VITAL Study Findings Show Vitamin D3 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Do Not Reduce Frailty Risk

Old woman walking small dog in sunny park

After analyzing data from the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL), Brigham investigators have concluded that neither vitamin D3 nor omega-3 fatty acid supplementation prevents frailty in generally healthy older adults. Ariela Orkaby, MD, MPH, corresponding author of the new ancillary study, discusses the findings.

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Frequent Use of Over-the-Counter Analgesics Linked to Persistent Tinnitus

Rendering of blue head with red radiating from ear, tinnitus concept

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have determined aspirin and other over-the-counter analgesics are associated with the risk of persistent tinnitus, although the direction and magnitude differ for individual agents.

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Video Decision Aids Plus Remote Clinician Training Improved Advance Care Planning During COVID-19

Doctor on video call with older female patient

The need for advance care planning (ACP) was especially heightened for older, Black, and Latino/a/x patients at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brigham researchers tested an ACP intervention with video decision aids and remote clinician training, reporting improved ACP documentation rapidly and efficiently.

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Complexity of the Geriatric Patient: Q&A With Dr. Houman Javedan

Close up of older patient holding cane and being helped by medical professional

In an effort to clearly define the role of a geriatrician and establish best practices for the treatment of geriatric patients, Houman Javedan, MD, clinical director for the Division of Aging, developed a Geriatrics Clinical Reasoning curriculum that has completely transformed geriatric care at the Brigham.

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Black Elders Show Greater Posttraumatic Growth During COVID-19 Than White Elders

Black older man sitting at edge of bed wearing COVID-19 mask

Patrizia Vannini, PhD, of the Department of Neurology, and colleagues conducted the first study of posttraumatic growth and other mental health factors related to COVID-19 among older adults. They describe how the pandemic affected Black and white older adults differently and name ways to foster posttraumatic growth.

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New Epigenetic Clock Can Profile the Biological Age of Single Cells

3D rendering of single human cell concept

The Brigham’s Vadim N. Gladyshev, PhD, and colleagues have developed an epigenetic clock that allows predictions of biological age at the single-cell level, pointing to a new direction of aging research with applications for somatic, germline and cancer cells.

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Frailty Status Predicts Mortality After In-hospital CPR

Hands of senior woman resting on cane handle

Ariela Orkaby MD, MPH, of the Brigham’s Division of Aging, and colleagues report that increased frailty status as rated on the Clinical Frailty Scale is associated with increased mortality in older adults after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

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Adapted Frailty Index Feasible for Use by Geriatricians Across Multiple Clinical Services

Electronic medical record on a tablet.

Lisa Cooper, MD, and Houman Javedan, MD, of the Division of Aging at the Brigham, and colleagues have adapted the comprehensive geriatric assessment (FI-CGA) tool to be feasible for use by geriatricians to communicate complex geriatric concepts with multiple other clinics at the Brigham that care for older adults.

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Polypharmacy in Older Adults Not Associated with Post-Thoracic Surgery Complications

Close up of senior woman holding a medicine box and taking out a pill

A retrospective study at the Brigham, led by Lisa Cooper, MD, and Laura N. Frain, MD, MPH, found that polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, and frailty were not associated with complications after surgery for thoracic malignancies, but frailty was associated with increased length of hospital stay.

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Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Successfully Adapted to Telehealth

Patient uses a tablet for telehealth visit with doctor

The COVID-19 pandemic had prompted a 130-fold increase in telehealth visits by U.S. Medicare recipients. The Division of Aging at the Brigham was part of that surge, adapting the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) to be suitable for telephone and video visits.

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