Investigating the lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity and functional status in adult patients with familial Mediterranean fever

ABSTRACT Objectives No studies examined the lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity or functional status in adult patients with FMF. Methods Twenty-four patients with FMF (12 males) and 24 age–sex-matched healthy controls (13 males) were included in the study. Lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity was assessed by using Wingate Anaerobic Test. Lower extremity–related functional status was examined by using 9-Step Stair Climb Test, 10-Repetition Chair Stand Test, and Six-Minute Walking Distance. Muscle strength of hip flexors, hip extensors, knee flexors, and knee extensors were evaluated by using a hand-held dynamometer. Results Patients with FMF had significantly poorer results in all anaerobic exercise capacity parameters and functional status assessments (P < 0.05), except muscle strength measurements (P > 0.05). Both average and peak anaerobic exercise capacities correlated significantly with all muscle strength measurements, 9-Step Stair Climb Test, 10-Repetition Chair Stand Test times, and Six-Minute Walk Distances (P < 0.05) in patients with FMF. Conclusion Lower extremity–related anaerobic exercise capacity and functional status seem to be diminished in adult patients with FMF. Evaluating these parameters may be beneficial for planning more appropriate and individualized treatment regimens such as patient education and exercise counselling for patients with FMF.

Relationship between malnutrition and possible sarcopenia in the AWGS 2019 consensus affecting mortality in hemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study

Background The first objective of this study was to determine the relationship between muscle strength or physical performance and mortality, and the second objective was to show the relationship of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) to muscle strength and physical performance decline. Methods We examined handgrip, the 5-times chair stand test, and GNRI in 635 maintenance hemodialysis patients and followed up for 72 months. Predictors for all-cause death were examined using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional analysis. The relationship between possible sarcopenia and nutritional disorder (GNRI) was constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We used the Youden index to determine the optimal cutoff points for GNRI. Results The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that the GNRI did not show any significance, although handgrip (HR 3.61, 95% CI 1.70–7.68, p < 0.001) and the 5-times chair stand test (HR 1.71 95% CI 1.01–2.90, p = 0.045) were significant predictors for mortality. On the evaluation of possible sarcopenia by handgrip strength, the area under curve (AUC) on ROC curve analysis were 0.68 (95% CI 0.64–0.72), and 5-chair stand, the AUC on ROC were 0.55 (95% CI 0.51–0.60). The cut-off value for the GNRI discriminating those at possible sarcopenia by handgrip strength based on the Youden index was 91.5. Conclusions Our study suggests that the handgrip strength test of the AWGS 2019 sarcopenia consensus was a simple and useful tool to predict mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. Furthermore, GNRI assessment can be a useful tool for screening before assessing possible sarcopenia when it is difficult to perform SARC-F to all patients.

Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and Functional Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. The treatments may also cause neuromuscular and skeletal disorders; therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the existence of a relationship between heart rate variability and different functional fitness parameters in women survivors of breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 25 women survivors of breast cancer, with a mean ± SD age, height, and body mass of 50.8 ± 8.8 years, 1.6 ± 0.7 m, and 67.1 ± 12.3 kg, respectively. Patients underwent measurements of heart rate variability with time and frequency domain analyses, as well as a “30 s chair-stand test”, “6 min walking test”, “timed up and go test”, and “ball throwing test”. Results: A multiple linear regression analysis showed that from the heart rate variability frequency domain, high frequency explained 21% (R2 = 0.21) of the “30 s chair-stand test” performance. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight high frequency as a predictor of “30 s chair-stand test” performance, regardless of age and time after diagnosis, suggesting its usefulness as a clinical indicator of functionality in breast cancer survivors. This study presents a straightforward and non-invasive methodology predicting functional fitness in women breast cancer survivors potentially applicable to clinical practice.

Combinación de entrenamiento de fuerza y aeróbico en adultos mayores: efectos en rendimiento funcional, fuerza, masa grasa y dolor (Combined resistance and aerobic training in Elderly: effects on functional performance, strength, fat mass and pain percep

Introducción: La sociedad está envejeciendo, y se estima que este segmento seguirá aumentando en los próximos años. Objetivo: Examinar los efectos que producen 5 semanas de entrenamiento en el rendimiento funcional, fuerza de agarre, perímetro de cintura, masa grasa y percepción de dolor general. Método: 28 sujetos (edad ≥ 55 años), sedentarios, participaron en un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza y entrenamiento aeróbico, de 5 semanas, 5 sesiones semanales de 50-60 minutos de duración. Resultados: Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los valores previos y posteriores al programa. La magnitud de estas diferencias puede considerarse grande en el Timed Up and Go Test (-27.3%, p=0.000, d=3.01), 30-Second Chair Stand Test (+42%, p=0.000, d=1.77) y percepción de dolor día (-54.7%, p=0.000, d=1.27) y noche (-58.2%, p=0.000, d=1.02). Conclusión: Tras la aplicación del programa de entrenamiento concurrente descrito, todas las variables analizadas han evolucionado favorablemente. Dichas variables están directamente relacionadas con la composición corporal, calidad de vida, reducción del dolor, así como mejora de fuerza para las actividades cotidianas de las personas mayores. Abstract. Introduction: Society is aging, and it is estimated that this segment will continue to grow in the coming years. Objectives: To examine the effects of 5 weeks of training on functional performance, grip strength, waist circumference, fat mass and general pain perception.Methods: 28 subjects (age ≥ 55 years), sedentary, participated in a 5-week strength and aerobic training program, 5 weekly sessions of 50-60 minutes duration. Results: There are statistically significant differences between pre and post program values. The magnitude of these differences can be considered large in the Timed Up and Go Test (-27.3%, p=0.000, d=3.01), 30-Second Chair Stand Test (+42%, p=0.000, d=1.77) and pain perception day (-54.7%, p=0.000, d=1.27) and night (-58.2%, p=0.000, d=1.02).Conclusion: After the application of described concurrent training program, all analyzed variables have evolved favorably. Such variables are directly related to body composition, quality of life, pain reduction, as well as to improvement of strenght for the elderly’s daily activities.

Prevalence of High Risk of Falls among Elderly in Old Age Homes of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Background - Falls are one of the measure concerns in geriatric population resulting in unintentional coming to rest on the ground. Majority of falls are multifactorial which commonly results in morbidity and mortality in rare cases. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of high risk of falls in elderly in old age homes. Method -An observational study involving 140 participants in old age homes of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India were selected by convenient sampling and prevalence was assessed by using TUG test, 30 second chair stand test, 4-stage balance test. Result – prevalence of high fall risk which impacted the physical capabilities and quality of life of elderly were 52.85%, 47.85%,55.71% according to TUG test, 30 second chair stand test, and 4 stage balance Test. Conclusion – Falls are major concern among elderly living in old age homes of Aurangabad. Our findings may assist the geriatric healthcare system to take early measures for elderly to prevent falls and spread awareness. Key words: Prevalence, Risk of fall, elderly, old age homes, TUG, 30 sec chair stand test, 4 stage balance Test, Aurangabad.

The 30-s chair stand test can be a useful tool for screening sarcopenia in elderly Japanese participants

Background Low muscle strength has been focused on as an essential characteristic of sarcopenia, and the 30-s chair stand test (CS-30) could be a particularly useful test for assessing muscle strength. While it is speculated to be a beneficial tool for the assessment of sarcopenia, this remains to be verified. In this study, we examined the reliability and optimal diagnostic score of the CS-30 for assessing sarcopenia in elderly Japanese participants. Methods This cross-sectional study included 678 participants (443 females and 235 males) who underwent the test for sarcopenia as per the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019, the CS-30 test, and the isometric knee-extension muscle strength test. ROC analysis was used to estimate the optimal CS-30 scores at which sarcopenia was detected. Results CS-30 scores were positively associated with sarcopenia (OR: 0.88; 95% CI:0.82–0.93). The AUC of the CS-30 for sarcopenia definition were 0.84 (p < 0.001) for females and 0.80 (p < 0.001) for males. The optimal number of stands in the CS-30 that predicted sarcopenia was 15 for females (sensitivity, 76.4%; specificity, 76.8%) and 17 for males (sensitivity, 75.0%; specificity, 71.7%). Conclusions The CS-30 was found to be a reliable test for sarcopenia screening in the elderly Japanese population.

Physical Performance in Older Cohorts: A Comparison of 81-Year-Old Swedish Men and Women Born Twelve Years Apart—Results from the Swedish Study “Good Aging in Skåne”

Introduction/Aim of the Study. One way of investigating health trends at the population level is to study the physical performance and functional ability in different birth cohorts. The information obtained can be used to predict illness, disability, and future needs for care. However, contradictory findings have been reported when comparing the physical performance of older adult birth cohorts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the birth cohort is associated with the level of physical performance in 81-year-old men and women born twelve years apart. Materials and Methods. Birth cohorts of both sexes drawn from the Swedish study “Good Aging in Skåne” for the years 1920–22 and 1932–34 were compared. Walking, the step test, the chair stand test, and the handgrip strength test were used as proxies for the physical performance. The results were adjusted for lifestyle habits and common chronic geriatric diseases. Results. Both men and women in the later-born cohort walked more quickly and completed the chair stand test faster, and women were also quicker in the step test. No significant differences were found in the grip test, in either the male or female cohorts. Discussion. Normative reference values for physical tests of subjects of different ages can be misleading unless cohort effects are considered. Furthermore, age-related trajectories can also be misinterpreted if cohort effects are neglected which, in the longer perspective, could affect health care planning. Conclusion. Birth cohort effects should be considered when comparing walking speed, number of steps, chair stands, and the step test, in men and women of older age.

Reference Values for Five-Repetition Chair Stand Test Among Middle-Aged and Elderly Community-Dwelling Chinese Adults

Background: Previous studies on the five-repetition chair stand test (CS-5) are limited by the representativeness of the sample or the lack of reference equations for CS-5. Defined reference values for CS-5 in a large population are not available for middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.Objective: We established age- and sex-stratified reference values for CS-5 times in a large population in China, and to investigate the associations between demographic and anthropometric factors and CS-5 times.Methods: Analysis of data from the national baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey that includes 450 urban communities and rural villages within 28 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China.Results: Twelve thousand six hundred five of seventeen thousand seven hundred eight participants were included for the reference value analyses. Twelve thousand three hundred out of seventeen thousand seven hundred eight participants were included for the risk factor analyses. Of 12,605 participants, the mean CS-5 time was 10.13 s (SD, 3.32) in men and 11.03 s (SD, 3.54) in women aged 40+ year. The CS-5 times were shorter in men than women of all age categories (P &lt; 0.001). The cut-off points ranged from 5.36 to 9.98 s and from 6.48 to 10.29 s in men and women, respectively. Mean velocity was higher in men than in women (P &lt; 0.001). Age, waist circumference, living in a rural village, and having chronic diseases were positively associated with CS-5 time, whereas male, handgrip strength, currently married, income, and current or ex-drinker were negatively associated with CS-5 time in this population (all P &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: The comprehensive normative values for CS-5 are essential for enabling clinicians to better evaluate functional performance, determine the appropriate interventional strategy, and promote healthy aging of older adults.

Incidence and multidimensional predictors of occasional and recurrent falls among Malaysian community‐dwelling older persons

Background Falls incidence rate and comprehensive data on factors that predict occasional and repeated falls from large population-based studies are scarce. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of falls and identify predictors of occasional and recurrent falls. This was done in the social, medical, physical, nutritional, biochemical, cognitive dimensions among community-dwelling older Malaysians. Methods Data from 1,763 Malaysian community-dwelling older persons aged ≥ 60 years were obtained from the LRGS-TUA longitudinal study. Participants were categorized into three groups according to the presence of a single fall (occasional fallers), ≥two falls (recurrent fallers), or absence of falls (non-fallers) at an 18-month follow-up. Results Three hundred and nine (17.53 %) participants reported fall occurrences at an 18-month follow-up, of whom 85 (27.51 %) had two or more falls. The incidence rate for occasional and recurrent falls was 8.47 and 3.21 per 100 person-years, respectively. Following multifactorial adjustments, being female (OR: 1.57; 95 % CI: 1.04–2.36), being single (OR: 5.31; 95 % CI: 3.36–37.48), having history of fall (OR: 1.86; 95 % CI: 1.19–2.92) higher depression scale score (OR: 1.10; 95 % CI: 1.02–1.20), lower hemoglobin levels (OR: 0.90; 95 % CI: 0.81-1.00) and lower chair stand test score (OR: 0.93; 95 % CI: 0.87-1.00) remained independent predictors of occasional falls. While, having history of falls (OR: 2.74; 95 % CI: 1.45–5.19), being a stroke survivor (OR: 8.57; 95 % CI: 2.12–34.65), higher percentage of body fat (OR: 1.04; 95 % CI: 1.01–1.08) and lower chair stand test score (OR: 0.87; 95 % CI: 0.77–0.97) appeared as recurrent falls predictors. Conclusions Having history of falls and lower muscle strength were predictors for both occasional and recurrent falls among Malaysian community-dwelling older persons. Modifying these predictors may be beneficial in falls prevention and management strategies among older persons.