Body Adiposity Index as a Predictor of Body Fat in an Oldest Old and Independent Cohort of Brazilian Older Adults.

Background: Anthropometry and body mass index (BMI) do not assess body composition or its distribution in older adults; thus, individuals may have different fat percentages but similar BMI values. The body adiposity index (BAI) was recently proposed as a feasible and inexpensive method for estimating the percentage of body fat based on measurements of hip circumference and height. The present study evaluated whether BAI and BMI are useful alternatives to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is rarely used in clinical practice, for predicting body fat in independent long-lived older adults.

Relationship of protein, calcium and vitamin D consumption with body composition and fractures in oldest-old independent people.

Background & Aim: Some studies state that the protein intake has a protective effect against bone mass loss, while others show that the combination of low calcium intake and high protein consumption increases the risk of fractures. Perhaps this phenomenon is also altered by the consumption of vitamin D after the age 80 years. This study aimed to identify if there is an association of protein, calcium and vitamin D intake with body composition and fractures in community dwelling 80 years or older independent people.

Prospective effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on irisin levels in sedentary postmenopausal women: A pilot study.

Introduction: In postmenopausal women, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with disability, low muscle mass and fractures. Irisin is an important myokine that may contribute to the maintenance of muscle and bone density. Vitamin D is associated with the growth and function of muscle tissue through interactions between the vitamin D receptor and PGC-1α and activation of p38/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in muscle, a mechanism similar to irisin action.

Development and validation of predictive model for long-term hospitalization, readmission, and in-hospital death of patients over 60 years old.

Objective: To develop and validate a high-risk predictive model that identifies, at least, one common adverse event in older population: early readmission (up to 30 days after discharge), long hospital stays (10 days or more) or in-hospital deaths.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including patients aged 60 years or older (n=340) admitted at a 630-beds tertiary hospital, located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A predictive model of high-risk indication was developed by analyzing logistical regression models.

FGF23 levels as a marker of physical performance and falls in community-dwelling very old individuals.

Objective: The fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has been related to biological aging, but data in elderly individuals are scant. We determined the profile of serum FGF23 levels in a population of very-old individuals and studied their correlations with parameters of bone metabolism and health markers, as functional performance.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 182 community dwellers aged ≥ 80 years.

The Effect of a Single Bout of Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction on Arterial Stiffness in Older People with Slow Gait Speed: A Pilot Randomized Study.

Purpose: Low-intensity resistance exercise with moderate blood-flow restriction (LIRE-BFR) is a new trending form of exercises worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of a single bout of traditional resistance exercise (TRE) and LIRE-BFR on arterial stiffness in older people with slow gait speeds. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled clinical study.

Association between baseline Mini-Mental State Examination score and dementia incidence in a cohort of oldest old.

Background: The Brazilian population has aged rapidly. The oldest old, defined as persons aged 80 years or older, is the fastest growing segment of the Brazilian population. Several instruments have been used to assess the cognitive performance of the older people and predict dementia.

Association between fibroblast growth factor 23 and functional capacity among independent elderly individuals.

Objective: To examine the association of between serum fibroblast growth factor 23 and the functional capacity among independent individuals, aged 80 or older.

Methods: The functional capacity of 144 elderly was assessed by Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, cognitive tests, handgrip strength and the timed ability to rise from a chair and sit down five times. Fibroblast growth factor 23 was measured using an ELISA assay.

Association of Body Composition with Arterial Stiffness in Long-lived People.

Background: Arterial stiffness, obesity and sarcopenia correlate with each other and with cardiac outcomes in younger adults. However, there is little evidence of the association between body composition and markers of central arteries stiffness in long-lived people.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness and body composition in functionally independent long-lived individuals.

Impaired chair-to-bed transfer ability leads to longer hospital stays among elderly patients.

Background: The study objectives were to identify the main predictive factors for long hospital stays and to propose new and improved methods of risk assessment.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the clinics and surgical wards of a tertiary hospital and involved 523 elderly patients over 60 years of age. Demographic, clinical, functional, and cognitive characteristics assessed between 48 and 72 h after admission were analyzed to investigate correlations with lengths of stay greater than 10 days.

Association between respiratory capacity, quality of life and cognitive function in elderly individuals.

Objective: To investigate associations between respiratory capacity, quality of life and cognitive function in elderly individuals.

Methods: The sample included 386 elderly individuals (232 women). Respiratory capacity assessment was based on maximal expiratory pressure measured at peak expiratory flow.

Functional capacity, renal function and vitamin D in community-dwelling oldest old.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum 25(OH)D with the physical and mental functional capacity of elderly individuals aged 80 years or older.

Methods: We evaluated the functional capacity in its multidomain aspects: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Mental State Mini-Exam (MMSE), Verbal Fluency Test (VF), handgrip strength and time to sit and rise from a chair five times, combined creatinine and cystatin C-based eGFR and 25(OH)D levels in 205 independent asymptomatic and community-dwelling elderly subjects in a cross-sectional study.

Results: Every 1 year of life, there was reduction of about 10% chance of adequate performance in functional capacity.

Genes related to maintenance of autophagy and successful aging.

Considering aging as a phenomenon in which there is a decline in essential processes for cell survival, we investigated the autophagic and proteasome pathways in three different groups: young, older and oldest old male adults. The expression profile of autophagic pathway-related genes was carried out in peripheral blood, and the proteasome quantification was performed in plasma. No significant changes were found in plasma proteasome concentrations or in correlations between proteasome concentrations and ages.

Depression and cancer were independently associated with quality of life in Brazilian older people.

Objective: To analyse the factors associated with low health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older people living in Brazil.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study of the Jewish community residing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, we extensively evaluated the characteristics - including clinical, functional and sociodemographic - of 496 older people. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), while the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to measure depressive symptoms.

The influence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol on BIA Resistance results and aging on BIA Reactance results in elderly people.

Background & Aims: The use of Bioimpedance (BIA) as a bedside method of evaluation of body composition increased in the last years. However there are still some questions about correct interpretation of the raw data, reactance and resistance, as measures of body composition. This study investigated the relationship of age, physical activity practice, Body Mass Index (BMI), 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum lipoproteins in BIA data of resistance and reactance.

Pain-induced depression in the elderly: Validation of psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the "Geriatric Emotional Assessment of Pain" - GEAP-b.

Objective: In order to introduce an instrument within our midst that allows a comprehensive clinical evaluation of pain-induced depression in the elderly, we proposed the translation, cross-cultural adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese, and study of the psychometric properties of the "Geriatric Psychosocial Assessment of Pain-induced Depression" (GEAP) scale. This instrument was especially developed for the screening of depression associated with chronic pain in the elderly.

Method: We performed translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the GEAP scale, whose psychometric properties were analyzed in a sample of 48 elderly individuals.

Health-related quality of life in Brazilian community-dwelling and institutionalized elderly: Comparison between genders.

Objective: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) indicators between institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly men and women.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 496 elderly men and women, surveyed by researchers at a private hospital that attends institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly. HRQL (World Health Organization Quality of Life), daily living activities (Katz questionnaire), and instrumental daily living activities (Lawton questionnaire), mini-mental state examination, handgrip strength test, and function capacity (timed up and go test) were obtained.

Ultrasonographic assessment of thyroid volume in oldest-old individuals.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between thyroid volume and age, gender, anthropometric characteristics, and echogenicity in oldest-old subjects in an iodine-sufficient area.

Subjects And Methods: The study included 81 independent elderly individuals aged ≥ 80 years (65 [80.2%] women).

Peak expiratory flow mediates the relationship between handgrip strength and timed up and go performance in elderly women, but not men.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to verify if there is sex difference in the associations among handgrip strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and timed up and go (TUG) test results.

Methods: The sample included 288 consecutive elderly men (n=93) and women (n=195). Functional capacity was measured using the TUG test, and muscle strength was measured based on handgrip.

Influence of peripheral arterial disease on daily living activities in elderly women.

Aging has been associated with decreases in physical and cognitive functions. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been associated with further impairments in these functions, especially in women. However, no detailed information is available indicating whether PAD leads to further impairment in these functions in elderly women.

Abnormal phenotypic distribution of regulatory and effector T cells in octogenarian and nonagenarian women.

Introduction: aging is associated with several immunologic changes. Regulatory (Treg) and effector T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of infectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases. Little is known about the effects of aging on the frequency and function of these T cell subpopulations.