Prevalence of eye disorders in elderly population of Tehran, Iran

Introduction: The decline of visual function with increasing age is a significant concern in elderly. Despite previous work on prevalence of specific ophthalmic pathologies, there has not been enough valid data about overall eye disorders in Tehran yet, and it is poorly defined and not underpinned by strong evidence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the common eye disorders in the elderly population of Tehran

Methods: A total of 392 elderly community residents aged 60 to 96 were enrolled. The 278 older adults referred to Tehran's Polyclinic of 6th Region of municipality and 114 older adults referred to the health centers of 9th Region of municipality between 2013 and 2014 were examined. All participants underwent an extensive ophthalmologic screening examination including cataract, diabetic retinopathy of optic nerve, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. The prevalence of various eye disorders was calculated as percentages of the total study population and categorized by age and sex

Results: Of the 392 participants, 152 subjects [38.8%] had no eye disease. Common visual impairments in elderly were cataract [39.3%], macular degeneration [11.5%], diabetic retinopathy of optic nerve [5.6%] and glaucoma [4.8%]. It has also showed cataract prevalence increased with age from [6.3%] in the 60-64 age group to [47.6%] for the patients 85years of age and older

Conclusion: Cataract is the most frequent eye disease in community dwelling older adults that should be considered at a younger age by health officials to provide preventive programs. Improving accessibility to surgery for the treatment of cataract among the old people will help diminish of untreated cataract that lead to visual impairment

Difference in Hamstring-to-Quadriceps ratio and dynamic stability between limbs in elderly people

Purpose: previous studies have suggested that thigh muscle imbalance may be a risk factor for knee injury. The Present study aimed to compare Hamstring-to-Quadriceps [H:Q] Ratio and dynamic stability between the two lower limbs of elderly people

Methods: This was a correlational study and by nonprobability sampling 19 healthy community doweling elderly [age=65.93 +/- 3.53 yrs.] participated in this study. Dynamic strength and power of knee extensor and flexor muscles and H:Q ratios of each lower limb were measured by isokinetic dynamometer. Dynamic stability was evaluated using the biodex balance system. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were performed to compare power, strength, H:Q ratio, and balance index of 2 sides. Data analysis were conducted using SPSS software, version 19

Results: Strength and power between two legs was significantly asymmetrical. There was no significant difference in H:Q strength ratios [P=0.057] between the two sides although this ratio was 14.42% greater in weaker leg. Antero-posterior stability index [APSI] was significantly different between two legs [P=0.03], however there is no significant difference in overall stability index [OSI] and medio-lateral stability index [MLSI]

Conclusion: The asymmetry between limbs or weakness of the quadriceps and/or hamstring muscle strength and the resultant change in H:Q ratio should be considered in rehabilitation of older adults

Hyper Mobility and Low Back Pain in the Athletic Population

Objectives: It is important to recognize any risk factors for the development of injuries in the athletic population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between joint hyper mobility and low back pain in Iranian hyper mobile and non-hyper mobile athletes.

Methods: 50 athletic patients with low back pain [age=23.20 +/- 12.79 years] and 51 healthy athletes [age=24.28 +/- 13.70] from Iranian athletic teams were screened for hyper mobility using the Beighton score [0-9, with higher scores indicating increasing hyper mobility]. The athletes' profiles, medical histories and chosen sport were collected by means of a questionnaire.

Results: The mean [SD] Beighton score in females with low back pain and healthy subjects were 5.07 +/- 2.30 and 4.93 +/- 1.79 respectively. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups [p=0.54]. The mean [SD] Beighton score in males with low back pain was also higher [5.11 +/- 1.72] than in healthy subjects [4.36 +/- 1.82]. However, the result of an independent t test showed no significant difference between the two groups [p=0.07].

Discussion: Further studies are needed to determine the effects of hyper mobility on low back kinematics and injuries in different sport types.

Effects of temperature on wrist flexor muscles endurance

Background: It is widely recognized that neuromuscular function is temperature sensitive. Changes in muscle temperature may affect muscle force development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature on wrist flexor muscles endurance

Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects [mean age 21.13 +/- 1.30 years] participated in the present study. The wrist flexor muscles endurance was measured before and after applying ice and hot packs over the forearm for 15 minutes. Paired t tests were used to compare differences between pre and post intervention endurance

Results: The results showed a significant increase in wrist flexor muscles endurance after heating. [P=0.04]. We also found that, cooling the forearm muscles leaded to significant decrease of wrist flexor muscles endurance [P=0.01]

Conclusion: These results suggest that hand function is temperature sensitive. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of cold on muscular function in people working in workplaces with extreme temperature

comparative study on shoulder rotational strength, range of motion and proprioception between the throwing athletes and non-athletic persons

The repetitive micro traumatic stresses placed on the athletes shoulder joint complex during the throwing motion challenge the surrounding tissues. The purpose of this study was to compare shoulder rotational strength, range of motion and proprioception between the throwing athletes and non-athletic persons. Fifteen throwing athletes and 15 non-athletes participated in a nonrandom case - control study. Strength of shoulder rotational movements was tested with a hand held dynamometer. The ranges of internal and external rotation of shoulder were measured by a standard goniometer. The ability of subjects to replicate the target position and kinesthetic sense was examined on the subjects' right shoulder by using a continuous passive motion device. Independent and paired t tests were used to statistically analyze between and within group differences. No significant difference was detected on the range of internal rotation between throwing athletes and non-athletic candidates [P=0.3]. The range of external rotation was significantly more in athletic subjects [P=0.03]. The results also showed that throwing athletes demonstrated a significantly higher isometric strength of shoulder external and internal rotation than the nonathletic group [P<0.05]. However, the comparison of the internal and external rotation strength of dominant side in each group showed that throwing athletes showed a significant lower isometric strength of shoulder external rotation than internal rotation [P<0.001]. It was also demonstrated higher joint position acuity in the throwing athletes than non athlete subjects [P=0.01]. The repetitive nature of overhead throwing and the high forces that it causes result in adaptive changes of the dominant extremity. Throwing can lead to mobility, strength and neural adaptation

comparative study on scapular static position between femaleswith and without generalized joint hyper mobility

Generalized joint hyper mobility predisposes some individuals to a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints. Given the critical role of scapular position in function of shoulder, the aim of this study was to compare scapular position between persons with and without general joint hyper mobility. By nonprobability sampling 30 hyper mobile persons at average of 22.86 +/- 2.77 years of age and 30 non hyper mobile persons [age 23.6 +/- 2.73years] through a case-control design participated in the study. Scapular position was assessed according to the lateral scapular slide test. Independent t test and repeated measures ANOVA were used to statistically analyze scapular position differences between groups. Compared to non hyper mobile persons, those with General joint hyper mobility demonstrated a significantly higher superior scapula slide in dependent arm position [p=0.03]. However, no significant difference was found between another scores between two groups [p>0.05]. The results suggest that altered scapular position may be an important aspect of General joint hyper mobility