Effects of physical exercise programs on sarcopenia management, dynapenia, and physical performance in the elderly : a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Introduction. Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in the elderly population, imposing a significant impact over their functional ability as well as their quality of life. Furthermore, it is associated with greater incidence of major geriatric outcomes, as reduced mobility, falls, loss of independence, cognitive impairment, and all-cause mortality. Physical Exercise Programs directed to improve muscle mass and its function may be key to reduce sarcopenia consequences. However, a significant heterogeneity is found in clinical trials, especially as a consequence of different exercise protocols applied to research subjects. Objectives. To access the effects of physical exercise programs compared to no exercise interventions to improve sarcopenia components and its determinants in sarcopenic elder individuals. Methods. A systematic review was conducted in the Pubmed database to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which tested the effects of physical exercise programs to manage sarcopenia components in sarcopenic elder individuals. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies’ eligibility according to specified inclusion criteria in a four-step strategy. Data regarding population characteristics, muscle mass, muscle quality, muscle strength, and muscle function were extracted from each one of the included studies. Assessment of quality and individual studies risk of bias were assessed through Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool®. Assuming theoretical expected heterogeneity among studies, especially regarding different physical exercise programs and different outcome measurements, authors decided to be conservative and present study results in descriptive tables. Results. Search strategy retrieved 298 papers on PubMed database. )ree more were identified through manual search, being 301 studies revised for inclusion. 278 were excluded during title/abstract review. After further evaluation of 23 fulltexts, 5 RCTs were included. All 5 trials tested the efficacy of isolated exercise programs to improve sarcopenia components in the elderly compared to no physical intervention. Resistance training was the main intervention component in all included trials compared to inactive control groups (health education mainly). Physical training improved muscle strength, muscle quality, and muscle function compared to inactive control groups. Considering muscle mass, no differences were demonstrated. Data metaanalysis was not possible to be performed due to high heterogeneity among trials and small number of studies for each outcome comparison. Conclusion. Heterogeneity among trials and small number of RCTs limited robust conclusions and data metaanalysis. However, resistance training protocols can improve muscle strength and physical performance in elders previously diagnosed with sarcopenia, although its effect size and clinical impact are barely relevant

Valores de LDL-colesterol estimados pela equação de Friedewald são afetados pelo controle do diabetes

Background: Friedewald equation (FE) is widely used to estimate the LDL-c without the use of ultra-centrifugation. However, the equation has limitations in some clinical settings. Objective: Our goal was to investigate the potential importance of differences between FE and direct measurement of LDL-c in patients with diabetes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 466 patients with stable coronary disease. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c were collected, and FE was calculated. Accuracy was calculated as the percentage of estimates within 30% (P30) of measured LDL. Bias was calculated as the mean difference between measured and estimated LDL-c. Agreement between methods was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Results: Bias was 3.7 (p=0.005) and 1.1 mg/dl (p=0.248), and accuracy was 86% and 93% in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, respectively. Among patients with diabetes, bias was 5 mg/dl (p=0.016) and 1.93 mg/dl (p=0.179), and accuracy was 83% and 88% in subjects with Hemoglobin A1C above 8 mg/dl versus below cutoff point, respectively. Bias was similar in patients without diabetes compared to patients with diabetes and HbA1C < 8 (1.1 and 1.93 mg/dl). Conclusion: FE is inaccurate among overall individuals with diabetes. However, when stratifying patients with diabetes into good and poor disease control, the first group behaves as if it does not have diabetes, with a good correlation between calculated and measured LDL-c. It is important to know when is it reasonable to use FE because an inaccurate estimation of LDL-c levels could result in undertreatment of dyslipidemia and predispose these patients to acute events.Fundamento: A equação de Friedewald (EF) é amplamente utilizada para estimar o LDL-c sem utilizar ultracentrifugação. Entretanto, a equação tem limitações em determinados cenários clínicos. Objetivo: O nosso objetivo era investigar a possível importância das diferenças entre a EF e a medição direta de LDL-c em pacientes com diabetes. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo transversal entre 466 pacientes com doença coronária estável. Colesterol total, triglicérides, HDL-c e LDL-c foram coletados, e a EF foi calculada. A acurácia foi calculada como percentagem de estimativas dentro de 30% (P30) do LDL medido. O viés foi calculado como a diferença média entre o LDL-c medido e o estimado. A concordância entre os métodos foi avaliada utilizando gráficos de Bland-Altman. Resultados: O viés foi de 3,7 (p=0,005) e 1,1 mg/dl (p=0,248), e a acurácia foi de 86% e 93% em pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos, respectivamente. Entre os pacientes com diabetes, o viés foi de 5 mg/dl (p=0,016) e 1,93 mg/dl (p=0,179), e a acurácia foi de 83% e 88% em indivíduos com hemoglobina A1c superior a 8 mg/dl versus abaixo do ponto de corte, respectivamente. O viés foi similar em pacientes sem diabetes comparados com pacientes com diabetes e HbA1C < 8 (1,1 e 1,93 mg/dl). Conclusão: A EF é imprecisa entre indivíduos gerais com diabetes. Porém, ao estratificar pacientes com diabetes em bom e mau controle da doença, o primeiro grupo se comporta como se não tivesse diabetes, com uma boa correlação entre o LDL-c calculado e o mensurado. É importante saber quando é razoável usar a EF, porque uma estimativa imprecisa dos níveis de LDL-c pode resultar no subtratamento da dislipidemia e predispor estes pacientes a eventos agudos

Prevalence and incidence of Parkinson's disease and other forms of parkinsonism in a cohort of elderly individuals in Southern Brazil : protocol for a population-based study

Introduction Parkinsonism is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting the elderly. Several population-based studies have determined the epidemiology of parkinsonism, mainly Parkinson’s disease (PD), but there is still little evidence in the Brazilian population. This protocol study aims to assess the prevalence and incidence of cases of PD and other parkinsonian syndromes in a 5-year cohort in a population-based study in the southern region of Brazil. Methods and analysis A prospective population-based longitudinal study, with a cohort of development of cases of parkinsonism, divided into two phases: in phase I, two questionnaires to screen for parkinsonism (Tanner’s questionnaire), Rapid Eyes Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen) and a short interview will be conducted with all elderly residents of Veranópolis (the first longevity Brazilian county located in the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) aged 60 or over. The positive screened cases will be examined independently by at least two movement disorder-trained physicians and prevalence will be determined. A comprehensive evaluation of prodromic symptoms, risk factors and clinical characteristics will be carried out. Subjects with subtle parkinsonism and a sample of healthy subjects will be followed for 5 years in a developmental cohort of parkinsonism cases. For crude incidence, all individuals admitted at the beginning of the study will be re-evaluated