S194 9th congress of the EUGMS / European Geriatric Medicine 4 (2013) S142–S216 Results.– Despite high number of diseases (mean Charlson index 1.7; mean number of drugs 6.5), most participants were active and had good psychological well-being (PWB > 0.80). Of partici- pants, 73% reported a hobby related to regular physical activity and 46% other social hobbies. However, numerous abnormalities were found in assessments and tests. Altogether 64% of partici- pants’ were sent to further interventions: 35% were sent to further diagnostic tests, 15% to blood pressure follow-ups, 13% to further cognitive tests, 9% were admitted to specialists, 7% to physiother- apists, 5% to oral check-ups and 9% received physicians’ medical certificates for economical or social advantages. Conclusions.– Systematic health check-ups among 75- and 80- year-olds reveal that although older people feel well, they have potential for preventive interventions. Systematic, multidimen- sional preventive health check-ups among 75- and 80-year-olds led to multiple interventions. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurger.2013.07.646 P581 Assessment of frailty in older patients before cardiac surgery M. de Saint-Hubert , J. Jamart , L. Gabriel , M. Gourdin , J. Mitchell , I. Michaux CHU Mont-Godinne, UC Louvain, Namur Research Institute for Life Science, Mont, Belgium Introduction.– Commonly used predictors of postoperative compli- cations of cardiac surgery failed to accurately predict complications in older patients. Frailty identifies patients with a diminished adap- tive capacity to respond to stressors and assesses functional and physiological reserves. We hypothesised that frailty may be a better predictor of functional evolution and length of stay in ICU (LOS-ICU) and in hospital (LOS-H). Methods.– Older patients aged ≥ 75 years consecutively admitted for elective cardiac surgery (valvular or coronary). Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS: 0–14), functional status (IADL), comorbidity (CIRS- G) and gait speed were measured and LOS-ICU and LOS-H were recorded. Functional decline (FD) was assessed 3 months after dis- charge (loss of 1 point in IADL). Results.– Among 116 eligible patients, full data for follow-up were available for 47 (mean age, 80.2 ± 3.4, 48.9% were female). FD occured for 24 patients. Gait speed was significantly lower in patients with FD (0.7 ± 0.23 m/s vs 0.58 ± 0.19 m/s, P = 0.048). There was no difference in comorbidity in patients’ with/without FD. EFS was significantly correlated to LOS-ICU & LOS-H (Spearman’s rho = 0.357 and 0.383, P = 0.007 and 0.006 respectively). Key conclusion.– In elective cardiac surgery, preoperative gait speed is significantly associated with functional outcomes after discharge. Frailty screening may contribute to identify patients at risk for in-hospital complications (LOS). Recruitment is still ongoing and further analyses will test if combined conventional preoperative assessment and frailty screening improve the identification of older patients at higher risk before surgery. The final outcome is to improve surgical decisions (in case of higher risk) and perioperative management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurger.2013.07.647 P582 Perceptions of elderly patients interviewed after screening on depressive feelings M. vonFaber , G.M. van der Weele , G. van der Geest , J.W. Blom , J. Gussekloo Leiden University Medical Center, Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), Leide, The Netherlands Introduction.– At old age, depressive symptoms are reported to be both under-recognized and undertreated. Screening has been considered effective for early detection and prevention of clini- cal depression by means of intervention. However, in our earlier combined screening-intervention program a majority of older peo- ple declined the offered intervention. Therefore, we explored the perceptions and needs of older patients with depressive feelings according to screening. Methods.– We invited persons, aged 75 years and over, in general practice, who screened positive for depressive symptoms. In two in-depth interviews we explored their perceptions on causes and solutions related to depressive feelings. To investigate the influence of complexity of health problems, we included persons with and without complex health problems. Results.– We interviewed 38 respondents who screened positive for depressive symptoms, of whom 19 respondents also had complex health problems. Respondents believed the causes were external problems or individual characteristics rather than subscribing to a biomedical model. Most respondents mentioned a need for more or improved social contacts, relaxation or social activities. Few people expressed a need for professional support. A strong sense of self-efficacy was mainly found in older people without com- plex problems. Respondents with complex problems were more ambivalent about solutions and practical consequences. Knowl- edge about interventions and possibilities for support was low. Conclusion.– Most older people with depressive feelings are actively engaged in coping strategies. These strategies are considered suffi- cient by most respondents themselves. As most respondents think professional intervention cannot solve the problem, a need for care is almost absent. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurger.2013.07.648 P583 The use of STOPP/START criteria to evaluate potentially inappropriate medication to elderly patients followed up at a Portuguese geriatric outpatient clinic M.M. Moraes , A. Matias , M.A. Soares , J. Gorjão Clara Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.UL), Faculty of Pharmacy Geriatric University Unit CHLN, Hospital Pulido Valente, Lisbon, Portugal Introduction.– Geriatricians are aware of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) unsafe use avoiding their prescription. Gener- ally, the knowledge and sensibility of general practitioners is not as developed as among geriatricians frequently they prescribe PIMs when there are safer alternatives. Goals.– To evaluate the reduction of PIM’s prescription to elderly patients, during their first visit to the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, according to STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Person’s prescrip- tions)/START (Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right) criteria. Methods.– Studied population: elderly (65 years old and over) fol- lowed up in the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic at Hospital Pulido Valente, Lisbon (n = 100). Cross sectional study. Data collection: from March 2011 to October 2012. Descriptive analysis was done. Results.– Patients’ average age was 80.6 years old (65–92), being 69% female. Before geriatric team’s intervention, the mean number of drugs/patient was 7.5 with a total of 753 medicines; 48 patients were taking at least one PIM. From those, 18 were taking more than one PIM and 15 took duplicated drug classes/drugs; 11% of the total of prescribed drugs was PIMs. Sixteen patients were taking long half-life benzodiazepines (19.5% of the total PIM). Geriatric team’s prescribed 9 new medications (out of 10) identified by START and reduced 50.6% of the total number of PIMs. The proportion between PIMs and the total number of drugs was reduced from 11% to 6.1%.