Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The effect of aging on circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines during septic shock. Norasept II Study Investigators.
As the proportion of the population that is older continues to rise, infection in older people has become an important healthcare problem. Although aging is associated with multiple abnormalities in immune function, the effect of aging on the production of proinflammatory cytokines has not been well studied under conditions of clinical stress. ⋯ Contrary to our expectations, we found that aging was not associated with a decline in the circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A specialized home care intervention improves survival among older post-surgical cancer patients.
Changes in the healthcare system have resulted in shortened hospital stays, moving the focus of care from the hospital to the home. Patients are discharged post-operatively with ongoing needs, and whether they receive nursing care post-hospitalization can influence their recovery and survival. Little information is available about the factors that influence outcomes, including the survival of older cancer patients after cancer surgery. ⋯ This is the first empirical study of post-surgical cancer patients to link a specialized home care intervention by advanced practice nurses with improved survival. Additional research is needed to test home care interventions aimed at maintaining quality of life outcomes and their effects on survival of post-surgical cancer patients.
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Pain is a multidimensional experience that should be evaluated beyond an estimate of intensity. A multidimensional pain measure has not been developed for older persons undergoing comprehensive geriatric assessment. ⋯ The GPM is a 24-item questionnaire that is easy to administer and has significant validity and reliability in older persons with multiple medical problems. The GPM may be a useful addition to the multidimensional geriatric assessment process.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of Cerebrolysin for Alzheimer's disease.
To assess the efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin over 4 weeks in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). ⋯ This study indicates that Cerebrolysin is a safe drug that improves the cognitive deficits and global function in patients with mild to moderate AD. Long-term efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin in Alzheimer's patients should be evaluated in the future.