0000000000006196
AUTHOR
Egle Perissinotto
showing 41 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…
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…
Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels and Frailty in the Elderly: The Progetto Veneto Anziani Study
2016
High or low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels seem to be associated with several negative outcomes in the elderly, but the literature about TSH and frailty is still limited. In this article, we investigated whether TSH is associated with prevalent and incident frailty in a cohort of older community-dwelling subjects. Among 3099 initially screened in the Progetto Veneto Anziani Study, 2571 men and women aged ≥65 years (for cross-sectional analyses) and 1732 (longitudinal, mean follow-up period of 4.4 years) were divided into sex-specific quintiles according to baseline serum TSH concentrations within normal range (0.3 and 4.2 mUI/L). Frailty was defined as the presence of three among …
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. ±…
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 …
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…
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…
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d and the onset of late-life depressive mood in older men and women: the Pro.V.A. study.
2014
Depression is a debilitating chronic condition, and its diagnosis and treatment in elderly people are often challenging. Because depressive mood seems to follow a seasonal pattern, peaking in summer and winter (1), it has recently been suggested that, through its action on the hypothalamus (which is involved in mood regulation), vitamin D might account for the link between seasonal changes in photoperiod and seasonal mood swings (2). Acting as a neurosteroid hormone, vitamin D may regulate human and animal neurotransmission, neuroprotection, and neuroimmunomodulation (3), and nuclear vitamin D receptors have been located in the human cortex and hippocampus (4). Although an association betwe…
Osmophobia as an early marker of migraine: a follow-up study in juvenile patients.
2012
Background: Osmophobia is frequent in children with migraine (20–35%) but can also occur in up to 14% of cases with tension-type headache (TTH). So far, the prognostic role of this symptom in children with primary headaches has never been evaluated. Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was conducted on 90 young patients with TTH (37 with osmophobia, 53 without osmophobia). We evaluated whether osmophobia could predict the diagnosis transformation from TTH to migraine after a 3-year follow-up. Results and Discussion: In our cases the rate of diagnosis change was significantly greater in cases with osmophobia (62%) than in those without (23%). Osmophobia persisted at a 3-year follow-up …
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Orthostatic Changes in Blood Pressure and Cognitive Status in the Elderly: The Progetto Veneto Anziani Study.
2016
We studied a cohort of 1408 older subjects to explore whether postural changes in blood pressure (BP; defined as orthostatic hypo- or hypertension) can predict the onset of cognitive deterioration. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a drop of 20 mm Hg in systolic or 10 mm Hg in diastolic BP and orthostatic hypertension as a rise of 20 mm Hg in systolic BP. Orthostatic BP values were grouped into quintiles for secondary analyses. Two cognitive assessments were considered: (1) cognitive impairment, that is, Mini-Mental State Examination scores ≤24/30, and (2) cognitive decline (CD), that is, a 3-point decrease in Mini-Mental State Examination score from the baseline to the follow-up. At t…
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 …
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…
Changes in Frailty Status and Risk of Depression: Results From the Progetto Veneto Anziani Longitudinal Study.
2017
Objective To evaluate whether prefrailty was associated with the risk of developing depression and if longitudinal changes in frailty status corresponded to changes in incident depression during follow up. Methods A population-based, prospective cohort study was conducted for 4.4 years in two separate geographic areas near the city of Padua in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy. In 891 nondepressed, nonfrail, community-dwelling Italian subjects aged ≥ 65 (46.6% men) belonging to the Progetto Veneto Anziani study, depression was defined according to the Geriatric Depression Scale and was confirmed by geriatricians skilled in psychogeriatric medicine. Prefrailty was defined by the presence o…
Survey on treatments for primary headaches in 13 specialized juvenile Headache Centers: The first multicenter Italian study
2017
Abstract Aim The purpose of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the use and the self-perceived efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in children and adolescents with primary headaches. Methods Study of a cohort of children and adolescents diagnosed with primary headache, consecutively referred to 13 juvenile Italian Headache Centers. An ad hoc questionnaire was used for clinical data collection. Results Among 706 patients with primary headaches included in the study, 637 cases with a single type of headache (migraine 76% – with and without aura in 10% and 67% respectively; tension-type headache 24%) were selected (mean age at clinic…
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 …
High serum uric acid levels increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in elderly women: The PRO.V.A study
2015
Background and aims: Serum uric acid (SUA) is the end-product of purine metabolism in humans, and its levels often increase in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Despite several studies demonstrating a relationship between increased SUA levels and the prevalence of MetS, prospective data on SUA as a predictor of the incidence of MetS in the elderly are limited. Our aim was to conduct a prospective study on the association between SUA concentrations and the onset of MetS in an elderly Italian cohort. Methods and results: This is a cohort study (Progetto Veneto Anziani Pro.V.A.) involving community-dwelling subjects aged ≥65 years and followed up for a mean 4.4 years. We included 1128 p…
Hyperuricemia, cardiovascular profile, and comorbidity in older men and women: The Pro.V.A. Study
2017
Hyperuricemia (HU) is growing worldwide and associates with several medical conditions in the elderly. However, data about older people and possible gender differences are sparse. The aim of this study was to compare HU prevalence rates and association with relevant medical disorders in elderly subjects of both sexes. Pro.V.A. is a survey of 3099 individuals aged 65+, focusing on chronic diseases and disability. Uric acid (UA) levels were dichotomized using 6.0 mg/dL (females) and 7.0 mg/dL (males), and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) between HU and single comorbidity. HU prevalence was 21.5% in females and 15.8% in males. HU was associated wi…
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…
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…
Factors Influencing Transitions Between Frailty States in Elderly Adults: The Progetto Veneto Anziani Longitudinal Study.
2017
Objectives: To investigate frailty state transitions in a cohort of older Italian adults to identify factors exacerbating or improving frailty conditions. Design: Population-based longitudinal study with mean follow-up of 4.4 years. Setting: Community. Participants: Individuals enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) (N = 2,925; n = 1,179 male, n = 1,746 female; mean age 74.4 ± 7.3). Measurements: Frailty was identified at baseline and follow-up based on the presence of at least three Fried criteria; prefrailty was defined as the presence of one or two Fried criteria. Anthropometric, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline in a personal interview and…
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…
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 …
Preventive effect of risedronate on bone loss and frailty fractures in elderly women treated with anastrozole for early breast cancer.
2011
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adjuvant anastrozole, alone or associated with risedronate, on BMD and bone fracture risk in women more than 70 years old with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer (EBC). In a group of 51 elderly women (aged 76.4 ± 5.0 years) considered for adjuvant aromatase inhibitors for EBC, 24 patients with T-scores ≥ -2 and no prevalent fractures received anastrozole 1 mg/day (group A), and 27 patients with T-scores < -2, or with T-scores ≥ -2 and prevalent fractures (group B), received anastrozole (1 mg/day) plus risedronate (35 mg/week). Both groups received supplementation with 1 g calcium carbonate and 800 IU vitamin D per day. Differen…
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…
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…
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…
Pre-Frailty and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly Men and Women The Pro.V.A. Study
2015
Background Frailty is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the impact of early, potentially reversible stages of frailty on CVD risk is unknown. Objectives This study sought to ascertain whether pre-frailty can predict the onset of CVD in a cohort of community-dwelling, not disabled, elderly people. Methods A sample of 1,567 participants age 65 to 96 years without frailty or disability at baseline was followed for 4.4 years. Pre-frailty was defined as the presence of 1 or 2 modified Fried criteria (unintentional weight loss, low physical activity level, weakness, exhaustion, and slow gait speed), and incident CVD as onset of coronary artery diseases, heart failure,…