Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2021 Jun 11:1-6. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

1Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship.

Background: The NCCN Guidelines for Older Adult Oncology recommend that, when possible, older adults with cancer undergo a geriatric assessment (GA) to provide a comprehensive health appraisal to guide interventions and appropriate treatment selection. However, the association of age with GA-identified impairments (GA impairments) remains understudied and the appropriate age cutoff for using the GA remains unknown.

Patients And Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study using the Cancer and Aging Resilience Evaluation (CARE) registry of older adults with cancer. Read More

Z Gerontol Geriatr 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Institute for Biomedicine of Aging (IBA), Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nuremberg, Germany.

Background: The 400‑m walk test (400MWT) of usual gait speed is an assessment of mobility limitations in geriatric medicine and sarcopenic research.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the course of gait speed during a 400MWT in community-dwelling older adults in terms of physical, psychological and general health-related outcomes. Possible plateau phases during the 400MWT could enable integrated measurements of short distance walk tests. Read More

J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021 Apr 6;5(1):229-235. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Amyloid-β (Aβ), the key constituent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) plaques, has antimicrobial properties.

Objective: To investigate the association between plasma Aβ and antibodies against the AD-related pathogens herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and .

Methods: Plasma from 339 AD cases, obtained on average 9. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2021 Jun 10;7(1):50. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Spinal Cord Injury Service, South Texas Veteran's Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA.

Study Design: Pre-post intervention.

Objectives: 1. To test whether replacement of oral anticholinergic (AC) agents with mirabegron for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) yields improved cognitive function in older persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Jun 9;11(6):e047970. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

La Trobe University College of Science Health and Engineering, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction: Community-dwelling people recovering from hip fracture have the physical capacity to walk in their community but lack the confidence to do so. The primary aim of this trial is to determine whether motivational interviewing increases time spent walking at 12 months in community-dwelling people after hip fracture compared with an attention placebo control group. Secondary aims are to evaluate cost effectiveness, patient and health service outcomes and to complete a process evaluation. Read More

BMC Oral Health 2021 Jun 9;21(1):297. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Division of Oral Diagnostics and Rehabilitation, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, Box 4064, 141 04, Huddinge, Sweden.

Background: Epidemiological studies show an association between masticatory function and cognitive impairment. This has further strengthened the notion that tooth loss and impaired masticatory function may be risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. Animal experiments have indicated a causal relationship and several possible mechanisms have been discussed. Read More

Nutrition 2021 Apr 28;90:111295. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Culture and Science, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low tongue pressure on the improvement of swallowing function in people with sarcopenic dysphagia and ongoing dysphagia or physical rehabilitation. In addition, we investigated whether sarcopenic dysphagia at admission was associated with severity of malnutrition.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 146 people with sarcopenic dysphagia (mean age 84. Read More

J Frailty Aging 2021 ;10(3):233-236

Michael Gagesch, MD, Dept. of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland,

Frail older adults with ongoing care needs often require post-acute care (PAC) following acute hospitalization when not eligible for specific rehabilitation. Long-term outcomes of PAC in this patient group have not been reported for Switzerland so far. In the present report, we investigated 12-month mortality in regard to frailty status upon admission to PAC in a nursing home setting. Read More

Drug Dev Res 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Intensive Care Unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has a protective effect on experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study investigated the effect and mechanism of dasatinib in ARDS. C57BL/6 mice were administered with dasatinib (1 and 10 mg/kg) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment to evaluate the effect of dasatinib on white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Read More

Glob Adv Health Med 2021 24;10:2164956120980694. Epub 2021 May 24.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Dissemination research is the study of distributing information and intervention materials to a specific clinical practice or public health audience. Acupuncture, a healthcare practice involving the stimulation of certain body points, often with thin needles, is considered an evidence-based treatment for low back pain (LBP), but is underutilized in the United States. We will use the example of acupuncture for LBP to identify opportunities to leverage dissemination research to increase utilization of acupuncture. Read More

Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil 2021 27;12:21514593211020704. Epub 2021 May 27.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan.

There are various barriers to home modifications to prevent falls among the older population. Several strategies may be necessary to overcome these barriers and implement effective home modifications. The need for home modification should be assessed, which requires a home evaluation by a specialist. Read More

Clin Obes 2021 Jun 8:e12468. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Non-Hispanic Black women have the highest rates of overweight/obesity of any group in the United States. To date, few interventions have worked to reduce overweight/obesity in this population. This study investigated the views of Black women with overweight and obesity treated in a primary care setting regarding desired and undesired verbal and non-verbal behaviours by providers in provider-patient clinical encounters focused on losing weight, maintaining weight loss, and/or obesity. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Geriatric Trauma Center, Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Purpose: The research questions for this study were as follows: (1) is the Parker Mobility Score (PMS) associated with discharge disposition and hospital length of stay (HLOS) of geriatric traumatic hip fracture patients? (2) Can the PMS be incorporated in a decision tree for the prediction of discharge disposition of geriatric traumatic hip fracture patients upon admittance.

Methods: A dual-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at two level II trauma centers. All patients aged 70 years and older with traumatic hip fractures undergoing surgery in 2018 and 2019 were included consecutively (n = 649). Read More

Biomed Res Int 2021 21;2021:6793860. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Taian City Central Hospital, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province. 271000, China.

Objective: Interleukin- (IL-) 34 is a new type of cytokine with neuroprotective effects discovered in recent years. However, the relationship between IL-34 and vascular dementia (VaD) has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to determine whether IL-34 is involved in cognitive impairment of VaD. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2021 20;8:681232. Epub 2021 May 20.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea.

Sarcopenia is a major disease affecting mortality and quality of life in the elderly population. We performed a meta-analysis of studies on the community-dwelling population to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with diabetes. Databases were searched for studies published up to February 3, 2021, reporting the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with and without diabetes. Read More

J Alzheimers Dis 2021 Jun 3. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.

Background: Latinx elders are underrepresented in dementia research. In a previous study we assessed research attitudes in urban minority elders and found a significant minority expressed neutral to negative attitudes relating to trust, safety, and personal responsibility to help research.

Objective: To assess the impact of a composite intervention on attitudes toward research and research participation among elderly Latinx. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2021 Jun 5. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

University Hospital Bonn, Department of Epileptology, Bonn, Germany.

Background: Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) is an exceedingly rare and devastating subtype of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), which causes refractory epilepsy and permanent neurocognitive impairment.

Methods: Long-term follow-up of adult FIRES survivors treated between 2005 and 2018, as part of the EpiCARE initiative, a European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies. We describe clinical, EEG, imaging, and functional outcome measures: Scores of Independence for Neurologic and Geriatric Rehabilitation (SINGER), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Global Assessment of Severity of Epilepsy Scale (GASE). Read More

Geriatr Nurs 2021 Jun 2;42(4):799-805. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, Research group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Groningen, Netherlands; University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Petrus Driessenstraat 3, Groningen 9714 CA, Netherlands.

Objectives to explore attitudes, perceptions, and perceived barriers to and the perceived facilitators of daily oral health care and the actual daily oral health care performances among nursing home staff. Methods A mixed methods study in 21 nursing homes was completed; a) questionnaires for nursing staff and managers; b) focus group interviews with nursing staff. Results 409 (21%) questionnaires were completed by nursing staff and 14 focus group interviews organized. Read More

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2021 Jun 5. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Department of Heart Function Test, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China.

Inconsistent findings on the association between urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and risk of hypertension have been reported. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the association between the elevated level of UACR within the normal range and incident hypertension in the general population. We comprehensively searched PubMed and Embase databases until July 31, 2020. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Jun;100(22):e25833

Drug Development Organization, Lundbeck China, Beijing, China.

Abstract: The current status of the diagnosis and management of poststroke aphasia (PSA) in China is unknown.To analyze the physicians' strategy and knowledge about the management of PSA in clinical practice and the needs for standardization of diagnosis and treatment.This survey was conducted in March-August 2019 at 32 tertiary hospitals in 16 provinces/municipalities in China. Read More

PLoS One 2021 4;16(6):e0252723. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Advanced Research Center for Geriatric and Gerontology, Akita University, Akita, Japan.

Objective: Older adults in Japan are tackling health-related challenges brought by comprehensive geriatric symptoms, such as physical and cognitive problems and social-psychological issues. In this nationwide study, we mainly focused on the Kihon checklist (KCL) as certificated necessity of long-term care for Japanese older adults and investigated whether the KCL score was associated with geriatric depression. In addition, we aimed to identify critical factors that influence the relationship between the KCL score and geriatric depression. Read More

Adv Ther 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

High-Complexity Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Center, IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

The prescribing and use of opioid analgesics is increasing in Italy owing to a profusion in the number and types of opioid analgesic products available, and the increasing prevalence of conditions associated with severe pain, the latter being related to population aging. Herein we provide the expert opinion of an Italian multidisciplinary panel on the management of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and bowel dysfunction. OIC and opioid-induced bowel dysfunction are well-recognised unwanted effects of treatment with opioid analgesics that can profoundly affect quality of life. Read More

Optom Vis Sci 2021 Jun;98(6):613-619

Department of Ophthalmology, Feiz Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Significance: The present study is the first population-based study to examine the prevalence of convergence insufficiency and its associations specifically in the geriatric population. Knowledge of the population-based determination of prevalence of this disorder in the elderly is necessary to support proper clinical diagnosis and management.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of convergence insufficiency and its associated factors in a geriatric population. Read More

Oncologist 2021 Jun 3. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Background: Patients with cancer have been noted to have inadequate continuity of care after discharge from hospital. We sought to assess patient-reported continuity of care and functional safety concerns after acute inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: This was a prospective study that used cross-sectional surveys at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Read More

Transl Behav Med 2021 Jun 3. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Durham, NC, USA.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is undergoing a transformational shift from disease-focused care to a Whole Health model that emphasizes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being. As this shift is occurring, women veterans using VHA services face challenges navigating a system that has historically served a primarily male demographic, without consistent consensus on which services require specialization by gender. A quality improvement project was conducted to solicit feedback on VHA behavioral and wellness programs from women veterans enrolled in VHA mental healthcare services. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2021 06 2;21(1):341. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: There is great need for development of feasible rehabilitation for older people with dementia. Increased understanding of this population's experiences of rehabilitation participation is therefore important. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of community-dwelling older people with dementia participating in a person-centred multidimensional interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. Read More

Phys Ther 2021 Jun 1. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Objective: The Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CBMS) has been shown to be a valid and reliable outcome measure for evaluating balance and mobility among older adults; however, some items cannot be conducted in all home environments, limiting its use in home-based assessments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and selected measurement properties of a modified 12-item CBMS-Home (8 original items and 4 modified items of the CBMS) feasible for use within the constraints of home assessments for older adults.

Methods: Fifty-five people (mean age = 77. Read More

Age Ageing 2021 Jun 2. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Low mobility during hospitalization poses risks of functional decline and other poor outcomes for older adults. Given the pervasiveness of this problem, low mobility during hospitalization was first described as 'dangerous' in 1947 and later described as an epidemic. Hospitals have made considerable progress over the last half-century and the last two decades in particular, however, the COVID-19 pandemic presents serious new challenges that threaten to undermine recent efforts and progress towards a culture of mobility. Read More

Physiother Theory Pract 2021 Jun 2:1-9. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Rehabilitation Department, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China.

: To investigate effects of a short 8-form Tai Chi exercise on physical function, fear of falling, and depression in pre-frail elderly people living in senior communities. : This 8-week randomized controlled trial was conducted in senior living communities with qualified pre-frail elderly subjects in a Tai Chi group (TCG, n= 32) and a control group (CG, n = 33). The TCG received TC intervention: three times/week, 60 min each; while the CG did usual care only. Read More

J Tissue Viability 2021 May 26. Epub 2021 May 26.

Karin Grech Hospital, Malta; Cardiff University, Wales, UK. Electronic address:

Introduction: Many hospital settings are adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards pressure injury (PI) development; this requires good planning and the implementation of care, as the incidence of PIs reflects the quality of care given in a hospital or facility.

Aim: To identify common contributing factors towards the development of PIs in a geriatric rehabilitation hospital and improve patient safety through the reduction of hospital-acquired PIs.

Method: This was done using root cause analysis (RCA). Read More