We reviewed 13 cases of ultrasound-guided thrombin injection of femoral pseudoaneurysms. All cases occurred within a 17-month period from January 1998 through May 1999 and were complications of femoral artery puncture. Immediate total thrombosis occurred in nine of 13 patients. Twenty-four-hour follow-up ultrasound in seven patients revealed no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm. Two of 13 patients required operative repair. One pseudoaneurysm thrombosed with 15 minutes of compression after injection and one case required a second injection. No cases of arterial thrombosis were noted. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for femoral artery pseudoaneurysm represents a safe and effective alternative to operative repair.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with taste acuity in healthy older European adults aged 55-87 years, employing a factorial independent design to recruit older adults from centres in France, Italy and United Kingdom. Adults aged 70-87 years (N=387) were recruited in Rome (Italy) (n=108) and Grenoble (France) (n=91) and aged 55-70 years in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) (n=93) and Clermont-Ferrand (C-F) (France) (n=95). A signal detection theory (SDT) approach was used for detection threshold assessment of the four basic tastes (salt; sweet; bitter; and, sour). Trial data were converted to R-indices. Diet was assessed by means of four day food diaries. Dietary data were converted using WISP and then reduced, using a principal components analysis, to four components: Component 1 'high fat and salt'; Component 2 'high vitamins and fibre'; Component 3 'high fat and carbohydrate'; and, Component 4 'high trace elements'. Socio-demographic information was collected by self report survey. Four separate regression analyses were carried out, one for each of the four basic taste qualities (sweet; sour; bitter; salt). Mean ROC scores for each taste quality were the response variables and age, sex, country, social class and dietary components were predictor variables. The main predictors of taste acuity were age, sex, social class and country, which had differential effects for each taste quality. These data suggest that socio-demographic and cultural factors should be taken into account when considering taste acuity in older people.

No / OBJECTIVES: The Enriched Opportunities Programme (EOP) is a multi-level intervention focussing on improved quality of life for people with dementia. This study compared the experience of people living with dementia and other mental health problems in extra care housing schemes that utilised EOP with schemes that employed an active control intervention. METHOD: Ten extra care housing schemes were cluster randomised to receive either the EOP intervention or an active control intervention for an 18-month period. Residents with dementia or other significant mental health problems (20-30 per scheme) were assessed on a number of outcome measures at baseline, six months, one year and 18 months. The primary outcome measure was quality of life. Self-reported depression was an important secondary outcome. RESULTS: The EOP-participating residents rated their quality of life more positively over time (4.0 (SE 0.6) units; 14% p < 0.001) than the active control (1.3 (SE 0.6) units; 4% p = 0.003). There was also a significant group-time interaction for depressive symptoms (p = 0.003). The EOP-participating residents reported a reduction of 25% at both six and 12 months and a 37% reduction at 18 months (all p's < 0.001). EOP residents were less likely than residents in the active control sites to move to a care home or to be admitted to a hospital inpatient bed. They were more likely to be seen by a range of community health professionals. CONCLUSION: The EOP had a positive impact on the quality of life of people with dementia in well-staffed extra care housing schemes.

No / There are few data on the associations between anaemia, allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), patient blood management, and outcome after arthroplasty in the UK. National agencies nevertheless instruct NHS Trusts to implement blood conservation measures including preoperative anaemia management. Internationally, blood management programmes show encouraging results. METHODS: We retrospectively audited 717 primary hip or knee arthroplasties in a UK general hospital and conducted regression analyses to identify outcome predictors. We used these data to modify previously published algorithms for UK practice and audited its introduction prospectively. The retrospective audit group served as a control. RESULTS: Preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) concentration predicted ABT (odds ratio 0.25 per 1 g dl(-1), P<0.001). It also predicted the length of stay (LOS, effect size -0.7 days per 1 g dl(-1), P=0.004) independently of ABT, including in non-anaemic patients. Patient blood management implementation was associated with lower ABT rates for hip (23-7%, P<0.001) and knee (7-0%, P=0.001) arthroplasty. LOS for total hip replacement and total knee replacement decreased from 6 (5-8) days to 5 (3-7) and 4 (3-6) days, respectively, after algorithm implementation (P<0.001). The all-cause re-admission rate within 90 days decreased from 13.5% (97/717) before to 8.2% (23/281) after algorithm implementation (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preoperative Hb predicts markers of arthroplasty outcome in UK practice. A systematic approach to optimize Hb mass before arthroplasty and limit Hb loss perioperatively was associated with improved outcome up to 90 days after discharge.

No / OBJECTIVES: To model the frequency of 'last minute' cancellations of planned elective procedures in the English NHS with respect to the patient and provider factors that led to these cancellations. METHODS: A dataset of 5,288,604 elective patients spell in the English NHS from January 1st, 2007 to December 31st, 2007 was extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics. A binary dependent variable indicating whether or not a patient had a Health Resource Group coded as S22--'Planned elective procedure not carried out'--was modeled using a probit regression estimated via maximum likelihood including patient, case and hospital level covariates. RESULTS: Longer waiting times and being admitted on a Monday were associated with a greater rate of cancelled procedures. Male patients, patients from lower socio-economic groups and older patients had higher rates of cancelled procedures. There was significant variation in cancellation rates between hospitals; Foundation Trusts and private facilities had the lowest cancellation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed on why Foundation Trusts exhibit lower cancellation rates. Hospitals with relatively high cancellation rates should be encouraged to tackle this problem. Further evidence is needed on whether hospitals are more likely to cancel operations where the procedure tariff is lower than the S22 tariff as this creates a perverse incentive to cancel. Understanding the underlying causes of why male, older and patients from lower socio-economic groups are more likely to have their operations cancelled is important to inform the appropriate policy response. This research suggests that interventions designed to reduce cancellation rates should be targeted to high-cancellation groups.

No / To demonstrate the benefits of fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular steroid injection in the hip with varying degrees of disease severity, and to investigate the financial aspects of the procedure and impact on waiting time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken of patients who underwent fluoroscopic intra-articular steroid injection over the 9-month study period. Comparative analysis of the Oxford hip pain score pre- and 6-8 weeks post-intra-articular injection was performed. Hip radiographs of all patients were categorised as normal, mild, moderate, or severe disease (four categories) based on the modified Kellgren-Lawrence severity scale, and improvement on the Oxford hip pain score on each of these four severity categories were assessed. RESULTS: Within the study cohort of 100 patients, the mean increase in post-procedure hip score of 7.32 points confirms statistically significant benefits of the therapy (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval: 5.55-9.09). There was no significant difference in pre-injection hip score or change in score between the four severity categories (p=0.51). Significant improvement in hip score (p<0.05) was demonstrated in each of the four severity categories 6-8 weeks post-injection. No associated complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular steroid injection is a highly effective therapeutic measure for hip osteoarthritis across all grades of disease severity with significant cost savings and the potential to reduce waiting times.

Introdução A população mundial vem envelhecendo, e apresentando aumento na prevalência de obesidade, que é fator de risco cardiovascular e metabólico. Índices antropométricos, em particular aqueles que evidenciam obesidade visceral, são marcadores de distúrbios cardiometabólicos. Não há consenso sobre qual o melhor índice para a população idosa. Objetivo Descrever a associação entre índices antropométricos, fatores de risco e eventos cardiovasculares em idosos funcionalmente independentes. Material e casuística Em revisão de prontuários de instituto público de geriatria foram coletados dados sócio-demográficos, sobre comorbidades, doença coronariana (ICo) e doença cerebrovascular (AVC), e dados antropométricos, a saber: índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência de cintura (CC), razão cintura-quadril (RCQ) e razão cintura-altura (RCA). Resultados Foram analisados 989 idosos, 85,6% mulheres, 67,5 ± 5,5 anos, 52,8% com até quatro anos de estudo, 72,6% hipertensos (HAS) e 21,5% diabéticos (DM). A freqüência de dislipidemia (DLP) foi 43,2% e de artrose 66,6%, com predomínio entre mulheres (p=0,015 e p=0,001, respectivamente). Sedentarismo foi relatado por 66,2% e tabagismo por 22,5%, com predomínio entre homens (p=0,004 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Cerca de 10% dos idosos apresentavam concomitantemente HAS, DM e DLP. ICo foi relatada por 5,5% da amostra, e AVC por 3,2%, com predomínio entre homens (p=0,001 e p=0,013, respectivamente). A maioria apresentou excesso de peso (76,3%) e obesidade central (CC aumentada em 71,4%, RCQ aumentada em 59,4% e RCA aumentada em 84,1%). Houve associação entre IMC >= 35 kg/m2 e CC >= 102 cm e ICo entre homens, com maior risco quando CC >= 102 cm; resultado semelhante ocorreu para homens sedentários. Conclusões A maioria dos idosos apresentava HAS e sedentarismo. IMC, CC e RCQ apresentaram associação com HAS para todos, e RCA apenas para mulheres. CC apresentou associação com DM para todos, e RCQ e RCA apenas para mulheres. Os limites dos índices antropométricos para a população adulta associaram-se ao risco cardiometabólico em idosos. CC apresentou associação direta com ICo e risco sete vezes maior em homens, sugerindo o uso deste parâmetro para a população idosa masculina. Obesidade em idosos deve ser discutida em profundidade e há premência de abordagens direcionadas à promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças para a população idosa / Rationale Population is ageing and presenting increasing prevalence of obesity, which is a cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor. Anthropologic indices may indicate cardiometabolic disturbances, particularly the ones related to visceral adiposity. There is no consensus which is the best index for the aged. Objective This study aims to describe the association between anthropologic indices, risk factors, and cardiovascular diseases for functionally independent elderly. Methods and subjects Patients\' records at a public geriatric institute were surveyed and data was collected on demography, comorbidities, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and on anthropometric measurements, specifically body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waistheight ratio (WHtR). Results There were 989 elders, 85.6% females, 67.5±5,5 years old, 52.8% studied up to four years, 72.6% presented hypertension (HTN) and 21.5% diabetes (DM). The prevalence of dyslipidemia (DLP) was 43.2% and for arthrosis it was 66.6%, predominantly among female (respectively p=0.015 and p=0.001). Sedentarism was referred by 66.2% of the sample and tobacco use by 22.5%, predominantly among males (respectively p=0.004 and p < 0.001). Around 10% of all seniors presented HTN, DM and DLP simultaneously. CHD was referred by 5.5% of the participants and stroke by 3.2%, predominantly among males (respectively p=0.001 and p=0.013). The majority of the aged were overweight (76.3%) and presented central obesity (increased WC in 74.1%, increased WHR in 59.4% and increased WHtR in 84.1%). BMI >= 35 kg/m2 e WC >= 102 cm were associated with CHD among males, with higher risk when >= 102 cm. Sedentary men presented similar results. Conclusions The majority of the elders presented HTN and sedentarism. BMI, WC, and WHR were associated with HTN for all subjects, and WHtR only for women. WC was associated with DM for all participants, and WHR and WHtR only for women. The cut off values used for the adult population were associated with cardiometabolic risk among seniors. WC was directly associated with CHD and a risk seven times higher among males. This suggests the use of this cut off value for aged men. Obesity among aged individuals needs to be addressed thoroughly and there is urgency on broad health promotion and disease prevention approaches directed towards the ageing population

Introdução A população mundial vem envelhecendo, e apresentando aumento na prevalência de obesidade, que é fator de risco cardiovascular e metabólico. Índices antropométricos, em particular aqueles que evidenciam obesidade visceral, são marcadores de distúrbios cardiometabólicos. Não há consenso sobre qual o melhor índice para a população idosa. Objetivo Descrever a associação entre índices antropométricos, fatores de risco e eventos cardiovasculares em idosos funcionalmente independentes. Material e casuística Em revisão de prontuários de instituto público de geriatria foram coletados dados sócio-demográficos, sobre comorbidades, doença coronariana (ICo) e doença cerebrovascular (AVC), e dados antropométricos, a saber: índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência de cintura (CC), razão cintura-quadril (RCQ) e razão cintura-altura (RCA). Resultados Foram analisados 989 idosos, 85,6% mulheres, 67,5 ± 5,5 anos, 52,8% com até quatro anos de estudo, 72,6% hipertensos (HAS) e 21,5% diabéticos (DM). A freqüência de dislipidemia (DLP) foi 43,2% e de artrose 66,6%, com predomínio entre mulheres (p=0,015 e p=0,001, respectivamente). Sedentarismo foi relatado por 66,2% e tabagismo por 22,5%, com predomínio entre homens (p=0,004 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Cerca de 10% dos idosos apresentavam concomitantemente HAS, DM e DLP. ICo foi relatada por 5,5% da amostra, e AVC por 3,2%, com predomínio entre homens (p=0,001 e p=0,013, respectivamente). A maioria apresentou excesso de peso (76,3%) e obesidade central (CC aumentada em 71,4%, RCQ aumentada em 59,4% e RCA aumentada em 84,1%). Houve associação entre IMC >= 35 kg/m2 e CC >= 102 cm e ICo entre homens, com maior risco quando CC >= 102 cm; resultado semelhante ocorreu para homens sedentários. Conclusões A maioria dos idosos apresentava HAS e sedentarismo. IMC, CC e RCQ apresentaram associação com HAS para todos, e RCA apenas para mulheres. CC apresentou associação com DM para todos, e RCQ e RCA apenas para mulheres. Os limites dos índices antropométricos para a população adulta associaram-se ao risco cardiometabólico em idosos. CC apresentou associação direta com ICo e risco sete vezes maior em homens, sugerindo o uso deste parâmetro para a população idosa masculina. Obesidade em idosos deve ser discutida em profundidade e há premência de abordagens direcionadas à promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças para a população idosa / Rationale Population is ageing and presenting increasing prevalence of obesity, which is a cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor. Anthropologic indices may indicate cardiometabolic disturbances, particularly the ones related to visceral adiposity. There is no consensus which is the best index for the aged. Objective This study aims to describe the association between anthropologic indices, risk factors, and cardiovascular diseases for functionally independent elderly. Methods and subjects Patients\' records at a public geriatric institute were surveyed and data was collected on demography, comorbidities, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and on anthropometric measurements, specifically body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waistheight ratio (WHtR). Results There were 989 elders, 85.6% females, 67.5±5,5 years old, 52.8% studied up to four years, 72.6% presented hypertension (HTN) and 21.5% diabetes (DM). The prevalence of dyslipidemia (DLP) was 43.2% and for arthrosis it was 66.6%, predominantly among female (respectively p=0.015 and p=0.001). Sedentarism was referred by 66.2% of the sample and tobacco use by 22.5%, predominantly among males (respectively p=0.004 and p < 0.001). Around 10% of all seniors presented HTN, DM and DLP simultaneously. CHD was referred by 5.5% of the participants and stroke by 3.2%, predominantly among males (respectively p=0.001 and p=0.013). The majority of the aged were overweight (76.3%) and presented central obesity (increased WC in 74.1%, increased WHR in 59.4% and increased WHtR in 84.1%). BMI >= 35 kg/m2 e WC >= 102 cm were associated with CHD among males, with higher risk when >= 102 cm. Sedentary men presented similar results. Conclusions The majority of the elders presented HTN and sedentarism. BMI, WC, and WHR were associated with HTN for all subjects, and WHtR only for women. WC was associated with DM for all participants, and WHR and WHtR only for women. The cut off values used for the adult population were associated with cardiometabolic risk among seniors. WC was directly associated with CHD and a risk seven times higher among males. This suggests the use of this cut off value for aged men. Obesity among aged individuals needs to be addressed thoroughly and there is urgency on broad health promotion and disease prevention approaches directed towards the ageing population

No description available.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in an interrupted word paradigm (Maryland CNCs; 10 ips, 50% duty cycle) if different locations of the interruption pattern produce different recognition performances. DESIGN: Repeated measures using two interruption patterns that were complementary halves referenced to word onset; one started with word onset (0-ms), the other started 50 ms later. The hypothesis was that recognition performance would be better on the 0-ms condition than on the 50-ms condition, but there would be some words with the reverse relation. STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty-four young adults with normal hearing for pure tones and 32 older adults (mean = 67 years) with sensorineural hearing loss participated. RESULTS: With the young listeners mean recognition performance on the 0-ms condition (63.1%) was significantly better than the mean performance on the 50-ms condition (47.8%). About twice as many words had better performance on the 0-ms condition. With the older listeners, who were given only stimuli on which performances were > 58% by the young normals, performances on the two conditions were the same. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis was supported with the young listeners. The equal performance by the older listeners on the two conditions was attributed to the manner in which the words were selected.