Randa A. Mabrouk

Prevalence of Functional Impairment among Frail Elderly

Background Frailty is a state of vulnerability describes a syndrome characterized by progressive multi system decline, loss of physiologic reserve, and increase vulnerability to disease and death. Frailty has emerged as a condition associated with an increased risk of functional decline among the elderly population, which may be differentiated from aging, disability, and comorbidity. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of functional impairment and cognitive functions among frail elderly. Methods:We examined104 frail elderly. Frailty criteria included unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, low physical activity, and slow walking speed. physical function was assessed using Activities of daily living (ADL) and Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results:The mean age of the studied population was 69 years, 53.85% were males, 46.15% were females, the majority of our participants were illiterates (89.4%), and were living with family (84.62%), only 6.73% were smokers. 36.5% of frail participants were assisted in activity of daily living (ADL) and 7.7% were dependents, while 63.5% were assisted in instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) and 8.7% were dependents; the sample participants in general had borderline scores for MMSE, indicating a cognitive performance in the lower normal range. Conclusions Frail elderly had low normal score on MMSE, and high prevalence of functional impairment.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 As a Predictor of Mortality in Frail Egyptian Elderly Adults

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High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Levels Among Healthy Egyptian Elderly

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Relationship between psychiatric disorders, coronary risk factors, and inflammatory mediators among elderly diabetic patients

BackgroundDepression, anxiety, diabetes mellitus (DM), and coronary heart diseases (CHD) all have common immune mechanisms of pathogenesis. ObjectivesThe aim of the current study is to assess the relationship between depression and/or anxiety, coronary risk factors, and inflammatory mediators among elderly patients with DM. MethodsThe present study was conducted on 60 elderly diabetic patients and 30 elderly healthy controls. The patient group was subdivided into two groups: GP1, with 30 elderly diabetic patients with medical complications, and GP2, with 30 elderly diabetic patients without medical complications. The three groups of patients were subjected to clinical examination, were assessed for depression and anxiety, and their lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-1&bgr; (IL-1&bgr;) levels were measured. ResultsInflammatory markers (CRP and IL-1&bgr;) were higher in GP1 and GP2 than in the healthy controls (P=0.000 and 0.021, respectively). Inflammatory markers were higher by a significant level in depressed patients of GP1 and GP2 (P=0.000 for CRP and IL-1&bgr;) and by a nonsignificant level in anxious patients (P=0.461 and 0.07 for CRP and IL-1&bgr;, respectively). Both depressed and anxious patients showed a significant increase in established risk factors for CHD such as a longer duration of DM, a high BMI, higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, and lower levels of high-density lipoproteins. ConclusionImmune mechanisms play a major role in the increase in the development of CHD associated with depression and DM.