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Biomedical subjects

Carl F Pieper

Publications and source records attributed to Carl F Pieper.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Effects of cancer history and comorbid conditions on mortality and healthcare use among older cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Older cancer survivors use healthcare services to an increased extent relative to their counterparts who have no history of malignant disease. In the current study, the authors set out to assess the effects of cancer history and comorbid conditions on healthcare use and mortality. METHODS: Using information from the 1992 North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly database, study participants were classified as having no history of malignant disease or as having a recent (cancer diagnosed < 1 year earlier), intermediate (cancer diagnosed 1-6 years earlier), or remote (cancer diagnosed > 6 years earlier) history of malignancy. Overall, 15 different comorbid conditions were ascertained. Logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, tobacco and alcohol use, and functional measures were used to determine the risk of emergency room, hospital, and nursing home (NH) admission in 1992 and also in 1996 according to history of malignancy and presence of comorbid conditions. Using data from the National Death Registry, a similar controlled analysis of 7-year mortality also was performed. RESULTS: There were 2567 participants in the current study (mean age, 79 years; range, 71-102 years); 69% of all participants were women, 55% were African American, and 14% reported having a history of malignancy. Participants with a history of malignancy had an average of 3 comorbid conditions, and differences across groups in terms of cardiovascular and lung disease incidence were noted. Controlled analyses revealed that recent cancer history (odds ratio [OR], 15.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0-34.2) and intermediate cancer history (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.3) were associated with same-year hospital admission. In addition, having a recent history of malignancy in 1992 was found to be correlated with NH admission 4 years later (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-9.1). History of malignancy was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer history had limited influence on healthcare use and mortality. Efforts aimed at improving health-related outcomes in older cancer survivors should continue to focus on attenuating the impact of comorbid conditions.

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PubMed2004

Physical function and associations with diet and exercise: Results of a cross-sectional survey among elders with breast or prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Functional decline threatens independent living and is common among individuals diagnosed with cancer, especially those who are elderly. The purpose of this study was to explore whether dietary and exercise practices are associated with physical function status among older cancer survivors. METHODS: Mailed surveys were used to ascertain data on physical function, dietary fat, fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, and exercise among elderly diagnosed with early stage (I-II) breast (N = 286) or prostate cancer (N = 402) within the past 18 months. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of respondents reported diets with <30% of energy from fat, 20.4% reported F&V intakes of 5+ daily servings, and 44.6% reported regular vigorous exercise. Significant, independent associations were found between physical functioning and reported dietary fat intake, F&V consumption, and exercise. A simultaneous multiple regression model controlled for age, race, gender, time since diagnosis and concurrent health behaviors yielded the following estimates: (1) 0.2 increase in the SF-36 physical function subscale (PFS) score with each reported 1% decrease in percent energy from fat (p < .0001); (2) 0.9 increase in the SF-36 PFS score for each reported serving of F&V/day (p = .0049); and (3) 15.4 increase in the SF-36 PFS score with a positive response for regular vigorous exercise (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this cross-sectional survey suggest that regular vigorous exercise and consumption of diets low in fat and rich in F&Vs are associated with higher levels of physical functioning among older cancer survivors. Interventions that promote healthful lifestyle change may deliver considerable benefit within this ever increasing and vulnerable population.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Effects of geriatric evaluation and management on adverse drug reactions and suboptimal prescribing in the frail elderly.

PURPOSE: To determine if inpatient or outpatient geriatric evaluation and management, as compared with usual care, reduces adverse drug reactions and suboptimal prescribing in frail elderly patients. METHODS: The study employed a randomized 2 x 2 factorial controlled design. Subjects were patients in 11 Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals who were > or =65 years old and met criteria for frailty (n = 834). Inpatient geriatric unit and outpatient geriatric clinic teams evaluated and managed patients according to published guidelines and VA standards. Patients were followed for 12 months. Blinded physician-pharmacist pairs rated adverse drug reactions for causality (using Naranjo's algorithm) and seriousness. Suboptimal prescribing measures included unnecessary and inappropriate drug use (Medication Appropriateness Index), inappropriate drug use (Beers criteria), and underuse. RESULTS: For serious adverse drug reactions, there were no inpatient geriatric unit effects during the inpatient or outpatient follow-up periods. Outpatient geriatric clinic care resulted in a 35% reduction in the risk of a serious adverse drug reaction compared with usual care (adjusted relative risk = 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.93). Inpatient geriatric unit care reduced unnecessary and inappropriate drug use and underuse significantly during the inpatient period (P <0.05). Outpatient geriatric clinic care reduced the number of conditions with omitted drugs significantly during the outpatient period (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with usual care, outpatient geriatric evaluation and management reduces serious adverse drug reactions, and inpatient and outpatient geriatric evaluation and management reduces suboptimal prescribing, in frail elderly patients.

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PubMed2004

Hypertonic hyperglycemia progresses to diabetes faster than normotonic hyperglycemia.

To explore whether elevated plasma glucose might progress to diabetes via a mechanism that involves plasma hypertonicity, we evaluated the independent and joint effects of these variables on diabetes risk. Community-dwelling older adults (70+years), who reported no previous diagnosis of diabetes and had glucose levels below 200 mg/dl in the 1992 Duke EPESE survey, were re-interviewed in 1996 for diabetes status (n = 979). Plasma tonicity at baseline was estimated from serum glucose, sodium, and potassium measures. In logistic regression models that controlled for glucose, as well as age, sex, race, weight status, activity level, serum creatinine, history of heart disease, stroke and cancer, plasma hypertonicity (> or = 300 mOsm/l) was independently associated with increased odds of developing diabetes (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 0.9-4.2). Hypertonicity magnified the effects of elevated glucose (> or = 125 mg/dl), such that individuals with both exposures were over four times more likely to develop diabetes than those with elevated glucose only (OR = 4.9, 95%CI: 1.7-14.3), adjusting for all covariates. When tonicity was replaced by its determinant variables, glucose, sodium and potassium, in the multivariable models, independent effects of sodium were also observed. Further work is needed to pursue plasma hypertonicity as a factor in the progression of elevated plasma glucose to diabetes.

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PubMed2004

Results of a randomized controlled trial of intervention to implement smoking guidelines in Veterans Affairs medical centers: increased use of medications without cessation benefit.

BACKGROUND: The AHRQ Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence recommends screening and treatment of all tobacco users. Effective methods to implement recommendations are needed because simple guideline dissemination does not necessarily result in changes in practice. OBJECTIVES: The Guideline Implementation for Tobacco (GIFT) study tested an organizational intervention to improve Guideline implementation. RESEARCH DESIGN: GIFT randomized 20 Veterans Affairs medical centers to intervention or control conditions. We trained prime movers at each site to improve identification of smoking status, promote primary care interventions and increase availability of smoking cessation medications. Sites and patients were evaluated before and after intervention. SUBJECTS: GIFT included 20 Veterans Affairs medical centers and 5678 subjects. MEASURES: Data regarding smoking status, delivery of treatment, medication use, and smoking cessation were collected from participant surveys, medical record review, survey of site leaders, and Pharmacy Benefits Management. RESULTS: The intervention did not increase participant report of being asked about smoking status or receipt of counseling. It did increase the rate of identification of smoking status in the medical record (P = 0.0001) but did not increase the rate of counseling to stop smoking. Site level data showed no increase in the number of patients receiving smoking cessation medications or dollars spent on medications. Individual smoker data showed a significant increase in the use of medications for smoking cessation in intervention sites (odds ratio = 6.89, P < 0.0001); however, only a small minority of smokers received medication even after the intervention. There was no difference in smoking cessation rates between participants at the intervention and treatment sites. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that improvements in smoking cessation rates are likely to require more intensive intervention in this population.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2004

Plasma hypertonicity: another marker of frailty?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether plasma hypertonicity might be a marker of early frailty, this study tested the associations between plasma hypertonicity, incident disability, and mortality in nondisabled older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal, observational study. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults (> or =70), who reported no disability and gave blood in the 1992 Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly survey (n=705), were re-interviewed in 1996 for functional status (n=561) and followed for all deaths up to January 1, 2000. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma tonicity was estimated from plasma glucose, sodium, and potassium measures and used to classify subjects as normo- (285-294 mOsm/L) or hypertonic (> or =300 mOsm/L). Disability was defined as any impairment on the Rosow-Breslau, activity of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) scales. The relative risk (RR) of any new disability and relative hazard of death associated with hypertonicity were estimated using logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. All models were controlled for age, sex, race, weight status, current smoking, activity level, plasma blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, cognitive impairment, depression, and chronic disease status. To determine whether observed effects were attributable to plasma glucose alone, all models were repeated on a subsample of nondiabetic, normoglycemic subjects. RESULTS: Plasma hypertonicity (observed in 15% of subjects) was associated with increased risk of new Rosow-Breslau (RR=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-3.6), IADL (RR=2.3, 95% CI=1.2-4.3), and ADL (RR=2.7 95% CI=1.3-5.6) disability by 1996 and mortality by 2000 (RR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0-1.9). Results were similar for the normoglycemic subgroup (ADL: RR=2.9, 95% CI=1.0-8.0; IADL: RR=2.5, 95% CI=1.0-6.3; Rosow-Breslau: RR=1.8, 95% CI=0.8-3.9; mortality: RR=1.5, 95% CI=0.9-2.3). CONCLUSION: Plasma hypertonicity may be a marker of early frailty. It was prevalent in this sample of nondisabled community-dwelling older adults and predicted incident disability and mortality. Further research to identify its determinants and consequences may help inform interventions against frailty.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Group treatment improves trunk strength and psychological status in older women with vertebral fractures: results of a randomized, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether group exercise and coping classes reduce physical and psychological impairments and functional disability in older women with prevalent vertebral fractures (VFs). DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial (modified cross-over) with site as unit of assignment; testing at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. SETTING: Nine North Carolina retirement communities. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty-five postmenopausal Caucasian women (mean age 81), each with at least one VFs. INTERVENTION: The intervention group had 6 months of exercise (3 meetings weekly, 45 minutes each) and coping classes (2 meetings weekly, 45 minutes each) in Phase 1, followed by 6 months of self-maintenance. The control group had 6 months of health education control intervention (1 meeting weekly, 45 minutes) in Phase 1, followed by the intervention described above. MEASUREMENTS: Change in trunk extension strength, change in pain with activities, and change in psychological symptoms. RESULTS: Between-group differences in the change in trunk extension strength (10.68 foot pounds, P<.001) and psychological symptoms (-0.08, P=.011) were significant for Phase 1. Changes in pain with activities did not differ between groups (-0.03, P=.64); there was no change in the pain endpoint. In Phase 2, controls showed significant changes in trunk strength (15.02 foot pounds, P<.001) and psychological symptoms (-0.11, P=.006) from baseline. Change in pain with activities was not significant (-0.03, P=.70). During self-maintenance, the intervention group did not worsen in psychological symptoms, but improved trunk extension strength was not maintained. CONCLUSION: Weak trunk extension strength and psychological symptoms associated with VFs can be improved in older women using group treatment, and psychological improvements are retained for at least 6 months.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

The HORIZON Recurrent Fracture Trial: design of a clinical trial in the prevention of subsequent fractures after low trauma hip fracture repair.

OBJECTIVE: To present the novel design of a trial testing the safety and efficacy of a yearly bisphosponate, zoledronic acid, in preventing new clinical fractures in patients with recent low trauma hip fracture repair. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind study. One hundred and fifteen clinical centers worldwide are recruiting approximately 1714 subjects aged 50 years and over (no upper age limit, median age of enrolled subjects to date 79 years) who have undergone surgical repair of a low trauma hip fracture in the preceding 90 days. Patients will be assigned at random to an intervention group (5 mg zoledronic acid intravenously yearly) or a control group (placebo infusion yearly). Both groups receive a loading dose of Vitamin D2 or D3 IM or orally, followed by 800-1200 IU Vitamin D and 1000-1500 mg elemental calcium orally on a daily basis. Concomitant therapy with calcitonin, hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators, tibolone, and external hip protectors are allowed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint is subsequent skeletal fractures as adjudicated by a clinical endpoints committee blinded to intervention status. Secondary outcomes include delayed hip fracture healing, changes in bone mineral density, and health resource utilization. Subjects will be recruited over a 3-4 year period and will be followed until 211 primary endpoints are accrued and adjudicated. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized clinical trial is novel among osteoporosis therapies as it (1). targets hip fracture patients, a previously understudied group, and (2). uses only clinically evident fractures as the primary outcome. Ethical and practical considerations in studying this frail population are discussed.

Bone Density↗
PubMed2004

Inappropriate medication use among frail elderly inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate prescribing in frail elderly inpatients has not received as much investigation as in frail elderly nursing home patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate prescribing for hospitalized frail elderly patients. METHODS: The study was conducted at 11 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and involved a sample of 397 frail elderly inpatients. Inappropriate prescribing was measured by physician-pharmacist pair's consensus ratings for 10 criteria on the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). The MAI ratings generated a weighted score of 0-18 per medication (higher score = more inappropriate) and were summed across medications to achieve a patient score. RESULTS: Overall, 365 (91.9%) patients had > or =1 medications with > or =1 MAI criteria rated as inappropriate. The most common problems involved expensive drugs (70.0%), impractical directions (55.2%), and incorrect dosages (50.9%). The most common drug classes with appropriateness problems were gastric (50.6%), cardiovascular (47.6%), and central nervous system (23.9%). The mean +/- SD MAI score per person was 8.9 +/- 7.6. Stepwise ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed that both the number of prescription (adjusted OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.36) and nonprescription drugs (adjusted OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.29) were related to higher MAI scores. Analyses excluding the number of drugs revealed that the Charlson index (adjusted OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.35) and fair/poor self-rated health (adjusted OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26) were related to higher MAI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate drug prescribing is common for frail elderly veteran inpatients and is related to polypharmacy and specific health status characteristics.

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PubMed2004

Consensus factors used by experts in the diagnosis of decompression illness.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of decompression illness (DCI) is entirely based on clinical findings and DCI experts are rare. Of all the chambers reporting to Diver's Alert Network (DAN), 86% see less than 10 cases per year. Simulated diving injury cases (vignettes) were used to identify diagnostic factors important to 11 international experts attending the 2003 Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society symposium on DCI diagnosis. METHODS: There were 200 vignettes evaluated for the probability of DCS and/or arterial gas embolism (AGE). Vignettes were constructed from 141 factors that modeled information from DAN's emergency call system. Factor probability mirrored DAN's 2001 Report on Decompression Illness and Diving Fatalities. Factors included: diver characteristics, exposure characteristics, signs, symptoms, treatment, and response. Multiple linear regression with stepwise elimination identified and ordered the significant factors in terms of their importance to the experts. Results were confirmed with logistic regression. RESULTS: For DCS, the top five factors in order of importance were: 1) a neurological symptom as the primary presenting symptom; 2) onset time of symptoms; 3) joint pain as a presenting symptom; 4) any relief after recompression treatment; and 5) the maximum depth of the last dive. For AGE, the top five factors were: 1) onset time of symptoms; 2) altered consciousness; 3) any neurological symptoms as a presenting symptom; 4) motor weakness; and 5) seizure as the primary presenting symptom. Age, gender, or physical characteristics were not statistically important. CONCLUSIONS: The vignette concept may be useful in the development of consensus standards for DCI diagnosis.

Decompression Sickness↗
PubMed2003

Coagulation and activation of inflammatory pathways in the development of functional decline and mortality in the elderly.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the effects of markers of inflammation (interleukin 6) and coagulation (D-dimer) on mortality and functional status in older persons. METHODS: Subjects were selected for the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. In 1992, 2569 subjects (age >71 years) were interviewed, of whom 1,723 had interleukin-6 and D-dimer measurements. Values of interleukin 6 and D-dimer were categorized into quartiles. Outcomes were mortality (through 5 years) and functional status (through 4 years). Relative risks were estimated with proportional hazards models that adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: The relative risk of mortality was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98 to 1.69; P = 0.06) for those with only interleukin-6 levels in the highest quartile, 1.53 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.97; P = 0.001) for subjects with only D-dimer levels in the highest quartile, and 2.00 (95% CI: 1.53 to 2.62; P = 0.0001) for those with levels of both in the highest quartile, as compared with those who were not in either of the highest quartiles. Those with high interleukin-6 and high D-dimer levels had the greatest declines in all measures of function. CONCLUSION: Activation of the coagulation and inflammatory pathways is associated with mortality and decline in function, and may be part of the explanation for the development of a frailty phenotype in the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

A three-factor analytic model of the MADRS in geriatric depression.

OBJECTIVE: Major depression is a heterogeneous disorder, perhaps comprising several clinical subtypes or subgroups of symptoms. This study examined whether items on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) form distinct symptom subgroups among geriatric depressive patients that might form the basis of new outcome measures for tracking treatment effects. METHOD: The study examined a sample of 225 adults age 59 and older diagnosed with major depression. Factor analysis with oblique rotation was used to analyze baseline MADRS item scores. RESULTS: Three distinct interpretable factors were obtained; all ten items loaded <0.60 on a domain. The first factor, dysphoric apathy/retardation, comprised five items: apparent sadness, reported sadness, lassitude, reduced concentration, and inability to feel. Psychic anxiety, the second factor, included three items: inner tension, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts. The third factor, vegetative symptoms, resulted from items involving sleep and appetite. CONCLUSIONS: The study produced three interpretable MADRS factors reflecting geriatric depression dimensions that may be useable to monitor focused treatment outcomes.

Affect↗
PubMed2003

Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet (Project LEAD): intervening to improve function among older breast and prostate cancer survivors.

The U.S. population is aging, bringing with it an increased prevalence of chronic disease and concomitant declines in physical function. The risk of developing cancer increases significantly with age, and functional decline is much more likely once a cancer diagnosis is rendered. Thus, functional status in later life is a key concern, one that is heightened among elders who have been diagnosed with cancer. To date, however, there have been few trials that have exclusively addressed issues related to cancer survivorship among older cancer patients, and to our knowledge, none has focused on preserving or enhancing physical functioning. This paper describes the study design and methodological considerations of a randomized controlled trial to determine if a personally tailored workbook and telephone counseling program can positively affect physical activity and dietary behaviors and ultimately the physical functioning of up to 420 older men and women newly diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. This trial is unique because the cancer diagnosis is used not only as a marker of risk for functional decline, but also as a "teachable moment" - an opportune time when elders may be more receptive to making beneficial lifestyle changes. Undoubtedly, as cure rates for cancer increase and intersect with ever-growing numbers of elderly, there will be numerous opportunities to provide and test interventions within this vulnerable population and to target functional status as a primary outcome. In reporting our methods, we hope to give others "a leg up," so that they can hurdle with greater ease the barriers we experienced, and thus advance the field more rapidly.

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PubMed2003

Adverse drug reaction risk factors in older outpatients.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in older (age >or=65 years) outpatients (prevalence, 5%-35%), but there is no consensus on factors that put these patients at high risk for ADRs. Identifying a uniform set of risk factors would be helpful to develop risk models for ADRs for older outpatients and to implement targeted interventions for those patients at high risk for ADRs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for ADRs in older outpatients through a survey of geriatric experts and to determine their prevalence. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to find published articles on ADRs in older patients. Forty-four potential risk factors were identified through the literature search and 6 additional factors were suggested by the expert panel. Through a modified 2-round survey, based on the Delphi consensus method, of an expert panel of 5 physicians and 5 pharmacists, the probability that each of these 50 potential factors could contribute independently to placing an older outpatient at high risk for an ADR was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. After the survey responses were received, means and 95% Cls were calculated. Consensus was defined as a lower 95% confidence limit >or=4.0. Potential risk factors that reached consensus were then applied to a sample of older outpatients to determine their prevalence. RESULTS: After 2 rounds, the expert panel reached consensus on 21 factors, including 12 medication-related factors and 9 patient characteristics. The most prevalent medication-related risk factors were opioid analgesics; warfarin; non-acetylsalicylic acid, non-cyclooxygenase-2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; anticholinergics; and benzodiazepines. The most prevalent patient characteristics included polypharmacy, multiple chronic medical problems, prior ADR, and dementia. CONCLUSIONS: An expert panel was able to reach a consensus on potential risk factors that increase the risk for ADRs in older outpatients. Many risk factors were common in a sample of older outpatients. Future research is needed to determine the predictive validity of these risk factors for ADRs in older outpatients.

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PubMed2003

Cross-linked fibrin degradation products (D-dimer), plasma cytokines, and cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly persons.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of coagulation and inflammatory pathway activation on future cognitive decline in older persons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rural and urban communities in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older people enrolled in the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly in 1986. MEASUREMENTS: In 1992, blood was drawn for assay of D-dimer (1,723 subjects), Interleukin-6 (1,726 subjects), and other cytokines (1,551 subjects). Cognitive and functional assessments were performed in 1986, 1989, 1992, and 1996. Cognition was measured using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. RESULTS: Cognitive decline over a 4-year period was significantly correlated (P<.001) with D-dimer, age, race, and physical performance status as measured using the Rosow-Breslau and Nagi instruments. After controlling for demographics, functional status, and comorbidities, D-dimer remained predictive of cognitive decline. Proinflammatory cytokines were not associated with current cognitive status in cross-sectional analyses or with incident cognitive decline in prospective analyses. CONCLUSION: In a large sample of community-dwelling elders, higher levels of D-dimer were predictive of cognitive decline over a 4-year period. No clinically significant associations were found between age-related peripheral cytokine dysregulation and cognition.

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PubMed2003

Function in elderly cancer survivors depends on comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with functional status in elderly cancer survivors, in particular, comorbidity, have been inadequately studied. METHODS: Of 4162 participants aged 65 and older enrolled in the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly study in 1986, 376 of the participants self-reported a diagnosis of cancer. Participants were divided into 2 comorbidity groups and 4 cancer groups. Cancer groups included 132 participants diagnosed 0-4 years ago, 117 diagnosed 5-15 years ago, 127 diagnosed >15 years ago, and 3784 participants who had never been diagnosed with cancer. Comorbidity (self-reported stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and myocardial infarction) was classified as presence of 1 or no comorbidities (n = 3089) or 2 or more comorbidities (n = 1073). Function was assessed by Katz Activities of Daily Living, Rosow-Breslau, Nagi, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales at the time of interview. RESULTS: In a two-way analysis of covariance model of comorbidity and cancer group controlling for age, race, sex, education, marital status, depression, and cognitive status, duration of cancer survivorship does not influence most measures of function. In the subset of 376 cancer survivors, comorbidity significantly correlates with the functional status of these older cancer survivors (<0.02, for all 4 measures of function). CONCLUSIONS: In the older cancer survivor, regardless of duration following diagnosis, the presence of comorbidity rather than the history of cancer per se correlates with impaired functional status.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Trajectories of leg strength and gait speed among sedentary older adults: longitudinal pattern of dose response.

BACKGROUND: Current theory about how an older adult's leg strength influences walking speed is based primarily on nonlinear patterns of association observed in cross-sectional data. Compared with adults with normal or high levels of leg muscle strength, weak older adults are thought to have a greater capacity for functional change in response to changes in lower extremity strength. Longitudinal data, however, have not been applied to study this putative pattern of dose response. METHODS: Three repeated measures of leg strength, gait speed, and covariates were evaluated in a cohort of 134 sedentary, community-dwelling male and female participants (aged >64 years) of a randomized exercise intervention. Empirical Bayes methods were used to evaluate the association between trajectories of strength and gait speed during the course of the study. RESULTS: We observed a potentially clinically important, positive linear association between strength change and gait speed change. Each additional unit increase in the monthly rate of strength change increased the rate of gait speed change by 0.29 meters/minute/month (95% CI [confidence interval] = 0.03, 0.55 m/min/mo). Absolute change in walking velocity due to strength changes in the cohort ranged from a gain of approximately 15 m/min to a loss of approximately 13 m/min over the 9-month period (changes of -18% to +20% relative to a normal walking speed of 72 m/min). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, change in functional walking speed depended more on the rate of strength change observed than on the amount of muscle weakness present at baseline. These results have important implications for screening and intervention programs designed to change functional walking ability among sedentary older adults.

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