Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment / Validez y confiabilidad de la versión brasileña del Caregiver Reaction Assessment / Validade e confiabilidade da versão brasileira do Caregiver Reaction Assessment

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the validity based on the internal structure and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) applied to informal caregivers of dependent elderly. Method: A methodological study with 120 informal caregivers of the elderly. Validity based on the internal structure evaluated by exploratory factorial analysis, with extraction of main factorial axes, varimax orthogonal rotation and retention of factors by parallel analysis. Reliability assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Results: The instrument revealed a factorial structure different from the original version: three factors were identified, equivalent to subscales, self-esteem, daily activities and family support, with explained variance of 42%. The values of the Cronbach alpha for the items belonging to each subscale were, respectively: 0.71, 0.81 and 0.83. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of CRA presents good evidence of validity based on internal structure and is reliable, and can be used to assess the overload of informal caregivers of dependent elderly.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la validez basada en la estructura interna y la confiabilidad de la versión brasileña del Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) aplicado a cuidadores informales de ancianos dependientes. Método: Estudio metodológico, realizado con 120 cuidadores informales de ancianos. Validez basada en la estructura interna evaluada por análisis factorial exploratorio, con extracción de principales ejes factoriales, rotación ortogonal varimax y retención de factores por análisis paralelos. Confiabilidad examinada por el alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: El instrumento reveló una estructura factorial diferente de la versión original: tres factores fueron identificados, equivalentes a las subescalas autoestima, programación de las actividades diarias y soporte familiar, con varianza explicada de 42%. Los valores del alpha de Cronbach para los elementos integrantes de cada subescala fueron, respectivamente: 0,71, 0,81 y 0,83. Conclusión: La versión brasileña del CRA presenta buenas evidencias de validez basadas en la estructura interna y es confiable, pudiendo ser empleada en la evaluación de la sobrecarga de cuidadores informales de ancianos dependientes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a validade baseada na estrutura interna e a confiabilidade da versão brasileira do Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) aplicado a cuidadores informais de idosos dependentes. Método: Estudo metodológico, realizado com 120 cuidadores informais de idosos. Validade baseada na estrutura interna avaliada por análise fatorial exploratória, com extração de principais eixos fatoriais, rotação ortogonal varimax e retenção de fatores por análises paralelas. Confiabilidade aferida pelo alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: O instrumento revelou estrutura fatorial diferente da versão original: três fatores foram identificados, equivalentes às subescalas, autoestima, programação das atividades diárias e suporte familiar, com variância explicada de 42%. Os valores do alpha de Cronbach para os itens integrantes de cada subescala foram, respectivamente: 0,71, 0,81 e 0,83. Conclusão: A versão brasileira do CRA apresenta boas evidências de validade baseada na estrutura interna e é confiável, podendo ser empregada na avaliação da sobrecarga de cuidadores informais de idosos dependentes.

Effect of atorvastatin on serum ferritin levels in elderly male patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To explore the effect of atorvastatin application on serum ferritin(SF)levels in elderly male patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)and its clinical significance. Methods 120 elderly male patients treated in Department of Cardiology in Cangzhou People's Hospital were randomly divided into treatment group and control group(60 cases in each group). All the patients in the two groups took the standard treatment of coronary heart disease,and the patients in treatment group were additionally given atorvastatin 20 mg orally,once-daily for 1 month. After 1 month of treatment,the changes in SF and lipid levels before and after treatment were determined. Results The total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein(LDL)and SF levels of the two groups after treatment were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment. After treatment,triacylglycerol (TG)was decreased,and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)was increased significantly in treatment group,while in the control group,after treatment TG was increased and HDL was decreased. Compared between treatment and control groups after treatment,the differences in SF,TC,TG,HDL and LDL levels were statistically significant〔SF(μg/L):174.33±99.87 vs. 255.66±100.34,TC(mmol/L):4.23±0.60 vs. 5.15±0.56,TG(mmol/L):1.98±0.64 vs. 2.00±1.03,HDL(mmol/L):1.13±0.14 vs. 1.09±0.22,LDL(mmol/L):2.45±0.33 vs. 3.35±0.50,P<0.05 or P<0.01〕. Conclusion In elderly male hospitalized patients with ACS,the level of SF is significantly higher than normal,after atorvastatin specification treatment,the blood fat and SF levels are significantly lower,thus the SF inducing myocardial damage may be reduced and the risk of recurrence of acute coronary events can be decreased.

The correlation between PTH, Vitamin D and bone mineral density in elderly man with type 2-diabetes / 中国综合临床

Objective To explore the impact of calciotropic hormones,such as parathyroid hormone (PTH)and vitamin D,on bone mineral density(BMD)in the old men with type 2-Diabetes.Methods Sixty elderly men with type 2-Diabetes were submitted to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to evaluate the BMD at lumbar spine and hip.Fasting blood samples were collected to evaluate the indexes of bone metablism and blood glucose.PTH and 25-(OH)-Vitamin D3 were measured and analyzed for their correlation with BMD at different sites.Results In all patients,the percentage of osteoporosis and osteopenia accounted for 20.0％ and 53.3％ of the patients according to BMD at lumbar or hip.Compared with the patient group with normal BMD,serum PTH was significantly higher in the patient group with osteopenia or osteoporsis([44.87 ± 10.62]μg/L vs[36.96 ±12.36]μg/L,P ＜ 0.05 ;[50.24 ± 20.32]μg/L vs[36.96 ± 12.36]μg/L,P ＜ 0.05).But there was no difference in 25-(OH)-Vitamin D3 levels between all groups.PTH was correlated negatively with BMD at hip (r =-0.224,P ＜ 0.05),but not significantly correlated with BMD at lumbar(r =-0.187,P ＞ 0.05)Conclusions Serum PTH was correlated negatively with BMD at hip in elderly man with type 2-Diabetes.