Resumen:
Objective: To analyze the effects of a tailored exercise intervention in acutely hospitalized oldest old diabetic patients.
Research design and methods: This is an ancillary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. 103 acutely hospitalized older adults (mean age ~87 years) with type II diabetes were randomized to an intervention (exercise, n=54) or control group (usual care, n=49). The primary endpoint was change in functional status from baseline to hospital discharge as assessed with the Barthel index and the Short Physical Performance Battery [SSPB]. Secondary endpoints comprised cognitive function and mood status, quality of life (QoL), incidence of delirium, and handgrip strength. Exercise-related side effects, length of hospital stay and incidence of falls during hospitalization we also assessed, as well as transfer to nursing homes, hospital readmission and mortality during a 3-month follow-up.
Results: The median length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range, 4) for both groups. The intervention was safe and provided significant benefits over usual care on SPPB (2.7 [95% confidence interval 1.8, 3.5]) and Barthel Index (8.5 [95% CI: 3.9, 13.1]), as well as on other secondary endp...