New reference limits for cardiac troponin T and N-terminal b-type natriuretic propeptide in elders.

Background And Aims: Our aim was to define reference limits for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) that would better reflect their concentrations in older people. In addition, the incidence of acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) was studied using these reference limits in an older population with and without previous heart diseases.

Materials And Methods: A population-based study with a ten-year follow-up.

A novel easy-to-use index to predict institutionalization and death in older population - a 10-year population-based follow-up study.

Background: Various indexes have been developed to estimate the risk for mortality, institutionalization, and other adverse outcomes for older people. Most indexes are based on a large number of clinical or laboratory parameters. An index based on only a few parameters would be more practical to use in every-day clinical practice.

Ceramides and Phosphatidylcholines Associate with Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly.

Background: The ceramide- and phospholipid-based cardiovascular risk score (CERT2) has been found to predict the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, especially cardiovascular mortality. In the present study, our aim was to estimate the predictive ability of CERT2 for mortality of CVD, coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke in the elderly and to compare these results with those of conventional lipids.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study with an 18-year follow-up period that included a total of 1260 participants ages ≥64 years.

Chronic conditions and multimorbidity associated with institutionalization among Finnish community-dwelling older people: an 18-year population-based follow-up study.

Purpose: The ageing population is increasingly multimorbid. This challenges health care and elderly services as multimorbidity is associated with institutionalization. Especially dementia increases with age and is the main risk factor for institutionalization.

Subjective and objective health predicting mortality and institutionalization: an 18-year population-based follow-up study among community-dwelling Finnish older adults.

Background: Objective health measures, such as registered illnesses or frailty, predict mortality and institutionalization in older adults. Also, self-reported assessment of health by simple self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to predict mortality and institutionalization. The aim of this study was to assess the association of objective and subjective health with mortality and institutionalization in Finnish community-dwelling older adults.

A practical laboratory index to predict institutionalization and mortality - an 18-year population-based follow-up study.

Background: Previously, several indexes based on a large number of clinical and laboratory tests to predict mortality and frailty have been produced. However, there is still a need for an easily applicable screening tool for every-day clinical practice.

Methods: A prospective study with 10- and 18-year follow-ups.

Frailty, walking ability and self-rated health in predicting institutionalization: an 18-year follow-up study among Finnish community-dwelling older people.

Background: In clinical practice, there is a need for an instrument to screen older people at risk of institutionalization.

Aims: To analyze the association of frailty, walking-ability and self-rated health (SRH) with institutionalization in Finnish community-dwelling older people.

Methods: In this prospective study with 10- and 18-year follow-ups, frailty was assessed using FRAIL Scale (FS) (n = 1087), Frailty Index (FI) (n = 1061) and PRISMA-7 (n = 1055).

Psychosocial resources related to survival among non-robust community-dwelling older people: an 18-year follow-up study.

Purpose: Psychosocial resources have been considered to be associated with survival among frail older adults but the evidence is scarce. The aim was to investigate whether psychosocial resources are related to survival among non-robust community-dwelling older people.

Methods: This is a prospective study with 10- and 18-year follow-ups.

Frailty and mortality: an 18-year follow-up study among Finnish community-dwelling older people.

Background: There is a lack of agreement about applicable instrument to screen frailty in clinical settings.

Aims: To analyze the association between frailty and mortality in Finnish community-dwelling older people.

Methods: This was a prospective study with 10- and 18-year follow-ups.

Biomarkers of kidney function and prediction of death from cardiovascular and other causes in the elderly: A 9-year follow-up study.

Background: Cystatin C is claimed to be superior to creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr). The purpose of the study is to analyze whether cystatin C, creatinine, and/or estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) predicted cardiovascular and/or non-cardiovascular deaths among Finnish elderly.

Methods: Hazard ratios (HR) of cystatin C, creatinine and eGFRs for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular deaths.

[Update on Current Care Guidelines: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder].

The updated Current Care Guidelines for ASD and PTSD recommend psychosocial support and careful monitoring for acute stress reaction (ASR) and acute stress disorder (ASD). If symptoms require, short focused cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy can be used for ASD. Medication is rarely necessary.

CNS medications as predictors of precipitous cognitive decline in the cognitively disabled aged: a longitudinal population-based study.

Background/aims: Psychotropics and antiepileptics (AE) are medications commonly used among the aged with cognitive decline or dementia, although they may precipitate further cognitive decline. Our aim was to analyze the relationships between the use of (i) psychotropics (i.e.

Fractures as an independent predictor of functional decline in older people: a population-based study with an 8-year follow-up.

Background: Fractures among older people are common, but there is scant evidence about the impact of fractures on functional decline in an unselected older population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of lower and upper body fractures on functional performance among older adults during an 8-year follow-up.

Methods: A population-based cohort of 616 Finnish persons aged 65 and over was followed for up to 8 years, and the association between fractures and the risk of short-term (0-2 years) and long-term (up to 8 years) functional decline was analyzed.

Use of CNS medications and cognitive decline in the aged: a longitudinal population-based study.

Background: Previous studies have found associations between the use of central nervous system medication and the risk of cognitive decline in the aged. Our aim was to assess whether the use of a single central nervous system (CNS) medication and, on the other hand, the combined use of multiple CNS medications over time are related to the risk of cognitive decline in an older (≥ 65 yrs) population that is cognitively intact at baseline.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal population-based study of cognitively intact older adults.

Relationship between self-reported hearing and measured hearing impairment in an elderly population in Finland.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Finnish version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly Screening (HHIE-S) questionnaire and a simple single-question method in detecting hearing loss.

Design: We compared the HHIE-S score and the single question with audiometry results. By analysing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the HHIE-S scores we estimated the appropriate cut-off points for the different degrees of hearing loss.

Quality of life three years after major lower extremity amputation due to peripheral arterial disease.

Background And Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) amputees.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-nine PAD patients (mean age 75.2, SD 10.

[Post-traumatic stress disorder].

Psychosocial support and careful monitoring are recommended for acute stress reaction (ASR) and acute stress disorder (ASD). If symptoms require, short focused cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy can be used for ASD. Medication is rarely necessary, but sleeping pills can be used for a short period.

Predictors for institutionalization and prosthetic ambulation after major lower extremity amputation during an eight-year follow-up.

Background And Aims: Major lower extremity amputation (LEA) leads to great loss in mobility, exposing old people to the risk of losing their independent living status. This study applies predictors for institutionalization and considers prosthesis use by major lower leg amputees with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: 119 PAD patients admitted from home (mean age 73.

Overweight and obesity in old age are not associated with greater dementia risk.

Objectives: To describe the association between body mass index (BMI) and dementia risk in older persons.

Design: Prospective population-based study, with 8 years of follow-up.

Setting: The municipality of Lieto, Finland, 1990/91 and 1998/99.

Effects of risk-based multifactorial fall prevention program on maximal isometric muscle strength in community-dwelling aged: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of risk-based multifactorial fall prevention program on maximal isometric strength in the community-dwelling aged.

Methods: 591 subjects were randomized in two age groups (65-74 and > or = 75 yrs), intervention group (IG) (n=293) and control group (CG) (n=298). A 12-month program consisted of individual geriatric assessment, individual guidance on fall prevention, home hazards assessment, physical exercises in groups, lectures, psychosocial activity groups, and home exercises.

Major lower extremity amputation in elderly patients with peripheral arterial disease: incidence and survival rates.

Background And Aims: The methods of treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have changed and become more prophylactic. This study describes and analyzes 1) the incidence rates of major lower extremity amputation (LEA) due to PAD, 2) occurrence of re-amputation, and 3) the survival of amputees and factors predicting survival.

Methods: The series consisted of 210 patients (mean age 76.

Fractures as predictors of excess mortality in the aged-a population-based study with a 12-year follow-up.

Introduction And Objective: The association between fractures and excess mortality in old age is ambiguous. The objective of this study was to analyze the long-term gender-specific association between fractures and mortality among older persons by controlling several survival related confounders.

Methods: A population-based prospective cohort study in the municipality of Lieto, south-western Finland.

Predictors of fractures among the aged: a population-based study with 12-year follow-up in a Finnish municipality.

Background And Aims: The incidence of fractures is high in older populations. More information is needed about long-term predictors of fractures, for preventive measures. The aim of this study was to analyze gender-specific predictors of fractures among persons aged 65 years or older during a 12- year follow-up.

Associations of sex hormone concentrations with health and life satisfaction in elderly men.

Objective: To analyze associations between sex hormone concentrations and self-rated health and life satisfaction, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or diagnosed depression or dementia in elderly men.

Methods: The study subjects were men from the community-based Lieto Study (N = 517). Subjects were excluded from the study if they were taking exogenous sex hormones or medication for prostate cancer or for benign prostatic hyperplasia or if data for calculating body mass index (BMI) were missing.

Ambulatory blood pressure: associations with coronary heart disease in the aged Finnish population.

Background And Aims: Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) has been shown to be a better predictor of cardiovascular events than clinical blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older populations. This study studied the association of various components of ABP (daytime, night-time, 24-hour ABP) in the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in an older Finnish population.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational, population-based study was carried out in The Lieto Health Centre, Finland, in 1998-99.