Search results for "lcsh:Geriatrics"
showing 10 items of 70 documents
Are zinc-bound metallothionein isoforms (I+II and III) involved in impaired thymulin production and thymic involution during ageing?
2004
Abstract Background With advancing age, thymic efficiency shows progressive decline due to thymic involution allowing impaired cell-mediated immunity and the appearance of age-related diseases. The intrinsic cause of thymic involution is still undefined. Chronic inflammation and high glucocorticoids (GCs) may be involved. However, transgenic mice, with increased GC sensitivity and over expression of GC receptors, display delayed age-associated thymic involution. This fact suggests that other substances may affect thymic involution. Among them, both isoforms of metallothioneins (MTs) I+II and III are the major candidates because their increments leads to organ atrophy in constant stress and …
Is immunotherapy an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease?
2004
Abstract Immunotherapy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is rapidly becoming a hot topic of modern geriatric and clinical gerontology. Current views see immunization with Aβ peptide, the amyloidogenic protein found in senile plaque of AD patient's brains, or the infusion of preformed antibody specific for human Aβ, as possible therapeutic approaches to improve the cognitive status in the disease. Animal models of the disease have provided positive results from both approaches. Thus, an initial clinical trial using immunization with human Aβ in AD patients was started, but then shortly halted because of an unusually high incidence (6%) of meningoencephalitis. A long and currently ong…
CareACT - internet-based intervention for enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly caregivers – a study protocol of a controlled trial
2019
Abstract Background The rapid increase in the number of elderly family caregivers underlines the need for new support systems. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are a potential approach, as they are easy to access for family caregivers who are often homebound with their care recipient. This study examines the relative effectiveness of an internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention or a standardized institutional rehabilitation program, first, in reducing depressive symptoms, and second, in improving the well-being and quality of life of elderly family caregivers compared to a control group receiving support from voluntary family caregiver associations. M…
Predictive value of IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels in anastomotic leakage in elderly patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
2009
Methods The study group is yet represented by 33 patients: 17 males and 16 females (median age 76, range 70–89). The location of cancer was respectively: 5 (15, 15%) in the rectum, 15 (45, 45%) in the left colon, 11 (33, 33%) in the right colon, 1 (3, 3%) in the transverse colon, 1 (3, 3%) synchronous in the caecum and the sigmoid colon. The associated diseases observed were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease arterial vasculopathy.
Multidisciplinary Approach for a Relapsing Goiter with Severe Tracheal Stenosis: A Case Report in an Elderly Patient
2012
Summary Total thyroidectomy is considered the gold standard for thyroid benign pathology treatment. Unfortunately, many partial interventions carried out in the past created many complications due to the tendency of the goiter to relapse and the formation of adherences in the anterior region of the neck. A woman 72 years of age with a relapsing goiter and severe respiratory symptomatology underwent thyroidectomy. After thyroid removal, tracheal stenosis persisted, making the positioning of a T silicon prosthesis (Montgomery’s T-tube) necessary. After 60 days, the prosthesis was replaced with a new made out of the same material but with a larger diameter and a softer consistency, which was r…
Eight-point compass rose underlay technique in 72 consecutive elderly patients with large incisional hernia
2011
Summary Background Repair of incisional hernia (IH) in the elderly is a challenge for the surgeon. Primary closure is preferable but is not always possible because of high recurrence rates of IH repaired without a prosthesis and/or possible respiratory and cardiovascular complications due to extreme tension of the margins. We report our experience with underlay mesh placement in elderly patients with large IH. Methods A total of 72 patients from January 2003 to December 2009 underwent IH repair involving placement of an intraperitoneal Gore® DualMesh® prosthesis. The prosthesis was first anchored at eight points in a compass rose pattern using a Gore® suture passer and then firmly secured t…
Changes in health-related quality of life in elderly men after 12 weeks of strength training
2017
Background Muscular strength is associated with functional ability in elderly, and older adults are recommended to perform muscle-strengthening exercise. Understanding how improved muscle strength and -mass influence general and specific domains of quality of life is important when planning health promotion efforts targeting older adults. The aims of the present study were to describe changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older men participating in 12 weeks of systematic strength training, and to investigate whether improvements in muscle strength and muscle mass are associated with enhancements in HRQOL. Methods We recruited 49 men aged 60–81 years to participate in an inter…
The pathophysiology of aging bone jaw: primary and secondary prevention
2010
The skeleton is composed of approximately 200 bones, and it is the backbone of our body along with ligaments and joints. The bone is not a static but a dynamic structure, constantly reshuffling, that may suffer fractures due to trauma, despite their particular hardness and strength. Complex physiologic mechanisms, sometimes with the help of surgery, can lead to bone repairing. In the elderly, often, the skeletal system can be affected by osteoporosis, a "silent disease" that causes fragile bones especially of the vertebrae and femur; its contributing factors are menopause (in women), smoking, nutritional deficiencies, systemic diseases or prolonged use of drugs. The masticatory apparatus an…
Mortality Risk Assessment at the Admission in Patient With Proximal Femur Fractures: Electrolytes and Renal Function
2021
In patients over 65y.o. who were surgically treated for a hip fracture, electrolytes have not been specifically studied as predictors of mortality. The main purpose of this study was to assess whether electrolytes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages, evaluated at admission, could represent a pre-operative prognostic factor in this population. Moreover, the role of epidemiological and clinical parameters was analyzed with and without a surgical timing stratification. This retrospective study included 746 patients. For each patient, their age, gender, fracture classification, Hb value, comorbidities, ASA class, chronic kidney disease, creatinine levels, electrolytes and surgical timing w…
“Less invasive” surgery in the treatment of cutaneous chronic ulcers of the lower limb in elderly
2010
The role of treatment of vascular lesions of the legs is very important in the elderly. Pain, inability, bandages, periodicity of medications can seriously interfere with a good quality of life because of the lower compliance of geriatric patients to accept a surgical approach. To allow a new approach to vascular lesions the Authors propose a guideline in which the topic of “less invasive” surgery is underlined based on their pathophysiological causes. Patients affected with lesions of the legs are addressed to the Leg Ulcers Centre by general physicians and selected on the basis of age and comorbility to propose a therapeutical plan. General conditions, evaluation of lesions healing and of…