Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Published: June 2022
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Background And Objective: Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease in older adults. Antihypertensive drug use increases with aging. In some studies, hypotension developing under antihypertensive medication use has been indicated as a potential risk factor for morbidity and mortality in older adults. Our objective was to assess the relationship between hypotension under antihypertensive treatment and incident hospitalization of nursing home residents.
Methods: We detailed blood pressure measurements of the previous 1-year period that were noted regularly at 2-week intervals and studied their mean values. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) thresholds to define low SBP (≤ 110 mm Hg) and DBP (≤ 65 mm Hg) were derived from our previous study. We noted demographics, number of co-morbidities and regular medications, mobility status, and nutritional assessment via the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form.
Results: We included 253 participants (66% male, mean age 75.7 ± 8.7 years). The prevalence of low SBP (≤ 110 mmHg) and low DBP (≤ 65 mmHg) was 34.8% and 15.8%, respectively. Among residents, 4% were bedridden, 15.8% wheelchair bound, 14.5% needing assistance for reduced mobility, and 62.7% were ambulatory. At a median of 15 months of follow-up, hospitalization incidence from any cause was 50.8% (n = 134). Incident hospitalization was more common in the group that had low DBP (odds ratio = 3.06; 95% confidence interval 1.02-9.15; p = 0.04) after adjusting for age, number of comorbidities and medications, mobility status, and nutritional status. Low SBP was not associated with hospitalization.
Conclusions: The low DBP (≤ 65 mm Hg) during the previous year was associated with incident hospitalization of nursing home residents after adjustment for several factors. These findings indicate that lower DBP may be a causative factor for incident hospitalization. We need further studies to explore whether a correction of diastolic hypotension may decrease the hospitalization risk in this vulnerable population.
Low-frequency non-syndromic hearing loss (LFNSHL) is a rare auditory disorder affecting frequencies ≤ 2000 Hz. To elucidate its genetic basis, we conducted whole-exome sequencing on nine Chinese families (31 affected individuals) with LFNSHL. Four heterozygous pathogenic variants, including two novel variants, were identified in common LFNSHL-related genes (WFS1, DIAPH1) and less common genes (TNC, EYA4), achieving a 44% genetic diagnosis rate.
The Gram-positive cocci Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp. are the most frequent causative organisms of bloodstream infections and infective endocarditis.
Purpose: To investigate the association between common measures of trunk and lower extremity range of motion (ROM), strength, the results of one-leg jump tests at baseline and the incidence of subsequent substantial knee injuries in adolescent female football players.
Methods: Players were assessed at baseline regarding (1) ROM of trunk, hip, and ankle; (2) trunk, hip, and knee strength; and (3) one-leg jump tests. Players were prospectively monitored weekly for 1 year regarding knee injuries and the volume of matches and training.
Purpose: Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty (TP) effectively treats patellofemoral (PF) instability (PFI) caused by high-grade trochlear dysplasia (TD), but current evidence is based on small case series. We hypothesised, that TP would result in significant functional improvements and a low re-dislocation rate but would not accelerate the progression of PF cartilage deterioration.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all TP cases performed by a single surgeon between 2015 and 2021.
Objective: We have shown that men aged 50 years+ at high risk of type 2 diabetes treated with testosterone together with a lifestyle program reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes at two years by 40% compared to a lifestyle program alone. To develop a personalized approach to treatment, we aimed to explore a prognostic model for incident type 2 diabetes at two years and investigate biomarkers predictive of the testosterone effect.
Design: Model development in 783 men with impaired glucose tolerance but not type 2 diabetes from T4DM; a multicenter, 2-year trial of Testosterone vs placebo.
