Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for hip fracture in the elderly.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--To test the hypothesis that physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for hip fracture in the elderly. DESIGN--Population based, case-control study. SETTING--Metropolitan borough of Newcastle upon Tyne. PARTICIPANT--A total of 197 patients aged 50 years and over, resident in Newcastle, and admitted consecutively with a hip fracture, and 382 community controls, matched by age and sex, who had not suffered a hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Validated methods were used to assess customary physical activity. Information on body build, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption was also obtained. Grip strength was measured. Physical inactivity was strongly associated with the risk of hip fracture in men and women. Subjects who did not regularly weight-bear, perform muscle-loading activities such as climbing stairs, and perform productive activities such as gardening, were all more than twice as likely to sustain a hip fracture, when compared with subjects at the higher end of the activity spectrum. These increases in risk remained after adjusting for body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and dependence in daily living activities. CONCLUSIONS--Customary physical inactivity is an independent determinant of hip fracture in the elderly. Strategies to improve the day to day activity of elderly people require urgent exploration.     

基质金属蛋白酶9及其组织抑制因子1在社区获得性 肺炎和肺结核鉴别诊断中的价值*

摘 要：保持孕妇体内微生态系统的动态平衡对保护母婴健康至关重要。胎盘是胎儿与母体之间进行物质交换的重要器 官，长期以来均被认为是无菌的。然而，最新的多重组织学和高通量测序研究结果显示，即使在没有感染的情况下，胎盘和 胎膜可能也不是无菌的，相反胎盘有着不同于其他器官系统的、丰富的微生物群。据有关报道显示，胎盘上的微生物会直接 影响胎儿的健康, 可能会导致胎儿早产甚至流产。世界卫生组织估计，每年约有1 500万名婴儿早产，早产是导致婴幼儿患病 和死亡的主要原因，严重威胁孕妇和胎儿健康。文章就胎盘微生态与早产的研究进展进行综述，旨在为临床早期胎盘微生态 的监测和早产的预防提供参考依据。     

Quality of life of the elderly in the community: application of the Flanagan scale

The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction degree of the elderly people regarding their quality of life. Data were obtained by a questionnaire characterizing the sample with a scale of quality proposed by Flanagan, using the interview technique. Among 128 elderly people, authors verified a insufficient degree of satisfaction. The dimensions of the quality of life pointed out by the Flanagan's scale were: personal development and fulfillment; family relations; social participation; welfare and material support; learning and friendship. The authors concluded that the Flanagan's scale presents limitations as a result of the subjectivity of the concept of quality.     

Cohort study of risk of institutionalisation after hip fracture

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the rate of permanent placement in aged care institutions (nursing homes and hostels) after hip fracture and to assess whether or not hip fracture is an independent risk factor for institutionalisation. It was a cohort study with median follow-up time of 14 months. Subjects were 291 people living in the community in western Sydney: 131 with hip fractures and 160 controls. Permanent admission to an aged care institution and/or death during follow-up was assessed by telephone interview with study subjects or carers. Data on potential confounders were collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire at the time of recruitment into the study. During follow-up, 27 per cent of hip fracture cases and 5 per cent of controls were admitted to an aged care institution. The age-and sex-adjusted hazard ratio for hip fracture and institutionalisation was 5.1 (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 2.2 to 11.9). Adjusting for multiple health-related factors reduced the strength of association but the hazard ratio remained high at 4.0 (CI 1.7 to 9.5). The risk of institutionalisation after hip fracture is high; this is only partly explained by the poor pre-fracture health status of many people who fracture their hips.     

A Group Learning Programme for Old People with Hip Fracture: A Randomized Study

The aim of this study was to examine whether a group learning programme would influence the participants' perceived activity performance and ability to participate in social life after a hip fracture. The study comprised 35 people aged 54-90 years with hip fracture who had completed ordinary care and rehabilitation after their hip fractures. They were randomized to an intervention group (n=21) or to a control group (n=14). The intervention group participated in the group learning programme, while the control group received no intervention. Directly after the intervention and at 12 months after the intervention, no significant change was seen in either group, regarding the ability to perform ADL activities measured by the Barthel ADL index, or the performance of activities that were identified as important to the individual. However, in the intervention group, the number of ADL items perceived to be performed with difficulties decreased, and the perceived ability to participate in social life increased. These changes were not found in the control group. When analysed between groups, however, the only significant difference was the ability to participate in social life after the intervention. Further research is needed to investigate whether an intensive or prolonged period of rehabilitation, at the hospital or in the patient's home, would increase the ability to resume meaningful participation in social life.     

广东开平、博罗农村老年人生活质量调查

为了解广东农村老年人生活质量现状，用多级，分层随机抽样方法，对开平，博罗两地１００８例农村老年人进行了生活质量调查，结果：９６．６４％的老年人具生活自理能力（ＡＤＬ量表评分）７８．０％的老年人具独立性生活能力（ＩＡＤＬ量表评分）；健康自评３６．３１％的老年人良好；５２．８％中等，１０．４２％差，５６．０５％的老年人有慢性病史，居一，二位的是关系炎，慢性头痛，对目前医疗条件满意的占３８．８％，一般占     

Hip fractures among the elderly in a Swedish urban setting: different perspectives on the significance of country of birth

OBJECTIVES: The study investigates the significance of country of birth for hip fractures among the elderly in a Swedish urban setting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional register-based study. METHODS: All people aged 65 or above hospitalized because of hip fracture in Stockholm County over the years 1993-95 were identified in the County's Hospital Discharge Register. Information was obtained from Sweden's National Population Register on the countries of birth of the people affected (reference year: 1994). The foreign-born were grouped in two ways: according to the geographic location of their country of birth, and to the level of development of that country (as measured by the UN's Human Development Index). Age-standardized odds ratios were computed for men and women separately, with the Swedish-born elderly as reference group. RESULTS: Many of the foreign-born groups registered significantly lower odds of hip fracture than their Swedish-born counterparts, regardless of whether countries of birth were grouped geographically or according to level of development. This applied to both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: As a whole, the Swedish elderly population has one of the highest prevalences of hip fracture in the world. When country of origin is accounted for, the foreign-born elderly are significantly less vulnerable than native Swedes. This contrasts remarkably with other health outcomes.     

Mortality and quality of life after trochanteric hip fracture

The objective was to evaluate the survival and some aspects of the quality of life of patients with trochanteric hip fracture after long-term follow-up in comparison with the age- and sex-matched controls without fracture. Two hundred consecutive patients (mean age at fracture 77 y) with trochanteric hip fractures were compared with the age- and sex-matched controls representing an average population from the same area. After a mean 7 y follow-up period a questionnaire concerning their place of residence, ambulation, causes leading to impairment, need for locomotor aids and management of activities in daily living (ADL) functions was sent to the surviving patients and controls. Mortality increased gradually being 4.5 percent above the control level one month after the fracture, 6.0 percent above at three months, 3.5 percent above at one year, 4.5 percent above at two years, 6.5 percent above at five years and 9.0 percent above at six years. Thirty (48%) of the surviving 62 patients and 83 (90%) of the 92 surviving controls were living in their own homes and 2 (3%) and 4 (4%) in service apartments respectively. Seventeen (27%) of patients alive were institutionalized in a chronic care hospital unit and 13 (21%) in an old people's home as compared with 2 (2%) and 3 (3%) of the controls respectively. Twenty-two (35%) of the patients and 73 (79%) of the controls were able to move about independently. The patients were significantly worse at ADL-management, required more home help and had fewer social contacts and outdoor hobbies than the controls. In conclusion surgically-treated trochanteric hip fractures markedly increase mortality rate, reduce independence and impair walking ability and ADL-functions, and thus seriously affect the health-related quality of life of the patients. This fact should be considered in the planning of the healthcare of elderly people.     

照料孙辈对我国农村中老年人心理健康的影响

本文使用中国健康与养老追踪调查的面板数据，分析了照料孙辈对农村中老年人抑郁和生活满意度的影响，并进一步探讨了不同居住安排下的照料行为对其心理健康影响的差异。研究发现：（1）照料孙辈对农村中老年人抑郁症状频率有正向影响，对农村流动中老年人的生活满意度有负向影响，但对农村非流动中老年人的生活满意度有正向影响；（2）不和子女、孙辈居住且照料孙辈的农村中老年人生活满意度为好的概率最高，隔代居住且照料孙辈的农村流动中老年人生活满意度为好的概率最低，三代同堂居住且照料孙辈的农村非流动中老年人生活满意度为好的概率最低；（3）代际情感支持比代际经济支持更有利于农村中老年人的心理健康。基于上述结论，本文认为政府应支持兴办农村婴幼儿托管服务机构，为农村流动中老年人提供社会支持服务，支持子女与父母保持"一碗汤的距离"居住，倡导子女增强对父母的精神慰藉。     

Self-rated oral health as an independent predictor of self-rated general health, self-esteem and life satisfaction

Self-rated health (SRH) is a useful summary measure of people's general health and was found to predict future health outcomes. Self-rated oral health (SROH) is a similarly useful summary measure of people's oral health. Both are related to quality of life, especially at old age. The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess the independent contribution of SROH to concurrent and future SRH of elderly people, controlling for sociodemographics and health measures, and, (2) to assess whether SROH adds unique information not captured by SRH by testing their independent associations with self-esteem and life satisfaction. Participants were 850 residents of a retirement community (mean age 73) interviewed in their homes at baseline and 5 years later. The interview included single-item self-ratings of general and oral health, self-reports of medical history, recent chronic diseases, medication usage, functional disability, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Multiple regression analyses showed that SROH had an independent effect on concurrent and future SRH, controlling for age and other measures of health status. Both SRH and SROH independently explained a significant amount of variance in concurrent ratings of self-esteem and life satisfaction. SROH has a unique role in people's perceptions of their overall health yet is not fully captured by SRH. Therefore, it should be considered by general health care providers in their assessments of the health status of older adults.     

Hip fracture in Hong Kong and Britain

Hip fractures in elderly people are an important public health problem in many Western populations. Little is known of their epidemiology in Oriental populations. A comparative study of hip fracture incidence in Hong Kong and Southampton showed similar incidence rates by age and sex. In the last two decades hip fracture incidence in Hong Kong has increased, particularly among men. This can be partly explained by reduction in the levels of activity among the elderly Chinese population.     

合肥市离退休老年人群生活质量的流行病学研究

目的：了解合肥市离退休老年人群生活质量现状及其影响因素。方法：采用分层随机抽样方法，对合肥市633名60岁以上离退休老年人的生活质量及相关因素进行横断面研究，使用标准化的生活质量相关量表和社会人口特征调查问卷进行询问调查。结果：有躯体残疾或患慢性疾病者占70．6％，生活活动功能完全正常者占71．9％，孤独评分平均得分37．85，生活满意度指数A平均得分10．08，社会支持平均得分33．95，家庭功能平均得分23．80，有74．7％的老人对目前自己的身体健康状况满意。多因素分析表明孤独、家庭功能、社会支持、慢性疾病、经济收入、膳食营养、睡眠、体育锻炼、职业和年龄等是生活满意度的主要影响因素。逐步回归分析显示，孤独、社会支持、睡眠与体育锻炼是预测生活满意度指数的前三位变量。结论：重视老年人心理卫生保健，积极发挥家庭、社会在提高老年人生活质量中的作用，是今后老年卫生保健、老年社会服务的方向。     

Design, implementation and evaluation of a health education program for the elderly

The objective was to design, implement and evaluate a health education program, using the analysis of the habits that harm the health of people over 65 years old. An evaluative research was carried out from a multiple case study in the North-West area of Spain, combining both the quantitative and the qualitative approach. A questionnaire and interview were used as tools for data collection. The elderly take a lot of medicines and also treat themselves. A small group smoke and drink alcohol. Over 25% have sedentary habits and their average body mass rate was 30.55. The implementation of the programme has significantly influenced their quality of life. Elderly people have deep rooted unhealthy habits. The achievement of educational contents improved their quality of life. However, they are reluctant to assume new habits, even though they are healthy.     

Preventive strategy of fall for the prevention of fractures in older people: a review of the evidence

This review aims to examine the effectiveness of fall-related strategies for fracture prevention among elderly population. Previous studies were reviewed using PubMed and Japan Centra Revuo Medicina databases. Our five research questions concerned prediction of fracture using history of accidental falls, fracture risk management, and effectiveness of exercise programs, home modification and usage of hip protector. We used "accidental falls" and "fractures" as search strategies. Obtained results were as follows: a) History of falls predicts future hip fracture. b) Exercise programs including balance training have positive effects for fracture prevention. c) Fracture risk evaluation and management reduce the number of hip fractures among elderly population. d) Environmental hazard assessment and necessary home modification are effective in preventing fractures especially among elderly population with the history of falls. e) The hip protector is a beneficial device for the prevention of hip fractures among elderly people at high risk of falling.     

Prevention of fractures and the use of hip protectors in the elderly: it is still too early for recommendations

Hip fractures are a major health problem in the elderly. Several measures may reduce the number of hip fractures: prevention of falls, improving bone quality, and reducing the impact on the hip region during a fall; external hip protectors can be useful in this respect. Cluster-randomised studies have shown a significant reduction of hip fractures by 50% in elderly people wearing hip protectors who live in old-age homes or nursing homes and run an increased risk of falling. However, there is no evidence of a decreased number of hip fractures in studies in which individual randomisation was used. For elderly people living independently at home, there are still insufficient data on the effectiveness of hip protectors. An important problem with the use of hip protectors is the treatment compliance, which is generally very low. Many of the fractures in the intervention groups in published trials occurred at a time at which the protectors were not being worn. At present, there is too little evidence to decide definitely whether or not the use of hip protectors is useful.     

Hip protectors decrease hip fracture risk in elderly nursing home residents: a Bayesian meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To design a Bayesian random effects model for pooling binary outcome data from cluster randomized trials (CRTs) with individually randomized trials (IRTs) and then use this model to determine if hip protectors decrease the risk of hip fracture in elderly nursing home residents. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Eight electronic databases were searched; abstracts and papers were reviewed in duplicate. Randomized controlled trials of hip protectors in nursing homes were included. The pooled mean odds ratio (OR) of a hip fracture in an individual allocated to hip protectors with 95% credibility interval (CRI) was calculated. RESULTS: We included four trials of 1,922 individuals (including three CRTs). The pooled OR of an elderly nursing home resident sustaining one or more hip fractures with hip protector allocation was 0.40 (95% CRI 0.25, 0.61). The model was robust in multiple sensitivity analyses assuming alternative intracluster correlation coefficient values. CONCLUSION: The Bayesian approach may be used in meta-analyses of IRTs and CRTs. Using this approach, we have determined that hip protectors decrease the risk of hip fracture in elderly nursing home residents. Methodologic limitations of the included trials and a possible herd effect in CRTs may have influenced these results.     

我国中老年人群抑郁发生率的城乡差异及危险因素研究

目的 了解我国城乡中老年人群抑郁的流行病学特征及影响因素,为今后我国中老年人群抑郁的预防保健提供合理的建议.方法 利用"中国健康与养老追踪调查(China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study,CHARLS)"数据,共纳入2011年未发生抑郁的人群7539例,采用调查问卷及收集个体体检数据的形式追踪随访至2013年,观察群体中抑郁的发生情况.分类资料的组间比较采用χ2检验或Fisher's精确概率法,并采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析抑郁发生的影响因素.结果 我国中老年人群抑郁的发生率为38.41%,其中农村发生率为42.35%,城镇发生率为26.26%,两者之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.0001).多因素分析结果 显示,性别、躯体疼痛、高血压、听力差、生活满意度低、睡眠时间较短、日常活动受限、患慢性病、体质量较低为我国中老年人群抑郁发生的独立危险因素.结论 我国中老年人群的抑郁发病率较高,其中农村中老年人群的抑郁发生率显著高于城镇.此外,还应重点关注女性、患有慢性躯体疾病、听力受损、睡眠质量较差等抑郁高危中老年人群,积极预防抑郁的发生.     

我国中西部4省(自治区)农村老年人生活满意度状况及其影响因素分析

目的了解我国中西部地区农村老年人生活满意度及其影响因素。方法采用多阶段整群抽样方法对在甘肃、青海、山西和新疆4个省(自治区)16个项目县抽取的84个行政村共1145名农村老年人进行调查。结果在1145名老年人中,对生活感到满意或很满意的有876人(76.5%)。有偶同居的老年人满意度为78.3%,年收入在8000元以上的老年人满意度为86.1%,自评健康状况好的老年人满意度为82.7%,较其他条件者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素非条件Logistic回归分析结果显示,经济状况(3000～4999元/年OR=1.899,95%CI:1.136～3.174;5000～8000元/年OR=2.000,95%CI:1.094～3.656)、自评健康状况(自评"中"OR=0.611,95%CI:0.409～0.913;自评"差"OR=0.709,95%CI:0.504～0.996)和焦虑/沮丧状况("没有或偶尔"OR=1.977,95%CI:1.047～3.736)综合影响着老年人的生活满意度。结论我国中西部地区农村老年人的自评生活满意度较高,但仍受到多种因素影响,应积极开展健康教育,强化自我保健意识,并进一步完善养老保障体系,提高老年人生活满意度。