Changes in postural balance associated with a woman's aging process

Abstract Context Aging causes a progressive worsening in postural balance, affecting functional independence and increasing the risk of falls. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aging on the static balance in women from 50-years to 89-years of age. Design This was a cross-sectional study, with 400 irregularly active women were evaluated and grouped by age: Group 6thdecade (age 50 to 59) ‒ 58 participants; Group 7thdecade (age 60 to 69) ‒ 214 participants; Group 8thdecade (age 70 to 79) ‒ 92 participants; Group 9thdecade (age 80 to 89) ‒ 36 participants. Postural balance was evaluated using a portable force platform in a standard standing position, with Eyes Open (EO) and Eyes Closed (EC). Results In the two measurement conditions, the elderly women in Group 9thdecade presented mediolateral displacement and range, and mean velocity greater than the women's values in Groups 6thand 7thdecade. In the EO e EC situation, the displacement was higher in the elderly Group 9thdecade compared to younger groups. Group 8thhas a mean velocity greater than Group 6thdecade in the EO situation. Conclusions Posturography showed a decline in postural balance with advancing age, suggesting that the 9thdecade of life is a borderline age to this detriment due to an increase in postural instability.

Moderate levels of physical fitness maintain telomere length in non-senescent T CD8+ cells of aged men

OBJECTIVES: Immunosenescence is an age-associated change characterized by a decreased immune response. Although physical activity has been described as fundamental for maintaining the quality of life, few studies have evaluated the effects of different levels of exercise on telomere length in aged populations. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of different levels of physical activity, classified by the Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) values, on the telomere length of memory Cluster of differentiation (CD) CD4+(CD45ROneg and CD45RO+), effector CD8+CD28neg, and CD8+CD28+ T cells in aged individuals. METHODS: Fifty-three healthy elderly men (aged 65-85 years) were included in this study. Their fitness level was classified according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for VO2 max (mL/kg/min). Blood samples were obtained from all participants to analyze the percentage of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28+, naïve, and subpopulations of memory T cells by using flow cytometry. Furthermore, using the Flow-FISH methodology, the CD4+CD45RO+, CD4+CD45ROneg, CD8+CD28+, and CD8+CD28negT cell telomere lengths were measured. RESULTS: There was a greater proportion of effector memory T CD4+ cells and longer telomeres in CD8+CD28+ T cells in the moderate physical fitness group than in the other groups. There was a higher proportion of terminally differentiated memory effector T cells in the low physical fitness group. CONCLUSION: A moderate physical activity may positively influence the telomere shortening of CD28+CD8+T cells. However, additional studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of this finding with regard to immune function responses in older men.

Analysis of static and dynamic balance in healthy elderly practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan versus ballroom dancing

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Tai Chi Chuan or ballroom dancing promotes better performance with respect to postural balance, gait, and postural transfer among elderly people. METHODS: We evaluated 76 elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: the Tai Chi Chuan Group and the Dance Group. The subjects were tested using the NeuroCom Balance Master¯ force platform system with the following protocols: static balance tests (the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance and Unilateral Stance) and dynamic balance tests (the Walk Across Test and Sit-to-stand Transfer Test). RESULTS: In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity on a firm surface with open and closed eyes, as well as on a foam surface with closed eyes. In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Unilateral Stance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity with open eyes, whereas the Dance Group presented a lower sway velocity with closed eyes. In the Walk Across Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented faster walking speeds than those of the Dance Group. In the Sit-to-stand Transfer Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented shorter transfer times from the sitting to the standing position, with less sway in the final standing position. CONCLUSION: The elderly individuals who practiced Tai Chi Chuan had better bilateral balance with eyes open on both types of surfaces compared with the Dance Group. The Dance Group had better unilateral postural balance with eyes closed. The Tai Chi Chuan Group had faster walking speeds, shorter transfer times, and better postural balance in the final standing position during the Sit-to-stand Test. .

Prevalence of acute diseases in the elderly assisted in emergency department of orthopedics

OBJECTIVE: To make an analysis of the care of elderly in an Emergency Department of Orthopedics with the primary objective to know the percentage of elderly treated, their conditions of origin and level of accidental conditions, and examine possible comorbidities, evolution and mortality rate. METHODS: Retrospective observational epidemiological study based on survey records of a tertiary hospital during one year (January to December 2006) RESULTS: In the year 2006 (January to December) 12,916 calls to patients older than 60 were performed. CONCLUSION: Massive attendance of the elderly population was observed, however, the vast majority related to chronic problems that do not require urgent attention. Patients requiring urgent attention suffer from trauma related to falls and are between the seventh and ninth decades of life, mostly female and requiring hospitalization for longer periods. Level of Evidence VI, Cases Series. .

Profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso em cirurgia ortopédica / Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic surgery

A importância da profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso e de suas complicações em cirurgia ortopédica é cada vez mais significativa. Esta revisão aborda as bases fisiopatológicas da formação dos trombos em geral e em cirurgia ortopédica, sua incidência, fatores predisponentes e complicações. Apresenta, ainda, uma abordagem atualizada e crítica dos meios de profilaxia atualmente disponíveis em nosso meio.

The relevance of prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism and its complications in orthopedic surgery is increasingly significant. This review discusses the pathophysiology of thrombus formation in general and orthopedic surgery, its incidence, predisposing factors and complications. It also presents an updated presen tation and critique of prophylaxis currently available in our environment.

Estudo de publicações em periódicos gerais de artigos sobre ortopedia e aparelho locomotor / Profile of published papers on orthopedics in general journals

Os autores estudam o perfil de publicação de artigos sobre ortopedia e área de interesse em aparelho locomotor em revistas gerais, não específicas de ortopedia, com registro no PUBMED, em um período de dois anos. Selecionados 67 artigos com distribuição heterogênea entre as revistas estudadas foi constatada presença de 26,47 por cento de artigos com desenho de intervenção e 38 por cento com desenho observacional. Os dados são comentados.

The authors study the profile of published papers on orthopedics in general journals, not specific to orthopedics, registered in PUBMED, in a period of two years. There were selected 67 papers with heterogeneous distribution among the magazines studied. It was found the presence of 26.47 percent of articles with interventional design and 38 percent with observational one. The data are discussed.

Estudo de publicações brasileiras em periódicos gerais de artigos sobre aparelho locomotor / Study of Brazilian publications in general journals of articles on the musculoskeletal system

Sào estudados os perfis de publicação de artigos relacionados ao aparelho locomotor em duas revistas médicas brasileiras gerais indexadas. Os autores estudam o perfil de publicação de artigos com registro no PUBMED, em um período de dois anos. Selecionados 39 artigos com distribuição heterogênea entre as revistas estudadas. Observaram-se nítida progressão no número de artigos entre os anos estudados em ambas as publicações, principalmente em Clinics. Entre as áreas de interesse os artigos referentes a cirurgia, abordagens clínicas e estudos biomecânicos tiveram expressiva presença em Clinics. Na RAMB os estudos estiveram centrados exclusivamente na área de interesse clínico. Quanto ao desenho predominaram em Clinics ensaios clínicos, revisões e séries de casos. Na RAMB Houve predomínio de séries de casos, revisões e estudos diagnósticos.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the difficulty for classifying bone losses the present study was designed to analyse if the AORI classification based on pre-operative radiographies is consistent and reproductible between different orthopaedic surgeons. METHODS: Six orthopedists specialized in knee surgery were trained for the use of the classification based on radiographic evaluation. All the surgeons individually classified 26 pre operative knee radiographs. RESULTS: There was a moderate (> 50 percent) matching of the classification in 24 of 26 cases in the femur and 22 of 26 in the tibia. A good matching (> 80 percent) was present in 12 of 26 cases in the femur and in 7 of 26 cases in the tibia. CONCLUSION: We observed that the AORI classification presented a moderate.

Cirurgia ortopédica em idosos: aspectos clínicos / Orthopedic surgery among the elderly: clinical characteristics

A atenção a pacientes idosos submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica, particularmente os que necessitam de cirurgia de urgência, deve levar em conta a análise da capacidade física e de riscos específicos dos indivíduos idosos, na tentativa de reduzir riscos que, no entanto, permanecem elevados neste grupo. Apesar dos riscos, procedimentos desenvolvidos com prontidão têm efeito positivo na evolução destes pacientes. A atenção coordenada integrada por equipe clínica/geriátrica, ortopédica, anestésica, intensivistas e demais profissionais de saúde pode ser altamente benéfica neste grupo de pacientes.

Care for elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, particularly for those requiring emergency surgery, needs to take into account an analysis of physical capacity and risks specific to elderly individuals, in an attempt to reduce the risks. Nevertheless, these remain high in this group. Despite the risks, procedures developed promptly have a positive effect on these patients' evolution. Coordinated care, composed of teams of specialists within clinical medicine, geriatrics, orthopedics, anesthesiology and critical care, along with other healthcare professionals, may be highly beneficial for this group of patients.

Estado nutricional e evolução de cirurgias ortopédicas de urgência em idosos / Nutritional status and evolution of orthopedic urgency surgery in the elderly

OBJETIVO: Foram avaliados pacientes de ambos os sexos, de idade superior a 60 anos de idade admitidos no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Godoy Moreira do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo para submeter-se a artroplastias de quadril em caráter emergencial (fratura de quadril). MÉTODOS: A avaliação nutricional incorporou dados sobre peso atual e referido de seis meses antes da condição atual, o índice de risco nutricional e exames complementares. Para as variáveis categóricas foram elaboradas tabelas contingência, analisadas através de teste de qui quadrado. Quando possível foi utilizado o teste t de Student para amostras não pareadas e para os casos em que a normalidade não foi observada foi utilizada análise não paramétrica (Mann Whiney). Foram analisadas, como co-variáveis as condições de: mortalidade, infecções, re-internações e complicações (soma das três anteriores). Foram analisados trinta e oito pacientes maiores de 60 anos, sendo 15 homens e 23 mulheres, com média de idade de 79,21 (DP 9,12), variando de 60 a 94 (mediana de 81 anos). RESULTADOS: Não foram encontradas associações entre idade, peso, NRI, hemoglobina, albumina, IDL e handgrip e as co-variáveis estudadas. Observou-se forte relação do número de doenças prévias com mortalidade (p=0,0012), infecção (p=0,002) e complicações (p=0,0305), mas não com re-internação (p=0,640), Também foi encontrada relação entre o tempo de internação e infecção durante a internação (p=0,0016). CONCLUSÕES: Pudemos observar que parâmetros referentes a número de doenças, tempo de internação e funcionalidade medida através das atividades básicas da vida diária tiveram poder de prever complicações como a mortalidade, re-internações e mesmo infecções, podem ser úteis na avaliação pré-operatória de idosos de alta fragilidade com quadro de fraturas de quadril. Nivel de Evidência II, estudo prognóstico.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed patients of both sexes, aged over 60 years of age admitted to the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology Godoy Moreira, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, for emergency hip arthroplasty (hip fracture). METHODS: The nutritional assessment included data on current weight and reported weight six months before the current condition, the index of nutritional risk, and complementary exams. For the categorical variables, contingency tables were compiled, which were analyzed by the chi square test. Where possible, the Student t test was used for unpaired samples, and in cases in which normality was not observed, the nonparametric (Mann Whiney) test was used. The following conditions were analyzed as co-variables: mortality, infections, re-admissions and complications (sum of the previous three). Thirty-eight patients aged over 60 years were analyzed: 15 men and 23 women, with a mean age of 79.21 (SD 9.12), and ages ranging from 60 to 94 (median 81 years). RESULTS: No associations were found between age, weight, NRI, hemoglobin, albumin, IDL and handgrip and the co-variables. A strong relationship was observed between the number of previous diseases with mortality (p = 0.0012), infection (p = 0.002) and complications (p = 0.0305) but not with readmission (p = 0.640). A link was also found between hospitalization time and infection during hospitalization (p = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: It is observed that parameters related to number of diseases, hospitalization time and functionality, measured through the ability to carry out basic activities of daily living, were capable of predicting complications such as mortality, readmissions and even re-infection, and may be useful in the preoperative evaluation of highly fragile elderly patients with hip fractures. estudo prognósticoI Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic studies.