PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Yichayaou Beloosesky

Publications and source records attributed to Yichayaou Beloosesky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Seasonal changes in orthostatic hypotension among elderly admitted patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. It has been shown that blood pressure (BP) is lower in summer than in winter. The aim of this study was to examine whether OH varies between seasons in the elderly population. METHODS: Five hundred and two inpatients (241 males, 261 females) of mean age 81.6 years were included in the study; 253 were studied in summer and 166 in winter. Orthostatic tests were performed 3 times daily, 30 minutes after meals. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decrease of at least 20 mmHg in systolic BP and/or 10 mmHg in diastolic BP upon assuming an upright posture at least twice during the day. RESULTS: OH was documented in 107 patients (34.8%). Initial BP did not differ between seasons (147.6 +/- 24.6 / 72.6 +/- 14.5 mmHg in summer, 146.7 +/- 23.4 / 71.5 +/- 13.4 mmHg in winter). However, the orthostatic drop in BP in the morning was greater in summer (-8.4 / -2.8 mmHg vs -4.3 / +0.2 mmHg in winter; p < 0.05). OH was also more prevalent in summer than in winter (37.9 vs 27.1%; p = 0.02). After adjustment for all confounders, the risk of experiencing OH in summer was 64% higher than in winter [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.64 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.03-2.61]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OH is higher in summer than winter. Thus, more attention should be paid to the diagnosis of OH in summer.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Influence of orthostatic hypotension on mortality among patients discharged from an acute geriatric ward.

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. The impact of OH on mortality is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term effect of OH on total and cardiovascular mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 471 inpatients (227 males and 244 females), with a mean age of 81.5 years who were hospitalized in an acute geriatric ward between the years 1999 and 2000 were included in the study. Orthostatic tests were performed 3 times during the day on all patients near the time of discharge. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a fall of at least 20 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (BP) and/or 10 mmHg in diastolic BP upon assuming an upright posture at least twice during the day. Patients were followed until August 31, 2004. Mortality data were taken from death certificates. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-one patients (34.2%) experienced OH at least twice. Orthostatic hypotension had no effect on all cause and cause specific mortality. Over a follow-up of 3.47+/-1.87 years 249 patients (52.8%) had died 83 of whom (33.3%) had OH. Age-adjusted mortality rates in those with and without OH were 13.4 and 15.7 per 100 person-years, respectively. Cox proportional hazards model analysis demonstrated that male gender, age, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure increased and high body mass index decreased total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic hypotension is relatively common in elderly patients discharged from acute geriatric wards, but has no impact on vascular and nonvascular mortality.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2005

Assessing the potential for functional improvement of stroke patients attending a geriatric day hospital.

In the present study the potential for functional improvement in 103 stroke patients attending a geriatric day hospital was evaluated using the Orpington Prognostic Scale (OPS). This information may assist in coordinating the patients' and caregivers' expectations, allocating resources efficiently, and advance care planning. The Spearman correlation was used to calculate the association between OPS score and Functional Independent Measure (FIM), the Nottingham Extended ADL Index (NEAI), and the timed Get Up and Go test (TUG). The studied population was divided into two groups: patients with mild neurological impairment (OPS score<3.2) and those with moderate to severe neurological impairment (OPS score> or =3.2) and their performance on the above outcome measure were compared. The OPS score significantly correlated (p<0.001) with discharge scores of FIM (r=-0.730), NEAI (r=-0.675), and TUG (r=0.448). Patients with OPS score <3.2 achieved significantly higher discharge scores (p<0.001) in all three measures (FIM, TUG, and NEAI) compared to patients with OPS score > or =3.2. Nevertheless, patients with moderate to severe neurological impairment achieved greater score changes in FIM and TUG than patients with mild neurological impairment, although their discharge scores were less favorable. These results indicate that stroke patients even the more impaired, may continually recover and should be exposed to a prolonged rehabilitation program.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Can functional status, after rehabilitation, independently predict long-term mortality of hip-fractured elderly patients?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hip fractures are one of the most serious causes of functional impairment and death in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the predictive value of functional performance, after rehabilitation, of hip fracture on long-term mortality in community-dwelling patients. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one patients aged 60 years and over, admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation day unit after inpatient rehabilitation, were followed for up to 4 years. Main outcome measures were Functional Independent Measure (FIM), Timed Get Up and Go test (GUAG), cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Examination on admission, and mortality during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis was carried out on survival curves. RESULTS: All 24 deceased patients performed the GUAG test in > 20 seconds. Although approaching significance, the survival curves were not statistically different between patients performing the test in < or = 20 and those performing it in > 20 seconds (p = 0.08). Survival curves were significantly higher in patients with a FIM score of > or = 90 (p = 0.004), no cardio-cerebrovascular (CCV) diseases (p = 0.001) and no diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01). There were no differences in survival according to age, gender, educational level, marital status, surgical vs conservative treatment, and cognition. A multivariate analysis including FIM score, CCV diseases and diabetes mellitus, demonstrated that only CCV disease was an independent variable for survival (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Performance, as evidenced by FIM scores after rehabilitation for hip fracture, may provide additional useful information on long-term survival. However, since functional status after rehabilitation is not an independent risk factor for long-term mortality, its predictive value must be interpreted in view of the comorbidities, mainly CCV diseases, which are more important to the risk of mortality than the event of hip fracture itself.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Is a day hospital rehabilitation programme associated with reduction of handicap in stroke patients?

OBJECTIVE: (1) To assess whether a rehabilitation day hospital programme is associated with a reduced handicap level of stroke patients. (2) To estimate the relationship between the London Handicap Scale (LHS) and other outcome measures. (3) To examine the effect of demographic parameters (age, gender, family status, education) on LHS scores. DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal survey. SETTING: An urban geriatric rehabilitation day hospital. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and seven elderly stroke patients admitted between December 1999 and February 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: London Handicap Scale (LHS), Functional Independent Measure (FIM), Nottingham Extended ADL Index, timed get up and go test. RESULTS: LHS scores at discharge changed significantly (p < 0.008) for mobility, physical independence and occupation. The overall change in LHS score was 2.3 points (20%); effect size 0.43. A significant relationship was found between discharge score of LHS and admission score of FIM, Nottingham Index, timed get up and go and age. Multiple linear regressions did not identify a good predictor for the discharge score of LHS. Higher education was associated with higher LHS scores on admission (p = 0.016) but with less success in correcting handicap (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: A day hospital programme is associated with reduced level of handicap in stroke patients. The LHS is a useful and simple scale for measuring change in these patients. LHS in stroke patients correlates with other outcome measures, yet they cannot be used interchangeably. A significant relationship between education and level of handicap exists.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Electrolyte disorders following oral sodium phosphate administration for bowel cleansing in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral sodium phosphate is currently used for colon preparation prior to colonoscopy or barium enema. Sodium phosphate induces hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia. Elderly patients are at an increased risk for phosphate intoxication due to decreased glomerular filtration rate, medication use, and systemic and gastrointestinal diseases. We investigated these electrolyte disorders and their correlation with creatinine clearance, coexistent diseases, medications, and functional status. METHODS: Thirty-six hospitalized patients were included in the study. On day 1, patients were administered 2 doses of oral sodium phosphate. Venous blood samples for electrolyte determination were obtained at 7 AM on days 1, 2 (the procedure day), and 3. Urine samples were obtained from 10 patients. RESULTS: An increase in serum phosphorus level was correlated with a decreased creatinine clearance (R = -0.52; P =.001). Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia were present in 21 (58%) and 20 (56%) patients, respectively. Patients with a serum potassium concentration of 3.5 mEq/L or less on day 2 had a lower serum potassium concentration on day 1 vs those with a serum potassium concentration greater than 3.5 mEq/L on day 2 (P =.03). Five (dependent patients) had a serum potassium concentration of 3 mEq/L or less and 2 had severe diarrhea, necessitating treatment. There were more demented patients with hypokalemia compared with normokalemic patients (P<.05). Urinary fractional excretion of phosphorus tripled on day 2 (P =.01). Potassium and sodium fractional excretion remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium phosphate induces serious electrolyte abnormalities in the elderly. The frequency and severity of hypokalemia is due to intestinal potassium loss associated with inadequate renal potassium conservation and is apparently more prevalent in frail patients. Assessment of serum electrolytes, phosphorus, and calcium prior to sodium phosphate preparation is advised, and in selected patients, postprocedural assessment and correction may be required.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Medical treatment for urinary retention in rehabilitating elderly women: is it necessary?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is unclear whether medical treatment of elderly women with acute urinary retention in geriatric rehabilitation centers affects the recovery rate. The aims of the present study were to assess the rate of spontaneous recovery from urinary retention in elderly women in rehabilitation centers and to determine whether medical treatment with a adrenergic receptor blockers (a blockers) is effective in resumption of urination in this population. METHODS: We surveyed 84 elderly women with urinary retention, admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation center between September 1998 and March 2000. Most had undergone orthopedic surgeries. Post-voiding urine residual (PVR) was measured 3 days after an acute episode of urinary retention. PVR of 250 mL and below was the desirable outcome. Patients with PVR over 250 mL were randomly assigned to two groups, placebo vs Doxazosin. Medication doses in both groups were increased every 3 days and catheterization was used until a desirable outcome was achieved. RESULTS: Seventy-eight out of the 84 patients entered the study, of whom 48 (62%) recovered spontaneously prior to initiation of medical treatment. Of the remaining 30, 7 patients dropped out and 23 began medical treatment. Twelve women recovered (a similar rate occurred in the placebo and Doxazosin groups), and 11 did not. The study was terminated due to the high rate of spontaneous recovery and because it became clear from the initial results that Doxazosin had no beneficial effect over placebo in the treatment of urinary retention. Diabetes and poor functional status were found to be prognostic factors for recovery failure. CONCLUSIONS: Most elderly women with urinary retention in geriatric rehabilitation centers will probably recover spontaneously. Alpha blockers appear to have no beneficial effect in this population.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients: a clinical study of 13 patients.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe circumstances and clinical aspects of pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Eleven patients were nursing home residents and two were community residents. All had severe pain with a large pectoral ecchymosis extending to the lateral chest wall and arm. Twelve patients experienced substantial blood loss (average, 2.3 g/dL hemoglobin), which resulted in hemodynamic decompensation in two of the patients, necessitating a blood transfusion. The most probable mechanism of injury was indirect, caused by a brisk tearing movement applied to stiff, atrophic muscle during commonly used nursing procedures for transferring, positioning, and dressing the patients. The authors suspect this injury to be more common than reported. Although surgical repair is not required in the elderly, a proper diagnosis is imperative because the injury has a severe clinical impact necessitating care and followup.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Programme evaluation of a geriatric rehabilitation day hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rehabilitation programme in a geriatric day hospital. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: An urban geriatric rehabilitation day hospital. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and fifty-three older patients admitted to a rehabilitation day hospital during 2000: 163 post stroke, 113 with deconditioning and 77 post orthopaedic surgery (hip fracture and joint replacement). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Nottingham Extended ADL Index, timed 'get up and go' test. RESULTS: The mean discharge scores of all FIM items were significantly higher than the mean admission scores. Mean score change, however, for each item was less than one point. Most of the patients (70%) improved by less than 5 points, regardless of main admission diagnoses. Patients with a lower admission FIM score improved more than those with a higher admission score. The majority of the enrolled patients (92%) showed an improvement in their Nottingham Extended ADL Index score. The mean (SD) score on admission was 21 (11.9) and at discharge 31 (14.6). In all but three items (self-feeding, using a telephone and driving a car), mean scores at discharge were significantly higher than admission scores (p < 0.001). A significant improvement in timed 'get up and go' score was found for all patients regardless of main diagnosis. Performance time decreased by 33% and discharge scores for all patient groups were approximately 20 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The notable improvement in mobility and instrumental activities of daily living on the one hand, and the minor improvements achieved in basic activities of daily living on the other, suggests a need to revise treatment goals of day hospitals.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Orthostatic hypotension in acute geriatric ward: is it a consistent finding?

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. We designed a study to examine the prevalence and consistency of OH during the day. METHODS: A total of 502 inpatients (241 men and 261 women) with a mean age of 81.6 years were included in the study. Orthostatic tests were performed 3 times during the day, 30 minutes after meals. In 13 patients only 2 sets of measurements were obtained, and they were omitted from some of the calculations. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a fall of at least 20 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and/or 10 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure on assuming an upright posture. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-two (67.9%) of 489 patients experienced OH at least once during the day. Of these, 170 patients (34.8% of the 489) had OH at least twice (persistent OH) and 162 patients (33.1%) experienced OH only once (variable OH). Diastolic OH was more prevalent than systolic OH (57.3% vs 43.4%; P<.001). The intraindividual consistency of OH was low (kappa = 0.2). Orthostatic hypotension was observed less frequently during the evening than during the morning and afternoon (P<.05 vs morning and P =.003 vs afternoon). The difference between meals' constituents (light vs heavy meals) did not affect the prevalence of OH. CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic hypotension is very common in the elderly, and diastolic OH is more common than systolic OH. The prevalence of OH is the lowest during the evening, and meals do not increase the prevalence of OH. The intraindividual consistency of OH during the day is poor. Thus, in elderly patients, more attention should be paid to diastolic OH and the diagnosis should be based on repeated measurements.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Melatonin rhythms in stroke patients.

Very little is known regarding melatonin's circadian rhythm in stroke patients. We compared urinary-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), its major metabolite, in 11 extensive cortical and seven deep or lacunar stroke patients on day 3 or 4 and day 10 post-stroke. Urinary 6-SMT and creatinine measured every 4 h for 24 h starting at 06:00 h significantly fluctuated during the day in both types of stroke and did not differ between day 3 or 4 and day 10 post-stroke. However, in extensive cortical lesions, a delay in the 6-SMT excretion was observed in the first post-stroke days compared to day 10. We conclude that circadian oscillator is preserved in extensive cortical as well as in deep and lacunar strokes. Extensive cortical stroke might delay the melatonin surge during the first post-stroke days.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Is routine screening for urinary tract infection in rehabilitation day-hospital elderly patients necessary?

It is not known whether all rehabilitation day-hospital patients need to be assessed for urinary tract infection (UTI). The aims of this study were to identify patients at high risk to develop UTI and to determine whether there was an association between the amount of post-void residual urine (PVR) and UTI. We surveyed 211 consecutive patients admitted to the day-hospital unit of a geriatric rehabilitation center between June 1998 and February 1999. The main diagnoses were stroke, orthopedic surgeries and deconditioning. Urine samples for general analysis and bacteriology were collected from each patient upon admission. PVR was measured using portable ultrasound. Telephone interviews were conducted with 141 patients, 3-11 months after the initial screening. The prevalence of UTI at admission was higher in women (P=0.007), and patients with decreased functional level (P=0.001). The incidence rate correlated with the functional level but not with gender or main diagnosis. The relative risk of dependent patients to develop UTI was 7.5 times higher than in independent patients. Significant amounts of PVR were equal in males and females. The relative risk of individuals with significant amounts of PVR to develop UTI was 1.63 times greater then those with negligible and moderate amounts of PVR. Gender, degree of functional level and main diagnosis had no effect on the relationship between PVR and UTI. We conclude that low functional level and significant amounts of PVR are risk factors for prevalence and incidence of UTI in elderly patients in a rehabilitation day-hospital. There is no need for routine urine analysis in every elderly patient admitted to rehabilitation day-hospitals, however, PVR measurements by portable ultrasound are valuable.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Fracture of the greater trochanter during hip replacement: a retrospective analysis of 21/372 cases.

We reviewed retrospectively 373 total hip replacements operated on using a lateral approach with the patient in a supine position. We found 21 iatrogenic fractures of the greater trochanter, all in women. 15 cases were diagnosed during the operation and were treated with wire fixation. 6 fractures were diagnosed on radiographs during the first 3 months following the operation. 2 of these 6 cases presented in association with dislocation of the prosthesis; 1 after 6 weeks and 1 after 2 months. Displaced nonunion occurred in2 cases, 5 healed with minimal displacement and 14 with no displacement. 8 patients limped slightly at follow-up after mean 4 (1-7) years and 4 had some pain over the lateral thigh.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Brain abscess complicating cerebral infarct.

PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 68-year-old man who suffered ischemic strokes in the left middle cerebral artery territory and three months later, following urosepsis, developed a cerebral abscess in the infarcted area. DISCUSSION: A literature search found only eight other cases. We discuss herein the common clinical aspects of brain abscess complicating strokes, the co-existent diseases, and point out the possibility of underreporting this rare but treatable complication. CONCLUSION: Cerebral abscess should be suspected in patients with a previous brain infarction or haemorrhage, who develop bacteremia and impaired consciousness without a clear explanation to their condition. Advanced age, and medical conditions known adversely to affect immunological competence reinforce the clinical suspicion.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Functional gain of hip fracture patients in different cognitive and functional groups.

OBJECTIVE: To follow up six months post hip fracture and to compare functional gain of patients in different cognitive and functional groups. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study of hip fracture patients with functional evaluation pre-fracture, prior to discharge from orthopaedic department and one, three and six months post fracture. SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Rabin Medical Center, Golda Campus with follow-up at Beit-Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital, both in Petach Tikvah, Israel, with a minority of patients followed at home or nursing home. MEASUREMENT: Cognition evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination, pre-fracture functioning by Functional Independence Measure and Katz Index of ADL. Functional outcome assessed by Functional Independence Measure gain defined as the difference between Functional Independence Measure scores at six months and just prior to discharge from the Department of Orthopaedics. RESULTS: Moderately cognitively impaired and normal patients had the same Functional Independence Measure-A (self-care) and Functional Independence Measure-B (motor) gains. Pre-fracture independent patients had significantly higher Functional Independence Measure-A and Functional Independence Measure-B gains. A multiple regression analysis examining age, sex, Mini-Mental State Examination score, Katz score, type of fracture, surgery versus conservative treatment and the pre-fracture Functional Independence Measure score showed that only the pre-fracture Functional Independence Measure-B scores and Katz scores are the independent variables for motor and self-care gains, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-fracture motor and not cognitive level has been the most important predictive factor for motor gain after hip fracture. Cognitively impaired hip fracture patients can achieve and maintain the same motor functional gain as normal patients, if they were mobile pre-fracture.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diarrhea in elderly patients due to Clostridium difficile associated with Salmonella and Shigella infection.

Clostridium difficile is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhea mainly in elderly hospitalized patients and in nursing homes, but less common in the community. We report three elderly patients living in the community, one frail and two in reasonable good health who recently developed diarrhea due to C. difficile associated with Salmonella group C in two cases and Shigella flexneri in the other. The association with Shigella has not previously been reported and there have only been a few cases with Salmonella. These findings may be important due to the possibility that diarrhea caused by C. difficile associated with other enteric bacteria may be more prevalent than expected in the aging population, thus necessitating awareness and consequently appropriate treatment and follow-up.

Aged↗