Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag239
Federica Bianchi, Barbara Broers, Jules Alexandre Desmeules, Angeline Langlois, James Wampfler, François Curtin, Sophie Pautex
{"title":"A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial on cannabinoid-based medication for behavioural disorders in old patients with severe dementia: the study results.","authors":"Federica Bianchi, Barbara Broers, Jules Alexandre Desmeules, Angeline Langlois, James Wampfler, François Curtin, Sophie Pautex","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag239","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are frequent in patients with severe dementia and represent a major clinical challenge. Cannabinoid-based medications (CBM) have been proposed as a possible therapeutic option, but clinical evidence is still limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in five long-term care facilities in Geneva, Switzerland. Patients with severe dementia received oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oil (1:2 ratio, up to 20 mg/40 mg daily) and placebo in two 8-week periods separated by a 1-week washout. The primary outcome was agitation measured by the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). Secondary outcomes included behavioural scales, pain, as-needed psychotropic medication use and safety.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-five patients (average age 83 years) were randomised, and nineteen completed both study periods. No significant difference was observed between active treatment and placebo for the CMAI and other main behavioural outcomes. However, the use of pro re nata psychotropic medications was significantly lower during the active treatment period. The treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events related to the study drug were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this real-life crossover study, THC/CBD oil did not show superiority over placebo in reducing agitation in severe dementia. However, it was safe and associated with a significant reduction in the use of as-needed psychotropic medications prescribed for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. CBM may represent a possible adjunctive option in selected patients, but further studies are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483985/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148786976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag240
Leigh Tooth, Richard Hockey, Gita D Mishra
{"title":"Health and health service use of Australian female live-in caregivers at multiple caregiver trajectory timepoints: a population-based dataset with time-matched controls.","authors":"Leigh Tooth, Richard Hockey, Gita D Mishra","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag240","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag240","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare health and health service use in female live-in caregivers along multiple timepoints with population-based controls over a 20-year period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 6000 women aged 50-77 caring for someone who was ill, disabled or frail, were collected over eight waves of Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1946-51 cohort (from 2001 to 2022). Physical functioning (PF), general mental health (MH), depressive symptoms, stress and general practitioner (GP) and medical specialist visits were compared between caregivers and time-matched controls, before, during and after caregiving. Fully adjusted mixed linear models or logistic regression, including sensitivity analyses by caregiving intensity, were conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In adjusted results, caregivers and controls had similar initial levels of PF, but caregivers had significantly poorer PF over time including during [2.39 (-3.68, -1.10)] and after stopping caregiving [-2.19 (-3.51, -0.87)]. Caregivers had poorer MH on all three measures [eg, -5.56 (-6.61, -4.51) on SF-36 MH] and more GP visits across the study than controls, with the poorest scores in the period before stopping caregiving. Accessing medical specialists did not differ between caregivers and controls until after stopping caregiving, when caregivers had higher odds [1.22 (1.06, 1.40)]. Associations were stronger in caregivers providing higher intensity care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Caregiver physical and MH was poorest and GP visits highest prior to stopping caregiving, while specialist visits increased after stopping caregiving. Interventions to assist caregivers manage their own health needs, particularly in the period before stopping caregiving, and assisting them maintain health service use throughout and following caregiving cessation should be tested.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13461219/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag224
Sang-Hyup Lee, Soo-Jin Kim, Ae-Young Her, Byung-Ryul Cho, Gwang-Sil Kim, Taek-Geun Kwon, Sang-Wook Lim, Jaemin Shim, Ji-Yong Jang, Yong-Joon Lee, Seung-Jun Lee, Hee Tae Yu, Sung-Jin Hong, Chul-Min Ahn, Byeong-Keuk Kim, Young-Guk Ko, Donghoon Choi, Myeong-Ki Hong, Yangsoo Jang, Hui-Nam Pak, Jung-Sun Kim, Jung Ho Heo
{"title":"Antithrombotic strategy according to age in patients with atrial fibrillation and drug-eluting stents: a post hoc analysis of the ADAPT AF-DES randomised trial.","authors":"Sang-Hyup Lee, Soo-Jin Kim, Ae-Young Her, Byung-Ryul Cho, Gwang-Sil Kim, Taek-Geun Kwon, Sang-Wook Lim, Jaemin Shim, Ji-Yong Jang, Yong-Joon Lee, Seung-Jun Lee, Hee Tae Yu, Sung-Jin Hong, Chul-Min Ahn, Byeong-Keuk Kim, Young-Guk Ko, Donghoon Choi, Myeong-Ki Hong, Yangsoo Jang, Hui-Nam Pak, Jung-Sun Kim, Jung Ho Heo","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag224","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) monotherapy for older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and drug-eluting stents is lacking.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NOAC monotherapy in older AF patients with drug-eluting stents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a secondary analysis of the ADAPT AF-DES randomised trial comparing NOAC monotherapy with combination therapy with NOAC plus clopidogrel in patients with AF and drug-eluting stents. Patients were stratified by age (≥75 years and <75 years). Apixaban or rivaroxaban was used as the NOAC. The primary endpoint was a net adverse clinical event at 1 year after randomisation, defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, systemic embolism or major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 960 patients included in the ADAPT AF-DES trial, 376 (39.2%) patients were aged ≥75 years. In patients aged ≥75 years, the incidence of the primary endpoint was lower in the NOAC monotherapy group (9.8% vs. 22.3%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.66; P < .001) than in the combination therapy group. In contrast, the incidences did not differ between treatment strategies in patients aged <75 years. The interaction between age groups and strategy groups did not reach statistical significance (P for interaction = .095). The reduction in major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding with NOAC monotherapy was consistent across age groups. In contrast, the benefit of NOAC monotherapy in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was more pronounced in patients aged ≥75 years, with a statistically significant interaction.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this post hoc analysis, NOAC monotherapy was associated with a lower risk of net adverse clinical events, specifically within the older age subgroup. Tailored approach regarding age and individual ischaemic risk may be needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148668237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag251
Antony Johansen
{"title":"Hip fracture as a model for trends in geriatric medicine.","authors":"Antony Johansen","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afag251","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag257
Elena Levati, Maria Beatrice Zazzara, Daniele Giuli, Emanuele Marzetti, Anna Picca, Riccardo Calvani, Matteo Tosato, Francesco Landi, Roberto Bernabei, Graziano Onder
{"title":"Does the use of benzodiazepine influence the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention? Secondary analysis from the Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty iN older people strategies (SPRINTT) trial.","authors":"Elena Levati, Maria Beatrice Zazzara, Daniele Giuli, Emanuele Marzetti, Anna Picca, Riccardo Calvani, Matteo Tosato, Francesco Landi, Roberto Bernabei, Graziano Onder","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag257","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Benzodiazepine use is prevalent among older adults despite its recognised negative effects, including increased risk of falls, fractures and decline in functional status. Lifestyle interventions can preserve physical function and reduce the risk of disability. This study investigates whether benzodiazepine use reduces the effectiveness of lifestyle-based interventions on mobility disability.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a secondary analysis of the 'Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty IN older people: multi-componenT Treatment strategies' trial. The lifestyle intervention consisted of physical exercise and nutritional counselling. Benzodiazepine use was assessed based on baseline or longitudinal exposure (defined as use at baseline plus use at two or more additional time points). Cox regression models were used to ascertain the association between benzodiazepine use and mobility disability incidence. A separate analysis was conducted among participants with a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score 3 to 7.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 1506 participants included (mean age 78.9 years; 71.5% female; 753 intervention vs. 753 control), 211 (14.0%) reported benzodiazepine use at baseline. Overall, 55.0% of baseline benzodiazepine users and 43.6% of non-users developed mobility disability during the follow-up (P = .003). When baseline benzodiazepine use was considered, no significant effect associated with multicomponent intervention (MCI) was shown among non-users (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.86; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.72-1.03) and users (HR = 1.04; CI 0.67-1.62). In the subgroup of participants with SPPB scores 3 to 7, a significant effect of the MCI was observed only among non-users (HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.97), while no 'association' was detected among users (HR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.65-1.71, P for interaction = .035). When longitudinal benzodiazepine exposure was considered, similar results were observed. In particular, in the SPPB score 3 to 7 subgroup, the beneficial effect of the MCI was observed only among non-users (HR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.64-0.96), while no 'association' was detected among users (HR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.60-2.13, P for interaction = .035).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In frail older adults, benzodiazepine use significantly blunts the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for preventing mobility disability. These findings support a prudent approach to benzodiazepine use in frail older patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13537444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148878749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing incidence of clinically significantly prescribing cascades in older adults: a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the French National Health Data System.","authors":"Frédéric Gervais, Clémence Vieille, Elsa Reallon, Thomas Morel, Christelle Mouchoux, Teddy Novais","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag254","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prescribing cascades occur when an adverse drug event is misinterpreted as a new medical condition, leading to the prescription of additional medications. They represent an important and preventable source of potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults, yet their population-level incidence remains poorly documented in France.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study in 2022 using the French National Health Data System, including all individuals aged ≥65 years in 2022. Clinically important prescribing cascades were identified using a consensus-based list (ThinkCascades). Two complementary approaches were applied: a conservative longitudinal analysis and prescription sequence symmetry analysis. Incidence ranges were estimated, and subgroup analyses were performed to identify factors associated with cascade initiation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 16.6 million older adults, four of seven predefined potential prescribing cascades showed significant positive signals. The strongest associations were observed for benzodiazepine-antipsychotic (adjusted sequence ratio [aSR] 2.48, 99% CI 2.44-2.51) and antipsychotic-antiparkinsonian cascades (aSR 2.01, 99% CI 1.91-2.11). Incidence estimates ranged from 0.69% to 3.29%. Female sex, advanced age (≥85 years), hospital initiation of the index drug and lack of prescriber continuity were associated with higher risks for specific cascades.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinically important potential prescribing cascades are common among older adults in France. These findings suggest potential prescribing cascades as a persistent and preventable contributor to medication-related harm and underscore the importance of systematic medication review, particularly during transitions of care and when new prescriptions shortly follow treatment initiation, as potential signals of prescribing cascades.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148823539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag220
Jenni Ilomäki, George S Q Tan, Xiwen Simon Qin, Anna-Maija Tolppanen, Julian Lin, Tian Tian Ma, Miyuki Hsing-Chun Hsieh, Stella Jung-Hyun Kim, Clara Marquina, Edward Chia-Cheng Lai, Li Wei, Stephen J Wood, Ian C K Wong, Gang Fang, Sirpa Hartikainen, Izabela Annis, Kui-Kai Lau, J Simon Bell
{"title":"Secondary prevention of myocardial infarction in people with dementia: a multi-jurisdictional retrospective cohort study in Asia, Europe and the USA.","authors":"Jenni Ilomäki, George S Q Tan, Xiwen Simon Qin, Anna-Maija Tolppanen, Julian Lin, Tian Tian Ma, Miyuki Hsing-Chun Hsieh, Stella Jung-Hyun Kim, Clara Marquina, Edward Chia-Cheng Lai, Li Wei, Stephen J Wood, Ian C K Wong, Gang Fang, Sirpa Hartikainen, Izabela Annis, Kui-Kai Lau, J Simon Bell","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag220","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag220","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Statins, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) and beta-blockers are guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications post-myocardial infarction (MI) for secondary prevention, but evidence for people with dementia is scarce.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the association between post-MI cardiovascular medication use and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality, focusing on people with dementia.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Large retrospective cohort study using data from Australia, Finland, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.</p><p><strong>Subjects: </strong>People with and without dementia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seven exposure groups were assigned using one or combinations of the three guideline-recommended medication classes-(i) statin, RASI and beta-blocker, (ii) statin and beta-blocker, (iii) statin and RASI, (iv) RASI and beta-blocker, (v) statin only, (vi) beta-blocker only and (vii) RASI only, based on medication records during a 60-day landmark period post-MI. Recurrent MI, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and all-cause mortality were evaluated as outcomes. Jurisdiction-specific results were pooled together using meta-analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 28 122 people with dementia and 260 360 people without dementia were included. Among people with dementia, using any single or two medications carried a similar risk of recurrent MI and MACE as using all three guideline-recommended medications, except that using RASI and a beta-blocker without a statin was associated with a lower risk of recurrent MI (HR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96). Using a statin and RASI without beta-blockers resulted in similar all-cause mortality to using all three (HR 1.16; 95% CI, 0.97-1.39), while all the remaining single- or dual-medication regimens were associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>For people with dementia, using one or two guideline-recommended medications appeared sufficient to protect against recurrent MI and MACE. Beta-blockers may not provide additional survival benefits over statins and RASIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13450687/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148688359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag235
Shanshan Wang, Yang Fei, Yat Wa Justina Liu, Daphne Sze Ki Cheung, Sze Him Isaac Leung, Jiaming Xiong, Cypher Ho Au-Yeung, Wendy Moyle
{"title":"'Doing it together?' A dyadic qualitative study of perceptions, facilitators, barriers and expectations for physical activity in dementia.","authors":"Shanshan Wang, Yang Fei, Yat Wa Justina Liu, Daphne Sze Ki Cheung, Sze Him Isaac Leung, Jiaming Xiong, Cypher Ho Au-Yeung, Wendy Moyle","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag235","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ageing/afag235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Persons with dementia and their caregivers are more physically inactive than cognitively healthy peers or non-caregivers, yet little is known about their views on dyadic physical activities. This study explored the perceptions, facilitators, barriers and expectations related to dyadic physical activity among persons with dementia and their caregivers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory dyadic qualitative study was conducted with 24 community-dwelling dyads in Hong Kong SAR, China. Semi-structured dyadic interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four themes comprising 22 subthemes were identified. Dyads recognised mutual physical, psychological and relational benefits and valued activities that fostered shared enjoyment and relational resonance, though some questioned dyadic activity's relevance. Engagement was facilitated by clear rewards, established habits, everyday collaborative activities, culturally meaningful incentives and strong social and professional support in a facilitative environment. Participation was hindered by limited shared understanding of physical activity, negative emotions in partner, mismatched fitness levels and activity rhythms, social withdrawal by the person with dementia, time pressures and conflicting family attitudes. Dyads expected interventions to yield tangible health and fitness gains, be tailored to both partners' capacities and interests, provide appropriate challenge and ensure safety through explicit risk management strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Dyadic physical activity is not simply 'doing it together'. Instead, interventions should be tailored, health-oriented and relationally attuned, with explicit consideration of the practical and emotional challenges faced by both dyad members. Psychoeducation regarding the significance of physical activity may need to extend beyond the dyadic members to the wider family to promote 'doing it together'.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13461214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag299
Albert K Okrah, Dawn A Skelton, Toby J Ellmers, Meghan Bateson, Deborah A Jehu
{"title":"Consensus definition of fall-related psychological harm: findings from an international e-Delphi study.","authors":"Albert K Okrah, Dawn A Skelton, Toby J Ellmers, Meghan Bateson, Deborah A Jehu","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afag299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Falls can cause substantial psychological consequences in older adults beyond physical injury, yet no definition of fall-related psychological harm (FPH) exists. This gap limits consistent identification and intervention development. This e-Delphi study aimed to establish an international consensus definition of FPH.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A five-round modified e-Delphi study engaging an international panel of clinicians and researchers was conducted. Round 1 (n = 30; 15 countries, five continents) explored the need for a definition and its potential components; content and thematic analysis identified key concepts that informed item development for subsequent rounds. Round 2 expanded participation to 99 experts (24 countries, six continents). Rounds 2-5 involved iterative rating and refinement of definition elements and wording. Consensus was set a priori as ≥70% agreement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In Round 1, 93% (28/30) agreed that a formal definition of FPH is needed. The definition reached consensus in Round 4 (n = 48, 77.4%), and minor wording refinements in Round 5 confirmed stability of agreement (n = 49, 86.0%). Two applicability criteria (an actual fall [n = 62, 98%] or a near-fall [n = 52, 83%]), and two examples (concerns about falling [n = 88, 89%] and activity restriction/avoidance [n = 81, 82%]) reached consensus. The consensus definition for FPH was: 'Fall-related psychological harm refers to emotional (e.g., increased concern about falling), behavioural (e.g., activity restriction/avoidance), and/or broader mental health consequences that immediately arise and/or develop over time following a fall or near-fall'.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This international Delphi study established a definition of fall-related psychological harm, supporting standardised assessment and future work to develop targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149190680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Age and ageingPub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag248
Caroline McCarthy
{"title":"Targeting deprescribing where it matters most.","authors":"Caroline McCarthy","doi":"10.1093/ageing/afag248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afag248","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7682,"journal":{"name":"Age and ageing","volume":"55 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}