The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Oct 2007
Does functional recovery in elderly hip fracture patients differ between patients admitted from long-term care and the community?
It is largely unknown whether functional recovery following hip fracture differs between long-term care (LTC) and community-dwelling residents. Our primary purpose was to compare recovery between these patients 6 months following hip fracture, controlling for known prognostic factors. Secondarily, we examined the contribution of residential status, in addition to patient characteristics, to functional recovery. ⋯ Following hip fracture, most LTC residents do not regain prefracture function irrespective of known prognostic factors. Further investigation is needed as to the extent to which personal and environmental characteristics contribute to outcome after hip fracture.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Aug 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialKnee strength maintained despite loss of lean body mass during weight loss in older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis.
The effects of weight loss on muscle function in older adults have not been well studied. This study determined the effects of a 6-month weight-loss intervention on muscle strength and quality in older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. ⋯ Hypocaloric dieting in combination with exercise training had beneficial effects on muscle strength/quality, despite loss of lean body mass in this sample of older men and women. Greater fat loss was associated with greater gains in muscle strength and quality. More studies are needed regarding the mechanisms by which loss of fat mass increases muscle strength and quality.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Aug 2007
Multicenter StudyFactors associated with pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis in an older home care population.
A number of studies have shown low rates of osteoporosis treatment. Few, if any, have assessed a comprehensive range of functional and clinical correlates of treatment coverage. Our objective was to examine which sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics are associated with pharmacotherapy for osteoporosis among community-based seniors. ⋯ Many older adults with presumed osteoporosis in our study were not receiving drug therapy for this condition. Indicators of clinical instability and functional decline appear to represent influential factors in treatment decisions. Despite a lower likelihood of treatment among men with a prevalent fracture, this sex difference in treatment largely disappeared in the presence of an osteoporosis diagnosis.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · May 2007
The relationship between medical comorbidity and self-rated pain, mood disturbance, and function in older people with chronic pain.
Aging is associated with greater risk for many illnesses and the prospect of multiple, concurrent disease states. Chronic pain is also very common in advanced age, and there is likely to be a relationship with comorbid burden, but few studies have examined this issue. This study tests the hypothesis that comorbid burden is associated with greater levels of self-reported pain and associated disturbance in mood and function. ⋯ Greater levels of comorbidity are associated with reports of more severe pain, more depressive symptoms, reduced activity levels, and higher physical impact from pain.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAssociation between psychomotor activity delirium subtypes and mortality among newly admitted post-acute facility patients.
Delirium is common among hospitalized elders and may persist for months. Therefore, the adverse impact of delirium on independence often occurs in the post acute care (PAC) setting. The effect of psychomotor subtypes on delirium remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between psychomotor activity delirium subtypes and 1-year mortality among 457 newly admitted delirious PAC patients. ⋯ All three psychomotor disturbance subtypes had an elevated risk of dying during the 1-year follow-up relative to the normal psychomotor group, though the hypoactive group had the highest mortality risk and was the only group with a statistically significantly elevated risk relative to the normal group.