The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Comparative StudyAging-induced shifts from a reliance on sensory input to muscle cocontraction during balanced standing.
Peripheral sensation is the most important sensory system in the maintenance of upright posture in all age groups. With aging, visual and somatosensory processing change their prospective contribution to the maintenance of quiet standing, at debated percentages. Aging is associated with a decrease in balance abilities that, in turn, increases the risk of falling. We used force plate data to show that, with aging, while vision plays a significant role in regulating postural stability (PS), the individual's perception of his/her stability becomes more significant than vision. Moreover, under experimental conditions, electromyography (EMG) of the ankle musculature of elderly people reveals the adoption of a different strategy, a cocontraction strategy, with or without visual input. The aim of this study was to look at two distinct age groups to determine whether or not a shift takes place in the sensory modality typically relied on while maintaining PS during a static, postural-related task. ⋯ To cope with the deterioration in their sensory input and processing ability, elderly individuals seemed to have developed a strategy of stiffening and freezing their lower legs during upright standing.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Nov 2003
The value of cardiac enzymes in elderly patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope.
Most patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department (ED) with syncope do not have a myocardial infarction (MI), yet a common practice is to draw serial cardiac enzymes. ⋯ Cardiac enzymes may be of little additional value if drawn routinely on elderly patients with syncope who are admitted to the hospital from the ED, unless they have other signs or symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Nov 2003
Risk factors for early and late mortality in hospitalized older patients: the continuing importance of functional status.
Prognostic information collected at hospital admission may be useful in defining care objectives and in deciding on therapy for older people. The aim of our study was to identify admission risk factors for in-hospital and postdischarge mortality. ⋯ A complete functional and clinical evaluation at hospital admission permits identification of patients at higher risk of early and long-term mortality.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Nov 2003
Time to ambulation after hip fracture surgery: relation to hospitalization outcomes.
To test the hypothesis: Time to ambulation (walking) after hip fracture surgery impacts the frequency of postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. ⋯ Delayed ambulation after hip fracture surgery is related to the development of new onset delirium and pneumonia postoperatively as well as to increased length of hospital stay. Early ambulation after hip fracture surgery should be encouraged.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Oct 2003
ReviewTreatment of unstable angina pectoris/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in elderly patients.
Elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction should be hospitalized. Precipitating factors should be identified and corrected. Electrocardiogram monitoring is important. ⋯ Patients should be treated indefinitely with aspirin, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors and with clopidogrel for up to 9 months. Nitrates should be given for ischemic symptoms. Hormonal therapy should not be given to postmenopausal women.