Abstract

RUBIO ACUNA, Miriam. Efectiveness of home visits in the elderly on functional status, mortality and nurse home admission. Gerokomos [online]. 2013, vol.24, n.2, pp.78-80. ISSN 1134-928X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1134-928X2013000200006.

Clinical question: in the elderly, home visits compared with usual control are effective to prevent functional decline, reduce mortality and nurse home admission. Article: Huss A, Stuck A, Rubenstein L, Egger M, Clough-Gorr K. Multidimensional Preventive Home Visit Programs for Olders Comunity-Dwelling Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2008, 63 (3): 298-307. Summary of the research: systematic review aims to summarize the effect of home visiting programs in home nurse admission, functional status and mortality. Home visits showed no effectiveness in home nurse admission [OR 0.86 (0.68 to 1.10)]. Functional impairment was reduced only when included a multidimensional assessment and initial clinical examination [OR 0.64 (0.48-0.87)]. Existed only a decrease in mortality in the elderly 77 years who received home visits [OR 0.74 (0.58 to 0.94)]. Critic comment: the study has sufficient validity, the search strategy was comprehensive and complete, without language restrictions and included gray literature. Was assessed the quality of studies considering randomization, sequence concealment and blind. To assess the heterogeneity we used an indicator measuring inconsistency and the p value. Though this SR results are quite modest in relation to the functionality and mortality, creating a home visiting program would be beneficial in the elderly, given the importance of functionality in the quality of life of these.

Keywords : Elderly; home visits; functionality; mortality; nurse home; critical review.

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