Biomedical subjects

R Bernabei

Publications and source records attributed to R Bernabei.

132 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased propensity of the aged myocardium to develop calcium-related electrophysiological alterations.

The electrico-mechanical effects of calcium overload have been studied in cardiac papillary muscles of young adult and senescent Wistar rats driven at different rates. Action potential duration and contraction duration were found to be more prolonged in senescent than in younger animals during control conditions. Oscillatory afterpotentials and aftercontractions were more frequent in senescent than in younger rats during high calcium perfusion. Triggered activity was induced in senescent fibers but not in younger ones. Resting tension increased more in senescent fibers whereas the peak tension was not different in the two groups. It is concluded that aging is associated with a reduced capacity of the cardiac cells to handle an increased calcium load.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy: a geriatric experience in the acute care hospital.

The continuously growing segment of the geriatric population with the high incidence and prevalence of comorbidity and disability suggests that enhanced preventive and rehabilitative programs will be mandatory. The early arrangement of comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation services is extremely important not only in preventing the decline of patients in the acute care settings and successive prolonged care before discharge, but also in improving functional status at discharge. We have considered the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program in acute medical care of the elderly. This article discusses a pilot project being carried out at Catholic University Hospital "A. Gemelli" of Rome.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbidity and drug use in cognitively impaired elderly living in long-term care.

Cognitive impairment is associated with an increased mortality in older people. The prevalence and impact of comorbidity on functional status and mortality of demented patients has not been fully elucidated. Using a population-based data set, we describe the prevalence of cognitive impairment, functional status, principal comorbid conditions and 1-year survival for over 300,000 patients admitted to the nursing homes in five US states. Sixty-one percent of patients have some level of cognitive impairment, and this correlates with the degree of physical frailty. Severer cognitive impairment is associated with a higher mortality rate. Yet, patients with cognitive impairment appear to have fewer comorbid conditions and are less likely to receive medications and special treatments than residents with normal cognitive status. Additional studies are needed to understand whether demented patients may paradoxically be considered healthier or, instead, are only neglected.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of the type and severity of dementia on hospitalization and survival of the elderly. The SAGE Study Group.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine whether patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) differed in the number and type of associated comorbid conditions. In addition, we evaluated the impact of the severity of cognitive impairment on hospitalization and mortality of patients in each group. We studied 161,106 patients over age 65, with any degree of cognitive impairment, residing in any of 1,573 Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes of 5 states of the USA between 1992 and 1995. Patients were assessed with the federally mandated Minimum Data Set (MDS). The MDS has been cross-linked to Medicare eligibility files and to the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review database. AD patients were younger, and more likely to be female and Caucasian than VaD patients. For comparable levels of cognitive impairment, AD patients appeared to have fewer comorbid conditions, including those that were not risk factors for VaD. In addition, patients with AD had decreased morbidity and mortality relative to patients with VaD. These findings support the hypothesis that AD patients are a healthier group of demented patients.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The orthopedic-geriatric unit: a new model of hospital care].

We describe here the basic characteristics and operative modalities of the acute care orthopedic-geriatric unit, an innovative model of health care for elderly trauma patients. This new unit offers several advantages over traditional models: decreased patient mortality and length of hospital stay, a lower incidence of complications, and less need for specialist consultations. No particular organizational or management problems have arisen, and the cost/benefit ratio is very low. This model has also become a valuable teaching tool and a rich source of pathophysiological and clinical data for geriatric research.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbidity and cancer in the aged: the geriatrician's point of view.

Demographic trends in Italy and Western countries show a progressive aging of the population, which concerns the 80+ segment. The aging population is characterized by increased comorbidity and functional decline. The "frail elderly", who has problems in a variety of areas, including the physical, cognitive, psychological, social and economic ones, represents the paradigm of the emerging demographic and epidemiologic reality. In oncology, there is increasing awareness of the impact of comorbidity on cancer management in the elderly (including both screening and treatment). The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment represents the only answer to such problems, allowing to improve the quality of life, prolong survival and maintain functional status.

Aged↗