Reliability of accelerometric assessment of balance in children aged 6-12 years.

BACKGROUND: Development and evaluation of an accelerometers technique for collecting data for asses balance had reported difficulty due to equilibrium reactions and continuous bursts. The aim of this study is to determine the reliability and internal consistency of accelerometric measurements, related to static equilibrium and gait in children aged 6 to 12 years. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study involved 70 healthy children (50% girls) with a mean age of 9 years old. At the height of the 4th lumbar vertebra and directly on the skin, an accelerometer was placed on each participant. All of them had to complete four trials three times: balancing on one leg with eyes closed and eyes open, dynamic balancing on one leg on a foam mat, and normal gait. RESULTS: Results show that tests performed in older children had higher internal consistency than those performed in younger children (vertical axis r = 0.82, sagittal axis r = 0.77, and perpendicular axis r = 0.74). Tests performed in children aged 8 years or older presented a strong correlation between trials (r > 0.71). The three static equilibrium tests obtained reliability values between 0.76 y 0.84. On the contrary, gait test obtained inferior and poorer results (0.6 < r < 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: This method of assessment obtained positive results as an instrument for the quantitative assessment of balance in school-aged children. Values obtained for the three one-leg balance and static tests,were more strongly correlated than the normal gait test for all axes.

Control glucémico de los pacientes ancianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en España (2015) y su relación con la capacidad funcional y la comorbilidad. Estudio Escadiane / Glycaemic control of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain (2015) and its relationship with functional capacity and comorbidity. The Escadiane study

Objetivos. Conocer el estado del control glucémico de los pacientes ancianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en España y su relación con la capacidad funcional y la comorbilidad. Métodos. Estudio transversal, observacional, multicéntrico, de ámbito nacional, en pacientes con diabetes mellitus≥65 años. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas, factores de riesgo cardiovascular, datos de exploración clínica y analíticos, comorbilidad asociada y tratamientos utilizados. Se analizó la capacidad funcional mediante el índice de Barthel y la comorbilidad con el de Charlson. Resultados. Se incluyeron 939 pacientes. La edad media fue 76,4±6,7 años. La hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c) media fue 7,0±1,2% y la glucemia basal media 137±39,6mg/dl. El nivel de HbA1c presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas según el grado de discapacidad. En los pacientes con dependencia total, grave, moderada, leve o independientes las concentraciones de HbA1c media fueron de 7,0%, 7,9%, 7,4% y 7,0% (p<0,028) respectivamente. Los niveles de HbA1c fueron de 7,3%, 7,1% y 6,9% en los pacientes con comorbilidad muy alta, alta y media, respectivamente (p<0,001). Conclusiones. Los valores medios de HbA1c en los pacientes ancianos con diabetes tipo 2 analizados en España son inferiores a los recomendados por las principales guías de práctica clínica. Son más elevados en los pacientes que presentan mayor grado de discapacidad funcional y un nivel más alto de comorbilidad (AU)

Objectives. To understand the state of glycaemic control of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain and its relationship with functional capacity and comorbidity. Methods. Cross-sectional, observational, multicentre national study on patients with diabetes mellitus aged 65 years or older. The study analysed demographic and anthropometric variables, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical and laboratory data, associated comorbidity and treatments. We analysed the functional capacity using the Barthel index and the comorbidity with Charlson index. Results. The study included 939 patients with a mean age of 76.4±6.7 years. The mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 7.0%±1.2%, and the mean basal blood glucose level was 137±39.6mg/dL. The HbA1c level showed statistically significant differences depending on the degree of disability. In the patients who were totally, severely, moderately or slightly dependent or who were independent, the mean HbA1c levels were 7.0%, 7.9%, 7.4% and 7.0%, respectively (P<.028). HbA1c levels were 7.3%, 7.1% and 6.9% in the patients with very high, high and medium comorbidity, respectively (P<.001). Conclusions. Mean HbA1c levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes analysed in Spain are below those recommended by the main clinical practice guidelines. The levels are higher in patients who have more functional disability and a higher level of comorbidity (AU)

Glycaemic control of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain (2015) and its relationship with functional capacity and comorbidity. The Escadiane study. / Control glucémico de los pacientes ancianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en España (2015) y su relación con la capacidad funcional y la comorbilidad. Estudio Escadiane.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the state of glycaemic control of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain and its relationship with functional capacity and comorbidity. METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational, multicentre national study on patients with diabetes mellitus aged 65 years or older. The study analysed demographic and anthropometric variables, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical and laboratory data, associated comorbidity and treatments. We analysed the functional capacity using the Barthel index and the comorbidity with Charlson index. RESULTS: The study included 939 patients with a mean age of 76.4±6.7 years. The mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 7.0%±1.2%, and the mean basal blood glucose level was 137±39.6mg/dL. The HbA1c level showed statistically significant differences depending on the degree of disability. In the patients who were totally, severely, moderately or slightly dependent or who were independent, the mean HbA1c levels were 7.0%, 7.9%, 7.4% and 7.0%, respectively (P<.028). HbA1c levels were 7.3%, 7.1% and 6.9% in the patients with very high, high and medium comorbidity, respectively (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mean HbA1c levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes analysed in Spain are below those recommended by the main clinical practice guidelines. The levels are higher in patients who have more functional disability and a higher level of comorbidity.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence and its relation with sedentarism in Spain. / Prevalencia de la incontinencia urinaria y su relación con el sedentarismo en España.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in the elderly Spanish population of both sexes and identify a possible relationship between physical activity habits and the presence of urinary incontinence in the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used data from 8146 individuals older than 60 years (age range, 60-94 years), from which data from a 15-year cohort were obtained. Of these, 4745 (58.2%) were women and 3401 (41.8%) were men. We analysed the presence of urinary incontinence, physical activity habits and the influence of other variables such as sex, age, weight and body mass index. RESULTS: We detected a prevalence of urinary incontinence of 15% for the women and 11.6% for the men. Those with urinary incontinence had a greater average age, weight and body mass index than the healthy participants. At the same time, the patient group with incontinence showed more sedentary habits compared with the healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS: A strong relationship was observed between the body mass index and prevalence of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence was also related to attitudinal aspects such as physical inactivity, a behaviour that predisposes the elderly to developing incontinence. For the first time, we observed a reduction in the prevalence of incontinence compared with previous studies.

Does pilates exercise increase physical activity, quality of life, latency, and sleep quantity in middle-aged people?

This prospective study assessed the effects of a 12-wk. exercise program based on the Pilates method (2 one-hr. sessions per week) on 99 sedentary middle-aged volunteers (M age = 47.6 yr., SD = 0.8), using an accelerometry, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the SF-36 questionnaire to measure changes in physical activity, quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity. The variables (quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity) were compared before and after applying the Pilates program. All of the physical and emotional components of the SF-36 questionnaire showed significant improvement, and the latency and sleep quantity also showed significant increases. The results indicate that Pilates is an accessible, interesting exercise program that can generate important changes in middle age.

Barriers associated with poor control in Spanish diabetic patients. A consensus study.

BACKGROUND: Delphi technique allows developing a multidisciplinary consensus to establish solutions. AIM: To identify barriers and solutions to improve control in patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). METHODS: An observational study using the 2-round Delphi technique (June-August 2011). A panel of 108 experts in DM2 from medical and nursing fields (primary care providers and specialists) from different regions completed via email a questionnaire with 41 Likert statements and 9 scores for each one. Level of agreement was assessed using measures of central tendency and dispersion. We analysed commonalities/differences between the two groups (Kappa index and McNemar chi-square). RESULTS: Response rate: 65%. Degree of agreement: 63.4% (95% CI 48.7-78.1%) in medicine, and 78.1% (95% CI 65.4-90.8) in nursing (p > 0.05). Overall level of agreement: Kappa = 0.43, (χ(2) = 2.5 p > 0.05). Regarding non-compliance with therapy, it improves with: the information to the partner/family/caregiver, patient education degree in diabetes, patient motivation and ability to share and agree on decisions with the patient. Clinical inertia improves with: motivation degree of healthcare professionals and the calculation of cardiovascular risk; and gets worse with: the shortage of time in consultation, absence of data in medical record, border high limits measurements accepted as normal readings, lack of a treatment goals, lack of teamwork (Physician/Nurse), scarcity of resources and lack of alarm systems in the electronic medical record on goals to achieve. CONCLUSION: The participants achieved an agreement in interventions in non-therapeutic compliance and clinical inertia to improve DM2 control.

Los programas de revitalización geriátrica: posibilidades de los parques públicos para promocionar la actividad física saludable en personas mayores. Revisión bibliográfica / Geriatric revitalization programs: possibilities of the public parks to promote healthy physical activity in the elderly. A review of the literature

Objetivos: Determinar las actividades físicas que más y mejores beneficios proporcionan a las personas mayores y conocer el estado de las investigaciones sobre los parques como escenario para el desarrollo de ejercicio por parte de mayores. Estrategia de búsqueda Se llevó a cabo en Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Science Direct, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Sport Discuss, BioMed Central y EBSCOhost. Selección de estudios Los artículos debían incluir a personas mayores en su muestra, evaluar programas de revitalización geriátrica y/o tener como ubicación parques públicos. Fueron excluidos aquellos que estudiaban a mayores con alguna condición médica específica. Síntesis de resultados Se identificaron 18 trabajos, 10 sobre los programas de ejercicio y 8 sobre los parques públicos. Conclusiones Existe la necesidad de implementar medidas que faciliten la utilización de los parques por parte de los mayores y de aumentar la prevalencia de la práctica de ejercicio por parte de este sector poblacional (AU)

Objectives: To determine the physical activities that provide more and better benefits to elderly persons and to know the status of research on parks as a scenario for performing exercise by the elderly. Search strategy: A search was made in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Biological Sciences, Science Direct, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Sport Discuss, BioMed Central and EBSCO host. Study selection: The articles should include elderly persons in their sample, evaluate geriatric revitalization programs and/or has public parks as a location. We excluded those articles that studied the elderly with a specific medical condition. Summary of results: We identified 18 studies, 10 on exercise programs and 8 on the public parks. Conclusions: There is a need to implement measures to facilitate the use of parks by the elderly and to increase the prevalence of doing exercise by this population sector (AU)

Implementación de la estrategia basal plus en la práctica clínica / Basal plus strategy implementation in clinical practice

El tratamiento con insulina puede ser necesario en la diabetes tipo 2, dado que muchos pacientes, con el tiempo, no consiguen alcanzar o mantener los objetivos glucémicos para prevenir las complicaciones crónicas asociadas a la hiperglucemia sostenida. Inicialmente, la adición de insulina basal al tratamiento previo con agentes orales suele ser la pauta más habitual. Esta estrategia se basa en el control óptimo de la glucemia en ayunas. Sin embargo, un porcentaje significativo de pacientes no consiguen alcanzar o mantener el objetivo de HbA1c <=7%, debido a que presentan elevaciones excesivas de la glucemia posprandial. En consecuencia, el paso siguiente en la intensificación deltratamiento podría ser la adición de una dosis única de insulina prandial antes de la comida que provoca la mayor excursión posprandial (estrategia basal plus), manteniendo el tratamiento previo con insulina basal y agentes orales. Este régimen ha demostrado ser sencillo, eficaz y adecuado para un gran número de pacientes. Además, en caso necesario, facilita la introducción progresiva de inyecciones adicionales de insulina prandial hasta una estrategia bolo basal. En este artículo se resumen las recomendaciones de un grupo de trabajo multidisciplinar para una adecuada implementación de la estrategia basal plus en la práctica clínica habitual (AU)

Insulin treatment may be necessary in type 2 diabetes, because many patients are not able overthe time to achieve or maintain glycemic targets to prevent chronic complications associated to sustained hyperglycemia. Initially, addition of basal insulin to previous treatment with oral agentsis the most commonly used regimen. This strategy is based on optimal control of fasting plasma glucose. However, a significant proportion of patients does not achieve or maintain HbA1c target <=7%, because they show excessive postprandial glucose values. Therefore, the next step for intensification of treatment might be the addition of a single dose of prandial insulin before the main meal, which is associated with the greatest postprandial glucose excursion (basal plus strategy), maintaining previous treatment with basal insulin and oral agents. This regimen has demonstrated to be easy to use, effective and appropriate for many patients. Furthermore, if necessary, it makes easier progressive introduction of additional injections of prandial insulin until the basal bolus strategy. In this manuscript, recommendations from a multidisciplinary working group are summarized for an adequate implementation of the basal plus strategy in the routine clinical practice (AU)