More intensive CMV-infection in chronic heart failure patients contributes to higher T-lymphocyte differentiation degree.

Immunosenescence in chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by a high frequency of differentiated T-lymphocytes, contributing to an inflammatory status and a deficient ability to generate immunocompetent responses. CMV is the best known inducer of T-lymphocyte differentiation, and is associated with the phenomenon of immunosenescence. In this study, we included 58 elderly chronic heart failure patients (ECHF), 60 healthy elderly controls (HEC), 40 young chronic heart failure patients (YCHF) and 40 healthy young controls (HYC).

Immunosenescence and inflammation characterize chronic heart failure patients with more advanced disease.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by an inflammatory status with high levels of cytokines such as IL-6. We hypothesized that patients with CHF may develop immunosenescence due to inflammation and that this may be associated with a worse stage of the disease.

Methods And Results: We compared the immunological features of 58 elderly CHF patients (ECHF), 40 young CHF patients (YCHF), 60 healthy elderly controls (HEC) and 40 healthy young controls (HYC).

Frequent participation in high volume exercise throughout life is associated with a more differentiated adaptive immune response.

Exercise induces changes in the immune system depending on its intensity and duration. For example, transient states of immunodepression can be induced after acute intense physical activity whereas beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of moderate chronic exercise on many diseases and longevity have been described. To study the impact of high volume exercise over a lifetime on aspects of immunity we compared immunological features of 27 young and 12 elderly athletes with 30 young and 26 elderly non-athletes stratified by their CMV serostatus.

Relationship between functional ability in older people, immune system status, and intensity of response to CMV.

Shorter survival in the elderly has been associated with deterioration of the immune system and also with functional disability. To analyze the relationship between functional and immune impairment in older individuals, we studied 100 elderly who lived in a nursing home, were age matched, and grouped according to their functional status. We characterized cell subpopulations by flow cytometry, quantified TREC by RT-PCR, and measured the T-cell proliferation and activation response (IFN-γ by ELISPOT, CD69) against anti-CD3 and CMV.

Mortality and functional evolution at one year after hospital admission due to heart failure (HF) in elderly patients.

The aim of this observational study was to describe the characteristics (including functional measures) of the elderly patients hospitalized in the acute geriatric unit (AGU) and diagnosed with HF as well as to determine the variables associated with mortality at one year after discharge. A prospective study including patients aged 70 and over hospitalized for acute decompensated HF was performed. The baseline measures were demographics, comorbidity, clinical, functional and cognitive status.

[Current and lifetime depression as a risk factor for hospital admission in patients older than 74 years attended in an emergency department].

Introduction: Depression is especially frequent in the elderly. In addition to impairing quality of life, this disorder can affect the outcome of medical diseases. The objective is to analyze whether depressive disorders in elderly individuals attending an emergency room for medical complaints constitute a risk factor for admission.

[Risk factors associated with functional impairment at discharge and at three months after discharge in elderly individuals hospitalized for heart failure].

Objective: To determine the characteristics of elderly persons hospitalized for congestive heart failure and identify the factors associated with functional impairment or death at discharge and 3 months later.

Material And Methods: We performed a prospective observational study that included 162 patients admitted to an Acute Geriatric Care Unit with a diagnosis of heart failure from February to July 2007. Socio-demographic, clinical, functional and cognitive factors were recorded during admission.

[Risk factors for 4-year mortality in older adults. Toledo Study].

Introduction: multiple factors contribute to mortality in older adults. Measures of physical and cognitive function are strong predictors of mortality, but the extent to which function, health-related quality of life and other factors contribute independently to mortality risk is not known.

Material And Methods: we performed a prospective study of a representative sample of people aged 65 years and older (n=3,214) followed-up for 4 years.