scholarly journals Magnesium, Aging, and the Elderly Patient

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 544-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mladen Davidovic ◽  
Dejan Trailov ◽  
Dragoslav Milosevic ◽  
Branimir Radosavljevic ◽  
Pavle Milanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Serum Magnesium ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Loop Diuretics ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Intracellular Magnesium

Magnesium, beyond any doubt, plays an important role in metabolism. Alterations of magnesium levels have an impact on many organs and systems, especially during aging. We had 156 participants aged 60–93 years (average 74.7 years) in our survey. Of them, 49 were men and 107 were women. Treatment with loop diuretics (Furosemid and Bumetanide) and magnesium levels was correlated, as well as the influence of magnesium levels on life span. Serum magnesium levels were measured in patients receiving diuretics and in the control group. Also, magnesium levels were measured in patients who passed away in the course of their disease and were compared with the control group. Magnesium levels in the diuretic group (100 patients) were 0.93 ± 0.094 mmol/l, while the average levels in the control group of 56 patients were 0.89 ± 0.075 mmol/l. In 29 patients who passed away, average magnesium levels were 0.92 ± 0.078 mmol/l, while in the control group (127 patients), magnesium levels were 0.93 ± 0.083 mmol/l. The differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in serum magnesium of the elderly persons investigated regarding age group, gender, or type of diuretics. If methods of determining ionizing magnesium in serum or intracellular magnesium are not available, normal magnesium values in the serum are to be taken with a qualified acceptance.

scholarly journals Diminished Melatonin Secretion in the Elderly Caused by Insufficient Environmental Illumination1

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Mishima ◽  
M. Okawa ◽  
T. Shimizu ◽  
Y. Hishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Melatonin Secretion ◽  
Young Control ◽  
Environmental Light ◽  
Age Related

The pineal hormone melatonin has some circadian regulatory effects and is assumed to have a close relation with sleep initiation and maintenance. Many previous reports have described age-related decreases in melatonin levels, especially in elderly insomniacs (EIs), which may act as causal or exacerbating factors in sleep disturbances in the elderly. Ten elderly residents with psychophysiological insomnia (mean age, 74.2 yr), 10 healthy residents of the same home [elderly control (EC) group; mean age, 72.7 yr], and 10 healthy young control subjects (mean age, 20.9 yr) living at home participated in this study. The elderly persons, especially the EIs, were exposed to significantly less environmental light and simultaneously suffered from significantly diminished nocturnal melatonin secretion. Supplementary exposure to 4 h (1000 to 1200 h, 1400 to 1600 h) of midday bright light in the EI group significantly increased melatonin secretion to levels similar to those in the young control group without circadian phase-shifting. There was a tendency for the magnitude of the increase in nocturnal melatonin secretion stimulated by bright light to parallel amelioration of sleep disturbances in these subjects. The present findings suggest that we need to pay attention to elderly individuals who suffer under conditions of poor environmental light resulting in disorganized circadian rhythms, including the sleep-wake cycle.

scholarly journals Relationship of ventilatory inefficiency and low cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly: a retrospective observational study

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murillo Frazão ◽  
Luciana Margarida de Santana Madruga França ◽  
Samarony Caio Moreno Bezerra ◽  
Paulo Eugênio Silva
Keyword(s):  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Optimal Point ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Objectives : To check if ventilatory inefficiency is related to low cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly and to identify the variable(s) of the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) best suited to determining this relationship. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 1357 CPETs was performed. Sixty-one subjects over 60 years old with a ventilatory efficiency slope (VE/VCO2) index >35 were selected and divided into two groups: low cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2<80% predicted) (n=22) and normal cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2>80% predicted) (n=39) and were compared with a control group of healthy elderly persons with normal cardiorespiratory fitness and VE/VCO2 slope index <35 (n=16), matched by gender, weight, height, and age. Results : Oxygen consumption had a low correlation with VE/VCO2 slope (r= -0.35, p<0.01), a moderate correlation with the cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) (r= -0.59, p<0.001) and a strong correlation with oxygen uptake efficiency Slope (OUES) =0.92, p<0.0001). In relation to the ROC curve, the VE/VCO2 slope presented an area under the curve of 0.65, but without statistical significance (p> 0.05); the COP showed an area under the curve of 0.84 (p <0.0001) and the OUES presented an area under the curve of 0.81 (p<0.0001). Conclusion : Ventilatory inefficiency is related to poor cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly. The COP and OUES were more accurate at predicting low cardiorespiratory fitness.

Prevalence of Anemia and its Correlates among Elderly population of an Urban Slum in Meerut

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratandeep Lamba ◽  
Abhishek Agarwal ◽  
Ravi Rana ◽  
Vertika Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Urban Slums ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Prevalence Of Anemia

Background: Anaemia is a major public health problem in elderly persons which is often overlooked. With rising urbanization and world is facing demographic transition, there is a need to increase focus on elderly residing in urban slums. Aim: The present study aims to find the prevalence of anaemia and its associated factors among the elderly population in an urban slum of Meerut. Methodology: The present study conducted in an urban slum of Meerut from November 2017 to January 2018. The sample size was calculated as 396, considering the prevalence of anaemia as 45.5% in this age group. Haemoglobin levels were estimated using paper chromatography methodby hemoc-heck rapid diagnostic kit. Data were compiled and analysed using epi info software version 3.7.2. Results: 49.5% of the elderly residing in urban slums were found to be anaemic. The anaemia in the elderly was found to be significantly associated with employment, socioeconomic status and chronic diseases like COPD, hypertension and Tuberculosis

Cerebrasthenia and social disadaptation of cerebral-dysgemic genesis in the elderly of the Republic of Karelia

2020 ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Igor Viktorovich Khyanikyaynen ◽  
Ekaterina Vladimirovna Molchanova ◽  
Mark Mikhaylovich Burkin
Keyword(s):  
Depression Scale ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Dyscirculatory Encephalopathy ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
State Examination

Using a bio-psycho-social approach, the correlations between neurological, psycho-pathological and social criteria were studied in elderly persons of the Republic of Karelia with stage I of dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) (n = 280; average age 62,4 ± 6,5; gender index 1:1). The control group included healthy persons (n = 32; average age 60,9 ± 8,1; gender index 1:1; p > 0,05). We used Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of Headache, Asthenia Assessment Scale — Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mini-test of Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the social frustration test of L. I. Wasserman. It was found that patients with stage I of DE, in contrast to healthy individuals, were characterized by: the presence of cephalgia (according to VAS 5,06 ± 3,03 points); a higher level of asthenia (total points for MFI-20: 82,6 ± 1,2 and 36,7 ± 1,8; p < 0,05); anxiety/depression (scores for HADS: (11,3 ± 4,6/8,4 ± 3,8 and 3,7 ± 2,3/2,6 ± 1,9; p < 0,05); cognitive dysfunction (average MMSE score: 25,16 ± 1,39 and 28,69 ± 0,47; p < 0,05); social frustration (final index: 2,5 ± 0,6 and 1,0 ± 0,4 points; p < 0,05). A highly significant positive correlation of asthenic syndrome with the level of disadaptive social frustration (R = 0,931; p < 0,001) was found in such patients.

scholarly journals Safe Free Tissue Transfer in Patients Older than 90 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. e87-e92
Author(s):  
Marc H. Hohman ◽  
Aurora G. Vincent ◽  
Abdul R. Enzi ◽  
Yadranko Ducic
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Complication Rate ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Tissue Transfer

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the safety of microvascular free tissue transfer in the elderly patient population. Methods We performed a 20-year retrospective review at a tertiary care private practice of patients of ≥ 90 years of age who underwent microvascular free tissue transfer and had at least 6 months of follow-up. Similarly, we reviewed patients aged 70 to 89 years who underwent free tissue transfer between 2018 and 2020 as a control group. Records were examined for type of flap, defect site, pathology, and occurrence of complications. Results Overall 77 patients of 90 years or older met the inclusion criteria and 77 sequential patients aged 70 to 89 years were identified to serve as a control group. The overall complication rate among patients of ≥ 90 years of age was 18%, with flap-related complications in 4% (two partial flap loss and one total loss). The mortality rate was 1.3%. All patients of ≥ 90 years of age undergoing osteocutaneous reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis experienced complications, but only one was a flap complication (partial loss). Among patients aged 70 to 89 years, the overall complication rate was also 18%, with flap-related complications in 4% (two complete flap failures and one partial loss). The mortality rate in the control group was 2.6%. Conclusion Soft tissue free flaps are a safe option in the elderly patient population and should be offered to patients who are medically optimized prior to surgery, regardless of age. Osteocutaneous reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis must be undertaken with caution. This study reflects level of evidence 4.

scholarly journals Is the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination effective in elderly populations? Results from population data from Bavaria, Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphina Gomes ◽  
Andreas Beyerlein ◽  
Katharina Katz ◽  
Gabriele Hoelscher ◽  
Uta Nennstiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Group ◽  
German State ◽  
Elderly Populations

Background The effect of the BioNTech-Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccination in the elderly (>=80 years) could not be fully assessed in the BioNTech-Pfizer trial due to low numbers in this age group. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the BioNTech-Pfizer (BNT162b2) vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes in octo- and novo-generians in a German state setting. Methods and Findings A prospective observational study of 708,187 persons aged >=80 years living in Bavaria, Germany, was conducted between Jan 9 to Apr 11, 2021. We assessed the vaccine efficacy (VE) for two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalisations and mortality. Additionally, differences in VE by age groups >=80 to <=89 years and >=90 years were studied. Analyses were adjusted by sex. By the end of follow-up, 63.8% of the Bavarian population ≥80 years had received one dose, and 52.7% two doses, of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine lowered the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections and related outcomes, resulting in VE estimates of 68.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 65.5%, 70.9%) for infection, 73.2% (95% CI 65.3%, 79.3%) for hospitalisation, and 80.1% (95% CI 80.0%, 89.0%) for mortality. Sex differences in the risk of COVID-19 outcomes observed among unvaccinated persons disappeared after two BNT162b2 vaccine doses. Overall, the BNT162b2 vaccine was equally efficacious in octo- and novo-genarians. Conclusions Two doses of BioNTech-Pfizers BNT162b2 vaccine is highly effective against COVID-19 outcomes in elderly persons.

scholarly journals Death and dying: elderly persons’ experiences of grief over the loss of family members

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Eucebious Lekalakala-Mokgele
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The Family ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Death is one of life’s few certainties and a universal experience for all individuals. When death occurs there is usually an impact on the family and friends of the deceased, the magnitude of which often depends on whether death was expected or unexpected. The grieving experiences of the elderly are rarely discussed. The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of grief and reactions to the death of family members amongst the elderly.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to obtain data from elderly women in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng, to gain insight into the experiences of grief in this age group. Purposive sampling was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 10 elderly women whose family members had died. The data were analysed using a thematic approach.Results: The findings show that the elderly were exposed to multiple deaths of family members. The participants helplessly experienced with sorrow the death of family members, had experienced death anxiety, and relinquished control to God in terms of deaths.Conclusions: The response to death of the elderly affirms that it cannot be assumed that multiple death experiences establish their readiness or ability to handle these experiences and to grieve successfully. It can be concluded that the grieving process of the elderly is not different from any other age group and that they will also require the type of support and assistance considered for younger persons in times of grieving.

FEATURES OF THE PICTURE OF BLOOD CELLS IN ELDERLY PERSONS WITH PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

2020 ◽  
pp. 346-351
Author(s):  
У. Р. Сагинбаев ◽  
С. А. Рукавишникова ◽  
В. В. Потемкин ◽  
Т. А. Ахмедов ◽  
А. С. Пушкин ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma ◽  
Open Angle Glaucoma ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Blood Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Changes ◽  
Hematological Indices ◽  
Laboratory Screening

Во всем мире живут около 1,3 млрд человек с такими нарушениями зрительного анализатора, как глаукома и катаракта. Данные заболевания особенно широко распространены у лиц пожилого возраста. От глаукомы ежегодно 10 млн человек полностью теряют зрение, одним из факторов которого является несвоевременная диагностика. Донозологическая диагностика и лабораторный скрининг могут играть ключевую роль в выявлении данной патологии и значительного повышения качества жизни старшего поколения. В статье приведены результаты сравнительного анализа показателей общего анализа крови у больных глаукомой и контрольной группы. Проведено сравнение показателей гематологических индексов также в зависимости от пола и возраста. Выявлены изменения некоторых показателей, согласующиеся с существующими теориями патогенеза глаукомы. Намечены перспективные направления применения общего анализа крови как рутинного метода дополнительной диагностики глаукомы в будущем. Around 1,3 billion people live worldwide with visual analyzer disorders such as glaucoma and cataract. These diseases are particularly common among the elderly. From glaucoma every year 10 million people completely lose vision, one of the factors of which is untimely diagnosis. Donosological diagnosis and laboratory screening can play a key role in detecting this pathology and significantly improving the quality of life of the older generation. The article presents the results of comparative analysis of the general blood analysis of glaucoma patients with a control group. The hematological indices are also compared by sex and age. Changes in some indicators consistent with existing theories of glaucoma pathogenesis have been identified. Promising directions of application of general blood analysis as a routine method of additional diagnostics of glaucoma in the future are planned.

scholarly journals Validation, reliability and operational equivalency of the nutritional screening method “Determine The Nutritional Health Of The Elderly”

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-282
Author(s):  
Manuela de Almeida Roediger ◽  
Maria de Fátima Nunes Marucci ◽  
Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira Latorre ◽  
Norman Hearst ◽  
Cesar Messias de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Nutritional Condition ◽  
Nutritional Risk ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nutritional Screening ◽  
Nutritional Health ◽  
Time Required

Abstract Objective: To analyze the reliability, validity and operational equivalence of the nutritional screening method "Assessing The Nutritional Condition Of The Elderly". Method: This study was conducted with a subsample of 174 elderly persons from the Health, Welfare and Aging (SABE) study. The “Assessing The Nutritional Condition Of The Elderly” method consists of ten questions which classify individuals according to nutritional risk. Anthropometric and nutritional indicators were adopted as gold standard measures for comparison with the values of the method. Reliability was verified using the McNemar and Bland Altman tests, the validity of the discriminant type was assessed by the Mann-Whitney test and operational equivalence was identified through data relating to the time required to apply the method and the degree of understanding of the same using the Likert scale (1 to 5). Results: Of the 174 elderly persons interviewed, 63.8% were women and 52.3% were in the 60-74 years age group. It was found that 43.1% and 33.3% of the subjects had moderate to high nutritional risk, respectively, with a higher prevalence of high nutritional risk among women (33.3%) and those aged 60-74 years (43.4%). The method analyzed showed satisfactory results for reliability and discriminant validity. The average time required to apply this method was approximately seven minutes and the overall mean grade of understanding was 4.8. Conclusion: The method studied can be used by health professionals in epidemiological and clinical studies to identify the presence of nutritional risk in elderly persons living at home.

scholarly journals Silver Trauma- a true challenging entity

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Cervical Spine Injury ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Initial Management

Historically trauma has been identified as the leading cause of death in the younger under 40’s population (1). However, with an aging population there is a higher incidence of trauma sustained in the elderly population. Silver trauma is defined as elderly patient of retirement age or over the age of 65 years. This has been taken into consideration when trauma guidelines have been incorporated. To name a few examples, the CCSR (Canadian C-spine rule) includes the at-risk population as those >/= 65 years of age in the context of potential cervical spine injury. In various major trauma trial tools, the >65 years of age group are considered to be a high risk of deteoriation group. Through clinical practice clinicians have noted that in this group of patients’ injuries can be missed which would be detrimental to the overall outcome of these patients. Through this article I aim to highlight the main issues that make the initial management of the elderly trauma patient at times challenging. Furthermore, suggestion for potential management strategies will also be highlighted.

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