scholarly journals HIGH PREVALENCE OF Strongyloides stercoralis INFECTION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Margarida Naves ◽  
Julia Maria Costa-Cruz

SUMMARY Little is known about the frequency of intestinal parasites in the elderly due to a lack of attention given to the occurrence of these infections among older adults. This study compares the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis and other enteroparasites between elderly living in nursing homes (n = 100) and those noninstitutionalized (n = 100) from Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, associated with data of epidemiological and socio-demographic conditions. Through coproparasitological examination of both groups, enteroparasites were detected in 15 of 200 individuals examined (7.5%; CI: 5.1- 9.9). S. stercoralis was the most frequent parasite 10/200 (5%; CI: 4.2-5.8), being significantly higher in males and in individuals with autonomy for daily living activities. There were no statistical differences in the prevalence of parasites between the two groups compared. In conclusion, S. stercoralis infection was highly prevalent in elderly patients and it does not depend on whether the individual was institutionalized or not.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Lopes ◽  
Lara Pinho ◽  
César Fonseca ◽  
Margarida Goes ◽  
Henrique Oliveira ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIt is important to characterize the functioning of elderly adults in different care contexts and evaluate their suitability to the condition of the elderly population. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the functional profiles of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults; to evaluate the effect of biological and sociodemographic factors on the determination of functional profiles and to evaluate the probability of an older adults obtaining a certain overall functional profile based on his/her age.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that included 476 participants over 65 years old who were divided into two groups: noninstitutionalized elderly living in their homes and attending day care centers (100) and institutionalized elderly living in nursing homes (376). The data were collected using the semi-structured interview method and it was applied the Elderly Nursing Core Set. ResultsThe Elderly Nursing Core Set model tested consisted of 22 items in five domains: “Self-Care - Activities of daily living (a)”; “Self-Care - Activities of daily living (b)”; “Mental Functions”; “Communication” and “Support and Relationships”. Women, older participants, illiterate elderly and institutionalized participants had worse functional profile results.ConclusionsAge, female sex, lack of education, and institutionalization are negatively related to the functional profile. Given the association between education level and functioning, it is necessary to promote the training of elderly individuals throughout life. The implementation of social and health responses should allow elderly individuals to remain in their homes, given the influence of functioning on self-care and quality of life.


2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 732-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Picazzio Perez Batista ◽  
Juliana de Oliveira Barros ◽  
Maria Helena Morgani de Almeida ◽  
Elisabete Ferreira Mângia ◽  
Selma Lancman

OBJECTIVE To understand the job function of caregivers of older adults and contribute to the debate on the consolidation of this professional practice. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES This is a descriptive, qualitative, and exploratory study. Four focal group sessions were performed in 2011 with 11 elderly companions, formal caregivers of older adults in the Programa Acompanhante de Idosos (Program for Caregivers of Older Adults), Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil. These sessions, guided by a semi-structured script, were audio-recorded and fully transcribed. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique, Thematic Modality. RESULTS In view of considering the caregivers of older adults as a new category of workers, it was difficult to define their duties. The elderly companions themselves as well as the care receivers, their families, and the professionals that comprised the team were unclear about their duties. The professional practice of these formal caregivers has been built on the basis of constant discussions and negotiations among them and other team members in Programa Acompanhante de Idosos during daily work. This was achieved via a recognition process of their job functions and by setting apart other workers’ exclusive responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS The delimitation of specific job functions for elderly companions is currently one of the greatest challenges faced by these workers to develop and consolidate their professional role as well as improve Programa Acompanhante de Idosos.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. e288-e288
Author(s):  
Niusha Barzideh ◽  
Arezoo Alaee ◽  
Arash Azizi

Objectives: We investigated the existence of any connection between smoking and sublingual varices (SLV) in the older population. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2019 on adults > 65 years old at Kahrizak Charity Nursing Home, Alborz, Iran. We conducted clinical examination and inspection of 222 elderly patients. Both the case group and control group contained the same number of patients (n = 111). SLV were classified as grade 0 (few or none visible) and grade 1 (moderate or severe). The case group included patients with SLV and the control group consisted of those older adults without SLV and who were matched with the case group based on age, gender, blood pressure, denture wearing, and varicose veins in their legs. Cigarette smoking habits were investigated in both groups. Smokers were considered those who smoked at least one cigarette per day for more than six months. Chi-square and odds ratio (OR) were used to statistically analyze the exposure of participants to smoking in both groups. Results: Among 222 participants, 21.6% and 5.4% were smokers in the case and control groups, respectively. The results of our data analysis revealed that SLV were significantly associated with smoking (p < 0.001, OR = 4). Conclusions: Elderly patients with SLV are more likely to be cigarette smokers. Therefore, cigarette smoking cessation programs are recommended for older adults in society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 420-425
Author(s):  
Hamed Mortazavi ◽  
Mahbubeh Tabatabaeichehr ◽  
Masoumeh Taherpour ◽  
Mohadece Masoumi

Objective : Doingactivities of daily living can bring independence for the elderly. It can also maintain their health and social participation. However, experience of falls and fear of falling can affect the health and personal social life of the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between falls and fear of falling with activities of daily living in older adults. Materials and methods : Four hundred and fifty elderly persons were enrolled in this cross-sectional study using cluster sampling. Demographic variables, Fall Efficacy Scale- International (FES-I) and questionnaires related to the study of activities of daily living were employed. To investigate advanced activities of daily living, open-ended questions were used. The history of falls within the last 12 months was investigated. Results : Mean score of basic activities of daily living in the elderly being studied was 15.49±1.74, and 95.4% of them were independent in doing these activities.Mean score of instrumental activities of daily living was 11.30±3.36, and 71.5% of them were independent in doing these activities. Participation of elderly persons in social activities was reported to be 77.9%. There was a significant relationship between activities of daily living (basic, instrumental, and advanced) and falls and fear of falling (p<0.05). Conclusion : Falls and fear of falling reduce the independence of elderly persons in doing activities of daily living. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(2) 2021 p.420-425


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Ana Lúcia Danielewicz ◽  
Eleonora D’Orsi ◽  
Antonio Fernando Boing

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the association between contextual income and the incidence of disability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living. METHODS: This is a cohort study, with sample of elderly individuals (n = 1,196) residing in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The incidence of disabilities was evaluated using reports of difficulty or inability to perform six basic activities of daily living and nine instrumental activities of daily living after four years. Contextual income was obtained from the 2010 Census. We conducted multilevel logistic regression analyses with adjustment models for individual variables. RESULTS: The incidence of disability in basic activities of daily living was 15.8% (95%CI 13.8–17.9) and in instrumental activities of daily living incidence was 13.4% (95%CI 11.6–15.5). We observed significant association between contextual income and incidence of disability in basic activities of daily living. Having as reference the elderly living in the lower income tercile, those who lived in the intermediary terciles and in that of highest income had 37% (95%CI 0.41–0.96) and 21% (95%CI 0.52–1.19) lower chances of developing disability, respectively. For the incidence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living we observed no statistically significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Contextual income influences the development of disability in basic activities of daily living in the elderly and should be the subject of actions to reduce socioeconomic inequalities and promote longevity with independence.


1990 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 428-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Felipe Gonçalves ◽  
Masanobu Tanabe ◽  
Francisco de Paula de Melo Medeiros ◽  
Fernando José Gonçalves ◽  
Ivanize da Silva Aca ◽  
...  

Parasitological examinations were carried out during July to December, 1989, on 485 inhabitants of four villages in São Lourenço da Mata, 25 km northwest of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Approximately 99.6% of the inhabitants were infected with at least one species of intestinal parasites. A high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni (82.1%), hookworm (80.2%) Trichuris trichiura (69.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (61.9%) and Entamoeba coli (36.7%) infections were demonstrated. Test tube cultivation revealed that the most common species of hookworm in this region was Necator americanus (88.4%), and also that the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis was 5.8%. Three hundred and thirty-four sera were serologically examined for amoebiasis by the gel diffusion precipitation test (GDP) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No positive reaction was observed in all sera as examined by GDP, while 24 sera were positive by ELISA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
Guillermo Sánchez ◽  
Diana Buitrago

Background: The clinical characteristics and physio-pathogenic mechanisms of asthma in patients older than 60 years appear to differ from the behavior described for other age groups. Therefore, the effectiveness of medications for elderly patients with asthma should not be extrapolated from studies conducted on teenagers or young adults. Objective: The study aimed to establish the clinical effect of montelukast 10 mg in elderly patients with mild and moderate asthma compared to its effect on young adults. Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted during 12 weeks of follow-up, which consecutively included the total population of adult patients attended by a group of 21 general practitioners, between July and December 2016. Young adults (18-59 years) and older adults were included (60 years or older) with mild or moderate asthma, which, according to the criteria of his treating physician, had been prescribed montelukast 10 mg/day. The variables of interest were: use of inhaled corticosteroids during the last month, use of inhaled beta-2 adrenergic agonists as a rescue in the last month, having attended the emergency service during the last month due to an asthma attack, presence of wheezing in the physical examination, the number of attacks in the last month and the number of days without symptoms in the last month. Results: A total of 126 patients entered the cohort and 104 completed the follow-up, of which 29% were older adults. On admission, 65.4% of patients (68/104) had used rescue inhaled beta2 in the last month and had been using schemes with corticosteroids. After 12 weeks of follow-up, 58.1% (43/74) of the young adults required treatment schedules with corticosteroids, while in the elderly, only 36.7% of the patients (11/30) required this treatment scheme (p-value: 0.047). Regarding the use of rescue inhaled beta-2 at 12 weeks, 55% of young adults reported using them, compared to 33.3% of older adults (p-value: 0.041). Conclusion: In this cohort of patients, treated with montelukast 10 mg/day for 12 weeks, there was a reduction of broncho-obstructive symptoms and exacerbations of the disease. In older adults compared to young adults, a greater reduction in the use of beta2 agonists rescue medications and in the concomitant use of inhaled corticosteroid schemes was documented.


1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
A Adejumoke ◽  
O Morenikeji

Studies were carried out in Ibadan City, South-West Nigeria between March and June 2011, to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in vegetables sold in various markets within the city. Fifty samples each of 5 different vegetable types, Cabbage (Brassica deracea), Lettuce (Lactus sativa), Carrot (Daucus carota), Cucumber and green leafy vegetables were bought randomly from five different markets and examined for parasites in the laboratory using sedimentation method. Results show that 29(11.6%) out of the 250 vegetable samples examined had intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in these plant tissues was found to be 22.0% in Cabbage, 14.0% in Carrot, 12.0% in lettuce and 10.0% in Green leafy vegetables. No parasites were detected in the 50 cucumber samples. Intestinal parasites detected included ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (51.7%), Hookworm larvae (27.6%) and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (20.7%). This study shows a high prevalence of intestinal parasites on vegetables in Ibadan markets and the need for public enlightenment campaigns on the danger of consuming inadequately washed and raw vegetables.KEYWORDS: Intestinal parasites, vegetable, market, sedimentation technique, South-West Nigeria.


Author(s):  
Sadhna Sharma ◽  
Biju Govind ◽  
Kondal Rao

Background: Long-term use of NSAIDs, by patients having cardiovascular conditions, has shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events and increased risk of death. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the complications related to NSAID use by the elderly patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods: The study was a single-center prospective observational study conducted November 2017 to October 2018. Elderly patients (>60 years) suffering from various CVDs and reported NSAID intake daily for at least one month were included. A questionnaire included demographic, treatment related history and complete details of NSAIDs intake including nature, dose, indication, source etc. The same questionnaire was again filled at the end of one-year follow-up.Results: A total of 100 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 72±8.6 years. Majority of the patients (93%) had hypertension, and 69% of the patient had previous MI.  Five NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, and ketorolac) were used routinely. At least one over the counter NSAID used was reported by 86%, 57% were prescribed at least one NSAIDs by their orthopaedics and physicians. At the end of 1-year follow-up, authors found that 71% had MI (2% increase), 4% developed reinfarction, 20% had severe left ventricular failure (4% increase), 7% had atrial fibrillation (1% increase), and 2% patients died and 63% patients reported raise in systolic blood pressure by 5mmHg.Conclusions: High prevalence of concomitant NSAID use among elderly CVD patients, which might be contributing towards increase in CVS morbidity and mortality.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document