The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyPredictors of short-term functional decline in survivors of nursing home-acquired lower respiratory tract infection.
Scant information exists about the risk of functional decline following treatment of acute illness in the nursing home (NH) setting. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of short-term (30-day) functional decline among survivors of NH-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and the factors that predict such decline, including the role of initial hospitalization. ⋯ Many NH residents who survive to 30 days following LRI develop new functional limitations, and such individuals are at risk for ADL decline at 90 days. A limited number of clinical variables may predict short-term functional decline. Initial hospitalization for acute treatment of LRI may increase the risk of subsequent ADL decline among individuals who survive to 30 days.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jan 2003
Cognitive screening predicts magnitude of functional recovery from admission to 3 months after discharge in hospitalized elders.
Many older adults lose functional ability during the course of acute illness and fail to recover function. We sought to determine whether performance on a cognitive screen at the time of hospital admission predicted the magnitude of functional recovery after hospitalization. ⋯ Cognitive screening at hospital admission can be used to stratify patients according to the magnitude of expected functional recovery after an acute illness that required hospitalization.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Oct 2002
Comparative StudySkeletal muscle strength as a predictor of all-cause mortality in healthy men.
Low muscle strength is associated with mortality, presumably as a result of low muscle mass (sarcopenia) and physical inactivity. Grip strength was longitudinally collected in 1071 men over a 25-year period. Muscle mass was estimated by using 24-hour creatinine excretion and physical activity values, obtained by questionnaire. ⋯ In men >/=60 years, strength was more protective than the rate of loss, which persisted when muscle mass was considered. Strength and rate of change in strength contribute to the impact of sarcopenia on mortality. Although muscle mass and physical activity are important, they do not completely account for the impact of strength and changes in strength.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Aug 2002
A community-based study of postmenopausal white women with back and leg pain: health status and limitations in physical activity.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of lower back pain and associated leg pain/numbness in postmenopausal Caucasian women and the relationship of these symptoms to health status and function. ⋯ Low back pain that radiates into the hip, buttock, or leg is relatively common in postmenopausal Caucasian women living in the community and is associated with decreased physical health status and with physical limitations.