Forskningsartikler

Maria Krogseth, Siri Rostoft, Jūratė Šaltytė Benth, Geir Selbæk, Torgeir Bruun Wyller

Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are important to capture the patients’ voice. No such measure is routinely used for evaluation after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to adapt the short version of the PREM questionnaire quality from the patients’ perspective (QPP), and assess the construct validity of this version. Quality from the patients’ perspective assesses 4 dimensions of quality of care. Involving discussion with user representatives, the QPP short version was adapted by adding 7 context-specific questions based on items from the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice. This short version was answered on smartphone or tablet by 265 patients. We used exploratory factor analysis to assess dimensionality. For comparison with previous publications of the QPP, the analysis was repeated after mean imputation of missing values. The factor analysis identified 7 factors among the 30 analyzed items included in the analysis, explaining 64.9% of the variance. After imputation of missing, 2 factors explained 48.6% of the variance. None of these analysis captured the 4 dimensions of the QPP.

Ola Christiansen, Jūratė Šaltytė Benth, Øyvind Kirkevold, Ola Bratt, Marit Slaaen

Aims
The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of homecare staff about the impact of the organization of homecare services for people with dementia.

Design
This study has a qualitative, exploratory design based on a phenomenological‐hermeneutic approach, using individual in‐depth interviews with homecare staff to collect data.
Methods
A convenience sample of 14 homecare staff from five municipalities participated in the study. Main topics introduced: (a) how homecare services for people with dementia are organized and (b) challenges in respondents’ everyday practice of caring for people with dementia. Interviews were conducted from October to December 2017.
Results
Three main themes were identified from the interviews. (a) Complexity and need for individualized facilitated homecare services; homecare services were described as complex in regard to both the patient and the service. The complexity of the service made it challenging to tailor the service to the individual patient. (b) The importance of trust and relationships; establishing trust in the relationship between the patient and the staff resulted in better‐quality care. This was crucial for identifying the patient’s need for help. (c) Organizational challenges; homecare services could be vulnerable to changes in the organization. Practical tasks and following the daily scheduled task list were often prioritized at the expense of an individually tailored service.

Kari‐Anne Hoel, Anne Marie Mork Rokstad, Ingvild Hjorth Feiring, Bjørn Lichtwarck, Geir Selbæk,  Sverre Bergh

Abstract

Purpose: Zuclopenthixol is an antipsychotic available as oral and long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age on zuclopenthixol exposure during oral and LAI administrations without and with adjustment for CYP2D6 genotype.

Methods: Data on serum concentrations of zuclopenthixol and CYP2D6 genotype (available for 28.2% of the population) from patients using oral or LAI zuclopenthixol were included retrospectively from a therapeutic drug monitoring service during the period 2005-2019. As a measure of exposure, dose-adjusted serum concentration (C/D ratio) was used. Based on age, patients were grouped to older (≥ 65 years) or younger (18-64 years). Linear mixed model analyses without and with adjustment for CYP2D6 genotype were used.

Results: Serum concentrations of zuclopenthixol from 1145 (14.1% older) and 899 patients (24.6% older) in the LAI and oral groups were included, respectively. Compared with younger patients, older patients had a higher C/D ratio of zuclopenthixol for LAI (+ 25-33%, p < 0.001) and oral formulation (+ 25-29%, p ≤ 0.003) without and with adjustment for CYP2D6 genotype. The doses were lower in older versus younger patients (oral: – 30%; LAI: – 20%; p < 0.001). Compared with the younger LAI users without reduced CYP2D6 function, a higher C/D ratio was observed in the older LAI users with reduced CYP2D6 function (+ 104%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The present study showed that zuclopenthixol exposure increases in older patients and that the older LAI users with reduced CYP2D6 function are exposed to high serum concentrations. Also, the present study showed that similar dose reductions are required for oral and LAI users.

Marit Tveito, Robert Løvsletten Smith, Espen Molden, Gudrun Høiseth

Purpose: Paliperidone palmitate is an antipsychotic medication available as long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age and gender on paliperidone exposure after administration of LAI formulations.

Methods: Data on serum concentrations of paliperidone from patients using LAI during were included retrospectively from a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) service. Information about dose was obtained from the requisition forms. As a measure of exposure, daily dose-adjusted serum concentration (C/D ratio) was used. Based on initial analysis of C/D ratios versus age, a breaking point close to 50 years was observed, thus deciding the grouping of patients as older (≥50 years) or younger (15-49 years). Linear mixed model analyses, allowing multiple measurements per patients, were used.

Results: In total, 1223 patients were included, whereof 1158 patients used paliperidone LAI in once-monthly intervals. In these patients (27.9% older), older patients had significantly higher paliperidone C/D ratio than younger patients (+20%, p<0.001). Compared to males, females had higher C/D ratio (+14%; p<0.001). Subsequently, older female users of once-monthly LAI intervals had 41% higher paliperidone C/D ratios compared to younger males (15.0 vs. 21.2 nM/mg; p<0.001). Compared to females aged 21-30 years, females with high age (≥70 years) had at least 105% higher paliperidone C/D ratio (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The present study shows that older age and female gender are associated with higher paliperidone exposure than younger age and males, respectively. Particularly, older female patients (>50 years) are likely exposed to high concentration and cautious dosing in this subgroup is required.

Marit Tveito, Gudrun Høiseth, Tore Haslemo, Espen Molden, Robert Løvsletten Smith

Background: Engaging aged residential care (ARC) residents with physical activity (PA) may be a useful strategy to decelerate dependence and disability. It is unclear what volume, intensity and patterns of PA ARC residents participate in. This review aims to synthesize the literature to quantify the volume, intensity and pattern of PA that ARC residents participate in across differing care levels (e.g. low, intermediate, high, mixed), and make recommendations for future research.

Methods: 30 studies of 48,760 yielded were reviewed using systematic review strategies.

Results: Questionnaires and technological tools were used to assess PA, with accelerometers employed in 70% of studies. Overall, studies reported low volumes and intensities of PA across all care levels, and suggested limited variation in patterns of PA (e.g. little day-to-day variation in total PA). There was limited inclusion of people with cognitive impairment, potentially causing representativeness bias. Findings were limited by lack of consistency in methodological approaches and PA outcomes.

Discussion: Based on findings and limitations of current research, we recommend that total volume or low-light intensity PA are more useful interventional outcomes than higher-intensity PA. Researchers also need to consider which methodology and PA outcomes are most useful to quantify PA in ARC residents.

Ríona Mc Ardle, Karen Sverdrup, Silvia Del Din, Sue Lord, Ngaire Kerse, Lynn Rochester, Lynne Taylor

Background: Spatial navigation is a prodromal dementia marker. Exercise used alongside virtual reality improves many cognitive functions, but effects on spatial navigation are still unclear.
Objective: To investigate the effect of virtual reality-based physical exercise with 2D exergames on spatial navigation in institutionalized non-robust older persons.
Method: A total of 14 older persons (aged ≧ 60) were randomly allocated to the exergame (EG) and active control (ACG) groups. EG performed exercises with 2D exergames, while the ACG used the same movements as the EG, but without the use of virtual reality. Spatial navigation was assessed through the Floor Maze Test, where the immediate maze time (IMT) and delayed maze time (DMT) were recorded.
Results: Spatial navigation was enhanced in EG participants compared to ACG individuals. A significant (p = 0.01) IMT reduction between groups was observed, while DMT time without prior planning was significantly different at the significance threshold (p = 0.07).
Conclusions: Virtual reality-based exercise improves the spatial navigation of institutionalized non-robust older persons. This study should be replicated to confirm the findings reported herein.

Luciana Mendes Oliveira, Eric Hudson Evangelista e Souza, Mariana Rocha Alves, Lara S. F. Carneiro, Daniel Ferreira Fagundes, Alfredo Maurício Batista de Paula, Knut Engedal, Osvaldo J. M. Nascimento and Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior

Comment.
The Lancet. Public Health Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2021, Pages e85-e86

Geir Selbæk

Age-related muscle wasting can compromise functional abilities of the elderly. Protein intake stimulates muscle protein synthesis; however, ageing muscle is more resistant to stimuli. This double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial is one of the first registered studies to evaluate the effects of a supplement of marine protein hydrolysate (MPH) on measures of physical function and strength. Eighty-six older adults received nutritional supplements containing 3 g of MPH or a placebo for up to 12 months. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), grip strength and gait speed were measured, and dietary intake was registered at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. No difference was found between the intervention and control groups in mean change in SPPB (independent sample t-test, p = 0.41) or regarding time trend in SPPB, grip strength, or gait speed (linear mixed model). The participants in our study were well functioning, causing a ceiling effect in SPPB. Further, they had sufficient protein intake and were physically active. Differences in physical function between those completing the intervention and the dropouts might also have created bias in the results. We recommend that future studies of MPH be carried out on a more frail or malnourished population.

Linda Kornstad Nygård, Ingunn Mundal , Lisbeth Dahl, Jūratė Šaltytė Benth, Anne Marie Mork Rokstad