UMLS:C0020538 - FACTA Search

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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This study was aimed at evaluating the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and the psychophysical health status in an elderly study population (62 subjects, mean age 84+/-5 years, 21 males and 41 females), institutionalized (Group A) in various structures of Pozzallo, a marine locality of the Ragusa Province in Sicily. BMD was measured by using ultrasonography of the calcanear area (T-score, Z-score, stiffness). The alterations of the cognitive and affective spheres as well as the levels of autonomy and autosufficiency were estimated by means of psychometric scales like mini-mental state examination (MMSE), geriatric depression scale (GDS), activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Other biological, social and health-related factors, such as age, sex, body weight and height, nutritional and drug-taking habits, physical activity and previous pathologies, were also considered. These variables were compared to those obtained in a similar, but non-institutionalized controls (Group B) of 63 subjects (mean age 85+/-2 years, 27 males and 36 females), being similar in number and age distribution, frequenting the Geriatric Day Center of the same locality. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between Groups A and B: the BMD was considerably lower, but also the cognitive and affective performances were strongly reduced in Group A. These findings can be attributed to decreased psychosensorial stimuli and lost interest of the patients in Group A, resulting in a lower physical activity, accompanying the depressive state, and may represent the first signs of a decreased intellectual performance, which can later be transformed into dementia. The functional abilities and the levels of autonomy are also reduced, risking the loss of autosufficiency. Also, the drug usage was different in Group A: more sedative-hypnotics and anticoagulants were consumed. As regards the polymorbidities, arterial hypertension and consequent chronic renal failure, hepatopathies and thyreopathies were most frequent, these latter two being more frequent in the Group A.
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PMID:Correlation between the bone mass, psychometric performances, and the levels of autonomy and autosufficiency in an elderly Italian population above 80 years of age. 1537 23

Patient-centered consultation styles are associated with higher patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes in diabetes and hypertension. In outpatient neurology, dissatisfaction with communication relates significantly to noncompliance. We undertook a single-center study in Parkinson's disease (PD) using standardized questionnaires to score patient-perceived involvement in therapy decisions (score 4 = low to 25 = high) and satisfaction with the consultation (score 1 = low to 7 = high). Correlation was tested against health outcomes of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Motor score, activities of daily living (UPDRS 2 and Schwab and England), Parkinson's disease quality of life (PDQ-39), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Of 117 patients enrolled, 107 (91%) fully completed the questionnaires. Mean patient-perceived involvement scored 14.4 (SD, 2.8). Mean satisfaction scored 5.3 (SD 0.7). Higher involvement was associated with increased satisfaction (r = 0.28; P = 0.003), particularly distress relief (r = 0.38; P < 0.0001). Communication scores correlated significantly with compliance intent (r = 0.6; P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between either involvement or satisfaction and UPDRS, Schwab and England, MMSE, or GDS. Quality of life was significantly associated with depression, UPDRS, duration of PD, compliance intent, and satisfaction. The significant positive association between compliance intent and quality of life in the more satisfied patient replicates findings in other disease areas. Due attention to these aspects in delivering care to the PD patient is appropriate.
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PMID:Patient-perceived involvement and satisfaction in Parkinson's disease: effect on therapy decisions and quality of life. 1571 17

Geriatric psychiatric syndromes might serve as the starting point for a medical classification of psychiatric disorders, because their medical and neurological comorbidity and their clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging features often reflect specific brain abnormalities. Geriatric syndromes, however, consist of complex behaviors that are unlikely to be caused by single lesions. We propose a model in which aging-related changes in specific brain structures increase the propensity for the development of certain psychiatric syndromes. The predisposing factors are distinct from the mechanisms mediating the expression of a syndromic state, much like hypertension is distinct from stroke, but constitutes a morbid vulnerability. We argue that research seeking to identify both brain abnormalities conferring vulnerability as well as the mediating mechanisms of symptomatology has the potential to lead to a medical classification of psychiatric disorders. In addition, a medical classification can guide the effort to improve treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders as it can direct therapeutic efforts to the underlying predisposing abnormalities, the syndrome-mediating mechanisms, and to development of behavioral skills needed for coping with adversity and disability.
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PMID:Late-life depression: a model for medical classification. 1602 64

Application of the guidelines concerning systolic hypertension in patients over 80 years of age: experience in a geriatric institute In order to compare the blood pressures of elderly hypertensive patients treated in accordance with recent guidelines, the authors measured the casual blood pressure of a population of long stay patients. Recent data from the FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY shows that, in the general population, only 23% of women over 80 years of age attained the target values, a blood pressure less than 140/90 mmHg, and only 35% of those treated for hypertension. Eighty patients in the long stay unit of Allauch Hospital were studied in this transverse study performed from the 23rd to 25th of August 2005. The blood pressure (SBP, DBP and PP) and heart rate at consultation were measured by the same physician with the same sphygmomanometer (OMRON M4). The prescribed antihypertensive medication was noted; the presence of atrial fibrillation and the echocardiographic data including left atrial (LA) diameter in M-mode were also included. Forty-four of the 80 patients included were hypertensive (84% women, average age 88.7 years; 16% men, average age 86 years) and treated with the same objective of blood pressure (BP < 140/90 mmHg). The patients were treated by monotherapy in 6% of cases, bitherapy in 27% of cases, tritherapy in 6.8% of cases, and quadritherapy in 4.5% of cases. The distribution of antihypertensive agents in the patients over 80 years of age was almost identical to that of the ninety years of age group. The target blood pressure was attained in 67.5% of women and 71.5% of men. The incidence of atrial fibrillation in the hypertensive patients over 80 years of age was 32%, and 85.7% of them had dilated left atrium (>40 mm). The authors conclude that target blood pressures were more often attained (68% vs. 35%) in this Geriatric Institute than in the American general population probably because of environmental and motivational reasons, including those of the medical staff.
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PMID:[Application of guidelines concerning systolic hypertension in patients over 80 years of age: experience in a geriatric institute]. 1706 56

Cardiac autonomic abnormalities have been described in Parkinson's disease. Little is known about possible alterations of vascular sympathetic regulatory activity in patients without orthostatic hypotension or symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. Nineteen patients with Parkinson's disease without orthostatic hypotension (PD), 21 with orthostatic hypotension (PDOH), and 20 healthy controls underwent ECG, beat-to-beat arterial pressure, and respiration recordings while recumbent and during a 75 degrees head-up tilt. Spectrum analysis of RR interval and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability provided indices of cardiac sympathovagal interaction (low frequency [LF]/high frequency [HF]) to the sinoatrial node and sympathetic vasomotor control (LF(SAP)). Arterial baroreceptor mechanisms were assessed by the spontaneous sequences technique and bivariate spectrum analysis (alpha index). Plasma catecholamines provided the neurohormonal profile. At rest, hemodynamics and spectral markers of autonomic function were similar in PD and control subjects. Norepinephrine was lower in PD and PDOH than in control subjects. In PDOH, SAP was higher, whereas LF/HF ratio and LF(SAP) were lower compared with control subjects. During tilt, SAP was unchanged in PD; however, similar to PDOH, the increase of heart rate, LF/HF ratio, and LF(SAP) was blunted compared with control subjects. Baroreflex indices were unmodified in PD and PDOH compared with control subjects. Initial alterations in both cardiac and vascular sympathetic modulatory activity were found in PD and revealed by a gravitational stimulus. Prompt recognition of sympathetic abnormalities might result in earlier therapeutic intervention, reduced orthostatic intolerance, and increased quality of life.
Hypertension 2007 Jan
PMID:Early abnormalities of vascular and cardiac autonomic control in Parkinson's disease without orthostatic hypotension. 1710 46

Very little is known about the oral health of, and access to, dental services among frail elders who live in the community and use an adult day health center (ADHC) for respite care. This pilot study evaluated the perceived oral health quality of life (OHQOL) of elders who used a mobile dental program in urban, suburban, and rural ADHC settings. Pre- and post-treatment interviews were conducted to evaluate OHQOL using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). ADHC records were used to obtain demographic, medical history and medication data. Following initial dental examinations and consent, dental treatment was provided at each ADHC. Of the 138 elders screened at three ADHCs, pre- and post-treatment data were obtained on 76 subjects following their treatment (mean four months later). The group's members were mostly female (64.5%) and Caucasian (71.6%). Their mean age was 76.8 (+/- 9.8), with an average of 12.4 teeth (34.2% edentulous); 67.7% were on Medicaid. On average they had 5.5 chronic diseases, hypertension being the most common (67.19%); 44.8% had a neurological disorder or dementia. GOHAI scores were generally high both pre- and post-treatment, reflecting high physical and psychosocial OHQOL and low levels of worry. GOHAI scores were correlated with chronic diseases; the more chronic diseases an individual had, the lower his or her total score pre- and post-treatment (r=-.24, r=-.26 respectively, p<.04). The more dental treatment needs an elder had, the lower his or her GOHAI (r=-.23, p<.05). Elders with more teeth reported higher GOHAI pre- and post-treatment (r=.36, r=.37 respectively, p<.002). Paired t-tests comparing pre- and post-treatment GOHAI scores revealed significant improvements in overall GOHAI (p<.001), and on two dimensions: physical (p<.005) and psychosocial (p<.002). The findings support the importance of providing on-site access to dental services in order to maintain the general OHQOL of frail elders, more specifically in the areas of physical and psychosocial well-being.
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PMID:The impact of providing dental services to frail older adults: perceptions of elders in adult day health centers. 1797 44

Adiponectin can suppress atherogenesis by inhibiting the adherence of monocytes, reducing their phagocytic activity, and suppressing the accumulation of modified lipoproteins in the vascular wall. Contradictory data have been reported about the effect of statins on adiponectin plasma levels. In this work, adiponectin plasma levels were measured in 102 statin-free subjects from the Spanish population of the Achieve Cholesterol Targets Fast with Atorvastatin Stratified Titration (ACTFAST) study, a 12-week, prospective, multi-centre, open-label trial which enrolled subjects with coronary heart disease, coronary heart disease-equivalent or a 10-year coronary heart disease risk >20%. Subjects were assigned to atorvastatin (10-80 mg/day) based on low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentration at screening. For comparison, age and gender-matched blood donors (N=40) were used as controls. Control subjects did not present hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and history of cardiovascular diseases. Adiponectin levels were diminished in patients at high cardiovascular risk compared with control subjects [4166 (3661-4740) vs 5806 (4764-7075) ng/ml respectively; geometric mean (95% CI); P<0.0001]. In the whole population, atorvastatin treatment increased adiponectin levels [9.7 (3.2-16.7);% Change (95% CI); P=0.003]. This increment was in a dose-dependent manner; maximal effect observed with atorvastatin 80 mg/d [24.7 (5.7-47.1); P=0.01]. Adiponectin concentrations were positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol both before and after atorvastatin treatment. No association was observed between adiponectin and LDL-cholesterol before and after atorvastatin treatment. In conclusion, atorvastatin increased adiponectin plasma levels in subjects at high cardiovascular risk, revealing a novel anti-inflammatory effect of this drug.
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PMID:Adiponectin plasma levels are increased by atorvastatin treatment in subjects at high cardiovascular risk. 1837 27

Canadian Consensus guidelines regarding appropriate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) were recently published. This study was done to evaluate the application of these guidelines on NSAID practice patterns in frail elderly patients referred to a specialist Geriatric Assessment Clinic. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of referrals who were currently prescribed NSAIDs. Data were captured on age, sex, weight, diagnoses, medications and dosages, indication for NSAID treatment, lying BP (as assessed in the clinic) and recent serum creatinine result. Creatinine clearance was subsequently calculated use the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Complete data were available on 107 patients (68% women, average age 80.6 years). Thirty percent were on a traditional NSAID, the remainder were on a Coxib. Concomitant aspirin was prescribed in 37%. Cytoprotection was being used in 38% and did not increase appreciably in patients with additional risk factors for GI toxicity, i.e., concomitant aspirin usage (35%), and history of GI toxicity (48%). Sixty-seven were taking anti-hypertensive medications, although more than two thirds of these patients were uncontrolled. Newly diagnosed hypertension was present in 19.6%. Calculated creatinine clearance revealed moderate to severe renal impairment in 79% of subjects, although serum creatinine was only elevated in 18%. In total, 70% of subjects were found to have relative or absolute risk factors for NSAID therapy. Given the high prevalence of potential contraindications to anti-inflammatory drug usage in this study, we advocate the dissemination and application of these guidelines in geriatric patients in an attempt to reduce potential morbidity and mortality.
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PMID:Utility of published guidelines on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the elderly. 1860 71

The goal of the study was to investigated the prevalence of disability, cognitive impairment, depressive symptomatology and chronic diseases in a sample of the elderly population. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a random sample from the general population of elderly located in a geographically well defined Mediterranean area of Southern Italy. We examined 1339 subjects. Investigated diseases were: chronic obstructive lung disease, hypertension, arthrosis, diabetes mellitus, neurological disease, myocardial infarction, angina, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease and congestive heart failure. Cognitive status was assessed by means of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), depression symptomatology was evaluated by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and disability by means of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). This methodological study showed that 27.9% had a MMSE score <24 and the score decreased with age in both sexes. A total of 9.8% of the subjects had severe depression (GDS score >20). Comorbidity was evaluated from the past medical history and confirmed by a clinical exam by a physician. Only 8.7% of subjects were found without chronic illness. Median number of diseases was two, with 26.6% declaring four diseases or more. Comorbidity increased with age, an overall slight decrease of the number of diseases being observed in the subjects >85 years old. Subjects disabled in ADL were 7%, while disabled in IADL were 46.7%. The disability prevalence increased with age, affecting more female than male.
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PMID:Morbidity patterns in aged population in southern Italy. A survey sampling. 1865 37

The overweight and sedentary life style are associated with elevated blood pressure values in the elderly patients. The first step in the therapy of arterial hypertension should be hygienic-behavioral measures in order to modify the life style of the patients. The present study evaluates the independent effects of caloric restriction and physical exercise on the blood pressure and on the anti-hypertensive treatment in elderly subjects with mild-moderate hypertension. The number of enrolled patients was 74 in the age range of 61-72 years, showing up in our Geriatric Day Hospital. The results obtained confirm that the non-pharmacological measures represent a valid alternative to the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in the elderly patients, or may be applied in combination with the latter, in order to reduce the doses of pharmaca.
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PMID:The effects of caloric restriction and controlled physical exercise on hypertension in the elderly. 1865 45

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