Environmental characteristics of older people attending physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics

Objective: A residential environment refers to the physical and social characteristics in a neighbourhood. The physical characteristics include interior housing qualities, exterior neighbourhood characteristics, and the accessibility of essential facilities and services outside the neighbourhood. Older adults especially may be vulnerable to the negative impacts of the residential environment. The aim of this study is to elucidate the problems ageing people face in their neighbourhoods, buildings and public areas. Methods: The study group consisted of a total of 1,001 people over the age of 65 who were admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics in Turkey and consented to participate. A questionnaire covering demographic, social and environmental information was used. Results: Of the study group, 58.6% was living in an apartment building, but only 23.6% of these buildings had an elevator, and the stairs were inconvenient in 46.7% of the buildings. Only 49% of the elderly people went for a walk regularly. The most frequent complaint about the hospitals, community health centres and other public areas was the inappropriate restroom conditions. Eighty-six percent of the study group were not members of an organization, a foundation or a group, and 73.6% did not have personal hobbies. Conclusions: The layouts of buildings and surroundings are inappropriate for older people, and the opportunities for them to participate in social activities are limited. Health and social programmes and governmental and local policies for older people are needed, and public awareness about this issue should be raised

Diz osteoartriti olan yaşlı hastaların ev egzersiz tedavisine uyumu

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the compliance to home-based exercise regimen by elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients and methods: Between May 2012 and May 2013 year, a total of 72 patients (54 females, 18 males) over 65 years old with knee osteoarthritis admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic were included in the study. The patients were given a home-based exercise program. They were recommended to perform the exercises 10 times twice a day, for a month. We evaluated the patients’ demographic data, comorbid diseases, whether they exercised previously and compliance to exercise. Results: All patients’ home exercise program compliance was 62.5%. Males were more compliant than female patients and high education and comorbidity were also associated with poor compliance. Conclusion: The compliance of the geriatric patients to home-based exercise program is difficult and multiple variables affect the compliance

Evrensel Bilimin Paylaşımında Dergiler ve Kongreler

Journals and the congresses are the formal information channels that form the basis for scientific communications. Editors of scientific journals have responsibilities toward their journals, authors and readers. They are responsible for monitoring the peer-review editorial process so as to ensure the fairly, timely, and thoroughly realization of counselling procedures. The journals have their own manuscript selection, and publication criteria. The peer-review system plays an important role in ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record. Clear communication between the journal and the reviewers carries importance. Editors mediate all interactions between reviewers and authors so as to facilitate consistent, fair and timely review. Reviewers are selected by the editors and they are responsible for the fair and scientific evaluation of the manuscripts in time. The process of selecting a suitable journal for publication should be taken seriously because the identification and avoidance of predatory journals and conferences is an important issue. Unfortunately, currently, researchers receive little education or support about navigating journal selection and submission processes. © Copyright Association of Anesthesiologists and Reanimation Specialists.Scopu

The Effect of Osteoporosis-Related Thoracic Hyperkyphosis on Pulmonary Function - Review

Osteoporosis is defined as a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mineral content and derangement in bone microarchitecture, leading to skeletal fragility with a consequent increased fracture risk. Osteoporosis of the spine results in pain, disability and an overall decrease in quality of life. Whereas toracic hyperkyphosis is a well-known consequence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, there is quite less information in the literature on the concomitant association with impairments in pulmonary function. Therefore, we aimed to review the currently available literature on impairments in pulmonary function in patients with osteoporosis. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2010;16:61-5

Polypharmacy ın the elderly: to prescrıbe, or not prescrıbe “that ıs the questıon”

Although its definition has not been fully accepted, polypharmacy at advanced age appears as a significant worldwide problem in terms of both elderly health and general health systems and there are still many question marks / gaps with respect to this issue. We have insufficient data on its definition and thus its prevalence and complications. Non-prescription drugs are usually ignored in the studies. Health care professionals should be aware of the risks and interventions aiming to reduce exposure and minimizing the risk associated with potentially harmful drug combinations are needed. This Article addresses these issues and proposes practical recommendations regarding the rational drug use for elderly age groups.Polifarmasi tanımı tam olarak kabul edilmese de, ileri yaşta hem yaşlı sağlığı hem de genel sağlık sistemleri açısından tüm dünyada önemli bir sağlık problemi olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Ancak hala bu sorun ile ilgili pek çok soru işareti/eksik nokta bulunmaktadır. Tanımlanması ve böylece prevalans ve komplikasyonları ile ilgili veriler yetersizdir. Reçetesiz ilaçlar çalışmalarda genellikle gözardı edilmektedir. Sağlık çalışanları riskler açısından uyanık olmalı ve potansiyel zararlı ilaç kombinasyonları ile ilişkili riskler hakkında ve bu tür durumlarla karşılaşmayı azaltmak için onlara eğitimler yapılmalıdır. Bu makalede, bu sorunlar ve ileri yaş grubu için akılcı ilaç kullanımı ile ilgili pratik öneriler ele alınacaktır

Are Vitamin D Levels of the Patients with Stroke Always Associated with Their Functional Status

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the 25-hidroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in patients with stroke and to investigate its relationship with the patients’ functional status. Materials and Methods: Stroke patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation between February 2009 and January 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-six patients who had records of serum 25(OH)D concentrations and functional outcome assessment by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) on admission (in the first 24 hours) were included in the study. The patients’ age, gender, etiology of cerebrovascular accident, affected side, disease duration, FIM scores, total calcium and 25(OH)D concentrations were recorded. Results: The mean age of the participants (18 women, 18 men) were 66.3±13.6 years. The mean concentration of the serum 25(OH)D was determined as 16.2±13.1 ng/mL. Serum 25(OH)D levels of less than 10 ng/mL was observed in 16 (%44.6) and vitamin D concentrations ranging from 10-20 ng/mL in 9 (%25) patients. 25(OH)D levels did not correlate either with the patients' age or disease duration. Additionally, no statistically significant correlations were found between vitamin D levels and FIM scores. Conclusion: Regardless of the patients’ functional status, reduced serum 25(OH)D concentrations was identified in the majority of stroke survivors. As it is well-established that vitamin D levels were closely associated with osteoporosis and fracture risk, it should be kept in mind that early diagnosis and treatment of D vitamin deficiency are important in patients with stroke. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2011;17:54-8