Background Quality of life (QoL) refers to the physical, psychological, social and medical aspects of life that are influenced by health status and function. The purpose of this study was to measure the self-perceived health status among the elderly population across Europe in different stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Methods Our series consisted of 2255 community-dwelling older adults enrolled in the Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) among Older People across Europe (SCOPE) study. All patients underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), including included demographics, clinical and physical assessment, number of medications taken, family arrangement, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, History of falls, Lower urinary tract symptoms, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) equation. Quality of life was assessed by Euro Qol questionnaire (Euro-Qol 5D) and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). The association between CKD (eGFR < 60, < 45 ml or < 30 ml/min/1.73m2) and low EQoL-VAS was investigated by multivariable logistic regression models. Results CKD was found to be significantly associated with low EQoL-VAS in crude analysis (OR = 1.47, 95%CI = 1.16–1.85 for eGFR< 60; OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.08–1.77 for eGFR< 45; OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.01–2.44). Such association was no longer significant only when adjusting for SPPB (OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.93–1.56 for eGFR< 60; OR = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.64–1.18 for eGFR< 45; OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.50–1.42), CIRS and polypharmacy (OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.90–1.50 for eGFR< 60; OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.64–1.16 for eGFR< 45; OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.69–1.80) or diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.99–1.64 for eGFR< 60; OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.88–1.52 for eGFR< 45; OR = 1.47, 95%CI = 0.92–2.34). The association between CKD and low EQoL-VAS was confirmed in all remaining multivariable models. Conclusions CKD may significantly affect QoL in community-dwelling older adults. Physical performance, polypharmacy, diabetes, hypertension and COPD may affect such association, which suggests that the impact of CKD on QoL is likely multifactorial and partly mediated by co-occurrent conditions/risk factors.

Background Sarcopenia may be more present in older adults with diabetes (DM). Accordingly, we evaluated the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associated risk factors among community-dwelling older adults with DM. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of older people living in the community was carried out. Participants (aged 75 years and more) came from an European multicenter prospective cohort (SCOPE study). Global geriatric assessment including short physical performance battery, handgrip strength test and bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed. Sarcopenia was defined by the updated criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) to define the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous known DM was defined as physician-diagnosed DM registered in the patient's medical record or the use of DM-related medications. Hemoglobin A1c levels and specific DM therapies administered were collected. Time elapsed from the first diagnosis of DM was not collected and, therefore, was not included in the analyses. Results A total of 1,420 subjects were evaluated with a median age of 79.0 (6.0) years, of which 804 (56.6%) were women and 615 (43.3%) men; 315 (22.2%) participants had prior DM diagnosis, with a median age of 80.0 (6.0), 146 (46.3%) were women. Using EWGSOP2 definition, 150 (10.6%) participants in the SCOPE study met diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Participants without diabetes had more often normal results in the 3 sarcopenia components than participants with diabetes [887 (80.31%) vs. 227 (72.1%), p = 0.002], highlighting higher percentages of severe sarcopenia in participants with diabetes [27 (8.6%) vs. 58 (5.2%), p = 0.028]. Confirmed or severe sarcopenia was detected in 41 (13%) participants with diabetes and 109 (9.8%) participants without diabetes (p = 0.108). According to BIS equation, sarcopenia was not significantly more prevalent in the more advanced stages of CKD (p = 0.845). In multivariate analyses, older age (odds ratios [OR], 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.27), and lower body mass index (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71–0.89 were associated with the presence of sarcopenia. Conclusions One tenth of all older community-dwelling subjects have sarcopenia. Older age and being thinner, but not worse renal function, were associated with higher prevalence of sarcopenia in older older adults with diabetes.

Objective: To assess the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) in countries of the former Yugoslavia.

Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants. Approximately half of women with schizophrenia become mothers, yet the issue of breastfeeding is often overlooked by the health professional community. The aim of this study was to survey attitudes among registered nurses regarding breastfeeding by schizophrenic women. Cross-sectional descriptive design was used involving a sample of nurses (40 midwives, 37 psychiatric and 33 postpartum) in two medical centres in southern Israel. The validated semistructured questionnaire included sociodemographic and professional questions, personal and professional breastfeeding experience, attitudes and knowledge concerning schizophrenia and attitudes towards breastfeeding by schizophrenic women. The study results indicate that 70% of the respondents held positive attitudes towards breastfeeding in women with schizophrenia, although no significant differences were found between the different types of nurses. Multivariate analysis reveals that academic education was the only variable associated with positive attitudes, while negative feelings towards women with schizophrenia, and extensive knowledge regarding schizophrenia were negatively associated. This study can serve as a foundation for future research to further examine nurses' role in providing postpartum education and care for women with schizophrenia.