A Study of Elderly Suicides in Hong Kong

Crisis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Chi ◽  
Paul SF Yip ◽  
Gabriel KK Yu ◽  
Peter Halliday
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Police Records ◽  
Elderly Suicide

Hong Kong has one of the highest rates of suicide among the elderly in the world. Most of the existing suicide prevention programs have had very little effect on the elderly, who rarely utilize these programs. This study aims to help in understanding the problem, so that effective prevention can be provided to this high-risk group of suicidal people. Specifically, the study (1) describes the characteristics of the suicidal elderly, (2) investigates the reason(s) why the elderly are in distress and become suicidal, and (3) formulates a policy and service model to reach the elderly high-risk group.This research project involves secondary data analysis. Police records on elderly suicide cases in 1992 were scrutinized to find out the major reason(s) for fatal death in the elderly. Our study points out those districts that are more crowded and have fewer medical and social facilities tended to have higher suicide rates. Most of the deaths occurred at home or nearby, and the suicidal elderly were alone before their death. The majority of elderly suicide victims suffered from chronic diseases. Very few of them, however, were totally dependent: About 40% of the cases had consulted medical practitioners, and 27% had consulted psychiatrists within one month before their deaths. Close to 70% of the cases had indicated to family members or others their suicidal thoughts, and many of them had revealed numerous suicidal indications. Both policy and practice issues are discussed in light of the findings.

scholarly journals Depression in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Casten ◽  
Barry Rovner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
High Risk ◽  
General Population ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of disability in the elderly, substantially degrades the quality of their lives, and is a risk factor for depression. Rates of depression in AMD are substantially greater than those found in the general population of older people, and are on par with those of other chronic and disabling diseases. This article discusses the effect of depression on vision-related disability in patients with AMD, suggests methods for screening for depression, and summarizes interventions for preventing depression in this high-risk group.

scholarly journals Preliminary study about the relationship between estimated training status and RAS polymorphisms on blood pressure and ACE activity in the elderly

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 147032031878262
Author(s):  
Roberta Fernanda da Silva ◽  
Riccardo Lacchini ◽  
Lucas Cezar Pinheiro ◽  
Thiago José Dionísio ◽  
AndréMourão Jacomini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Training Status ◽  
Ace Activity ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) are associated with increases in blood pressure (BP). Physical exercise has been considered the main strategy to prevent this increase. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between estimated training status (TS), BP and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in elderly people classified as low or high risk to develop hypertension according to genetic profile. Methods: A total of 155 elderly participants performed the following assessments: general functional fitness index (GFFI), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), blood collection for ACE activity and analyses of the RAS polymorphisms. Results: Uncontrolled hypertensive (UHT) participants presented higher values of SBP and DBP compared with normotensive (NT) and controlled hypertensive (CHT) participants. No differences were found in ACE activity and GFFI between groups. In the high risk group, UHT presented higher values of SBP and DBP compared with other groups. CHT presented higher values of SBP compared with NT. Furthermore, UHT presented higher values of ACE activity compared with CHT and lower values of GFFI compared with NT. Conclusion: MDA, TIA and TIC genetic combinations were associated with high risk of developing hypertension while the maintenance of good levels of TS was associated with lower BP values and ACE activity.

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Myelodysplatic Syndrome

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5245-5245
Author(s):  
Mohamad A. Younes ◽  
Javier Munoz ◽  
Ammar Khanshour ◽  
Jessica Schering ◽  
George Yaghmour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Abstract 5245 Introduction: The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogeneous group of malignant stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic and ineffective blood cell production and a variable risk of transformation to acute leukemia (AML). Treatment of MDS with immunomodulatory drugs and eryrthropoitin is a well known risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) and has been cited in several reports. However, the frequency of VTE in MDS patients as an independent risk factor regardless of treatment modalities has not been characterized before. Methods: We reviewed all cases of MDS diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 in our institution and did a retrospective analysis on the incidence of VTE in these patients prior or during different modalities and also according to different MDS subtypes and prognostic scores. The study also sub-classified the VTE according to being provoked or not. Results: Between 2000 and 2010, 291 patients were diagnosed with MDS in our institution. Seventeen (5.8%) patients developed VTE. Of these patients, 4(23.5%) had unprovoked VTE compared to 13(76.5%) with provoked VTE. All patients with unprovoked VTE (100%) had their venous event prior to the MDS diagnosis with a median time of 154 days (range 5–150 days). 75% (3 patients) of these patients had an intermediate-1 IPSS group and 25% (1 patient) belonged to the low risk group. In the group of patients with provoked VTE, 6 (46.2%) patients had the venous event prior to MDS diagnosis with a median time of 434 days (range 90–943 days). 83.3% (5 patients) had an intermediate-1 IPSS group and 16.7% (1 patient) belonged to the high risk group. On the other hand, 7 (53.8%) patients had provoked VTE after the MDS diagnosis with a median time of 294 days (range 14–718 days). Treatment modalities during which these VTE occurred were as follows, 3 (42.8%) patients were on erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA), 1 (14.2%) patient was on revlimid, 2 (28.5%) patients were on active chemotherapy, and 1 (14.2%) patient was on no treatment. The IPSS group distribution for post MDS diagnosis patients with provoked VTE was as follows: 0% in the low risk group, 28.5% belonged to intermediate-1 risk group, 28.5% belonged to intermediate-2 risk group and 43% belonged to the high risk group. In patients with unprovoked VTE, the median age was 77.7 years (range 76–81 years) with equal distribution between males and females (50% each). In patients with provoked VTE, the median age was 69.6 years (range 56–85 years) with 46.1% males and 53.9% females. Discussion: The results of this study shows an increased risk of VTE in patients with MDS (5.8%) compared to that in the general population which is reported to occur in about 1 per 1000 persons per year. It also shows that all the unprovoked VTE events occurred prior to the MDS diagnosis with a median time of around 5 months. Due to this finding, we recommend that part of the workup for unprovoked VTE in the elderly population (as the mean age for unprovoked VTE was 77.7 years) include at least a CBCD and a peripheral smear to rule out cytopenias or morphologic changes suggestive of MDS. Since 46.2% of the provoked VTE happened before MDS diagnosis, we also recommend checking a CBCD in the elderly population (as the mean age for provoked VTE was 69.6 years) due to its low cost and especially if the provoking factor for VTE was not strong enough. Since 42.8% of patients with provoked VTE were on ESA during the event, we encourage aggressive VTE prophylaxis in moderate/high risk situations for these patients. The study did not show a higher prevalence of the intermediate-2 or high IPSS risk groups among patients with unprovoked (0%) or provoked VTE (46%). However, we encourage further research to study the prognostic significance of VTE in MDS patients and its relationship to progression to AML and to overall survival. Conclusion: Our study showed that a higher risk of VTE is present in patients with MDS compared to the general population and we recommend that aggressive VTE prophylaxis be given in moderate/high risk situations especially for patients who are taking ESA. We also recommend further research to be done on the prognostic significance of VTE in patients with MDS regarding overall survival and progression to AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals An assessment of anthropometric indices and its association with NCDs among the older adults of India: evidence from LASI Wave-1

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahadev Bramhankar ◽  
Mohit Pandey ◽  
Gursimran Singh Rana ◽  
Balram Rai ◽  
Nand Lal Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Critical Limit ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to assess the status of physical body indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among the older adults aged 45 and above in India. Further, to explore the association of anthropometric indices with various non-communicable morbidities. Methods The study uses secondary data of the Longitudinal Ageing Survey’s first wave in India (2017–18). The national representative sample for older adults 45 and above (65,662) considered for the analysis. The prevalence of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) included in the study is based on the self-reporting of the participants. Diseases included are among the top ten causes of death, such as cancer, hypertension, stroke, chronic heart diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and multi-morbidity. Multi-morbidity is a case of having more than one of the morbidities mentioned above. BMI-obese indicates an individual having a BMI ≥30, and the critical threshold value for high-risk WC for men is ≥102 cm while for women is ≥88 cm. The critical limit for the high-risk WHR for men and women is ≥0.90 and ≥ 0.85, respectively. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions are used to assess the association BMI, WC, and WHR with non-communicable morbidities. Results Based on the multivariate-adjusted model, odds shows that an Indian older adult aged 45 and above is 2.3 times more likely (AOR: 2.33; 95% CI (2.2, 2.5)) by obesity, 61% more likely (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI (1.629, 1.631)) by high-risk WHR and 98% more likely (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI (1.9, 2.1)) by high-risk WC to develop CVDs than their normal counterparts. Similarly, significant positive associations of obesity, high-risk WC, and high-risk WHR were observed with other NCDs and multi-morbidity. Conclusion Our study shows that obesity, high-risk WC, and high-risk WHR are significant risks for developing NCDs and multi-morbidity among the older adults in India. There is a need for a multi-sectoral approach to reduce the share of the elderly population in high-risk groups of BMIs, WHR, and WC.

scholarly journals Classification of patients at risk for chronic kidney disease by use of eGFR and albuminuria

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Seferović ◽  
Višnja Ležaić
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Blood Pressure Measurement ◽  
Staging System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Hypertensive Patients

Introduction. Screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been advisedin high-risk populations. However, data on the prevalence of early asymptomaticstages vary and depend on the definition of CKD. In the present studysubjects at risk for CKD (patients with diabetes mellitus type 2-DM2, withhypertension and older than 60 years without diabetes and hypertension)were classified in categories defined by eGFR and albuminuria staging system.Methods. After regular check-up in primary health center, 285 consecutivepatients at risk for CKD, were selected: 75 patients with well-controlled DM2without hypertension, 130 with hypertension and 80 subjects older than 60years without diabetes or hypertension. Screening included a questionnaire,blood pressure measurement, single albuminuria determined by immunonephelometry,and eGFR estimation using MDRD.Results. Six DM2 patients, 15 withe hyprtension and 12 elderly had eGFR<60(assessed in ml/min/1.73m2) with optimal albuminuria. High albuminuriawas observed in one DM2 and four hypertensive patients, and 28 elderly.When eGFR and albuminuria staging system for predicting risk for majorCKD outcomes was used, 41.2% of the elderly were classified in the moderateand 8.8% in the high risk group, for DM2 patients these percentages were9.3% and 0%, and for hypertensive patients 16.9% and 4.7%, respectively.Conclusion. The majority of examined patients did not have CKD, and in allthree groups most individuals with reduced eGFR did not have albuminuria>30mg/g. Using the classification of CKD based on eGFR and albuminuria,

The Elderly and Hospital-Acquired Diarrhoea: A High-Risk Group

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. P17-P17
Author(s):  
L Kyne ◽  
A Moran ◽  
C Keane ◽  
D O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Hospital Acquired

scholarly journals Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Closed Surgical Wounds in Musculoskeletal Oncology Patients - A Case-Control Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 502-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick Kong ◽  
David Shields ◽  
Oliver Bailey ◽  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Ashish Mahendra
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wound Therapy ◽  
Tissue Diagnosis ◽  
Soft Tissue Dissection

Following excision of musculoskeletal tumours, patients are at high risk of wound issues such as infection, dehiscence and delayed healing. This is due to a multitude of factors including the invasive nature of the disease, extensive soft tissue dissection, disruption to blood and lymphatic drainage, residual cavity and adjuvant therapies. The use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has a growing body of evidence on its beneficial effect of wound healing such as promoting cell differentiation, minimising oedema and thermoregulation. Traditionally, these dressings have been used for open or dehisced wounds; however recent research has investigated its role in closed wounds.Aim:To evaluate the effect of NPWT in patients with closed wounds, either primarily or with flap coverage, in our high risk group. Consecutive patients who had a NPWT dressing applied were selected, and a control group was established by a blinded researcher with matching for tissue diagnosis, surgical site, gender and age. The primary outcome measured was documented for wound complications, with secondary data collected on radiotherapy and wound drainage.Results:Patients were well matched between the intervention (n=9) and control (n=9) groups for gender, age and tissue diagnosis. Both groups had 1 patient who underwent preoperative radiotherapy. A total of 3 wound infections occurred in the control group and none in the NPWT group. Overall there was a trend towards lower drain output and statistically significantly reduced infection rate in the NPWT group.Conclusion:In this short series, despite the NPWT patients having more additional risk factors for wound issues, they resulted in fewer infections. The sample size is not sufficient to have statistically significant reduction. Further evaluation on the value of NPWT in this patient group should be prospectively evaluated.

scholarly journals HIGH RISK PERCEPTION OF THE INFECTED SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI) STI CLINIC ON IN PADANG BULAN PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayu Febrini Meutia
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
The Government

Clinical STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) is a prevention program of the government which aSTI’s to carry out the functions of control and reduce the spread of STIs in sex workers, homosexuals, Transgenders, Customers sex workers, and sexual partner fixed. STI’S showed an increasing prevalence. STI’S is an indicator for the entrance of HIV AIDS. STI prevalence from year to year but the increasing attention to STI’S at this time if neglected.This study is a qualitative study that illustrates the perception of a high risk group for contracting STIs clinic utilization of primary STI’S.Data obtained by using indepth interviews and secondary data obtained from the health center as well as the data - other supporting data. Data processing is done by qualitative descriptive method.The results showedthe informantto obtaininformationaboutSTIsClinicobtained fromfield officerorGovernmental Organization. Their knowledge ofSTIsclinicisonly limitedtothe examinationof HIV/AIDSalone. The wholeinformantsfromthe highriskgroupof contractingSTDsthatsex workersdidnotknow the type-the typeof STIsother thanHIV/AIDS. Perception ofhigh risk of contractingSTIsgroupformedbythe informationthattheycan, they havethe knowledgeandexperiencethey feel.STIclinicsare expected tofurther maximize thedissemination of information onSTIdiseasein detailandaccurately. Expected tosupportcross-sectoral, especially governmentin an effort toincreasethe utilization ofSTIclinic Keywords : Perception , Clinical STI’S , STI’S High-Risk Groups

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