Nationwide Evaluation of Quality of Care Indicators for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness and Diabetes Mellitus, Following Israel's Mental Health Reform.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is more common among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). We aimed to assess quality-of-care-indicators in individuals with SMI following the 2015 Israel's Mental-Health-reform. We analyzed yearly changes in 2015-2019 of quality-of-care-measures and intermediate-DM-outcomes, with adjustment for gender, age-group, and socioeconomic status (SES) and compared individuals with SMI to the general adult population. Adults with SMI had higher prevalences of DM (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.61-1.67) and obesity (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 2.08-2.13), compared to the general population. DM prevalence, DM control, and obesity rates increased over the years in this population. In 2019, HbA1c testing was marginally lower (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83-0.94) and uncontrolled DM (HbA1c > 9%) slightly more common among patients with SMI (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14-1.30), control worsened by decreasing SES. After adjustment, uncontrolled DM (adj. OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.96-1.09) was not associated with SMI. Cardio-metabolic morbidity among patients with SMI may be related to high prevalences of obesity and DM rather than poor DM control. Effective screening for metabolic diseases in this population and social reforms are required.

Prenatal exposure to phthalates and emotional/behavioral development in young children.

INTRODUCTION: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, found in our daily environment, are nowadays suggested to be associated with adverse outcomes. Prenatal exposure was found associated with neurodevelopmental complications such as behavioral difficulties in school age children. AIM: To explore the association between intrauterine exposure to phthalates and emotional/behavioral development of 24 months old toddlers. METHODS: Women were recruited at 11-18 weeks of gestation and provided spot urine samples, analyzed for phthalate metabolites (DEHP, DiNP, MBzBP). Offspring were examined at 24 months of age, using standard maternal report, regarding developmental and behavioral problems (CBCL, ASQ-3, HOME questionnaires) (N = 158). To explore the associations between metabolite levels and developmental outcomes, multivariate GLM analysis (General Linear Model) was used according to tertiles and developmental scores on each developmental outcome. RESULTS: Associations of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) maternal exposure with behavioral-developmental outcomes were found only in boys. Compared with boys with lower DEHP maternal exposure, boys with high DEHP maternal exposure had lower developmental score in personal social abilities in the ASQ-3 questionnaire (50.68 + 8.06 and 44.14 + 11.02, high and low DEHP, respectively, p = 0.03), and more internalizing problems (for example, emotionally reactive score in high and low DEHP: 53.77 + 7.41 and 50.50 + 1.19, respectively, p = 0.029; anxious or depressed score: 53.38 + 5.01 and 50.75 + 1.34, respectively, p = 0.009; and somatic complaints scores 64.03 + 10.1 and 55.84 + 7.84, respectively, p = 0.003), and externalizing problems (49.28 + 8.59 and 43.33 + 9.11, respectively, p = 0.039). No differences were found in the development and behavior problems between high and low DEHP maternal exposure level in girls. CONCLUSION: Maternal DEHP metabolite concentrations measured in first trimester urine was associated with children's emotional/behavioral developmental problems in 24-months old boys, supporting accumulating evidence of DEHP as a potentially harming chemical and call for environmental attention.

Israeli COVID lockdowns mildly reduced overall use of preventive health services, but exacerbated some disparities.

BACKGROUND: During 2020, Israel experienced two COVID-19-related lockdowns that impacted the provision of primary and secondary preventive care. METHODS: We examined the month-by-month performance of selected preventive care services using data from Israel's national Quality Indicators in Community Healthcare program. Process of care measures included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, cholesterol testing, colon cancer screening and mammography. Intermediate outcome measures included low-density lipoprotein control and HbA1c control. Measures were stratified by sex and by area-level socioeconomic position (SEP). Diabetes and mammography are presented in this abstract due to space limitations. RESULTS: Annual HbA1c testing among persons with diabetes decreased from 90.9% in 2019 to 88.0% in 2020. Performance of HbA1c tests during lockdown months was as low as half the usual amount. There were compensatory increases in testing during post-lockdown months that did not quite make up for the missed tests. In 2019, 9.0% of Israelis with diabetes had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 9.0); in 2020, it was 8.8%. In total, 4.5% fewer mammograms were performed in 2020 compared with 2019. Women in the lowest SEP level performed 10.4% fewer mammograms in 2020 than in 2019, while women in the highest SEP level performed 3.1% more mammograms. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged COVID lockdowns in 2020 were associated with marked decreases in the performance of preventive health services during those months. Compensatory spikes following the end of lockdowns partly, but did not completely, make up for the missed care. COVID lockdowns may have exacerbated socioeconomic disparities in some preventive health services.

Is There a Familial Tendency for Same Sex Offspring? A Lesson Learned from a Large Non-Selected Israeli Population.

BACKGROUND: While the ratio of male to female births (sex-ratio at birth [SRB]) in humans is remarkably stable on the population level, there are many families with multiple same-sex offspring. OBJECTIVES: To identify a putative sub-population with skewed SRB and explore potential factors affecting the SRB. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including 66,054 families with up to nine same-sex offspring evaluated between 2003 and 2015 at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. Outcome measures were observed prevalence and SRB of families with up to nine same-sex offspring in a single family. Analyses included the effect of parity, month and year of delivery, inter-delivery interval, and presence of a sequence of previous same-sex offspring on the SRB. RESULTS: The study comprised 193,411 live-born babies with SRB of 1.057 in favor of males. The proportion of SRB in families with up to nine same-sex offspring did not differ from the calculated presumed proportion. Furthermore, none of the tested factors (parity, month and year of delivery, inter-delivery interval, and the sequence of previous same-sex offspring) were significantly associated with SRB. CONCLUSIONS: SRB was not associated with any of the tested demographic characteristics. We could not identify a skew in SRB even in families with up to nine consecutive same sex offspring. This finding suggests that in the majority of the population the chance of a male or female fetus in each pregnancy remains similar in every pregnancy, regardless of any of the tested variables.

Newborn infant urinary cotinine and birth outcomes in the Jerusalem Environment Mother and Child Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure during pregnancy can cause preterm delivery and childhood cancer. The aim of this study was to measure ETS exposure in pregnant women and in newborn infants in Israel using urinary cotinine measurements, to assess predictors of ETS exposure in these vulnerable groups, and to assess associations with birth effects (birth weight, birth length, head circumference) in newborn infants. METHODS: We analyzed urinary cotinine and creatinine in 265 non-smoking pregnant women and 97 newborns, and analyzed associations with self-reported exposure to ETS, paternal smoking, sociodemographic variables and with birth outcomes (birth weight, birth length, head circumference). RESULTS: 37.7% of pregnant women and 29.0% of infants had urinary cotinine concentrations above the level of quantification (LOQ) of 1 µg/L, whereas 63.8% and 50.5%, respectively, had urinary cotinine concentrations above the level of detection (LOD) of 0.5 µg/L. Median unadjusted and creatinine adjusted urinary concentrations of cotinine in pregnant women were 0.7 µg/L, and 0.9 µg/g creatinine, respectively, and in newborn infants were 0.5 µg/L, and 1.3 µg/g creatinine, respectively. We did not find an association between maternal and infant urinary cotinine level. Maternal (but not infant) urinary cotinine was significantly associated with paternal smoking (p < 0.05). Infant (but not maternal) cotinine above the LOQ was negatively associated with birth weight (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this high socioeconomic cohort, almost a third of newborn infants born to non-smoking mothers had quantifiable levels of urinary cotinine. This is the first study showing that newborns with quantifiable urinary cotinine levels have lower birth weight.

Decreasing urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites among pregnant women and their offspring in Jerusalem: Impact of regulatory restrictions on agricultural organophosphate pesticides use?

INTRODUCTION: Maternal urinary levels of dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites of organophosphate pesticides (OP) during pregnancy are associated with adverse outcomes in the offspring. Between 2012 and 2014, eighteen active OP ingredients were restricted or banned in Israel for agricultural use. AIM: We aimed to study trends of urinary DAP metabolites among pregnant women and their offspring in the era of the new regulations. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited at 11-18 weeks of gestation and provided spot urine samples (n = 273). Soon after birth, neonatal urine samples were collected (n = 107). All urine specimens analyzed for DAP metabolites. Trends in DAP metabolites were tested using Mann-Kendall trend statistic (M-K S) and linear regression models were constructed to estimate the association between calendar period and DAP levels between September 2012 and March 2016. RESULTS: Over the study period, median maternal ∑DAP levels decreased from 248 nmol/L to 148 nmol/L. Time of recruitment was associated with a statistically significant decrease in DAP metabolites, which remained significant after multivariate adjustment. Overall, the results for the analysis of before and after June 2014 showed a significant decrease in ∑DAP of -0.198 log10 nmol/L (95%CI: -0.311,-0.084) which corresponds with a decrease of 36.6% in ∑DAP. A similar trend was found for DAP metabolites in neonatal urine. Compared to other studies, pregnant women in Jerusalem had higher ∑DAP levels, even at the end of the study period. CONCLUSION: We observed significant reductions in maternal and neonatal DAP urinary levels during the period of 2012-2016. Regulations restricting agricultural use of OP seem to be effective in reducing population exposure to OP, in an era when residential use of OP is banned.

Cardiac Structure and Function and Frailty in Subjects Aged 85 and 86 Years.

Frailty is a biologic syndrome reflecting a state of decreased physiological reserve of increasing importance in cardiovascular disease given the aging of the population. The relation between frailty and indexes of cardiac structure and function remains unclear, particularly in the "oldest old." The objective of this study was to examine the association between cardiac function and frailty in an age-homogenous, community-dwelling population of subjects aged 85 and 86 years. Subjects were recruited at ages 85 to 86 from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study that has followed an age-homogenous cohort of Jerusalem residents. Subjects underwent echocardiography at their place of residence with standard assessment of cardiac structure and function. Frailty was defined according to the "phenotype of frailty" including at least 3 of the following: weakness, slowness, low physical activity level, exhaustion, and weight loss; 405 subjects (193 men and 212 women) were enrolled in the study. Subjects defined as frail had significantly lower ejection fraction compared with the non-frail group (53.7 ± 0.09% vs 56.4 ± 0.09%; p <0.04). In addition, frail subjects had increased LV mass index (130.6 ± 36.2 g/m(2) vs 119.2 ± 31.1 g/m(2); p <0.03) and LA volume index (41.9 ± 14.7 cm(3)/m(2) vs 36.7 ± 13.1 cm(3)/m(2); p <0.001). Indexes of diastolic function (E/e)' were not significantly different in the 2 groups (11.5 vs 11.8; p = NS). In this age-homogenous cohort of the oldest old, structural changes and indexes of systolic but not diastolic function were associated with frailty.

Urinary organophosphate metabolite levels in Palestinian pregnant women: results of the Middle East Regional Cooperation Project.

The purpose of the study was to measure urinary organophosphate (OP) metabolites in Palestinian pregnant women, and to compare levels with those in pregnant women in Jerusalem and women from the general population in Israel. We measured six dialkyl phosphates in urine samples collected from 148 pregnant women from the West Bank area. Median total dimethyl phosphate (DM(total)) levels were significantly lower in Palestinian women compared to Jerusalem pregnant women and women in Israel (p = 0.041). In Palestinian women reporting that their place of residence was near an agricultural field, DM(total) levels were significantly higher (p = 0.037). Lower urinary excretion of dimethyl phosphate pesticide metabolites in Palestinian women compared to Israeli women may result from lower consumption of fruits and vegetables in the Palestinian population. Our findings highlight differences in OP pesticide exposure in populations with close geographical proximity but with differences in culture, diet, lifestyle, and regulatory oversight of pesticides.

A comparison of methods for construction of fetal reference charts.

Reference charts for fetal measures are used for early detection of pregnancies that should be monitored closely. Construction of reference charts corresponds to estimation of quantiles of a distribution as a function of gestational age. Existing methods have been developed under various modeling assumptions, typically by fitting a polynomial regression to certain functionals of the distributions (e.g., mean, standard deviation, and quantiles). We use a large dataset to compare various existing methods for construction of reference charts. We also relax the assumptions of a parametric polynomial link between the distribution parameters and age and consider cubic splines and discretization of age in order to compare charts based on more flexible and simpler models, respectively. We compare the different methods using various tools and demonstrate the importance of considering performance measures calculated from age-stratified data. We also examine the question of sample size. We compare our charts to similar charts that have been recently published and emphasize that the source of an apparent heterogeneity should be investigated. We conclude that the choice of which method to use for construction of reference charts should take the following into account: available sample size, validity of normality assumption, and results of various performance measures.

Palliative Sedation at the End of Life: Patterns of Use in an Israeli Hospice.

Palliative sedation (PS) is indicated for refractory symptoms among dying patients. This retrospective descriptive study examines PS in an Israeli hospice. Palliative sedation was defined as PS to unconsciousness (PSU), PS proportionate to symptoms (proportional palliative sedation [PPS]), or intermittent PS (IPS). Among 179 patients who died during 2012, PS was used among 21.2% (n = 38): (PSU 34.2%, PPS 34.2%, and IPS 31.6%), using midazolam (n = 33/38), halidol (21/38), and concurrent morphine (n = 35/38). Indications included agitation (71%), pain (36.8%), and dyspnea (21%). Survival following initiation of PS was 73 ± standard deviation 54 hours. No differences in survival were observed according to who initiated the decision to use PS (patients/medical staff/family) or type of PS (PSU/PPS/IPS). Survival following PS was longest with higher sedative doses, an observation that may help dispel fears concerning the use of PS to hasten death.

Re-laparotomy following cesarean delivery - risk factors and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Re-laparotomy following caesarean delivery (CD) is a rare yet serious complication. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, diagnostic features and outcomes following re-laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed cases of re-laparotomy following CD performed at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. Occurrences were identified via the electronic medical record database. RESULTS: During the study period, 17,213 women underwent CD, of which 55 (0.3%) underwent re-laparotomy during the same hospitalization. Main indications for re-laparotomy were intra-peritoneal bleeding (62%) and wound infection/dehiscence (22%). During re-laparotomy, the bleeding source was found and ligated in 85% of the cases. Age, parity, previous CD, induction of labor, anesthesia type and operative duration were significant risk factors for re-laparotomy. In a selected group of patients, trial of conservative treatment was made. However, in 76% of these women a re-laparotomy was required. DISCUSSION: Risk factors for re-laparotomy following CD should be identified, thus enabling more intensified monitoring of patients considered at risk for this complication. When intra-peritoneal bleeding following CD is suspected, conservative management has a high failure rate and should be reserved for a selected group of stable patients.

A large head circumference is more strongly associated with unplanned cesarean or instrumental delivery and neonatal complications than high birthweight.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal size impacts on perinatal outcomes. We queried whether the fetal head, as the fetal part interfacing with the birth canal, might impact on obstetric outcomes more than birthweight (BW). We examined associations between neonatal head circumference (HC) and delivery mode and risk of perinatal complications as compared to high BW. STUDY DESIGN: This was an electronic medical records-based study of term singleton births (37-42 weeks' gestation) from January 2010 through December 2012 (N = 24,780, 6343 primiparae). We assessed risks of unplanned cesarean or instrumental delivery and maternal and fetal complications in cases with HC or BW ≥95th centile (large HC, high BW) vs those with parameters <95th centile (normal). Newborns were stratified into 4 subgroups: normal HC/normal BW (reference, n = 22,548, primiparae 5862); normal HC/high BW (n = 817, P = 213); large HC/normal BW (n = 878, P = 265); and large HC/high BW (n = 537, P = 103). Multinomial multivariable regression provided adjusted odds ratio (aOR) while controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Infants with HC ≥95th centile (n = 1415) were delivered vaginally in 62% of cases, unplanned cesarean delivery 16%, and instrumental delivery 11.2%; 78.4% of infants with HC <95th centile were delivered vaginally, 7.8% unplanned cesarean, and 6.7% instrumental delivery. Odds ratio (OR) for unplanned cesarean was 2.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.22-3.01) and for instrumental delivery OR was 2.13 (95% CI, 1.78-2.54). In contrast, in those with BW ≥95th centile (n = 1354) 80.3% delivered vaginally, 10.2% by unplanned cesarean (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.01-1.44), and 3.4% instrumental delivery (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.62) compared to infants with BW <95th centile: spontaneous vaginal delivery, 77.3%, unplanned cesarean 8.2%, instrumental 7.1%. Multinomial regression with normal HC/normal BW as reference group showed large HC/normal BW infants were more likely to be delivered by unplanned cesarean (aOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.52-3.75) and instrumental delivery (aOR, 3.03; 95% CI, 2.46-3.75). Associations were strengthened in primiparae. Normal HC/high BW was not associated with unplanned cesarean (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.91-1.54), while large HC/high BW was (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.47-2.52). Analysis of unplanned cesarean indications showed large HC infants had more failure to progress (27.7% vs 14.1%, P < .001), while smaller HC infants had more fetal distress (23.4% vs 16.9%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: A large HC is more strongly associated with unplanned cesarean and instrumental delivery than high BW. Prospective studies are needed to test fetal HC as a predictive parameter for prelabor counseling of women with "big babies."

Left Ventricular Mass as a Risk Factor in the Oldest Old.

In middle-aged and "young elderly" cohorts, higher left ventricular mass (LVM) is associated with worse outcomes. The authors examined LVM and 5-year mortality among community-dwelling 85-year-old patients. A representative sample (n=526, born 1920-1921) from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study underwent echocardiography at age 85. LVM was indexed by body surface area (LVM-BSA) or height (LVM-Ht). Patients with higher LVM were less educated and sedentary and had poorer self-rated health, functional limitations, and increased comorbidity. Five-year mortality was 21.7% (n=114). Adjusted 5-year mortality rates were increased for the two upper quintiles of LVM-BSA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.06) and LVM-Ht (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5). A step up in mortality occurred around the third quintile corresponding with LVM-BSA 110 g/m(2) or LVM-Ht 51 g/m(2.7). Among the oldest old, elevated LVM is significantly associated with mortality.

Gender differences in survival in old age.

BACKGROUND: Although increased survival among females is observed throughout much of adult life, supporting evidence among the oldest old is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We examined the hypothesis that gender differences in survival diminish with advancing age. METHODS: The Jerusalem Longitudinal Study follows a representative cohort born 1920-1921, comprehensively assessed at ages 70, 78, 85, and 90 (n=463, 927, 1224, and 673, respectively). Mortality data were collected during 1990-2013. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and mortality hazards ratios (HRs) were determined, adjusting for gender, marital status, education, loneliness, self-rated health, physical activity, functional status, neoplasm, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. RESULTS: Survival between ages 70-78 was 77.3% (n=358/463), 78-85 was 68.9% (n=635/927), 85-90 years was 71.1% (n=870/1224), and 90-93 years was 80.5% (n=542/673). With advancing age, the survival advantage among females versus men declined-at ages 70-78 (85.6% vs. 71%, p<0.0001), 78-85 (74% vs. 63%, p=0.001), 85-90 (74% vs. 67.5%, p=0.06), and 90-93 (80% vs. 81%, p=0.92). Compared to females (HR=1.0), the adjusted HR for male mortality at ages 70-78 was 2.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75-4.91), ages 78-85 was 2.1 (95% CI 1.5-2.92), ages 85-90 was 1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.2), and ages 90-93 was 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the hypothesis that the increased longevity observed among females at age 70 gradually diminishes with advancing age, and disappears beyond age 90.

Loneliness, health, and longevity.

BACKGROUND: Objective measures of loneliness and poor social contacts are associated with negative health outcomes. However, the influence of subjective loneliness among elderly persons is poorly documented. We hypothesized that loneliness among persons aged 70-90 years is associated with subsequent decline in health, function, and longevity. METHODS: Mortality data for subjects aged 70-90 years were obtained; subjective loneliness, health, comorbidity, depression, and functional status were assessed through the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990-2010), a prospective longitudinal study. A representative sample of 407, 661, and 1,113 participants born 1920-1921 were assessed at home at ages 70, 78, and 85, respectively. Participants were asked how often they felt lonely, with answers dichotomized to never versus rarely/often/very often. In the age group of 70, 78, and 85, we excluded 67, 141, and 408 depressed participants from the study sample, which, thus, comprised 340, 520, and 705 participants, respectively. RESULTS: At age 70, 78, and 85, prevalence of loneliness was 27.9% (n = 95), 23.8% (n = 124), and 24% (n = 169), respectively. The only factor consistently associated at all ages with increased likelihood of loneliness was not being married. After adjusting for baseline variables, we found no association between loneliness and subsequent deterioration 7 years later in functional status, mood, cognition, chronic pain, or rising comorbidity between ages 70 and 78 or 78 and 85. Loneliness was not associated with mortality among the participants aged 70-78, 78-85, and 85-90. We repeated all data analysis, without excluding depressed participants, without any change in overall findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that subjective loneliness is associated with increased morbidity or mortality from age 70 to 90.

Cholesterol, statins, and longevity from age 70 to 90 years.

BACKGROUND: The importance of cholesterol as a risk factor among older people, particularly among the very old, is controversial. Whether or not hypercholesterolemia warrants medical concern, and whether statins are beneficial among very old people, remain unresolved common clinical dilemmas. This study examines whether increased total cholesterol (TC) was associated with higher mortality from age 70 to 90, and if statins had a protective effect. METHODS: A representative sample (born 1920-1921) from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990-2010) was assessed at ages 70, 78, and 85 for fasting serum TC, low-density (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (LDL); triglycerides; statin usage; social, functional, and medical domains; and all-cause mortality data (1990-2010). TC was analyzed as either continuous (10 mg/dL increments) or dichotomous variable (high TC >200 mg/dL). Cox proportional hazards models determined mortality hazard ratios (HRs), adjusting for TC, statin treatment, gender, self-rated health, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, neoplasm, body mass index, albumin, and triglycerides. RESULTS: Prevalence of high TC at ages 70, 78, and 85 was 75% (n = 344), 65% (n = 332), and 34% (n = 237), and statin use was 0%, 17.9%, and 45.4%, respectively. Survival was increased (not significantly) among subjects with high TC >200 mg/dL versus ≤200 mg/dL from ages 70 to 78, 78 to 85, and 85 to 90: 79.1% versus 73.3% (log rank P = .16), 68.7% versus 61.5% (P = .10), and 73.4% versus 70.3% (P = .45), respectively. Survival was significantly increased among subjects treated with statins versus no statins at ages 78 to 85 (74.7% vs 64.3%, log rank P = .07) and 85 to 90 (76.2% vs 67.4%, P = .01). After adjustment, TC (continuous or dichotomous) was not associated with mortality from 70 to 78, 78 to 85, or 85 to 90. In contrast, statins at age 85 were associated with decreased mortality from age 85 to 90 (adjusted HR 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Among older people, cholesterol levels were unrelated to mortality between the ages of 70 and 90. The protective effect of statins observed among the very old appears to be independent of TC.

Is the quality of donated semen deteriorating? Findings from a 15 year longitudinal analysis of weekly sperm samples.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that global semen quality is declining, but the debate remains open owing to geographic variation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate temporal trends of sperm parameters - namely concentration, motility and total motile sperm count - in sperm donated during the period 1995-2009. METHODS: In a retrospective longitudinal cohort study we analyzed the sperm count and motility of 2182 semen samples provided on a weekly basis by 58 young, healthy, fertile, university-educated, paid donors. RESULTS: Despite the lowering of criteria for sperm parameters satisfactory for donation that were implemented in 2004, 38% of applicants for sperm donation are now rejected based on semen quality as compared to a third of applicants 10-15 years ago (P < 0.001). If the old strict criteria were in place 88% of candidates would be rejected today (P < 0.0001). Over the study period, the average sperm parameters dropped from a concentration of 106 +/- 25 million spermatozoa/ml with 79% +/- 4.3% motility to 68 +/- 14 million/ ml with 66% +/- 4.5% motile sperm (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). The total motile sperm count per ejaculate also decreased, from 66.4 +/- 18.2 million to 48.7 +/- 12 million (P < 0.005). When the previous criteria were implemented for the analysis of the latest group of sperm donors, only 18% of donors had an acceptable sperm quality, with an average concentration of 87 +/- 12 million spermatozoa/ml, 73% +/- 2.6% motile sperm and total motile sperm count of 53.1 +/- 3.8 million per ejaculate - still significantly lower than 15 years ago (P= 0.01, P= 0.003, P= 0.058 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid deterioration of sperm quality among fertile semen donors is alarming and may lead to cessation of sperm donation programs.

Hypertension and 5-year mortality among 85-year-olds: the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is among the most common chronic complaints of older people. Among very old people with common co morbidities, it remains uncertain whether the benefits of long-term treatment seen among younger people, are also observed. Our objective was to assess the relationship of blood pressure (BP) at age 85 with 5-year all-cause mortality. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective cohort study, of an age-homogenous, representative sample born 1920-1921. SETTING: Community-based home assessments. PARTICIPANTS: West Jerusalem residents (1159) born 1920-1921, all aged age 85 during 2005-2006, currently enrolled in the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS: Comprehensive geriatric assessment of numerous health variables. BP was determined as the average of 6 measurements, from 2 separate home visits. Hypertension (HTN) defined as either treatment with antihypertensive medications, or blood pressure >140 mm Hg systolic, or >90 mm Hg. The study outcome was all-cause 5-year mortality. Mortality data were collected from the National Ministry of Interior. RESULTS: One hundred and nine (9.4%) were normotensive, 152 (13.1%) untreated, and 898 (77.5%) treated hypertensives. Treatment rate was 78%, and controlled hypertension rate 38%. During 5 years 328 (28.3%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log rank analysis showed no difference in mortality between normotensive, untreated and treated hypertensive subjects according to sex. Treated subjects with controlled Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) had lowest survival rate of 67%, P = .029. Continuous SBP yielded a hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 1.00, (95% CI 0.95-1.01), after adjusting in Cox proportional hazard models for sex, heart failure, physical activity, self-rated health, diabetes, coronary and cerebrovascular diseases, smoking and antihypertensive therapy. Results were unaffected after excluding 114 deaths within the first 2-years of follow-up. Similar results were found when examining BP either as a dichotomous variable, according to treatment, or pulse pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Raised SBP was not associated with increased 5-year mortality among a representative cohort of community-dwelling 85-year-olds. Indeed, before adjustment for co morbidities, subjects with controlled SBP tended to have a worse survival.

Infertility associated with precoital ovulation in observant Jewish couples; prevalence, treatment, efficacy and side effects.

BACKGROUND: Religious (halachic*) infertility' results from precoital ovulation prior to immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh) 7 days after menstruation, as mandated by Jewish religious law. Previous authors recommended treatment with estradiol to postpone ovulation and enhance pregnancy rates. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of halachic infertility in an ultra-Orthodox jewish community, and assess the efficacy of estradiol treatment in postponing ovulation and increasing pregnancy rates. METHODS: We reviewed 88 cycles, of which 23 were control cycles and 65 estradiol-treated cycles, and analyzed the files of 23 women who were treated with 6 mg estradiol/day from day 1 for 5 days of the cycle. RESULTS: The prevalence of precoital ovulation in the infertile population was 21%. Most of the patients (94%) ovulated before day 13 of the cycle. A short follicular phase due to low ovarian reserve orthyroid endocrinopathy was noted in 12% of the patients. While 64% of the women reported consultation with a Rabbinate authority, 68% of the patients sought medical therapy. Estradiol postponed ovulation for at least one day in 89% of the treatment cycles. Ovulation post-mikveh occurred in 73% of estradiol-treated cycles. The pregnancy rate was 12.5% per cycle and the cumulative pregnancy rate 35% per woman. Half the patients reported spotting during estradiol-treated cycles, and this postponed coitus. CONCLUSIONS: Precoital ovulation is a major reason for infertility among observant couples attending fertility clinics. Estradiol treatment is effective in delaying ovulation and restoring fecundity; however, it causes some adverse effects that may decrease its effectiveness.

Changing profile of health and function from age 70 to 85 years.

BACKGROUND: Old age has traditionally been considered to begin at age 65. The improving health and functional status observed among older people may necessitate reevaluation of this cut-off point. OBJECTIVE: To present the changing prevalence of common geriatric syndromes, functional parameters, common disease status and health care utilization, at ages 70, 78 and 85, in order to help address the question of when does contemporary aging actually begin. METHODS: Medical, psychosocial, cognitive, and functional status, and health service utilization at age 70, 78 and 85 were assessed through the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990-2010), which prospectively followed a representative sample (born 1920-1921), of 1,861 people, all of whom underwent home-based comprehensive assessment. RESULTS: At age 70, the cohort had good health, low comorbidity, preserved cognition, mobility and independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily activities (ADL). Rising comorbidity, declining cognitive status, increasing depression, and difficulty in ADLs were seen at 78. By age 85, compared to age 70, comorbidity had tripled, depression, hearing and visual impairment, falls, dizziness and mobility problems had doubled; 23% of subjects had cognitive impairment, 42.5% suffered urinary incontinence, and dependence in basic and instrumental ADLs was common (37.8 and 51.7%, respectively). Home care was 4.5, 10.1, and 24.6%, and hospitalization in the previous year occurred among 12.3, 18.8 and 27.8% at ages 70, 78 and 85, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At age 70, the overall health profile was favorable, prevalence of geriatric syndromes was low, cognitive and functional status was preserved, and health service utilization was low. The progressive deterioration seen at ages 78 and more profoundly so at age 85, suggest that a cut-off point beyond age 70 years may serve to better define entry into old age.