Abstract 3017: Physiological Factors Associated with Fatigue in Older Adults after Myocardial Infarction

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia B Crane ◽  
Jerilyn Allen

Fatigue after myocardial infarction (MI) is a barrier to secondary prevention behaviors such as engaging in recommended levels of physical activity. However, little is known about physiologic factors that may contribute to fatigue. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of fatigue in older adults after MI and to examine the associations of physiological factors of cardiac function (b-natriuretic peptide [BNP], mean arterial pressure, heart rate), inflammation (IL-6), BMI, and hemoglobin (Hgb) with self-reported fatigue. Methods: A convenience sample of women ( n =49) and men ( n =49) ages ≤65 completed questionnaires and underwent physiologic measures 6 – 8 months after discharge post MI. Subjects completed a demographic health form and fatigue measures (Revised Piper Fatigue Scale and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale functional items), and had height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure measured. Fatigue was measured as a total score (range 0 –310) and as 5 subscales (behavior/severity, affective, sensory, cognitive/mood, and function). Blood samples were also taken, and Hgb, IL-6, and BNP were measured in the same laboratory using standardized procedures. Results: Patients were an average of 75.69 ± 6.45 years of age. Fatigue was reported by 75 (77%) with a mean score of 102.46 (SD=57.7; range 8 –235). More women (84%) reported fatigue than men (69%), though this difference was not statistically significant. Patients reported higher fatigue scores on the behavior/severity and sensory subscales compared to the other fatigue subscales. Bivariate correlations of physiological factors and the total fatigue score revealed one significant physiological correlate, IL-6 ( r =.29). Controlling for age and gender, a multiple linear regression model explained 8.7% of the variance in fatigue ( F = 2.769 ; p <.05) with IL-6 as the only significant independent variable ( p =.010). An unexpected finding was that BNP did not correlate with fatigue. Discussion: Fatigue is prevalent in the majority of older adults after MI. Results indicate that inflammation may play a stronger role in fatigue than other physiological factors. Further research is needed to examine how inflammation and other physiologic factors may influence fatigue post MI.

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 1916-1927
Author(s):  
Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula ◽  
Saarwaani Vallabhajosyula ◽  
Shannon M. Dunlay ◽  
Sharonne N. Hayes ◽  
Patricia J.M. Best ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Silke Behrendt ◽  
Barbara Braun ◽  
Randi Bilberg ◽  
Gerhard Bühringer ◽  
Michael Bogenschutz ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: The number of older adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is expected to rise. Adapted treatments for this group are lacking and information on AUD features in treatment seeking older adults is scarce. The international multicenter randomized-controlled clinical trial “ELDERLY-Study” with few exclusion criteria was conducted to investigate two outpatient AUD-treatments for adults aged 60+ with DSM-5 AUD. Aims: To add to 1) basic methodological information on the ELDERLY-Study by providing information on AUD features in ELDERLY-participants taking into account country and gender, and 2) knowledge on AUD features in older adults seeking outpatient treatment. Methods: baseline data from the German and Danish ELDERLY-sites (n=544) were used. AUD diagnoses were obtained with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, alcohol use information with Form 90. Results: Lost control, desired control, mental/physical problem, and craving were the most prevalent (> 70 %) AUD-symptoms. 54.9 % reported severe DSM-5 AUD (moderate: 28.2 %, mild: 16.9 %). Mean daily alcohol use was 6.3 drinks at 12 grams ethanol each. 93.9 % reported binging. More intense alcohol use was associated with greater AUD-severity and male gender. Country effects showed for alcohol use and AUD-severity. Conclusion: European ELDERLY-participants presented typical dependence symptoms, a wide range of severity, and intense alcohol use. This may underline the clinical significance of AUD in treatment-seeking seniors.


GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.


2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Acolatse ◽  
Olga Rosito ◽  
Rowena G. Gomez

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Siti Khalijah ◽  
Suzanne Timmons

Abstract Background Regular exercise and physical activity can maintain function and cardiovascular health, and prevent cognitive decline, in older adults. However, studies show that there is often poor adherence to home exercise programmes (HEP). The purpose of this study was to explore how HEP are perceived by both older adults and physiotherapists. Methods A convenience sample of 28 older adults attending outpatient physiotherapy clinics were given an exercise journal to record their adherence to the HEP prescribed by their physiotherapists for six weeks. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample, and the corresponding prescribing physiotherapists, to achieve maximal variation in terms of HEP adherence, age and sex. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and simple content analysis performed. Results Fourteen participants returned their exercise journal. Median age was 80; half were female; median Berg Balance Score and Timed-up-and-Go-Test were 49 and 16 seconds respectively. Participants exercised a median 79.8% of the prescribed dose, or 5.6 days per week. Seven older adults were interviewed; about half had a positive attitude towards exercise. They were also moderately positive about their HEP (comments ranged from “doable” and “nothing bad about it” to “enjoyable”). Barriers included time, mood, boredom, remembering to do the HEP, and variable health status. Enablers included simple instructions and design, family encouragement, and sense of achievement. Physiotherapists (n=5) perceived that many older adults aren’t compliant with HEPs, but there was some therapeutic nihilism (“you can’t force them”). Their HEP instructions varied from verbal to written instructions/diagrams; one physiotherapist used individualised video content. Notably, participants with good adherence understood their HEP well in terms of content and purpose, although this may be cause or effect. Conclusion To improve compliance with HEP, healthcare professionals need to take time to motivate the recipient, simplify their instructions, and trouble-shoot potential barriers at the time of prescription.


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