Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in metastatic tumor processes, with changes in circulating levels detected in several cancer types. Here, we compare serum concentrations of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) across individuals clinically diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), correcting results for the rs495366 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that predisposes to differential MMP-1 levels. 196 men aged ≥50 years were followed at a university hospital urology outpatient clinic, with clinical, anthropometric, and rectal examinations performed by one urologist. Blood samples obtained prior to any clinical intervention provided baseline MMP-1 and total/free PSA levels as well as metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory markers. The SNP was genotyped by real-time PCR. Participants with medical and/or laboratory profile compatible with malignancy composed the PCa group when confirmed by the Gleason scale. As expected, A-allele homozygotes showed reduced levels of MMP-1. Genotype-adjusted analyses revealed the mean MMP-1 level as 2-fold higher in PCa carriers compared to BPH patients. No other differences were found according to the prostatic condition or genotypic distribution, except for the expected raise in total and free PSA levels in PCa. In conclusion, increased serum levels of MMP-1 were observed in this context of prostatic malignancy compared to a benign phenotype, regardless of a genetic influence.

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The number of elderly patients with cancer is growing. Our study goals were to determine the prevalence of geriatric syndromes in elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and its related factors using a basic geriatric screening tool. A cross-sectional study using the basic geriatric screening tool was conducted to survey geriatric problems in a population of elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. There were 85 participants who were ≥60 years old. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used. The prevalence of having at least one geriatric syndrome was 58.8% (50 out of 85 cases). Depression was the most common component both in male and female patients. Age ≥65 years old was significantly associated with the geriatric syndrome (AOR 4.23, ), and a factor associated with depression was underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) (AOR 13.2, ). In summary, geriatric syndromes are common in elderly cancer patients. Screening for geriatric syndrome adds substantial data on the assessment of elderly cancer patients, even those with a good performance status.

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Objectives. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of chronic diseases and analyze the association between multimorbidity and all-cause mortality by sex. Methods. This is a 16-year longitudinal study of follow-up. We used sample data of the SABE (Health, Well-Being and Aging) study cohort and mortality data obtained through the Mortality Information Improvement Program of the City of São Paulo (PRO-AIM) from the 2000–2016 period. Survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results. Hypertension (HT) was the most prevalent disease in older adults (52.93%), followed by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (27.09%), cardiovascular diseases (CD) (17.79%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (16.95%), mental disorders (MD) (15.43%), and respiratory diseases (RD) (9.72%). The highest mortality rate in women was observed in the combination of HT/MSDs/DM/MD (HR = 6.15, 95% CI = 2.32, 16.32), while in men was in the combination of HT/CD/MSDs/DM (HR = 5.72, 95% CI = 1.72, 19.06). Conclusion. Similar to previous studies carried out in developed countries, we found that all-cause mortality increased as diseases are added to an individual. Women and men presented different mortality patterns according to multimorbidity. Therefore, we suggest that additional longitudinal studies should be performed in order to analyze mortality by sex.

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Studies conducted in nursing homes/hospitals have shown that organizational culture plays an important role in care delivery and group culture leads to better quality of care. To explore the organizational culture and care delivery in adult day services (ADS) centers in Taiwan, we used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data from the Competing Values Framework (CVF) assessment showed that the group culture was dominant at all three centers. Qualitative data from observation and staff interviews uncovered both group and nongroup cultural elements. The group cultural elements, such as flexible management, teamwork environment, and sharing the same values, contributed to good care; however, the nongroup cultural elements, such as the staff-centered view, hierarchy, and conflicts within the leadership, led to negative staff-staff and staff-clients interactions. Further research is needed to untangle the complexity between quality care delivery and organizational culture.

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Context. Physiological changes due to the aging process cause balance deficit and increased risk of falls, more frequently in women. Exercises improve balance and prevent falls; and aquatic exercises are recommended as an alternative strategy to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, in a safer environment for older persons. Objective. To evaluate the additional effects of on balance an aquatic muscle strengthening and flexibility training program in healthy sedentary lifestyle elderly women. Method. This controlled clinical trial included 56 healthy sedentary women, aged from 65 to 70 years, divided into two groups. The aquatic group (AG) underwent aquatic training (45 minutes/session, 32 sessions), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention, during a one-week period. Lower limb muscle strength was measured by a force sensor (myometer). Flexibility was measured by biophotogrammetry. Functional balance was evaluated by the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results. Muscle strength, flexibility, and balance improved in AG (), but not in CG. Conclusion. The aquatic exercises program, which was originally developed to promote muscle strength and flexibility, also improved functional balance. Aquatic training is an option for physical health promotion for sedentary lifestyle elderly women.

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Cluster randomized trial design, where groups of participants are randomized instead of individual participants, is increasingly being used in long-term care research. The purpose of this review was to determine the characteristics of cluster randomized trials in long-term care facilities. A medical librarian conducted the literature search. Two independent reviewers reviewed each paper. Studies were included if the design was cluster randomized and participants were from long-term care facilities. For each included study, two independent data extractors captured data on study attributes, including: journal, location, year published, author discipline, funding, methodology, number of participants, and intervention target. The literature search yielded 7,679 unique studies, with 195 studies meeting the selection criteria and being included for data extraction. The included studies were published between 1976 and 2017, with 53% of studies published after 2009. The term cluster randomized was in the title of only 45% of the studies. The studies were conducted worldwide; the United States had the largest number of studies (23%), followed by the United Kingdom (18%). Ten percent of studies were published in journals with an impact factor >10. The most frequent discipline of the first and last authors was medicine (34%), followed by nursing (17%). Forty-nine percent of the studies had government funding, while only 20% had medical industry funding. In studies with <1000 residents, 85% of the studies obtained consent from the resident and/or their proxy, while in studies with ≥ 1000 residents, it was 31%. The most frequent intervention targets were infection (13%), falls/fracture (13%), and behavior/physical restraint (13%). Cluster randomized controlled trials in long-term care have a unique set of characteristics. Results of this review will provide guidance to researchers conducting studies in long-term care facilities.

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