[Assessment of comorbidity in elderly]. / Evaluación de la comorbilidad en el adulto mayor.

The objective was to offer to the clinical researchers who work on elderly and health field a review of the main instruments use for assessment the presence of comorbidity in elderly. A systematic quest at Medline using keywords was made. A group of experts on geriatric and internal medicine physicians was integrated for the evaluation of paper found. The group analyzed the structure, clinical utility, clinimetrics properties, focus on elderly patients. This communication included the four main tools: Charlson's comorbidity index, Geriatric index of comorbidity, Kaplan-Feinstein's index and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G). Each of them showed adequate clinometric properties, although, the assessment of CIRS-G requires a health professional more skilled on clinical examination, all of these indexes have been shown to have a good predictive value about functional impairment and mortality. However, the choice of the index by researchers depends on the context of the study.

[Functional dependence and chronic disease in older Mexicans]. / Dependencia funcional y enfermedades crónicas en ancianos mexicanos.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of functional dependence in older Mexicans and associated chronic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted between June and December 2004 in the Geriatric Department of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City. The data for the variables were obtained from the information in the National Study of Health and Aging in Mexico survey (ENASEM). The survey was based on the law for statistical and geographic information,Chapter V, Article 38. A total of 4,872 subjects from the national survey of aging and health in Mexico were asked about their need for help in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Presence of disease was obtained through self-reporting. RESULTS: Prevalence of functional dependence was 24 and 23% for BADL and IADL, respectively. Joint disease, cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment and depression were associated with dependency in BADL and IADL. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of functional dependence is high among Mexicans over 65 years old. This study shows the chronic conditions that are closely associated with functional dependence and provides a perspective in order to develop preventative measures.

[Validity and reliability of the screening questionnaire for geriatric depression used in the Mexican Health and Age Study]. / Validez y confiabilidad del cuestionario del ENASEM para la depresión en adultos mayores.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of a geriatric depression questionnaire used in the Mexican Health and Age Study (MHAS). METHODS: The study was conducted at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) clinic from May 2005 to March 2006. This depression screening nine-item questionnaire was validated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (fourth revised version) and Yesavage's 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) criteria. The instrument belongs to the MHAS, a prospective panel study of health and aging in Mexico. RESULTS: A total of 199 subjects 65 years of age and older participated in the validation process (median age= 79.5 years). MHAS questionnaire result was significantly correlated to the clinical depression diagnosis (p<0.001) and to the GDS-15 score (p<0.001). Internal consistency was adequate (alpha coefficient: 0.74). The cutoff point > or = 5/9 points yielded an 80.7% and 68.7% sensitivity and specificity respectively. The fidelity for the test retest was excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient= 0.933). Finally, the Bland and Altman agreement points indicated a difference 0.22 percent points between test retest. CONCLUSION: The MHAS questionnaire is valid and trustworthy, and allows screening in the research field for the presence of depression in the elderly.

Validez y confiabilidad del cuestionario del ENASEM para la depresión en adultos mayores / Validity and reliability of the screening questionnaire for geriatric depression used in the Mexican Health and Age Study

OBJETIVO: Estimar la validez y confiabilidad de un instrumento para detectar depresión en adultos mayores. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó en la consulta externa del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), entre mayo de 2005 y marzo de 2006. Se utilizaron el diagnóstico clínico de depresión a través de el Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de Trastornos Mentales, en su cuarta versión revisada (DSM-IV-TR), y la Escala de depresión geriátrica (EDG) de Yesavage, para establecer las propiedades clinimétricas de un cuestionario dicotómico de nueve reactivos, desprendido del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México (ENASEM). RESULTADOS: En el proceso de validación participaron 199 individuos de edad media de 79.5 años. El resultado del cuestionario de la ENASEM estuvo significativamente correlacionado con el diagnóstico clínico de depresión (p<0.001) y el puntaje de la EDG (p<0.001). La consistencia interna fue la adecuada (coeficiente alfa de 0.74). El punto de corte e"5/9 puntos tiene una sensibilidad y especificidad de 80.7 por ciento y 68.7 por ciento, respectivamente, para el diagnóstico de depresión. La confiabilidad prueba contra prueba fue excelente (Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase de 0.933). Finalmente, los límites de acuerdo entre la prueba y contra prueba muestran una diferencia de 0.22 puntos porcentuales. CONCLUSIONES: El cuestionario ENASEM constituye un instrumento válido y confiable para cribar la presencia de depresión en adultos mayores.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of a geriatric depression questionnaire used in the Mexican Health and Age Study (MHAS). METHODS: The study was conducted at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) clinic from May 2005 to March 2006. This depression screening nine-item questionnaire was validated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (fourth revised version) and Yesavage's 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) criteria. The instrument belongs to the MHAS, a prospective panel study of health and aging in Mexico. RESULTS: A total of 199 subjects 65 years of age and older participated in the validation process (median age= 79.5 years). MHAS questionnaire result was significantly correlated to the clinical depression diagnosis (p<0.001) and to the GDS-15 score (p<0.001). Internal consistency was adequate (alpha coefficient: 0.74). The cutoff point e" 5/9 points yielded an 80.7 percent and 68.7 percent sensitivity and specificity respectively. The fidelity for the test retest was excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient= 0.933). Finally, the Bland and Altman agreement points indicated a difference 0.22 percent points between test retest. CONCLUSION: The MHAS questionnaire is valid and trustworthy, and allows screening in the research field for the presence of depression in the elderly.

Dependencia funcional y enfermedades crónicas en ancianos mexicanos / Functional dependence and chronic disease in older Mexicans

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de dependencia funcional y las enfermedades crónicas que se le asocian. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó de junio a diciembre de 2004 en el Departamento de Geriatría del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, en México, DF. Los datos de las variables se obtuvieron de la información de la encuesta para el Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México (ENASEM), realizada con base en la Ley de Información Estadística y Geográfica,Capítulo V,Artículo 38.Se incluyó un total de 4 872 personas mayores de 65 años, a quienes se les interrogó sobre ayuda para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria (AVD) y actividades instrumentales (AIVD) de la vida diaria; así como sobre la presencia de enfermedad crónica. RESULTADOS: De los mayores de 65 años, 24 por ciento resultó dependiente en AVD y 23 por ciento en AIVD. Las enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con dependencia funcional en actividades básicas e instrumentadas fueron las enfermedades articular y cerebrovascular, el deterioro cognitivo y la depresión. CONCLUSION: La prevalencia de dependencia funcional es alta enlos mayores de 65 años.Este estudio demuestra cuáles enfermedades crónicas están asociadas con la dependencia. Es necesario desarrollar medidas orientadas al tratamiento y prevención de estas entidades crónicas que se asociaron con dependencia funcional.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of functional dependence in older Mexicans and associated chronic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted between June and December 2004 in the Geriatric Department of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City. The data for the variables were obtained from the information in the National Study of Health and Aging in Mexico survey (ENASEM).The survey was based on the law for statistical and geographic information,Chapter V,Article 38.A total of 4 872 subjects from the national survey of aging and health in Mexico were asked about their need for help in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Presence of disease was obtained through selfreporting. RESULTS: Prevalence of functional dependence was 24 and 23 percent for BADL and IADL, respectively. Joint disease, cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment and depression were associated with dependency in BADL and IADL. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of functional dependence is high among Mexicans over 65 years old. This study shows the chronic conditions that are closely associated with functional dependence and provides a perspective in order to develop preventative measures.

[The benefits of doing excercise in the elderly]. / Beneficios de la práctica del ejercicio en los ancianos.

Advanced age is associated with changes in body composition such as muscular mass loss, which is defined as sarcopenia. The former term plays a key role in the frailty model, although its source is unknown. Myriad strategies have been used to improve and increase muscular mass and function in older persons. The muscle is a versatile system that owes its great capacity to adaption to regular exercise programs. Aerobic exercise and resistance training improve muscular function and can minimize and even reverse sarcopenia in the elderly (healthy, very elderly or frail). The main difference in prescribing exercise for healthy adults and elderly individuals is that intensity of training program is lower for the latter. This review is aimed toward the physiopathologic aspects and clinical implications regarding muscular mass loss and to programs directed toward increasing strength and/or endurance in the elderly.

Beneficios de la práctica del ejercicio en los ancianos / The Benefits of Doing Exercise in the Elderly

El envejecimiento provoca múltiples cambios en la composición corporal como la pérdida de músculo esquelético (sarcopenia). La sarcopenia es un componente clave del modelo de fragilidad y su causa es desconocida. Diversas estrategias se han utilizado para preservare incluso aumentar' la masa muscular y la función en los ancianos. El músculo es un sistema versátil y se ha demostrado su adaptación a un programa continuo de ejercicio. El ejercicio aeróbico y el entrenamiento de la fuerza mejoran la capacidad funcional y pueden revertir y/o disminuir la sarcopenia en los ancianos, ya sean sanos, viejos-viejos y en los ancianos frágiles. La principal diferencia con los programas de ejercicio para adultos jóvenes es la forma como se aplica, "iniciar bajo y avanzar lento". En esta revisión se mencionan los aspectos fisiopatológicos e implicaciones clínicas de la pérdida de músculo esquelético, así como los programas para mejorar la capacidad aeróbica y la fuerza muscular en la vejez.

Advanced age is associated with changes in body composition such as muscular mass loss, which is defined as sarcopenia. The former term plays a key role in the frailty model, although its source is unknown. Myriad strategies have been used to improve and increase muscular mass and function in older persons. The muscle is a versatile system that owes its great capacity to adaption to regular exercise programs. Aerobic exercise and resistance training improve muscular function and can minimize and even reverse sarcopenia in the elderly (healthy, very elderly or frail). The main difference in prescribing exercise for healthy adults and elderly individuals is that intensity of training program is lower for the latter. This review is aimed toward the physiopathologic aspects and clinical implications regarding muscular mass loss and to programs directed toward increasing strength and/or endurance in the elderly.