Thyroid function in healthy centenarians.

Seven thyroid function parameters (total T3, TT3; total T4, TT4; free T3, FT3; free T4, FT4; TSH; anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, TGAb; and anti-microsomal antibodies, TMAb) were studied in a series of 20 healthy centenarians in order to evaluate their thyroid function status. Our results showed that all the parameters were within normal range, with the exception of TT4 values which were reduced in 60% of centenarians examined. Therefore, the authors believe that the production of thyroid hormones seems to decrease in advanced years, but that this may not solely depend on thyroid parenchyma involution, but also on a lower demand by the hormone sensitive tissues. Centenarians seem to be adapted euthyroid subjects who present low, nonetheless adequate, levels of circulating thyroid hormone (T4).

Cognitive and affective assessment and multiple pathologies in institutionalized elderly.

Studies were carried out using the mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the geriatric depression scale (GDS) in 71 elderly patients, in order to establish eventual correlations between cognitive deficit, depression and multiple pathologies. This examination was part of a multidimensional evaluation involving patients over 65 years of age hospitalized in the Department of Clinical Medicine. The patients were divided into 5 grades on the basis of the extent ot functional impairments (from Grade 0 to Grade IV) (British Columbia Classification). Mean MMSE and GDS scores, as well as the mean of the multiple pathologies were calculated in each group. As all the MMSE items could not always be applied, we used a score obtained by dividing the maximum score accomplished by the maximum score applicable. No MMSb impairment was present in 94.11% of the Grade 0 patients, in 57.14% of the Grade I, in 37.5% of the Grade II, and in 40% of the Grade III patients. However, impairment was present in all the Grade IV patients. GDS analysis revealed no depression in 82.35% of Grade 0 patients, in 21.43% Grade I, in 50% Grade II, in 16% Grade III patients. However, some degree of depression was present in all Grade IV patients. The occurrence of patients affected by multiple pathologies was as follows: 1-2 pathologies were recorded in 47.06% of Grade 0 patients, in 57.14% Grade I, in 37.5% Grade II, in 36% Grade III, and in 57.14% of Grade IV patients.

Multiple pathologies and drug consumption in a group of centenarians from Eastern Sicily.

Multiple pathologies are characteristic for the elderly. We evaluated the prevalence of multiple pathologies in 28 randomly selected centenarians living in Eastern Sicily and compared the data with those obtained in another random group of 28 control subjects over 80 years of age. It has been revealed that 25% of the centenarians suffered from 0-3 pathologies, while the remaining 75% displayed more than 3 pathologies. The control subjects had 0-3 pathologies in 50% of over 80 years, while 50% were affected by more than 3 pathologies. In centenarians the most prevalent pathologies involved the sensorial apparatus (sight and hearing), followed by the digestive, urogenital and cardiovascular systems. In the control group the rank of occurrence was as follows: cardiovascular system, osteoarticular and respiratory apparatuses, and sensorium. We compared drug consumption in the two age groups. In the centenarians, 71.43% took 0-3 drugs, while 28.57% took more than 3 drugs. In the control group, 53.57% took 0-3 drugs, whereas 46.43% took more than 3 drugs.

Functional evaluation of a group of centenarians in Eastern Sicily by means of the activity of daily living scale.

A random sample of 28 centenarians was studied (32.56% of all centenarians in Eastern Sicily) within the framework of the Italian Multicenter Study on Centenarians. The activity of daily living (ADL) scale was applied to evaluate their capacity to perform everyday tasks autonomously. The study sample consisted of 8 males (28.57%) and 20 females (71.43%), overall mean age was 102.57 +/- 2.1 years. The patients fell into 3 groups according to their ADL scores independent group (with score A) 5 persons, 17.86% (2 males and 3 females); partially independent group (with scores B and C) 5 persons, 17.86% (1 male and 4 females); dependent group (with scores D-E-F-G and other) 18 persons, 64.29% (5 males and 13 females). We compared the results with a control study sample of 28 elderly patients (8 males, 20 females) over 85 years of age resident in a small village in Eastern Sicily (Graniti) and observed that the centenarians presented greater independence, especially the women.

Laboratory blood parameters in a group of centenarians.

Several laboratory blood parameters in a group of healthy centenarians (7 males and 15 females) living in Eastern Sicily were studied and compared with those recorded in a group of healthy elderly subjects (5 males and 12 females) from 80 to 87 years of age. Almost all the laboratory test parameters analyzed were within the range considered to be normal for adult subjects. The exceptions were some renal function markers such as azotemia and creatinine, which were higher in the centenarians, and total cholesterol levels, which were significantly lower in the male centenarians as compared to the elderly male subjects. The conclusion is drawn, therefore, that laboratory tests reflect the health conditions rather than the age of an individual.

Study on the sense of taste in a group of Sicilian centenarians.

The sense of taste was studied in a group of 20 centenarians from Eastern Sicily, displaying a mini mental state examination (MMSE) score higher than 19. Control subjects were 20 adult (mean age 27.7 +/- 3.2 years) and 20 elderly subjects (mean age 71.3 +/- 5.5 years). Although it has been revealed that centenarians retain considerably the capacity to perceive tastes, they displayed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.001) in taste functions for sweet, sour, salty and bitter, as compared to both the adult and elderly controls.

Life conditions of Sicilian centenarians.

Aim of the study was at furnishing a description of the socio-economic reality of Sicilian centenarians. Informations were taken from the records of Italian Multicentric Study on Centenarians. Randomly selected 28 centenarians (8 males, 20 females), in the age range 100-108 years from Eastern Sicily were examined. The following average socioeconomic profile of the centenarians was established: they are widows or widowers with 4 children; have primary education, mediocre socioeconomic conditions, have worked in the fields or had been housewives; their hobbies were before gardening or embroidering and sewing and now is watching TV; they live in their own salubrious 4 roomed house in small center in the hills. These observations reveal that the social and intellectual quality of life is better in cases of centenarian subjects living at home, in their family environment, surrounded by their children and grandchildren as they receive greater affection and physical care than those living in old peoples' homes.