scholarly journals FITNESS-RELATED FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN WALKING SPEED IN ELDERLY WOMEN

2002 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
KOHJI TAINAKA ◽  
JUNICHIRO AOKI
Geriatrics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koji Nonaka ◽  
Shin Murata ◽  
Kayoko Shiraiwa ◽  
Teppei Abiko ◽  
Hideki Nakano ◽  
...  

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is related to health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics in underweight, overweight, and obese Japanese community-dwelling elderly women compared to normal-weight elderly women. Methods: The study participants included 212 community-dwelling elderly women. They were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 22.9), overweight (23 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9), and obese (BMI ≥ 25). Data on skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), number of trunk curl-ups performed within 30 seconds, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time, and walking speed were recorded. Results: In the underweight group, the number of trunk curl-ups was significantly lower than that of the normal-weight group (p = 0.011) and the correlation between knee extension strength and walking speed was relatively higher than in the normal-weight group (r = 0.612 vs. r = 0.471). In the overweight group, the SMI was significantly increased (p < 0.001), but knee extension strength was not increased (p = 0.235) compared to that of the normal-weight group. In the obese group, one-leg standing time was significantly shorter than in the normal-weight group (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Physical characteristics vary according to BMI and these findings are useful in assessing and planning interventional programs to improve and maintain physical function in elderly women.


Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Breshears ◽  
Franco DeMonte ◽  
Ahmed Habib ◽  
Paul W. Gidley ◽  
Shaan M. Raza

Abstract Background Skull base chondrosarcomas (CSA) are difficult tumors to cure and there is little data regarding salvage therapy. Objective This study aims to identify presentation and treatment-related factors which impact the progression free survival (PFS) and disease specific survival (DSS) for recurrent CSA, and to identify salvage treatment factors associated with successful restoration to the natural history following primary treatment. Methods This single-institution retrospective review included patients with recurrent/progressive CSA over a 25-year period. Survival analysis for factors impacting PFS and DSS was performed. Salvage treatment factors associated with achieving PFS ≥newly diagnosed median PFS were identified using univariate statistics. Analysis was performed on first recurrences and all recurrences combined. Results A total of 47 recurrence/progression events were analyzed from 17 patients (median two events/patient, range = 1–8). The overall PFS and DSS for the initial recurrence was 32 (range = 3–267) and 79 (range = 3–285) months, respectively. Conventional grade III or mesenchymal histology significantly predicted shorter PFS and DSS (p < 0.0001). After stratification by histology, previous radiation predicted shorter PFS for low-grade tumors (p = 0.009). Gross total resection (GTR) after a first time recurrence was significantly associated with successful salvage treatment (p < 0.05); however, this was rare. Conclusion In this series, high grade histology and prior radiation treatment negatively impacted salvage treatment outcomes, while GTR was associated with restoration to natural history following primary treatment. Careful consideration of histology, systemic disease status, previous treatments, and the anatomic extent of the skull base disease can optimize the outcomes of salvage intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Karthika Suryaletha ◽  
Sivakumar K Chandrika ◽  
Sabu Thomas

Aim: Enterococcus faecalis is a leading nosocomial pathogen in biofilm-associated polymicrobial infections. The study aims to understand pathogenicity and biofilm determinants of the pathogen by genome analysis. Methodology: Genome sequencing of a strong biofilm forming clinical isolate Enterococcus faecalis SK460 devoid of Fsr quorum-signaling system, was performed and comparative genomics was carried out among a set of pathogenic biofilm formers and nonpathogenic weak biofilm formers. Results: Analysis revealed a pool of virulence and adhesion related factors associated with pathogenicity. Absence of CRISPR-Cas system facilitated acquisition of pheromone responsive plasmid, pathogenicity island and phages. Comprehensive analysis identified a subset of accessory genes encoding polysaccharide lyase, sugar phosphotransferase system, phage proteins and transcriptional regulators exclusively in pathogenic biofilm formers. Conclusion: The study identified a set of genes specific to pathogenic biofilm formers and these can act as targets which in turn help to develop future treatment endeavors against enterococcal infections.


Author(s):  
G. Sanjana ◽  
Vijaya Raghavan

Background: Loneliness can affect anyone at any point in their life. It can be detrimental to the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals and communities. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness is considered as a public health crisis. Hence, the objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of loneliness and family related factors associated with loneliness among general population in south India. Materials and Methods: The study employed a crosssectional online survey design. The data was collected in the first phase of the lockdown in 2020 from adults in Southern India. Socio-demographic profile and family related variables were collected using a semistructured proforma. Loneliness was assessed by UCLA loneliness scale. Results: Of 573 total respondents to the survey, aged between 18-65 years, 43% were male and 57% were female. The overall prevalence of loneliness was 63% (358/573). No significant gender differences were observed in the prevalence of loneliness. Family discord was associated with higher rates of loneliness (p less than 0.01). Other factors associated were younger age and being single. Conclusion: Rates of loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown were high in Southern India. Findings suggest that interventions should prioritize younger people. Increasing social support and improving interpersonal skills, which in turn would help reduce family discord and may reduce the impact of COVID-19 on loneliness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Kurmayev ◽  
S. V. Bulgakova ◽  
N. O. Zakharova

Rationale: The progressive decline in skeletal muscle strength and function during aging can lead to disability and premature death. It is of interest to evaluate the potential of bioimpedance phase angle (PhA) as an instrumental marker of sarcopenia in clinical practice.Aim: To identify an association between the phase angles determined by the bioimpedance analysis of body composition, with functional activity parameters in elderly women with multiple comorbidities.Materials and methods: The study included 146  elderly women (aged 75 to 84  years, mean age 79.44±2.56  years). Assessments consisted of the Charlson comorbidity index, “Vozrast ne pomekha” (Age is not a hindrance) questionnaire, the Barthel index, the sit-to-stand five-repeat test, the standardized 4-meter walking speed test, and bioimpedance analysis of body composition (ABC02, Medass, Russia). Muscle strength parameters were assessed by wrist dynamometry with a mechanical wrist dynamometer. The hand dynamometry index was calculated by dividing the hand grip strength by the patient's squared height. According to the EWGSOP2 guidelines for the critical cur-off for hand dynamometry, the patients were divided into two groups: those with the hand grip strength>16 kg (n=41) and those with<16 kg (n=105).Results: There were significant correlations of PhA with age (r=-0.369; p=0.017), the results of the screening questionnaire “Vozrast ne pomekha” (Age is not a hindrance) (r=-0.359; p=0.023), Barthel index (r=0.375; p=0.018), hand dynamometry (r=0.395; p=0.014), hand dynamometry index (r=0.340; p=0.021), lean body mass (r=0.414; p=0.009), musculoskeletal mass (r=0.819; p<0.001), proportion of musculoskeletal mass (r=0.796; p<0.001), walking speed (r=0.670; p<0.001), and the results of the sit-to-stand test (r=-0.541; p<0.001). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 61 women (41.8%). There were also significant differences in age, hand dynamometry results, hand dynamometry index, walking speed and results of the sit-to-stand test between the two groups depending on their hand grip strength.Conclusion: The use of hand dynamometry, physical activity tests, and bioimpedance phase angle can be used in clinical practice to diagnose sarcopenia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Kawai ◽  
Masanao Kataoka ◽  
Koji Goto ◽  
Yutaka Kuroda ◽  
Kazutaka So ◽  
...  

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to assess satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA); however, the factors that determine these PROMs remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the patient- and surgery-related factors that affect patient satisfaction after THA as indicated by the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). One-hundred-and-twenty patients who underwent primary THA were included. Various patient-related factors, including clinical scores, and surgery-related factors were examined for potential correlations with the OHS at 3, 6, and 12 months post-THA. Univariate regression analysis showed that higher preoperative University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score (p = 0.027) and better preoperative OHS (p = 0.0037) were correlated with better OHS at 3 months post-THA. At 6 months post-THA, the factors associated with better OHS were higher preoperative UCLA activity score (p = 0.039), better preoperative OHS (p = 0.0006), and use of a cemented stem (p = 0.0071). At 12 months post-THA, the factors associated with better OHS were higher preoperative UCLA activity score (p = 0.0075) and better preoperative OHS (p < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the factors significantly correlated with better OHS were female sex (p = 0.011 at 3 months post-THA), osteoarthritis (p = 0.043 at 6 months), higher preoperative OHS (p < 0.001 at 3 and 12 months, p = 0.018 at 6 months), higher preoperative Harris Hip Score (p = 0.001 at 3 months), higher preoperative UCLA activity score (p = 0.0075 at 3 months), and the use of a cemented femoral component (p = 0.012 at 6 months). Patient- and surgery-related factors affecting post-THA PROMs were identified, although the effect of these factors decreased over time.


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