Article
Oncology
Yoshihide Nagasako, Masahiro Suzuki, Tetsuji Iriyama, Yoko Nagasawa, Yoshiki Katayama, Kaori Masuda
Summary: The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was optimized with thrombocytopenia to enhance prognostic value, and it exhibited high specificity and positive likelihood ratio for predicting 3-day mortality in advanced cancer patients admitted to an acute palliative care unit (APCU). This combination could assist in making personal and clinical decisions for patients with limited time of survival.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deirdre Kruger, Nicola Lahoud, Yandiswa Y. Yako, John Dever, Martin Smith
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors, symptoms, and potential prognostic biomarkers in PDAC, showing that platelet count, IL-15, and GM-CSF could be potential indicators of metastatic disease in PDAC patients. Some risk factors and symptoms did not differ across different stages of cancer.
Article
Oncology
Moyke A. J. Versluis, Natasja J. H. Raijmakers, Arnold Baars, Marieke H. J. van den Beuken-van Everdingen, Alexander de Graeff, Mathijs P. Hendriks, Wouter K. de Jong, Jeroen S. Kloover, Evelien J. M. Kuip, Caroline M. P. W. Mandigers, Dirkje W. Sommeijer, Yvette M. van der Linden, Lonneke V. van de Poll-franse
Summary: This study assessed the change in health-related quality of life (HRQL) and symptom burden in the last year of life for patients with advanced cancer. Findings indicated a decline in HRQL starting nine months before death, with symptoms such as fatigue, pain, appetite loss, and dyspnea worsening significantly in the last year. Multimorbidity and reported continuity of care were both significantly associated with the trajectory of HRQL.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ana Alejandra Esteban-Burgos, Cesar Hueso-Montoro, Emilio Mota-Romero, Rafael Montoya-Juarez, Xavier Gomez-Batiste, Maria Paz Garcia-Caro
Summary: This study examined the predictive capacity of NECPAL, the Palliative Prognosis Index, and the PROFUND index in elderly nursing home residents with advanced chronic conditions, comparing their results at different time points. The results showed that PROFUND offered the most accurate prediction of survival overall and in those with dementia, especially over the short term, while NECPAL appeared to be the most useful in predicting long-term survival for residents without dementia.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Qinqin Cheng, Yinglong Duan, Hongling Zheng, Xianghua Xu, Khalid Khan, Jianfei Xie, Yongyi Chen
Summary: The study found that the majority of cancer patients in Mainland China have limited knowledge of palliative care, but most support it and prefer to receive care and die at home. They also wish to know their diagnosis or prognosis, and prioritize improving quality of life over extending life expectancy.
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Franziska Kuhne, Myriel Hermann, Martina Preisler, Amy Rohrmoser, Anne Letsch, Ute Goerling
Summary: This study aimed to define prognostic awareness (PA), describe its preconditions, correlates, and consequences, and suggest a conceptual model. The lack of theoretical embedding of PA was found to influence empirical investigation methods. Therefore, longitudinal or experimental studies based on a clear conceptual definition are desirable.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pia von Blanckenburg, Jorge Riera Knorrenschild, Mareike Hofmann, Hansjakob Fries, Yvonne Nestoriuc, Ulf Seifart, Winfried Rief, Carola Seifart
Summary: Open communication with caregivers during serious illness is important for high-quality care. This study explores the differences in expectations, fears, and experiences of end-of-life communication between palliative cancer patients and their caregivers. The results showed that patients and caregivers desire patient autonomy and have generally positive expectations of end-of-life discussions. However, there is a self-other asymmetry, as patients and caregivers expect personal relief from discussing end-of-life issues while also expecting the other person to be burdened by such communication. Professionals need to take the initiative in initiating end-of-life communication.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tian Jiang, Yi Zhang, Fang Dai, Chao Liu, Honglin Hu, Qiu Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to explore the role of non-invasive detection of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the early screening of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Chinese community and investigate the moderating effect of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic indexes. The results indicate that in Chinese participants with high AGE accumulation, priority should be given to the quality of metabolic-related indicators such as BMI, TG, and TC to effectively reduce fasting blood glucose levels.
DIABETOLOGY & METABOLIC SYNDROME
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa J. Armstrong, Henry L. Paulson, Susan M. Maixner, Julie A. Fields, Angela M. Lunde, Bradley F. Boeve, Carol Manning, James E. Galvin, Angela S. Taylor, Zhigang Li
Summary: This multisite longitudinal cohort study aims to investigate factors predicting approaching end of life or associated with end-of-life quality in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies. Data will be analyzed using terminal trend models to identify significant predictors of imminent death and assess caregiver factors post-death. The study results will be disseminated through traditional scientific strategies and partnerships with relevant organizations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robrecht De Schreye, Luc Deliens, Lieven Annemans, Birgit Gielen, Tinne Smets, Joachim Cohen
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the appropriateness of end-of-life care for people with cancer, COPD or dementia in Belgium using population-level data. The results show an increase in the use of family physicians, specialist palliative care, and emergency department in the last days of life. Although there is an increase in appropriate care, there is also an increase in potentially inappropriate care.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jordi Amblas-Novellas, Scott A. Murray, Ramon Oller, Anna Torne, Joan Carles Martori, Sebastien Moine, Nadina Latorre-Vallbona, Joan Espaulella, Sebastia J. Santaeugenia, Xavier Gomez-Batiste
Summary: This study evaluated the frailty degree in older people towards the end of life with different advanced diseases, finding that the majority of end-of-life older people exhibited some degree of frailty, mostly advanced frailty. The degree of frailty was related to survival across different illness trajectories, despite varying survival patterns among trajectories. Frailty indexes may be useful in assessing end-of-life older people, regardless of their specific trajectory.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alex Hall, Elisabeth Boulton, Patience Kunonga, Gemma Spiers, Fiona Beyer, Peter Bower, Dawn Craig, Chris Todd, Barbara Hanratty
Summary: This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the identification of older people with frailty approaching end-of-life and whether intervention improves outcomes. The study found a lack of research using established approaches to assessing frailty and highlighted the need for future research to address this evidence gap and focus on palliative care models.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Sarah J. Mah, Hsien Seow, Kara Schnarr, Clare J. Reade, Anastasia Gayowsky, Kelvin K. W. Chan, Aynharan Sinnarajah
Summary: The quality of end-of-life care for gynecologic cancer patients in Ontario has shown improvement over time, with fewer patients dying in hospitals and an increased utilization of supportive care. However, a significant proportion of patients still receive aggressive care in the final 30 days of life.
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bui Thanh Huyen, Pham Thi Van Anh, Le Dai Duong, Than Ha Ngoc The, Ping Guo, Pham Van Thuc, Luong Ngoc Khue, Eric L. Krakauer, Richard Harding
Summary: The Vietnamese version of the WHOQOL-BREF demonstrates excellent internal consistency reliability and sound construct and discriminant validity in advanced cancer patients. Advanced cancer inpatients, those with dependent children, and those with poorer physical function seem to have the greatest palliative care needs.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa K. Cousino, Victoria A. Miller, Cynthia Smith, Heang M. Lim, Sunkyung Yu, Ray Lowery, Karen Uzark, Emily M. Fredericks, Joanne Wolfe, Elizabeth D. Blume, Kurt R. Schumacher
Summary: In this survey study, it was found that most adolescents and young adults with advanced heart disease favored active roles in medical decision-making. Interventions and educational efforts are needed to ensure that the preferences of this complex patient population and their caregivers are met.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
N. Molist-Brunet, D. Sevilla-Sanchez, J. Gonzalez-Bueno, V Garcia-Sanchez, L. A. Segura-Martin, C. Codina-Jane, J. Espaulella-Panicot
Summary: The study revealed that residents in nursing homes commonly face issues of polypharmacy and inappropriate prescriptions. Establishing individualized therapeutic goals can help detect 92.2% of inappropriate prescriptions. Frailer, functionally dependent, and end-of-life residents are more likely to receive inappropriate medication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jordi Amblas-Novellas, Scott A. Murray, Ramon Oller, Anna Torne, Joan Carles Martori, Sebastien Moine, Nadina Latorre-Vallbona, Joan Espaulella, Sebastia J. Santaeugenia, Xavier Gomez-Batiste
Summary: This study evaluated the frailty degree in older people towards the end of life with different advanced diseases, finding that the majority of end-of-life older people exhibited some degree of frailty, mostly advanced frailty. The degree of frailty was related to survival across different illness trajectories, despite varying survival patterns among trajectories. Frailty indexes may be useful in assessing end-of-life older people, regardless of their specific trajectory.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
J. Gonzalez-Bueno, D. Sevilla-Sanchez, E. Puigoriol-Juvanteny, N. Molist-Brunet, C. Codina-Jane, J. Espaulella-Panicot
Summary: The patient-centered prescription model improved medication adherence and effective prescribing in older patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention led to increased proportion of adherent patients, improved mean PDC, reduced number of long-term medications, decreased proportion of patients exposed to hyperpolypharmacy, simplified medication regimen complexity, and decreased potential inappropriate prescribing.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastia J. Santaeugenia, Joan C. Contel, Emili Vela, Montserrat Cleries, Paloma Amil, Eva M. Melendo-Azuela, Esther Gil-Sanchez, Victoria Mir, Jordi Amblas-Novellas
Summary: The Chronic Care Program in Catalonia introduced in 2011 aims to improve the management and identification of complex chronic patients and advanced chronic patients through an individualized care model. The study found that these patients were more prevalent in lower-income populations, had a higher burden of comorbidities, utilized more healthcare services, and were at a higher risk compared to non-CCP and non-ACP populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nuria Molist-Brunet, Daniel Sevilla-Sanchez, Emma Puigoriol-Juvanteny, Mariona Espaulella-Ferrer, Jordi Amblas-Novellas, Joan Espaulella-Panicot
Summary: The study found that inappropriate prescriptions were prevalent among older community-dwelling cohort, especially in those with frailty and polypharmacy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nuria Molist-Brunet, Daniel Sevilla-Sanchez, Emma Puigoriol-Juvanteny, Lorena Bajo-Penas, Immaculada Cantizano-Baldo, Laia Cabanas-Collell, Joan Espaulella-Panicot
Summary: This study compared the impact of place of residence (own home versus nursing home) on the characteristics of the baseline therapeutic plan and post-medication review (MR) therapeutic plan in older patients. The results showed that nursing home patients had a greater improvement in pharmacological parameters related to adverse events after an individualized MR.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nuria Molist-Brunet, Daniel Sevilla-Sanchez, Emma Puigoriol-Juvanteny, Matilde Barneto-Soto, Javier Gonzalez-Bueno, Joan Espaulella-Panicot
Summary: This study aimed to characterize a cohort of older adults with multimorbidity and carry out a medication review. The research found that an individualized medication review can significantly reduce polypharmacy, therapeutic complexity, and drug burden in older patients.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jordi Amblas-Novellas, Anna Torne, Ramon Oller, Joan Carles Martori, Joan Espaulella, Roman Romero-Ortuno
Summary: This study aimed to characterize transitions in frailty before, during, and after admission to an intermediate care facility and assess their impact on health outcomes. The results showed that frailty status varied before and during admission, with frailty on admission being the strongest predictor of mortality. Routine frailty measurement on admission could aid clinical management decisions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manel Mata-Cases, Didac Mauricio, Jordi Real, Bogdan Vlacho, Laura Romera-Liebana, Nuria Molist-Brunet, Marta Cedenilla, Josep Franch-Nadal
Summary: This study assessed the potential risk of overtreatment in patients aged 75 years or older with type 2 diabetes in primary care. The results showed that one in four older adults treated with antidiabetic drugs associated with a high risk of hypoglycemia might be at risk of overtreatment. This risk is higher in those treated with sulfonylureas or glinides than with insulin.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Joan Carles Martori, Raymond Lagonigro, Ricardo Iglesias-Pascual
Summary: This study examines the spatial patterns of air pollutants in Barcelona and explores the factors associated with air quality based on social and environmental characteristics. The results show that Barcelona has high levels of air pollution, exceeding the guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the European Union. The study also analyzes the spatial patterns of pollution and identifies clusters of pollutants in certain areas. Additionally, the study reveals a clear relationship between pollutants and population density, income, and age structure.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Demography
Joan Carles Martori, Rafa Madariaga
Summary: This study examines patterns of residential segregation for different nationalities in Barcelona and Madrid from 2008 to 2018. The findings show that there is higher segregation in Madrid compared to Barcelona, and there's an increasing concentration of immigrants in specific areas and mixed neighborhoods. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that segregation patterns differ based on continents or income levels of countries of origin. These results provide important empirical evidence of place stratification and ethnic enclave models.
POPULATION SPACE AND PLACE
(2023)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lilian Maithya Kamita, Scott A. Murray, Lawi Njiru, Eli Horn, Susan Chemutai, Paul Opare-Addo
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Geoff Boeing, Carl Higgs, Shiqin Liu, Billie Giles-Corti, James F. Sallis, Ester Cerin, Melanie Lowe, Deepti Adlakha, Erica Hinckson, Anne Vernez Moudon, Deborah Salvo, Marc A. Adams, Ligia Barrozo, Tamara Bozovic, Xavier Delclos-Alio, Jan Dygryn, Sara Ferguson, Klaus Gebel, Thanh Phuong Ho, Poh-Chin Lai, Joan C. Martori, Kornsupha Nitvimol, Ana Queralt, Jennifer D. Roberts, Garba H. Sambo, Jasper Schipperijn, David Vale, Nico Van de Weghe, Guillem Vich, Jonathan Arundel
Summary: Benchmarking and monitoring are crucial for achieving health and sustainability goals. Existing indicator frameworks have limitations in spatial scales. This study developed an open-source computational framework for urban indicators, enabling consistent local and global comparisons. The study calculated spatial indicators for urban design and transport features, linked them to policy contexts, and identified populations above and below critical thresholds for physical activity.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
