Heart failure related fatigue: An exploratory analysis of serum osmolality from the national health and nutrition examination survey.

Background: Fatigue is a prominent symptom of heart failure (HF). However, underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Fluid volume status has been suggested as a physiologic mechanism of HF-related fatigue.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Inflammation, and Platelet Energy Metabolism in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study.

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness is a prevalent and sustained symptom that contributes to untoward physiological and psychological outcomes among stroke survivors. Mechanisms of excessive daytime sleepiness poststroke are not fully understood. Chronic systemic inflammation may contribute to impaired mitochondrial functioning and thereby reduce cellular energy metabolism, which may contribute to symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness in stroke survivors.

Build It and They Will Come: Interdisciplinary Wellness Clinics in Low-Income Senior Housing.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the first 4 months of implementation of the University of Maryland Interdisciplinary Wellness Clinic (UM-IWC). The UM-IWC provided health care services that are difficult for older adults in low-income senior housing communities to access.

Design: This was a descriptive study including four low-income communities.

Feasibility of aging in place clinics in low income senior housing.

The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of implementing interdisciplinary senior housing clinics. Feasibility was based on evidence of resident participation, services provided, improvement in clinical outcomes and sustaining clinics over time. Data were collected prospectively in four senior housing communities which included approximately 375 residents 60 years of age and older.

Factors Related to Fatigue and Physical Function in COPD: A Secondary Analysis Using National Survey Data.

Fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is debilitating and associated with considerable morbidity. The aim of this study is to present a model based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms of physiologic, psychologic, and situational factors with COPD-related fatigue and the relationship with physical functioning. This study used data collected from Wave 2 (2010-2011) of the National Social, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP).

COPD-Related Fatigue: A Scoping Review.

Millions of people worldwide have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and one of the most common and troublesome symptoms that must be managed is fatigue. While there are existing interventions to address COPD-related fatigue, not all patients experience benefit. A better understanding of the factors associated with COPD-fatigue could elucidate new approaches to address COPD-related fatigue, thereby offering relief to a greater number of patients.

Protein Changes After 6 weeks of Walking and the Relationship to Pain in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) affects 22.9% of individuals over the age of 40 and causes significant pain and disability. Pain is the most prevalent and troublesome symptom of KOA leading patients to seek medical interventions for relief.

Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Whole Blood Mitochondrial Gene Expression and Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue is a prevalent, debilitating, and persistent condition. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a putative contributor to cancer-related fatigue, but relationships between mitochondrial function and cancer-related fatigue are not well understood.

Objectives: We investigated the relationships between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene expression and cancer-related fatigue, as well as the effects of fish and soybean oil supplementation on these relationships.

Inflammatory and Immune Protein Pathways Possible Mechanisms for Pain Following Walking in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis affects nearly 30% of adults aged 60 years or older and causes significant pain and disability. Walking is considered a "gold standard" treatment option for reducing knee osteoarthritis pain and maintaining joint mobility but does not reduce pain for all adults with knee osteoarthritis pain and may induce pain-particularly when starting a walking routine. The mechanism by which walking is helpful for knee osteoarthritis pain is unclear.

Quantitative Sensory Testing Across Chronic Pain Conditions and Use in Special Populations.

Chronic pain imposes a significant burden to the healthcare system and adversely affects patients' quality of life. Traditional subjective assessments, however, do not adequately capture the complex phenomenon of pain, which is influenced by a multitude of factors including environmental, developmental, genetic, and psychological. Quantitative sensory testing (QST), established as a protocol to examine thermal and mechanical sensory function, offers insight on potential mechanisms contributing to an individual's experience of pain, by assessing their perceived response to standardized delivery of stimuli.

Genetic Testing for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Advances in human genetics are improving the understanding of a variety of inherited cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathies, arrhythmic disorders, vascular disorders, and lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia. However, not all cardiovascular practitioners are fully aware of the utility and potential pitfalls of incorporating genetic test results into the care of patients and their families. This statement summarizes current best practices with respect to genetic testing and its implications for the management of inherited cardiovascular diseases.

Measuring Fatigue in Older Adults With Joint Pain: Reliability and Validity Testing of the PROMIS Fatigue Short Forms.

Background And Purpose: Limited literature exists regarding the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form 8a. This study compared the psychometric properties of the 8a to the established PROMIS Fatigue Short Form 7a.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 31 older adults with joint pain.

Genotype, resilience and function and physical activity post hip fracture.

Background: Individuals who are resilient are more likely to engage in functional tasks and exercise post hip fracture. There may be a genetic predisposition to being resilient.

Objectives: This study tested the direct and indirect association of 10 candidate genes, age, cognition, gender, comorbidities, pain and social activity on resilience, function and exercise post hip fracture.

Association of Systemic Inflammation and Fatigue in Osteoarthritis: 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background/purpose: Mechanistic insight into osteoarthritis fatigue is needed as clinical management of this condition is nonspecific. Systemic inflammation is associated with fatigue in other chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between systemic inflammation and fatigue in osteoarthritis, while controlling for covariates.

A review and synthesis of correlates of fatigue in osteoarthritis.

Fatigue affects nearly half of all adults with osteoarthritis. Affected individuals report difficulty with daily functioning, requiring more time and rest during activities, feeling easily exhausted, and having to give up on social and volunteer activities known to improve quality of life. Because its etiology is poorly understood, clinical practice guidelines are unable to address management of fatigue in osteoarthritis.

The Feasibility and Impact of the EMOVE Intervention on Self-efficacy and Outcome Expectations for Exercise in Epilepsy.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of the self-efficacy based Epilepsy-Motivate and Outcome Expectations for Vigorous Exercise (EMOVE) intervention and report on the preliminary efficacy of this intervention aimed at improving exercise behaviors in adults with epilepsy. Methods: A single-group, repeated-measures design was used in 30 outpatients. Data were collected at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention.

Post-stroke fatigue as an indicator of underlying bioenergetics alterations.

Approximately half of stroke survivors suffer from clinically significant fatigue, contributing to poor quality of life, depression, dependency, and increased mortality. The etiology of post-stroke fatigue is not well understood and treatment is limited. This study tested the hypothesis that systemic aerobic energy metabolism, as reflected by platelet oxygen consumption, is negatively associated with fatigue and systemic inflammation is positively associated with fatigue in chronic ischemic stroke survivors.

Reliability and Validity of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise in Epilepsy and the Outcome Expectations for Exercise in Epilepsy Scales.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the revised Self-Efficacy for Exercise With Epilepsy (SEE-E) and Outcome Expectations for Exercise with Epilepsy (OEE-E) when used with people with epilepsy.

Methods: The SEE-E and OEE-E were given in face-to-face interviews to 26 persons with epilepsy in an epilepsy clinic.

Results: There was some evidence of validity based on Rasch analysis INFIT and OUTFIT statistics.

Pain, Genes, and Function in the Post-Hip Fracture Period.

Post-hip fracture generalized pain can lead to a progressive decline in function and greater disability. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence pain among older adults post-hip fracture, including genetic variability, and evaluate whether pain directly or indirectly influenced upper and lower extremity function. This was a secondary data analysis using data from the first 200 participants in a Baltimore Hip Study (BHS), BHS-7.

The Volunteering-in-Place (VIP) Program: Providing meaningful volunteer activity to residents in assisted living with mild cognitive impairment.

The Volunteering-in-Place (VIP) Program was developed to provide individualized meaningful volunteer activities matched to interests and capabilities for older adults with MCI in assisted living. The purposes of this single-site pre-test/post-test pilot study were to (1) establish feasibility of the VIP Program based on treatment fidelity (design, treatment, delivery, enactment); and (2) evaluate preliminary efficacy via improvement in psychological health (depressive symptoms, usefulness, purpose, resilience, and life satisfaction) and decreased sedentary activity (survey and Fitbit) at 3 and 6 months. Ten residents participated.

Measurement of Function Post Hip Fracture: Testing a Comprehensive Measurement Model of Physical Function.

Background: Measurement of physical function post hip fracture has been conceptualized using multiple different measures.

Purpose: This study tested a comprehensive measurement model of physical function.

Design: This was a descriptive secondary data analysis including 168 men and 171 women post hip fracture.

The Useful Depression Screening Tool for Older Adults: Psychometric Properties and Clinical Applicability.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the reliability and validity of the 3-item Useful Depression Screening Tool (UDST) for use with older adults in congregate living settings.

Methods: There were 176 residents of senior housing or assisted living who completed the UDST. Rasch analysis and test criterion relationships with pain, physical activity, and depression diagnosis were used to determine validity.

The Interplay of Genetics, Behavior, and Pain with Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly.

Purpose Of Study: About 25% of older adults suffer from depressive symptoms. Commonly studied candidate genes associated with depression include those that influence serotonin (SLC6A4), dopamine (COMT), or neuroplasticity (BDNF, NTRK3). However, the majority of candidate gene studies do not consider the interplay of genetics, demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors and how they jointly contribute to depressive symptoms among older adults.

The Impact of Genetics on Physical Resilience and Successful Aging.

Objective: To better understand the impact of genetics on resilience and successful aging, we tested a model of successful aging.

Method: This was a descriptive study with a single interview and blood draw done with residents in a continuing care retirement community. Five genes associated with resilience were included in the model.