scholarly journals Back Pain and Heart Failure in Older Adults: Findings From the Health ABC Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 203-203
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Yiming Zhang ◽  
Eleanor Simonsick ◽  
Angela Starkweather ◽  
Ming-Hui Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Both back pain and heart failure (HF) have negative influence on all aspects of life. Little is known about the impact of back pain on older adults with HF. We include 1295 older adults who had data collected in the 11th year (2007-2008) of the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study to evaluate the effect of back pain on health status among older adults with and without HF. The participants aged 79-91, 54.8% were female and 34.8% were African American. Among 94 participants with HF, 63 (67.0%) had back pain; among 1201 participants without HF, 649 (54.0%) had back pain. Females reporting back pain had 4.76 (95% CI: 1.83, 12.37) times the odds of having HF compared to those without back pain. Male with back pain, compared to those without back pain, had 1.14 times (95% CI: 0.65, 2.02) the odds of having HF. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Performance and functions were measured by the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies in the Elderly (EPESE) performance score, the Health ABC performance battery score and self-reported difficulty with functional tasks. These symptom and performance measures were significantly associated with both back pain and HF, but not the interaction terms of back pain and HF after adjusting demographic variables including gender, race, smoking status and BMI category. The high incidence and negative impact of back pain highlighted the needs of developing strategies in pain management among older adults with and without HF.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2257-2257
Author(s):  
Dan L. Longo ◽  
Alessandro Ble ◽  
Jeffrey E. Metter ◽  
Jack M. Guralnik ◽  
Richard C. Woodman ◽  
...  

Abstract Whether mild-to-moderate hemoglobin (Hb) reduction is associated with increased mortality independent of underlying diseases is still debated. Two epidemiological studies addressing this issue in high risk populations (disabled older women, and persons 85 years or older) reported conflicting results. The BLSA offers the opportunity to investigate this association in an adult generally healthy population. The BLSA is a large cohort study on aging started in 1958. The participants are volunteers living in the Baltimore-Washington area (USA), well educated and self-describing as generally healthy persons. Participants are examined every 1-2 years. In the present analysis, all participants evaluated at least one occasion for Hb were included. Subjects were not excluded for any pre-existing conditions or specific outcomes. Hb levels were measured in 2979 participants recruited from 1958 to 2002 (1793 men and 1186 women, 78.7% Caucasians, age range: 18–96 years). Mean age at initial evaluation was 52.3 (±17.4) years for women and 52.1 (±17.9) for men, and the average time from baseline to death/censoring was 17.6 years for men and 12.4 years for women. Crude mortality rates were 21/1000 person years for men and 9.7/1000 person years for women. After adjusting for age, a U-shaped relationship (obtained fitting a Cox model with a Poisson regression approach according Therneau & Grambsch, 2000) was observed between Hb concentration and mortality with nadir at Hb=12.8g/dL in women and 15.0g in men. In the same model, significant excess of mortality was associated with Hb ≤ 11.2g/dL (95%CI 9.8g/dL–12.3 g/dL) and ≥ 14.0 g/dL (95%CI 13.5g/dL–14.9g/dL) in women, and ≤ 13.4 g/dL (95% CI 12.5g/dL–14.4g/dL) and ≥ 16.2g/dL (95% CI 15.4g/dL–17.2g/dL) in men. After adjusting for demographics, anthropometrics, smoking status, radiation exposure, and co-morbid diseases (heart disease, stroke, pulmonary disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension), men with Hb ≤ 13.4 g/dL (mean: 12.7 g/dL, SD: 0.6) were at 30% higher risk (RR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.08–1.58) compared to the reference group (Hb: 13.4–16.2). Accordingly, women with Hb ≤ 11.2 g/dL (mean: 10.2 g/dL, SD: 1.0) showed 100% greater risk compared to the reference group (Hb: 11.2–14.0), however this association was not statistically significant (RR: 2.01, 95% CI: 0.88–4.63). When men with Hb levels <10g/dL and women with <9 g/dL were excluded the results did not substantially change. Our findings showed that in the general population moderately-low Hb levels per se were associated with increased mortality risk. The impact of anemia correction on mortality in the elderly remains to be determined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Smith ◽  
Kelly Charlton

Abstract. This paper explores the impact of growing up with an older adult in the home on one’s attitudes toward older adults. We surveyed 309 participants for their opinions on older adults, whether they grew up living with an older adult, and whether the older adult they lived with was ill. Those who grew up with an older adult had significantly lower opinions of the elderly but had less anxiety around their own aging process. This negative impact of contact seemed especially pronounced if the older adult was ill. Results indicate that although contact in and of itself can have a positive benefit on opinions toward the elderly, the nature of the relationship impacts the effectiveness of the contact.


Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S.F. Yip ◽  
Y.T. Cheung ◽  
P.H. Chau ◽  
Y.W. Law

Background: Previous studies revealed that there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among those aged 65 and over in 2003. The peak coincided with the majority of SARS cases being reported in April 2003. Aims: In this paper we examine the mechanism of how the SARS outbreak resulted in a higher completed suicide rate especially among older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: We used Qualitative data analysis to uncover the association between the occurrence of SARS and older adult suicide. Furthermore, we used a qualitative study based on the Coroner Court reports to provide empirical evidence about the relationship between SARS and the excessive number of suicide deaths among the elderly. Results: SARS-related older adult suicide victims were more likely to be afraid of contracting the disease and had fears of disconnection. The suicide motives among SARS-related suicide deaths were more closely associated with stress over fears of being a burden to their families during the negative impact of the epidemic. Social disengagement, mental stress, and anxiety at the time of the SARS epidemic among a certain group of older adults resulted in an exceptionally high rate of suicide deaths. Conclusions: We recommend that the mental and psychological well-being of the community, in particular older adults, be taken into careful account when developing epidemic control measures to combat the future outbreak of diseases in the community. In addition, it is important to alert family members to vulnerable individuals who are at potential risk because of their illnesses or anxieties.


2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack M. Guralnik ◽  
Suzanne Leveille ◽  
Stefano Volpato ◽  
Marcia S. Marx ◽  
Jiska Cohen-Mansfield

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, using objective performance measures of physical functioning, disability risk can be predicted in nondisabled older adults. This makes it possible to recruit a nondisabled but at-risk population for clinical trials of disability prevention. Successful disability prevention in this population, for example through an exercise program, would have a major public health impact. To enhance the development of exercise interventions in this group it would be valuable to have additional information not available from existing epidemiologic studies. This report examines the evidence that functional limitations preceding disability can be identified in a community-dwelling population and that it is feasible to recruit these people into studies. It introduces a series of articles examining the characteristics of this population: motivators and barriers to exercise, exercise habits and preferences, the impact of positive and negative affect, and the impact of pain and functional limitations on attitudes toward exercise.


Author(s):  
Elizaveta Derevenets ◽  
Elizaveta Derevenets

Gelendzhik is the resort town, there aren't a lot of industrial enterprises here. The main pollutant is transport. The work purpose is the assessment of a condition of the artificial landings of a pine located along the Federal highway "Don" and landings, which is nearly the sea coast. Researches were conducted to a standard technique of the General vital state (A. S. Bogolyubov). The assessment of a condition of pines was carried out during 6 years: from 2010 to 2015. For carrying out research we used 6 experimental grounds on the Markotkhsky spine and 2 control grounds within the town. We investigated 24 trees on each platform, middle age of the trees were 30 - 40 years. Results. 1. The condition of trees in the pine forests located in immediate proximity with the Federal highway "Don" (No. 1, 2, 3) is unsatisfactory. As even weak influences of the majority of atmospheric gaseous pollutants (sulphurous gas, nitrogen oxides, etc.) give effect of a necrosis and hloroz of pine needles, the condition of pines is connected with technogenic pollution. So near the Federal highway "Don" the air environment is strongly polluted by exhaust gases. Information of 2012 confirm that negative influence of the route on Markotkh's vegetation decreases at reduction of load of the route. 2. On the sites located above on a slope (No. 4,5,6) thanks to remoteness and the wind mode intensity of influence of pollutants is lower and a condition of pines the quite satisfactory. 3. Trees on the sites located near the sea (No. 7,8) are in a good shape. Small deterioration of a state is noted in very droughty years. Conclusion. Results of six years' research show that the condition of the plantings which are in close proximity with the road worsens. It is explained by increase in intensity of the movement on the road, especially during a resort season. Gelendzhik is the city with a good ecological shape, but the damage to environment is already caused. If not to take measures, we can lose a unique part of the nature in the future, recreate it will be impossible. Measures of reduction of negative impact of exhaust gases were offered. Results of researches are transferred to ecological department of the City administration of Gelendzhik.


Author(s):  
Elizaveta Derevenets ◽  
Elizaveta Derevenets

Gelendzhik is the resort town, there aren't a lot of industrial enterprises here. The main pollutant is transport. The work purpose is the assessment of a condition of the artificial landings of a pine located along the Federal highway "Don" and landings, which is nearly the sea coast. Researches were conducted to a standard technique of the General vital state (A. S. Bogolyubov). The assessment of a condition of pines was carried out during 6 years: from 2010 to 2015. For carrying out research we used 6 experimental grounds on the Markotkhsky spine and 2 control grounds within the town. We investigated 24 trees on each platform, middle age of the trees were 30 - 40 years. Results. 1. The condition of trees in the pine forests located in immediate proximity with the Federal highway "Don" (No. 1, 2, 3) is unsatisfactory. As even weak influences of the majority of atmospheric gaseous pollutants (sulphurous gas, nitrogen oxides, etc.) give effect of a necrosis and hloroz of pine needles, the condition of pines is connected with technogenic pollution. So near the Federal highway "Don" the air environment is strongly polluted by exhaust gases. Information of 2012 confirm that negative influence of the route on Markotkh's vegetation decreases at reduction of load of the route. 2. On the sites located above on a slope (No. 4,5,6) thanks to remoteness and the wind mode intensity of influence of pollutants is lower and a condition of pines the quite satisfactory. 3. Trees on the sites located near the sea (No. 7,8) are in a good shape. Small deterioration of a state is noted in very droughty years. Conclusion. Results of six years' research show that the condition of the plantings which are in close proximity with the road worsens. It is explained by increase in intensity of the movement on the road, especially during a resort season. Gelendzhik is the city with a good ecological shape, but the damage to environment is already caused. If not to take measures, we can lose a unique part of the nature in the future, recreate it will be impossible. Measures of reduction of negative impact of exhaust gases were offered. Results of researches are transferred to ecological department of the City administration of Gelendzhik.


Author(s):  
Aisha F. Badr

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In Saudi Arabia; it is estimated that the elderly (aged 60 and above) would reach up to (22.9%) by 2050, compared to (5.6%) in 2017. Simulation games have proven to be a useful and effective method of education in pharmacy schools, as it actively involves participants in the learning process. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the modified geriatric medication game on community pharmacists’ awareness and attitudes toward older adults with common disabilities. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A modified geriatric medication game was adopted to stimulate both physical and sensory disabilities in older adults. A total of 9 community pharmacists were gathered in 1 room and were asked to play 2 scenarios each. Self-reflection was assessed and ground theories were analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All pharmacists felt frustration and anger playing the game (100%), followed by becoming more aware of the extra time and guidance needed with older adults and realized how disabling chronic diseases could be, and felt they needed to improve common perceived attitude towards the elderly (88.89%). Pharmacists also felt empathy, sympathy, and compassion towards this population, needed improvement of common perceived attitude towards older adults, and felt the need to double check with older adults if they have any disabilities before counseling (77.78%). Finally, over half pharmacists (55.5%) wished they had more training on geriatrics during pharmacy school and the need for further review of Beer’s criteria. All pharmacists were satisfied with the game and recommended it to all community pharmacists. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Simulation games are a great way to strengthen awareness and change practice accordingly. Pharmacists improved their awareness and attitude towards the elderly and reported a positive perceived value of this learning activity; with a 100% satisfaction rate. Adding a geriatric course with simulation component is recommended for better geriatric care.


Author(s):  
Juyeong Kim ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park

Background: Given the documented importance of employment for middle-aged and older adults’ mental health, studies of the association between their number of work hours and depressive symptoms are needed. Objectives: To examine the association between the number of work hours and depressive symptoms in Korean aged 45 and over. Methods: We used data from the first wave to fourth wave of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using the first wave at baseline, data included 9845 individuals. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We performed a longitudinal analysis to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms by work hours. Results: Both unemployed males and females aged 45–65 years were associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.59, p < 0.001; β = 0.32, p < 0.001). Females working ≥ 69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms compared to those working 41–68 h (β = 0.25, p = 0.013). Among those both middle-aged and older adults, both males and females unemployed were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Those middle-aged female working ≥69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Conclusions: An increase in depressive symptoms was associated with unemployed males and females working ≥69 h compared to those working 41–68 h. Although this association was found among middle-aged individuals, a decrease in depressive symptoms in both sexes was associated with working 1–40 h. Depressive symptoms should decrease by implementing employment policies and social services to encourage employers to support middle-aged and older adults in the workforce considering their sex and age differences.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Wantian Cui

BACKGROUND: China’s atmospheric PM2.5 pollution is serious, and PM2.5 exerts a negative impact on the human respiratory system, cardiovascular, and mental health, and even more serious health risk for the elderly with weak immunity. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to analyse the impacts of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure on the health of the elderly and provide corresponding countermeasures. METHODS: The survey subjects are 118 retired elderly people in the community. PM2.5 exposure concentrations are monitored in summer (June 10 ∼ July 10, 2019) and winter (November 25 ∼ December 25, 2019). RESULTS: The exposure concentration in winter is higher than that in summer, with statistical difference (P <  0.05). Under the impact of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure, smoking in the elderly can increase the concentration of PM2.5, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the elderly can cause mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of the elderly to the PM2.5 microenvironment leads to physical diseases and even psychological problems, which requires attention.


Author(s):  
Shivani Vashishtha ◽  
Sona Ahuja ◽  
Mani Sharma

With the present era being technology driven, social media has become an indispensable part of many people irrespective of their age. Among different age groups, the maximum users are adolescents and among different social networking sites (SNS), Facebook shares the major part of usage by them. Many adolescents are tending towards excessive usage of Facebook leading to its addiction. Does this addiction have negative influence on adolescents or it actually helps them to keep up with their counterparts and be socially connected to them for their betterment? This question is unanswered specifically when it concerns the impact that it has on the study habits and academic achievement of adolescents. The hypotheses were tested in order to explore the impact of six dimensions (mood modification, deficient self-regulations, salience, loss of control, withdrawal, and relapse) of Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) using Bergens' Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), developed by Andreassen (2012). The results are based on the survey conducted on 200 adolescents studying in different schools of India. The findings indicate that there is a significant negative impact of Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) on study habits and academic achievement of adolescents. The major implication derived is that the higher the addiction to Facebook the study habit become poor and academic achievement decreases resulting in lower grades.


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