Health status and gerontological evaluation in Mexican older adults in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Older adults constitute the most vulnerable population group to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mexico, their biopsychosocial conditions might intensify their vulnerability. METHOD: Affiliation to health systems, health conditions and gerontological evaluation of 3,218 older adults were analyzed following the methodology of the PAHO-Mexico Health, Well-being and Aging Survey. RESULTS: 88.6 % of older adults referred being affiliated to health systems; 30.2 %, 52.4 %, 10.3 %, 4.1 % and 5.6 % referred suffering from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, respectively; 15.6 % reported urinary incontinence, and 11.3%, fecal incontinence; 12.1 % of the women referred having suffered from breast cancer at some point, and 6.3 %, cervical cancer. The habit of smoking tobacco was observed in 11.1 %, risk of malnutrition in 32.8 %, established malnutrition in 4.1 %, functional dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily life in 16.3 % and 17.6 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive gerontological evaluation is essential for efficient care of older adults who suffer from COVID-19, and for adequate care of the effects or health conditions at the conclusion of the confinement imposed by the pandemic.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los adultos mayores constituyen el grupo más vulnerable ante la pandemia por COVID-19; en México, sus condiciones biopsicosociales podrían potenciar su vulnerabilidad. MÉTODO: Se analizó afiliación a sistemas de salud, condiciones de salud y evaluación gerontológica de 3218 adultos mayores conforme a la metodología de la Encuesta Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento OPS-México. RESULTADOS: 88.6 % de los adultos mayores refirió afiliación a un sistema de salud; 30.2, 52.4, 10.3, 4.1 y 5.6 % indicaron padecer diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, enfermedad cardiaca y evento vascular cerebral, respectivamente; 15.6 % reportó incontinencia urinaria y 11.3 %, fecal; 12.1 % de las mujeres indicó haber padecido en algún momento cáncer de mama y 6.3 %, cáncer cervicouterino. Se observó hábito de fumar tabaco en 11.1 %, riesgo de malnutrición en 32.8 %, malnutrición establecida en 4.1 %, dependencia funcional para las actividades básicas en 16.3 % e instrumentales de la vida diaria en 17.6 %. CONCLUSIÓN: La evaluación gerontológica integral es fundamental para la atención eficiente de los adultos mayores que padecen COVID-19 y para la adecuada atención por los efectos o condiciones de salud al terminar el confinamiento por la pandemia.

Estado de salud y valoración gerontológica en adultos mayores mexicanos ante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Health status and gerontological evaluation in Mexican older adults in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen Introducción: Los adultos mayores constituyen el grupo más vulnerable ante la pandemia por COVID-19; en México, sus condiciones biopsicosociales podrían potenciar su vulnerabilidad. Método: Se analizó afiliación a sistemas de salud, condiciones de salud y evaluación gerontológica de 3218 adultos mayores conforme a la metodología de la Encuesta Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento OPS-México. Resultados: 88.6 % de los adultos mayores refirió afiliación a un sistema de salud; 30.2, 52.4, 10.3, 4.1 y 5.6 % indicaron padecer diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, enfermedad cardiaca y evento vascular cerebral, respectivamente; 15.6 % reportó incontinencia urinaria y 11.3 %, fecal; 12.1 % de las mujeres indicó haber padecido en algún momento cáncer de mama y 6.3 %, cáncer cervicouterino. Se observó hábito de fumar tabaco en 11.1 %, riesgo de malnutrición en 32.8 %, malnutrición establecida en 4.1 %, dependencia funcional para las actividades básicas en 16.3 % e instrumentales de la vida diaria en 17.6 %. Conclusión: La evaluación gerontológica integral es fundamental para la atención eficiente de los adultos mayores que padecen COVID-19 y para la adecuada atención por los efectos o condiciones de salud al terminar el confinamiento por la pandemia.

Abstract Introduction: Older adults constitute the most vulnerable population group to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mexico, their biopsychosocial conditions might intensify their vulnerability. Method: Affiliation to health systems, health conditions and gerontological evaluation of 3,218 older adults were analyzed following the methodology of the PAHO-Mexico Health, Well-being and Aging Survey. Results: 88.6 % of older adults referred being affiliated to health systems; 30.2 %, 52.4 %, 10.3 %, 4.1 % and 5.6 % referred suffering from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, respectively; 15.6 % reported urinary incontinence, and 11.3%, fecal incontinence; 12.1 % of the women referred having suffered from breast cancer at some point, and 6.3 %, cervical cancer. The habit of smoking tobacco was observed in 11.1 %, risk of malnutrition in 32.8 %, established malnutrition in 4.1 %, and functional dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily life in 16.3 % and 17.6 %, respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive gerontological evaluation is essential for efficient care of older adults who suffer from COVID-19, and for adequate care of the effects or health conditions at the conclusion of the confinement imposed by the pandemic.

Evidence of Some Natural Products with Antigenotoxic Effects. Part 2: Plants, Vegetables, and Natural Resin.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are known as genotoxins and, according to their mode of action, are classified into mutagens, carcinogens, or teratogens. Genotoxins are also involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases, including hepatic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders; diabetes; arthritis; cancer; chronic inflammation; and ageing. In recent decades, researchers have found novel bioactive phytocompounds able to counteract the effects of physical and chemical mutagens. Several studies have shown the antigenotoxic potential of different fruits and plants (Part 1). In this review (Part 2), we present a research overview conducted on some plants and vegetables (spirulina, broccoli, chamomile, cocoa, ginger, laurel, marigold, roselle, and rosemary), which are frequently consumed by humans. In addition, an analysis of some phytochemicals extracted from those vegetables and the analysis of a resin (propolis),whose antigenotoxic power has been demonstrated in various tests, including the Ames assay, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus, and comet assay, was also performed.