Blood pressure variability associated with falls in nursing home residents.

Background: High variations in serially measured blood pressures (BPs) portend a variety of adverse clinical events including dementia, cardiovascular sequelae and frailty. In this study, systolic blood pressure variability (BPV) was examined for its association with fall frequency and time to next fall among older adults living in nursing homes.

Methods: BP values and falls over time were extracted from medical records of nursing home residents aged ≥65 years over a 10-month period.

The Associations of Pulse Pressure and Mean Arterial Pressure on Physical Function in Older Americans.

Background: We sought to examine the associations of pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) on physical function in older Americans.

Methods: Our analytic sample included 10,478 adults aged ≥65 years from the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Handgrip strength, gait speed, and standing balance were collected using relatively standard protocols.

A descriptive analysis of food pantries in twelve American states: hours of operation, faith-based affiliation, and location.

Background: Our objectives were to describe both the development, and content, of a charitable food dataset that includes geographic information for food pantries in 12 American states.

Methods: Food pantries were identified from the foodpantries.org website for 12 states, which were linked to state-, county-, and census-level demographic information.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Are Associated With Future Morbidity Accumulation in Americans.

Klawitter, L, Vincent, BM, Choi, BJ, Smith, J, Hammer, KD, Jurivich, DA, Dahl, LJ, and McGrath, R. Handgrip strength asymmetry and weakness are associated with future morbidity accumulation in americans. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 106-112, 2022-Identifying strength asymmetries in physically deconditioned populations may help in screening and treating persons at risk for morbidities linked to muscle dysfunction.

The SPOR-Canadian Data Platform: a national initiative to facilitate data rich multi-jurisdictional research.

Administrative health data is recognized for its value for conducting population-based research that has contributed to numerous improvements in health. In Canada, each province and territory is responsible for administering its own publicly funded health care program, which has resulted in multiple sets of administrative health data. Challenges to using these data within each of these jurisdictions have been identified, which are further amplified when the research involves more than one jurisdiction.

Evaluating Additional Aspects of Muscle Function with a Digital Handgrip Dynamometer and Accelerometer for Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults: A Pilot Study.

Handgrip dynamometers are used to assess handgrip strength (HGS), and low HGS is linked to poor cognitive function. Although HGS is a reliable measure of muscle function, it is only measuring maximal grip force. Other aspects of muscle function such as force control, fatigability, and steadiness are unaccounted for in current HGS protocols.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry Is Associated With Limitations in Individual Basic Self-Care Tasks.

This investigation sought to determine the associations between handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetries and limitations in individual activities of daily living (ADL). The analytic sample included 18,468 participants from the 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Those with HGS >10% stronger on either hand had any HGS asymmetry.

Examining Additional Aspects of Muscle Function with a Digital Handgrip Dynamometer and Accelerometer in Older Adults: A Pilot Study.

Background Maximal handgrip strength (HGS) could be an incomplete and unidimensional measure of muscle function. This pilot study sought to examine the relationships between maximal HGS, radial and ulnar digit grip strength, submaximal HGS force control, HGS fatigability, neuromuscular HGS steadiness, and HGS asymmetry in older adults. Methods: A digital handgrip dynamometer and accelerometer was used to collect several HGS measurements from 13 adults aged 70.

Differences in coronary artery disease complexity and associations with mortality and hospital admissions among First Nations and non-First Nations patients undergoing angiography: a comparative retrospective matched cohort study.

Background: First Nations people are more likely than the general population to experience long-term adverse health outcomes after coronary angiography. Our aim was to quantify the extent of coronary artery disease among First Nations and non-First Nations patients undergoing angiography to investigate differences in coronary artery disease and related health disparities.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study to compare health outcomes of First Nations and non-First Nations adult patients (> 18 yr) who underwent index angiography between Apr.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Together Are Associated With Functional Disability in Aging Americans.

Background: Evaluating handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may help to improve the prognostic value of HGS. This study sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on future activities of daily living (ADL) disability in a national sample of aging Americans.

Methods: The analytic sample included 18,468 Americans aged ≥50 years from the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.

Cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis and outcomes among Manitoba First Nations people living on and off reserve: a retrospective population-based analysis.

Background: Substantial cancer-related disparities exist between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians. The objectives of this study were to compare cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis and mortality outcomes between Status First Nations people living on reserve and off reserve in Manitoba.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of population-level administrative health databases in Manitoba.

Weakness May Have a Causal Association With Early Mortality in Older Americans: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

Objectives: Quantifying the association between muscle weakness and mortality with carefully matched cohorts will help to better establish the impact of weakness on premature death. We used a matched cohort analysis in a national sample of older Americans to determine if those who were weak had a higher risk for mortality compared with control groups with incrementally higher strength capacities.

Design: Longitudinal panel.

Comparing cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis and outcomes of First Nations and all other Manitobans: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Globally, epidemiological evidence suggests cancer incidence and outcomes among Indigenous peoples are a growing concern. Although historically cancer among First Nations (FN) peoples in Canada was relatively unknown, recent epidemiological evidence reveals a widening of cancer related disparities. However evidence at the population level is limited.

Cardiovascular Medication Use and Long-Term Outcomes of First Nations and Non-First Nations Patients Following Diagnostic Angiography: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background In Canada, First Nations (FN) people are at greater risk of mortality than the general population following index angiography. This disparity has not been investigated while considering guideline-recommended cardiovascular medication use. Methods and Results Retrospective analysis of administrative health data investigated patterns of medication dispensation during the first year after index angiography among patients in Manitoba, Canada.

Health Outcome and Follow-up Care Differences Between First Nation and Non-First Nation Coronary Angiogram Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: First Nations (FN) people experience high rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) morbidity and mortality. Increasing access to angiography may lead to improved outcomes. We compared various outcomes and follow-up care post-index angiography between FN and non-FN patients.

Index coronary angiography use in Manitoba, Canada: a population-level descriptive analysis of First Nations and non-First Nations recipients.

Objectives: To investigate recipient characteristics and rates of index angiography among First Nations (FN) and non-FN populations in Manitoba, Canada.

Setting: Population-based, secondary analysis of provincial administrative health data.

Participants: All adults 18 years or older who received an index angiogram between 2000/2001 and 2008/2009.

Quality improvement in long term care: the psychotropic assessment tool (PAT).

Background: There are already a substantial number of individuals with dementia in long-term care. Many nursing home patients have difficult behaviors and are currently managed with psychotropic medications. Medications for behavior need to be titrated and monitored over time for efficacy and safety, and subsequently tapered if ineffective.