Gerontology is essential to the identity of geriatric medicine

Highlights of the 14th International Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine Society Key summary points Aim To report the most important messages of the 2018 EuGMS Congress in Berlin. Findings From social issues to nutrition, from cardiovascular aspects to new definition of sarcopenia, the congress has informed more than 1800 participants on the hottest issues of geriatric medicine of today. Message The EuGMS congress brings together both bench-to-bedside knowledge and clinical practice, which is of paramount importance in the further development of geriatric medicine in Europe.

Elder abuse: a common problem, commonly missed in trauma and orthopaedics

The GUSS test as a good indicator to evaluate dysphagia in healthy older people: a multicenter reliability and validity study Key summary points Aim We aimed to evaluate whether the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) test is an effective method for evaluating swallowing difficulty in healthy older people. Findings Total GUSS score sensitivity was 95.5% and its specificity was 94.4%. Message The GUSS test is a valid and reliable test to identify possible oropharyngeal dysphagia risk in healthy older person who had no secondary dysphagia. It is suitable as a screen test for clinical practice.

The relationship between sarcopenia and urinary incontinence Key summary points Aim The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between urinary incontinence (stress and/or urgency) and sarcopenia in a large group of female older adults. Findings UI is independently associated with sarcopenia when muscle mass was adjusted by weight and also with presence of low muscle mass when muscle mass was adjusted by weight or BMI. Message Evaluation of sarcopenia may have a role in the management of stress and urgency urinary incontinence.

Impact of oral health status on oral intake ability prognosis after pneumonia in older patients: a retrospective cohort study Key summary points Aim To test the hypothesis that oral health status has an effect on oral intake ability prognosis after pneumonia in older adults. Findings The study demonstrated that poor oral health status was associated with poor oral intake ability prognosis in patients with pneumonia in acute care. Message Evaluation of oral health status could be essential in the management of older patients with pneumonia.

What is geriatric rehabilitation and how should it be organized? A Delphi study aimed at reaching European consensus Key summary points Aim To reach European Consensus on Geriatric Rehabilitation using a modified Delphi Procedure. Findings Consensus was reached on 61 statements on a broad range of topics. Message This consensus is important to facilitate exchange of best practice and compare results of scientific research.

Chronic pain: prevalent and independently associated with frailty and female gender in geriatric outpatients Key summary points Aim To determine the prevalence and factors independently associated with chronic pain. Findings More than half of geriatric outpatients reported chronic pain. Female gender and frailty were independently associated with chronic pain. Message Chronic pain is common and independently associated with frailty.

Sarcopenia and health-related outcomes: an umbrella review of observational studies Key summary points Aim To investigate associations of sarcopenia with adverse health-related outcomes, through an umbrella review method. Findings Sarcopenia appears to be significantly associated with several adverse outcomes in older people, with a strong evidence for increased risk of mortality, disability, and falls. Message Sarcopenia is associated with several adverse health-related outcomes in older people, indicating the need of assessing this condition in daily practice.

Subjective well-being of geriatric patients during and after inpatient geriatric rehabilitation: a biopsychosocial prediction model Key summary points Aim This study aimed at gaining insights into the development of subjective well-being during and after geriatric rehabilitation, and at testing a biopsychosocial prediction model to identify determinants for longer-term subjective well-being. Findings Different indicators of subjective well-being showed different change patterns during and after geriatric rehabilitation, but only positive affect showed significant improvements from admission until follow-up. Personality traits and control beliefs predicted the longer-term subjective well-being of geriatric patients undergoing geriatric rehabilitation. Message Efforts are needed to expand the effects of geriatric rehabilitation on subjective well-being and to increase knowledge about patterns of personality characteristics of geriatric patients, which could lead to even more effective rehabilitation plans.