Forskningsartikler

Purpose: To synthesize qualitative empirical research that expands the knowledge of what people with dementia consider to be essential for daily living in a dementia-friendly society.

Methods: The authors searched phrases in the databases AgeLine, CINAHL, EMBASE, MedLine, PsycINFO, PubMed, ORIA, SveMed+, and Cochrane Library. Research articles that involved people with dementia and were conducted in Western countries, written in English, published in peer-reviewed academic journals using qualitative methods, and published within the past decade were included. The research included was critically and systematically appraised using the critical appraisal skills program checklist for qualitative research, and the findings were analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman’s method of qualitative content analysis.

Results: Overall, 1122 records-561 from 2019 and 561 from 2021-were identified through the search, and nine studies were included in the final synthesis. The studies included were from the United Kingdom (five studies), Australia (three studies), and New Zealand (one study). Through the analysis process, the following main theme emerged: giving voice to people with dementia, which summarizes the essence of what people with dementia believe is essential for daily living in a dementia-friendly society. The main theme covered two themes: a sense of being valued and a sense of being safeguarded, each of which contained subthemes.

Conclusion: To meet the WHO’s and the governments worldwide intention to develop dementia-friendly societies, further research should focus on the voices of people with dementia. By including those concerned, the political goals of a dementia-friendly society can be achieved.

Johanne Alteren, Aud Johannessen, Anne Marit Lyberg, Inger-Lise Magnussen

Background: Several screening tools are developed to identify frailty in the increasing number of older patients with cancer. Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) performs well in geriatric settings but is less studied in oncology. We aimed to investigate if EFS score (continuous and categorical) predicts survival in patients referred for radiotherapy, and to assess the concurrent validity of EFS compared with a modified geriatric assessment (mGA).

Methods: Prospective observational, single-center study including patients ≥65 years, referred for curative or palliative radiotherapy for confirmed cancer. Patients underwent mGA (assessment of cognition, mobility, falls, comorbidity, polypharmacy, depression, nutrition, and activities of daily living) and screening with EFS prior to radiotherapy. The predictive value of EFS score of two-year overall survival (OS) was assessed by Kaplan-Meier plots and compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression model was estimated to adjust the associations for major cancer-related factors. Concurrent validity of EFS in relation to mGA was estimated by Spearman`s correlation coefficient and ordinal regression. Sensitivity and specificity for different cut-offs was assessed.

Results: Patients’ (n = 301) mean age was 73.6 (SD 6.3) years, 159 (52.8%) were men, 54% received curative-intent treatment, breast cancer (32%) was the most prevalent diagnosis. According to EFS≥6, 101 (33.7%) were classified as frail. EFS score was predictive of OS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.30)], as was increasing severity assessed by categorical EFS (p<0.001). There was a strong correlation between EFS score and number of geriatric impairments (Spearman`s correlation coefficient 0.77). EFS cut-off ≥6 had a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.57 for identifying patients with minimum two geriatric impairments.

Conclusion: EFS predicts mortality in older patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, and it is a quick (<5 minutes) and sensitive screening tool to identify patients who may benefit from a geriatric assessment.

Inga Marie Røyset, Guro Falk Eriksen, Jūratė Šaltytė Benth, Ingvild Saltvedt, Bjørn Henning Grønberg, Siri Rostoft, Øyvind Kirkevold, Darryl Rolfson, Marit Slaaen

Background
Life expectancy (LE) is increasing worldwide, while there is lack of information on how this affects older individuals’ use of formal home care services.

Aim
We aimed to decompose LE into years with and without home care services and estimate projected number of users towards 2050 in Norway for people 70 years or older.

Methods
This study is based on a sample of 25,536 participants aged 70 years and older in the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) survey 2 (1995–1997), 3 (2006–2008), or 4 (2017–2019) linked with national data on mortality. Prevalence of home care services was standardised to the Norwegian population by age and sex. The Sullivan method was used to estimate expected years with and without home help services and nursing services for the years 1995, 2006 and 2016. Data from HUNT4 and Statistics Norway were used to estimate projected use of these services between 2020 and 2050.

Results
During 1995–2017, the use of home help services decreased from 22.6% to 6.2% (p < 0.001), and from 6.4% to 5.5% (p = 0.004) for home nursing services. Adjusted for age and sex, the use of home help services decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001), while home nursing services were stable (p = 0.69). LE at age 70 increased from 11.9 to 15.3 years in men (p < 0.05) during 1995–2017, and from 14.7 to 17.1 in women (p < 0.05). In the same period, the expected years receiving home help decreased from 2.6 to 1.1 in men (p < 0.05), and from 4.4 to 2.1 in women (p < 0.05). The expected years receiving home nursing increased from 0.6 to 0.9 in men (p < 0.05), and from 1.3 to 1.7 in women (p < 0.05). Projected numbers of people 70+ in Norway in need of either of these services were estimated to rise from 64,000 in 2020 to 160,000 in 2050.

Conclusion
While overall life expectancy increased, the expected years receiving home help have decreased and home nursing slightly increased among the Norwegian population aged 70 years and older during 1995–2017. However, the substantial increase in the projected number of older adults using home care services in the future is an alert for the current health care planners.

Milan Chang, Mona Michelet, Vegard Skirbekk, Ellen M. Langballe, Laila A. Hopstock, Erik R. Sund, Steinar Krokstad, Bjørn H. Strand

Background: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a simple test for measuring global cognitive function, is frequently used to evaluate cognition in older adults. To decide whether a score on the test indicates a significant deviation from the mean score, normative scores should be defined. Moreover, because the test may vary depending on its translation and cultural differences, normative scores should be established for national versions of the MMSE.

Objective: We aimed to examine normative scores for the third Norwegian version of the MMSE.

Methods: We used data from two sources: the Norwegian Registry of Persons Assessed for Cognitive Symptoms (NorCog) and the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). After persons with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and disorders that may cause cognitive impairment were excluded, the sample contained 1,050 cognitively healthy persons, 860 from NorCog, and 190 from HUNT, whose data we subjected to regression analyses.

Results: The normative MMSE score varied from 25 to 29, depending on years of education and age. More years of education and younger age were associated with higher MMSE scores, and years of education was the strongest predictor.

Conclusion: Mean normative MMSE scores depend on test takers’ years of education and age, with level of education being the strongest predictor.

Knut Engedal, Jūratė Šaltytė Benth, Linda Gjøra, Håvard Kjesbu Skjellegrind, Marit Nåvik, Geir Selbæk

Abstract:

This study investigates the relationships between subjective age, intrinsic capacity, functional ability and health among Norwegians aged 60 years and older. The Norwegian Survey of Health and Ageing (NORSE) is a population-based, cross-sectional study of home-dwelling individuals aged 60-96 years in the former county of Oppland. Age- and sex-adjusted regression models were used to investigate the gap between subjective and chronological age and this gap’s association with self-reported and objectively measured intrinsic capacity (covering all six sub domains defined by WHO), health, and functional ability among 817 NORSE participants. The results show most participants felt younger than their chronological age (86.5%), while relatively few felt the same as their chronological age (8.3%) or older (5.2%). The mean subjective age was 13.8 years lower than mean chronological age. Participants with urinal incontinence, poor vision, or poor hearing felt 3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.6, 5.5)], 2.9 [95% CI (0.2, 5.6)], and 2.9 [95% CI (0.3, 5.5)] years older, respectively, than participants without those conditions, whereas none of the following factors-anxiety, depression, chronic disease, Short Physical Performance Battery score, grip strength, cognition, or frailty-significantly had an impact on the gap. In line with prior research, this study finds that feeling considerably younger than one’s chronological age is common at older ages. However, those with poor hearing, poor vision, and urinal incontinence felt less young compared to those not having these conditions. These relationships may exert undesirable effects on vitality and autonomy, which are considered key factors of intrinsic capacity and healthy ageing.

Ellen Melbye Langballe, Vegard Skirbekk, Bjørn Heine Strand

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a high rate of infections, frequent outbreaks, and high mortality rates in nursing homes (NH) worldwide. To protect and improve the treatment and care of the vulnerable NH population, it is pivotal to systematise and synthesise data from cases of COVID-19 among NH residents. In our systematic review, we therefore aimed to describe the clinical expressions, characteristics, and treatments of NH residents confirmed to have COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted two comprehensive literature searches in several electronic databases: (1) PubMed, (2) CINAHL, (3) AgeLine, (4) Embase, and (5) PsycINFO in April and July 2021. Of the 438 articles screened, 19 were included in our sample, and we used the Newcastle–Ottawa Assessment Scale to assess the quality of the reported studies. A weighted mean (Mweighted), was calculated to account for the large variation in sample sizes of the studies, and due to heterogeneity among the studies, we report our findings in a narrative synthesis.

Results: According to the mean weights (Mweighted), common symptoms and signs in NH residents confirmed to have COVID-19 were fever (53.7%), cough (56.5%), hypoxia (32.3%), and delirium or confusion (31.2%). Common comorbidities were hypertension (78.6%), dementia or cognitive impairment (55.3%), and cardiovascular diseases (52.0%). Six studies presented data concerning medical and pharmacological treatments, such as inhalers, oxygen supplementation, anticoagulation, and parenteral/enteral fluids or nutrition. The treatments were used to improve outcomes, as part of palliative care, or as end-of-life treatment. Transfers to hospital for NH residents with confirmed COVID-19 were reported in six of the included studies, and the rate of hospital transfers ranged from 6.9% to 50% in this population. In the 17 studies reporting mortality, 40.2% of the NH residents died during the studies’ observation periods.

Conclusions: Our systematic review allowed us to summarise important clinical findings about COVID-19 among NH residents and to identify the population’s risk factors for serious illness and death caused by the disease. However, the treatment and care of NH residents with severe COVID-19 warrant further investigation.

Anita Nilsen, Bjørn Lichtwarck, Siren Eriksen and Anne Marie Mork Rokstad

Background: Mobility impairments, in terms of gait and balance, are common in persons with dementia. To explore this relationship further, we examined the associations between mobility and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) core biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 64 participants [two with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), 13 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 49 with dementia] from a memory clinic. Mobility was examined using gait speed, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems test (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and TUG dual-task cost (TUG DTC). The CSF biomarkers included were amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42), total-tau (t-tau), and phospho tau (p-tau181). Associations between mobility and biomarkers were analyzed through correlations and multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for (1) age, sex, and comorbidity, and (2) SCD/MCI vs. dementia.
Results: Aβ42 was significantly correlated with each of the mobility outcomes. In the adjusted multiple regression analyses, Aβ42 was significantly associated with Mini- BESTest and TUG in the fully adjusted model and with TUG DTC in step 1 of the adjusted model (adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity). T-tau was only associated with TUG DTC in step 1 of the adjusted model. P-tau181 was not associated with any of the mobility outcomes in any of the analyses.
Conclusion: Better performance on mobility outcomes were associated with higher levels of CSF Aβ42. The association was strongest between Aβ42 and Mini-BESTest, suggesting that dynamic balance might be closely related with AD-specific pathology.

Gro Gujord Tangen, Karen Sverdrup, Kristin Taraldsen, Karin Persson, Knut Engedal, Peter Bekkhus-Wetterberg and Anne-Brita Knapskog

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Half of patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS SCLC) are >70 years, but account for <20% of participants in most trials. Comorbidities, reduced organ- and physical function might lead to more treatment toxicity and population-based studies indicate that fewer older than younger LS SCLC patients receive standard chemoradiotherapy, although there is limited evidence for such a policy.
Methods: We compared baseline characteristics, comorbidity, survival, treatment completion, toxicity, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment outcomes between patients >70 and <70 years in an open label randomized phase II trial comparing twice-daily thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) of 45 Gy in 30 fractions with 60 Gy in 40 fractions in LS SCLC. All patients received concurrent platinum/etoposide chemotherapy.
Results: 170 patients who were >18 years and had performance status (PS) 0-2 were randomized. Of these, 53 patients (60 Gy:25, 45 Gy:28) were >70 years and 117 (60 Gy:64, 45 Gy:53) were younger. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, treatment completion rates, toxicity, or response rates across age groups. HRQoL mean scores was similar during year one, but older patients reported more decline on functional scales than younger patients during year two. OS was significantly shorter for older patients while there was no significant difference in PFS or TTP.
Conclusion: Patients >70 years tolerated concurrent twice daily chemoradiotherapy and achieved similar disease control as younger patients, indicating that older patients should receive the same treatment as younger patients.

Kristin Toftaker Killingberg, Bjørn Henning Grønberg, Marit Slaaen, Øyvind Kirkevold, Tarje Onsøien Halvorsen

Summary

Despite evidence suggesting that insomnia is associated with the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction, studies have shown mixed results. Dementia has a long prodromal phase, and studies with long follow-up are required to avoid reverse causality. In our 11-year follow-up study, we assessed whether probable insomnia disorder (PID) based on diagnostic criteria, and insomnia symptoms were associated with risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognition, measured with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale. We also examined if Apolipoprotein E genotype modified any associations with dementia through interaction. We analysed data from 7492 participants in the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study. PID was not associated with all-cause dementia (odds ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.74–1.43), AD (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval = 0.71–1.60) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (regression coefficient = 0.37, 95% confidence interval = −0.06 to 0.80). The insomnia symptom “difficulties maintaining sleep” was associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia (odds ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval = 0.67–0.98), AD (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval = 0.57–0.93), and better Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, mean 0.40 units (95% confidence interval = 0.15–0.64). No interaction with Apolipoprotein E genotype was found. PID and insomnia symptoms did not increase the risk of dementia in our study. More research with longer follow-up is needed, and future studies should explore if the associations to dementia risk vary across insomnia subtypes.

Selma Selbæk-Tungevåg, Geir Selbæk, Bjørn Heine Strand, Christian Myrstad, Gill Livingston, Stian Lydersen, Sverre Bergh, Linda Ernstsen