@article {11622, title = {Association of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting vs Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Memory Decline in Older Adults Undergoing Coronary Revascularization}, journal = {JAMA}, volume = {325}, year = {2021}, pages = {1955-1964}, abstract = {It is uncertain whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with cognitive decline in older adults compared with a nonsurgical method of coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]).To compare the change in the rate of memory decline after CABG vs PCI.Retrospective cohort study of community-dwelling participants in the Health and Retirement Study, who underwent CABG or PCI between 1998 and 2015 at age 65 years or older. Data were modeled for up to 5 years preceding and 10 years following revascularization or until death, drop out, or the 2016-2017 interview wave. The date of final follow-up was November 2017.CABG (including on and off pump) or PCI, ascertained from Medicare fee-for-service billing records.The primary outcome was a summary measure of cognitive test scores and proxy cognition reports that were performed biennially in the Health and Retirement Study, referred to as memory score, normalized as a z score (ie, mean of 0, SD of 1 in a reference population of adults aged >=72 years). Memory score was analyzed using multivariable linear mixed-effects models, with a prespecified subgroup analysis of on-pump and off-pump CABG. The minimum clinically important difference was a change of 1 SD of the population-level rate of memory decline (0.048 memory units/y).Of 1680 participants (mean age at procedure, 75 years; 41\% female), 665 underwent CABG (168 off pump) and 1015 underwent PCI. In the PCI group, the mean rate of memory decline was 0.064 memory units/y (95\% CI, 0.052 to 0.078) before the procedure and 0.060 memory units/y (95\% CI, 0.048 to 0.071) after the procedure (within-group change, 0.004 memory units/y [95\% CI, -0.010 to 0.018]). In the CABG group, the mean rate of memory decline was 0.049 memory units/y (95\% CI, 0.033 to 0.065) before the procedure and 0.059 memory units/y (95\% CI, 0.047 to 0.072) after the procedure (within-group change, -0.011 memory units/y [95\% CI, -0.029 to 0.008]). The between-group difference-in-differences estimate for memory decline for PCI vs CABG was 0.015 memory units/y (95\% CI, -0.008 to 0.038; P = .21). There was statistically significant increase in the rate of memory decline after off-pump CABG compared with after PCI (difference-in-differences: mean increase in the rate of decline of 0.046 memory units/y [95\% CI, 0.008 to 0.084] after off-pump CABG), but not after on-pump CABG compared with PCI (difference-in-differences: mean slowing of decline of 0.003 memory units/y [95\% CI, -0.024 to 0.031] after on-pump CABG).Among older adults undergoing coronary revascularization with CABG or PCI, the type of revascularization procedure was not significantly associated with differences in the change of rate of memory decline.}, keywords = {cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, ischemic heart disease}, isbn = {0098-7484}, doi = {10.1001/jama.2021.5150}, author = {Elizabeth L Whitlock and L Grisell Diaz-Ramirez and Alexander K Smith and W John Boscardin and Kenneth E Covinsky and Michael S. Avidan and M. Maria Glymour} } @article {11749, title = {The epidemiology of social isolation and loneliness among older adults during the last years of life.}, journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society}, volume = {69}, year = {2021}, pages = {3081-3091}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Social isolation and loneliness are critical to the health of older adults, but they have not been well-described at the end of life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the last years of life.

DESIGN: Nationally representative, cross-sectional survey.

SETTING: Health and Retirement Study, 2006-2016 data.

PARTICIPANTS: Adults age > 50 interviewed once in the last 4 years of life (n~=~3613).

MEASUREMENTS: We defined social isolation using a 15-item scale measuring household contacts, social network interaction, and community engagement, and frequent loneliness using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine their adjusted prevalence by time prior-to-death and by subgroups of interest.

RESULTS: Approximately 19\% experienced social isolation, 18\% loneliness, and 5\% both in the last 4 years of life (correlation~=~0.11). The adjusted prevalence of social isolation was higher for individuals nearer to death (4 years: 18\% vs 0-3 months: 27\%, p~=~0.05) and there was no significant change in loneliness (4 years: 19\% vs 0-3 months: 23\%, p~=~0.13). Risk factors for both isolation and loneliness included (p < 0.01): low net-worth (Isolation: 34\% vs 14\%; Loneliness: 29\% vs 13\%), hearing impairment (Isolation: 26\% vs 20\%; Loneliness: 26\% vs 17\%), and difficulty preparing meals (Isolation: 27\% vs 19\%; Loneliness: 29\% vs 15\%). Factors associated with loneliness, but not social isolation, included being female, pain, incontinence, and cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation and loneliness are common at the end of life, affecting 1 in 4 older adults, but few experience both. Rates were higher for older adults who were poor and experienced functional or sensory impairments. Results can inform clinical efforts to identify and address end-of-life psychosocial suffering and health policies which prioritize social needs at the end of life.

}, keywords = {Cognition, end of life, Loneliness, Palliative care, social isolation}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/jgs.17366}, author = {Ashwin A Kotwal and Irena Cenzer and Linda J. Waite and Kenneth E Covinsky and Perissinotto, Carla M and W John Boscardin and Louise C Hawkley and Dale, William and Smith, Alexander K} } @article {10028, title = {Association of functional impairment in middle age with hospitalization, nursing home admission, and death}, journal = {JAMA Internal Medicine}, year = {2019}, month = {Aug-04-2019}, abstract = {Importance Difficulty performing daily activities such as bathing and dressing ({\textquotedblleft}functional impairment{\textquotedblright}) affects nearly 15\% of middle-aged adults. Older adults who develop such difficulties, often because of frailty and other age-related conditions, are at increased risk of acute care use, nursing home admission, and death. However, it is unknown if functional impairments that develop among middle-aged people, which may have different antecedents, have similar prognostic significance. Objective To determine whether middle-aged individuals who develop functional impairment are at increased risk for hospitalization, nursing home admission, and death. Design, Setting, and Participants This matched cohort study analyzed longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative prospective cohort study of US adults. The study population included 5540 adults aged 50 to 56 years who did not have functional impairment at study entry in 1992, 1998, or 2004. Participants were followed biennially through 2014. Individuals who developed functional impairment between 50 and 64 years were matched by age, sex, and survey wave with individuals without impairment as of that age and survey wave. Statistical analysis was conducted from March 15, 2017, to December 11, 2018. Exposures Impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs), defined as self-reported difficulty performing 1 or more ADLs, and impairment in instrumental ADLs (IADLs), defined similarly. Main Outcomes and Measures The 3 primary outcomes were time from the first episode of functional impairment (or matched survey wave, in controls) to hospitalization, nursing home admission, and death. Follow-up assessments occurred every 2 years until 2014. Competing risks survival analysis was used to assess the association of functional impairment with hospitalization and nursing home admission and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the association with death. Results Of the 5540 study participants (2739 women and 2801 men; median age, 53.7 years [interquartile range, 52.3-55.2 years]), 1097 (19.8\%) developed ADL impairment between 50 and 64 years, and 857 (15.5\%) developed IADL impairment. Individuals with ADL impairment had an increased risk of each adverse outcome compared with those without impairment, including hospitalization (subhazard ratio, 1.97; 95\% CI, 1.77-2.19), nursing home admission (subhazard ratio, 2.62; 95\% CI, 1.99-3.45), and death (hazard ratio, 2.06; 95\% CI, 1.74-2.45). After multivariable adjustment, the risks of hospitalization (subhazard ratio, 1.54; 95\% CI, 1.36-1.75) and nursing home admission (subhazard ratio, 1.73; 95\% CI, 1.24-2.43) remained significantly higher among individuals with ADL impairment, but the risk of death was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95\% CI, 0.85-1.32). Individuals with IADL impairment had an increased risk of all 3 outcomes in adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Conclusions and Relevance Similar to older adults, middle-aged adults who develop functional impairment appear to be at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Even among relatively young people, functional impairment has important clinical implications.}, keywords = {Functional limitations, Hospitalization, Mortality, Nursing homes}, issn = {2168-6106}, doi = {10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.0008}, url = {http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.0008http:///jamainternalmedicine/article-pdf/doi/10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.0008/17440339/jamainternal_brown_2019_oi_190001.pdf}, author = {Rebecca T Brown and L Grisell Diaz-Ramirez and W John Boscardin and Sei J. Lee and Brie A Williams and Michael A Steinman} } @article {9916, title = {Cognitive Change After Cardiac Surgery Versus Cardiac Catheterization: A Population-Based Study.}, journal = {The Annals of Thoracic Surgergy}, volume = {107}, year = {2019}, pages = {1119-1125}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Despite concern that cardiac surgery may adversely affect cognition, little evidence is available from population-based studies using presurgery data. With the use of the Health and Retirement Study, we compared memory change after participant-reported cardiac catheterization or cardiac surgery.

METHODS: Participants were community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older who self-reported cardiac catheterization or "heart surgery" at any biennial Health and Retirement Study interview between 2000 and 2014. Participants may have undergone the index procedure any time in the preceding 2 years. We modeled preprocedure to postprocedure change in composite memory score, derived from objective memory testing, using linear mixed effects models. We modeled postprocedure subjective memory decline with logistic regression. To quantify clinical relevance, we used the predicted memory change to estimate impact on ability to manage medications and finances independently.

RESULTS: Of 3,105 participants, 1,921 (62\%) underwent catheterization and 1,184 (38\%) underwent operation. In adjusted analyses, surgery participants had little difference in preprocedure to postprocedure memory change compared with participants undergoing cardiac catheterization (-0.021 memory units; 95\% confidence interval:~-0.046 to 0.005 memory units, p~= 0.12). If the relationship were causal, the point estimate for memory decline would confer an absolute 0.26\% or 0.19\% decrease in ability to manage finances or medications, respectively, corresponding to 4.6 additional months of cognitive aging. Cardiac surgery was not associated with subjective memory decline (adjusted odds ratio 0.93, 95\% confidence interval: 0.74 to 1.18).

CONCLUSIONS: In this large, population-based cohort, memory declines after heart surgery and cardiac catheterization were similar. These findings suggest intermediate-term population-level adverse cognitive effects of cardiac surgery, if any, are likely subtle.

}, keywords = {Cardiac surgery, Cardiovascular disease, Cognition \& Reasoning, Memory}, issn = {1552-6259}, doi = {10.1016/j.athoracsur.2018.10.021}, author = {Elizabeth L Whitlock and L Grisell Diaz-Ramirez and Alexander K Smith and W John Boscardin and Michael S. Avidan and M. Maria Glymour} } @article {9116, title = {Association between persistent pain and memory decline and dementia in a longitudinal cohort of elders}, journal = {JAMA Internal Medicine}, volume = {177}, year = {2017}, chapter = {1146-1153}, abstract = {Importance: Chronic pain is common among the elderly and is associated with cognitive deficits in cross-sectional studies; the population-level association between chronic pain and longitudinal cognition is unknown. Objective: To determine the population-level association between persistent pain, which may reflect chronic pain, and subsequent cognitive decline. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cohort study with biennial interviews of 10 065 community-dwelling older adults in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study who were 62 years or older in 2000 and answered pain and cognition questions in both 1998 and 2000. Data analysis was conducted between June 24 and October 31, 2016. Exposures: {\textquotedblleft}Persistent pain,{\textquotedblright} defined as a participant reporting that he or she was often troubled with moderate or severe pain in both the 1998 and 2000 interviews. Main Outcomes and Measures: Coprimary outcomes were composite memory score and dementia probability, estimated by combining neuropsychological test results and informant and proxy interviews, which were tracked from 2000 through 2012. Linear mixed-effects models, with random slope and intercept for each participant, were used to estimate the association of persistent pain with slope of the subsequent cognitive trajectory, adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities measures in 2000 and applying sampling weights to represent the 2000 US population. We hypothesized that persistent pain would predict accelerated memory decline and increased probability of dementia. To quantify the impact of persistent pain on functional independence, we combined our primary results with information on the association between memory and ability to manage medications and finances independently. Results: Of the 10,065 eligible HRS sample members, 60\% were female, and median baseline age was 73 years (interquartile range, 67-78 years). At baseline, persistent pain affected 10.9\% of participants and was associated with worse depressive symptoms and more limitations in activities of daily living. After covariate adjustment, persistent pain was associated with 9.2\% (95\% CI, 2.8\%-15.0\%) more rapid memory decline compared with those without persistent pain. After 10 years, this accelerated memory decline implied a 15.9\% higher relative risk of inability to manage medications and an 11.8\% higher relative risk of inability to manage finances independently. Adjusted dementia probability increased 7.7\% faster (95\% CI, 0.55\%-14.2\%); after 10 years, this translates to an absolute 2.2\% increase in dementia probability for those with persistent pain. Conclusions and Relevance: Persistent pain was associated with accelerated memory decline and increased probability of dementia.}, keywords = {Chronic pain, Cognitive Ability, Memory}, doi = {10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1622}, url = {https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2629448}, author = {Elizabeth L Whitlock and L Grisell Diaz-Ramirez and M. Maria Glymour and W John Boscardin and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {8678, title = {Rates of Recovery to Pre-Fracture Function in Older Persons with Hip Fracture: an Observational Study.}, journal = {J Gen Intern Med}, volume = {32}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Feb}, pages = {153-158}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about expected recovery after hip fracture is essential to help patients and families set realistic expectations and plan for the future.

OBJECTIVES: To determine rates of functional recovery in older adults who sustained a hip fracture based on one{\textquoteright}s previous function.

DESIGN: Observational study.

PARTICIPANTS: We identified subjects who sustained a hip fracture while enrolled in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) using linked Medicare claims. HRS interviews subjects every 2~years. Using information from interviews collected during the interview preceding the fracture and the first interview 6 or more months after the fracture, we determined the proportion of subjects who returned to pre-fracture function.

MAIN MEASURES: Functional outcomes of interest were: (1) ADL dependency, (2) mobility, and (3) stair-climbing ability. We examined baseline characteristics associated with a return to: (1) ADL independence, (2) walking one block, and (3) climbing a flight of stairs.

KEY RESULTS: A total of 733 HRS subjects >=65~years of age sustained a hip fracture (mean age 84 {\textpm} 7~years, 77~\% female). Thirty-one percent returned to pre-fracture ADL function, 34~\% to pre-fracture mobility function, and 41~\% to pre-fracture climbing function. Among those who were ADL independent prior to fracture, 36~\% returned to independence, 27~\% survived but needed ADL assistance, and 37~\% died. Return to ADL independence was less likely for those >=85~years old (26~\% vs. 44~\%), with dementia (8~\% vs. 39~\%), and with a Charlson comorbidity score >2 (23~\% vs. 44~\%). Results were similar for those able to walk a block and for those able to climb a flight of stairs prior to fracture.

CONCLUSIONS: Recovery rates are low, even among those with higher levels of pre-fracture functional status, and are worse for patients who are older, cognitively impaired, and who have multiple comorbidities.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Comorbidity, Dementia, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Hip Fractures, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mobility Limitation, Recovery of Function, Walking}, issn = {1525-1497}, doi = {10.1007/s11606-016-3848-2}, author = {Victoria L. Tang and Rebecca L. Sudore and Irena Cenzer and W John Boscardin and Alexander K Smith and Christine S Ritchie and Margaret Wallhagen and Finlayson, Emily and Petrillo, Laura and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {8501, title = {One-Year Mortality After Hip Fracture: Development and Validation of a Prognostic Index.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {64}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 09}, pages = {1863-8}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To develop a prediction index for 1-year mortality after hip fracture in older adults that includes predictors from a wide range of domains.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS: Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

PARTICIPANTS: HRS participants who experienced hip fracture between 1992 and 2010 as identified according to Medicare claims data (N = 857).

MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measure was death within 1 year of hip fracture. Predictor measures were participant demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, social support, health, geriatric symptoms, and function. Variables independently associated with 1-year mortality were identified, and best-subsets regression was used to identify the final model. The selected variables were weighted to create a risk index. The index was internally validated using bootstrapping to estimate model optimism.

RESULTS: Mean age at time of hip fracture was 84, and 76\% of the participants were women. There were 235 deaths (27\%) during the 1-year follow up. Five predictors of mortality were included in the final model: aged 90 and older (2 points), male sex (2 points), congestive heart failure (2 points), difficulty preparing meals (2 points), and not being able to drive (1 point). The point scores of the index were associated with 1-year mortality, with 0 points predicting 10\% risk and 7 to 9 points predicting 66\% risk. The c-statistic for the final model was 0.73, with an estimated optimism penalty of 0.01, indicating very little evidence of overfitting.

CONCLUSION: The prognostic index combines demographic, comorbidity, and function variables and can be used to differentiate between individuals at low and high risk of 1-year mortality after hip fracture.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cause of Death, Cohort Studies, Comorbidity, Disability Evaluation, Female, Hip Fractures, Humans, Incidence, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Prognosis, Retrospective Studies, Risk Assessment, Survival Analysis, United States}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/jgs.14237}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27295578}, author = {Irena Cenzer and Victoria L. Tang and W John Boscardin and Christine S Ritchie and Margaret Wallhagen and Espaldon, Roxanne and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {8506, title = {Self-Reported Hearing in the Last 2 Years of Life in Older Adults.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {64}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 07}, pages = {1486-91}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and correlates of self-reported hearing loss during the last 2 years of life.

DESIGN: Observational cohort study.

SETTING: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal nationally representative cohort of adults aged 50 and older (2000-13).

PARTICIPANTS: Older adults (N = 5,895, mean age at death 78, 53\% female, 20\% nonwhite).

MEASUREMENTS: The HRS interview closest to death was used (mean 12.2 months before death). Participants rated their hearing (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor) and indicated whether they used hearing aids. The prevalence and correlates of fair and poor ratings are described, adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS: Thirty-two percent (95\% confidence interval (CI) = 31-34\%) of all participants and 60\% (95\% CI = 57-64\%) of the 7\% of participants who used hearing aids rated their hearing as fair or poor. The prevalence of fair or poor hearing was highest in participants interviewed closest to death (29\% 19-24 months before death, 36\% 1-6 months before death, P for trend = .01). Correlates of fair or poor hearing during the last 2 years of life included age at death (50-59, 22\%; 60-69, 21\%; 70-79, 26\%; 80-89, 38\%; >=90, 50\%), sex (men 35\%, women 30\%), race and ethnicity (Hispanic 42\%, white 33\%), wealth (lowest quartile 38\%, highest quartile 27\%), history of heart disease (yes 38\%, no 27\%), activity of daily living dependence (yes 42\%, no 26\%), difficulty taking medications (yes 46\%, no 29\%), and probable dementia (yes 44\%, no 24\%).

CONCLUSION: Self-reported hearing loss increases during the last 2 years of life and is associated with physical and social vulnerability.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, California, Demography, Female, Hearing aids, Hearing loss, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Self Report, Vulnerable Populations}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/jgs.14145}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27341383}, author = {Christine S Ritchie and Yinghui Miao and W John Boscardin and Margaret Wallhagen} } @article {8229, title = {Increase in Disability Prevalence Before Hip Fracture.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {63}, year = {2015}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, month = {2015 Oct}, pages = {2029-35}, publisher = {63}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence and correlates of disability during the 2 years before hip fracture.

DESIGN: Data from participants who experienced hip fracture in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with hip fracture identified using linked Medicare claims. Each participant was interviewed at varying time points in the 2 years before hip fracture. Disability was defined as self-report of the need for assistance in any activity of daily living (walking across the room, eating, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, transferring). Based on the timing between interview and hip fracture, prevalence of disability was calculated in the cohort as a whole over the 2 years before hip fracture and in subgroups defined according to demographic and clinical characteristics.

SETTING: The HRS is a nationally representative longitudinal study (1992-2010).

PARTICIPANTS: HRS participants aged >=65 with hip fracture (mean age at fracture 84, 77\% female).

RESULTS: The adjusted prevalence of disability was 20\% (95\% confidence interval (CI) = 14-25\%) 2 years before hip fracture, with little change until approximately 10 months before fracture, when it started to rise, reaching 44\% (95\% CI = 33-55\%) in the month before hip fracture. The prevalence of disability was highest in the last month before fracture for persons aged 85 and older (53\%) and for those with dementia (60\%).

CONCLUSION: Care models for hip fracture need to consider not only the acute medical and surgical needs, but also the high level of need for supportive care and caregiver assistance that chronically disabled individuals require.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Dementia, Disability Evaluation, Disabled Persons, Educational Status, Female, Health Surveys, Hip Fractures, Humans, Income, Male, Mobility Limitation, Prevalence, United States}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/jgs.13658}, author = {Irena Cenzer and W John Boscardin and Christine S Ritchie and Margaret Wallhagen and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {7789, title = {Disability during the last two years of life.}, journal = {JAMA Intern Med}, volume = {173}, year = {2013}, note = {Copyright - Copyright American Medical Association Sep 9, 2013 Last updated - 2013-09-18 SubjectsTermNotLitGenreText - United States--US}, month = {2013 Sep 09}, pages = {1506-13}, publisher = {173}, abstract = {

IMPORTANCE: Whereas many persons at advanced ages live independently and are free of disability, we know little about how likely older people are to be disabled in the basic activities of daily living that are necessary for independent living as they enter the last years of life.

OBJECTIVE: To determine national estimates of disability during the last 2 years of life.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: A nationally representative study of older adults in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants 50 years and older who died while enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study between 1995 and 2010. Each participant was interviewed once at a varying time point in the last 24 months of life. We used these interviews to calculate national estimates of the prevalence of disability across the 2 years prior to death. We modeled the prevalence of disability in the 2 years prior to death for groups defined by age at death and sex.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Disability was defined as need for help with at least 1 of the following activities of daily living: dressing, bathing, eating, transferring, walking across the room, and using the toilet.

RESULTS: There were 8232 decedents (mean [SD] age at death, 79 [11] years; 52\% women). The prevalence of disability increased from 28\% (95\% CI, 24\%-31\%) 2 years before death to 56\% (95\% CI, 52\%-60\%) in the last month of life. Those who died at the oldest ages were much more likely to have disability 2 years before death (ages 50-69 years, 14\%; 70-79 years, 21\%; 80-89 years, 32\%; 90 years or more, 50\%; P for trend, <.001). Disability was more common in women 2 years before death (32\% [95\% CI, 28\%-36\%]) than men (21\% [95\% CI, 18\%-25\%]; P < .001), even after adjustment for older age at death.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Those who live to an older age are likely to be disabled, and thus in need of caregiving assistance, many months or years prior to death. Women have a substantially longer period of end-of-life disability than men.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Disability Evaluation, Disabled Persons, Educational Status, Female, Frail Elderly, Humans, Income, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Sex Distribution, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {2168-6114}, doi = {10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.8738}, author = {Alexander K Smith and Louise C Walter and Yinghui Miao and W John Boscardin and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {7722, title = {Half of older Americans seen in emergency department in last month of life; most admitted to hospital, and many die there.}, journal = {Health Aff (Millwood)}, volume = {31}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Jun}, pages = {1277-85}, publisher = {31}, abstract = {

Emergency department use contributes to high end-of-life costs and is potentially burdensome for patients and family members. We examined emergency department use in the last months of life for patients age sixty-five or older who died while enrolled in a longitudinal study of older adults in the period 1992-2006. We found that 51 percent of the 4,158 [corrected] decedents visited the emergency department in the last month of life, and 75 percent in the last six months of life. Repeat visits were common. A total of 77 percent of the patients seen in the emergency department in the last month of life were admitted to the hospital, and 68 percent of those who were admitted died there. In contrast, patients who enrolled in hospice at least one month before death rarely visited the emergency department in the last month of life. Policies that encourage the preparation of patients and families for death and early enrollment in hospice may prevent emergency department visits at the end of life.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Hospital Mortality, Hospitalization, Humans, Insurance Claim Review, Male, Terminal Care, Terminally Ill, United States}, issn = {1544-5208}, doi = {10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0922}, author = {Alexander K Smith and Ellen P McCarthy and Ellen Weber and Irena Cenzer and W John Boscardin and Jonathan Fisher and Kenneth E Covinsky} } @article {7501, title = {The epidemiology of pain during the last 2 years of life.}, journal = {Ann Intern Med}, volume = {153}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Nov 02}, pages = {563-9}, publisher = {153}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of pain during the last years of life has not been well described.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and correlates of pain during the last 2 years of life.

DESIGN: Observational study. Data from participants who died while enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study were analyzed. The survey interview closest to death was used. Each participant or proxy was interviewed once in the last 24 months of life and was classified into 1 of 24 cohorts on the basis of the number of months between the interview and death. The relationship between time before death and pain was modeled and was adjusted for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education level, net worth, income, terminal diagnosis category, presence of arthritis, and proxy status.

SETTING: The Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of community-living older adults (1994 to 2006).

PARTICIPANTS: Older adult decedents.

MEASUREMENTS: Clinically significant pain, as indicated by a report that the participant was "often troubled" by pain of at least moderate severity.

RESULTS: The sample included 4703 decedents. Mean age (SD) of participants was 75.7 years (SD, 10.8); 83.1\% were white, 10.7\% were black, 4.7\% were Hispanic; and 52.3\% were men. The adjusted prevalence of pain 24 months before death was 26\% (95\% CI, 23\% to 30\%). The prevalence remained flat until 4 months before death (28\% [CI, 25\% to 32\%]), then it increased, reaching 46\% (CI, 38\% to 55\%) in the last month of life. The prevalence of pain in the last month of life was 60\% among patients with arthritis versus 26\% among patients without arthritis (P < 0.001) and did not differ by terminal diagnosis category (cancer [45\%], heart disease [48\%], frailty [50\%], sudden death [42\%], or other causes [47\%]; P = 0.195).

LIMITATION: Data are cross-sectional; 19\% of responses were from proxies; and information about cause, location, and treatment of pain was not available.

CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of pain increases in the last 4 months of life, pain is present in more than one quarter of elderly persons during the last 2 years of life. Arthritis is strongly associated with pain at the end of life.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute on Aging, National Center for Research Resources, National Institute on Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and National Palliative Care Research Center.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Arthritis, Chronic disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Death, Female, Humans, Male, pain, Palliative care, Prevalence, Quality of Life, Socioeconomic factors, Terminally Ill, Time Factors}, issn = {1539-3704}, doi = {10.7326/0003-4819-153-9-201011020-00005}, author = {Alexander K Smith and Irena Cenzer and Sara J Knight and Kathleen A Puntillo and Eric W Widera and Brie A Williams and W John Boscardin and Kenneth E Covinsky} }