[Diagnostic criteria and the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly.]

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia in people over 65 years of age, to analyze instrumental and functional methods for studying skeletal muscle in the elderly. A case-control study of 230 participants 65 years of age and older, the average age of 74±6,5 years. Patients were divided into three age groups: 1st - 65-74 years old, 2nd - 75-84 years old, 3rd - 85 years and older. The calculation of muscle mass was carried out according to the index of appendicular muscle mass (AMM/m2) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with correction of patient growth. Muscle strength was measured with a «Jamar¼ hand dynamometer, muscle function was determined using a short set of physical activity tests (SPPB tests). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 30% in the presented sample and increased with increasing age of patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of the most common chronic diseases, with the exception of obesity, which was less common in sarcopenic patients than in non-sarcopenic patients (p<0,0001). The results of the study showed that in sarcopenic patients, the AMM index (p<0,001) and muscle strength (p<0,001) were lower than in non-sarcopenic patients. The overall score of SPPB tests was low in both groups, however, in sarcopenic patients it was significantly lower than in non-sarcopenic patients (p=0,035) due to balancing tests.

[Analysis of security by vitamin D of the elderly people.]

The purpose of the study was to analyze the frequency of detection of vitamin D deficiency in elderly people, identify clinically significant diseases, accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin 25(OH)D. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 506 patients over 65 years of age (74,1±6,5 years). Patients were divided into three age groups: group A 65-74 years, group B 75-84 years, group C 85 years and older. The study of blood samples was carried out from September to May. The level of vitamin 25(OH)D was determined by the method of chemiluminescent immunoassay on the Abbott Architect 8000 analyzer (USA). Evaluation of vitamin 25(OH)D was performed according to the clinical recommendations of the Russian Endocrinology Association and the recommendations of the Russian Association for Osteoporosis. Among people older than 65 years, the average level of 25(OH)D was 20,9 ng/ml (range 2,3 to 70,5 ng/ml), 50% had vitamin D deficiency. With age, the proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency increased more in the male population. Low values of vitamin 25(OH)D were more frequent in the spring. Arterial hypertension, obesity of varying degrees, sarcopenia increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency in 1,15-1,17-1,2 (р<0,05-0,01) times, respectively. Oncological diseases in the anamnesis were accompanied by low parameters of vitamin 25(OH)D in blood serum (p=0,084).

[Dynamics and structure of primary disability in persons of retirement age when applying to the Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise of Saint Petersburg from 2006 to 2017.]

The article presents data on primary disability in elderly and able-bodied people and older than able-bodied (retirement) age as a result of the survey of citizens in the Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise of Saint Petersburg in the period 2006-2017. The features of the level, structure, dynamics and distribution by groups of disability in retirement age are reflected. There was a significant increase in the level of disability in 2007, with a progressive decline to 2011 and a gradual decline until 2017. During the study period, there was a redistribution of persons of a retirement age for the first time recognized as disabled by groups of disabilities - an increase in the proportion of individuals in Groups I and III of disability due to a decrease in II disability groups.