0000000000006192
AUTHOR
Francesco Bolzetta
showing 58 related works from this author
Body mass index as a predictor of all-cause mortality in nursing home residents during a 5-year follow-up.
2013
Background: Body mass index (BMI) is considered a short-term mortality predictor, but a consensus has not been reached on its role and that of other nutritional parameters in predicting long-term mortality in nursing home residents. Objectives: To correlate BMI, Mini Nutritional Assessment scores, and serum albumin levels with the 5-year mortality rate in institutionalized elderly subjects. Methods: A total of 181 nursing home residents aged ≥70 years were included in a 5-year longitudinal study. Data were collected on all participants' nutritional, health, cognitive, and functional status by means of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Data on the participants' vital status were obtained…
Vitamin D deficiency predicts cognitive decline in older men and women: The Pro.V.A. Study
2014
Objective: To test the hypothesis that hypovitaminosis D is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline over a 4.4-year follow-up in a large sample of older adults. Methods: This research was part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.), an Italian populationbased cohort study of 1,927 elderly subjects. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured at the baseline. Global cognitive function was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); scores lower than 24 were indicative of cognitive dysfunction, and a decline of 3 or more points on the MMSE over the follow-up was considered as clinically significant. Analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders, includin…
The relationship between dietary vitamin k and depressive symptoms in late adulthood: A cross-sectional analysis from a large cohort study
2019
Few studies assessed the associations between dietary vitamin K and depressive symptoms. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary vitamin K and depressive symptoms in a large cohort of North American People. In this cross-sectional analysis, 4,375 participants that were aged 45&ndash
Dietary acrylamide and incident osteoporotic fractures: an 8-year prospective cohort study
2022
Abstract Background Acrylamide, a component of fried foods, has been associated with several negative health outcomes. However, the relationship between dietary acrylamide and osteoporotic fractures has been explored by a few cross-sectional studies. Aims To investigate if dietary acrylamide is associated with the onset of fractures in North American participants at high risk/having knee osteoarthritis (OA), over 8 years of follow-up. Methods A Cox’s regression analysis, adjusted for baseline confounders was run and the data were reported as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Dietary acrylamide intake was assessed at the baseline using a food frequency questionnaire and…
Dietary acrylamide and physical performance tests: A cross-sectional analysis
2021
Background Dietary acrylamide is found in certain foods, such as deep frying, baking and roasting, and is associated with higher inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. The association between dietary acrylamide and physical performance has not yet been explored. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary acrylamide intake and physical performance tests in a large cohort of North American individuals affected by knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition. Methods Dietary acrylamide intake was obtained through a food frequency questionnaire and reported in quartiles and as an increase in deciles. Physical performance was explored using the 20-…
A Comparison of Objective Physical Performance Tests and Future Mortality in the Elderly People.
2017
Background: Physical performance is an important predictor of mortality, but little is known on the comparative prognostic utility of different objective physical performance tests in community-dwelling older adults. We compared the prognostic usefulness of several objective physical performance tests on mortality, adjusting our analyses for potential confounders. Methods: Among 3,099 older community-dwelling participants included in the Progetto Veneto Anziani study, 2,096 were followed for a mean of 4.4 years. Physical performance tests measured were Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4-meter gait speed, chair stands time, leg extension and flexion, handgrip strength, and 6-Minute…
Pain Increases the Risk for Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Adults: Results From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
2023
AbstractBackgroundPain and sarcopenia are common in older people. Cross-sectional studies have reported a significant association between these two conditions, but cohort studies exploring pain as a potential risk factor for sarcopenia are scarce. Given this background, the aim of the present work was to investigate the association between pain (and its severity) at baseline, and the incidence of sarcopenia over 10 years of follow-up in a large representative sample of the English older adult population.MethodsPain was diagnosed using self-reported information and categorized as mild to severe pain at four sites (low back, hip, knee, and feet). Incident sarcopenia was defined as having low …
Serum uric acid and incident osteoporotic fractures in old people: The PRO.V.A study
2015
Purpose: Although high serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with negative outcomes in older people, recent studies reported that hyperuricemia could help protect against the onset of bone fractures. We consequently examined whether baseline SUA levels were associated with risk of incident osteoporotic fractures in a representative group of elderly people with no fractures or other bone-modifying conditions or drugs at the baseline. Methods: Among 3099 people aged ≥ 65. years initially involved in the PRO.V.A. study, 1586 participants with no prior diagnosis of osteoporotic fractures, and no conditions or medication affecting bone metabolism at the baseline were followed up for 4.4. ±…
Prospective associations of cardiovascular disease with physical performance and disability
2019
Background: Literature regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) and incident physical performance limitations and disability in older people is equivocal. Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether CVD is longitudinally associated with incident physical performance limitations and disability in a large population-based sample. Methods: This was an 8‑year prospective study using data collected as part of the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants were community-dwelling adults with knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition. Diagnosed CVD was self-reported. Physical performance was assessed with measures of chair stand time and gait speed, whereas disability was assessed with t…
Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Older Men and Women: The Pro.V.A Study
2016
Objective: A large body of clinical data suggests the importance of endogenous sex hormones in the pathogenesis of diabetes, but very little is known about the possible relationship between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and diabetes, particularly in the elderly. We aimed, therefore, to examine whether high serum levels of DHEAS have any protective effects on the incidence of type 2 diabetes and to elucidate the possible role of gender in a cohort of older subjects. Methods: We followed 1258 community-dwelling subjects aged ≥65 years without type 2 diabetes who belonged to the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) for 4.4±1.2 years. DHEAS were measured at baseline and categorized into …
Chronic gout in the elderly
2013
Gout is the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis in men over 40 years old; it is a debilitating disease and, if untreated, can result in a chronic progressive disease, including tophaceous gout. In the elderly it represents a special issue, with notable clinical and therapeutic differences from the classical form with a systemic involvement. The burden of the disease increases particularly in the very old people, in whom arthritis, impaired gait and eyesight problems may enhance the related disability. Chronic gout moreover could aggravate heart and kidney disease and increase overall mortality and organ-related damage. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important goals fo…
Frailty Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly
2016
Objective To investigate whether frailty is associated with an increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a prospective cohort of community-dwelling older people. Design Longitudinal study, mean follow-up of 4.4 years. Setting Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) study that involved older community-dwellers. Participants 1754 men and women older than 65 years without T2DM at baseline. Measurements Frailty status was defined according to Fried criteria and categorized as frailty (≥3 criteria), prefrailty (1-2 criteria), or no frailty (0 criterion). Incident T2DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/L, or glycosylated hemoglobin ≥6.5%, the use of glucose-lowe…
Duration of breastfeeding as a risk factor for vertebral fractures
2014
Abstract Purpose Among the risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures, gynecological history (fertile period, parity and breastfeeding) play an important part. Changes in calcium metabolism to enable an adequate mineral transfer to the milk have a prominent role in bone loss during breastfeeding. Data on the influence of breastfeeding in postmenopausal osteoporosis are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to identify any association between duration of breastfeeding and vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Methods All patients underwent the following tests: bone mineral density measurements of the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and the total and femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray…
Factors influencing serum 25-hydroxivitamin D levels and other bone metabolism parameters in healthy older women
2016
Objective: Older women have frequently low serum 25-hydroxivitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, high parathormone (PTH) levels and low bone mineral density (BMD) values. Endogenous synthesis, dietary habits, sunlight exposure and fat-mass-mediated storage may influence 25(OH)D levels and bone metabolism, but the relevance of these factors in the elderly has yet to be fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the influence of dietary vitamin D intake and fat mass on serum 25(OH)D levels and bone metabolism in older women. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Community. Participants: 218 fit older women attending a biweekly mild fitness program. Measurements: Dietary habits was investigated throu…
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Orthostatic Hypotension in Old People
2014
Interest in the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and blood pressure has increased because recent research showed a close relationship between them, but there is still little information on the possible association between 25OHD and orthostatic hypotension. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of 25OHD levels with any presence of orthostatic hypotension in a large group of older people. This study was part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.), an Italian population–based cohort study involving people aged >65 years. In this cross-sectional work, we considered 2640 (1081 men and 1559 women) with a mean age of 73.8±6.8 years. Orthostatic hypotensi…
A case of naturally evolving gout in an elderly man
2012
Gout is a common disorder in adults that can lead to severe organ decline, disability and impaired quality of life due to the formation of periarticular tophi. We report a case of massive tophaceous gout in a 78-year-old man with a 16-year-long history of untreated disease. The patient gradually became disabled, his renal function deteriorated, and he finally died of sepsis. Our case demonstrates that chronic gout not only affects the joints, but is also associated with organ function decline and can, even nowadays, lead to death. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and osteoarthritis in older people: the Pro.V.A. study.
2016
Although osteoarthritis (OA) and low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are common in the elderly, no studies on human beings are available concerning the possible relationship between them. We aimed to examine the relationship between DHEAS levels and any presence of OA in a cohort of community-dwelling older subjects. This study was part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.), an Italian population-based cohort study on people over 65 years old. In this cross-sectional work, we considered 2050 individuals with a mean age of 74.2 ± 7.1 years (818 M and 1232 F), and with a complete set of information on OA and DHEAS levels. OA was defined using a standardized algorithm inve…
Is chocolate consumption associated with health outcomes? An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
2019
Background & aims: The literature regarding the potential health benefits of chocolate consumption are unclear and the epidemiological credibility has not been systematically scrutinized, while the strength of the evidence is undetermined. We therefore aimed to map and grade the diverse health outcomes associated with chocolate consumption using an umbrella review of systematic reviews. Methods: Umbrella review of systematic reviews of observational and intervention studies (randomized placebo-controlled trials, RCTs). For each association, random-effects summary effect size, 95% confidence interval, and 95% prediction interval were estimated. We also assessed heterogeneity, evidence fo…
Vitamin D deficiency and leisure time activities in the elderly: are all pastimes the same?
2014
Background Optimal vitamin D status is important for overall health and well-being, particularly in the elderly. Although vitamin D synthesis in the skin declines with age, exposure to sunlight still seems to help older-aged adults to achieve adequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels. Elderly people would therefore benefit from outdoor leisure activities, but the effects of different types of pastime on serum 25OHD levels have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Aims To assess the association of different pastimes with 25OHD deficiency in elderly subjects. Methods A sample of 2,349 community-dwelling elderly individuals (1,389 females and 960 males) enrolled in the Progetto Veneto An…
Orthostatic changes in blood pressure and mortality in the elderly: The Pro.V.A study
2015
BACKGROUND An extensive, albeit contrasting literature has suggested a possible role for orthostatic hypotension as a risk factor for cardiovascular (CVD) and non-CVD mortality, while no data are available for orthostatic hypertension. We investigated whether orthostatic changes in blood pressure (BP) were associated with any increased risk of all-cause, CVD or non-CVD mortality in a group of elderly people. METHODS Two thousand seven hundred and eighty six community-dwelling older participants were followed for 4.4 years. Participants were grouped according to whether they had a drop ≤20mm Hg in systolic, or ≤10mm Hg in diastolic BP (orthostatic hypotension), an increase in mean orthostati…
Effects of high-intensity circuit training, low-intensity circuit training and endurance training on blood pressure and lipoproteins in middle-aged o…
2013
Background The aim of this study was to determine the physiological effects of an high-intensity circuit training (HICT) on several cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy, overweight middle-aged subjects, and to compare the effects of HICT to traditional endurance training (ET) and low-intensity circuit training (LICT). Methods Fifty-eight participants (ages 61±3.3 yrs, BMI 29.8±0.9) were randomly assigned to one of the three exercise treatment groups: HICT, LICT and ET. The three groups exercised three times per week, 50 min per session for 12 weeks. Baseline and after intervention anthropometric characteristics: body weight (BW), fat mass (FM); blood pressure: diastolic (DBP) and …
Results of an Observational Cohort Study of Hyperuricemia as a Predictor of Poor Physical Performance in the Elderly
2017
Objective: Hyperuricemia is frequent in older people and associated with several medical conditions. The relationship between hyperuricemia and physical performance is limited. We aimed to investigate the association between hyperuricemia and physical performance over a 4.4-year followup in the elderly. Methods: A total of 1,904 community-dwelling older participants were followed for a mean of 4.4 years. Hyperuricemia at baseline was defined using serum uric acid concentrations ≥6 and ≥7 mg/dl for women and men, respectively. Objective physical performance tests measured included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4-meter gait speed, chair-stands time, leg extension and flexion,…
miRNome Profiling Detects miR-101-3p and miR-142-5p as Putative Blood Biomarkers of Frailty Syndrome
2022
Frailty is an aging-related pathology, defined as a state of increased vulnerability to stressors, leading to a limited capacity to meet homeostatic demands. Extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) were proposed as potential biomarkers of various disease conditions, including age-related pathologies. The primary objective of this study was to identify blood miRNAs that could serve as potential biomarkers and candidate mechanisms of frailty. Using the Fried index, we enrolled 22 robust and 19 frail subjects. Blood and urine samples were analysed for several biochemical parameters. We observed that sTNF-R was robustly upregulated in the frail group, indicating the presence of an inflammatory state. …
Multimorbidity increases the risk of dementia: a 15 year follow-up of the SHARE study.
2023
Abstract Aims the literature regarding the association between multimorbidity and dementia is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential association between multimorbidity at the baseline and the risk of future dementia in the SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) study, a large European research survey, with a follow-up of 15 years. Methods in this longitudinal study, multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more chronic medical conditions, among 14 self-reported at the baseline evaluation. Incident dementia was ascertained using self-reported information. Cox regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, was run and hazard ratios…
The relationship between different settings of medical service and incident frailty
2018
Background: Some studies have reported a potential association between usual source of health care and disability, but no one has explored the association with frailty, a state of early and potential reversible disability. We therefore aimed to explore the association between older persons' self-reported usual source of health care at baseline and the onset of frailty. Methods: Information regarding usual source of health care was captured through self-report and categorized as 1) private doctor's office, 2) public clinic, 3) Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or 4) hospital clinic/emergency department (ED). Frailty was defined using the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF) index as the…
Low Hemoglobin Levels and the Onset of Cognitive Impairment in Older People: The PRO.V.A. Study
2016
Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels are attracting interest as a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but with contrasting evidence emerging from the current literature. The aim of our work was to investigate the relationship between baseline serum Hb levels and the incidence of cognitive impairment in older people over a follow-up of 4.4 years. Our study considered a sample of 1227 elderly subjects cognitively intact at baseline, enrolled under the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) among 3099 screened subjects. For all participants, we measured serum Hb levels on blood samples; incident cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score <24 and confirmed by geriat…
Efficacy of conservative treatments for hand osteoarthritis
2020
Background: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is common, but the efficacy/safety of treatment interventions aimed to improve health outcomes in this population are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to map and grade the effect of interventions for health outcomes in hand OA. Methods: Umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using placebo/no intervention as control group. For outcomes with a p-value <0.05, the certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) assessment. Results: From 189 abstracts, 9 meta-analyses (24 outcomes) were included, with…
Hypovitaminosis D predicts the onset of orthostatic hypotension in older adults
2016
A number of small cross sectional studies have demonstrated that hypovitaminosis D (represented by low 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels) is associated with orthostatic hypotension (OH). We investigated if hypovitaminosis D is associated with the onset of OH in older adults over a follow-up of 4.4 years. 25OHD was categorized using sex-specific quartiles; OH was defined as a drop of ≤20 mm Hg in systolic or ≤10 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure <3 minutes of standing. Among 1308 elderly without OH at baseline, using an adjusted logistic regression analysis and taking those with higher baseline serum 25OHD as reference, there was a significant increase in the onset of OH in those with lo…
Association between dietary folate intake and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in healthy old women
2013
Abstract Objective High serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) seem to coincide with higher rates of some types of cancer and the risk of all-cause mortality in old people. Eating vegetables seems to reduce IGF-1 levels because they are rich in micronutrients such as vitamins. This study investigates the possible association between vitamin intake and IGF-1 levels in a representative group of healthy elderly women with Mediterranean dietary habits. Design This cross-sectional study included 124 healthy women with a mean age of 71.3 ± 4.2 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.37 ± 3.48 kg/m 2 attending a mild fitness program twice a week at public gyms in Padova. The mai…
Nutritional predictors of cognitive impairment severity in demented elderly patients: The key role of BMI
2012
Introduction: The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to assess nutritional status and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a validated tool for assessing cognitive status in elderly people. Nutritional and cognitive aspects are closely related in dementia. Objectives: To establish whether BMI predicts cognitive decline in demented patients and whether an "alarm" BMI cut-off exists for declining MMSE scores. Subjects and methods: 82 elderly demented patients underwent clinical, bio-chemical and functional assessment. Design: Transversal study. Results: The mean BMI was 26.08±4.48 kg/m 2 and the mean MMSE 18.68±5.38. Patients with BMI>25 kg/m2 had significantly lower MMSE scores…
Influenza vaccination reduces dementia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2021
Animal models have indicated that influenza vaccination may prevent or delay the onset of dementia. However, the epidemiological evidence in human beings is still limited. Given this background, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current state of the art of observational studies investigating the association between influenza vaccination and the risk of dementia. We searched Scopus and Pubmed/Medline until 24 September 2021 for studies investigating the risk of dementia by influenza vaccination status. After adjustment for potentially important confounding variables, data were reported as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among 273 articles …
What physical performance measures predict incident cognitive decline among intact older adults? A 4.4 year follow up study
2016
Reductions in physical performance, cognitive impairment (CI) and decline (CD), are common in older age, but few prospective cohort studies have considered the relationship between these domains. In this study we investigated whether reduced physical performance and low handgrip/lower limbs strength, could predict a higher incidence of CI/CD during a 4-year follow-up among a cohort of elderly individuals. From 3099 older community-dwelling individuals initially enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani (PRO.V.A.) study, 1249 participants without CI at the baseline were included (mean age 72.2 years, 59.5% females). Physical performance measures included the Short Physical Performance Battery …
Prophylactic or therapeutic doses of heparins for COVID-19 infection? A retrospective study
2020
Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global outbreak. COVID-19 patients seem to have relevant coagulative abnormalities, even if they are not typical of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) of the kind seen in septicaemia. Therefore, anticoagulant therapy with heparins is increasing in interest for a clinical approach to these patients, particularly if older. Studies comparing if prophylactic doses are more effective than therapeutic ones are still missing. Methods: Data were collected in the Geriatric Section of the Dolo Hospital, ULSS 3 “Serenissima”, Venice from 31st March to 01st May 2020. Heparins (calciparin, fondaparinux, enoxaparine) were divided into prophyla…
Low Hemoglobin Levels and Risk of Developing Depression in the Elderly: Results From the Prospective PRO.V.A. Study.
2016
OBJECTIVE Low hemoglobin negatively affects health in the elderly, but research about the association with risk for depression is limited. We investigated the association between baseline hemoglobin concentrations and incident depression in a cohort of nondepressed elderly individuals. METHODS As part of the Northern Italian Progetto Veneto Anziani (PRO.V.A.) study, randomly drawn, community-dwelling subjects aged ≥ 65 years underwent prospective clinical and laboratory assessments between October 1995 and December 2002. The association between baseline hemoglobin and depression was assessed with adjusted Cox regression analyses. Baseline serum hemoglobin concentrations were further categor…
Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: A randomized control…
2014
Background: Magnesium deficiency is associated with poor physical performance, but no trials are available on how magnesium supplementation affects elderly people’s physical performance. Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether 12 wk of oral magnesium supplementation can improve physical performance in healthy elderly women. Design: In a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 139 healthy women (mean 6 SD age: 71.5 6 5.2 y) attending a mild fitness program were randomly allocated to a treatment group (300 mg Mg/d; n = 62) or a control group (no placebo or intervention; n = 77) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence, and researchers were blinded to their …
Tophaceous gout in the elderly: A clinical case review
2012
Gout is the most common cause of arthritis in the elderly. Its incidence among older people has risen worldwide due to an increase in risk factors such as renal diseases, metabolic syndrome, and a diet rich in purines. In older age, tophaceous gout may affect different joints from its classical presentation, due to other concomitant musculoskeletal diseases, but specific data on its epidemiology and clinical aspects in the elderly are limited to a few case reports. The present review focuses on the distinctive aspects of tophaceous gout in the elderly, revisiting all our clinical cases seen from 1990 to December 2011. Our findings indicate that: tophaceous gout can affect several joints in …
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Osteoarthritis in Older People: The Progetto Veneto Anziani Study.
2015
Recent work has shown that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels are associated with the presence of osteoarthritis (OA), but these studies focused on radiographical changes of OA, investigated only one joint, and did not consider the association with OA-related pain. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between 25OHD levels and any presence of OA and pain in a cohort of older people. This study was part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A), a population-based cohort study in older people. In this cross-sectional work, we considered 2756 subjects (1102 males and 1654 females) with a mean age of 74.2 ± 7.1 years. OA and OA-related pain were defined using a standardized al…
Factors Associated With Loneliness: An Umbrella Review Of Observational Studies.
2020
Background: Evidence provides inconsistent findings on risk factors and health outcomes associated with loneliness. The aim of this work was to grade the evidence on risk factors and health outcomes associated with loneliness, using an umbrella review approach. Methods: For each meta-analytic association, random-effects summary effect size, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), heterogeneity, evidence for small-study effect, excess significance bias and 95% prediction intervals were calculated, and used to grade significant evidence (p<0.05) from convincing to weak. For narrative systematic reviews, findings were reported descriptively. Results: From 210 studies initially evaluated, 14 publica…
Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for estimating limb lean mass in free-living Caucasian elderly people
2017
Background & aims Aging is characterized by a loss of limb lean mass (LLM) that can lead to physical disability and death. Regional bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may be a reliable method for estimating LLM, but no prediction equations are available for elderly Caucasian subjects. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a BIA-based equation for predicting LLM in healthy elderly Caucasians, taking dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 244 free-living healthy Caucasian subjects (117 men, 179 women) over 60 years of age were enrolled. LLM was measured with DXA (LLMDXA), and the resistance (Rz) and reactance (Xc) o…
Association Between Short Physical Performance Battery and Falls in Older People: The Progetto Veneto Anziani Study.
2014
It is known that weakness in the lower limbs is associated with recurrent falls in old people. Among the tests routinely used to assess lower extremity strength, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is one of those used most often, but its relationship with recurrent falls is poorly investigated. We aimed to determine if SPPB scores are related to recurrent falling in a sample of 2710 older-aged people, and to ascertain which test in the SPPB is most strongly associated with a higher rate of falls. In this cross-sectional study, we demonstrated that participants scoring 0-6 in the SPPB were more likely to be recurrent fallers than those scoring 10-12 (odds ratio [OR]=3.46, 95% conf…
Marital status and frailty in older people: Gender differences in the Progetto Veneto Anziani longitudinal study
2016
Objectives: Marital status has been associated with disability and mortality, but its potential role as a factor influencing frailty has yet to be thoroughly investigated. The analysis of gender-related differences in the relationship between marital status and frailty is another interesting matter that remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of our study was to examine the association between marital status and the incidence of frailty in a cohort of older men and women over a 4.4-year follow-up. Materials and Methods: A sample of 1887 subjects older than 65 years, enrolled under the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) and with no evidence of frailty at baseline, were grouped by marital sta…
Assessing appendicular skeletal muscle mass with bioelectrical impedance analysis in free-living Caucasian older adults
2015
Background & aims: Aging is characterized by a loss of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) leading to physical disability and death. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is reliable in estimating ASMM but no prediction equations are available for elderly Caucasian subjects. The aim of the study was to develop and validate an equation derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to predict appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) in healthy Caucasian elderly subjects, taking dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method, and comparing the reliability of the new equation with another BIA-based model developed by Kyle etal. (Kyle UG, Genton L, Hans D, Pichard C, 200…
Suicide risk in caregivers of people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2022
Abstract Background Interest in physical and mental health outcomes in caregivers of patients with dementia is increasing. However, there is limited data available on the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, and suicide rates among caregivers of those with dementia. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review these outcomes to address this gap in the literature and thus provide information to inform future policy and intervention for the benefit of caregivers of dementia patients. Methods We searched several databases from inception to the 10th November 2021, for studies investigating suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, and suicide rates of caregivers of patients with deme…
Dietary Protein Intake and Falls in Older People: Longitudinal Analyses From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.
2019
Objectives: Literature regarding dietary protein intake and risk of falls is limited to a few studies with relatively small sample sizes and short follow-ups, which have reported contrasting findings. Thus, we investigated whether dietary protein intake is associated with risk of falls in a large cohort of North American adults. Design: Data were drawn from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a cohort study, with 8 years of follow-up. Setting and participants: Community-dwelling adults with knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition. Methods: Dietary protein intake was recorded using the Block Brief 2000 food frequency questionnaire and categorized using gender-specific quartiles (Q)…
Poor Physical Performance Predicts Future Onset of Depression in Elderly People: Progetto Veneto Anziani Longitudinal Study.
2016
Abstract Background. Reduced physical performance is predictive of deleterious outcomes in older adults. Data considering objective physical performance and incident depression are sparse. Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate during a 4-year study whether objective physical performance can predict incident depression among older adults who do not have depression at the baseline. Design. This was a longitudinal study. Methods. From 3,099 older people initially enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani study, 970 participants without depression at the baseline were included (mean age = 72.5 years; 54.6% women). Physical performance measures included the Short Physical Perfo…
Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Incident Depression in the Elderly: The Pro.V.A. Study
2015
Objective: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) appears to have a protective effect against depression, but contrasting findings are available. Therefore, we investigated whether high serum DHEAS levels were associated with any protective effect on incident depression and incident severe depression in a representative group of elderly men and women. Methods: In a population-based cohort longitudinal study in the general community, 789 older participants without depression and cognitive impairment at the baseline were included, among 3,099 screened subjects. Serum DHEAS levels were determined based on blood samples; incident depression and severe depression were diagnosed by means of the G…
Effect of weight loss on mortality in overweight and obese nursing home residents during a 5-year follow-up.
2015
Background/Objectives:The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of weight loss over the course of 1 year on 5-year mortality in old nursing home (NH) residents in different classes of body mass index (BMI).Subjects/Methods:A longitudinal study was conducted on 161 NH residents aged ≥70 years at the Istituto di Riposo per Anziani, Padova, Italy. Data were collected using a comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up visit. Mortality was recorded over a 5-year follow-up. We divided our sample into four groups using as cutoffs a BMI of 25 and a weight gain or loss of 5% at 1 year (BMI ≥25 and weight stable/gain, BMI ≥25 and weight loss, BMI<25 and …
Effect of Oral Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation on Physical Performance in Healthy Old Women Over 65 Years: An Open Label Rando…
2015
Although older people are particularly liable to sarcopenia, limited research is available on beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in this population, particularly in healthy subjects. In this parallel-group, randomized, controlled, open-label trial, we aimed to evaluate whether an oral supplement containing 1.5 g of calcium HMB for 8 weeks could improve physical performance and muscle strength parameters in a group of community-dwelling healthy older women. Eighty healthy women attending a twice-weekly mild fitness program were divided into two equal groups of 40, and 32 of the treated women and 33 control completed the study. We considered a change in the Short Physical …
Low-dose vitamin D supplementation and incident frailty in older people: An eight year longitudinal study.
2018
Hypovitaminosis D is associated with frailty, but if vitamin D supplementation may prevent the onset of frailty is poorly known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is associated with a lower risk of frailty. In this longitudinal study, 4,421 individuals at high risk or having knee osteoarthritis free from frailty at baseline (mean age: 61.3, females = 58.0%) were followed for 8 years. Details regarding vitamin D supplementation were captured by asking whether the participant took vitamin D during the previous year, at least once per month. Frailty was defined using the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF) index as the presence of at least two of the followi…
Effects of 6 Weeks of Traditional Resistance Training or High Intensity Interval Resistance Training on Body Composition, Aerobic Power and Strength …
2020
Consistent practice of physical activity has well known positive effects on general health
Are the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Vitamins Appropriate for Elderly People?
2015
Background: An adequate vitamin intake is essential for a good nutritional status, especially in older women, who are more sensitive to nutritional deficiencies. The American, European and Italian Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) derive mainly from studies on adults, and it is not clear whether they also apply to elderly people. Comparing the RDAs with the actual vitamin intake of a group of healthy older women could help to clarify the real needs of elderly people. Objective: Our aim was to compare the American, European, and Italian RDAs with the actual vitamin intake of a group of healthy older women. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants: The study included 286 hea…
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the incidence of peripheral artery disease in the elderly: The Pro.V.A study
2015
Aim: This study was conducted to examine whether low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (250HD) are associated with a higher risk of incident peripheral artery disease (PAD) in a representative group of elderly people. Methods: We followed 1568 community-dwelling elderly participants without PAD at the baseline among a sample of 2097 initially eligible over a mean of 4.4 years as part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) study. The baseline serum 250HD levels were categorized as <24, 25-49, 50-74, >75 nmol/L, and incident PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index below 0.9. Results: At the baseline, there were no differences in known risk factors for PAD (BMI), waist circumfere…
Nutritional and global indexes of progression in dementia: a 12-month prospective study.
2012
Background: To assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the progression of dementia. Methods: Sixty elderly outpatients with untreated dementia followed for 12 months. All patients underwent clinical, cognitive, functional, and nutritional assessment at the baseline and after 12 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups by baseline BMI (< or ≥25 kg/m2). Results: Participants with a baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had significantly higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (21 ± 5.1 vs 15.9 ± 5.5; P < .001), while clinical dementia rating (CDR) and multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) scores were similar in the 2 groups. After 12 months, the MMSE score decreased significan…
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Incidence of Diabetes in Elderly People: The PRO.V.A. Study
2014
Context: Increasing research has shown that low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (25OHD) predict the onset of diabetes, but no research is available on this issue in elderly people. Objective: Our objective was to examine whether low serum levels of 25OHD are associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes over a lengthy follow-up in a representative group of elderly people. Design and Setting: This was a population-based cohort study as part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) Study over a follow-up of 4.4 years in the general community. Participants: Participants included 2227 participants (1728 with follow-up visits and 499 died during the follow-up) over 65 years of ag…
The Potential Role of miRNAs in Cognitive Frailty.
2021
Frailty is an aging related condition, which has been defined as a state of enhanced vulnerability to stressors, leading to a limited capacity to meet homeostatic demands. Cognitive impairment is also frequent in older people, often accompanying frailty. Age is the main independent risk factor for both frailty and cognitive impairment, and compelling evidence suggests that similar age-associated mechanisms could underlie both clinical conditions. Accordingly, it has been suggested that frailty and cognitive impairment share common pathways, and some authors proposed “cognitive frailty” as a single complex phenotype. Nevertheless, so far, no clear common underlying pathways have been discove…
A case of hypocalcemia
2011
Hypocalcemia is a common disorder in the elderly, affecting 10% of the elderly population as a whole, 18% of those in hospital and 36% of those in long-term care [1, 2]. Many conditions can lead to hypocalcemia in adults young and old, e.g. primary hypoparathyroidism, chronic renal failure, gastrointestinal diseases (such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease), drugs (particularly diuretics, bisphosphonates and antiepileptics), acute pancreatitis and thyroid surgery. Rare causes of hypocalcemia include isolated vitamin 1.25(OH)D3 deficiency or vitamin 1.25(OH)D3 resistance. Another, often neglected cause of hypocalcemia relating to functional parathyroid deficiency is hypomagnesemia. Magnesi…
Pain increases the risk of developing frailty in older adults with osteoarthritis
2016
OBJECTIVE.: While osteoarthritis (OA)-related pain increases the risk of physical inactivity, disability, and falls, less is known about whether pain increases the risk of frailty. We investigated if people with OA reporting pain are more likely to develop frailty than people with OA without pain. DESIGN.: Population-based prospective cohort study with a follow-up of 4.4 years. SETTING.: Community. SUBJECTS.: The subjects were 1,775 older men and women with osteoarthritis, enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani. METHODS.: Pain was ascertained according to medical records, symptoms/signs, and use of analgesics. Participants were considered frail if they met three out of five criteria of Fri…
Drug Prescription and Delirium in Older Inpatients: Results From the Nationwide Multicenter Italian Delirium Day 2015-2016
2019
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between polypharmacy and delirium, the association of specific drug categories with delirium, and the differences in drug-delirium association between medical and surgical units and according to dementia diagnosis. Methods Data were collected during 2 waves of Delirium Day, a multicenter delirium prevalence study including patients (aged 65 years or older) admitted to acute and long-term care wards in Italy (2015-2016); in this study, only patients enrolled in acute hospital wards were selected (n = 4,133). Delirium was assessed according to score on the 4 "A's" Test. Prescriptions were classified by main drug categories; polypharmacy w…