Association of calcium channel blocker use and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A among older adults with hypertension: results from the ilSIRENTE study.

Background: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is a zinc-binding matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) that was shown to increase in acute coronary syndromes. Calcium channel blockers (CCB) can influence the production of several MMPs, but no study, so far, has assessed the association between use of CCB and PAPP-A levels. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluated if, among older hypertensive adults, PAPP-A levels differ according to use of CCB.

Chewing problems and mortality in older adults in home care: results from the Aged in Home Care study.

Objectives: To assess the association between chewing problems and risk of mortality in an older population receiving home care in Europe.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Eleven European countries.

Depression and risk of nursing home admission among older adults in home care in Europe: results from the Aged in Home Care (AdHOC) study.

Objective: Depression is a frequent condition observed among nursing home residents. However, so far, limited data are available on the impact of depression on nursing home admission. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of depression on the risk of nursing home admission in a group of older adults receiving home care in Europe.

HDL-cholesterol and physical performance: results from the ageing and longevity study in the sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).

Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been hypothesised to be a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest elderly. We evaluate the relationship of HDL-cholesterol with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in older persons aged 80years or older.

Methods: Data are from baseline evaluation of the ageing and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study) (n = 364).

Depression and physical function: results from the aging and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).

Depression in older persons represents a major issue because of its relevant prevalence and the associated higher risk of adverse health-related events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of depressive symptoms with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status. Data are from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study (n = 364).

Patient depression and caregiver attitudes: results from The AgeD in HOme Care study.

Background: The present cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate the association between care recipient depression and caregiver attitudes.

Methods: Data were from The AgeD in HOme Care project, a study enrolling subjects aged >or=65 years receiving home care in Europe. Depression was diagnosed as a score >or=3 on the MDS Depression Rating Scale.

Anemia status, hemoglobin concentration, and mortality in nursing home older residents.

Background: Anemia status is a typical feature of the "frailty syndrome" of elderly subjects. Increasing evidences suggest that low hemoglobin concentration is common in elderly subjects and adversely affects morbidity and mortality.

Objective: In the present study, we evaluate the impact of hemoglobin concentration on the risk of all-cause mortality in a large population of frail and old subjects living in a nursing home.

Impact of inappropriate drug use on physical performance among a frail elderly population living in the community.

Objective: The criteria for inappropriate drug use developed by Beers have been widely used in drug utilization reviews to assess the quality of prescribing, but there is still inconclusive evidence that these criteria can impact on patient outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of inappropriate drugs and measures of physical performance, muscle strength and functional status in an elderly population (80+ years).

Methods: Data are from the baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study, a prospective cohort study performed in a mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L'Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy.

Predictors of rehabilitation outcomes: a comparison of Israeli and Italian geriatric post-acute care (PAC) facilities using the minimum data set (MDS).

Objectives: To understand the relative contribution of sociodemographic, clinical, and health care features to rehabilitation outcomes in Israel and in Italy in post-acute care (PAC) facilities.

Design: Prospective cross-national study

Setting: Two hospital geriatric PAC departments: Harzfeld Geriatric Hospital, Gedera, Israel, and Catholic University of Sacred Heart Geriatric Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Participants: Post-acute care patients aged 65 and older admitted consecutively for stabilization, improvement, or rehabilitation to 3 departments in Harzfeld Geriatric Hospital, Gedera, Israel from April, 1999 through February, 2002 (N = 364), and to the post-acute Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit of the "A.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 and hemoglobin concentration in older persons living in the community.

A decreased hemoglobin concentration is a common clinical condition in elderly subjects, and in at least 20% of the cases it is not possible to directly attribute the anemia to specific factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of different levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) with the blood concentration of hemoglobin in persons aged 80 years and older. Data are from a baseline evaluation of the Aging and Longevity in the Sirente Geographic Area (ilSIRENTE) study (n=253).

Physical activity prevented functional decline among frail community-living elderly subjects in an international observational study.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to describe the prevalence of physical activity in a sample of older adults in home care in Europe and to examine the relationship between physical activity and incident disability.

Study Design And Setting: Study population consisted of a random sample of 2,005 subjects aged 65 or older admitted to home care programs in 11 European Home Health Agencies who participated in AgeD in HOme Care project. Participants who reported spending 2 or more hours of physical activities in last 3 days were defined physically active.

Case management and risk of nursing home admission for older adults in home care: results of the AgeD in HOme Care Study.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between a case management approach and the risk of institutionalization in a large European population of frail, old people in home care.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Eleven European countries.

Pressure ulcer and mortality in frail elderly people living in community.

Pressure ulcer is one of the most common, disruptive and often disabling conditions affecting frail older people. Purposes of the present study are to ascertain the prevalence of pressure ulcer and to explore the relationship between pressure ulcer and the risk of 1-year all-cause mortality in a large population of frail and very old people living in community. This was an observational cohort study.

Use of ACE inhibitors is associated with elevated levels of IGFBP-3 among hypertensive older adults: results from the IlSIRENTE study.

Objective: Several studies in vitro or in rodent models have suggested a potential relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis. However, this relationship has only rarely been investigated in humans. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the association of ACE inhibitors with free IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the blood of older hypertensive adults.

Management and dermoscopy of fast-growing nevi in pregnancy: case report and literature review.

Background: The relationship between pregnancy and a change in melanocytic nevi is still controversial. Moreover, management of the rapid evolution of a nevus in an unauspicious melanocytic lesion can be a clinical challenge in pregnancy.

Methods: This article examines a case of a fast-growing deep penetrating nevus in a pregnant woman and provides a literature review of articles relative to pregnancy and nevi change, the management of fast-growing pigmented lesions, and the role and usefulness of dermoscopy in these cases.

Free insulin-like growth factor-I and cognitive function in older persons living in community.

Context: Increasing evidences from experimental and human studies suggest that the activity of the growth hormone (GH/insulin-like growth factor-I) axis may contribute to the age-related cognitive decline and poor cognition in late life.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of total serum free IGF-I and its binding protein-3 with cognitive performance in older persons aged 80 years or older.

Design: Data are from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE study (n=353).

Cross-sectional association between behavioral symptoms and potential elder abuse among subjects in home care in Italy: results from the Silvernet Study.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of potential elder abuse among older adults receiving home care and to assess the association between behavioral symptoms and potential abuse.

Methods: Data on 4,630 subjects aged 65 or older receiving home care in Italy were collected using the Minimum Data Set for Home Care assessment. Potential abuse included signs of physical or emotional abuse and neglect.

Anticholinergic drugs and physical function among frail elderly population.

Increasing evidence from experimental studies and human observations suggests that drugs with anticholinergic properties can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of drugs with anticholinergic activity and measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in persons aged 80 years or older. Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study.

Non malignant daily pain and risk of disability among older adults in home care in Europe.

Aim of the present observational study was to evaluate the association between daily pain and incident disability in elderly subjects living in the community. We used data from the AgeD in HOme Care (AD-HOC) project, a 1 year longitudinal study enrolling subjects aged 65 or older receiving home care in 11 European countries. Daily pain was defined as any type of pain or discomfort in any part of the body manifested every day in the seven days before the baseline assessment.

In a prospective observational study, influenza vaccination prevented hospitalization among older home care patients.

Objective: The aim of the study is (1) to describe the prevalence of vaccination against influenza in older home care patients and (2) to investigate the protective effect of influenza vaccination for hospitalization events.

Study Design And Setting: This is an observational study conducted in four large cohorts of elderly patients in home care during the 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002 influenza seasons. We analyzed data from the Italian Silver Network Home Care project.

Total serum cholesterol and recovery from disability among hospitalized older adults.

Background: The association between total serum cholesterol and health outcomes among older adults is controversial. The objective of the present study was to determine within a cohort of acutely hospitalized disabled elderly patients whether total cholesterol predicts recovery from disability in basic activities of daily living (ADL).

Methods: Patients (3150) 65 years old or older admitted to 81 acute care units in Italy and presenting with ADL disability at hospital admission were included in this study.

Lifetime occupation and physical function: a prospective cohort study on persons aged 80 years and older living in a community.

Background: Several studies have reported predictors for loss of mobility and impairments of physical performance among frail elderly people.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between lifetime occupation and physical function in persons aged 80 years or older.

Methods: Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study (a prospective cohort study performed in a mountain community in Central Italy).

Body mass index, free insulin-like growth factor I, and physical function among older adults: results from the ilSIRENTE study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mediating role played by obesity on the relationship of free insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with muscle strength and physical performance. Data were from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength.

Effects of an occupational therapy program on functional outcomes in older stroke patients.

Background: During the last decade, occupational therapy has gained increasing importance as component of the rehabilitation programs in disabled patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of occupational therapy programs in patients with a recent stroke.

Methods: We selected all patients with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke (n = 50) consecutively admitted to the two post-acute Geriatric Rehabilitation Units (CEMI 2 and 3) of the 'A.