[Operative risk of geriatric patients in cardiac surgery]. / Operatives Risiko geriatrischer Patienten in der Herzchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Despite substantial progress in interventional cardiology, there are still many geriatric patients who require cardiac surgery. Estimation of the operative risk is therefore of great importance. OBJECTIVE: The prognostic value of the geriatric assessment for estimation of the operative risk was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2009 a geriatric assessment was carried out on 500 patients before an urgent or elective cardiac surgery intervention. The primary endpoints were in-hospital death, death within 30 days after the intervention and stroke. A secondary endpoint was the combination of death, stroke and in-hospital complications. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 77.1 ± 4.6 years and 44.3% of the particpants were women. Aortic stenosis was the primary reason for surgery in 49.2% of patients and coronary artery disease in 38.8% of patients. Half of the patients (56.5%) showed functional impairments in one or more evaluated domains. Significant limitations in cognitive function were present in 11.8% and in mobility in 2.4% of the patients. The 30-day mortality was 2.9% and stroke occurred in 1.4% of the patients. After multivariate analysis cognitive impairment remained independently associated with the operative mortality (odds ratio OR 3.8, 95% confidence interval CI 1.2-12.7). CONCLUSION: The perioperative mortality of older patients in cardiac surgery is low. A limited functional status detected in the geriatric assessment is associated with an increased mortality. Impaired cognitive function is an independent predictor of postoperative mortality.

Correction to: The MINDMAP project: mental well-being in urban environments : Design and first results of a survey on healthcare planning policies, strategies and programmes that address mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention for older people in Europe.

Correction to: Z Gerontol Geriat 2017 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-017-1290-7 The article "The MINDMAP project: mental well-being in urban environments. Design and first results of a survey on healthcare planning policies, strategies and programmes that address mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention for older people in …The original article was corrected.

The MINDMAP project: mental well-being in urban environments : Design and first results of a survey on healthcare planning policies, strategies and programmes that address mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention for older people in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The MINDMAP consortium (2016-2019) aims to identify opportunities provided by the urban environment for the promotion of mental well-being and functioning of older people in Europe by bringing together European cities with urban longitudinal ageing studies: GLOBE, HAPIEE, HUNT, LASA, LUCAS, RECORD, Rotterdam Study, Turin Study. A survey on mental healthcare planning policies and programmes dedicated to older persons covering the range from health promotion to need of nursing care was performed for profound data interpretation in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Hamburg, Helsinki, Kaunas, Krakow, London, Nord-Trøndelag, Paris, Prague, Rotterdam and Turin. OBJECTIVES: To collect detailed information on healthcare planning policies and programmes across these European cities to evaluate variations and to delineate recommendations for sciences, policies and planners using experience from evidence-based practice feedback from the MINDMAP cities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MINDMAP partners identified experts in the 12 cities with the best background knowledge of the mental health sector. After pretesting, semi-structured telephone interviews (1-2 h) were performed always by the same person. A structured evaluation matrix based on the geriatric functioning continuum and the World Health Organization (WHO) Public Health Framework for Healthy Ageing was applied. RESULTS: A complete survey (12 out of 12) was performed reporting on 41 policies and 280 programmes on the city level. It appeared from extensive analyses that the focus on older citizens, specific target groups, and multidimensional programmes could be intensified. CONCLUSION: There is a broad variety to cope with the challenges of ageing in health, and to address both physical and mental capacities in older individuals and their dynamic interactions in urban environments.

[Acceptance of preventive home visits among frail elderly persons : Participants an non-participants in a Follow-up after 2 and 4 years within the LUCAS longitudinal study]. / Akzeptanz des präventiven Hausbesuchs bei älteren Personen mit Frailty : Teilnehmende und Nichtteilnehmende im Zwei- und Vierjahres-Follow-up im Rahmen der LUCAS-Langzeitstudie.

BACKGROUND: The objective of preventive home visits (PHV) is to support independent living of elderly people. The target group is a matter of discussion and acceptance so far seems to have been low. The target group favored in studies were persons with functional impairments living independently; therefore, acceptance of this offer by frail persons and characteristics of participants and non-participants were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All participants classified as frail in the longitudinal urban cohort ageing study (LUCAS; BMBF Fkz 01ET0708-13/01, ET1002A-D/01EL1407) were randomized (RCT) in 2007/2008 into an intervention group (174 persons) and a control group (379 persons). Participants in the intervention group were offered the option of a PHV. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were compared between the participants with a PHV, non-participants and controls at baseline and after 2 and 4 years. Non-participants who refused the offer of the PHV were asked about their reasons. RESULTS: There were 64 persons (36.8 %) in the intervention group classified as frail who accepted the offer of a PHV. Of these, significantly more lived alone, tended to be female with a higher educational level and with less need of care. After 2 years significantly more persons in the group without PHV had died and after 4 years more participants with PHV reported a depressive mood. There were no other significant differences between the groups. Half of the reasons not to accept the PHV that were reported by the non-participants were because of health-related or psychological problems and one third because of lack of interest or need for PHV. CONCLUSION: The offer of PHV to frail elderly persons with an unlimited age was associated with a relatively high acceptance. The high number of refusals by non-participants with functional impairments is remarkable and needs further investigation.

Male immunity to the chlamydial 60 kDa heat shock protein (HSP 60) - associated with semen quality?

The role of Chlamydia trachomatis for male infertility is a matter of constant debate. It is assumed that in its persistent form this pathogen may produce high levels of 60 kD heat shock protein (Chlam HSP60). Cross-reactivity between epitopes of the bacterial and human HSPs, involved in many steps of the reproductive process, might induce an autoimmune response with potential impairment of semen quality and sperm fertilising capacity. This prospective study included asymptomatic males of a total of 128 unselected subfertile couples (median duration of infertility 3 years) to determine the clinical relevance of male immunity to Chlam HSP60 during infertility investigation. After medical history and clinical examination of both partners, serum antibodies (Ab) to Chlam HSP60 were determined. Same day semen quality evaluation included microscopical standard sperm analysis, determination of seminal white blood cells (WBC) and of antisperm Ab (ASA) of the Ig G- and Ig-A class (mixed antiglobulin reaction, MAR), microbial screening and examination of sperm functional capacity. Sperm/mucus interaction was tested in vitro and in vivo. Simultaneously, patients' female partners were tested for Chlam HSP60 Ab and results were compared with a standard serology evaluation for antichlamydial IgG Ab. The presence of ChlamHSP60 Ab (positive in 24% of males) was not significantly associated with semen quality, seminal WBC and antisperm AB of the IgG- or Ig A-class, the outcome of the microbial screening nor with sperm functional capacity and results of sperm/mucus interaction testing in vitro and in vivo. Chlam HSP60 Ab were significantly more frequent in female partners of Chlam HSP60 Ab-positive men, and results correlated with the outcome of standard chlamydial serology evaluation. In conclusion, when serum Chlam HSP60 Ab are used as marker, male immunity to the chlamydial 60 kD heat shock protein is not associated with semen quality, sperm functional capacity and other clinically relevant parameters of male fertility.

Physical distress and relationship problems: exploring the psychosocial and intrapsychic world of suicidal geriatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a serious mental health problem in old age. Suicide ideation and life weariness are important psychopathological issues in geriatric medicine, although suicide ideation does not primarily depend on the severity of any physical disease. Despite these facts, insight into the internal psychological state of suicidal geriatric patients is still limited. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study examines intrapsychic and psychosocial issues in suicidal geriatric inpatients. A semistructured interview concerning suicide ideation in old age was used to interview 20 randomly chosen, acutely suicidal clinically geriatric inpatients aged 60 years and older. The control group comprised 20 nonsuicidal patients. RESULTS: Hamilton Depression Scale 21 scores (HAMD 21; patient mean 17.3, control mean 6.1), suicidal ideation and psychiatric treatments differed significantly between the groups. In contrast to lifetime suicidal ideation, the discovery of a physical disease was the primary trigger for current suicidal ideation, followed by interactional conflicts. Patients would rather speak with family or friends than professionals about their suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Suicidal ideation should be recognised as an important psychological problem in geriatric patients with interpersonal conflicts. Specific help and training for relatives is recommended.

[Ideal types of interaction patterns of psychosomatic patients in geriatric inpatient treatment]. / Idealtypische Interaktionsmuster psychosomatischer Patienten in stationär-geriatrischer Behandlung.

BACKGROUND: Cooperation between psychosomatic and geriatric medicine is still sporadic and rarely institutionally integrated. At the same time, however, nearly half of geriatric inpatients suffer from psychopathological symptoms of clinical relevance. The patterns of interactions between patients and professionals of the geriatric team prior to a psychosomatic intervention that lead to a specific consultation are still rarely known. The aim of this paper was to identify these relational patterns, which can again occur during interaction with the psychosomatic patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Protocols from the consultation sessions of 76 geriatric in-patients, treated over a period of 1 year, were used as the basis data for the development of interactional patterns with the systematic, qualitative method of forming ideal types by understanding. RESULTS: Three groups with a total of 11 interactional patterns were formed: (1) "conflictuous interaction" with patients who re-enact their inner conflicts (e.g., autonomy or conflicts on power and subjugation), (2) "the problem can not be dealt with" with patients who forget or deny and repress their mental problems in other ways, and (3) "avoiding contact" with patients who have different forms of psychosocial withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Extension of the geriatric functional diagnostic approach on interactional-psychodynamic aspects is possible and fosters a differentiated view on the psychosomatic situation of geriatric patients.

Presence of DNA of adeno-associated virus in subfertile couples, but no association with fertility factors.

BACKGROUND: Based on previous reports suggesting a role of adeno-associated virus (AAV) in miscarriage, the prevalence of AAV DNA in genital tracts of male and female partners of subfertile couples was determined to assess a potential association of AAV infection with clinically relevant parameters of male and female fertility. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in the outpatient infertility clinic of a university-based hospital. Semen samples and endocervical material obtained from 146 male and 134 female partners of asymptomatic subfertile couples were analyzed for the presence of AAV DNA (using nested PCR). Patients' medical histories and details of clinical examinations were recorded. Semen quality, including sperm functional capacity and the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) and seminal white blood cells (WBC), was assessed in aliquots of the same ejaculate. Detailed examinations of the cervical factor and other variables of female subfertility were performed. Both partners were screened for bacterial infection. RESULTS: The presence of AAV DNA in semen was not significantly related to semen quality, including sperm functional capacity or local ASA, nor was it coupled to the presence of AAV in the endocervical material of female partners. The presence of AAV DNA was not associated with the presence of other micro-organisms of the lower genital tract or with seminal WBC in men. AAV DNA in endocervical material was not related to a reduced quality of cervical mucus or to other female infertility factors. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AAV DNA in semen samples or endocervical swabs showed no significant association with clinically relevant infertility factors. However, longitudinal studies may clarify previous suggestions of an influence of AAV infection on early pregnancy problems.

Treatment of dementia patients with fracture of the proximal femur in a specialized geriatric care unit compared to conventional geriatric care.

To prove the efficiency of a specialized geriatric ward (cognitive geriatric unit, CGU) for patients with a fracture of the proximal femur and additional dementia, we conducted a matched-pair analysis comparing 96 patients with fracture of the proximal femur and additional dementia matched for age, sex, surgical treatment and the degree of cognitive impairment by MMSE score. A total of 48 patients were treated in the CGU, offering extended geriatric assessment, special education of staff, and architecture appropriate for patients with cognitive decline. Target criteria were a gain in the Barthel index and Tinetti score, the length of stay, new admissions to nursing home, the frequency of neuroleptic, antidepressant, and antidementive medication, and the number of specified clinical diagnoses for the dementia syndrome. Length of stay was significantly longer in the CGU. The increase of the Tinetti score was significantly higher in the patients in the CGU, regardless of the length of stay (analysis of covariance: treatment (CGU/non-CGU): F(1/93) = 9.421, p = 0.003; covariate (length of stay): F(1/93) = 3.452, p = 0.066, η(2) = 3.6%). In the intervention group, the number of definite diagnoses concerning the dementia syndrome was also higher. Comparison of drug treatment and the percentage of new admission to a nursing home did not differ between groups. Treatment in a specialized, "cognitive geriatric unit" seems to result in better mobility of demented patients with proximal fractures of the femur.

[Resources and risks in old age: the LUCAS-I marker set for a classification of elderly people as fit, pre-frail and frail. First results on validity from the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS), Hamburg]. / Ressourcen und Risiken im Alter: Die LUCAS-I Marker zur Klassifizierung älterer Menschen als FIT, pre-FRAIL und FRAIL. Validierung und erste Ergebnisse aus der Longitudinalen Urbanen Cohorten-Alters-Studie (LUCAS).

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a simple self-administered instrument to assess frailty in community-dwelling seniors. METHODS: We present a new marker set to assess the functional state of seniors. Contrary to current literature, we focus not only on risks, but also include resources. The questions relate to facts (ways to do things), rather than on subjective information (e.g. exhaustion). It was developed in the context of the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS) in Hamburg, Germany. RESULTS: The classification based on these questions proposes operational definitions of the terms fit, pre-frail and frail and is predictive for need for nursing care as well as mortality. A wealth of results establishes the validity of the categorisation compared to other health questions. One of the classification questions concerns cycling. For areas where cycling is not suitable, we propose to replace this question with one about independently walking 500 m. However, the cycling question appears to indicate frailty earlier. CONCLUSION: The self-administered questionnaire provides a simple, cost-effective way to screen seniors for early signs of declining function in order to start preventive action.

[Health and competence: detection and decoding using comprehensive assessments in the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS)]. / Grauzonen von Gesundheit und Handlungsfähigkeit: Erfassung und Aufschlüsselung durch erweiterte Assessments in der Longitudinalen Urbanen Cohorten-Alters-Studie (LUCAS).

PURPOSE: The goal of this work was to characterise and distinguish persons without (fit), with earliest signs (pre-frail) or accelerated functional decline (frail) during self-referral (geriatric centre) or preventive home visits. METHODS: After screening independently living older people in an urban longitudinal cohort (n = 1,995) using a self-administered questionnaire, they were functionally classified as fit, pre-frail or frail. In 10% randomly selected samples of these cohort parts a comprehensive extended gerontological-geriatric assessment (EGGA) was administered. RESULTS: Fit, pre-frail and frail samples are significantly different regarding comorbidity, medication, mobility, fall risk, instrumental activities of daily living and use of social support but not nutrition. The best indicator to discriminate fit versus frail was exhaustion (mobility tiredness). CONCLUSION: Competence is essential regarding health in old age. Identification of resources and risks by comprehensive assessment is useful before planning interventions to prevent frailty or its progression.

[Rehabilitation instead of nursing care. Current state and future demand of geriatric rehabilitation]. / Rehabilitation vor Pflege. Stand und zukünftiger Bedarf geriatrischer Rehabilitation.

In Germany, the term "rehabilitation instead of nursing care" represents an established legal claim and is also an imperative part within the general concept of comprehensive healthcare provision, reflecting the ongoing demographic and epidemiological developments. This report gives an overview on the rationale, the principles, and organizational conception of geriatric rehabilitation. This is completed by an assessment of existing structures for service provision and future demands of specific geriatric rehabilitation and geriatric care. There are well-established possibilities and facilities to realize the legal claim "rehabilitation instead of nursing care." However, these possibilities have to be further optimized in order to detect need earlier and to make adequate use of the potential resources in the growing number of old-aged persons.

[The Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS)]. / Die Longitudinal-Urban-Cohort-Ageing-Studie (LUCAS).

BACKGROUND: The interactions between rising life expectancy, morbidity and development of disability warrant interdisciplinary research on functional disability, health promotion and prevention as well as healthcare provision for older people. Therefore, the interdisciplinary LUCAS (Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study) research consortium of university and non-university institutions was established and is coordinated by the research department of the Albertinen-Haus at the University of Hamburg. The aim is to study particular aspects of functional competence, the changes with ageing, to detect pre-clinical signs of functional decline and to address questions on how to maintain functional competence and to prevent adverse outcomes. The research questions have their origin in problems of practical healthcare provision in the different settings of communities, hospitals and nursing homes. The articles of LUCAS subprojects report selected results from the first project phase (2007-2010) which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (Research program"Health in the elderly").). METHODS: The LUCAS subprojects 1-7 applied a true cohort study design with embedded randomized controlled intervention studies and cross-sectional studies for comparative purposes and to prepare intervention studies to be performed in the second project phase. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the first project phase provided new instruments to screen and to assess functional competence in older people (population-based screening). In the second project phase these will be evaluated according to practicability and usefulness. Furthermore, parts of the results will be used by the health reporting system in Hamburg and for intervention studies performed by LUCAS subprojects during the second project phase (LUCAS II).

The LUCAS* consortium: objectives of interdisciplinary research on selected aspects of ageing and health care for older people in an urban community.

BACKGROUND: Decline in functional competence is a major determinant of older persons' needs, the development of dependency, use of care, clinical outcome and mortality. The interactions between rising life expectancy and changes in morbidity and disability warrant interdisciplinary research on functional disability, health promotion and prevention. The LUCAS (Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study) research consortium was established to study particular aspects of functional competence, its changes with ageing, to detect preclinical signs of functional decline, and to address questions on how to maintain functional competence and to prevent adverse outcome. The questions originate from problems encountered in practical health care provision in different settings, i.e. community, hospital and nursing home. METHODS: The subprojects apply a longitudinal cohort follow-up study, an embedded randomised controlled intervention, cross-sectional comparative, and prospective intervention studies. CONCLUSION: The results will provide instruments to screen for preclinical signs of functional decline and concrete recommendations to sustain independence and prevent adverse outcomes in older age in daily practice.

[Underweight in elderly persons. A retrospective analysis of 3821 forensic autopsies in Hamburg]. / Untergewicht älterer Menschen zum Sterbezeitpunkt. Eine retrospektive Analyse 3821 rechtsmedizinischer Sektionen in Hamburg.

AIM AND METHOD: Based on the systematic analyses of a 10-year period at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, the frequency of underweight in elderly persons at their time of death was retrospectively calculated. Body mass index (BMI) values <20 kg/m(2) were taken as indicative of underweight and the data of 1,551 women and 2,270 men, mean age 69 years (51-101 years) were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight was 15.4%. Low BMI values were more frequent in women than men (18.8 vs. 13.1%) and more frequent in persons needing professional nursing care at the time of death (28.9%). Underweight increased for the age range 70-79 from about 15% to over 38% for those 90 years and older at the time of death. Pressure sores were documented in 1.8% of cases. Persons in need of professional nursing care more often had pressure sores at their time of death. Furthermore, pressure sores were observed more often in underweight elderly in need of professional nursing care. CONCLUSION: Underweight at the time of death is observed more often in the very old. This is associated with the need for professional nursing care and also the occurrence of pressure sores. Less than 5% of persons with tumors were included. The results underscore the need of early detection of people at risk of malnutrition when growing older.

[Special care units for the treatment of acutely ill, cognitively impaired geriatric patients in Germany]. / Spezialisierte Stationen zur Behandlung von akut erkrankten geriatrischen Patienten mit zusätzlichen kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen in Deutschland.

During recent years, specialized wards have been established in geriatric hospital departments as a consequence of the growing need of special care for acutely ill older patients, who are also cognitively impaired. However, there are neither established standards nor any commonly agreed concept of care. A written survey among 12 specialized wards in Germany revealed some characteristics of these wards: extended geriatric assessment, special education of staff including validation and gerontopsychiatric issues, and particular equipment/architecture, such as hidden doors and group rooms, and in some cases loop tracks for walking, therapeutic facilities, and 'living rooms' on the wards. There is a wide variability with respect to the designation of these wards, the number of beds, length of stay, and admission criteria. It appears from this survey that there should be an exchange of empirical experience made on these wards, and there is a need of collaborative research on its usefulness.

Clinical relevance of polymorphonuclear (PMN-) elastase determination in semen and serum during infertility investigation.

The polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase is secreted by activated granulocytes and is widely used as a marker of male accessory gland infection. However, the clinical value of routine determination of seminal plasma (SP) PMN elastase in asymptomatic patients during infertility investigation has not clearly been established and not much is known about the significance of PMN-elastase levels in serum as a potential biochemical determinant associated with infection/inflammation of the male genital tract. This prospective study included a total of 221 asymptomatic males from unselected subfertile couples, to evaluate the relationship of (i) serum and (ii) same-day SP PMN elastase concentrations with established semen quality parameters, including sperm functional capacity, local antisperm antibodies (ASA), seminal leucocytes, and the outcome of semen cultures including typical sexually transmitted disease pathogens, and a potential association with patients' medical history and results of clinical andrological examination. Furthermore, couples were followed up for subsequent fertility (controlled for female infertility factors). The concentrations of PMN elastase in serum and in SP were not significantly related to semen quality [with regard to microscopic (e.g. count, motility, morphology) as well as biochemical parameters, and also to local ASA of the IgG- or IgA-class]. There was no strong relationship with sperm functional capacity. No significant relationship with the outcome of the microbial screening was found. PMN-elastase levels in serum and SP were not significantly correlated and there was no association with subsequent fertility. Therefore, the value of routine determination of PMN elastase in semen and/or serum samples, particularly when used as a single parameter to screen for subclinical infection/inflammation in males under infertility investigation is limited.

[Use of psychotropic substances by the elderly and driving accidents]. / Altere Menschen und psychotrope Substanzen im Strassenverkehr.

In the context of a study for the Federal Highway Research Institute (Bundesanstalt für Strassenwesen), a database containing almost 40,000 toxicological blood analysis results from drivers with various traffic offences (time frame 1998-2001) from throughout Germany was evaluated. The database contains the results of 25 laboratories in Germany performing toxicological blood analysis of driving offences. Of these laboratories, 23 gave information about their methodology for toxicological analysis by questionnaire. This database and the results from 10,000 toxicological blood analyses of traffic offences in Hamburg (time frame 2003-2008) were evaluated. The number of elderly driver cases, the spectrum of detectable substances, the type of offence and the medical findings were compared to the results of the total sample in the corresponding period. The number of traffic offences with elderly drivers has risen in recent years but to a much smaller degree than the total number of traffic offences. The relative frequency of detection decreased from 2% in 1998 to 1.1% in 2001 (Germany wide) and from 2.3% (2003) to 1.4% (2008) in Hamburg. In the group of elderly drivers, only 39% (43% in Hamburg) of the sample showed positive results for medical drugs or drugs of abuse (73.9% of all samples). The medical diagnosis on the symptomatic level of intoxication, which had been assigned by medical doctors after blood sampling, did not correlate with the actual presence of therapeutic drugs in the blood. This demonstrates the interactions of senso-motor and physical frailties with potential additive, substance-related effects when driving skills appear to be compromised in the elderly. Drugs of abuse were detected in 5.6% (10.6% in Hamburg) among the senior drivers. Benzodiazepines were detected in 24.5% (23% in Hamburg) of the cases with a high frequency of detection in traffic accidents compared to traffic offences without accident. The type of offence was given in 87 of benzodiazepine-positive cases (20 in Hamburg), 59 of them (11 in Hamburg) were traffic accidents. Keeping the increasing percentage of senior drivers in mind, the results show that most of the elderly drivers are very careful with medical therapy and driving. However traffic-related safety advice including pharmaceutical side effects on driving ability given by general practitioners is important and necessary.

[Active and healthy living in old age--results from a representative survey of community-dwelling senior citizens in Hamburg]. / Im Alter aktiv und gesund leben--Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Seniorenbefragung in Hamburg.

BACKGROUND: The majority of community-dwelling people 60 years and older are independent and live actively. However, there is little information about elderly persons' views on aging, health and health promotion. METHODS: Therefore, an anonymous, written questionnaire survey was performed in a representative sample of inhabitants from a section of the city of Hamburg, 60 years and older; 5 year intervals, 14 subsamples according to 7 age groups of females and males. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 950 participants (29% response) could be evaluated: mean age 71.5 years, 58% women, 34% living alone, 5% with professional healthcare needs as indicated by status according to German nursing care insurance. Senior citizens' positive attitudes towards aging and health were predominant: 69% of respondents felt young, 85% worried about loss of autonomy in old age. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence indicating potential for improving health-promoting lifestyles in parts of the older population by evaluating and strengthening older persons' competencies and by considering their concerns seriously. These results provide valuable information for future plans in the public-health sector in the city of Hamburg where particular health-promoting actions for elderly persons will be considered.

[Medication and falls in old age]. / Arzneimittel und Stürze im Alter.

Falls with and without injuries in elderly persons commonly have multiple causes. Exposure to drugs does contribute to these causes. Therefore, complete assessment and evaluation of prescription and over the counter drugs are essential parts of fall-prevention concepts. Frail elderly persons frequently treated with several medications are particularly predisposed to adverse drug effects which may increase the risk of falling. Risk increasing drug effects are dose dependent which have been best studied with psychotropic medication. Apart from psychotropic drugs, cardiovascular drugs contribute to FRIDs (Fall-Risk Increasing Drugs). Fall risk is particularly increased with drugs of the same therapeutic class combined or combinations of psychotropics and cardiovascular drugs. Intervention studies on withdrawal and dose reduction of fall-risk increasing drugs were successful in reducing the risk of falling. There is relatively few knowledge on whether and how drug treatment does decrease fall risk in elderly patients by improving safe mobility and walking ability relevant to activities of daily living.