scholarly journals Intersectionality of Age And Air Pollution On The Use of Medical Care: National Data From Taiwan

Author(s):  
Hung-Chieh Chang ◽  
Li-Ling Hsu ◽  
Wei-Liang Shih

Abstract This study uses an intersectionality lens to understand the inequality of medical use at the intersection of age and air pollution. Using national databases from Taiwan, the results show that the increase of the level of air pollution and age is related to higher percentage of high medical use. Through stratified analysis, we found that there is no significant difference in medical use among different age groups in low AQI (Air Quality Index) areas, Yet, in areas with increasing amounts of polluted air, the elderly have a significantly higher percentage in frequent medical use. Our results show that the elderly people are more susceptible to air pollution, and suggest that, to protect their health and reduce the use of medical care, not only is there a need to reduce air pollution, but also maintain the annual average AQI level to under the value of 50.

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl 4) ◽  
pp. S529-S536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabel Marcilio ◽  
Nelson Gouveia

This study aimed to quantify air pollution impact on morbidity and mortality in the Brazilian urban population using locally generated impact factors. Concentration-response coefficients were used to estimate the number of hospitalizations and deaths attributable to air pollution in seven Brazilian cities. Poisson regression coefficients (beta) were obtained from time-series studies conducted in Brazil. The study included individuals 65 years old and over and children under five. More than 600 deaths a year from respiratory causes in the elderly and 47 in children were attributable to mean air pollution levels, corresponding to 4.9% and 5.5% of all deaths from respiratory causes in these age groups. More than 4,000 hospital admissions for respiratory conditions were also attributable to air pollution. These results quantitatively demonstrate the currently observed contribution of air pollution to mortality and hospitalizations in Brazilian cities. Such assessment is thought to help support the planning of surveillance and control activities for air pollution in these and similar areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Suryapalam ◽  
Mohammed Kashem ◽  
Val Rakita ◽  
Yoshiya Toyoda

Introduction: As the prevalence of heart failure increases among older patients, the potential role of heart transplant (HTx) in this demographic demands further investigation. Survival outcome analysis of the elderly has primarily been analyzed in single-center studies, and the few long term studies performed have included a timeframe to the 1980s, introducing substantial variance from much poorer survival outcomes. We investigated the 5 to 10 year survival outcomes of more modern heart transplantation patients by analyzing the UNOS database. Methods: Heart transplantation data for 32,337 patients (2000-2014) was divided into three different age groups- <60, 60-69, and ≥70 years old. Gender, ethnicity, height, weight, BMI, ICU stay, ischemic time, length of stay (LOS), and creatinine level were evaluated for significance using Chi-Squared and H-Tests as appropriate (p<0.05). Survival outcome was assessed using a Kaplan-Meier Curve and log-rank tests. Results: 23,267 were <60, 8,459 were 60-69, and 611 were ≥70, with mean ages of 38±0.1, 64±0.0, and 72±0.1 respectively. The distribution of gender, ethnicity, ischemic time, BMI, height, and weight was significantly different between the cohorts, with p=0.000 for all. Survival analysis indicated complete pairwise significance at 10 years post-HTx, with overall significance of p=0.000. At 5 years post-HTx, only 60-69 vs ≥70 did not have pairwise significance in survival. Conclusion: Contrary to prior studies, results indicate a statistically significant difference in survival the older and younger cohorts. This difference is especially prominent at the 10 th year post-transplant, but can be seen even at the 5 th year.


2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilson de Vasconcelos Torres ◽  
Luciana Araújo dos Reis ◽  
Luana Araújo dos Reis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional capacity and to determine the difference between the means of functional capacity (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) and the age groups of elderly residents in an outlying area in the hinterland of Bahia/Northeast of Brazil. METHOD: Analytical study with cross-sectional design and a sample of 150 elderly individuals enrolled in four Health Units in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic and health data, the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale. RESULTS: In all, 78.00% of the elderly were classified as dependent in the basic activities and 65.33% in the instrumental activities of daily living. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, we found a statistically significant difference between the means of instrumental activities and the age groups (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: An elevated number of elderly were classified as dependent in terms of functional capacity and increased age is related to greater impairment in the execution of instrumental activities of daily living.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052093686
Author(s):  
Chaohui Lian ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Wangning Shangguan

Objective To explore the basic values of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) among different age groups. Methods One hundred twenty patients who were scheduled for elective surgery aged 0 to 80 years (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] physical status I or II) or neonates just after birth via cesarean section were enrolled and divided into the following six groups: infant (0 month and ≤12 months), toddler (>1 and ≤3 years old), preschool (>3 and ≤6 years old), school age (>6 and ≤18 years old), adult (>18 and ≤65 years old), and elderly (>65 and ≤80 years old) groups. There were 20 patients in each group. Results The basic values of rSO2 in infant, toddler, preschool, school age, adults, and elderly groups were 70.41% ± 4.66%, 72.43% ± 3.81%, 70.77% ± 3.27%, 70.62% ± 2.20%, 69.76% ± 6.02%, and 62.69% ± 3.14%, respectively. The basic value in the elderly group was lower compared with other five groups. There was no significant difference among infant, toddler, preschool age, school age, and adult groups. Conclusions The basic value of rSO2 in elderly patients is lower. Age is an important factor that affects the underlying value of rSO2.


2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morris Beshay ◽  
Patrick Dorn ◽  
Hans-Beat Ris ◽  
Ralph A Schmid

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of comorbidity on outcome after pulmonary resection in patients over 75 years old. Three hundred and thirty-three patients with non-small-cell lung cancer operated on between 1998 and 2002 were divided into 3 age groups: < 60 years (group 1), 60–75 years (group 2), > 75 years (group 3). Overall operative mortality was 0.3%; 30-day mortality was 1%. There were more major complications with re-operation in groups 1 and 2, but minor complications occurred significantly more frequently in group 3 (36% vs 16%). Overall mean hospital stay was 12 days, with no significant difference among groups. Three-year survival rates were: 80%, 70%, and 65% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with no significant difference among groups. Age or the presence of comorbidity should not be considered contraindications for lung resection. With proper patient selection and careful preoperative evaluation, many major complications after pneumonectomy are avoidable.


Author(s):  
Minsung Sohn ◽  
Xianhua Che ◽  
Sungwon Lim ◽  
Hee-Jung Park

The aim of this study was to measure the magnitude and distribution of a Korean’s lifetime dental expenses depending on age and sex, by constructing a hypothetical lifetime and life table of survival. Additionally, we estimated the difference in life expectancy between men and women and its impact on dental expenses. We used the 2015 Korea Health Panel Survey to calculate the total dental expenditure, including expenses paid directly by patients and those paid by insurers. We generated survival profiles to simulate dental expenses during a typical lifetime (from birth to age 95) using the abridged life table (five-year intervals for age groups) in 2015 from the South Korean Statistical Information Service. We independently calculated the remaining dental expenses for survivors of all ages. The results showed that an estimate of average lifetime dental expenditure was $31,851 per capita: $31,587 for men and $32,318 for women. Nearly 33% of the average per capita lifetime dental expenditure was attributable to the longer life expectancy of women, with no statistically significant difference in lifetime dental expenditure between men and women. Many survivors incurred 70% of their lifetime dental expenses before age 65. The results highlighted the need for policymakers to address spending on age-specific dental care owing to extended life expectancy, given the disproportionate share of healthcare resources supporting the elderly.


Biomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 742-746
Author(s):  
Tugolbai Tagaev ◽  
Farida Imanalieva ◽  
Sagynali Mamatov ◽  
Yethindra Vityala ◽  
Altynai Zhumabekova

Introduction and Aim: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by diminished bone strength that increases the risk of fracture in instances of trivial trauma. The objective was to conduct ultrasound bone densitometry in different age groups (18-60 years and older) in southern Kyrgyzstan, to identify and study the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis.   Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study a total of 1200 participants were included, where 580 men and 620 women were aged between 18-60 years and older. Based on the age, the participants were divided into three groups. Bone mineral density in participants was measured using a SONOST-3000 densitometer model. The study was conducted among the population of the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions.   Results: Among the population of Osh state in the first group, normal values were found in 65.0%, osteopenia in 26.0%, and osteoporosis in 9.0% of participants. In the second group, values were significantly higher than in the first group. In the third age group, values exceeded significantly compared to the first and second groups. Similar data were obtained from the population of Jalal-Abad state, but a significant difference was found in the elderly people group with a higher percentage of osteopenia and osteoporosis.   Conclusion: The results showed the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in participants of different age categories of Osh and Jalal-Abad states, and especially in the elderly. Depending on the gender distribution, the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in our study is significantly higher in women than in men.


Author(s):  
Raesa Andrade da Silva ◽  
Glaudson Sá Brandão ◽  
Anderson Soares Silva ◽  
Jessica Julioti Urbano ◽  
Ezequiel Fernandes de Oliveira ◽  
...  

Introduction: Low levels of physical activity and functional mobility lead to greater difficulty in performing activities of daily living and are directly proportional to mortality in the elderly. Thus, there are the need to create mechanisms linked to the maintenance of the functional capacity, which assure the elderly autonomy and self-confidence. Objective: To verify the level of physical activity and functional mobility in the elderly and if this functional mobility suffers interference of the age group and physical activity. Methods: The study involved the elderly aged 60 and over, living in Senhor do Bonfim (BA), in the northeastern region of Brazil, from February to July 2015. The evaluation of the subjects occurred in a single session, with physical and general clinical evaluation, as well as the collection of sociodemographic, anthropometric and self-reported morbidities through the application of questionnaires. It was also carried out the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) to verify the levels of functional mobility and level of physical activity with application of the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IPAQ) adapted for the elderly. Results: In this study, 127 patients were studied, predominantly female (87%) and mean age of 68 ± 7 years, and the majority of the elderly corresponded to the age group of 60 to 69 years. The elderly belonging to the group considered inactive (IPAQ up to 150 min/weekly) presented the execution time of TUG higher than the elderly in the group considered active (IPAQ > 150 min/weekly), with averaging time for carrying out the test of 10.5±2 minutes and 8.9±2 minutes respectively, with a statistically significant difference of p<0.01. And the execution time of TUG increased proportionally to the increase of the age group. Conclusion: Elderly with lower level of physical activity and belonging to the higher age groups present a higher risk of falls. Strategies should be developed to stimulate increased physical activity level and functional mobility of this population, especially among the older ones, reducing the incidence of falls and providing greater autonomy.


1994 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 749-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Martin ◽  
Beverly Diamond ◽  
Jonathan E. Aviv ◽  
Michael E. Jones ◽  
Monte S. Keen ◽  
...  

As one ages, sensory discrimination in the oral cavity progressively diminishes, and dysphagia and aspiration are more likely to occur. Whether similar age-related laryngeal and pharyngeal sensory abnormalities exist and contribute to dysphagia and aspiration is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if sensory discrimination in the area innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve diminishes with increasing age. By applying a previously described new device and technique that utilizes brief air pulse stimulation of the anterior wall of the pyriform sinus, sensory discrimination can be reliably determined. We carried out 672 trials in 56 healthy adults divided into three age groups: 20 to 40, 41 to 60, and 61 to 90 years of age. Overall, the average sensory discrimination was 2.30 ± 0.50 mm Hg. In subjects 20 to 40 years of age, sensory discrimination was 2.07 ± 0.20 mm Hg, while in subjects 61 to 90 years of age, sensory discrimination was 2.68 ± 0.63 mm Hg (p < .05). There also was a statistically significant difference between the 41- to 60-year and 61- to 90-year age groups (p < .05). Progressive diminution in pharyngeal and supraglottic sensitivity with increasing age might be a contributing factor in the development of dysphagia and aspiration in the elderly.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Liu ◽  
Loo Jun Xian ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
Rong Zhang ◽  
Juan Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the high incidence period of COVID-19, it is very important to quickly classify and evaluate the prognosis of patients through limited clinical antibody data. Methods Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect serum IgM and IgG concentrations in 1951 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and R language was used to analyze the influence of factors such as antibody, age, gender and concomitant diseases on the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 patients. Results The results showed that the incidence of COVID-19 was consistent with the characteristics of the elderly, and patients with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, hypoalbuminemia and anemia were at increased risk of critical illness (p < 0.05). The analysis of antibodies results showed that there were no significant difference in antibodies concentration between COVID-19 patients of different ages. While there were no significant difference in antibodies concentration between mild and severe patients, the expression levels of serum IgM and IgG in critically ill patients decreased (p = 0.000 and 0.013), and high IgM and IgG concentration could reduce the incidence of critical illness (p = 0.003 and 0.015). Except in the 41–60 and 91–100 age groups, the simultaneous low expression of IgM and IgG in COVID-19 patients was significantly positively correlated with the severity of illness (p = 0.000). Conclusions IgM and IgG were important prognostic factors for COVID-19 patients. It was hence vital to carry out special clinical classification for the management and early intervention for patients with low IgM/IgG concentrations and with concomitant diseases.


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