Hand-arm vibration syndrome and its prevalence in the present status of private forestry enterprises in Japan

Summary Currently there are no limitations on age of employment on private forestries in Japan. Hence, it was hypothesized that in these kind of enterprises, elderly chain saw operators, or those with long-term exposure, might be at higher risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). We consequently investigated the prevalence of HAVS in 447 chain saw workers on private forestries in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, with particular reference to age and exposure period. Of this population, 43 (9.6%) had signs and symptoms of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), and among these workers the severity of finger blanching was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with the exposure period. Classification of all subjects by exposure period showed that workers with 30 years' exposure had higher prevalences of VWF (20.9%) and numbness of the hands (25.4%) compared to other groups. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between the functional capacities of workers with VWF and those of control subjects. We concluded that (a) the elderly chain saw operators and those with longer exposure should be moved to other jobs with a lower or no risk of exposure to vibration, and (b) the results of screening tests, even without cold water immersion (which we did not employ, in order to protect workers' hands), could be helpful for the identification of workers with VWF.     

老年心肌梗塞后抑郁与5-HT的关系

目的 探讨老年急性心肌梗塞后抑郁与血浆5羟色胺(5-HT)浓度的关系。方法 利用HAMD对抑郁进行评定,同时使用HPLC-EC法检测30例心梗后伴有明显抑郁症状患者的血浆5羟色胺浓度,并与30例不伴明显抑郁症状的患者以及30例健康人进行对照。结果 血浆5-HT含量抑郁组为46.37±24.47(ng/ml),非抑郁组为44.08±13.03(ng/ml),健康对照组为37.01±5.92(ng/ml)。结论　老年急性心肌梗塞患者HAMD与血浆5-HT浓度无相关。     

Hemodialysis in elderly patients

International Urology and Nephrology -     

Beneficial effect of verapamil added to chronic ACE inhibitor treatment on renal function in hypertensive elderly patients

This study analysed the effect of low doses ofverapamil added to chronic treatment withangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors onblood pressure and serum creatinine levels in eightelderly hypertensive patients who had a steadyincrease of serum creatinine while on ACE inhibitors.The study was performed in eight elderly hypertensivesubjects, five men and three women (mean age 70 ±2 years; systolic blood pressure 173 ± 4 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure 99 ± 1 mm Hg) andserum creatinine of 1.60 ± 0.27 mg/dl beforetreatment. During an average of 25 weeks, ACEinhibitors significantly reduced both systolic anddiastolic blood pressures, but serum creatinine levelswere increased over basal levels (0,68 ± 0,20 mg/dl, p < 0.05). During an average of 10 weeks,the addition of verapamil did not decrease bloodpressure further, but serum creatinine levels werereduced to baseline. Our study suggests that theaddition of verapamil to ACE inhibitors can reverseACE-induced increase in creatinine levels in elderlyhypertensive patients in whom this side effect isobserved. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

北京市部分地区老年人消化性溃疡患病率及相关因素调查分析

本文系 1993年 7～ 10月对北京市部分地区 34 4 0名 60岁以上老年人进行的消化性溃疡病 ( PU)的患病率及影响因素的调查。采取入户问卷调查的方式 ,结果表明 :老年人 PU的患病率在 4 .1% ;男性高于女性 ( 5.3% ,2 .9% ) ;低龄老人高于高龄老人 ;山区高于城区和郊区。在与 PU有关的影响因素中 ,抑郁、脑力劳动、吸烟、大量饮酒及高文化程度是老年 PU的危险因素 ,饮食结构及少量饮酒与 PU的患病率在统计学上未见显著差异。提示老年人 PU患病率在不同年龄、性别、地区、文化程度及职业上均有差异 ,同时心理因素对 PU的影响也不容忽视。     

Advanced colorectal cancer in the elderly: results of consecutive trials with 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy

To evaluate toxicity and efficacy of chemotherapy in elderly patients (≥65 years of age) with advanced colorectal cancer, data from two consecutive trials conducted between 1984 and 1995 at the National Institute for Cancer Research were analysed comparing the results of treatment in those 65 years of age or older and in those younger than 65 years. Of 215 patients recruited, 82 elderly patients (median age 70 years, median performance status 1) received one of the following regimens based on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU): (1) weekly 5-FU 600 mg/m² i.v. bolus (30 patients); (2) weekly 5-FU 600 mg/m² bolus plus leucovorin (LV) 500 mg/m² 2-h i.v. infusion (28 patients); (3) Weekly 5-FU 2600 mg/m² 24-h continuous i.v. infusion plus LV 100 mg 4-h i.v. infusion and 50 mg orally every 4 h for five doses (24 patients). Overall, 1071 chemotherapy cycles were administered with a median number of 12 courses per patient. The main side effects were diarrhoea, observed in 38% of patients, stomatitis in 24% of patients and hand-foot syndrome in 13% of patients, and haematological toxicity affected only 15% of patients. No patient suffered grade IV toxicity. In three patients chemotherapy was discontinued because of toxicity (two patients suffered grade III diarrhoea, one patient grade III hand-foot syndrome). No significant difference in toxicity was evident between patients older than or younger than 65 years. Analysis of median dose intensity demonstrated no difference between the two groups. Overall objective response was observed in 18% (95% confidence limits 11–29) of elderly patients (15/82) in comparison with 23% (95% CL 17–32) of patients <65 years of age (31/133 pts). In conclusion, chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer is a safe and effective treatment with acceptable toxicity and comparable objective response rates. Received: 6 January 1998 / Accepted: 27 February 1998     

噻奈普汀、帕罗西汀治疗老年抑郁症疗效研究

目的：观察噻萘普汀（达体朗）治疗老年抑郁症的疗效和安全性。方法：随机将50例老年抑郁症患者分为噻奈普汀组、帕罗西汀组各25例。疗程6周，采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）和副反应量表（TESS）法，在治疗前，治疗后第1，2，4，6周，分别评定药物疗效和不良反应。结果：两组疗效差异不显著，HAMD总分及各因子分再治疗后2～6周均较治疗前显著降低（P〈0．01），治疗结束时TESS评分噻奈普汀组低于帕罗西汀组（P〈0．01）。结论：该药治疗老年抑郁症疗效好，不良反应少。     

社区老年人主观幸福度及相关因素分析

目的探讨社区老年人心理健康水平及相关影响因素。方法采用Lawton费城老年中心(PGC)信心量表及自编老年人幸福度调查表,对405名老人进行问卷调查。结果老年人主观幸福度与娱乐活动,生活自理,自感身体状况,经济收入,文化程度,过去职业有非常显著性差异,与目前工作情况,婚姻状况,年龄,性别无明显差异。结论鼓励老年人多参加娱乐活动,保障其经济收入以及提高他们对卫生知识的认识,有利于老年人的身心健康。     

高龄食管癌82例临床分析

目的探索高龄食管癌的疾病特点和最佳治疗方案。方法对82例高龄食管癌患者临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果误诊39例。术后近期并发症共19例，远期并发症共8例。治愈33例，好转30例，未治12例，自动出院6例，死亡1例。结论手术治疗仍是高龄食管癌的首选治疗方式，其次为带膜食管支架置入和化疗。详细的病史询问、对高龄食管癌疾病特点的充分认识、规范的住院医疗制度是避免误诊、漏诊的重要措施。围手术期治疗规范与否是防治高龄食管癌术后并发症的关键所在。