ABSTRACT
The use of body mass index (BMI) in the elderly is limited by the measurement of height which is often unreliable. Armspan approximates to height at maturity. It may, therefore, be an alternative to height in calculating BMI. We studied the relationship between height and armspan in 101 elderly men and women. A comparison of BMI by height and armspan was made. The correlation between height and armspan was 0.93. Armspan could be estimated by doubling halfspan (recumbent). The mean difference between BMI by height and armspan was 1.79 (SD 1.11) kg/M2. We concluded that armspan is a reliable and practical estimate of height in the non-ambulant elderly. There is a case for the use of armspan instead of height in the determination of BMI in the elderly.
Subject(s)
Arm/anatomy & histology , Body Mass Index , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anthropometry/methods , Body Height , Female , Humans , Male , Nutritional StatusABSTRACT
We have studied the association of muscle strength (quadriceps, biceps, handgrip), measured by a portable chair technique, with functional status (Barthel Index, manual dexterity, Mental Test Score, history of falls, fracture, prescribed drugs), in a sample of 92 elderly subjects attending a Local Authority Day Centre and Day Hospital. Anthropometric measurements and hand-grip strength were also measured in 30 young controls. Muscle area, mass and strength were significantly greater in young controls. Elderly men had significantly greater muscle area, mass and strength than elderly women. Muscle strength correlated with several measures of functional status. Using stepwise multiple regression, an independent association of muscle strength with manual dexterity, Barthel Index and receipt of domiciliary services is demonstrated.
Subject(s)
Geriatric Assessment , Muscles/physiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anthropometry , Female , Humans , Male , Muscle ContractionABSTRACT
Seven patients with Heredopathia Atactica Polyneuritiformis are described. There were 3 groups of clinical characteristics: first, congenital abnormalities such as skeletal deformities, unrelated to phytanic acid levels; second, signs and symptoms such as retinitis pigmentosa which come on slowly and are not directly related to the plasma phytanic acid level; third, lesions such as the neuropathy, rash and cardiac arrhythmias which can change quickly and are linked to the plasma phytanic acid level. Exacerbations of the signs in the third group are precipitated by a low calorie intake and mobilisation of phytanic acid from the adipose tissue. Poor vision is due not only to retinitis but also to small pupils which fail to dilate in the dark. The use of plasma exchange is discussed. With good dietary supervision it is possible to produce a considerable clinical recovery for the neuropathy.
Subject(s)
Refsum Disease/diagnosis , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Adult , Body Weight , Combined Modality Therapy , Energy Intake , Humans , Male , Neural Conduction , Phytanic Acid/administration & dosage , Phytanic Acid/blood , Plasma Exchange , Refsum Disease/diet therapy , Refsum Disease/genetics , Zinc/bloodABSTRACT
Broncho-alveolar lavage was performed on normal and transplanted lungs of dogs that had received unilateral autografts or allografts without immuno-suppression. Differential cell counts were performed on the lavage fluid. Allografts showed a progressive rise in the proportion of neutrophils from the operated lung compared to the unoperated lung. Rejection in the operated lung was subsequently confirmed histologically. Autografted lungs showed no differences in differential cell counts from the unoperated side. Differential cell counts on broncho-alveolar lavage specimens may be useful as an indication of lung allograft rejection.
