Health status and functional limitations in the elderly population of the University Region of Health of Puerto Rico: methodologic aspects and prevalence estimates

In order to plan the health services for the elderly population, it is necessary to quantify their health status and their functional capacity. In Puerto Rico, few epidemiological studies have been conducted regarding functional capacity and chronic diseases in the elderly population. One of the difficulties to undertake these studies is the high cost and risks to move this population for clinical exams, in addition to the methodology limitation of self-report in the elderly population. This study shows the use of logistic regression to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases and functional capacity, when the observed data are not consisted with the planed sampling scheme. Four hundred and eighty-seven elderly persons (65 yr. and over) were interviewed in the municipalities of Canóvanas, Carolina, Loíza and Trujillo Alto in Puerto Rico, using a cross-sectional design. More than half of the elderly had visual problems (IC 95%: 54.8%, 63.8%), arthritis (IC 95%: 52.7%, 61.5%) and hypertension (IC 95%: 47.3%, 56.3%). In the case of hypertension, significant differences (p < 0.05) by sex were observed, where women reported a higher prevalence than men. One of the higher prevalences in the functional capacity status was with urine accidents. More than one-third of the population is estimated to have this problem (IC 95%: 34.7%, 43.4%). One-fourth of the population had limitations with going out for shopping (IC 95%: 23.9%, 31.9%) and using public and private transportation (IC 95%: 19.5%, 26.9%). We conclude that the applied methodology was consistent with the estimation presented in the literature and statistics from the Puerto Rico Health Department. However, it is necessary to continue assessing the design and analytical methodology, in order to undertake consistent and periodic evaluations of the elderly population.     

Trans-sclerally fixated PC-IOLs: six year of investigations

PURPOSE: To present the results of PC IOLs transscleral fixation to the ciliary sulcus in six years follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 152 eyes in 3 groups: 15 eyes with primary fixations of PC IOLs, 92 eyes with secondary fixations of PC IOLs and 45 eyes with secondary fixations of PC IOLs combined with penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: Postoperative corrected visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 32.2% of cases, the most common complications in our material was CME (9.9%), lens tilt (4.6%) and increase of IOP (3.95%). CONCLUSION: Transscleral fixation of PC IOLs offers good visual outcome with relatively low rate of complications and is recommended in cases with inadequate posterior capsule support.