Determinants of Disability in the Elderly

__Abstract__ A person who suffers disability experiences difficulty or inability in performing the basic activities with regard to daily living. In general the risk of disability increases with age and constitutes a common health problem among the elderly [1].1ncidence rates in the literature for disability range from 4.6% to 46% depending on the length of follow-up and population characteristics [1-6]. Moreover, physically disabled elderly have a higher risk of dying or being institutionalised [7]. Maintenance of physical function, which represents the absence of disability, has been mentioned by researchers as one of the criteria of successful aging [8]. Disability is also to some extent inversely proportional to quality of life (Qol). The phenomenon that still a large proportion of elderly with a disability perceive their Qol as good, which is called the disability paradox, may be explained by the infiuence of other factors like lower disease burden and greater levels of psychosocial resources [9]. Disability, in most cases a chronic condition, also yields economical and logistical challenges for society. As the older persons, most likely women, caring for their impaired spouse, become disabled themselves more people will need extended health care comprising the use of assistive technology, professional care givers and nursing homes

Rose oil inhalation protects against formaldehyde-induced testicular damage in rats

In this experimental study, harmful effects of formaldehyde (FA) inhalation on sperm concentration, sperm quality, serum testosterone levels and the rat testes were investigated. In addition, the possible protective effects of rose oil against to these harmful effects were evaluated. For this purpose, 21 albino-Wistar rats were used. The rats in Group I were used as control group. When the rats of Group II were exposed FA (10 ppm/1 h) for 35 days, the rats of Group III inhalated rose oil (1 ml/1 h) after FA. The epididymal tissues were taken for sperm analysing and the testes were removed for histological examination. In addition, testosterone levels were determined from the blood samples. Although the testosterone levels, the epididymal sperm concentration, and the progressive sperm motility significantly decreased, the abnormal sperm rate significantly increased in the Group II when compared to Group I. In the Group III, these damages were seen less. When the rats in the Group II compared with the control group, there were serious histological damages. In the Group III, it was determined that the histological changes were less than group II. It can be expressed that serious damages occurred via formaldehyde exposure in male reproductive system and that the rose oil had protective effects against these damages

Age, gender and disability predict future disability in older people: the Rotterdam Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To develop a prediction model that predicts disability in community-dwelling older people. Insight in the predictors of disability is needed to target preventive strategies for people at increased risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from the Rotterdam Study, including subjects of 55 years and over. Subjects who had complete data for sociodemographic factors, life style variables, health conditions, disability status at baseline and complete data for disability at follow-up were included in the analysis. Disability was expressed as a Disability Index (DI) measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire.</p> <p>We used a multivariable polytomous logistic regression to derive a basic prediction model and an extended prediction model. Finally we developed readily applicable score charts for the calculation of outcome probabilities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 5027 subjects included, 49% had no disability, 18% had mild disability, 16% had severe disability and 18% had deceased at follow-up after six years. The strongest predictors were age and prior disability. The contribution of other predictors was relatively small. The discriminative ability of the basic model was high; the extended model did not enhance predictive ability.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>As prior disability status predicts future disability status, interventive strategies should be aimed at preventing disability in the first place.</p

Corneal biomechanical comparison of pseudoexfoliation syndrome, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and healthy subjects

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in corneal biomechanical properties between healthy subjects and patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) using the ocular response analyzer (ORA). Materials and methods: One hundred eighteen eyes of 45 healthy, 43 PEX and 30 PEXG eyes were included in to the study. Corneal biomechanical parameters measurements were obtained using ORA. The main parameters assessed were corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated pressure measurement (IOPg) and corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). Ultrasound pachymetry was used for measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT). Results: In healthy subjects, PEX and PEXG eyes' mean CH values were 10.3±1.4, 8.2±1.4 and 6.8±1.7mmHg, respectively. The difference in mean CH between the PEXG and other two groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). Mean CRF values were 10.3±0.7, 7.9±1.6 and 7.9±1.9mmHg, in healthy subjects PEX and PEXG, respectively. The difference in mean CRF between the PEX and PEXG was not statistically significant (p=0.630), however the mean CRF was significantly higher in healthy subjects, compared to other two groups. Mean CCT were 546.3±28, 525.5±35 and 509±36µ, in healthy subjects, PEX and PEXG, respectively. The differences on CCT were also significant among the three groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, the corneal biomechanical features of subjects with PEX were found to be changed as compared to healthy controls. In these patients; CH, CRF and CCT were decreased which was more obvious in patients with PEXG in comparison to PEX patients. © 2014 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved

Structure of 1-(4-methylphenylamino)-2-phenyl-1,2-ethandione-1-oxime

The crystal structure of 1-(4-methylphenylamino)-2-phenyl-1,2-ethandione-1-oxime (C15H14N2O2) has been determined by X-ray analysis. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna21, with unit cell parameters: a = 23.516(3), b = 5.364(3), c = 21.872(3)Å, V = 2758.7(17)Å3, Dc = 1.224 g/cm3, and Z = 8. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to a final R-value of 0.041 for 2204 observed reflections. There are two independent molecules, A and B. These molecules are linked by intermolecular O-H···N hydrogen bonds. 2003 © The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

PubMedID: 23728566Pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD) is a group of chronic disorders characterized by the extravasation of erythrocytes and marked hemosiderin deposits in the dermis. Schamberg disease is a subtype of pigmented purpuric dermatosis in which nonpalpable purpura is prominent on the lower extremities. No cases of primary antiphospholipid syndrome and pigmented purpuric dermatosis have so far been reported in the litera-ture. We herein report a case of pigmented purpuric dermatosis associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome. © 2013 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Evaluation of the relationship between corneal biomechanic and HbA1C levels in type 2 diabetes patients

Serpil Yazgan,1 Ugur Celik,2 Havva Kaldirim,3 Orhan Ayar,1 Ahmet Elbay,4 Veysel Aykut,2 Burcu Celik,5 Mehmet Taş6 1Department of Ophthalmology, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Gaziosmanpasa Taksim Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Pendik Government Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 6Department of Ophthalmology, Malatya State Hospital, Malatya, Turkey Purpose: To evaluate the corneal biomechanical properties due to the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels using the ocular response analyzer (ORA) in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: ORA values were obtained from 156 eyes of subjects with type 2 DM and 74 eyes of healthy control subjects with similar age and sex. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1, healthy control subjects; Group 2, diabetes patients with HbA1C &ge;7%; and Group 3, diabetes patients with HbA1C &lt;7%. Corneal biomechanical parameters: corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) measurements were obtained using ORA. Ultrasound pachymetry was used for measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT). Results: CH and CRF were significantly different in each of the three groups (P-values for CH respectively; Groups 1 and 2=0.008, Groups 1 and 3, and Groups 2 and 3, &lt;0.001, and for CRF respectively; =0.002, &lt;0.001, &lt;0.001). CCT was significantly different between Groups 1 and 3 and Groups 2 and 3 (P&lt;0.001) but was insignificant between Groups 1 and 2 (P=0.965). IOPcc was not different between Groups 1 and 2 (P=0.524), and Groups 2 and 3 (P=0.115), but was significantly different between Groups 1 and 3 (P=0.003). IOPg was statistically different between each of the three groups (respectively; Groups 1 and 2, P=0.015, Groups 1 and 3, and Groups 2 and 3, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Both diabetes groups were affected in terms of corneal biomechanical properties when compared to healthy subjects, there was also a positive correlation between HbA1C level and intraocular pressure. Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, HbA1C, ocular response analyzer, intraocular pressure, corneal biomechanical parameter