The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults

BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the major health problems that effect the quality of life among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (Short Form-12) and the risk factors of falls (balance, functional mobility, proprioception, muscle strength, flexibility and fear of falling) in older adults. METHODS: One hundred sixteen people aged 65 or older and living in the T.C. Emekli Sandigi Narlidere nursing home participated in the study. Balance (Berg Balance test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), proprioception (joint position sense), muscle strength (back/leg dynamometer), flexibility (sit and reach) and fear of falling (Visual Analogue Scale) were assessed as risk factors for falls. The quality of life was measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12). RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was observed between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and balance, muscle strength. Proprioception and flexibility did not correlated with SF-12 (p > 0.05). There was negative correlation between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and fear of falling, functional mobility (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the risk factors for falls (balance, functional mobility, muscle strength, fear of falling) in older adults are associated with quality of life while flexibility and proprioception are not

The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults

BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the major health problems that effect the quality of life among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (Short Form-12) and the risk factors of falls (balance, functional mobility, proprioception, muscle strength, flexibility and fear of falling) in older adults. METHODS: One hundred sixteen people aged 65 or older and living in the T.C. Emekli Sandigi Narlidere nursing home participated in the study. Balance (Berg Balance test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), proprioception (joint position sense), muscle strength (back/leg dynamometer), flexibility (sit and reach) and fear of falling (Visual Analogue Scale) were assessed as risk factors for falls. The quality of life was measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12). RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was observed between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and balance, muscle strength. Proprioception and flexibility did not correlated with SF-12 (p > 0.05). There was negative correlation between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and fear of falling, functional mobility (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the risk factors for falls (balance, functional mobility, muscle strength, fear of falling) in older adults are associated with quality of life while flexibility and proprioception are not

Shoulder pain, functional capacity and quality of life in professional wheelchair basketball players and non-athlete wheelchair users

Background and Objective: Wheelchair users are exposed to many stresses on their upper extremities. The appearance of shoulder pain related to these stresses could affect their functional capacity and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the shoulder pain and compare the shoulder pain, functional capacity and quality of life between wheelchair basketball players and non-athlete wheelchair users. Methods: Twenty-five wheelchair basketball players (athletes) from professional leagues and 23 non-athlete wheelchair users were included in this study. The subjects' shoulder pain was assessed with the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index. Timed Forward Wheeling, Forward Vertical Reach and 1-Stroke Push tests were used to measure functional capacity, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to evaluate their quality of life. Results: No differences were found in Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index and Satisfaction with Life Scale score between the athletes and non-athletes (P > 0.05). The scores of functional capacity, height in forward vertical reach test, 1-stroke push distance, and timed forward wheeling were better in the athlete versus the non-athlete group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although significantly higher functional capacity is seen in athlete versus non-athlete wheelchair users, their shoulder pain and quality of life may be similar. © 2007 W.S. Maney & Son Ltd

Factors affecting the benefits of a six-month supervised exercise program on community-dwelling older adults: interactions among age, gender, and participation

[Purpose] This study determined the effects of age, gender, and participation on the benefits of a 6-month supervised exercise program on older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-five (37 women, 48 men) community-dwelling older adults participated. The chair sit-and-reach test, the 8-foot up-and-go test, the 6-minute walk test, the Berg Balance Scale, lower-body flexibility, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance, balance, metabolic rate, muscle strength, and position sense were evaluated. Repeated-measures of analysis of variance was performed including dependent variables of age, gender, and participation in the exercise program as dependent inter-subject factors and time of assessment as an intra-subject factor. [Results] Mean exercise participation was 29.88 +/- 1.29 sessions. Flexibility, balance, position sense, and strength showed a significant main effect of time. There was a significant gender interaction for right shoulder flexion strength and knee extension strength, a significant gender-participation interaction for pre-/post-intervention measures of functional mobility, and a significant age-participation interaction for flexibility. [Conclusion] Exercise training improved outcomes after 6 months of supervised exercise, but the changes were similar regardless of participation level. Changes in strength were more pronounced in men than women

Factors affecting the benefits of a six-month supervised exercise program on community-dwelling older adults: interactions among age, gender, and participation

[Purpose] This study determined the effects of age, gender, and participation on the benefits of a 6-month supervised exercise program on older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-five (37 women, 48 men) community-dwelling older adults participated. The chair sit-and-reach test, the 8-foot up-and-go test, the 6-minute walk test, the Berg Balance Scale, lower-body flexibility, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance, balance, metabolic rate, muscle strength, and position sense were evaluated. Repeated-measures of analysis of variance was performed including dependent variables of age, gender, and participation in the exercise program as dependent inter-subject factors and time of assessment as an intra-subject factor. [Results] Mean exercise participation was 29.88 ± 1.29 sessions. Flexibility, balance, position sense, and strength showed a significant main effect of time. There was a significant gender interaction for right shoulder flexion strength and knee extension strength, a significant gender-participation interaction for pre-/post-intervention measures of functional mobility, and a significant age-participation interaction for flexibility. [Conclusion] Exercise training improved outcomes after 6 months of supervised exercise, but the changes were similar regardless of participation level. Changes in strength were more pronounced in men than women

Shoulder pain, functional capacity and quality of life in professional wheelchair basketball players and non-athlete wheelchair users

Background and Objective: Wheelchair users are exposed to many stresses on their upper extremities. The appearance of shoulder pain related to these stresses could affect their functional capacity and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the shoulder pain and compare the shoulder pain, functional capacity and quality of life between wheelchair basketball players and non-athlete wheelchair users. Methods: Twenty-five wheelchair basketball players (athletes) from professional leagues and 23 non-athlete wheelchair users were included in this study. The subjects' shoulder pain was assessed with the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index. Timed Forward Wheeling, Forward Vertical Reach and 1-Stroke Push tests were used to measure functional capacity, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to evaluate their quality of life. Results: No differences were found in Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index and Satisfaction with Life Scale score between the athletes and non-athletes (P > 0.05). The scores of functional capacity, height in forward vertical reach test, 1-stroke push distance, and timed forward wheeling were better in the athlete versus the non-athlete group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although significantly higher functional capacity is seen in athlete versus non-athlete wheelchair users, their shoulder pain and quality of life may be similar. © 2007 W.S. Maney & Son Ltd

Peri-operative blood transfusion in elective major surgery: incidence, indications and outcome - an observational multicentre study

BACKGROUND Patients' demographic and epidemiological characteristics, local variations in clinicians' knowledge and experience and types of surgery can influence peri-operative transfusion practices. Sharing data on transfusion practices and recipients may improve patients' care and implementation of Patient Blood Management (PBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a multicentre, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study that included 61 centres. Clinical and transfusion data of patients undergoing major elective surgery were collected; transfusion predictors and patients' outcomes were analysed. RESULTS Of 6,121 patients, 1,579 (25.8%) received a peri-operative transfusion. A total of 5,812 blood components were transfused: red blood cells (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma and platelets in 1,425 (23.3%), 762 (12.4%) and 88 (1.4%) cases, respectively). Pre-operative anaemia was identified in 2,019 (33%) patients. Half of the RBC units were used by patients in the age group 45-69 years. Specific procedures with the highest RBC use were coronary artery bypass grafting (16.9% of all units) and hip arthroplasty (14.9%). Low haemoglobin concentration was the most common indication for intra-operative RBC transfusion (57%) and plasma and platelet transfusions were mostly initiated for acute bleeding (61.3% and 61.1%, respectively). The RBC transfusion rate in study centres varied from 2% to 72%. RBC transfusion was inappropriate in 99% (n=150/151) of pre-operative, 23% (n=211/926) of intra-operative and 43% (n=308/716) of post-operative RBC transfusion episodes. Pre-operative haemoglobin, increased blood loss, open surgery and duration of surgery were the main independent predictors of intra-operative RBC transfusion. Low pre-operative haemoglobin concentration was independently associated with post-operative pulmonary complications. CONCLUSIONS These findings identified areas for improvement in peri-operative transfusion practice and PBM implementation in Turkey