No abstract

Introduction Elderly care is a worldwide social and economic challenge for the public health system, and it requires the development of new management strategies. Telemedicine provides an innovative approach towards elderly care, especially for those with chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of a multidisciplinary telemedicine approach for improving elderly quality of life. Methods Twenty-two participants received weekly vital parameter monitoring and nutritional counselling, biweekly psychological counselling and a monthly consultation with a neurologist. The neuropsychological assessment included the Mini Mental State Examination, the Activities of Daily Living, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Short-Form Health Survey, and was administered at enrolment (T0) and at the end of the study (T3). The nutritional evaluation included haematochemical examinations of glycaemia, total cholesterol, and triglycerides at baseline (T0) and every four months (T1, T2, T3). Results Significant differences in Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale and all domains of the Short-Form Health Survey were observed between baseline and the end of the study. The haematochemical parameters showed obvious changes over time, especially in cholesterol values, and the patients with hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia showed a reduction in body mass index. Moreover, we found that the haematochemical values were moderately correlated with the Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale and Short-Form Health Survey scores. Conclusion Telemedicine can be a suitable tool for caring for elderly people more efficiently by promoting the remission of depressive symptoms and improving social functioning, cognitive levels and nutritional habits to prevent vascular diseases and exacerbations of pre-existing chronic illness.

No abstract

Rationale:Severe brain injury often induces a state of malnutrition due to insufficient caloric and protein input. If left untreated, it will have a negative impact on rehabilitation. Nutritional therapy provides caloric and the nutritional support necessary to cover the daily needs and help contrast hospital infections. Our hypothesis is that integration of natural foods in the daily diet can enhance the recovery of the state of malnutrition and increase rehabilitation outcomes.Patient concerns:We present the case of a young man with traumatic brain injury caused by a car accident. Who underwent tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedures, had severe consciousness disorder, was severely malnourished and therefore underweight.Diagnosis:He was severely underweight, malnourished, with a severe consciousness disorder that necessitated the tracheostomy and the PEG.Interventions:Our approach included caloric implementation of artificial nutrition and the gradual introduction of semi-liquid natural foods administered through PEG.Outcomes:The patient was followed for a year during which the metabolic/nutritional pattern and the blood tests improved, normal weight restored, and consciousness regained.Conclusion:Nutritional intervention integrated with natural foods, has allowed a gradual increase in weight, a better recovery of the lean mass and the stabilization of the metabolic-nutritional framework.Nutritional approach used has contributed to the reduction of recovery times, making the therapeutic path more effective.