Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
-
Comparative Study
Medical screening of older drivers as a traffic safety measure--a comparative Finnish-Swedish evaluation study.
To evaluate the safety effect of age-related medical screening of older drivers by comparing the licensing laws and accident rates for older road users in Finland and Sweden. ⋯ We found no safety-related reasons to implement age-related medical screening of older drivers of the kind practiced in Finland. On the contrary, by producing a modal shift toward a more risky mode of travelling, this screening may indirectly lead to higher fatality rates among older road users.
-
To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Pepsinogen A (PGA) and C (PGC), PGA/PGC ratio, gastrin, and specific IgG anti-HP antibodies (anti-HP Ab) in monitoring the effect of cure for Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in older people. ⋯ The eradication of HP from the stomach of older patients induces a rapid and significant decrease in serum levels of IgG anti-HP antibodies and PGC, with an increase in PGA/PGC ratio but not in gastrin. Unchanged serum levels of IgG anti-HP antibodies, PGC, and PGA/PGC ratio 2 months after completing HP eradication therapy are indicative of ongoing HP infection. The PGA/PGC ratio showed the best diagnostic accuracy among serum measures tested.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Physical restraint use and falls in nursing home residents.
To examine the relationship between restraint use and falls while controlling for the effect of psychoactive drug use among nursing home residents, including subgroups of nursing home residents with high rates of restraint use and/or falls. ⋯ Restraints were not associated with a significantly lower risk of falls or injuries in subgroups of residents likely to be restrained. These findings support individualized assessment of fall risk rather than routine use of physical restraints for fall prevention. Researchers and clinicians should continue to focus efforts on developing a variety of approaches that reduce risk of falls and injuries and promote mobility rather than immobility.