Age and ageing
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accurate and practical assessment methods for assessing appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) is of clinical importance for the diagnosis of geriatric syndromes associated with skeletal muscle wasting. ⋯ we have developed and cross-validated novel anthropometric prediction equations against DEXA for the estimate of ASM designed for application in older orthopaedic patients. Our equation may be of use as an alternative to DEXA in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle wasting syndromes. Further validation studies are required to determine the clinical utility of our equation across other settings, including hip fracture patients admitted from residential care, and also with a longer-term follow-up.
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to assess the proportion of registered randomised controlled trials in five core clinical geriatric journals and to analyse whether registered study outcomes correspond with published outcomes. ⋯ our survey shows that prospective trial registration and compliance between outcomes declared in the registry and reported in the publication is poor. Concerted action of authors, editors and peer-reviewers is overdue aimed to irreversibly implement the imperative of registration of randomised controlled trials and complete outcome reporting.
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recent studies report an age-dependent decline in mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ there were significant improvements in survival after hospitalisation with AMI in the older but not younger patients. The scope for further reductions in mortality is likely to be much greater for older than younger patients with AMI.
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hyponatraemia in orthopaedic patients is common but has been poorly investigated following surgery for traumatic hip fracture. The aims of this study were to define the incidence of new-onset post-operative hyponatraemia and to investigate associations between hyponatraemia and patient demographics, medication use and duration of hospital stay. ⋯ hyponatraemia after surgery for hip fracture is common and results in longer hospital stay. This study provides evidence that an average post-operative drop in serum sodium concentration should be expected in this patient group. Moreover, patients taking SSRI or PPI medications may be at increased risk of post-operative hyponatraemia.
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persistent pain is a major problem in older people, but little is known about older persons' opinion about the treatment of persistent pain. ⋯ physicians need to take a more active role in the process of recognising, assessing and controlling persistent pain in older people.