Mismatch between ADA and AGS recommendations for glycated hemoglobin targets for older adults.

In recent years, modified glycemic targets have been defined for older adults with diabetes mellitus. In a sample of elderly patients, we have identified several inconsistencies between the real life applicability of glycated hemoglobin goals recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the American Geriatrics Society.

Assessment of geriatric predictors of adherence to Zoledronic acid treatment for osteoporosis: a prospective follow-up study.

Objectives Discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment remains high even with the long acting parenteral options. Whether there are some unidentified causes of noncompliance more specific to aged individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate baseline predictors of adherence to Zoledronic acid (ZOL) infusions among non-demented older adults with osteoporosis.

Hospital Transfers of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patients Within 48 Hours and 30 Days After SNF Admission.

Background: Close to 1 in 5 patients admitted to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) are readmitted to the acute hospital within 30 days, and a substantial percentage are readmitted within 2 days of the SNF admission. These rapid returns to the hospital may provide insights for improving care transitions between the acute hospital and the SNF.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of SNF to hospital transfers that occur within 48 hours and 30 days of SNF admission based on root cause analyses (RCAs) performed by SNF staff, and identify potential areas of focus for improving transitions between hospitals and SNFs.

Lessons Learned From Root Cause Analyses of Transfers of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patients to Acute Hospitals: Transfers Rated as Preventable Versus Nonpreventable by SNF Staff.

Background: Determining if a transfer of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient/resident to an acute hospital is potentially avoidable or preventable is challenging. Most previous research on potentially avoidable or preventable hospitalizations is based on diagnoses without in-depth root cause analysis (RCA), and few studies have examined SNF staff perspective on preventability of transfers.

Objectives: To examine factors associated with hospital transfers rated as potentially preventable versus nonpreventable by SNF staff.

Root Cause Analyses of Transfers of Skilled Nursing Facility Patients to Acute Hospitals: Lessons Learned for Reducing Unnecessary Hospitalizations.

Background: Performing root cause analyses (RCA) on transfers of skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients to acute hospitals can help identify opportunities for care process improvements and education that may help prevent unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and hospital readmissions.

Objectives: To describe the results of structured, retrospective RCAs performed by SNF staff on hospital transfers to identify lessons learned for reducing these transfers.

Design: SNFs enrolled in a randomized, controlled implementation trial of the INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers) quality improvement program submitted RCAs on hospital transfers during a 12-month implementation period.

Zoledronic Acid Use and Risk of Cognitive Decline among Elderly Women and Men with Osteoporosis.

Objectives: Bisphosphonates are the first line treatment options in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis among elderly women or men. Age associated cognitive decline may increase due to adverse effects of medications. The aim of the present study was to observe the course of cognitive skills in elderly subjects treated with a bisphosphonate.

The comparative effects of valsartan and amlodipine on vWf levels and N/L ratio in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

High levels of circulating Von Willebrand factor (vWf) and increased neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio may reflect vascular inflammation in hypertensive patients. In present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of valsartan as an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and amlodipine as a calcium channel blocker on the vWf levels and N/L ratio in patients with essential hypertension. Patients were randomized to one of the following intervention protocols: calcium channel blocker (amlodipine, 5-10 mg/day) as group A (n = 20 mean age = 51.

Lower plasma soluble TWEAK concentration in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Purpose: To determine circulating levels of the soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK)and its association with demographic and biochemical parameters in a young group of patients with newly diagnosed and never treated hypertension.

Methods: A total of 51 patients (mean age 21.7 ±1.

Effect of vitamin D on insulin sensitivity in elderly patients with impaired fasting glucose.

Aim: Recent data has shown that vitamin D increases insulin sensitivity; however, there is little evidence about the effects of this treatment on elderly people with impaired fasting glucose. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D treatment on insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters in elderly people with impaired fasting glucose.

Methods: A total of 28 elderly patients were enrolled into the vitamin D treatment group.

Vitamin B(12) and folic acid levels as therapeutic target in preserving bone mineral density (BMD) of older men.

The knowledge about vitamin B(12) and folic acid levels in preserving bone mass in older men is limited. In this retrospective study, we aimed to find out whether levels of vitamin B(12) and folic acid are related to BMD in older men. Two hundred and sixty-nine older men were included in the study.

Evaluation of the effects of galantamine on cardiac function in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is used as a first-line drug in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it may have vagotonic effects, which may cause bradycardia and/or heart block in patients with or without a history of cardiac disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of galantamine on electrophysiology and arterial blood pressure in elderly patients with AD.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) levels in otherwise healthy subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Introduction: Serum transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) level is increased in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and certain diabetic complications are mediated by this cytokine. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a prediabetic condition, and confers a risk for the development of certain diabetes-specific complications. However, no data is available regarding the alteration of TGF-β in IGT subjects.

The relationship between ghrelin levels and insulin resistance in men with idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism at diagnosis and after therapy.

Introduction: It has recently been shown that ghrelin affects energy balance and reproductive function, but the role of ghrelin in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance is unclear. Firstly to assess the interaction between insulin resistance and ghrelin levels in hypogonadal men, and then to show the effects of testosterone (T) therapy on insulin and ghrelin.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four male patients newly diagnosed with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) and 20 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.

Potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on atherosclerosis and glycaemic control in patients with diabetic foot.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on glycaemic control, atherosclerosis, inflammatory markers, and other clinical and laboratory parameters in patients undergoing systemic HBOT for diabetic foot ulcerations.

Material And Methods: Twenty-eight patients with Wagner grade 2-4 diabetic foot ulcerations were included. All patients were given 100% oxygen at 2.

The effect of the content of the knowledge on adherence to medication in hypertensive patients.

Objective: It was suggested that knowledge might influence the adherence to treatment in hypertension. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the effects of content of knowledge on medication adherence and knowledge-based predictors of adherence to treatment in hypertensive patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 227 hypertensive patients (70% female;mean age: 57+/-12 years), who were followed by cardiology and internal medicine clinics.

Effectiveness of bougie dilation for the management of corrosive esophageal strictures.

Background And Study Aims: Caustic ingestion caused by swallowing a detergent can produce a progressive and devastating injury in the esophagus and stomach. One of the most important outcomes of the corrosive oesophagitis is the stricture formation, which is resistant to treatment. The aim of this study was firstly to determine the relation between agent, inflammation and stricture, and secondly investigate the efficiency of dilation in patients having esophageal stricture due to corrosive oesophagitis.

Motor axonal polyneuropathy in the course of ulcerative colitis: a case report.

We describe an axonal motor polyneuropathy in a patient with ulcerative colitis. Symptoms of neuropathy occurred during active colitis. Electrophysiological study showed motor axonal degeneration.