Aging clinical and experimental research
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The Life-Space Assessment (LSA) instrument of the University of Alabama and Birmingham study is a useful and innovative measure of mobility in older populations. The purpose of this article was to assess the reliability, construct and convergent validity of the LSA in Latin American older populations. ⋯ This study provides evidence for the validity of LSA in two Latin American populations. Our results suggest that LSA is a good measure of mobility that reflects the interplay of physical functioning with gender and the social and physical environment.
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The number of older persons admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) is dramatically increasing due to their complex medical and social problems, which in turn lead to longer clinical evaluation times and increased use of resources compared to younger adults. However, scant data are available for Italian EDs. Similarly, no data are available about the reasons to ED visit and its role in determining the ED utilization pattern. The study aimed at describing the pattern of ED use by older patients and main presenting complaints. ⋯ Older adults use the ED appropriately also in Italy. Trauma with complications (fracture) and various presenting complaints underlying medical problems accounted for more than 50 % of ED visits and hospital admissions.
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Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fracture. Fracture repair progresses through different pathways, striking a balance between bone formation and bone remodeling mechanisms. ⋯ In addition, in elderly patients, comorbidities and drugs therapies may also affect fracture healing. For this reason, pharmacological research is now focused on the possible use of antiosteoporotic drugs to promote bone healing in frail patients.
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The biomechanical understanding of increasing anterior column load with progressing kyphosis leading to subsequent vertebral compression fracture (VCF) established the basic rationale for kyphoplasty. The lumbar spine can support an effort of 500 kg in the axis of the vertebral body, and a bending moment of 20 Nm in flexion. Consequently, if this effort is forward deviated of only 10 cm, the acceptable effort will be reduced to 20 kg so it is important to restore the vertebral anterior wall after a VCF: the authors describe the biomechanical modifications in the spine after kyphoplasty.
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Osteoporosis is predominantly a condition of the elderly with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. A number of clinical as well as biological studies have been pivotal in providing us with an understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition. This article discusses the current concepts of age-related osteoporosis.