S. Akin

Prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with functional and nutritional status among male residents in a nursing home in Turkey

The prevalence of sarcopenia differs between different populations, ages, gender and between settings such as the community and nursing homes. Studies on the association of sarcopenia with functional status revealed conflicting results whereas its association with nutritional status is well documented. We aimed at investigating the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with functional and nutritional status among male residents in a nursing home in Turkey. Fat free mass (FFM) was detected by bioelectric impedance analysis. Functional status was evaluated with Katz activities of daily living (ADL) and Lawton Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Nutritional assessment was performed by Mini Nutritional Assessment Test (MNA®). One hundred fifty-seven male residents composed the study cohort. Mean age was 73.1 ± 6.7 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 85.4%. No significant correlation was found between sarcopenia and ADL or IADL. There was a weak but significant correlation between IADL score and FFM (r = 0.18; p = 0.02). Sarcopenic residents had lower MNA score than non-sarcopenic residents (18.1 ± 3.2 vs. 21.8 ± 0.8, p = 0.02). FFM was significantly lower in the residents with malnutrition compared to well-nourished residents (26.8 ± 1 kg/body surface area vs. 28.1 ± 1.8 kg/body surface area, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of sarcopenia was very high among male nursing home residents in Turkey. Sarcopenia was associated with low nutritional status but not with functional status.

Which body mass index (BMI) is better in the elderly for functional status

BMI is commonly used indicator of malnutrition and 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) is generally regarded optimal. However, there is an ongoing debate on ideal range for elderly. BMI cut-off values vary also between ethnic groups. We aimed to investigate relationships between BMI, functional status and malnutrition in elderly living in a nursing home in Turkey. BMIs of 254 residents were calculated. Chronic diseases and currently used drugs were noted. Functional status was evaluated with Katz-activities-of-daily-living (ADL) and Lawton-instrumental-activities-of-daily-living (IADL). Nutritional assessment was performed by Mini-Nutritional-Assessment (MNA) test. Mean age was 75.2 ± 8.2 years. Subjects were classified into 4 groups as BMI <18.5, 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, and ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2). ADL scores and IADL scores were higher in higher BMI groups. There were no differences in terms of age-number of chronic diseases. Even in BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) residents, ADL was significantly higher than 25-34.9 kg/m(2) residents. BMI was significantly correlated with ADL and IADL scores. In Groups 3 and 4, there were 22.2% and 9.1% residents without normal nutrition, respectively. Better functional status was associated with higher BMI values even in BMIs ≥ 30 kg/m(2). In elderly, relative high rates of undernutrition may be present in BMIs regarded as overweight or obese.

Relation between hand grip strength, respiratory muscle strength and spirometric measures in male nursing home residents

Abstract Adverse-outcomes related to sarcopenia are mostly mentioned as physical disability. As the other skeletal muscles, respiratory muscles may also be affected by sarcopenia. Respiratory muscle strength is known to affect pulmonary functions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relations between extremity muscle strength, respiratory muscle strengths and spirometric measures in a group of male nursing home residents. Among a total of 104 male residents, residents with obstructive measures were excluded and final study population was composed of 62 residents. Mean age was 70.5 ± 6.7 years, body mass index: 27.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2 and dominant hand grip strength: 29.7 ± 6.5 kg. Hand grip strength was positively correlated with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (r = 0.35, p < 0.01 and r = 0.26, p < 0.05, respectively). In regression analysis, the only factor related to MIP was hand grip strength; among spirometric measures only parameter significantly related to grip strength was peak cough flow (PCF). The association of PCF with grip strength disappeared when MIP alone or “MIP and MEP” were included in the regression analysis. In the latter case, PCF was significantly associated only with MIP. We found peripheric muscle strength be associated with MIP and PCF but not with MEP or any other spirometric parameters. The relation between peripheral muscle strength and PCF was mediated by MIP. Our findings suggest that sarcopenia may affect inspiratory muscle strength earlier or more than the expiratory muscle strength. Sarcopenia may cause decrease in PCF in the elderly, which may stand for some common adverse respiratory complications.

Corticosteroid treatment normalizes QTc prolongation and improves heart block in an elderly patient with anti-Ro-positive systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic disease which potentially involves various organs including the skin, joints, kidneys, liver, hematopoetic system, and serous membranes. It is rarely seen in elderly males. The most common cardiovascular involvement type is pericarditis. Anti-Ro antibodies may be associated with neonatal lupus which causes heart blocks. Recent literature indicates that anti-Ro antibodies may be associated with various rhythm and conduction disturbances in the adulthood. The most common finding associated with anti-Ro antibodies is prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval. Herein, we present an elderly male patient with anti-Ro-positive SLE associated with prolonged QTc interval and AV blocks that significantly improved after corticosteroid treatment.

Erratum to: Cytomegalovirus esophagitis precipitated with immunosuppression in elderly giant cell arteritis patients

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is generally associated with significant immunosuppression. Cellular immunity is particularly important and corticosteroid treatment increases the risk of CMV infection substantially. Immunocompetence generally decreases with age, older patients are at higher risk for developing CMV disease than are younger patients. CMV infection in the immunocompetent adults is quite rare. Esophagitis is the second most common gastrointestinal manifestation of CMV infection after colitis. Herein, we present three cases of giant cell arteritis who developed CMV esophagitis after various periods of corticosteroid treatment. CMV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of GI disease in immunocompromised patients, and the clinician should pursue appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions aggressively.

Facial edema as an earlier presenting sign of giant cell arteritis. Possible relationship with angioedema

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis of unknown etiology occurring in the elderly. New-onset headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, temporal artery abnormalities on physical examination, visual symptoms and associated polymyalgia rheumatica represent the most typical and frequent features of the disease. However, facial edema is being more commonly recognized as a presenting symptom that may herald the disease. We present a case with facial edema as initial symptom and discuss if this rare symptom of GCA is due to hereditary or acquired angioedema.

A rare but significant cause of priapism in the elderly: multiple myeloma

Priapism is a rare symptom with diverse etiological factors. Although most cases in adults are secondary to drug use and intracavernosal injections, blood dyscrasias and hypercoagulable states, vasculitis, penile metastases, neurological conditions, spider bites, carbon monoxide poisoning, and total parenteral nutrition may also result in priapism. We report a case of recurrent and refractory priapism in a 61-year-old man which was diagnosed as multiple myeloma after emergence of hypercalcemia and renal failure due to progression of the underlying pathology. The value of the initial diagnostic approach is emphasized.

Is inferior vena caval filter an alternative treatment option for geriatric patients that cannot use anticoagulation therapy

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism has been increasing in the elderly because of hypercoagulability associated with aging. Age has also been identified as an independent risk factor for bleeding complications related to anticoagulation therapy. Inferior vena cava filters could be used as alternatives to anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism when anticoagulation is either contraindicated or ineffective. Here, we report two geriatric patients who had documented acute DVT and in whom inferior vena caval filter was used because of the patients have a contraindication to use an anticoagulation.

Olanzapine as a cause of peripheric edema in an elderly man

Edema can be observed as side-effect of many medications, of which calcium channel blockers are the best known. Elderly people use many more medications than their younger counterparts and are usually more prone to developing medication-induced side-effects. Atypical antipsychotics have occasionally been shown to induce peripheric edema. Age is put forward as a risk factor for olanzapine-induced edema. We present here the case of an elderly man who developed upper- and lower-limb edema during use of olanzapine to emphasize its relatively frequent association with edema in the elderly.

Gesichtsödem als Frühsymptom einer Riesenzellarteriitis@@@Facial edema as an earlier presenting sign of giant cell arteritis: Mögliche Beziehung zum Angioödem@@@Possible relationship with angioedema

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis of unknown etiology occurring in the elderly. New-onset headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, temporal artery abnormalities on physical examination, visual symptoms and associated polymyalgia rheumatica represent the most typical and frequent features of the disease. However, facial edema is being more commonly recognized as a presenting symptom that may herald the disease. We present a case with facial edema as initial symptom and discuss if this rare symptom of GCA is due to hereditary or acquired angioedema.