Polypharmacy, Physical and Nutritional Status, and Depression in the Elderly: Do Polypharmacy Deserve Some Credits in These Problems?

: To investigate the association of polypharmacy with physical function, nutritional status, and depression in the elderly. : The study included 675 people aged over 65 years from 8 centers in various geographical regions. The polypharmacy status was categorized as non-polypharmacy (0-4 drugs), polypharmacy (≥5 drugs).

Environmental characteristics of older people attending physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics.

Objective: A residential environment refers to the physical and social characteristics in a neighbourhood. The physical characteristics include interior housing qualities, exterior neighbourhood characteristics, and the accessibility of essential facilities and services outside the neighbourhood. Older adults especially may be vulnerable to the negative impacts of the residential environment.

A special association between Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Central nervous system involvement has been reported in different subtypes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) diseases. The increasing number of cases with CMT and MS may provide further information about the common pathway of demyelination and MS pathogenesis.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with CMT1A and MS.

Evaluation of herbal product use and possible herb-drug interactions in Turkish elderly.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and documentation of the use of herbal remedies by individuals aged ≥65 years and to evaluate possible adverse reactions and herb-drug interactions.

Method: Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 1418 participants (age range 65-95 years) via interview-based questionnaires.

Results: The prevalence of herbal use among older adults was 30% (n = 426); 64% (n = 274) used more than one prescription medication, and polyherbacy was reported by 47.

Biogerontology in Turkey: a brief report.

In this brief report, aging in biogerontology science perspective has been discussed based on the Turkish literature review with major key recommendations for future studies. Biogerontology in Turkey has focused on general retardation of the aging process giving priority to caloric restriction and oxidative stress mechanisms. The most popular investigation area for the scientists has been the oxidant and anti-oxidant systems in different tissues.

Quantitative calcaneal ultrasonometry: normative data and age-related changes for stiffness index in the Turkish population.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to define the normative data for stiffness index in a large sample of Turkish population and to clarify sex differences as well as age-related changes. A total of 10,435 subjects (aged 18-89 yr) were screened with calcaneal ultrasound and were requested to complete a detailed questionnaire listing all important risk factors, diseases, and treatments affecting bone metabolism. To be included in the study, subjects had to be free of any disease and any medical treatment known to affect bone metabolism.

Awareness of osteoporotic patients.

Osteoporosis has recently been recognized as a major public health problem by some governments and health care providers. Despite significant progress in knowledge about osteoporosis, public awareness is required for effective management if precautions are to be taken. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational status of osteoporotic individuals, and their awareness about the disease and sources of information.

Reversible sclerotic changes of lumbar spine and femur due to long-term oral isotretinoin therapy.

We present a rare case of retinoid-induced sclerotic changes of lumbar spine and femur demonstrated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometrie (DEXA). The patient had flowing ossification along thoracic spine resembling diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), but there was no ligament calcification in the lumbar spine or pelvis. After discontinuation of the treatment, gradual decline of bone mineral density at lumbar and femoral sites was detected with serial DEXA measurements.