The BELFRAIL (BFC80+) study: a population-based prospective cohort study of the very elderly in Belgium

In coming decades the proportion of very elderly people living in the Western world will dramatically increase. This forthcoming "grey epidemic" will lead to an explosion of chronic diseases. In order to anticipate booming health care expenditures and to assure that social security is funded in the future, research focusing on the relationship between chronic diseases, frailty and disability is needed. The general aim of the BELFRAIL cohort study (BFC80+) is to study the dynamic interaction between health, frailty and disability in a multi-system approach focusing on cardiac dysfunction and chronic heart failure, lung function, sarcopenia, renal insufficiency and immunosenescence

Bone Mass and the CAG and GGN Androgen Receptor Polymorphisms in Young Men

BACKGROUND: To determine whether androgen receptor (AR) CAG (polyglutamine) and GGN (polyglycine) polymorphisms influence bone mineral density (BMD), osteocalcin and free serum testosterone concentration in young men. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Whole body, lumbar spine and femoral bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD, Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), AR repeat polymorphisms (PCR), osteocalcin and free testosterone (ELISA) were determined in 282 healthy men (28.6+/-7.6 years). Individuals were grouped as CAG short (CAG(S)) if harboring repeat lengths of < or = 21 or CAG long (CAG(L)) if CAG > 21, and GGN was considered short (GGN(S)) or long (GGN(L)) if GGN < or = 23 or > 23. There was an inverse association between logarithm of CAG and GGN length and Ward's Triangle BMC (r = -0.15 and -0.15, P<0.05, age and height adjusted). No associations between CAG or GGN repeat length and regional BMC or BMD were observed after adjusting for age. Whole body and regional BMC and BMD values were similar in men harboring CAG(S), CAG(L), GGN(S) or GGN(L) AR repeat polymorphisms. Men harboring the combination CAG(L)+GGN(L) had 6.3 and 4.4% higher lumbar spine BMC and BMD than men with the haplotype CAG(S)+GGN(S) (both P<0.05). Femoral neck BMD was 4.8% higher in the CAG(S)+GGN(S) compared with the CAG(L)+GGN(S) men (P<0.05). CAG(S), CAG(L), GGN(S), GGN(L) men had similar osteocalcin concentration as well as the four CAG-GGN haplotypes studied. CONCLUSION: AR polymorphisms have an influence on BMC and BMD in healthy adult humans, which cannot be explained through effects in osteoblastic activity

Integrated care for the inhabitants of the city Leuven: Protocol of the ZORGZAAM Leuven integrated care project.

Query date: 2019-12-23 16:38:43status: publishe

Ondersteuning bij therapietrouw

Query date: 2019-12-23 16:38:43status: publishe

Prevalence of impaired renal function in the elderly in the St. Petersburg District: results of the Crystal study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in the elderly. It has been recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor and detecting CKD is also important to ensure the appropriate dose of medication and to prevent further damage by limiting the use of potential harmful drugs. The aim of the research was to study the prevalence of CKD in elderly (> or = 65 years) in a St. Petersburg district and to study the impact of using different methods to estimate the GFR on the prevalence of different stages of CKD. The cross-sectional analysis of prospective population based study in the district of Kolpino was conducted. All creatinine measurements were performed in the same laboratory. Renal function was assessed calculating the eGFR using different creatinine based formulas. 611 elderly (65-91 years) were examined. Using the MDRD formula a prevalence of CKD stage III-V for males of 11% was found in stratum 1 and of 15% in stratum 2 and for females prevalence was 14 and 29%, respectively. A considerable mismatch in classification of stages of CKD was found when comparing the MDRD based estimations with the CG-based ones. Compared to what has been reported internationally in other studies a considerable lower prevalence of CKD stage IV-V was found in both age groups. Thus, the prevalence of an impaired renal function in elderly in the St. Petersburg district is relatively low, especially in the subgroup of males aged 75 years and over compared to what been reported in other studies. The CG and MDRD formula generate significantly different results when they are used to classify the population of elderly according to the stages of CKD.Query date: 2019-12-23 16:38:43status: publishe

Eindrapport WG positionering Eeerstelijns gezondheidszorg conferentie 2010, online available www. conferentie-eerstelijnsgezondheidszorg. be

Query date: 2019-12-23 16:38:43status: publishe