scholarly journals Interferon Gamma Release Assays for Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Detection in Elderly Hispanics

Author(s):  
Julia Marianna Scordo ◽  
Genesis Aguillon ◽  
Doris Ayala ◽  
Ana Paulina Quirino Cerrillo ◽  
R. Eminé Rodriguez ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Background. Aging is a tuberculosis comorbidity. Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are used to detect latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection (LTBI) in adults, but their performance in the elderly is not well established. We aim to evaluate the performance of IGRAs for LTBI detection in healthy elderly Hispanics with recent, remote or no history of M.tb exposure. Study Design and Methods. Cross sectional study in Hispanic elderly (60+y) and adult (18-50y) recent TB contacts (ReC) or community controls (CoC). LTBI was based on a positive T-SPOT.TB and/or QuantiFERON-Gold in-tube or Plus assay. Results. We enrolled 193 CoC (119 adults/74 elderly) and 459 ReC (361 adults/98 elderly). LTBI positivity increased with age in CoC (range 19-59%; trend p <0.001), but was similar in ReC (range 59-69%; trend p=0.329). The elderly had lower concordance between IGRAs (kappa 0.465 vs. 0.688 in adults) and more inconclusive results (indeterminate/borderline; 11.6% vs. 5.8% in adults; p=0.012). Exclusion of inconclusive results improved concordance between assays, notably in elderly ReC, who have the highest TB risk (from kappa 0.532 to 0.800). When both IGRAs were done simultaneously, inconclusive results were resolved in all cases as positive or negative with the other IGRA. The magnitude of the response to M.tb peptides used in the assays was similar between age groups, but responsiveness to mitogens was lower in the elderly. Conclusions. IGRAs are suitable for LTBI detection in the elderly. Discordant and inconclusive findings are more prevalent in the elderly, but results were resolved when performing different IGRAs simultaneously in the same participant.

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaikh Muhammad Naeem ◽  
Firdous Jahan ◽  
Muhammad Asadullah Siddiqui ◽  
Muhammad Moazzam Khan

The main purpose of this study was to identify specific problems and pattern of morbidities that is common in the elderly. A cross sectional study surveying the health status and needs of targeted population was conducted in selected primary health care (PHC) outpatient settings. All consenting individuals aged 60 years and above who visited the selected PHC clinics were interviewed. Information was collected using face-to-face interviews based on a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 185 people were evaluated in this study. About 75% of participants were age 60-70 years. Overall, male predominance was noted with 137 (74.1%) males and among all participant’s 80% were married. The mean BMI was 26.47±4.98 kg/m2 and mean waist circumference was 90.16±12.97 cm. The prevalence of smoking, DM, HTN, dyslipidaemia and history of IHD among participants were 7.6%, 37.8%, 49.7%, 27.6% and 8.1%, respectively and males showed a significantly higher prevalence than females in smoking and HTN (p<0.05). Hypertension was common comorbid ailment with 29.2% of stage I and 19.5% of stage II hypertension among 60-70 age groups. The majority of the participants were taking shower; using toilet, feeding and get dressed independently, 88.6%, 87.6%, 87% and 87.6% respectively. These findings provide important information on high prevalence of overweight, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidaemia among elders. The other common morbidities were impaired vision, walking difficulty, and hearing problems. The activity of daily living (bathing dressing toileting feeding) is preserved in most of older people.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Maineri Steibel ◽  
Maira Rozenfeld Olchik ◽  
Mônica Sanches Yassuda ◽  
Geisa Finger ◽  
Irênio Gomes

Memory is a cognitive domain extensively evaluated in the neuropsychiatric setting. Assessment tools with appropriate norms for age and educational level are necessary for the proper interpretation of results. Objective : To present normative data for older adults stratified by age and education for the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT). The effect of age and education on the total and sub-test scores was also analyzed. Methods : A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 233 healthy elderly from a third-age group in Porto Alegre with an average age of 70 (SD 7.9) years and 10.7 (SD 4.8) years of education was carried out. The RBMT is considered an ecologically valid memory test, since it includes tasks similar to everyday situations. The sample was stratified into the following age groups: 60-69 years, 70-79 years and > 80 years. The sample was also divided into individuals with < 8 years and ≥ 8 years of education. Pearson's Chi-squared test and Spearman correlations were used. Results : The elderly participants with low educational level had worse performance on all sub-tests, except the Pictures, Messages, Belongings and Orientation. Older elderly performed worse for total RBMT score and on the Face Recognition, Immediate and Delayed Route, Messages and Belongings subtests (p ≤ 0.005). Conclusion : Education and age significantly influenced RBMT scores. Therefore, norms for this test should be stratified according to these factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Keshab Prasad Timalsina

The elderly abuse in a family is one of the most challenging problems in a society. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of elderly abuse in the family environment of JureliTole of Bakaiya Rural Municipality. The study also presents various risk factors that influence the prevalence of Elderly abuse. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 103 elders taken from household survey by using census method. The data were collected through a face-to-face structured interview schedule. The descriptive and regression analysis of the collected data showed that the prevalence of elderly abuse was 46.6% in the study population. This study measured significant association (p<0.05) of overall abuse against the elder with only two socio-demographic variables (literacy status and health status) among the variables (gender, age groups, living with or without spouse, literacy status, health status, dependency status, and income level). The results showed that the elders with/without spouse had the highest odds ratio to be abused (2.19 times) followed by gender (1.64 times), and health status (1.25 times). Although this study found lower prevalence than many previous studies, it is still significant and needs to be prevented. Based on the study, it can be said that living without a spouse, with poor health, and being female are the major predictive descriptors for elderly abuse.The policies and programs are needed for the prevention of elderly abuse which may require collective action from social, health and justice sectors. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Rêgo Purificação ◽  
Allêh Kauãn Santos Nogueira ◽  
Matheus Araújo de Souza ◽  
Camila de Almeida Costa Alencar ◽  
Sancha Mohana Brito Goes Rios

Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the world 2nd death cause and the main cause of disability. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information regarding the mortality profile for this etiology in the last decade. Objective and Methods: Using prospectively collected data available in TabNet (DataSUS) platform, a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The primary objective is to access the demographic information most associated with DCV mortality in individuals older than 50 years-old, in São Paulo (SP), from 2010 to 2019. Results: The highest mortality in the state of SP was in 2019 (16,945 deaths), according to the growing trend; in the 2010-2019 period, the annual mean by city of deaths (± standard deviation [SD]) was 14,885 (± 1,341). During these years, the number of deaths was higher in the municipality of São Paulo (57,013; 31%). The annual mean deaths (± SD) in the capital and in the interior cities were, respectively: 4,684 (± 269) and 31 (± 58). The age groups from 70 to 79 years and over 80 years were the most affected. Caucasian race represents 71% of deaths. Individuals with 1 to 3 years of school were more affected (38%). The ratio of male deaths to female deaths was 1.02. Conclusion: In the last decade, there was an increasing mortality by CVD among the elderly population, and the city of São Paulo leads the number of cases.


Author(s):  
Diana V. Sutovskaya ◽  
Alla V. Burlutskaya ◽  
Larisa V. Dubova ◽  
Daria R. Krylova

Background. Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of pertussis in unvaccinated, as well as vaccinated children and adults. The major risk group for pertussis are infants and children over 4 years of age due to gradual decrease in basic immunity.Objective. The aim of the study was to analyze postvaccinal immunity against pertussis in individuals aged 3 to 25 years in Krasnodar.Methods. The study was carried out in the period between July 2018 and October 2019 and included patients aged 3 to 25 years with completed (according to National Immunization Schedule) immunization against pertussis with no history of pertussis in the past. Postvaccinal immunity against pertussis in this sample was determined by the ratio of study participants with minimum protective antibodies titer to Bordetella pertussis ( 1:160).Results. The minimum protective antibody titer was revealed in 24 out of 76 participants. Distribution to age groups was the following: children aged 3 to 7 years — 2/28 (7%), 8 to 17 years — 13/22 (59%; p < 0.001, compared with the younger age group),  18 years — 9/26 (35%; p = 0.017). There was no postvaccinal immunity (no antibodies detected) in 6 (21%), 1 (5%) and 4 (15%) participants, respectively.Conclusion. Insufficient postvaccinal (humoral) immunity against pertussis was revealed in majority of children under 7 years. The ratio of such children decreases with age. It suggests the presence of hidden circulation of Bordetella pertussis and, as a result, previous medical condition in erased or abortive form.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 2154-2158
Author(s):  
Syed Ali Naqi ◽  
Syed Maisam Ali ◽  
Arslan Akhtar ◽  
Tabassum Aziz ◽  
Tahira Sajid ◽  
...  

Hearing is decreased in later age is due to aging and is normally seen in most of the elderly people all over the world. Objectives: To ascertain the degree of hearing in elders in relation to age, pattern and extent of hearing weakness in old age so that interventional strategies can be planned to improve their wellbeing. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: ENT Outdoor Clinic of Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital of Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Bhara Kahu, Islamabad. Period: December 2017 to October 2018. Material & Methods: 200 patients were part of the study with age > 50 years and no past history of drug therapy. Data was gathered by detailed clinical history, clinical examination and audiometric findings. Result: 57% patients were found with normal hearing and 43% had variable degree of hearing deterioration. Highest number of hearing weakness was found in 9th decade. Most of hearing deterioration was found in both the ears and that of sensorineural in type. Conclusion: Sensorineural type of hearing impairment is very frequently occurring problem seen in the latter part of life in our community. The frequency and severity of decreased hearing is directly proportional to age.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Chowdhury ◽  
M R Nelson ◽  
M E Ernst ◽  
K L Margolis ◽  
L J Beilin ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Despite readily available treatments, control of high blood pressure (BP) in the ageing population remains suboptimal. Gaps in understanding the management of high BP amongst the elderly exist, as most studies have been in predominantly middle-aged populations. Purpose We explored pharmacological BP lowering treatment and control among elderly hypertensive participants free from overt cardiovascular disease (CVD), and identified factors related to both “untreated” and “treated but uncontrolled” high BP. Methods We analyzed baseline data from 19,114 individuals aged ≥65 years enrolled from Australia and the US in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study. Hypertension was defined as an average systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/90 mmHg and/or use of any BP-lowering medication. `Controlled hypertensives” were those receiving BP-lowering medication and with BP <140/90 mmHg. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize hypertension control rates; logistic regression was used to investigate relationships with treatment and BP control. Results Overall, 74% (14,213/19,114) of participants were hypertensive, and of these 29% (4,151/14,213) were untreated. Among those treated, 47% (4,732/10,062) had BP <140/90 mmHg. Participants who were untreated were more likely to be men, have higher educational status, and be in good physical health, and less likely to have significant comorbidities. The factors related to “treated but uncontrolled” hypertension included older age, being men, Black race (versus White), using BP lowering monotherapy and residing in Australia (versus US) (Figure 1). Conclusion(s) There were high levels of “untreated” and “treated but uncontrolled” BP, in an otherwise healthy elderly population, suggesting that opportunities for better BP control exist through targeting intervention to high-risk individuals. Acknowledgement/Funding National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at NIH; NHMRC Australia, Monash University, Victorian Cancer Agency (Australia)


Author(s):  
Kajol Chandra Paul ◽  
Md Zakir Hossain

Aim : The objectives of this study were to evaluate the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in Bangladeshi young adults by using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government and private college of Dhaka and Netrokona, Bangladesh. A total of 405 students (from 17 to 25 years old) were selected by convenience sampling. Students wearing orthodontic appliance or reporting a history of orthodontic treatment were excluded from the study. Clinical examinations were conducted using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The chi-square test (x2) was used to compare malocclusion severity. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare the changes in DAI scores and the mean DAI scores between various age groups. The t test was used to compare the mean DAI scores between sex groups.Results: 405 college students were examined, 305(75.3%) were boys and 100(24.7%) were girls. Most of the  students 277(68.4%) had DAI scores ? 25 with no or little malocclusion requiring slight  or no  orthodontic  treatment, 76(18.8%) had DAI score of 26-30 with definite malocclusion requiring elective orthodontic  treatment, 34(8.4%) had DAI score of 31-35 with severe type of malocclusion requiring highly desirable orthodontic treatment, 18(4.4%) had DAI score ? 36 with very severe or handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory orthodontic treatment.Conclusion: The majority of the students in our study (68.4%) required no or little treatment; (12.8%) had definite malocclusion requiring definite orthodontic treatment.Ban J Orthod & Dentofac Orthop, April 2013; Vol-3, No.2


2021 ◽  
pp. 43-44
Author(s):  
S. Balameena ◽  
R Agavendra ◽  
Karthikeyan Karthikeyan ◽  
Sujatha Sujatha ◽  
Sabarish Sabarish ◽  
...  

Background:Burden of Osteoporosis and its related fractures are enormous and growing public health concern. Worldwide, an estimated 200 million adults suffer from osteoporosis. Vertebral and non-vertebral fractures are the most clinically relevant osteoporotic fracture because they are expensive to treat and have severe consequences for middle aged and elderly population.(1 ,2) The purpose of our study was to assess calcaneal ultrasound score as a screening test for osteoporosis. Material and Methods: Fifty patients above the age of 40 years who attended a health checkup camp conducted by our institute in a suburban population base of Chennai,Tamilnadu was subjected for noninvasive QUS of calcaneum bone as a screening test for osteoporosis. They were divided into different age groups ,co-morbid conditions noted and BMD scores from QUS was assessed. Statistical method were used with SPSS Version .It was a cross sectional descriptive study. Results: A total of 50 patients underwent QUS of calcaneum bone in our study , all of them above the age of 40 years. 33(66%) of them were females and 17(34%) were males. Eight patients( 16% ) had T score < -2.5 out of which 1 was male. 26 patients(52%) had T scores in the osteopenic range (-1>Tscore>-2.5).16 patients(32%) had T scores in the normal range. 40 % of patients had associated osteoarthritis and four patients had diabetes. 2 patients who underwent screening had past history of nontraumatic fractures. Conclusion: QUS of calcaneum is a good screening tool for assessing bone density in our country since its cost effective and can be used in various screening camps. The machine is portable and can be used with minimal training making it easier for the primary caregiver. It has reasonably good sensitivity and fair specicity when using Tscore of -2.5 as the cut off point. However DEXAis the gold standard for treatment and followup of patients with osteoporosis.


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