Zoekresultaten

Physical activity as a risk or protective factor for falls and fall-related fractures in non-frail and frail older adults: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Physical activity may be both a risk and protective factor for falls and fall-related fractures. Despite its positive effects on muscle and bone health, physical activity also increases exposure to situations where falls and fractures occur. This paradox could possibly be explained by frailty status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between physical activity and both falls and fractures, and to determine whether frailty modifies the association of physical activity with falls, and fractures.METHODS: Data of 311 community-dwelling participants aged 75 years or older from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, who participated in a three-year longitudinal study with five nine-monthly measurements between 2015/2016 and 2018/2019. Their mean age was 81.1 (SD 4.8) years and frailty was present in 30.9% of the participants. Physical activity in minutes per day was objectively assessed with an inertial sensor (Actigraph) for seven consecutive days. Falls and fractures were assessed every nine months using self-report during an interview over a follow-up period of three years. Frailty was determined at baseline using the frailty index. Associations were estimated using longitudinal logistic regression analyses based on generalized estimating equations.RESULTS: No association between physical activity and falls was found (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00). Fall risk was higher in frail compared to non-frail adults (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.33-3.68), but no effect modification was seen of frailty on the association between physical activity and falls. Also no relation between physical activity and fractures was found (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01). Fracture risk was higher in frail compared to non-frail adults (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.02-7.75), but also no effect modification of frailty was present in the association between physical activity and fractures.CONCLUSIONS: No association between physical activity and neither falls nor fractures was found, and frailty appeared not to be an effect modifier. However, frailty was a risk factor for falls and fractures in this population of older adults. Our findings suggest that physical activity can be safely recommended in non-frail and frail populations for general health benefits, without increasing the risk of falls.

Vallen : incidentie en risicofactoren bij patiënten met eenberoerte, een systematisch literatuuronderzoek

Falls are common after stroke. This article presents a literature review of the incidence and risk factors of falls and the consequences for professionals working with stroke patients. It is important to consider the specific problems after stroke. Depression and cognitive impairments were found to be risk factors for fall incidents after stroke. In the relevant literature many different risk factors and circumstances are described. When patients move from bed to chair, walk to the bathroom and the first few days after the patient is discharged to another setting, - all these circumstances showed high percentages of falling. A fall during hospital stay is a significant risk factor for future fall incidents. A reliable index to measure the fall risk is not (yet) available. But scores on the Barthel Index and the Timed-Up-and-Go test can be used as fall risk indicators. Fear of falling is an important complication after a fall and therefore it is recommended prior to discharge to inquire about the patient’s self efficacy in maintaining balance. Few intervention studies use the number of falls as an outcome measure. Exercising balance following a mass training protocol seems to diminish the risk of falling.

Differences in comorbidities between men and women with heart failure exist

Communication between Patients and Pharmacy Staff on Patient Information Leaflets

Objective: Product Information Leaflets (PILs) are an important source of information for patients on their medication, but may cause confusion and questions. Patients then may seek clarification, for instance from pharmacy technicians. The aim of this study was to explore which questions pharmacy technicians get about PIL-related issues, why and when, and how they handle such questions. Methods: an online survey in a panel of 785 Dutch pharmacy technicians. Key results: Net response rate was 37%. PIL-related questions frequently concerned drug actions, problems with use, side effects, intolerances and pregnancy and lactation. Patients who received generic alternatives instead of the branded product they had received previously, also came more often to pharmacy staff with PIL-related questions. The requested information could not always be found in the PIL itself, not even by the pharmacy technicians themselves. They mentioned that the PIL is not easy to read, understand or recall. Conclusions: Pharmacy staff is often approached by patients having difficulties in understanding PILs. Even pharmacy technicians find PILs difficult to read and often use other sources of information. PIL layout and contents should become more standardized and easier to read and understand.

Bewonersnatuur in Zundert

Wetenschapswinkelprojecten hebben vaak als doel het handelingsperspectief van klantorganisaties te vergroten. Dit vereist een leerproces binnen die organisaties. Co-creatie van kennis is daarvoor een geschikt middel. Een van de taken van wetenschappers daarbij is om bestaande wetenschappelijke kennis te contextualiseren: algemene wetenschappelijke kennis te vertalen naar de lokale situatie. In dit artikel worden de ervaringen met co-creatie en contextualisering in een wetenschapswinkelproject in Zundert geëvalueerd.

Low Bone Mineral Density and Associated Risk Factors in Elite Cyclists at Different Stages of a Professional Cycling Career

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in male and female elite cyclists at different stages of a professional cycling career and to identify potential risk factors of low BMD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 93 male and female early career, advanced career, and postcareer elite cyclists completed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body; blood sampling; assessment of training history and injuries; and the bone-specific physical activity questionnaire. Backward stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore associations between BMD and its potential predictors in early and advanced career (i.e., active career) cyclists. Results: With a mean Z -score of -0.3 ± 0.8, -1.5 ± 1.0, and -1.0 ± 0.9, low BMD ( Z -score < -1) at the lumbar spine was present in 27%, 64%, and 50% of the early, advanced, and postcareer elite male cyclists, respectively. Lumbar spine Z -scores of -0.9 ± 1.0, -1.0 ± 1.0, and 0.2 ± 1.4 in early, advanced, and postcareer elite female cyclists, respectively, indicated low BMD in 45%, 45%, and 20% of these female subpopulations. Regression analyses identified body mass index, fracture incidence, bone-specific physical activity, and triiodothyronine as the main factors associated with BMD. Conclusions: Low BMD is highly prevalent in elite cyclists, especially in early career females and advanced career males and females. These low BMD values may not fully recover after the professional cycling career, given the substantial prevalence of low BMD in retired elite cyclists. Exploratory analyses indicated that low BMD is associated with low body mass index, fracture incidence, lack of bone-specific physical activity, and low energy availability in active career elite cyclists.