Biomedical subjects

G R Andrews

Publications and source records attributed to G R Andrews.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Implications of policy and management decisions on access, quality, and type of services for the elderly in Australia.

There can be little argument that the need for a clearly articulated health care policy for the ageing is a legitimate concern. An optimum health system response will only evolve in a climate of clear definition of responsibilities, in concert with an effective policy-making mechanism. Within the health system there is likely to be a greater consensus concerning the elements of such a policy than would have been possible at any previous time. What is more likely to be debated is the question of what constitutes the legitimate boundaries of health as a concept to be applied to ageing populations and individuals. It is in our view essential that arguments about professional demarcation and alternative paradigms of ageing do not cloud the fundamental health and health care issues; these must be vigorously addressed if the otherwise inevitable burden of age-related illness and disability is to be effectively tackled.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Effect of the protein, citrate and phosphate content of milk on formation of lactulose during heat treatment.

Milk ultrafiltrate and milks of varying protein, citrate and phosphate concentrations were heated in sealed containers. Protein was found not to be involved in the mechanism of formation of lactulose, but increasing the protein content of milk reduced the concentration of lactulose after heating. This was considered to be due to increased condensation of lactose and lactulose with amino groups of the protein. Less lactulose was formed in milk ultrafiltrate than in skimmed milk accorded the same heat treatment, which was attributed to the buffering capacity of the milk protein in skimmed milk. Activation energies for lactulose formation in skimmed milk and in ultrafiltrate were 128 and 131 kJ/mol respectively. Citrate and phosphate catalysed the formation of lactulose. It is proposed that the formation of free lactulose in heated milk and ultrafiltrate proceeds exclusively by the Lobry de Bruyn-Alberda van Ekenstein transformation with the naturally occurring phosphate and citrate acting as base catalysts.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Ageing in Asia and the Pacific. A multidimensional cross-national study in four countries.

Although ageing is not yet a high priority issue for health planners, policy makers and clinicians in most developing countries, there will be a growing need in coming years to pay more attention to the important health issues associated with population ageing in the developing world. This paper reports some of the relevant findings of a cross-national study (sponsored by the World Health Organization) of the health and social aspects of ageing in four developing countries: Korea, the Philippines, Fiji and Malaysia. The key findings are compared and contrasted with those of a similar 11-country WHO study in Europe. In broad terms, the overall demographic, physical, mental health and social patterns and trends associated with ageing as demonstrated by age group and sex differences were consistent throughout the four countries studied. Comparisons with European findings in other similar studies underlined the fundamental universality of age-related changes in biophysical, behavioural and social characteristics. The importance of the family in developing countries was evident with about three-quarters of those aged 60 and over in the four countries living with children, often in extended family situations. Levels of adverse health-related behaviour and the prospect of changing patterns of morbidity with further increases in the total and proportional numbers of aged persons point to a need for emphasis on preventive health measures and programmes directed to the maintenance of the physical and mental health of the ageing population.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1987

Ageing in the developing countries of Asia and the Pacific--implications for health care.

While ageing is still clearly not a high priority issue for health planners, policy makers and clinicians in developing countries of Asia and the Pacific, there will be a growing need in coming years to pay more and more attention to the important health issues associated with population ageing in countries which make up this region of the world. This paper reports some of the relevant findings of a WHO sponsored cross national study of the health and social aspects of ageing in four of the countries, namely Korea, the Philippines, Fiji and Malaysia. The key findings are compared and contrasted with those of a similar WHO eleven country study in Europe. The paper argues that there is an urgent need to develop health care strategies which will minimise the impact of population ageing and will maintain the growing numbers of old people in relatively good physical and mental health through preventive measures and through programmes directed to the maintenance of physical and mental health.

Aged↗

PubMed1978

A study of religious attitudes of the elderly.

A study is reported of the religious beliefs, attitudes, and practice of old people in the West of Scotland, based on a questionnaire given to 501 people aged 65 years and over randomly selected from those living at home. Almost all had had a full range of religious instruction, and regarded their parents as religious. Weekly church attendance was commoner among Catholics (70%) than Protestants (40%), among women than men, among those whose beliefs were those of organized religion, and among those with unrestricted mobility. The pattern of participation in church organizations and social activities was similar. A firm belief in an after-life was expressed by 80% of Catholics and 60% of Protestants, and higher proportions derived comfort from religion, especially in bereavement. Over 70% expressed no fear of their own death. In this elderly population, religious beliefs and attitudes remain important considerations, which should therefore be of concern to all those involved in the care of the elderly.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

Ischaemic heart disease in the elderly.

Studies were made for evidence of heart disease on 501 people aged 65 and more living at home; 22-4 per cent had clinical and/or electrocardiographic evidence of ischaemic heart disease. The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease increased with age, and was slightly greater in men than women. The frequency of ischaemic heart disease increased with increasing current cigarette consumption and with total cigarette consumption. There was no increase in relation to any of the following possible risk factors: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, serum cholesterol, skinfold thickness, percentage of ideal body weight. The survival over a 5-year period of all subjects with ischaemic heart disease did not differ significantly from that of all subjects together, but the mortality of subjects with ischaemic heart disease and an abnormal electrocardiogram was 1-5 to 2 times that of subjects in whom ischaemic heart disease was diagnosed on the basis of angina pectoris or past cardiac infarction, the electrocardiogram being normal.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Neurological disorders in the elderly at home.

Eight hundred and eight subjects participated in three surveys of random samples of people aged 65 years or more living in their own homes. Neurological history and examination showed the prevalence of completed stroke to be 73 per 1000. Eighty-seven subjects per 1000 gave a history of transient cerebral ischaemic attacks. These prevalence rates were unaffected by age or sex. Senile dementia was diagnosed in 24 subjects per 1000 under 75 years and 109 per 1000 over that age. The prevalence of dementia of all types was 43 per 1000 under, and 140 per 1000, over 75 years of age. Parkinsonism was diagnosed in 16 subjects per 1000, and essential tremor in 17 per 1000. The prevalence of epilepsy was four subject per 1000. Other neurological disorders were diagnosed in 36 subjects, and a similar number had neurological abnormalities to which a definite diagnosis could not be given.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1975

Skinfold thickness on the dorsum of the hand in the elderly.

The skinfold thickness on the dorsum of the right hand over the second metacarpal was measured with Harpenden calipers in 276 women and 152 men aged 65 and over living at home. Mean values were higher in men than women and declined with age in both sexes. Skinfold thickness was related to body size, as estimated from lean body mass, but was unrelated to the presence of osteoporosis as assessed from bone mass of the second metacarpal or the presence of vertebral fractures. The skinfold thickness was low in those subjects who had senile purpura and also in a small group of subjects on long-term steroid therapy.

Aged↗

PubMed1973