The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Mar 2000
Sleep-wake patterns among postmenopausal women: a 24-hour unattended polysomnographic study.
Circadian sleep-wake profiles in postmenopausal women were examined to explore relationships between nocturnal and out-of-bed sleep. ⋯ Greater age was associated with more afternoon-evening sleep. Sleep was also frequently observed shortly after volunteers arose from bed in the morning.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2000
Comparative StudyRisk of malnutrition in retirement homes elderly persons measured by the "mini-nutritional assessment".
The combined influence of age-associated factors such as general health, degree of dependency, diminished odor perception, and poor oral health on the risk for malnutrition was explored. ⋯ Among the elderly in retirement homes, the health state (as measured by the MOS subscale mental health and by the medication use) appears to be the most clinically relevant parameter to explain the risk for malnutrition. Loss of natural teeth and perceived health are less independently contributing, whereas no contribution derives from decline of odor perception, degree of dependency, and age itself.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jan 2000
Preclinical mobility disability predicts incident mobility disability in older women.
Physical disability and dependency are serious, and frequent, adverse health outcomes associated with aging and resulting from chronic disease. Reasoning has suggested that there might be a preclinical, intermediate phase of disablement which might develop in parallel with progression of underlying disease and precede and predict disability. Definition of this stage could provide a basis for screening and early intervention to prevent disability. The objective of this study was to determine preclinical functional predictors of incident mobility difficulty and provide evidence for a preclinical stage of disability. ⋯ Two indicators of functional changes in older women without mobility difficulty, self-report of modification of method of doing a task in the absence of difficulty and performance measures, are independent and strong predictors of risk of incident mobility disability. The self-report measure provides substantial strength in predicting risk of incident disability across the full range of performance, and may identify a vulnerable point at which other risk factors act to cause transitions to disability. Together, the preclinical indicators identify a subset of high-functioning older women who are at high risk of mobility disability, and provide a potential basis for screening for disability risk and targeting interventions to prevent mobility disability.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Oct 1999
Low back pain and disability in older women: independent association with difficulty but not inability to perform daily activities.
Low back pain is a highly prevalent chronic condition, yet little is known about the disabling effects of this common problem in older adults. This study examines the relationship between the presence and severity of low back pain and disability in older women. ⋯ There was a strong association between back pain and functional difficulties in older women, pointing to the need for further research using longitudinal methods.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jun 1999
ReviewNeural mechanisms of delirium: current hypotheses and evolving concepts.
The purpose of this article is to review current knowledge regarding potential neural mechanisms of delirium. A MEDLINE search for relevant English language articles was undertaken using various combinations of delirium (including cognitive disorders, encephalopathy, and confusion) with pathogenesis and pathophysiology. These articles were scanned for content related to hypotheses concerning the neurobiology of delirium. ⋯ Such mechanisms may differ in various clinical settings. There is probably no final common pathway to delirium, but rather, delirium is the final common symptom of multiple neurotransmitter abnormalities. Further situation-specific studies of delirium pathophysiology should lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.