Aging and life quality: an otorhinolaryngological review

The increase in the number of people over the age of 65 and the current rise in the proportion of old people represents an important change in the demographic patterns in the world. Since some structural and physiological changes generally occur in elderly patients, maintaining function is surely an important goal. The most devastating disabilities affecting elderly patients are those that diminish the capacity to function independently and those that have a serious impact on the quality of life. Otolaryngologists play a major role within the braod field of geriatrics. Our involvement in caring for the elderly requires us to know how to improve their quality of life. This article provides an overview of many problems that arise within our specialties.     

A new hip-knee-ankle-foot sling: kinematic comparison with a traditional ankle-foot orthosis

In this study, we performed a kinematic analysis of a new, low-cost sling for the lower limb, compared to a common ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). Gait with no orthosis, with the AFO, and with the new sling was analyzed in one hemiplegic subject. Both the AFO and the sling reduced the mean angle and ROM (range of movement) of the ankle and the vertical displacement of the center of mass. The sling, but not the AFO, restored the normal sequence heel-strike, forefoot contact of the affected side. The sling, but not the AFO, reduced the affected limb stance and stride duration, increased stride length, and improved walking speed. In conclusion, the proposed sling for the lower limb equally improved the affected ankle kinematics in contrast to the traditional AFO, and it also improved some gait variables in this hemiplegic subject.     

Predictors of bone mineral density in female workers in Morelos State, Mexico

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have identified factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD), little research is available on Mexican women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,622 female workers between 20 and 80 years of age at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), an integral part of the Mexican health system. It was carried out in Morelos, a Mexican state that borders Mexico City. Women were recruited to participate in this study from their workplaces. Body mass index (BMI) was measured and BMD was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of dominant forearm. Predictors of BMD (age, reproductive factors, BMI, diet, and physical activity) in pre- and postmenopausal women were assessed by questionnaire and analyzed using generalized additive models. RESULTS: In premenopausal women, older age, higher BMI, younger age at menarche, and greater vitamin D intake were associated with higher BMD (R(2)=0.06, null deviance reduction=6.9%). In postmenopausal women, determinants of BMD were older age, higher BMI, greater height, later initiation of menopause, longer time of use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), and greater calcium intake from dairy products (R(2)=0.39, null deviance reduction=40.7%). CONCLUSIONS: As observed in other populations, age, BMI, height, age at menopause, time of use of HRT, and calcium intake derived from dairy products in these Mexican women are factors associated with higher forearm BMD during postmenopausal period. Age, BMI, age at menarche, and vitamin D are associated with higher forearm BMD in premenopausal women. Some of these factors are not linearly associated with BMD. This was a limited population study carried out in a large group of female healthcare workers whose reproductive and lifestyle factors potentially agreed with those of female workers from urban areas of Mexico.     

Response to treatment during medium-term follow-up in a series of patients with neurocardiogenic syncope

BACKGROUND: Syncope is a common symptom that has different recurrence ratios. We hypothesized that an individualized treatment regimen including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic measures considering kind of neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) and basal characteristics of each patient could allow optimized therapy to avoid recurrences. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study to evaluate performance of diverse accepted treatments for NCS. Each patient received specific treatment including general measures such as an increase in salt and water intake, tilt training, specific pharmacologic treatment according to head-up tilt table test (HUTT) result, and patient basal blood pressure and heart rate measurements. RESULTS: We followed a group of 127 patients during a main period of 20.8 +/- 9 months (range, 6-38 months). Mean age was 47.8 +/- 19.2 years and 66.9% were females. We had six (4.7%) patients with recurrence of symptoms 4 +/- 0.9 months after diagnostic HUTT. Medications used were atenolol in 20 patients, pindolol in 17, dysopiramide in 50, and fluoxetine in 25. Two patients received fludrocortisone. Tilt training was not indicated initially for patients with recurrences but was indicated later; to date, these patients have not experienced further episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Increase in water and salt intake, as well as tilt training, showed great value in prevention of syncope recurrences in this specific set of patients. Pharmacologic treatment has an important role, but there is no single medication associated with significant improvement in symptom control.     

Infant mortality evolution in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (Brazil), 1980-2000

OBJECTIVE: To analyze IMR evolution in the S?o Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA) between 1980 and 2000, in terms of spatial, age and, causal differences. METHODS: SPMA municipalities were divided into 5 groups, based on their 1980 IMRs: 90 per thousand lb (Group 1); 70-89 per thousand lb (Group 2); 50-69 per thousand lb (Group 3); <50 per thousand lb (Group 4). Group 5 comprised the municipality of S?o Paulo itself (IMR=51 per thousand lb). The analysis of trends was carried out using exponential regression models. RESULTS: IMR and its components showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05), with coefficients of determination between 66 and 98%, indicating goodness of fit of the exponential model to all the time series analyzed. SPMA IMR fell 69.4%, from 55.2 to 16.9 per thousand lb, and Groups 1-5 showed reductions of 83.9%, 76.2%, 71.3%, 58.7%, and 68.8%, indicating that the groups with highest IMRs also showed the greatest reductions during the studied period. CONCLUSIONS: IMRs were homogenized at around 18 lb in all municipality groups in the SPMA. One-half of all deaths were concentrated within the first week of life, and were due primarily to conditions originating in the perinatal period, indicating that greater care during the pre- and post-delivery periods will be required if the IMR in the SPMA is to descend to levels compatible with those of developed countries.     

Detection of myocardial viability could be improved by rest GIK (glucose-insulin-potassium solution)-Tc 99m sestamibi compared with TL-201 reinjection, in post myocardial infarction patients

GIK solutions improve detection of myocardium viability after acute infarction because they could change the metabolic conditions, improving myocardial perfusion defects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy four patients (52 men, 22 women, mean age 53.3.08 +/- 12.14 years) with previous myocardial infarction (evolution time, 4.2 +/- 3.1 months) underwent pharmacological stress (dipyridamole), rest redistribution and reinjection Tl-201 image as well rest/stress Tc-99m Sestamibi, after the intravenous administration of GIK (200 g glucose +/- 30 UI regular insuline +/- 40 mEq potassiumchloride/500 mL in continuous infusion during 3 hours), Group A (N = 22) or oral administration of 70 g of glucose+/- 40 mEq of potassium chloride taking in advantage the endogenous insulin secretion, to non-diabetic patients (group B = GB, N = 26) and group C (GC, diabetic patients N = 26). All of the 74 patients received 10 mg of sublingual Isorbide previous to 25 mCi of Tc99m Sestamibi administration in a different 2 days protocol. A total of 1,480 myocardial segments were assessed and numbered, and the severity of perfusion defects in the segments involved, were compared between Thallium 201 rest reinjection and GIK-MIBI as the main objective of the study. Involved territories number: 4.02 +/- 2.50 vs. 6.88 +/- 2.12, p = 0.005 for AD; 5.2 +/- 1.44 vs. 6.35 +/- 1.11, p = 0.05 for RC and 1.58 +/- 1.01 vs. 2.05 +/- 1.05, p = 0.05 Cx. For GIK-MIBI vs. Tl-201 reinjection respectively, and defect severity: 8.2 +/- 6.04 vs. 13.22 +/- 5.38, p = 0.01 for LAD; 11.72 +/- 5.08 vs. 15.13 +/- 4.42, p = 0.005 for RC and 2.66 +/- 2.09 vs. 4.69 +/- 3.58, p = 0.003 Cx . For GIK-MIBI vs. Tl-201 reinjection respectively, were found. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that GIK-MIBI protocol is a safe and easy procedure which improves the detection of perfusion reversible defects compared with Tl-201 reinjection, obtaining better information regarding myocardial viability, with lower acquisition time and less cost.