C allele of the rs2209972 single nucleotide polymorphism of the insulin degrading enzyme gene and Alzheimer's disease in type 2 diabetes, a case control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last few decades we have witnessed an interesting transformation of the population pyramids throughout the world. As the population's life expectancy increases, there are more chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and dementias, and both of them have shown an association. GENERAL OBJETIVE: To determine the association between Alzheimer's disease in diabetic patients and the insulin degrading enzyme in outpatients of a second level Hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a case control study in which we included outpatients from the Geriatrics Clinic of a Hospital in Northeastern Mexico. Cases were patients with a Mini Mental Score Exam (MMSE) below 24 and DSM-IV criteria for Dementia. Controls were patients who had MMSE scores greater than 24. RESULTS: Data from 97 patients were analyzed. Regarding physical examination and the results of laboratory tests, there were no differences between the two groups (p>0.05). A 98% prevalence of the insulin degrading enzyme was documented in the sample studied. We found an association between a homozygous status for the CC genotype and Dementia with an estimated Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.5 (CI 95% 1.6-3.3) on the bivariate test, while, on the multivariate analysis, the OR was estimated 3.3 (CI 95% 1.3-8.2). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows that cognitive impairment is more frequent among those exposed to the C allele of the rs2209972 SNP of the insulin degrading enzyme gene.

Fragilidad y su asociación con mortalidad, hospitalizaciones y dependencia funcional en mexicanos de 60 años o más / Frailty and its association with mortality, hospitalization and functional dependence in Mexicans aged 60-years or older

Fundamento y objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre fragilidad y mortalidad, dependencia funcional, caídas y hospitalizaciones en el Estudio Nacional de Salud y Envejecimiento en México (ENASEM).Sujetos y métodos: Estudio prospectivo poblacional en México en el que se seleccionaron sujetos de 60 años o más, que fueron evaluados en las variables de fragilidad durante la primera vuelta del estudio en el año 2001 y que incluyó: dificultad para levantarse de una silla después de haber estado sentado(a) durante largo tiempo, pérdida de peso de 5 kilogramos o más en los últimos dos años y falta de energía. Los sujetos fueron catalogados como robustos, prefrágiles y frágiles cuando tenían cero, una o dos de las características anteriores, respectivamente. La mortalidad, hospitalizaciones, caídas y dependencia funcional fueron evaluadas en la segunda vuelta del estudio en el año 2003. Se calculó el riesgo relativo para cada una de las complicaciones, así como análisis multivariado con regresión de Cox para el caso de mortalidad y regresión logística para el resto.Resultados: Los estados de prefragilidad y fragilidad se asociaron independientemente con mortalidad, con índices de riesgo ajustados de 1,61 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,01-2,55) y 1,94 (IC 95% 1,20-3,13), respectivamente. Sólo el estado de fragilidad se asoció independientemente con hospitalización y dependencia funcional, con una razón de momios ajustada de 1,53 (IC 95% 1,13-2,07) y 3,07 (IC 95% 1,76-5,34), respectivamente. No hubo asociación entre los estados de prefragilidad y fragilidad con caídas. Conclusión: El estado de fragilidad se asocia independientemente con mortalidad, hospitalizaciones y disfuncionalidad en actividades básicas de la vida diaria en los siguientes dos años en población mexicana (AU)

Background and objective: To determine the association between frailty and mortality, dysfunctionality, falls and hospitalizations in the Mexican Health and Aging Study.Subjects and methods: Prospective, population study in Mexico, that included subjects of 60 years and older who were evaluated for the variables of frailty during the year 2001 (first wave of the study) which included: difficulty to rise from a chair after being seated during long time, weight loss of 5 kilograms or more in the last two years, and absence of energy. Frail subjects were considered when they had at least two conditions. The robust group was considered when they had zero conditions. Pre-frail or intermediate were those with one condition. Mortality, hospitalizations, falls, and functional dependency were evaluated during 2003 (second wave of the study). Relative risk was calculated for each complication, as well as hazard ratio and odds ratio through Cox Regression Model (for mortality) and logistic regression (for the rest of the complications) respectively, adjusted for covariates. Results: The states of frailty and pre-frailty were independently associated with mortality, hazard ratio of 1.61 (CI 95% 1.01-2.55) and 1.94 (CI 95% 1.20-3.13), respectively. Only the state of frailty was independently associated with hospitalization and functional dependence, odds ratio of 1.53 (CI 95% 1.13-2.07) and 3.07 (CI 95% 1.76-5.34). There was no association between pre-frailty or frailty with falls. Conclusion: Frailty is associated with an increase in the rate of mortality, hospitalizations and dependence in basic activities of daily life (AU)

[Frailty and its association with mortality, hospitalization and functional dependence in Mexicans aged 60-years or older]. / Fragilidad y su asociación con mortalidad, hospitalizaciones y dependencia funcional en mexicanos de 60 años o más.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between frailty and mortality, dysfunctionality, falls and hospitalizations in the Mexican Health and Aging Study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Prospective, population study in Mexico, that included subjects of 60 years and older who were evaluated for the variables of frailty during the year 2001 (first wave of the study) which included: difficulty to rise from a chair after being seated during long time, weight loss of 5 kilograms or more in the last two years, and absence of energy. Frail subjects were considered when they had at least two conditions. The robust group was considered when they had zero conditions. Pre-frail or intermediate were those with one condition. Mortality, hospitalizations, falls, and functional dependency were evaluated during 2003 (second wave of the study). Relative risk was calculated for each complication, as well as hazard ratio and odds ratio through Cox Regression Model (for mortality) and logistic regression (for the rest of the complications) respectively, adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: The states of frailty and pre-frailty were independently associated with mortality, hazard ratio of 1.61 (CI 95% 1.01-2.55) and 1.94 (CI 95% 1.20-3.13), respectively. Only the state of frailty was independently associated with hospitalization and functional dependence, odds ratio of 1.53 (CI 95% 1.13-2.07) and 3.07 (CI 95% 1.76-5.34). There was no association between pre-frailty or frailty with falls. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with an increase in the rate of mortality, hospitalizations and dependence in basic activities of daily life.

[Prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy]. / Prevalencia de hipokalemia en pacientes tratados con pulsos de metilprednisolona.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. DESIGN: We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 110 outpatients who received pulse doses of 1 g of intravenous methylprednisolone for three consecutive days. Demographic variables, serum electrolytes and an electrocardiogram were documented. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 31 men (28.2%) and 79 women (71.8%). Average age was 40 +/- 13.6 years. Mild hypokalemia was present in 19 patients (17.27% [95% CI 9.75-24.79]); moderate potassium levels were found in just one patient 0.9% [IC 95 0.023-4.96]); no cases of severe hypokalemia occurred. Total prevalence was 18.18% (95% CI 10.5-25.8). There were no significant electrocardiographic changes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate hypokalemia was 18.18% without clinical or electrocardiographic consequences. Since there were no cases of severe hypokalemia, close monitoring of potassium levels should be restricted to those patients with other risk factors.