Lipid profile and the effect of some metabolic hormones on diabetic elderlies

Physiological systems have substantial reserves in younger individuals to maintain the vital activities of the body. The process of aging and intercurrent pathologic process gradually eliminates these reserves. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is age related. Because elderly patients with diabetes are living longer and are likely to use increasing amount of scarce health care resources in the next several decades, diabetes in age adults may ultimately prove to be the most important epidemic of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to investigate the interrelation between diabetes and some metabolic hormones in elderly people in order to improve status of patients with various metabolic defects of diabetes, because elderly patients with diabetes use almost twice as many inpatients and outpatients resources as elderly people without diabetes. This study was performed on 51 elderly subjects. Hormones studied included serum T3, T4 and cortisol. Other biochemical parameters included lipid profile and glucose. Results revealed increased prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, as well as increased levels of serum triglycerides in diabetic elderly than in normals. T3 and T4 showed values in patients less than in the control group, while cortisol appeared to be higher in the former. Furthermore nutritional recommendations for healthy lifestyle for elderly type 2 diabetes are very important because many persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight and insulin resistant medical nutrition therapy should emphasize lifestyle changes that result in reduced energy intake and increases expenditure through physical activity

Effect of immobilization on nerve conduction

Electrophysiological examination of the nerves in the immobilized [after linear, simple and closed fractures] disclosed an ample information regarding functional status of the nerves. Thirty nine patients [9 females and 30 males], having one upper limb immobilized by plaster of Paris were subjected in the study for measurement of motor and sensory conduction velocities of median and ulnar nerves. The conduction velocities were in both nerves. The distal motor latency of median and ulnar nerves was prolonged in immobilized limbs. These Findings showed clearly that immobilizatiaon produced neuropathic changes of variable degrees which need to be watched so that more serious disorders could be avoided