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Biomedical subjects

Y Gustafson

Publications and source records attributed to Y Gustafson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Well-being, sense of coherence, and burnout in stroke victims and spouses during the first few months after stroke.

Ten stroke victims, who had recently suffered their first manifest stroke with lasting neurological symptoms, participated, together with their spouses, in a study aimed at elucidating the well-being, sense of coherence (SOC), and burnout during the first few months after discharge. The stroke victims had no substantial speech disturbances, and showed no evidence of significant cognitive impairment, signifying they were mildly to moderately impaired by their stroke. All subjects were investigated at 1 and 3 months after homecoming. The methods used in this study were open-ended interviews with all research participants, performed at two different appointments, and three self-reporting questionnaires: the well-being measure (WM), the SOC scale, and the burnout measure (BM). The instruments suit each other well, broaden the picture of living with stroke and give an attuned comprehensive understanding. The most striking finding was the substantial differences in the results, both regarding the stroke victims and their spouses, clearly indicating the limited value current generalizations have. The results also pointed to considerable distress both in stroke victims and spouses, although individuals with a weak SOC clearly displayed more difficulties in coping with the situation and risk of burnout, than did those with a strong SOC.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Sleep apnea, delirium, depressed mood, cognition, and ADL ability after stroke.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of sleep apnea and stroke increases with age. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of sleep apnea after stroke and its relationship to delirium, depressed mood, cognitive functioning, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and psychiatric and behavior symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Geriatric stroke rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: 133 patients (78 women and 55 men, mean age 77.1 +/- 7.7 years) consecutively admitted to a geriatric stroke rehabilitation unit. MEASUREMENTS: All patients underwent overnight respiratory sleep recordings at 23 +/- 7 days (range 11 to 41 days) after suffering a stroke. The patients were assessed using the Organic Brain Syndrome Scale, Montgomery-Asberg-Depression-Rating Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Barthel-ADL Index. Sleep apnea was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 10 or more. RESULTS: The median of the AHI for the studied sample (N = 133) was 13 (range 0-79; interquartile range 6-28). Fifty-nine percent fulfilled the criteria for sleep apnea; 52% with first-ever stroke had sleep apnea. More patients with sleep apnea than without were delirious, depressed, or more ADL-dependent. Sleep apnea patients also had a higher frequency of ischemic heart disease and had more often suffered from an earlier cerebral infarction. Multivariate analysis showed that obesity, low ADL scores, ischemic heart disease, and depressed mood were independently associated with sleep apnea. Low ADL scores, apnea-related hypoxemia, body mass index < or = 27, and impaired vision were independently associated with delirium. The presence of sleep apnea was not associated with any specific type of stroke or location of the brain lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apnea is common in stroke patients and is associated with delirium, depressed mood, latency in reaction and in response to verbal stimuli, and impaired ADL ability. We suggest a trial investigating whether delirium, depressed mood, and ADL ability improve with nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment of sleep apnea in stroke patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Delirium before and after operation for femoral neck fracture.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between preoperative and postoperative delirium regarding predisposing, precipitating factors and outcome in older patients admitted to hospital with femoral neck fractures. DESIGN: A prospective clinical assessment of patients treated for femoral neck fractures. SETTING: Department of orthopedic surgery at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred one patients, age 65 and older admitted to the hospital for treatment of femoral neck fractures. MEASUREMENTS: The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) Scale. RESULTS: Thirty patients (29.7%) were delirious before surgery and another 19 (18.8%) developed delirium postoperatively. Of those who were delirious preoperatively, all but one remained delirious postoperatively. The majority of those delirious before surgery were demented, had been treated with drugs with anticholinergic properties (mainly neuroleptics), had had previous episodes of delirium, and had fallen indoors. Patients who developed postoperative delirium had perioperative falls in blood pressure and had more postoperative complications such as infections. Male patients were more often delirious both preoperatively and postoperatively. Patients with preoperative delirium were more often discharged to institutional care and had poorer walking ability both on discharge and after 6 months than did patients with postoperative delirium only. CONCLUSIONS: Because preoperative and postoperative delirium are associated with different risk factors it is necessary to devise different strategies for their prevention.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure in stroke patients with sleep apnoea: a randomized treatment study.

The authors have investigated whether treatment of sleep apnoea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) improves depressive symptoms, personal activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive functioning and delirium in patients that have suffered a stroke. Sixty-three patients consecutively admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit 2-4 weeks after a stroke, with an apnoea/hypopnoea index > or =15, were randomized to either nCPAP treatment (n=33) or a control group (n=30). Four patients dropped out after randomization. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after 7 and 28 nights using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Barthel-ADL index, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale. Compared to the control group, depressive symptoms (MADRS total score) improved in patients randomized to nCPAP treatment (p=0.004). No significant treatment effect was found with regard to delirium, MMSE or Barthel-ADL index. Delirium and low cognitive level (MMSE score) explained poor compliance with nCPAP. Depressive symptoms are reduced through nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with severe stroke and sleep apnoea. Compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment is a problem in stroke patients, especially when delirium and severe cognitive impairment occur.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

The Mobility Interaction Fall chart.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a screening tool for the identification of older people living in residential care facilities who are prone to falling. METHOD: Two tests focusing on attentional demands while walking were performed: 'Stops walking when talking' and the 'diffTUG'. Medical assessment, rating for cognition, depression and activities of daily living were also carried out. Falls indoors were followed up prospectively over a period of six months. A flowchart, the Mobility Interaction Fall (MIF) chart, for the identification of older people who are prone to falling was developed. The MIF chart includes an observation of mobility level and 'Stops walking when talking', the diffTUG, a test of vision and a rating of concentration. Study subjects were 78 residents, aged over 65 years, in one residential care facility (22 M; 56 F; median age 82 years, range 66-99 years) in Umeå, Sweden. RESULTS: Thirty-three (42%) subjects suffered at least one fall indoors during the follow-up period. The rate of falls differed significantly between those subjects classified as being at risk of falls and those not so classified (log rank test 39.1; p < 0.001; hazard ratio 12.1; 95% CI 4.6-31.8). The positive predictive value for the classification was 78% (95% CI 67-87%) and the negative predictive value was 88% (95% CI 79-95%). CONCLUSION: The initial findings for the MIF chart indicate a promising way of classifying older people at residential care facilities as being at high or low risk of falling. The classification is quick and easy and requires no expensive equipment.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2000

Geriatric-based versus general wards for older acute medical patients: a randomized comparison of outcomes and use of resources.

BACKGROUND: The effects of residence in an acute geriatrics-based ward (AGW) with emphasis on early rehabilitation and discharge planning for older patients with acute medical illnesses were assessed. Outcome and use of resources were compared with those of patients treated in general medical wards (MWs). A per-protocol rather than intention-to-treat analysis was performed. METHODS: A randomized trial with 3-months follow-up. A total of 190 patients aged 70 years and older were randomized to an acute geriatrics-based ward, and 223 patients were randomized to general medical wards. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at inclusion. However, after care in the AGW, 71% of patients could be discharged directly home compared with 64% of those treated in MWs (relative risk 1.17; 95% CI, 0.93-1.49). The length of stay was shorter in the AGW (mean 5.9 vs 7.3 days; P = .002). The proportion of patients in geriatric or other hospital wards or in nursing homes did not differ, but the proportion of AGW patients in sheltered living tended to be lower (P = .085). At the follow-up, case fatality, ADL function, psychological well-being, need for daily personal assistance, drug consumption, need for readmission to hospital, and total health care costs after discharge did not differ between the two groups. Poor global outcome was observed in 37% of AGW and 34% of MW patients. CONCLUSIONS: A geriatric approach with greater emphasis on early rehabilitation and discharge planning in the AGW shortened the length of hospital stay and may have reduced the need for long-term institutional living. This occurred despite patients in an acute geriatric ward not having better medical or functional outcome than older acute patients treated in general medical wards.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Stroke, a major and increasing risk factor for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with stroke have up to a 4-fold increased risk of hip fracture because of their high incidence of falls and loss of bone mass in the paretic side, ie, hemiosteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of previous stroke among patients with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: The study included all 568 patients, aged >/=65 years, who underwent surgery for femoral neck fracture in 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993, and 1997 at the orthopedic clinic of Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. RESULTS: The prevalence of previous strokes ranged from 16.4% to 38.5% (P<0.001); this finding is only partly explained by the increased incidence of stroke in the corresponding population, and there was no significant increase in the overall incidence of femoral neck fracture. Fractures occurred 5.4+/-6.4 years after stroke (median 2.9 years, range 0 to 33 years). In stroke patients with unilateral stroke and persisting paresis at the time of fracture, 62.5% had their fracture on the paretic side (P=0. 034). Survival was significantly reduced in patients with previous stroke (P<0.001). In patients previously independently mobile, 69.2% with no previous stroke and 38.1% with previous stroke were still mobile at discharge from the orthopedic unit (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Attention must be focused on stroke as a major and increasing risk factor for femoral neck fracture and also on the poor postfracture outcome and reduced survival of these patients. Prevention of poststroke fractures is necessary and is aimed at reducing the risk of poststroke fall and preventing the development of hemiosteoporosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Progressive hemiosteoporosis on the paretic side and increased bone mineral density in the nonparetic arm the first year after severe stroke.

Fractures are a common and serious complication after stroke and the risk of hip fractures among stroke patients is 2 to 4 times greater than among other elderly people. The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the change in bone mineral density (BMD) after severe stroke and to study the association between motor impairment, disability and the development of hemiosteoporosis. The study comprised 24 stroke patients, with no persistent paresis from previous strokes or previous osteoporotic fractures, included 1 month after stroke onset. BMD, motor function, ambulation and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed at 1, 4, 7 and 12 months after stroke onset. At inclusion, the patients' BMD was normal for their age. During the study, there was a significant loss of BMD in the total body (-2.0%; p < 0.05), but not in the head or spine. BMD differed significantly between the paretic and the non-paretic arm at inclusion (-4.8%; p < 0.001). Decrease in BMD was most pronounced in the affected humerus (-17.4%; p < 0.001) and proximal femur (-12.2%; p < 0.01). BMD decreased significantly in both lower extremities during follow-up, but the losses were more pronounced on the paretic side (p < 0.01). In the nonaffected ultradistal radius there was a significant increase in BMD from inclusion to the end of the study (+5.8%; p < 0.01). There was no pattern in the bone losses correlating with presumptive risk factors for hemiosteoporosis such as motor function, ability to perform ADL or ambulation. Two patients had fractures at follow-up, both on the paretic side. Loss of bone mineral density in the paretic extremities is thus pronounced and progressive during the first year after stroke, indicating that loss of BMD is probably an important risk factor for post-stroke fractures. Surprisingly, BMD in the nonaffected arm increased significantly during the first year after stroke, most likely due to increased physical activity, and perhaps a redistribution of bone minerals from the paretic extremities.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Clinical profile of delirium in older patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence, psychiatric and behavior symptoms, differing symptom profiles, and diurnal variations of delirium in older patients. DESIGN: A descriptive, point prevalence study with a cross-sectional design. SETTING: One ordinary county hospital (n = 148), three nursing homes (n = 202), five old people's homes (n = 196), and home medical care patients (n = 171) in parts of a hospital catchment area in Mid-Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 717 patients 75 years of age and older were observed and assessed for the prevalence of delirium. Women accounted for 66.4% of the studied population, and the mean age for both sexes was 83.7 years. MEASUREMENTS: All patients were examined using the OBS (Organic Brain Syndrome) scale, and delirium was diagnosed according to DSM-III-R. RESULTS: Delirium was diagnosed in 315 of 717 (43.9%) patients, and 135 of 315 (42.9%) of the delirious patients had dementia. Thirty-seven percent of the patients with delirium were delirious in the afternoon, evening, or at night, and 47% of the delirious patients had morning delirium. The delirious patients presented a wide variety of psychiatric symptoms. More than half the patients exhibiting anxiety, psychomotor slowing, depressed mood, and irritability. Nearly 26% were classified as having hypoactive, 22% as having hyperactive, and 42% as having mixed delirium, whereas 11% had neither hypo- nor hyperactive delirium. Seventy-seven percent were classified as having delirium with pronounced emotional and 43% with pronounced psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that patients with delirium have very different clinical profiles. This might indicate a need for different treatment strategies for patients with different types of delirium.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1999

Psychological well-being 3 years after severe stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke often has a very negative influence on the victims' perception of their life situation. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the subjects' long-term psychological well-being and to explore associations between subject characteristics, impairments, disabilities, and psychological well-being. METHODS: Of 100 subjects rehabilitated at a specialized geriatric stroke ward after the acute phase, 47 survivors were assessed in their homes 3 years after discharge and interviewed regarding their psychological well-being with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of the subjects were classified as having high scores for psychological well-being or fell within the middle range. In a cluster analysis, depression was shown to have the strongest association with the subjects' PGCMS scores. Variables including the subjects' social situation and functions as well as age, gender, ability to communicate, and need for help showed a much weaker association with the PGCMS. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the stroke subjects were classified as having levels of psychological well-being that were good or fairly good. The strong association between PGCMS scores and depression indicates the importance of detecting and treating depression and of following up initiated therapy after stroke.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1999

Hemiosteoporosis after severe stroke, independent of changes in body composition and weight.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fractures are a serious complication after stroke, and the risk of hip fractures among stroke patients is increased 2 to 4 times versus a reference population. Fractures after stroke are probably caused by the development of hemiosteoporosis and the high incidence of accidental falls. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of hemiosteoporosis in relation to other changes in body composition during the first year after severe stroke. METHODS: The study included 24 patients with extensive paresis after stroke. Bone mineral content (BMC) and fat and lean mass were assessed 1, 4, 7, and 12 months after stroke onset by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer. RESULTS: The loss of total body BMC was significant during the first year after stroke (-1.6%; P<0.05), but there were no significant changes in total lean or fat mass. At inclusion, there were no significant differences between sides in lean or fat mass or BMC, but during follow-up, BMC of the affected side decreased significantly compared with the same side at inclusion (-7.5%; P<0.01). Side differences in fat mass became significant between legs (9.3%; P<0.001) and whole sides (4. 8%; P<0.01). There were only minor side changes in lean mass. Loss of BMC was independent of weight changes. CONCLUSIONS: During the first year after severe stroke, patients developed pronounced hemiosteoporosis. This was not associated with general changes in lean or fat mass. The development of hemiosteoporosis was independent of weight changes after stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Fractures after stroke.

Fractures are a serious complication after stroke. Among patients with femoral neck fractures, a large subgroup have had a previous stroke. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of fractures after stroke. Included in the study were 1139 patients consecutively admitted for acute stroke. Fractures occurring from stroke onset until the end of the study or death were registered retrospectively. Hip fracture incidence was compared with corresponding rates from the general population. Patients were followed up for a total of 4132 patient-years (median 2.9 years). There were 154 fractures in 120 patients and median time between the onset of stroke and the first fracture was 24 months. Women had significantly more fractures than men (chi 2 = 15.6; p < 0.001). In patients with paresis most of the fractures affected the paretic side (chi 2 = 22.5; p < 0.001) and 84% of the fractures were caused by falls. Hip fracture was the most frequent fracture and the incidence was 2-4 times higher in stroke patients compared with the reference population. Fractures are thus a common complication after stroke. They are usually caused by falls and affect the paretic side. It is necessary to focus on the prevention of post-stroke fractures, including the prevention of both falls and osteoporosis.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Attention, frailty, and falls: the effect of a manual task on basic mobility.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a second task on balance and gait maneuvers used in everyday life. Our hypothesis was that those who were more distracted by a familiar manual task performed concurrently with functional maneuvers were more frail and more prone to falls. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design with prospective follow-up for falls. SETTING: Sheltered accommodation in Umeå, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two residents (30 women, 12 men; mean age +/- SD = 79.7 +/- 6.1 years), ambulant with or without a walking aid, able to follow simple instructions and able to carry a tumbler. MEASUREMENTS: Timed Up & Go (TUG), i.e., the time taken to rise from an armchair, walk 3 meters, turn round, and sit down again. TUG was repeated with an added manual task (TUGmanual), which was to carry a glass of water while walking. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Barthel Index, Functional Reach, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Line Bisection test were used to assess for frailty. The subjects were followed-up prospectively regarding falls indoors for a period of 6-months. RESULTS: Subjects with a time difference (diffTUG) between TUGmanual and TUG of > or = 4.5 seconds were considered to be distracted by the second task. Ten subjects had a difference in time of > or = 4.5 seconds. These subjects were more frail, and seven of them fell indoors during the follow-up period (odds ratio 4.7, 95%Confidence Interval (CI) 1.5-14.2). CONCLUSION: The time difference between the TUGmanual and the TUG appears to be a valid marker of frailty and a useful tool for identifying older persons prone to falling.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of dementia, delirium and psychiatric symptoms in various care settings for the elderly.

A prevalence study of psychiatric symptoms was performed in parts of a hospital catchment area in Mid-Sweden. In total 717 patients, aged 75 years and above, who were receiving care in an emergency hospital, three nursing homes, five old people's homes and two home medical care districts were included. All patients were examined using the OBS-scale (Organic Brain Syndrome Scale). Anxiety (51%), psychomotor slowing (45%), delirium (44%), depressed mood (41%), irritability (40%) and dementia (33%) were the most prevalent psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses in the sample but there were wide differences between the four care settings. The present study shows that the prevalence of dementia, delirium and psychiatric symptoms is high in all types of care settings for the elderly. It also demonstrates the need for psychiatric medical and nursing competence in all types of care for the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

In-patient rehabilitation after stroke: outcome and factors associated with improvement.

A study aimed at examining the outcome of activities of daily living (ADL) of patients undergoing geriatric stroke rehabilitation was performed. Background and admission data of 99 patients surviving the acute phase and needing further hospital rehabilitation were registered. Forty per cent of the patients improved their ADL ability. The logistic regression modelling with the dichotomous dependent variable improvement versus no improvement showed the following factors associated with improvement: a diagnosis of intracerebral haemorrhage, male sex, high postural stability score at the admission and cohabitation. In conclusion, the most severely affected stroke patients, especially patients with intracerebral haemorrhage, have a great potential for improving their ADL. The results of the logistic regression model can serve as a useful guide when it comes to identifying patients that stand a fair chance of improving during their rehabilitation stay. Equally important, patients with a poor rehabilitation prognosis who may need intensified rehabilitation efforts to achieve optimum improvement can now be identified.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Fall prediction index for patients in stroke rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The identification of stroke patients who are prone to falls is essential to the development of prevention strategies. This study aimed at developing an easily administered fall risk index for patients in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: A consecutive series of 135 patients in geriatric stroke rehabilitation was studied. Patient characteristics viewed as potential fall predictor variables were assessed at admission. Univariate and multiple Cox regression analyses of these variables were used in the development of a fall prediction index. RESULTS: The final index included the following items: male sex, poor performance of activities of daily living, urinary incontinence, impaired postural stability, bilateral motor impairment, presence of bilateral cortical or white matter lesions, visuospatial hemineglect, and use of diuretics, antidepressants, or sedatives. The index score correlated significantly with the fall risk (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 1.69). The score was also used to classify individuals into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, among which the fall rates differed significantly (log rank statistics, 29.86; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: An easily administered fall risk index is suggested, which might serve as a basis for prevention strategies among patients in stroke rehabilitation.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1997

Incidence of falls in three different types of geriatric care. A Swedish prospective study.

The incidence and consequences of falls were investigated in three different types of Swedish geriatric care clinics: a geriatric rehabilitation clinic, a psychogeriatric clinic and a nursing home. Falls were prospectively registered by the nursing staff. The incidence rate (and 95% confidence interval) of falls per 10,000 patient days of the psychogeriatric clinic was 171 (146-196), compared with 92 (72-112) at the geriatric rehabilitation clinic, and 31 (22-41) at the nursing home. Most falls (62%) did not result in injury, while major injuries occurred in 5%. We conclude that accidental falls are a major problem in geriatric care in Sweden, but there is a considerable difference in incidence rates between different types of institutions.

Accidental Falls↗