Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Multiple exercise modalities and mindfulness activities are beneficial in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Karate is a martial art that combines aerobic and large-amplitude movements, balance and core training, and mindfulness, suggesting a potential benefit for individuals with PD from multiple perspectives. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility of community-based Shotokan karate classes involving physical activity and mindfulness among individuals with mild- to moderate-stage PD, and to explore the effects of karate on objective and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS:We conducted a 10-week, unblinded trial of twice weekly, PD-specific karate classes. Feasibility was assessed by: dropout rates, adherence via attendance records, adverse effects and falls, and continued participation six months post-intervention. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention assessments of disease-related quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, PDQ-8), falls, and post-intervention assessment of change in overall wellbeing (Patient Global Impression of Change, PGIC), with exploratory measures of mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), mood using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and cognition using digit span forward and backward and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). RESULTS:Of 19 enrolled participants, 15 completed the study (79%). Among completers, mean adherence was 87% during the ten weeks of intervention, and 53% maintained karate participation six months later and endorsed sustained improvement, respectively. No adverse effects or change in fall frequency were detected. Among completers, 53% were women, and mean PD duration was 6 years (range 2-20). Quality of life improved to a clinically significant degree (PDQ-8: mean 25.3 (standard deviation (SD) 20.8) versus 19.3 (SD 19.6), p = 0.01, effect size 0.83). On the PGIC, 87% endorsed feeling moderately or considerably better. Mobility did not change significantly (TUG: 9.6 seconds (SD 2.23) versus 9.0 seconds (SD 1.89), p = 0.12, effect size 0.43), nor were there changes in overall physical activity, mood, or cognition (p = 0.35-0.92). CONCLUSIONS:In a small, 10-week, unblinded trial of community-based karate classes for individuals with mild and moderate PD, high adherence was noted. Quality of life and wellbeing improved significantly, without changes in exploratory outcomes of mobility or neuropsychological outcomes. The study was underpowered, particularly for the exploratory outcomes. Controlled and longitudinal investigation is warranted to confirm our pilot findings and explore the long-term effects and sustainability of karate in PD. TRIAL REGISTRATION/BACKGROUND:Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03555695.

The objective of this study was to analyze data from the National Football League Player Care Foundation Study of Retired NFL Players to understand potential risks for depressive symptoms in former athletes by investigating the relationship between pain and depressive symptoms in a multivariate context, while simultaneously exploring the potential connection with functional limitations. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study sample and to conduct bivariate comparisons by race and age cohort. Linear regression models were conducted in the subsample of respondents reporting on depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Models examine the relationship of bodily pain, injury as a reason for retirement or not re-signing with a team, length of NFL career, sociodemographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and functional limitations to depression. Interaction terms tested whether race and age moderated the effect of bodily pain and functional limitations on depressive symptoms. Bivariate associations revealed no significant differences between younger and older former players in indicators of pain and only slightly higher functional limitations among younger former players. In the multivariate models, pain was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.36; p < .01), net of a range of relevant controls. Adding an index of functional limitations reduced this association by nearly half (β = 0.20; p < .01) and functional limitations was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.40; p < .01). No statistically significant interactions were found. Overall, bodily pain was strongly associated with depressive symptoms. After accounting for the effects of functional limitations, this association was notably reduced. These results may be useful in identifying aging-related physical declines in relatively younger adult men who may be at the greatest risk for depression. They highlight how physical functionality and activity may mitigate the risk of depression, even in the presence of significant bodily pain.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Patient activation encompasses the knowledge, skills, and confidence that equip adults to participate actively in their healthcare. Patients with hearing loss may be less able to participate due to poor aural communication. We examined whether difficulty hearing is associated with lower patient activation. DESIGN/METHODS:Cross-sectional study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:A nationally representative sample of Americans aged 65 years and older (n = 13 940) who participated in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) during the years 2011 to 2013. MEASUREMENT/METHODS:Self-reported degree of difficulty hearing ("no trouble," "a little trouble," and "a lot of trouble") and overall activation based on aggregated scored responses to 16 questions from the MCBS Patient Activation Supplement: low activation (below the mean minus 0.5 SDs), high activation (above the mean plus 0.5 SDs), and medium activation (the remainder). Sociodemographic and self-reported clinical measures were also included. RESULTS:"A little trouble" hearing was reported by 5655 (40.6%) of respondents, and "a lot of trouble" hearing was reported by 893 (6.4%) of respondents. Difficulty hearing was significantly associated with low patient activation: in analyses using multivariable multinomial logistic regression, respondents with "a little trouble" hearing had 1.42 times the risk of low vs high activation (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-1.58), and those with "a lot of trouble" hearing had 1.70 times the risk of low vs high activation (95% CI = 1.29-2.11), compared with those with "no trouble" hearing. CONCLUSIONS:Nearly half of people aged 65 years and older reported difficulty hearing, and those reporting difficulty were at risk of low patient activation. That risk rose with increased difficulty hearing. Given the established link between activation and outcomes of care, and in view of the association between hearing loss and poor healthcare quality and outcomes, clinicians may be able to improve care for people with hearing loss by attending to aural communication barriers.

Background: Forty percent of Americans are expected to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) within their lifetime, and up to one third of older adults with DM face co-occurring cognitive impair-ment and/or Alzheimer's disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). These co-morbidities create significant challenges in management for both patient and care partner, which is further compounded by a lack of consensus regarding optimal care. We conducted a systematic liter-ature review to better characterize the evidence guiding care for older patients with DM-ADRD.
Method(s): We used the PRISMA method to guide this system-atic review. A specialized librarian searched PubMed (Medline) using relevant search terms related to the management of DM and ADRD. This process yielded 2,158 DM studies and 1,401 ADRD studies. We included studies that were applicable to adults over 60 years old, published within the past 5 years, conducted within a primary care setting and written in English. Our review returned 267 DM and 104 ADRD focused results, of which 50 DM and 40 ADRD studies were included after abstract and full text review requiring two expert votes. Additionally, through expert opinion, we identified an additional 40 DM and 60 ADRD studies for inclusion.
Result(s): Based on this evidence, we identified methods for screening, diagnosis and management of patients with DM and ADRD as well as general principles related to care partner support, geriat-ric care, geriatric syndromes and goals for blood pressure and lipid management.
Conclusion(s): A review of the literature suggested the importance of individualizing care while monitoring and managing care partner stress, geriatric conditions, cognitive changes, complication risks, and glycemic, blood pressure, and cholesterol targets in order to achieve high quality care. The next steps are to use this information to generate decisional guidance for providers of older adults with DM-ADRD

Background: As many as 25% of older adults with diabetes (DM) may have co-occurring Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), complicated by over-and under-treatment, caregiver burden, and excess healthcare utilization. Despite these co-occurring conditions, there is no specific clinical guidance forsafe and high-quality treatment to achieve health outcomes that matter to patients andcaregivers. describe potential barriers and facilitators to implementing a quality improvement intervention focused on management of patients with DM-ADRD; and explore the support needs of patients and their family caregivers.
Method(s): This qualitative study was conducted in the forma-tive phase of "Enhanced Quality in Primary care for Elders with DM-ADRD (EQUIPED-ADRD) a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in a large, diverse healthcare system. Key stakeholder interviews with clinic staff, providers and caregivers (n=11) guided by a semi-structured interview guide elicited in-depth descriptions of current processes in clinical management including strengths and weaknesses; identified potential barriers and facilitators to the proposed intervention and explored patient and caregiver needs. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and findings were used to refine the intervention.
Result(s): The overarching theme across all stakeholders was that DM-ADRD management should address the unique and individ-ualized needs of patients and caregivers without disrupting patient-provider relationships. Coordinated communication across teams and with patients/caregivers is essential. Caregivers reported increasing burden and need for resources to help manage day to day caregiver responsibilities including tangible (education, transportation, e.g.,) and emotional support.
Conclusion(s): An EQUPED-ADRD toolbox to facilitate interven-tion training and utilization and promote communication among the healthcare team and with patients/caregivers will support implemen-tation success. Activating existing available resources (social/nurs-ing services, respite care) and care coordination may help caregivers especially, as patient care needs increase over time. Health education should focus on DM and ADRD with ongoing re-education as care needs change

BACKGROUND: Harmful effects of intensive glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) highlights the need for de-intensification of therapy in some patients, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) with greater self-management challenges. However, the burden and potential adverse effects are unclear. This analysis seeks to quantify the extent of "over-treatment" of adults >= 65 years with DM and ADRD defined by glycemic control in AGS and ADA guidelines, and to determine associations with DM medication and/or healthcare utilization.
METHOD(S): We conducted descriptive and bivariate statistics using 2 years of EHR data from all primary care and endocrine clinics in the NYU Langone Health. Analyses included patients >65 years, with ADRD and DM diagnoses, on DM medication, and recorded HbA1c. Overtreatment was defined as an HbA1c of >7%. Other covariates analyzed included demographics, DM medications, and healthcare utilization.
RESULT(S): Of those meeting inclusion criteria (n=803), 59.7% (n=479) were over-treated for DM. The over-treated group was 56.4% female, 69.1% white, and 19.2% Hispanic. This group had a mean HbA1c value of 6.3% +/-.5, mean age of 79.5 +/- 8.2, and mean number of PCP visits over 2 years of 8.7 +/- 6.5. While those over-treated were less likely to be on insulin than those not over-treated, 70% (n=227) vs. 46% (n=221), respectively, those over-treated and on insulin were found to have statistically significant higher utilization of emergency department (64.3% (n=142) vs. 50.2% (n=114)) and inpatient visits (84.6% (n=187) vs. 67.8% (n=154)) than those not over-treated.
CONCLUSION(S): Many older adults with DM and ADRD are under tight glycemic control, despite the recommendation of recent literature and guidelines. This suggests the need for de-intensification of DM treatment in this population, and further research to opera-tionalize de-intensification, while maintaining individualized patient health status and goals. [Table Presented]

Case Presentation: An 86 yo male with history of chronic sinusitis, HTN and DM came to the hospital with cough, exertional dyspnea, and unintentional weight loss for 3 months. Initial chest CT showed right middle lobe consolidation and pulmonary nodules. He was treated for pneumonia and discharged home. He returned 8 days later and repeat chest CT showed increased size of bilateral nodu-lar consolidations, and new small subsegmental pulmonary emboli. Despite treatment, he developed acute respiratory failure requiring intubation, acute kidney injury and hypotension requiring vasopres-sors. Geriatrics was involved to assist with family meetings, to under-stand the patient's goals of care, and to set realistic treatment plans. Due to the patient's lack of capacity, his friend as healthcare proxy (HCP) along with patient's niece and nephew made the decision to not resuscitate. Given patient's history of chronic sinusitis with rapidly progressive lung involvement, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) was suspected and lung biopsy result confirmed the diagnosis. A multidis-ciplinary meeting was held with patient's HCP, niece, nephew, geriat-rics and rheumatology to discuss treatment options. After much debate, the family decided to pursue a trial of aggressive treatment with rituxin. However, rituxin infusion was stopped when patient further decom-pensated. After patient's condition stabilized, he firmly expressed his wish to go home. Another family meeting was held and treatment was shifted to comfort care to align with the patient's goals of care.
Discussion(s): GPA is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis affect-ing small-and medium-sized vessels. The reported peak incidence of GPA is between ages 65 to 70 years. Upper airway disease is the most common presenting feature of GPA. Our patient presented with typical features of GPA at an atypical age. Although early initiation of treatment has shown to improve patient survival in the average population, there is lack of evidence in frail older adults. Questions regarding treatment side effect, outcome and disease prognosis should be explored with patients at the earliest point of care possible in order to set a realistic treatment plan. Establishing rapport with patient and family, and involving them in management is crucial for making treat-ment decisions that align with their goals of care

Background: Older adults visit Emergency Departments (ED) more often and have repeated visits, compared with younger individu-als. Cognitive impairment may drive ED use and may be more preva-lent in ED settings; yet it is often unrecognized, potentially resulting in suboptimal discharge planning. Cognitive screening is not routine ED care and staff are not typically trained in proper procedures.
Method(s): Using a volunteer workforce of college students and recent graduates provides an opportunity for clinical training as cogni-tive screeners and increases opportunities for system change. Volunteers screened for cognitive impairment among English and Spanish speaking patients who were admitted to a large academic ED and were likely to be discharged to home. We targeted patients >= 75 years and requested screening with the MiniCog$sup$

Background: The United States is experiencing a demographic shift, where the older adult population is expected to more than double from 32 million in 2012 to more than 88 million in 2050. Coupled with the current and anticipated shortage of providers, there is a need to identify alternative ways for clinicians to serve the healthcare needs of older adults. This is especially relevant in post-acute care (PAC) where one of the greatest challenges in providing comprehensive healthcare services is a lack of access. Alternative delivery models such as telehealth can allow providers to evaluate a resident with a change of condition, provide specialist consultations or manage care continuum transitions in place. Despite its benefits, telehealth adop-tion in PAC has been limited. Challenges in information dissemination on how telehealth can be used in PAC and lack of specific guidance on implementation for staff contributes to the lack of proliferation of telehealth models. Thus, there is a need for informative and guiding resources to assist PAC facilities in the implementation and utilization of telehealth tools and processes.
Method(s): The West Health Institute convened leading tele-health organizations to understand best practices for telehealth in PAC settings. The leading organizations that participated in this endeavor are Curavi Health, TripleCare, Avera eCARE, AGS, AMDA, Cobble Hill, CCHP, Foley & Lardner, LLC, SHARP HealthCare and UC San Diego Health.
Result(s): This collaboration developed and shared recommenda-tions on critical components of telehealth implementation to empower PAC settings to improve access and quality of care with telehealth. The completed implementation manual includes guidelines and recommendations on topics such as: Needs Assessments, Readiness Assessments, Financial and Reimbursement models, Implementation, Legal and Policy considerations and Performance Monitoring and Sustainability.
Conclusion(s): Through this extensive network of telehealth advocates, the goal of the collaboration is to disseminate learnings to advance telehealth implementation and enable older adults to success-fully age in place. With informative and guiding resources to assist staff, we can provide them with necessary tools to implement and utilize telehealth and help shape the next generation of post-acute care clinicians