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1.
Late-life attachment.
Freitas, M, Rahioui, H
Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement. 2017;(1):56-64
Abstract
Old age is likely to cause a crisis in one's life because of the vulnerabilities it brings up, acting as stressful elements disrupting the elder's feeling of security. It leads to the activation of what is called his attachment system, consisting in attachment styles and interpersonal emotional regulation strategies. To recover a higher sense of safety, the elder would refer to his attachment figures, that is to say closed people paying attention to him, showing towards him availability and consideration. However older adults particularly see their tolerance threshold lowered, regarding an accumulation of losses (true or symbolic) and stressful events within their lifetime. In a psychological and organic exhaustion phenomenon, the risk is to wear out the interpersonal emotional regulation strategies. These are as much vulnerabilities that may increase psychiatric decompensation, including depression. To resolve the tension of this period and to found a necessary secure feeling, the elder will have to redesign the attachment links previously settled and proceed to adjustments to this new context. The need of relational closeness comes back in the elders' attachment behaviour, counting on attachment figures not only to help their loneliness or dependency, but essentially to support them in a narcissist and affective way. That is why attachment theory enlightens the late life period, such as the new challenges older adults have to face. Many studies recognize its value in understanding the transition to old age, but without proposing conceptualization. We aim first to focus on attachment conception to say how much it is relevant with elderly, and then to describe specific terms of attachment within this population in order to better understand those patients. To finish, we must think about new therapeutic proposals taking into consideration the attachment perspective for a better understanding of old age transition.
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2.
[Epidemiology of vitamin-D deficiency].
Souberbielle, JC
Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement. 2016;(1):7-15
Abstract
The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) serum concentration is the consensual marker of vitamin D status. In the general population, the Institute of Medicine considers that a 25OHD level >20 ng/mL is sufficient for bone health in most subjects. In osteoporosis patients, in those who have a pathology or who receive drugs that may increase the risk of osteoporosis, as well as in patients with chronic kidney disease, many experts think that an optimal vitamin D status is better defined by a 25OHD concentration >30 ng/mL. In the French general population, 43-50% of subjects have a 25OHD level <20 ng/mL and approximately 80% have a 25OHD <30 ng/mL. In chronic diseased patients, as well as in some categories of the general population such as elderly people, the percentage of subjects with a 25OHD level below 20 ng/mL is frequently well above 50%. Epidemiologic studies allow us to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency such as ageing, overweight, dark skin pigmentation, wearing covering clothes, or having a low level of outdoor activity. This will help to target vitamin D supplementation to "at-risk" subjects. However, discussions on means to improve the vitamin D status of the overall population such as allowing higher levels of food fortification, are needed.
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3.
Special considerations for nutritional studies in elderly.
Riobó Serván, P, Sierra Poyatos, R, Soldo Rodríguez, J, Gómez-Candela, C, García Luna, PP, Serra-Majem, L
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2015;:84-90
Abstract
The elderly population is increasing and it is well documented that may present some health problems related to nutritional intake. Both mental and physical impairments in the elderly may need specific adaptations to dietary assessment methods. But all self-report approaches include systematic and random errors, and under-reporting of dietary energy intake is common. Biomarkers of protein intake, as 24 hours urinary Nitrogen, may not be useful in elderly patients because of incontinence problems. Some micronutrients, like vitamin B12, have special importance in the elderly population. Also, measurement of fluid intake is also critical because elderly population is prone to dehydration. A detailed malnutrition status assessment should be included in the geriatric dietary history, and assessment. Body mass index (BMI) is not useful in the elderly, and it is important to evaluate functional status. Gait speed, handgrip strength using hand dynamometry can be used. Body Shape Index (ABSI) appears to be an accurate measure of adiposity, and is associated with total mortality. Further research is needed to clarify the best and simple methods to accurately estimate food and beverage fluid intake in the elderly population, and to evaluate nutritional and hidration status.
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4.
Appropriate prescribing and important drug interactions in older adults.
Wallace, J, Paauw, DS
The Medical clinics of North America. 2015;(2):295-310
Abstract
Polypharmacy, specifically the overuse and misuse of medications, is associated with adverse health events, increased disability, hospitalizations, and mortality. Mechanisms through which polypharmacy may increase adverse health outcomes include decreased adherence, increased drug side effects, higher use of potentially inappropriate medications, and more frequent drug-drug interactions. This article reviews clinical problems associated with polypharmacy and presents a framework to optimize prescribing for older adults.
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5.
Activity-related energy expenditure in older adults: a call for more research.
Hall, KS, Morey, MC, Dutta, C, Manini, TM, Weltman, AL, Nelson, ME, Morgan, AL, Senior, JG, Seyffarth, C, Buchner, DM
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2014;(12):2335-40
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Abstract
The purposes of this article were to 1) provide an overview of the science of physical activity-related energy expenditure in older adults (≥65 yr), 2) offer suggestions for future research and guidelines for how scientists should be reporting their results in this area, and 3) present strategies for making these data more accessible to the layperson. This article was meant to serve as a preliminary blueprint for future empirical work in the area of energy expenditure in older adults and translational efforts to make these data useful and accurate for older adults. This document was based upon deliberations of experts involved in the Strategic Health Initiative on Aging Committee of the American College of Sports Medicine. The article was designed to reach a broad audience who might not be familiar with the complexities of assessing energy expenditure, especially in older adults.
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6.
Diuretic-associated electrolyte disorders in the elderly: risk factors, impact, management and prevention.
Khow, KS, Lau, SY, Li, JY, Yong, TY
Current drug safety. 2014;(1):2-15
Abstract
Electrolyte and acid-base disorders are commonly encountered adverse effects of various diuretic agents, which are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality especially in elderly patients. Diuretic use is associated with hyponatraemia, hypernatraemia, hypokalaemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperuricaemia and alterations in magnesium, calcium, phosphate and acid-base homeostasis. Clinical studies have provided important data on the relative frequency and risk factors for these diuretic-associated electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Old age is one of the most recognized risk factors for diuretic-associated electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia are the most common electrolyte abnormalities found among the elderly population taking diuretics. Both conditions are associated with short and long-term morbidity as well as mortality. This article presents an overview of the literature on diuretic-associated electrolyte disorders and suggested risk factors for their development especially in elderly patients when evidence is available. The impact of these electrolyte disorders on patients will be discussed. Strategies to prevent adverse outcomes related to these disorders should involve careful consideration of risk factors as well as ongoing clinical and laboratory evaluations in the course of using these diuretics.
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7.
The impact of old age on surgical outcomes of totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
Kim, MG, Kim, HS, Kim, BS, Kwon, SJ
Surgical endoscopy. 2013;(11):3990-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND Old age is regarded as the risk factor of major abdominal surgery due to the lack of functional reserve and the increased presence of comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of old age on the surgical outcomes of totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS This study enrolled 389 gastric cancer patients who underwent totally laparoscopic gastrectomy at Hanyang University Guri Hospital and ASAN Medical Center. The patients were classified into two groups according to age as those older than 70 years and those younger than 70 years. Early surgical outcomes such as operation time, postoperative complications, time to first flatus, days until soft diet began, and hospital stay were evaluated. RESULTS No patient was converted to open surgery. The two groups differed significantly in terms of overall postoperative complication rate, time to first flatus, days until soft diet began, and hospital stay. The patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy differed in incidence of postoperative ileus but not in severe postoperative complication rate. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrated that old age can have an effect on the surgical outcomes of totally laparoscopic gastrectomy. This study especially showed that elderly patients are affected by the return of bowel movement after totally laparoscopic gastrectomy. On the other hand, however, it is presumed that old age has not had a serious impact on surgical outcomes in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy because no difference in the severe postoperative complication rate was observed.
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8.
Changes, functional disorders, and diseases in the gastrointestinal tract of elderly.
Grassi, M, Petraccia, L, Mennuni, G, Fontana, M, Scarno, A, Sabetta, S, Fraioli, A
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2011;(4):659-68
Abstract
This article describes changes in the basic digestive functions (motility, secretion, intraluminal digestion, absorption) that occur during aging. Elderly individuals frequently have oropharyngeal muscle dysmotility and altered swallowing of food. Reductions in esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressures are also more common in the aged and may cause gastroesophageal reflux. Gastric motility and emptying and small bowel motility are generally normal in elderly subjects, although delayed motility and gastric emptying have been reported in some cases. The propulsive motility of the colon is also decreased, and this alteration is associated with neurological and endocrine-paracrine changes in the colonic wall. Decreased gastric secretions (acid, pepsin) and impairment of the mucous-bicarbonate barrier are frequently described in the elderly and may lead to gastric ulcer. Exocrine pancreatic secretion is often decreased, as is the bile salt content of bile. These changes represent the underlying mechanisms of symptomatic gastrointestinal dysfunctions in the elderly, such as dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, primary dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, primary constipation, maldigestion, and reduced absorption of nutrients. Therapeutic management of these conditions is also described. The authors also review the gastrointestinal diseases that are more common in the elderly, such as atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, colon diverticulosis, malignant tumors, gallstones, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, Hepato Cellular Carcinoma (HCC), and chronic pancreatitis.
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9.
Fall prevention and vitamin D in the elderly: an overview of the key role of the non-bone effects.
Annweiler, C, Montero-Odasso, M, Schott, AM, Berrut, G, Fantino, B, Beauchet, O
Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation. 2010;:50
Abstract
Preventing falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly is an objective yet to be reached. There is increasing evidence that a supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium may reduce the fall and fracture rates. A vitamin D-calcium supplement appears to have a high potential due to its simple application and its low cost. However, published studies have shown conflicting results as some studies failed to show any effect, while others reported a significant decrease of falls and fractures. Through a 15-year literature overview, and after a brief reminder on mechanism of falls in older adults, we reported evidences for a vitamin D action on postural adaptations - i.e., muscles and central nervous system - which may explain the decreased fall and bone fracture rates and we underlined the reasons for differences and controversies between published data. Vitamin D supplementation should thus be integrated into primary and secondary fall prevention strategies in older adults.
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10.
Preventing late-life depression: a clinical update.
Baldwin, RC
International psychogeriatrics. 2010;(8):1216-24
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving remission in late-life depressive disorder is difficult; it is far better to prevent depression. In the last ten years there have been a number of clinical studies of the feasibility of prevention. METHODS A limited literature review was undertaken of studies from 2000 specifically concerning the primary prevention of late-life depressive disorder or where primary prevention is a relevant secondary outcome. RESULTS Selective primary prevention (targeting individuals at risk but not expressing depression) has been shown to be effective for stroke and macular degeneration but not hip fracture. It may also prove effective for the depression associated with caregiving in dementia. Emerging evidence finds effectiveness for indicated prevention (in those identified with subthreshold depression often with other risk factors such as functional limitation). Despite a number of promising risk factors (for example, diet, exercise, vascular risk factors, homocysteine and insomnia), universal prevention of late-life depression (acting to reduce the impact of risk factors at the population level) has no current evidence base, although a population approach might mitigate suicide. CONCLUSION Interventions which work in preventing late-life depression include antidepressant medication in standard doses and Problem-Solving Treatment. When integrated into a care model, such as collaborative care, prevention is feasible but more economic studies are needed.