Cytokines and C-reactive protein production in hip-fracture-operated elderly patients.

Background: The study aim was to determine the kinetics of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in hip-fracture patients over a month postfracture, and their relationship to postoperative (postop) complications and cognitive level.

Methods: Forty-one elderly hip-fracture patients were prospectively followed. Serum was obtained during the first 10 hours postfracture and presurgery, 48-60 hours postop, 7 and 30 days postop, measuring CRP, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA).

Influence of orthostatic hypotension on mortality among patients discharged from an acute geriatric ward.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. The impact of OH on mortality is unknown.

Objective: To study the long-term effect of OH on total and cardiovascular mortality.

Seasonal changes in orthostatic hypotension among elderly admitted patients.

Background And Aims: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. It has been shown that blood pressure (BP) is lower in summer than in winter. The aim of this study was to examine whether OH varies between seasons in the elderly population.

Diarrhea in elderly patients due to Clostridium difficile associated with Salmonella and Shigella infection.

Clostridium difficile is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhea mainly in elderly hospitalized patients and in nursing homes, but less common in the community. We report three elderly patients living in the community, one frail and two in reasonable good health who recently developed diarrhea due to C. difficile associated with Salmonella group C in two cases and Shigella flexneri in the other.

Uncontrolled crying: characteristics and differences from normative crying.

Background: Uncontrolled crying (UC) is a prevalent poststroke phenomenon of elderly patients, socially disabling and interfering with rehabilitation. There are many differences in opinions and nonclarity in the literature relating to UC.

Objective: To examine two basic questions regarding UC that have as yet not been experimentally studied: typical situations where UC occurs and how UC differs from normative crying (NC).

Different C-reactive protein kinetics in post-operative hip-fractured geriatric patients with and without complications.

Background: Hip fracture is a frequent injury in the elderly, and is associated with a high incidence of functional impairment, complications and mortality.

Objective: To determine kinetics of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in hip-fractured patients over a 1-month post-operative period; to examine the relationship of these parameters to cognition, operation type, post-operational complications, functional level 1 month post-operatively and 6-month mortality.

Methods And Subjects: 32 aged patients operated on for hip fracture were prospectively followed-up for 6 months.

Can functional status, after rehabilitation, independently predict long-term mortality of hip-fractured elderly patients?

Background And Aims: Hip fractures are one of the most serious causes of functional impairment and death in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the predictive value of functional performance, after rehabilitation, of hip fracture on long-term mortality in community-dwelling patients.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-one patients aged 60 years and over, admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation day unit after inpatient rehabilitation, were followed for up to 4 years.

Pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients: a clinical study of 13 patients.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe circumstances and clinical aspects of pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Eleven patients were nursing home residents and two were community residents. All had severe pain with a large pectoral ecchymosis extending to the lateral chest wall and arm.

Pectoralis major rupture in the elderly: clinical and sonographic findings.

We describe clinical and sonographic features of pectoralis major rupture in the elderly, which is relatively rare and unknown. Patients presented with a large pectoral ecchymosis extending to the axilla, chest wall, breast and arm. The pectoral area was sensitive, sometimes with a visible and palpable defect in the axilla.

Brain abscess complicating cerebral infarct.

Presentation: We report a case of a 68-year-old man who suffered ischemic strokes in the left middle cerebral artery territory and three months later, following urosepsis, developed a cerebral abscess in the infarcted area.

Discussion: A literature search found only eight other cases. We discuss herein the common clinical aspects of brain abscess complicating strokes, the co-existent diseases, and point out the possibility of underreporting this rare but treatable complication.

Orthostatic hypotension in acute geriatric ward: is it a consistent finding?

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding among older patients. We designed a study to examine the prevalence and consistency of OH during the day.

Methods: A total of 502 inpatients (241 men and 261 women) with a mean age of 81.