The six-minute walk test in community dwelling elderly: influence of health status.

BACKGROUND: The 6 minutes walk test (6MWT) is a useful assessment instrument for the exercise capacity of elderly persons. The impact of the health status on the 6MWT-distance in elderly, however, remains unclear, reducing its value in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent the 6MWT-distance in community dwelling elderly is determined by health conditions. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-six community dwelling elderly people (53 male, 103 female) were assessed for health status and performed the 6MWT. After clinical evaluation, electrocardiography and laboratory examination participants were categorized into a stratified six-level classification system according to their health status, going from A (completely healthy) to D (signs of active disease at the moment of examination). RESULTS: The mean 6MWT-distance was 603 m (SD = 178). The 6MWT-distance decreased significantly with increasing age (ANOVA p = 0.0001) and with worsening health status (ANCOVA, corrected for age p < 0.001). A multiple linear regression model with health status, age and gender as independent variables explained 31% of the 6MWT-distance variability. Anthropometrical measures (stature, weight and BMI) did not significantly improve the prediction model. A significant relationship between 6MWT-distance and stature was only present in category A (completely healthy). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in 6MWT-distance are observed according to health status in community-dwelling elderly persons. The proposed health categorizing system for elderly people is able to distinguish persons with lower physical exercise capacity and can be useful when advising physical trainers for seniors

Long-Term Suture Breakage After Scleral Fixation of a Modified Capsular Tension Ring with Polypropylene 10-0 Suture

Olav Kristianslund, Gunhild F Sandvik, Liv Drolsum Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayCorrespondence: Olav KristianslundDepartment of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Mailbox 4956 Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, NorwayEmail [email protected]: To investigate the long-term risk of suture breakage after implantation of a modified capsular tension ring (MCTR) fixated to the sclera with polypropylene 10&ndash; 0 suture.Methods: Retrospective case series of operations for subluxated phakic lenses in 2007&ndash; 2015 with implantation of an MCTR secured with a 10&ndash; 0 polypropylene suture as part of an intraocular lens (IOL)-capsular bag complex.Results: We identified 132 eyes (92 patients) operated on with an MCTR. Of these eyes, 26 (20%) had suture breakage requiring re-operation, while another eight eyes (6%) had suture breakage that did not require surgery. The re-operations occurred after a mean 4.8&plusmn; 3.3 years. Suture breakage occurred in patients with a mean age of 34.0&plusmn; 23.3, as compared to 43.2&plusmn; 26.0 years for patients who did not experience this complication (p=0.36). In patients aged 40 years or younger at the time of surgery, 47% experienced suture breakage in one or both eyes, as compared to 19% in the age group 41&ndash; 69 years and 13% in the age group 70 years and older (p=0.004). Of the 132 eyes that were operated on, we registered one case (0.8%) of possible suture-related late endophthalmitis.Conclusion: The long-term risk of suture breakage was quite high after scleral fixation of the MCTR in this patient cohort, and it seems as the risk is increased with young age.Keywords: modified capsular tension ring, MCTR, Cionni capsular tension ring, suture breakage, Marfan syndrome, ectopia lentis, subluxated lens, scleral suturin

A study on how a 6-month aerobic exercise program can modify coronary risk factors depending on their severity in middle-aged sedentary women

It is well known that physical exercise can reduce coronary risk factors. But how an aerobic exercise modifies coronary risk factors in relation to severity and physical fitness is still controversial