Pirkko Jäntti

Predictors of mortality following primary hip and knee replacement in the aged: A single-center analysis of 1,998 primary hip and knee replacements for primary osteoarthritis

Background and purpose High age is associated with increased postoperative mortality, but the factors that predict mortality in older hip and knee replacement recipients are not known. Methods Preoperative clinical and operative data on 1,998 primary total hip and knee replacements performed for osteoarthritis in patients aged ≥ 75 years in a single institution were collected from a joint replacement database and compoared with mortality data. Average follow-up was 4.2 (2.2–7.6) years for the patients who survived. Factors associated with mortality were analyzed using Cox regression analysis, with adjustment for age, sex, operated joint, laterality, and anesthesiological risk score. Results Mortality was 0.15% at 30 days, 0.35% at 90 days, 1.60% at 1 year, 7.6% at 3 years, and 16% at 5 years, and was similar following hip and knee replacement. Higher age, male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk score of > 2, use of walking aids, preoperative walking restriction (inability to walk or ability to walk indoors only, compared to ability to walk > 1 km), poor clinical condition preoperatively (based on clinical hip and knee scores or clinical severity of osteoarthritis), preoperative anemia, severe renal insufficiency, and use of blood transfusions were associated with higher mortality. High body mass index had a protective effect in patients after hip replacement. Interpretation Postoperative mortality is low in healthy old joint replacement recipients. Comorbidities and functional limitations preoperatively are associated with higher mortality and warrant careful consideration before proceeding with joint replacement surgery.

Prognosis of falls among elderly nursing home residents

The survival rate of 207 nursing home residents who fell during a two- month study period was followed for 12 months and compared with that of 94 residents of the same nursing home who did not fall during the same period. One year after the fall, 74 fallers and 13 controls had died. In the group of fallers, the main factors associated with mortality were male gender, dementia, Parkinsonism, the use of antidepressants, diuretics and vasodilators. Among the controls, the main factors associated with mortality were Parkinsonism, diabetes and the use of diuretics. Thirty- eight fallers (33 women and 5 men) and one (female) control suffered a fracture; 32 of them required hospital attention, and 15 (47%) died during the same hospital stay. These results indicate that falls are an ominous sign, particularly if the subject has dementia, depression or Parkinsonism, or uses diuretics. The male subjects in this study had a lower injury rate than females, but their mortality rate was higher. In terms of prevention, the major concern should be the effective treatment of depression and Parkinsonism. Withdrawal of diuretics, when possible, may have an effect on mortality. Physical training and other stimulating activities should be beneficial, but subjects with severe dementia seem to be beyond this kind of prevention. (Agin Clin. Exp. Res. 7: 23–27, 1995)

Primary knee replacement for primary osteoarthritis in the aged: gender differences in epidemiology and preoperative clinical state

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to calculate the incidence of primary knee replacements for osteoarthritis (OA) and to compare preoperative clinical situation between men and women aged ≧80 years. Patients aged 75–79 formed a comparison group. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a population-based series of 1396 primary knee replacements performed due to primary OA in a joint replacement hospital between 2002 and 2008. Preoperative clinical data were recorded prospectively into a joint replacement database. Data on preoperative clinical situation (e.g. deformities, mobility level and clinical knee scores) was compared between the age groups, and between genders within both age groups. Results: The incidence of primary knee replacements performed due to OA in patients aged ≧80 years increased from 553/100,000 in 2003 to 785/100,000 in 2007. After adjustment for age, gender, anesthesiological risk score and laterality of OA, both age of =80 years and female gender were associated with higher probability of using walking aids and inability to climb stairs. Age but not gender was associated with walking distance and presence of severe axial deformity and severe antero-posterior instability. Female gender but not age showed association with pain, medio-lateral instability and poor preoperative clinical knee scores. Conclusions: Patients aged ≧80 years and particularly women present with higher mobility restriction and more progressed OA at the time of primary knee replacement. Barriers restricting access to surgery should be identified and removed to improve the care of older patients with severe knee OA.

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Human Saliva Decreases With Aging

Objective Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has significant properties in wound healing and tissue repair and is suggested to be of importance for the maintenance of mucosal integrity in the upper digestive tract. The purpose of the present study was to identify any age‐dependent variations in the concentration of bFGF in human saliva.

Presbyequilibrium in the oldest old, a combination of vestibular, oculomotor and postural deficits

Background and aims: Dizziness, impaired balance and fear of falling are common complaints in the elderly. We evaluated the association of vestibular symptoms with vestibular findings in the elderly by posturography and video-oculography (VOG). Methods: We studied 38 oldest old subjects (≥85 yrs, mean age 89) living in a residential home. Vestibular symptoms were taken with a structured questionnaire, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was scored and any falls were recorded over a period of 12 months. Posturography was measured with a force platform and eye movements were measured by video-oculography. Results: In the majority of the elderly, vestibular abnormalities were found, such as reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex gain 6/38, spontaneous nystagmus 5/38, gaze deviation nystagmus 5/38, head shaking nystagmus 9/38, pathologic head thrust test 10/38, and positional nystagmus 17/38. Posturography demonstrated two major findings: the body support area was limited and the use of vision for postural control was reduced. In principal component analysis of the vertigo, four major factors described elements of failure in the vestibular and other systems important to maintenance of balance: episodic vertigo, postural instability, multisystem failure (frail) and presyncopal imbalance. These four factors were associated in different degrees to vestibular abnormalities and falls. During the follow-up period, in 19 elderly (19/38), one or more falls were recorded. Conclusions: Progressive loss of balance in the aged, or “presbyequilibrium,” is a complex and incompletely understood process involving vestibular, oculomotor, visual acuity, proprioception, motor, organ system and metabolic weaknesses and disorders. These factors provide a potential basis for streamlining diagnostic evaluations and aiding in planning for effective therapy. In oldest old, these problems are magnified, increasing the need for additional expertise in their care, which may be met by training specialized healthcare staff.

Experiences with External Hip Protectors in Homes for the Aged: A Report from Finland

OBJECTIVE Three observational studies were performed to examine the use and effectiveness of external hip protectors intended to prevent hip fractures. METHODS Data were collected by: (1) questionnaire to health centers or homes for the aged to which hip protectors had been sent; (2) comparison of users of hip protectors and control subjects;(3) comparison of users of hip protectors, comparing time wearing versus not wearing their hip protectors for part of the study period. OBSERVATIONS The use of external hip protectors is a good, cost-effective adjunctive tool in preventing hip fractures. However, improvements in design are still needed to increase compliance.

Postural stability and quality of life after guided and self-training among older adults residing in an institutional setting.

Purpose To evaluate whether rehabilitation of muscle force or balance improves postural stability and quality of life (QoL), and whether self-administered training is comparable with guided training among older adults residing in an institutional setting. Patients and methods A randomized, prospective intervention study was undertaken among 55 elderly patients. Three intervention groups were evaluated: a muscle force training group; a balance and muscle force training group; and a self-administered training group. Each group underwent 1-hour-long training sessions, twice a week, for 3 months. Postural stability was measured at onset, after 3 months, and after 6 months. Time-domain-dependent body sway variables were calculated. The fall rate was evaluated for 3 years. General health related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured with a 15D instrument. Postural stability was used as a primary outcome, with QoL and falls used as secondary outcomes. Results Muscle force trainees were able to undertake training, progressing towards more strenuous exercises. In posturography, the number of spiky oscillations was reduced after training, and stationary fields of torque moments of the ankle increased, providing better postural stability in all groups; in particular, the zero crossing rate of weight signal and the number of low variability episodes in the stabilogram were improved after training. While no difference was found between different training groups in posturography outcomes, a reduction of fall rate was significant in only the guided training groups. A significant part of the variability of the QoL could be explained by the posturography outcome (46%). However, the outcome of training was associated with a reduced QoL. Conclusion Even moderate or severely demented residents could do exercises in five-person groups under the supervision of a physiotherapist. An improvement in postural stability was observed in all training groups, indicating that even self-administered training could be beneficial. Posturography outcome indicated that training alters the postural strategy by reducing the oscillatory fluctuations of body sway signal. However, only guided training tended to reduce falls. Short training intervention programs may decrease QoL by changing the elderly’s daily routine and making it more active and exhausting.

Functional ability, mobility, and pain before and after knee replacement in patients aged 75 and older: a cross-sectional study

Background and aims: The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to analyze how knee replacement affects performance in activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, and pain in older patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Knee osteoarthritis patients aged ≧75 years scheduled for knee replacement (Group 0, n=68), or having undergone knee replacement one (Group 1, n=71) or two years (Group 2, n=75) earlier, were sent a questionnaire asking about ADL performance, mobility, degree of pain, use of analgesics, and patient’s perception of the outcome. Results: More patients having had knee replacement than those waiting for surgery reported they were able to perform ADLs without difficulty, the exception being bathing and dressing/undressing. They also had a better performance in mobility measures (ability to move indoors and use stairs, walking distance). After adjustment for age, gender, and anesthesiological risk score, the patients in Groups 1 and 2 continued to show better performance than the patients in Group 0 in rising from chair, heavy housework, moving indoors, using stairs, and walking 400 m. Ninety-three percent of patients in Group 0 but only 23% and 34% in Groups 1 and 2 used analgesics for knee pain. The majority of the patients in Groups 1 and 2 were satisfied with the outcome and estimated that their health and mobility had improved after surgery. Conclusions: Knee osteoarthritis patients aged ≧75 years, having undergone knee replacement, have not only less pain and better mobility but also superior ADL performance than patients scheduled for surgery.

Orthostatic reactions in the 85-year olds.

Testing of the orthostatic reaction is recommended in the examination of elderly fallers. This test usually includes blood pressure and instantaneous heart rate measurement but is difficult to perform in very elderly people according to the guidelines suggested for younger subjects. One reason for this is that old people often stand up slowly. The use of a tilt table, which enables a rapid change in posture from recumbent to erect position, is tempting as it could provide a method for a better standardized test. To study the usefulness of the tilt table as well as the degree of orthostatic reaction in the very elderly, we examined a sample of 85- year olds who did not suffer from falls. All were tested both with the tilt table and with active rising. The drop in blood pressure was equal in the two test types, but the increase in heart rate was significantly larger in active rising. Many test subjects were afraid of the tilt table, and two developed cardiac arrythmia, i.e., atrial fibrillation, during the test. In our opinion, active rising is the method of choice in old persons. While the test subjects were in unusually good health for their age and thus could provide a suitable reference group for this test, the systolic blood pressure dropped considerably in several during the test. Criteria and indexes developed for younger subjects are not useful, and different evaluation criteria should be developed for the very elderly.(Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 4: 139- 144, 1992)

Intervention to Prevent Falls in Elderly Adults Living in a Residential Home

Conflict of Interest: The editor in chief has reviewed the conflict of interest checklist provided by the authors and has determined that the authors have no financial or any other kind of personal conflicts with this paper. We have had consultancies with the company that produced the machine used in this research. Author Contributions: Calder: development of concept and design, study management, acquisition of data. Mannion: study management, PT intervention, acquisition of data. Metcalf: development of concept and design, provision of randomization list, statistical analyses. All authors contributed to interpretation of the data and drafting the manuscript and gave final approval of the version to be published. Sponsor’s Role: None.