scholarly journals Host Age and Denture Wearing Jointly Contribute to Oral Colonization with Intrinsically Azole-Resistant Yeasts in the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
Klaus-Peter Wojak ◽  
Gertrud F. Ungermann ◽  
Ichsan Ichsan ◽  
Emilia Gomez-Molero ◽  
Klaus Jung ◽  
...  

In elderly patients, several morbidities or medical treatments predisposing for fungal infections occur at a higher frequency, leading to high mortality and morbidity in this vulnerable patient group. Often, this is linked to an innately azole-resistant yeast species such as Candida glabrata or C. krusei. Additionally, host age per se and the wearing of dentures have been determined to influence the mix of colonizing species and, consequently, the species distribution of invasive fungal infections. Since both old age and the wearing of dentures are two tightly connected parameters, it is still unclear which of them is the main contributor. Here, we performed a cross-sectional study on a cohort (N = 274) derived from three groups of healthy elderly, diseased elderly, and healthy young controls. With increasing host age, the frequency of oral colonization by a non-albicans Candida species, mainly by C. glabrata, also increased, and the wearing of dentures predisposed for colonization by C. glabrata irrespectively of host age. Physically diseased hosts, on the other hand, were more frequently orally colonized by C. albicans than by other yeasts. For both C. albicans and C. glabrata, isolates from the oral cavity did not generally display an elevated biofilm formation capacity. In conclusion, intrinsically azole-drug-resistant, non-albicans Candida yeasts are more frequent in the oral cavities of the elderly, and fungal cells not contained in biofilms may predispose for subsequent systemic infection with these organisms. This warrants further exploration of diagnostic procedures, e.g., before undergoing elective abdominal surgery or when using indwelling devices on this patient group.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
Md Mazharul Islam Khan ◽  
Ariful Haque ◽  
- Md Shamimuzzaman ◽  
Chyochyo Nancy ◽  
Farzana Zafreen

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become burning issues worldwide, especially among the elderly individuals. Bangladeshi elderly is also susceptible cohort to NCDs for its recent epidemiologic transition and the NCDs is casting as prominent risk for major mortality and morbidity related issues. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of common NCDs and its risk factors among the Bangladeshi retired military personnel. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the retired military personnel admitted in Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Savar from January 2019 to July 2019. A face-to-face interview was carried out among the respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Among 153 retired military personnel; most common NCDs were hypertension (80.4%), diabetes mellitus 66.7%, ischemic heart disease37.3% and only 3.9 % had low back pain. Most of them accessed their health in CMH (66.7%), where 17.6% reported to Govt. hospital and only a minor portion (15.7%) to private hospital. Moreover, 70.6% of them were not willing to regular health check-up. Conclusions: The most common NCDs were hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. This study concluded with a few intervention strategies and community-based health promotion programs to reduce the burden of NCDs among the retired military personnel. JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 16, No 2 (December) 2020: 35-39


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Muhammed Kutty Simin ◽  
Sarita Sasidharanpillai ◽  
Uma Rajan ◽  
Najeeba Riyaz

Objectives: With the rise in life expectancy at birth, geriatric population contributes to a significant proportion of those seeking medical aid. Skin problems in the elderly are very common and vary according to region and ethnicity. It is essential for dermatologists to have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of geriatric skin disorders to formulate quality management guidelines. This study was undertaken to document the frequency and the clinical pattern of various physiological and pathological changes in the elderly skin. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 consecutive patients aged 60 years and above and who attended the Dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center in North Kerala. A pre-set pro forma was used to document the patient characteristics, the comorbidities, the medications used, and the clinical findings. Results: All the study participants (100%) had one or more dermatoses. The age of the study population ranged from 60 to 89 years (mean 67.7 ± 6.2 years). This was a female preponderant study with a female to male ratio of 1.4:1. Hypertension (36%), hyperlipidemia (27%) and diabetes mellitus (26%) were the common comorbidities observed. Graying of hair was the most common physiological change, followed by wrinkling. Pruritus was the most common presenting complaint (136, 68%). Statistically significant association was noted between xerosis and generalized pruritus. Fungal infections (30.5%) outnumbered other infections and infestations. Changes of severe photoaging were less frequent. One patient had skin malignancy (basal cell carcinoma). Significant association was noted between photoaging and male sex, smoking, and sun exposure. Limitations: Study conducted in a tertiary referral center not reflecting the status in the community was the major limitation. Conclusion: Photoaging and skin cancers are less frequent in darker skin type. Healthy lifestyle, nutritious diet, frequent application of emollient, better skin care, and judicious use of sunscreen can delay the process of cutaneous aging. More prospective studies in different population groups may go a long way in improving the current knowledge about the less known aspects of geriatric dermatoses.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Yuan ◽  
Xiaoke Zhong ◽  
Shoufu Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is one effective method used to delay cognitive decline in older adults. However, the relationship between the long-term practice of TCC and the crucial working memory updating function of the brain in the elderly has not been comprehensively researched.Objective: This cross-sectional study explores how behavioral performance in a laboratory setting is related to long term practice of TCC on the updating function in older people using reaction times (RTs) of N-back tasks. Methods: 26 healthy elderly people participated in this experiment. According to the length of time TCC was practiced, 13 subjects in the TCC group had more than 5 years’ experience of TCC exercise, and 13 elderly subjects who had not been systematically exposed to mind-body exercise were assigned to the novice group. The N-back task was administered to every participant to evaluate the updating function. Results: The TCC group had faster RTs compared to the novice group (p<0.05); For the 1-back task, the TCC group showed faster RTs than the novice group. For the 2-back task, the novice group exhibited faster RTs than the TCC group. Conclusions: TCC experts exhibit greater updating function as compared to TCC novices. Long-term TCC appears to be positive associated with the updating function of older adults, making it an effective exercise to maintain cognitive function in the elderly.


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)


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enayet K Chowdhury ◽  
Mark R Nelson ◽  
Michael E Ernst ◽  
Karen L Margolis ◽  
Lawrence J Beilin ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Despite readily available treatments, control of blood pressure (BP) with population aging remains suboptimal. Further, there are gaps in the understanding of the management of high BP in the aged. We explored antihypertensive 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 United States (US) in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly study. Hypertension was defined as an average systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/90 mm Hg and/or the use of any BP lowering medication. “Controlled hypertension” was defined if participants were receiving antihypertensive medication and BP &lt;140 and 90 mm Hg. 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 participants, 53% (5,330/10,062) had BP ≥140/90 mm Hg. 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” BP included older age, male, Black race (vs. White), using antihypertensive monotherapy (vs. multiple) and residing in Australia (vs. US). CONCLUSIONS High levels of “untreated” and “treated but uncontrolled” BP occur in healthy elderly people without CVD, suggesting there are opportunities for better BP control in the primary prevention of CVD in this population. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT01038583.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Sherina ◽  
L. Rampal ◽  
A. Mustaqim

Chronic illness is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among the elderly. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with chronic illness among the elderly in a rural community setting. A cross sectional study design was used. Stratified proportionate cluster sampling method was used to select respondents in Mukim Sepang, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. Out of 263 elderly residents (6.2% of the total population), 223 agreed to participate in the study giving a response rate of 84.8%. The prevalence of chronic illness among the elderly in Mukim Sepang was 60.1 %. Out of 223 respondents,134 were diagnosed as having chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, bronchial asthma or gout. Chronic illness was found to be significantly associated with functional dependence among the elderly (χ2=6.863, df=1, p<0.05). The prevalence of chronic illness among the elderly in the rural community is very high. Problems facing this age-group should be addressed comprehensively in order to formulate appropriate programmes for the health care of the elderly. Asia Pac J Public Health 2004; 16(2): 109-114.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e023779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siu Yu Zoe Lau ◽  
Ricardo Oliveira Guerra ◽  
Juliana Fernandes de Souza Barbosa ◽  
Susan P Phillips

ObjectivesSelf-rated health (SRH) is a predictor of objective health measures, including mortality and morbidity. The link between resilience and SRH among the elderly is unclear. We aim to examine whether resilience aligns with SRH and, secondarily, whether resilience can override the negative health consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACE).Design and settingWe use 2012, 2014 and 2016 data from the International Mobility in Aging Study, a longitudinal cohort study that collects survey and biophysical data from Albania, Brazil, Colombia and Canada. The main independent variables were resilience and ACE (social and economic).ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling 65–74 year olds (in 2012) were recruited through primary care registers. The sample size of the study was 1506.Primary outcomeThe outcome measure was SRH.ResultsWe found that sex, site, economic ACE, current income sufficiency, current depressive symptoms, current physical function and current resilience were associated with current SRH. In regression analyses, we showed that the association between ACE and SRH disappeared once factors such as sex, site, income, depression, physical health and resilience were considered.ConclusionsThe association between resilience and health poses a compelling argument for building resilience throughout life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-213
Author(s):  
Chaliza bebby Ewys ◽  
Kiswanto Kiswanto ◽  
Jasrida Yunita ◽  
Mitra Mitra ◽  
Kamali Zaman

Quality healthy elderly refers to the active aging concept, namely the aging process that remains physically, socially and mentally healthy so that they remain prosperous throughout life. Many factors are related to the activity of the elderly such as: sports, income and gender with education as a confounding variable because it has two unique relationships, namely it is positively related to the exposure variable and positively related to the exposed variable (active aging). The purpose of the study was to determine the health factors associated with active aging. This type of quantitative analytic research, using a cross sectional design. The study population was the elderly group registered in each Posyandu in the Payung Sekaki Community Health Center. The sample is 121 respondents. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires. Data analysis used Chi Square test and multiple logistic regression. The results of the analysis show that there is a significant relationship between exercise, income, gender and education with active aging. It is better for the government to consistently carry out efforts to improve social welfare for the elderly, so as to support healthy aging and active aging.


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Widijanti Sugeng ◽  
Merryana Adriani ◽  
Bambang Wirjatmadi

Background: Elderly people tend to have higher susceptibility to infections because of immune dysfunction, especially cell-mediated immune system which is related to zinc deficiency. Zinc has an important role in the cell-mediated immune system which can be determined by CD4 count. Objectives: To determine the zinc level in the serum and CD4 count in healthy elderly and the correlation between the zinc level in the serum and CD4 count. Method: This was a randomized cross-sectional study. Twenty seven healthy elderly subjects of both sexes aged 60-90 years were recruited for this study from a senior center. Zinc level in the serum and CD4 count were measured. Result: The average of CD4 count was 710 + 269 cells/ml, and the average of zinc level in the serum was 87,29 + 10,27 μg/dL. Twenty six percent elderly had low CD4 count (<460cells/ml. There was no zinc deficiency among the elderly but 30% elderly had zinc level 70- 80 μg/dL. There was a significant correlation (p<0,05) between zinc level and CD4 count, which was analyzed using Pearson correlation method.Conclusion: CD4 count has correlation with zinc level in the serum in elderlyKeywords: Zinc level, CD4 count, elderly


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