Prevalence of frailty and its association with oral hypofunction in older adults: a gender perspective.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated an association between oral hypofunction and frailty in community-dwelling older adults. However, this issue has not been evaluated in institutionalized older patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of physical frailty in this particularly vulnerable group and evaluate its association with oral hypofunction, analyzing possible differences by gender. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in private and public care homes in Guayaquil (Ecuador) from January 2018 until December 2019. Participants were classified as robust, pre-frail, and frail according to the Fried's frailty phenotype. Oral hypofunction was defined as the presence of at least three positive items in the following list: poor oral hygiene, oral dryness, reduced occlusal force, decreased masticatory function, and deterioration of swallowing function. The relationships between frailty and oral hypofunction were analyzed using logistic regression models for the whole sample and stratified by gender. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 15.0 software (Stata Corp. LP, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Among the 589 participants analyzed (65% women), the median age was 72 years (interquartile range: 66-82). Pre-frailty and frailty were presented in 66.7% and 28.9% of them respectively. Weakness was the most frequent item (84.6%). There was a significant relationship between frailty and oral hypofunction in women. In the overall sample, the frequency of frailty was 2.06 times higher (95% CI 1.30-3.29) in patients with oral hypofunction, and this association was maintained in women (ORa: 2.18; 95% CI 1.21-3.94). Reduced occlusal force and decreased swallowing function were items significantly associated with the presence of frailty (ORa: 1.95; 95% CI 1.18-3.22 and ORa: 2.11; 95% CI 1.39-3.19, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty was high among institutionalized older people and was associated with the presence of hypofunction, especially in women. Decreased swallowing function was the most strongly item associated with frailty.

Epigenetics in Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus: New Insights.

A long-term complication of obesity is the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients with T2D have been described as having epigenetic modifications. Epigenetics is the post-transcriptional modification of DNA or associated factors containing genetic information. These environmentally-influenced modifications, maintained during cell division, cause stable changes in gene expression. Epigenetic modifications of T2D are DNA methylation, acetylation, ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, and phosphorylation at the lysine residue at the amino terminus of histones, affecting DNA, histones, and non-coding RNA. DNA methylation has been shown in pancreatic islets, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the liver. Furthermore, epigenetic changes have been observed in chronic complications of T2D, such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy. Recently, a new drug has been developed which acts on bromodomains and extraterminal (BET) domain proteins, which operate like epigenetic readers and communicate with chromatin to make DNA accessible for transcription by inhibiting them. This drug (apabetalone) is being studied to prevent major adverse cardiovascular events in people with T2D, low HDL cholesterol, chronic kidney failure, and recent coronary events. This review aims to describe the relationship between obesity, long-term complications such as T2D, and epigenetic modifications and their possible treatments.

Food insecurity as a risk factor of sarcopenic obesity in older adults.

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by the loss of muscle strength, mass and muscle functionality and increased adipose tissue (obesity) according to different criteria and cut-off points. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity among older adults is growing worldwide, and many factors are involved in its development. Diet and food security have been described as the main contributors to the development of obesity and sarcopenia. Food insecurity consists of limited or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious foods. This narrative review aims to summarize the existing data on food insecurity as a risk factor for sarcopenic obesity in the elderly.

The Impact of Bariatric-Surgery-Induced Weight Loss on Patients Undergoing Liver Transplant: A Focus on Metabolism, Pathophysiological Changes, and Outcome in Obese Patients Suffering NAFLD-Related Cirrhosis.

Because of their condition, patients with morbid obesity develop several histopathological changes in the liver, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Hence, a liver transplant (LT) becomes an opportune solution for them. Due to many challenges during the perioperative and postoperative periods, these patients are recommended to lose weight before the surgery. There are many proposals to achieve this goal, such as intragastric balloons and many different bariatric surgery (BS) procedures in combination with a preparation diet (very-low-calorie diet, ketogenic diet, etc.). All the interventions focus on losing weight and keeping the continuity and functionality of the digestive tract to avoid postoperative complications. Thus, this review analyzes recent publications regarding the metabolic and pathophysiological impacts of BS in LT patients suffering from NAFLD-related cirrhosis, the effect of weight loss on postoperative complications, and exposes the cost-effectiveness of performing BS before, after, and at liver transplantation. Finally, the authors recommend BS before the LT since there are many positive effects and better outcomes for patients who lose weight before the procedure. Nevertheless, further multicentric studies are needed to determine the generalizability of these recommendations due to their impact on public health.

Soporte nutricional especializado en un paciente con úlceras por presión: un informe de caso / Specialized nutritional support in a patient with pressure ulcers: a case report

Las úlceras por presión son lesiones de la piel y/o del tejido subyacente. El soporte nutricional adecuado constituye parte del tratamiento de estas lesiones. El objetivo de este reporte es demostrar la eficacia del soporte nutricional como factor coadyuvante en la recuperación de éstas. Paciente masculino de 29 años de edad que ingresó al hospital con diagnóstico de neuroinfección. Durante su estadía desarrolló una úlcera en la región sacra. Fue tratado con nutrición enteral por sonda nasoentérica que incluyó dieta y soporte nutricional hiperproteicos enriquecido con glutamina y arginina; posteriormente se brindó colágeno hidrolizado. A los 36 días tras la aparición de la úlcera, ésta es recuperada. Luego de 4 meses, el paciente fue dado de alta. La intervención nutricional fue crucial en la recuperación de la úlcera. Se enfatiza la necesidad de prevenirlas a través de un monitoreo oportuno y adecuado.

Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and / or the underlying tissue. Opportune nutritional support is part of the treatment of these injuries. This report aims to demonstrate the efficacy of nutritional support as a contributing factor in this ulcer recovery. A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of neuroinfection. During his stay, he developed a pressure ulcer in the sacral region. He was treated with enteral nutrition via a nasoenteric tube that included a hyperprotein diet and nutritional support enriched with glutamine and arginine; subsequently, hydrolyzed collagen was provided. Thirty-six days after the development of the pressure ulcer, it has recovered. After four months, the patient was discharged. The nutritional intervention was crucial in the recovery of UPP. The need to prevent this type of ulcers through timely and adequate monitoring is emphasized.

Valoración geriátrica integral en una comunidad marginal de Ecuador / Comprehensive geriatric assessment in a marginal community of Ecuador

ANTECEDENTES: los adultos mayores presentan enfermedades que pueden repercutir en sus parámetros funcionales, psicológicos y sociales. La Valoración Geriátrica integral (VGI) se utiliza como herramienta de evaluación de estos parámetros a través del uso de instrumentos validados, sencillos y de fácil aplicación. OBJETIVO: determinar el estado de salud de los adultos mayores en un área urbano-marginal de Guayaquil (Ecuador) mediante la VGI, como primer paso para poder establecer un plan de cuidados coordinado en las áreas estudiadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio transversal de 196 sujetos mayores de 65 años que acuden a un centro de salud comunitario de atención primaria en Guayaquil y a los que se les ha realizado una VGI. RESULTADOS: los participantes tenían una edad media de 70,9 ± 7,1 años. Variables demográficas: el 73 % eran afroecuatorianos, el 69 % tenían instrucción básica y el 57 % no realizaban ninguna actividad física. Evaluación clínica: el 47,4 % presentaban dificultad de visión, el 52 % riesgo nutricional y el 6 % desnutrición. Valoración social: el 13 % tenían deterioro social severo; el 40 % presentaban algún deterioro cognitivo y el 8,2 % tenían depresión; el 46,9 % eran funcionalmente dependientes y el 16,8 % presentaban dinapenia. CONCLUSIONES: la VGI permite identificar los principales problemas de salud de esta población, por lo que se considera una herramienta práctica y fácil de aplicar en los centros de atención primaria de las poblaciones urbano-marginales, como primer paso para mejorar el estado de salud de esta población mayor que en los últimos años está creciendo de forma importante en los países en vías de desarrollo tales como Ecuador

BACKGROUND: older adults suffer from diseases that can affect their functional, psychological and social parameters. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is used as an evaluation tool for these parameters through the use of validated, simple and easy-to-apply instruments. OBJECTIVE: to report the health status of older adults who attend a primary care center in an urban-marginal area of Guayaquil (Ecuador) through CGA, as a first step in order to establish a coordinated care plan in the areas studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a cross-sectional assessment of 196 aged subjects with a median age of 70.9 years (83 % females) who attended a Primary Care Community Health Center in Guayaquil. Nutritional, social, demographic, functional, and cognitive variables were assessed. RESULTS: participants had a mean age of 70.9 ± 7.1 years. Demographic variables: 73 % were Afro-Ecuadorian, 69 % had basic education, and 57 % performed no physical activity. Clinical assessment: 47.4 % presented with vision impairment, and 37.8 % with hearing problems; 52 % had nutritional risk and 6 % malnutrition. Social valuation: 13 % had severe social deterioration; 40 % had some cognitive impairment, and 8.2 % had depression; 46.9 % were functionally dependent, and 16.8 % had dynapenia. CONCLUSIONS: CGA allows to identify major health problems in this population, which is why it is considered a practical and easy tool to apply in primary care centers in marginal urban populations as a first step to improve health status for this older population, which in recent years is growing significantly in developing countries such as Ecuador

[Comprehensive geriatric assessment in a marginal community of Ecuador]. / Valoración geriátrica integral en una comunidad marginal de Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION: Background: older adults suffer from diseases that can affect their functional, psychological and social parameters. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is used as an evaluation tool for these parameters through the use of validated, simple and easy-to-apply instruments. Objective: to report the health status of older adults who attend a primary care center in an urban-marginal area of Guayaquil (Ecuador) through CGA, as a first step in order to establish a coordinated care plan in the areas studied. Material and Methods: a cross-sectional assessment of 196 aged subjects with a median age of 70.9 years (83 % females) who attended a Primary Care Community Health Center in Guayaquil. Nutritional, social, demographic, functional, and cognitive variables were assessed. Results: participants had a mean age of 70.9 ± 7.1 years. Demographic variables: 73 % were Afro-Ecuadorian, 69 % had basic education, and 57 % performed no physical activity. Clinical assessment: 47.4 % presented with vision impairment, and 37.8 % with hearing problems; 52 % had nutritional risk and 6 % malnutrition. Social valuation: 13 % had severe social deterioration; 40 % had some cognitive impairment, and 8.2 % had depression; 46.9 % were functionally dependent, and 16.8 % had dynapenia. Conclusions: CGA allows to identify major health problems in this population, which is why it is considered a practical and easy tool to apply in primary care centers in marginal urban populations as a first step to improve health status for this older population, which in recent years is growing significantly in developing countries such as Ecuador.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: los adultos mayores presentan enfermedades que pueden repercutir en sus parámetros funcionales, psicológicos y sociales. La Valoración Geriátrica integral (VGI) se utiliza como herramienta de evaluación de estos parámetros a través del uso de instrumentos validados, sencillos y de fácil aplicación. Objetivo: determinar el estado de salud de los adultos mayores en un área urbano-marginal de Guayaquil (Ecuador) mediante la VGI, como primer paso para poder establecer un plan de cuidados coordinado en las áreas estudiadas. Material y métodos: estudio transversal de 196 sujetos mayores de 65 años que acuden a un centro de salud comunitario de atención primaria en Guayaquil y a los que se les ha realizado una VGI. Resultados: los participantes tenían una edad media de 70,9 ± 7,1 años. Variables demográficas: el 73 % eran afroecuatorianos, el 69 % tenían instrucción básica y el 57 % no realizaban ninguna actividad física. Evaluación clínica: el 47,4 % presentaban dificultad de visión, el 52 % riesgo nutricional y el 6 % desnutrición. Valoración social: el 13 % tenían deterioro social severo; el 40 % presentaban algún deterioro cognitivo y el 8,2 % tenían depresión; el 46,9 % eran funcionalmente dependientes y el 16,8 % presentaban dinapenia. Conclusiones: la VGI permite identificar los principales problemas de salud de esta población, por lo que se considera una herramienta práctica y fácil de aplicar en los centros de atención primaria de las poblaciones urbano-marginales, como primer paso para mejorar el estado de salud de esta población mayor que en los últimos años está creciendo de forma importante en los países en vías de desarrollo tales como Ecuador.

Somatotipo y composición corporal de drogodependientes ingresados en un programa de deshabituación de drogas / Somatotypeand body composition of drug addicts admitted into a dishabituation program

FUNDAMENTOS: El consumo excesivo de drogas provoca alteraciones fisiológicas que comprometen el estado corporal del paciente. El objetivo fue determinar el somatotipo de pacientes drogodependientes en rehabilitación mediante el uso de bioimpedancia y pliegues corporales, estableciendo la utilidad del somatotipo como herramienta para la planificación de terapia física preventiva de las comorbilidades presentes durante el desuso de drogas. MÉTODOS: Para determinar el somatotipo se midieron pliegues cutáneos usando la metodología ISAK. Para la composición corporal se empleó bioimpedancia. También, se calculó el Índice de masa corporal (IMC) al momento de ingreso y en diferentes tiempos de rehabilitación. RESULTADOS: Los resultados muestran que el 16,66% de la muestra tuvo sobrepeso al momento de ingreso al programa de rehabilitación, donde la mayoría de los pacientes fueron varones (72,22%). La evaluación de la composición corporal mostró un 58,33% de pacientes con sobrepeso, de los cuales uno presentó obesidad tipo I. CONCLUSIONES: Se concluye que sin distinción de sexo y posterior a 45 días de rehabilitación, todos los pacientes poseen una moderada adiposidad; evidenciándose que el cálculo del somatotipo sugiere ser una herramienta adecuada para establecer una terapia física que ayude a la prevención de las comorbilidades frecuentes por abandono del consumo de drogas

BACKGROUND: The excessive consumption of drugs causes physiological alterations that compromise the patient's body condition. The aim was to determine the somatotype of drug addicts in rehabilitation by the use of bioimpedance and skin fold measurements, stablishing the utility of the somatotype as a tool for the planning of preventive physical therapy of the comorbidities present during the drug process. METHODS: Measurement of skin folds, according to ISAK methodology was used to determine the somatotype. Bioimpedance was used for determining body composition. Also, Body mass index (BMI) was calculated at the time of admission to the program and on different rehabilitation stages. RESULTS: The results shows that 16.66% of the sample was overweight at the time of admission to rehabilitation, where the majority of patients were male (72.22%). The evaluation of the body composition showed that 58.33% of the patients had overweight, from which one patient had type I obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The studied population showed endo-mesomorphs characteristics. In conclusion, due to after 45 days of rehabilitation all the patients have a moderate adiposity; somatotype calculation suggests being an adequate tool to stablish physical therapy for prevention of frequent comorbidities due to abandonment of drug use