate function, health status and satisfaction in patients treated with primary dual mobility (DM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) after displaced femoral neck fracture (FNF). ⋯ DM THA following displaced FNF provides a good functional result and quality of life in addition to high patient satisfaction.
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Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease with permanently damaged airways predisposing to recurrent respiratory tract infections. There is an increasing prevalence of bronchiectasis in the elderly, affecting approximately 10 patients per 1,000 population. ⋯ These patients will be encountered by clinicians working in all aspects of elderly care. This review covers the various investigations and aspects of treatment for bronchiectasis and how they may be utilized in a more older and generally frailer population.
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In patients with dementia, observational scales are recommended for use in the assessment of pain. Unfortunately, their application is rare, and as a consequence pain is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in these types of subjects. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess analgesic treatment in nursing home residents with cognitive impairment and to delineate the relationship between pain and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. ⋯ Our study suggests that pain can be an important underlying cause of behavioral disturbances in older subjects with dementia. In order to reduce their frequency and to avoid excessive usage of sedatives, proper pain assessment and management are essential.