Challenges in the performance of real-life studies in older patients: focus on long-term care facilities

Johanna Marietta Christiansen; Anna Maria Meyer; Lena Pickert; Roman Pfister; Maria Cristina  Polidori

doi:10.4081/gc.2022.10384

Authors

Johanna Marietta Christiansen Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Germany.
Anna Maria Meyer Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Germany.
Lena Pickert Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Germany.
Roman Pfister Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department III of Internal Medicine, Heart Center, University of Cologne, Germany.
Maria Cristina Polidori
maria.polidori-nelles@uk-koeln.de
Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress - Responses in Aging - Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Research on geriatric conditions and atypical disease presentation in poorly studied patients’ groups is becoming increasingly important. Aim of the present investigation was addressing prevalence and prognostic significance of aortic valve stenosis (AVS) in older residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). For the planned recruitment of 500 LTCF guests of a German metropolitan area, study investigators were trained and in the performance of a cardiologic examination and of the comprehensive geriatric assessment- based multidimensional prognostic index (MPI). After five attempts to obtain permission to conduct the study in 30 institutions, patients’ recruitment was stopped with 22 participants included from one institution. AVS was suspected in two patients, in agreement with the reported prevalence data. The MPI value correlated with social support (P=0.002) and geriatric syndromes (P=0.004). This structured attempt at investigating presence and prognostic signature of AVS in older LTCF guests was challenged by logistic obstacles strongly hindering diagnosis of potentially treatable conditions which, if undisclosed, negatively impact on survival and quality of life.

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Christiansen, J. M., Meyer, A. M., Pickert, L., Pfister, R., & Polidori, M. C. . (2022). Challenges in the performance of real-life studies in older patients: focus on long-term care facilities. Geriatric Care, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/gc.2022.10384