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BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 17;18(1):315. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

The Falls and Syncope Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is highly prevalent in older populations. It is associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of dementia, stroke and death. Non-pharmalogical therapies are the recommended first-line therapy and are preferred to drug treatments by older people. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 14;18(1):314. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Fudan Health Communication Institute, School of Public Health, Fudan University, PO Box 248, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Background: Frailty represents a public health priority and an increasingly prevalent condition in the ageing population. It is seen as reflecting an interaction among individual factors and a range of environmental elements. This study aims to examine the association between frailty and individual factors, physical and social environments among Chinese older people. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 14;18(1):312. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Faculty for Health and Social Sciences, University in South-Eastern Norway, Post box 235, 3603, Kongsberg, Norway.

Background: The general opinion in society is that everyone has the right to live in their own home as long as possible. Provision of community home health care services is therefore increasingly common. Healthcare personnel encounter ethically difficult situations when providing care, but few studies describe such situations in the context of community home health care services. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 14;18(1):313. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Counseling and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Humboldtstrasse 11, 07743, Jena, Germany.

Background: People with dementia (PwD) experience a range of negative behavioral and psychological symptoms which can lower their quality of life. Because of the increasing prevalence of dementia, interventions that maintain and enhance the quality of life for PwD are needed. Listening to individualized music constitutes a promising non-pharmacological intervention for PwD. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 13;18(1):311. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Centre for Public Safety, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.

Background: Hip fractures among older adults are a major public health problem in many countries. Hip fractures are associated with expensive health care treatments, and serious adverse effects on patients' health and quality-of-life. In this paper, we estimate the effect of a community-based hip fracture prevention program that was initiated in 16 Norwegian municipalities in 2007. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 13;18(1):310. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.

Background: Informal caregivers are invaluable partners of the health care system. However, their caring responsibilities often affect their psychological wellbeing and ability to continue in their role. It is of paramount importance to easily identify caregivers that would benefit from immediate assistance. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 12;18(1):307. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Background: Visually impaired older people (VIOP) have a higher risk of falling than their sighted peers, and are likely to avoid physical activity. The aim was to adapt the existing Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme for VIOP, delivered in the community, and to investigate the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) of this adapted intervention.

Methods: Two-centre randomised mixed methods pilot trial and economic evaluation of the adapted group-based FaME programme for VIOP versus usual care. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 12;18(1):306. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

UCSD Stein Institute for Research on Aging, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Background: The loss of mobility during aging impacts independence and leads to further disability, morbidity, and reduced life expectancy. Our objective was to examine the feasibility and safety of conducting a randomized controlled trial of yoga for older adults at risk for mobility limitations.

Methods: Sedentary older adults (n = 46; age 60-89) were recruited and randomized to either yoga or a health education comparison group. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 12;18(1):308. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Geratology Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.

Background And Objectives: The pathophysiological mechanism of sarcopenia in the elderly has not yet been fully understood. Here, we aim to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in an elderly population.

Methods: Our study comprised 118 males and 46 females aged between 61 and 90 who had received a general medical examination in Tianjin First Central Hospital. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 12;18(1):309. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.

Background: Polypharmacy is a geriatric syndrome defined variously as the use of potentially inappropriate drugs and/or the concurrent use of multiple medications including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. An association has been shown between polypharmacy and physical health, increased morbidity and increased mortality. However, there is little information regarding the association between polypharmacy and physical disease, personality trait and mental health problems in elderly. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 6;18(1):303. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

International Observatory on End of Life Care, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YG, UK.

Background: Seventy percent of people with advanced dementia live and die in care homes. Multisensory approaches, such as Namaste Care, have been developed to improve the quality of life and dying for people with advanced dementia but little is known about effectiveness or optimum delivery. The aim of this review was to develop an explanatory account of how the Namaste Care intervention might work, on what outcomes, and in what circumstances. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 7;18(1):299. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.

Background: The burden of disability and chronic morbidity among the elderly has been increasing substantially in India in recent years. Yet, the use of nationally representative data to investigate the relationship between chronic morbidity and reported disability in the country has been minimal. The objective of this study is twofold: i) to quantify the association between chronic morbidities and overall disabilities in the activities of daily living (ADLs) among elderly people in India, and ii) to understand how various chronic morbidities influence individual ADLs, specifically, walking, toileting and dressing. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 11;18(1):305. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Chairman of Geriatric Division Herzog Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: The prevalence of pressure ulcers particularly in the frail older adult population continues to be high and very costly especially in those suffering from chronic diseases and has brought a higher awareness to comprehensive, preventive and therapeutic measures for treatment of pressure ulcers. Internal risk factors highlighted by comorbidities play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pressure ulcers.

Main Body: Focusing on the impact of common chronic diseases (comorbidities) in aging on pressure ulcers (e. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 4;18(1):301. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.

Background: In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the use of over-the-counter (OTC) products around the world. While they are assumed to be safe by consumers, they can potentially lead to adverse effects and drug interactions particularly in older adults.

Methods: We assessed the patterns of OTC products used by older adults admitted to the cardiology service in a tertiary care medical center in the USA over a three month period. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 5;18(1):269. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

The Health Foundation, 90 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9RA, UK.

Background: In 2016, one in three older people in the UK were living alone. These patients often have complex health needs and require additional clinical and non-clinical support. This study aimed to analyse the association between living alone and health care utilisation in older patients. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 4;18(1):302. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Room NB266, Northumberland Building, College Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.

Background: People with advanced dementia often experience suboptimal end of life care (EoLC) with inadequate pain control, increased hospitalisation, and fewer palliative care interventions compared to those with cancer. Existing policy, guidance and recommendations are based largely on expert opinion because of a shortage of high quality, empirical research. Previous studies have tended to consider the views and experience of particular groups. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 4;18(1):300. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China.

Background: Loneliness is a public health concern with serious health consequences in older adults. Despite a large body of research on the correlates of loneliness, little is known about the age group differences in the correlates. Given that the older adult population is heterogeneous, this study aims to examine the correlates of loneliness in older adults in Shanghai, and to explore how the correlates vary across different age groups. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 3;18(1):297. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith, QLD, 4222, Australia.

Background: To evaluate a Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) model of service delivery for adults aged 70 years and older.

Methods: A pragmatic trial of the GEDI model using a pre-post design. GEDI is a nurse-led, physician-championed, Emergency Department (ED) intervention; developed to improve the care of frail older adults in the ED. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Dec 3;18(1):298. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, PO Box 138-11, Santiago, Chile.

Background: Sedentariness may be an important risk factor for sarcopenia. The aim of this work was to assess the association between muscle mass and strength and markers of usual physical activity such as activity energy expenditure and peak oxygen uptake.

Methods: Young and old participants were assessed measuring body composition by DEXA (double beam X ray absorptiometry), handgrip strength, peak oxygen consumption and workload during an exercise calorimetry in a braked cycle ergometer and a 72 h activity energy expenditure using Actiheart actigraphs. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 29;18(1):294. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Evidence of the harmful health effects of sedentary behavior is emerging; however, little is known about domain-specific sedentary behavior correlates. Thus, in this study, the personal and behavioral correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behavior in older Taiwanese adults were identified.

Method: The sample comprised 1046 older adults (aged ≥65 years). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 29;18(1):296. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Medical Assistance and Physical Therapy, University of Pitesti, Targul din Vale 1, 110040, Pitesti, Romania.

Background: The Golden Ratio (GR) and the Fibonacci sequence have wide applications in biodiversity research, and recent studies indicate that the GR can be highlighted in the organization and physiological functioning of many body systems. The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study is to determine the applicability of a mathematical model derived from the Fibonacci sequence to investigate the changes in hand grip strength (HGS) induced by the aging process.

Methods: We assessed the HGS for both hands, using a Saehan hydraulic hand dynamometer in a group of autonomous elderly subjects. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 29;18(1):295. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

The University of Sydney, Sydney Pharmacy School and Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia.

The area of "deprescribing" has rapidly expanded in recent years as a positive intervention to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy and improve health outcomes for (older) people with multimorbidity. While our understanding of deprescribing as a process has greatly improved and existing approaches all have patient-centered elements, there is still limited literature exploring the importance of the individual patient context in deprescribing decision-making. This is clearly an important consideration to ensure that any deprescribing approach is ethical, respectful, and successful. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 29;18(1):293. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Graduate School of Converging Clinical & Public Health, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, South Korea.

Background: Risk factors associated with opioid-induced adverse reactions (OIARs) in the elderly population have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to determine effects of various risk factors on incidence of OIARs in male elderly patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study in Korea Veterans Hospital was performed. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 27;18(1):292. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, HU6 7RX, Hull, UK.

Background: Despite 32 years of research and 13 reviews published in the field, no intervention can be considered a gold standard for maintaining eating performance among residents with dementia. The study aim was to highlight the interventions derived from tacit knowledge and offered daily in assisting eating by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in nursing homes (NHs).

Method: A multicentre descriptive qualitative study was performed in 2017. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 26;18(1):290. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, room 2881-C, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.

Background: Frail seniors often receive ineffective care, which does not meet their needs. It is still unclear how healthcare systems should be redesigned to be more sensitive to the needs and values of frail seniors and their caregivers. We thus aimed to describe key stakeholders' perspectives on the current healthcare and services available to frail seniors. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 26;18(1):289. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: The oldest-old (subjects aged 90 years and older) population represents the fastest growing segment of society and shows a high dementia prevalence rate of up to 40%. Only a few studies have investigated protective factors for cognitive impairment in the oldest-old. The EMIF-AD 90+ Study aims to identify factors associated with resilience to cognitive impairment in the oldest-old. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 26;18(1):291. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Geriatrics, CHU Université Catholique de Louvain, 1, rue Dr G. Therasse, 5530 Mont-Godinne, Namur, Belgium.

Background: Among older couples, spouses are first in line to provide care, and they are key elements in the home support of dependent older persons. In this context, ensuring the health of these older spousal caregivers should be an important issue for all of the providers who care for older adults. The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess the health of older spousal caregivers considering frailty, nutrition, cognition, physical performance and mood disorders. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 23;18(1):288. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Human Movement Sciences, @AgeAmsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: To counteract decline in physical performance and physical activity in older patients during hospitalization, multiple physical interventions were developed. However, it is unknown whether these are effective in this particular population. This systematic review aimed to identify the effect of physical interventions on physical performance and physical activity in older patients during hospitalization. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 23;18(1):287. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, H95 PO BOX 218, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia.

Background: Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) are moving towards a Consumer Directed Care (CDC) model of care. There are limited examples of CDC in ageing research, and no evaluation of a comprehensive CDC intervention in residential care was located. This study will implement and evaluate a staff training program, Resident at the Center of Care (RCC), designed to facilitate and drive CDC in residential care. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 21;18(1):286. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Uppsala University, Uppsala Science Park, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and absence of depressive symptoms are of great importance for older people, which may be achieved through lifestyle interventions, e.g., exercise and nutrition interventions. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 16;18(1):285. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Health Services Research and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background: To improve continuity and coordination of care in geriatric rehabilitation, an integrated care pathway was developed and implemented in The Netherlands. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of this pathway on patients and informal caregivers.

Methods: Two cohorts of patients and their informal caregivers were prospectively recruited before implementation of the pathway (2011-2012) and after implementation of the pathway (2013-2014). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 16;18(1):284. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Background: A good nutritional status is key for maintaining health and quality of life in older adults. In the Netherlands, 11 to 35% of the community-dwelling elderly are undernourished. Undernutrition or the risk of it should be signalled as soon as possible to be able to intervene at an early stage. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 16;18(1):283. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Background: The frailty phenotype is defined by the presence of three from the following five clinical features: weakness, slow walking speed, unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, and low physical activity. It has been widely applied in different research and clinical contexts, including across many low and middle-income countries. However, there is evidence that the operationalisation of each component of the frailty phenotype significantly alters its characteristics and predictive validity, and care is needed when applying the phenotype across settings. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 15;18(1):282. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Geriatrics, St. Olavs hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Background: Patients with delirium have increased risk of death, dementia and institutionalization, and prognosis differs between delirium motor subtypes. A few studies have identified associations between environmental factors like room-transfers and time spent in the emergency department (ED) and delirium, but no studies have investigated if environmental factors may influence delirium motor subtypes. We wanted to explore if potentially stressful events like ward-transfers, arriving ED at nighttime, time spent in ED and nigthttime investigations were associated with development of delirium (incident delirium) and delirium motor subtypes. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 14;18(1):278. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP UMR-S1136, F-75012, Paris, France.

Background: Sedative-hypnotics (SHs) are widely used in France but there are no available data addressing their prescription specifically in hospitalized older patients. The objective is thus to determine the cumulative incidence of sedative-hypnotic (SH) medications initialized during a hospital stay of older patients, the proportion of SH renewal at discharge among these patients and to study associated risk factors.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study in six internal medicine units and six acute geriatric units in eight hospitals (France). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 14;18(1):279. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Background: No proven effective interventions on quality of life (QoL) are available for persons with dementia in a long-term care facility (LTCF). However, several interventions are effective in diminishing mediators of QoL (i.e. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 14;18(1):281. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Medicine at School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 Second Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0022, USA.

Background: Conflicting data in the literature raise the question whether gout, independent of its treatment, increases the risk of dementia in the elderly. Our objective was to assess whether gout in older adults is associated with the risk of incident dementia.

Methods: We used the 5% Medicare claims data for this observational cohort study. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 14;18(1):280. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Clinical and Research Memory Centre of Lyon, Hospital of Charpennes, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.

Background: One of the crucial challenges for the future of therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to target the main pathological processes responsible for disability and dependency. However, a progressive cognitive impairment occurring after the age of 70, the main population affected by dementia, is often related to mixed lesions of neurodegenerative and vascular origins. Whereas young patients are mostly affected by pure lesions, ageing favours the occurrence of co-lesions of AD, cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 13;18(1):276. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background: According to the principles of Reablement, home care services are meant to be goal-oriented, holistic and person-centred taking into account the capabilities and opportunities of older adults. However, home care services traditionally focus on doing things for older adults rather than with them. To implement Reablement in practice, the 'Stay Active at Home' programme was developed. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 13;18(1):277. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.

Background: Mealtimes are important to quality of life for residents in long-term care (LTC). CHOICE (which stands for Connecting, Honouring dignity, Offering support, supporting Identity, Creating opportunities, and Enjoyment) is a multi-component intervention to improve relationship-centred care (RCC) and overall mealtime experience for residents. The objective of this developmental evaluation was to determine: a) if the dining experience (e. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 12;18(1):274. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, 1200 Centre Street, Boston Roslindale, MA, 02131, USA.

Background: Peripheral sensory loss is considered one of many risk factors for gait impairments and falls in older adults, yet no prospective studies have examined changes in touch sensation in the foot over time and their relationship to mobility and falls. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence and progression of peripheral sensory deficits in the feet of older adults, and whether sensory changes are associated with the slowing of gait and development of falls over 5 years.

Methods: Using baseline, and 18 and 60 month followup data from the Maintenance Of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Study in Boston, MA, we determined changes in the ability to detect stimulation of the great toe with Semmes Weinstein monofilaments in 351 older adults. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 12;18(1):275. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Centre for Nursing and Health Research, School of Nursing, College of Health Te Kura Hauora Tangata, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand.

Background: There is growing reliance on unpaid caregivers to provide support to people with care needs. Integrated care approaches that aim to coordinate primary care with community care known as community based primary health care (CBPHC) has been a key policy initiative across health systems; however most attention has been paid to the needs of patients and not caregivers. The objective of this paper was to explore the unmet needs of caregivers of older adults with complex care needs receiving CBPHC. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 12;18(1):273. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Family Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Syrokomli 1, 51-141, Wrocław, Poland.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the issues surrounding access to health and social care services for frail older adults with Polish stakeholders, including healthy and frail/pre-frail older adults, health care providers, social care providers, and caregivers, in order to determine their views and perspectives on the current system and to present suggestions for the future development of a more accessible and person-centred health and social care system.

Methods: Focus groups were used to gather qualitative data from stakeholders. Data were analysed using framework analysis according to five dimensions of accessibility to care: approachability, acceptability, availability and accommodation, affordability and appropriateness. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 9;18(1):272. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Room 205, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.

Background: Falls occurring on stairs or in bathrooms are associated with a high risk of injuries among older adults. Home environmental assessments are frequently used to guide fall-prevention interventions. The aims of this review were to describe how, where, by whom, and for whom environmental hazard checklists are used, and to examine the characteristics of environmental hazard assessment checklists with specific attention to features of bathrooms and stairs/steps assessed in them. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 8;18(1):270. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences (IMH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are common comorbidities and adversely influence each other. Advanced age is associated with more comorbidities and multi-morbidities. In this study, we investigated the burden of overweight/obesity and its comorbidities and their associations with chronic pain in a random population sample of Swedish older adults. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 8;18(1):271. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyvaskyla, PO Box 35, FI-40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.

Background: The purpose of the study was to explore the single and combined contributions of body mass index (BMI) and lower extremity performance as modifiable physical factors, and the influence of use of a private car as an environmental factor on prevalent and incident life-space restriction in community-dwelling older people.

Methods: Community-dwelling people aged 75-90 years (n = 823) participated in the Life-Space Mobility in Old Age (LISPE) two-year follow-up study. Participants who reported that the largest life-space area they had attained, without aid from any device or another person, was the neighborhood or less were considered to have life-space restriction. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 6;18(1):268. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Gerontology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, Km 235, Monjolinho, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13565-905, Brazil.

Background: The complex physiology underpinning the frailty syndrome is responsible for the absence of robust biomarkers that can be used for screening, diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes and has made clinical implementation difficult. Considering socially vulnerable populations, who have poor health status and increased morbidity and mortality, this scenario is even more complex. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies available to investigate frailty biomarkers in socially vulnerable populations. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 6;18(1):267. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: The Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program is effective in improving strength, balance, and physical activity (PA) while simultaneously reducing falls in older people by incorporating exercise activities in recurring daily tasks. However, implementing the original LiFE program includes substantial resource requirements. Therefore, as part of the LiFE-is-LiFE project, a group format (gLiFE) of the LiFE program has been developed, which will be tested regarding its noninferiority to the individually delivered LiFE in terms of PA-adjusted fall incidence and overall cost-effectiveness. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 6;18(1):264. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Although frailty and cognitive impairment are critical risk factors for disability and mortality in the general population of older inhabitants, the prevalence and incidence of these factors in individuals treated in the specialty outpatient clinics are unknown.

Methods: We recently established a frailty clinic for comprehensive assessments of conditions such as frailty, sarcopenia, and cognition, and planned 3-year prospective observational study to identify the risk factors for progression of these aging-related statuses. To date, we recruited 323 patients who revealed symptoms suggestive of frailty mainly from a specialty outpatient clinic of cardiology and diabetes. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2018 Nov 6;18(1):265. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Background: The relationship between kidney function and depressive symptoms among elderly people has been rarely investigated in settings of the general population. The aim of our study was to examine the association of serum cystatin C (cysC) and impaired kidney function with geriatric depressive symptoms among older people living in a rural community in China.

Methods: This population-based cohort study included 1440 individuals (age ≥ 60 years) who were recruited for the Confucius Hometown Aging Project in 2010-2011; of the 1124 persons who were free of depressive symptoms, 669 (59. Read More