BackgroundGeriatric syndromes (GSs) are common in older adults and have a significant effect on their quality of life, disability, and use of health care resources. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of GSs in Russia. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GSs among older adults living in the community in Moscow.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in four community clinics in Moscow. A total of 1,220 patients completed a screening questionnaire, and 356 of them also underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA).ResultsThe mean age of the 1,220 participants was 74.9±6.1 years; 75.5% were women. Based on the questionnaire, 58.3% reported visual or hearing impairment, 58.2% cognitive impairment, 46% mood disorder, 42% difficulty walking, 28.3% urinary incontinence, 21.3% traumatic falls (over the previous year), and 12.2% weight loss. The mean number of GSs per patient was 2.9±1.5. Based on CGA, a decline in Instrumental Activity of Daily Living score was identified in 34.8% of the patients, a risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment score, 17–23.5) in 25.8%, probable cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <25) in 8.6%, and symptoms of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale score >5) in 36.2%. On the whole, patients demonstrated good mobility (average walking speed, 1±0.2 m/s) and hand grip strength (23.9±6.4 kg in women and 39.1±8.3 kg in men), but poor balance (only 39.4% were able to maintain their balance on one leg for 10 s or more).ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of GSs among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in Moscow. The results provide a better understanding of the needs of older adults in Russia and can facilitate planning for medical and social assistance for this population.

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BackgroundDelirium, a common problem among hospitalized elderly patients, is not usually diagnosed by doctors for various reasons. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a short training course on the identification of delirium and the diagnostic rate of delirium among hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. The secondary aim was to identify the risk factors for delirium.MethodsA prospective study was conducted in an acute-care hospital in Moscow, Russia. Six doctors underwent a short training course on delirium. Data collected included assessment by the confusion assessment method for the intensive care units, sociodemographic data, functional state before hospitalization, comorbidity, and hospitalization indices (indication for hospitalization, stay in intensive care unit, results of laboratory tests, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality).ResultsDelirium was diagnosed in 13 of 181 patients (7.2%) who underwent assessment. Cognitive impairment was diagnosed more among patients with delirium (30.0% vs 6.1%, P=0.029); Charlson comorbidity index was higher (3.6±2.4 vs 2.3±1.8, P=0.013); and Barthel index was lower (43.5±34.5 vs 94.1±17.0, P=0.000). The length of hospitalization was longer for patients with delirium at 13.9±7.3 vs 8.8±4.6 days (P=0.0001), and two of the 13 patients with delirium died during hospitalization compared with none of the 168 patients without delirium (P=0.0001).ConclusionAlthough the rate of delirium was relatively low compared with studies from the West, this study proves that an educational intervention among doctors can bring about a significant change in the diagnosis of the condition.

A fall is defined as an event, which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level, except in cases, which are the result of a blow, loss of consciousness, sudden paralysis or an epilepsy [1]. Falls and fear of falling cause serious health problems, which, in turn are associated with high injury rate, high medical costs and a negative impact on quality of life. Older and senile patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at high risk of falling. However, in clinical practice, the prevalence of falls and the risks of falls are not well understood and underestimated by physicians and patients themselves. An increased risk of falling is associated with various factors, such as drugs, structural heart disease, orthostatic hypotension and arrhythmias, as well as gait and balance disorders, physical weakness, sensory disturbances. These risks are especially important with the growing number of older people with cardiovascular disease. All physicians involved in  the care of  patients with CVD should pay attention to  the assessment, prevention and treatment of falls in adults with heart disease, and the treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients at risk of falls.

Objective. To assess the frequency of falls, the relationship between fear of falling and the risk of falls in people aged 60 years and older. Material and methods. The open cross-sectional study included 51 outpatients (49 women, 2 men) aged 61 to 90 [70 (67; 75)] years. A conventional physical examination, clinical and biochemical blood tests, screening for fragility (the “Age is not a hindrance” questionnaire), the risk of falls (history, the “Get up and go” test), fear of falls (“Short scale for assessing the fear of falls”, “Scale of effectiveness falls”), assessment of cognitive function (CF) — Montreal scale of cognitive assessment — MoCa-test). Results. A high risk of senile asthenia was found in 38 %, preasthenia — in 31 %, a history of falls — in 75 %, fear of falls — in 78 %, impaired CF — in 49 % (MOCA 24.3±2.9 points) of patients. An association was found between fear of falls and history of falls (odds ratio [OR] 9.92, p=0.003, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.20-44.63), 2 or more comorbidities (OR 10.86, p=0.013, 95 % CI 1,66- 71,09); between the “Get up and go” test for more than 10 seconds and MOCA less than 25 points (OR 8.57, p=0.001, CI 2.4-30.3); scores less than 25 on the Fall Effectiveness Scale and MOCA (OR 5.6, p=0.018, CI 1.34-23.36). The optimal value of the “Get up and walk” test for predicting falls was 10.5 seconds or more (area under the curve 0.753±0.083, p=0.019), the MOCA test was 24.5 points or less (area under the curve 0.792±0.065, p <0.001); the fall effectiveness scale for predicting fear of falls — 72.5 points or more (area under the curve 0.743±0.092, p=0.014); test “Get up and go” — 9.5 seconds or more (area under the curve 0.708±0.098, p=0.036). Conclusion. Fear of falls was associated with a history of falls, соmorbidity, low functional activity, and a decrease in CF, which confirms the multifactorial origin of the fear of falls in older age and requires consideration in the development of comprehensive treatment and prevention programs.