Abstracts » Health

Lower-extremity function in persons over the age of 70 years as a predictor of subsequent disability

Article Abstract:

Functional assessment of lower extremities may predict later disability in currently nondisabled older adults living in the community. Researchers studied of 1122 men and women age 71 or older who reported no disability in the activities of daily living, and who said they could walk half a mile and climb stairs by themselves measured participants lower-extremity function at the start of the study (baseline) and after four years. Persons with lower scores on tests of physical performance at baseline were much more likely to develop disability in the next four years. Tests of physical function included an eight foot walk, repeated rising from a chair, and standing balance. Lower-extremity function may predict subsequent development of disability because it may reflect the effects of chronic disease, coexisting conditions, and bodily decline that have not yet manifested themselves in overt disability. Functional assessment tests of older adults may identify persons at risk of becoming disabled. Such persons may benefit from interventions to minimize disability before it occurs.

Methods, Disability evaluation

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Clarifying the direct relation between total cholesterol levels and death from coronary heart disease in older persons

Article Abstract:

Evaluations of older patients' total cholesterol levels may best be made in light of other risk factors. Researchers evaluated blood samples and overall health interviews from 4066 men and women older than 65 years of age and followed them for five years. Calculations factoring out established risk factors showed that participants with high total cholesterol levels were at an increased risk for death from heart disease. Calculations that included all established risk factors showed that participants with low total cholesterol levels were at greater risk for death from heart disease.

Measurement, Risk factors, Coronary heart disease, Blood cholesterol, Hypercholesterolemia

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Depressive symptoms and physical decline in community-dwelling older persons

Article Abstract:

Depression in the elderly seems to cause a greater decline in physical function. Researchers gave performance tests and tests for depression to 1,286 people 71 years old or older in 1988 and 1992. Depressive symptoms were associated with a greater decline in measures of physical function over the four-year period. This was true even in people who had no physical disabilities at the start of the study. Preventing depression in the elderly could enhance their quality of life.

Depression in old age, Geriatric depression

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