[Features of the coefficient of variation of hematological indicators in persons of middle, elderly and senile age with pneumonia.]

Pneumonia is the leading mortality rate among all infectious diseases. It has been established that the reliable risk group for morbidity and mortality from this nosology includes persons over 60 years of age, and with age the severity of the disease only increases. According to literary data, one of the reasons for the decline in adaptation capabilities of older persons is the phenomenon of «age desinhronosis¼, which manifests itself in significant fluctuations in the parameters of the internal environment of the body. The purpose of this work was to compare the coefficients of intra- and interindividual biological variation. For this purpose, a retrospective study of clinical blood analysis in patients suffering from pneumonia of unspecified etiology was carried out in terms of three age groups: medium, elderly and senile. Features of biological variation depending on age have been found, the differences identified have been justified according to available theories.

Influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on the quality of the preanalytical stage of laboratory tests (review of literature).

A literature review in the article presents an analysis of the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on quality of preanalytical phase of laboratory testing. The review shows significance of external and internal factors influencing blood samples at preanalytical phase of laboratory testing. Among the exogenous factors considered: phlebotomy, test tubes for samples, transportation and storage. A number of factors exist at this phase that significantly affect test results. We examined these aspects of phlebotomy process: staff training, disinfectant contamination, needle diameter, needle material contamination. The review considers possible contamination with tube components and the importance of choosing the right anticoagulants and excipients. Transportation and storage of biological samples can be a source of errors at the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing. We analyzed the problem of determining the stability of analytes during storage and aspects of transportation samples by modern means. Among the endogenous factors considered: hemolysis, lipemia, icterricity, cell metabolism.. Hemolysis is one of the most frequent consequences of errors at the preanalytical phase. We analyzed importance of choosing a method for identifying hemolized tubes and the heterogeneity of bias results on different analytical systems. The review shows contribution of various classes of lipoproteins to turbidity of sample, possible preanalytical errors and impact on analytical tests. We examined possible effects of high bilirubin concentrations on analyte measurements. In the review, we also examined metabolism of some cells and its effect on samples.

[Features of the picture of blood cells in elderly persons with primary open-angle glaucoma.]

Around 1,3 billion people live worldwide with visual analyzer disorders such as glaucoma and cataract. These diseases are particularly common among the elderly. From glaucoma every year 10 million people completely lose vision, one of the factors of which is untimely diagnosis. Donosological diagnosis and laboratory screening can play a key role in detecting this pathology and significantly improving the quality of life of the older generation. The article presents the results of comparative analysis of the general blood analysis of glaucoma patients with a control group. The hematological indices are also compared by sex and age. Changes in some indicators consistent with existing theories of glaucoma pathogenesis have been identified. Promising directions of application of general blood analysis as a routine method of additional diagnostics of glaucoma in the future are planned.

[Plasma D-dimer volume as a subclinical marker of thrombotic risk in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.]

Aged patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at high risk of both thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications of disease and of its treatment. A study was provided to assess the role of D-dimer plasma level as a marker of thrombosis in aged patients with AF having no clinical signs of active thrombosis depending on used treatment strategy and quantitative thrombotic and haemorrhagic risk of AF. The results show that D-dimer plasma levels correlate with scores of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic risks in group on antiplatelet agents but not anticoagulants, with the difference in D-dimer level driven by subgroup on CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥5. High D-dimer level was associated with in-hospital mortality and rhythm of AF at the moment of blood sample collection. Therefore, an accuracy of risk prognosis of fatal complications of AF for elderly patients may be increased by using the laboratory markers of thrombus formation such as D-dimer and by using the obtained results to guide an antithrombotic therapy.

[Hospital practices and breastfeeding cessation risk within 6 months of delivery]. / Observance des pratiques professionnelles recommandées en maternité et réduction du risque de sevrage de l'allaitement maternel dans les six premiers mois de vie.

BACKGROUND: The impact of maternity ward practices on breastfeeding duration remains uncertain in France. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether compliance with an increasing number of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative recommended practices was associated with a decreasing risk for breastfeeding cessation within 6 months of delivery. METHODS: We analyzed the original data from a prospective cohort study carried out in eight maternity centers in France in 2005-2006. A pediatrician or a midwife prospectively collected data on breastfeeding initiation within 1h of birth, rooming-in 24h a day, pacifier non-use, and giving breast milk only for 908 mothers who were breastfeeding at discharge. RESULTS: Overall, 315 (34.7%), 309 (34.0%), 186 (20.5%), and 98 (10.8%) mothers experienced 4, 3, 2, or 0-1 maternity ward practices. The median breastfeeding duration was 18 weeks (25th-75th percentiles, 9 to >26), with 87.6% and 31.5% of mothers who were still breastfeeding by 4 and 26 weeks after delivery, respectively. After adjusting for study center and baseline characteristics, the hazard ratios of breastfeeding cessation associated with 3, 2, and 0-1 practices were 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.64), 1.54 (95% CI, 1.20-1.98), and 1.59 (95% CI, 1.13-2.25) as compared with compliance with four practices (p for trend <0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the causal interpretation for this relationship remains speculative, these findings support interventions aimed to implement or reinforce Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative recommended practices in order to establish prolonged breastfeeding and decrease the risk for early cessation after discharge to home.