The journal of nutrition, health & aging
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J Nutr Health Aging · Mar 2013
Multicenter StudyInstitutional factors associated with the nutritional status of residents from 10 German nursing homes (ErnSTES study).
In nursing homes malnutrition among residents is widespread. Because residents place part of their personal freedom of choice into institutional hands, institution-specific factors may influence nutritional status of residents. ⋯ The institutional environment affects the nutritional status of nursing home residents as an independent risk factor. The results suggest promotion of small facilities and the provision of more care staff and more financial resources for food in the structural design of residential homes.
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J Nutr Health Aging · Feb 2013
ReviewAssociation of depressive symptoms with recurrent falls: a cross-sectional elderly population based study and a systematic review.
Screening of depressive symptoms is recommended in recurrent fallers. Compared to the 30-item and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scales (GDS), the 4-item GDS is easier to administer and quicker to perform. The association between abnormal 4-item GDS score and recurrent falls has not yet been examined. In addition, while depressive symptoms-related gait instability is well known, the association with recurrent falls has been few studied. ⋯ The current cross-sectional study shows an association between abnormal 4-item GDS score and recurrent falls. This association of depressive symptoms with recurrent falls was confirmed by the systematic review. Based on these results, we suggest that recurrent falls risk assessment should involve a systematic screening of depressive symptoms using the 4-item GDS.
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J Nutr Health Aging · Feb 2013
The influence of renal function on vitamin D metabolism in the very elderly.
Hypovitaminosis D and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly prevalent in older adults. The factors correlating with 25-OH-vitamin D and PTH levels were analyzed in older adults with and without CKD. ⋯ Exposure to sunshine and an active lifestyle were correlated with higher 25-OH-vitamin D levels in older adults without CKD. The PTH level in patients with CKD may be influenced by the season.
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J Nutr Health Aging · Feb 2013
Parathyroid hormone response to severe vitamin D deficiency is sex associated: an observational study of 571 hip fracture inpatients.
To investigate the association between sex and parathyroid hormone response to severe vitamin D deficiency after hip fracture. ⋯ Data shows that PTH response to vitamin D deficiency was sex-associated following a fracture of the hip. The higher prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism may play a role in the known prognostic disadvantage found in hip-fracture men.
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J Nutr Health Aging · Jan 2013
Efficacy of specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for assessing body composition in the elderly.
This study aimed to ascertain the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in assessing body composition in the elderly by comparing findings with the results of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to test an analytical variant of the method (specific BIVA). ⋯ BIVA should be used with caution for evaluating body composition in the elderly. Specific bioelectrical values proved effective, showing promise as a methodological variant of BIVA, suitable for identifying age-related changes in body fatness.