Prospective comparison of 6 comorbidity indices as predictors of 1-year post-hospital discharge institutionalization, readmission, and mortality in elderly individuals.

Background: Older patients often suffer from multiple comorbid conditions. Few comorbidity indices are valid and reliable in the elderly and were rarely compared.

Objective: To compare the performance, relevance, and ability of 6 widely used and validated comorbidity indices--Charlson Comorbidity Index, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatrics, Index of Coexistent Diseases, Kaplan, Geriatric Index of Comorbidity (GIC), and Chronic Disease Score--to predict adverse outcomes after discharge (1-year risk of rehospitalization, institutionalization, and death).

Telomere length and ApoE polymorphism in mild cognitive impairment, degenerative and vascular dementia.

Background: Clarifying the aetiology of dementia is of crucial importance in the management of patients as well as for research purposes but it is not always possible clinically. Therefore the identification of biological markers should complement clinical approaches. Telomere shortening is emerging as an important mechanism in vascular aging and the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis.