Field Of Gerontology Research Articles

Hindsight 20/20: Looking Back for a Vision Forward in Gerontology.

This article contains excerpts from the opening and closing remarks delivered at CAG2021 - the Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) - which was hosted virtually from October 21 to 23, 2021. This event commemorated CAG's 50th anniversary and included 645 delegates from across Canada and the world. The conference theme, "Hindsight 20/20: Looking Back for a Vision Forward in Gerontology," focused on the burgeoning gerontological work that examines the various and complex ways that COVID-19 has affected older people and aging, as well as the need to develop a stronger emphasis on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of gerontology.

A contrastive look at the synonymic relationship of French and Slovak terms in the field of geriatrics

This paper aims to discuss the synonymic relationship between equivalent French and Slovak specialised terms in the field of geriatrics, and the implications it may have when translating specialised (geriatric) texts. In the theoretical framework, medical terminology and, in particular, geriatric terminology, is defined with a specific focus on key characteristics of medical terms, drawing primarily on the works of Horecký (1956), Masár (1991), Pavlovič et al. (2011), Karwacka (2015) and others. The controversial role that synonymy may have in determining terminological equivalents is also discussed. Based on the classification by Karwacka (2015), synonymic pairs of geriatric terms identified during the phase of compilation of a terminological glossary in the field of geriatrics in French and Slovak are categorised into groups based on the nature of the synonymous term and illustrated with examples. Overall, five types of synonyms were identified (eponym – non-eponymous term; international – domestic term; term – colloquial name; English term – domestic term; term – acronym), which may pose challenges for medical translators.

FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF SOCIAL WORK TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY

The article considers the main factors of influence of future specialists in social work, the master’s year of study on the choice of the direction of professional work on the provision of social services to the elderly in Ukraine. The article is devoted to the attitude to the elderly as a target group of social services: they independently decide on the choice of elective discipline in the field of gerontology and palliative care, which is especially important when choosing a future direction in social work. Attention is drawn to the fact that it is important to motivate students to engage in social work with the elderly, by encouraging practical and volunteer activities in public and private institutions that specialize in providing social services to the elderly. It was found that students are influenced by gender aspects when choosing a target group, but the age category of this group does not significantly affect the choice of future social workers. It is concluded that it is the practical disciplines and involvement of students in volunteer projects that influences their choice and motivates social work with the elderly. A parallel is drawn between the choice of elective discipline and the chosen direction of master’s students. It is determined that the understanding of the practice of social work with elderly people by students is reduced to day care and communication with them, which contradicts the provision on the provision of social day care services for the elderly in Ukraine. The study clearly showed the need to involve students at all stages of learning, but with varying degrees of independence and complexity, in identifying and addressing the social problems of older people. The need to introduce courses in gerontology and palliative care as basic, not just elective subjects, was emphasized.

Arterijska hipertenzija u gerijatrijskoj populaciji

INTRODUCTION Chronic non-contagious diseases: heart and blood vessel diseases, malignant tumors, diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, injuries and poisoning, mental health disorders and others, have dominated the world and our national pathology for decades. Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the present, which affects in more than 60% of people over the age of 60, and represents a risk factor for infarction, insult, chronic heart failure, renal insufficiency, progressive atherosclerosis and dementia, indicating the importance of hypertension frequency testing in the geriatric population in our country and in the world. OBJECTIVE is to point out the specificity, the high frequency and the risk of hypertension in the geriatric population in our country and in the world. METHODS We analyzed the data and literature in the field of geriatrics, internal medicine, neurology, public health, social medicine and health statistics in the part dealing with the protection of the health of the elderly in our country and in the world. The research was conducted through the analysis of previous scientific research obtained from the literature and the search of electronic databases in accordance with the areas defined in the aim of the work. Using the analytical observational method, all necessary data on this topic were collected, recorded and analyzed. A systematic review of the literature in the researched area was carried out, with the aim of reviewing the methodological characteristics of published studies in the mentioned area. Relevant papers based on this search were collected in full text. Data were extracted from such works, analyzed and presented in this paper. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of elderly mortality, and it is believed that by removing it in people over the age of 65, the life expectancy would be prolonged for 16 years. The results of some studies show that a third of patients over the age of 65 have isolated systolic hypertension, which is a significant risk factor for apoplexy. In developed countries, the geriatric population is on the rise and reaches more than 30% of the general population, and cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases and causes of mortality in this population. Studies have shown that the incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events is doubled in patients over 65 years of life with hypertension. Only two groups of diseases, heart and blood vessels diseases and malignant tumors, account for over half of all causes of death. In the Republic of Serbia, in 2021 the population aged 65 and over accounted for 21.28% of the population, while the percentage representation of very old people, over 85 years of age, is constantly increasing. Observed since 2002, more than 100,000 people die annually in Serbia from all causes of death, and almost every second resident of Serbia dies from diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The burden of diseases of the circulatory system or diseases of the heart and blood vessels is on the rise globally, and in recent years in Serbia, on average, 55% of people who have died are victims of one of the diseases from this group. The most common diagnosis within the group of diseases of the cardiovascular system is essential arterial hypertension. The most common causes of death in 2021 belong to the following groups of diseases (according to ICD-10 - International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization): Diseases of the circulatory system 41.4%; Tumors 15.1%; Diseases of the respiratory system 5.3%; Diseases of glands with internal secretion, nutrition and metabolism 2.6%. Diseases of the heart, blood vessels and malignant tumors accounted for over half (55.7%) of all causes of death in 2021 in Serbia. As many as 41.4% of all deaths were the result of dying from diseases of the circulatory system, and every sixth person who died (15.1%) was a victim of a malignant tumor. Studies have shown that in patients over 65 years of age with hypertension, the frequency of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events is twice as high. CONCLUSION Hypertension is very common in elderly and is a growing problem for them, their family and entire community, as it significantly affects the quality of their lives. The number of elderly in general population is increasing and a growing number of them is with hypertension. Successful prevention can significantly affect the reduction in the incidence of this disease in the population of elderly, which would certainly be one of the priority tasks in improving their health and quality of life.

Pattern of diseases in geriatric patients admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore

The provision of specialised services for persons aged 60 years and above is still lacking in our country. This study was carried out to analyse the pattern of acute & chronic diseases in the geriatric patients admitted at a teaching hospital, and to stress on the importance of the field of geriatrics in the teaching hospitals of Pakistan. Patients falling in the geriatric age group, i.e. 60 years and above admitted consecutively at the various department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, were collected for the study. The pattern of diseases was studied in 200 patients. A proforma was used for the collection of data, which included patient`s personal profile, history, examination, summary of the investigations carried out and the final diagnosis. The patients under study fell in the age range of 60-100 years, 96 females and 104 males. Maximum patients were admitted in the Medical wards, followed by Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, ENT and Psychiatry. Most of the patients had multiple problems and required a multidisciplinary approach. The diseases seen in the study group were: cataract (51.5%), coronary artery disease (30.5%), diabetes mellitus (31%), hypertension (29.5%), cerebrovascular disease (7%), benign prostatic hyperplasia (35.6%), osteoarthrosis (34%) malignancy (10.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7:5%), fractures (4%), liver disease (4%) and psychiatric illnesses (33%). It was concluded that the elderly suffer from a broad spectrum of diseases, which though cause much morbidity, are preventable and amenable to treatment. Hence special attention to such problems and the field of Geriatrics is essential at all levels.

Driving Performance in Older Adults: Current Measures, Findings, and Implications for Roadway Safety.

Over 10,000 people a day turn 65 in the United States. For many older adults, driving represents an essential component of independence and is one of the most important factors in overall mobility. Recent survey studies in older adults suggest that up to 60% of older adult drivers with mild cognitive impairment, and up to 30% with dementia, continue to drive. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive and detailed resource on the topics of cognition and driving for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working on efforts related to older adult drivers. Publications on PubMed and Medline and discussions with experts working in geriatrics, technology, driving policy, psychology, and diverse aspects of driving performance were utilized to inform the current review. Research indicates that there is a complex and inverse correlation between multiple cognitive measures, driving performance, and risky driving behaviors. The fragmented nature of available peer-reviewed literature, and a reliance on correlative data, do not currently allow for the identification of the temporal and reciprocal nature of the interplay between cognition and driving endpoints. There are currently no widely accepted definitions, conceptual models, or uniform set of analyses for conducting geriatric research that is focused on driving. Establishing conventions for conducting research that harmonizes the fields of geriatrics, cognition, and driving research is critical for the development of the evidence base that will inform clinical practice and road safety policy.

An Ounce of Prevention: Reducing Ageism Through the Lens of Public Health

Ageism is pervasive. The negative consequences of ageism are vast, and the literature on the effects of ageism on health and health care is extensive. The perpetrators of ageism are equally vast. While it may be tempting to believe that those who go into the fields of gerontology and geriatrics are free from these attitudes and behaviors, this is untrue. It is reasonable to suspect that future public health professionals, even those interested in gerontology, may also carry ageist ideas and practices into their professional careers. This research was developed to determine whether teaching about aging and ageism in a public health course could reduce ageism among students. Participants were students in a class on aging and public health. All students were graduate students in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Multiple assessments were used to assess ageism including the Framboni Scale of Ageism (FSA), a validated 29-question measure used to assess ageism, and the Succession, Identity, and Consumption (SIC) scale, another scale assessing ageism. Students were enrolled in an elective course on aging and public health, which was taught through the public health lens of disease prevention and health promotion. Health topics related to aging are discussed with an emphasis on prevention. The contributions older adults make, and the resulting improved health and well-being of self, others, and community are promoted. And the class participates in activities with a variety of community-dwelling older adults. Results show that ageism among students is reduced after the semester long course.

The Utility of Social Media Recruitment to Achieve a More Diverse Participant Sample

Research suggests that the effects of fear of falling on falls may differ by race/ethnicity. We investigated whether race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic) moderated the longitudinal effects of fear of falling on the incidence of falling and having a repeated fall among community-dwelling older adults. We used data from 2011-2018 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). These included a total of 19,516 person-intervals from 5,113 respondents. Self-reported any fall in the past year was the outcome variable with baseline fear of falling as the predictor and race/ethnicity as the moderator. Known risk factors for falls were included as covariates. Results showed that among respondents without the experience of falling at baseline, baseline fear of falling significantly increased the odds of a new-onset of fall at 1-year follow-up among Blacks, compared to Whites. Among respondents who already fell at baseline, baseline fear of falling significantly increased the odds of having a repeated fall later on among Hispanics, compared to Whites. Clear evidence of racial/ethnic differences was found in the relationship between fear of falling and falls among community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. Special attention should be paid to Black older adults with a fear of falling but have not fallen down recently and Hispanics with fear of falling and have fallen in the past year. Readily available educational programs should be actively advertised to older adults to reduce the fear of falling and culturally tailored educational programs should be developed for older adults from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds.

Social Retribution of Students of Master in Gerontology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Enhancing Competencies

Introduction: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic older adults were called to lockdown and social isolation. Master in Gerontology (MAGE) in a social retribution action delivered a companion program called “I′m with you, You′re with me”. MAGE competencies encompass those proposed by AGHE. The aim is to analyze competencies acquired by students in gerontology in the companion program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Method: Participated 16 students of MAGE and 16 older adults selected by their high vulnerability conditions reported by social workers from the Metropolitan Center of Older Adults from DIF-Zapopan city. The program was designed to provide emotional support, was delivered by telephone for 3 months (Ago-Nov 2020). Experiences were obtained through an online-questionnaire, data were analyzed qualitative and quantitatively. Results: Students reported higher development in the competencies: 1) Interactional, that capture the process of knowing and doing across the fields of gerontology, related to stereotypes and discrimination, autonomy and self-determination, and the use of the technology to enhance the communication; 2) Fundamental, that represent the essential orientation to the field of gerontology, related to identify the impact of public policy and the application of intervention strategies and the use of technologies with older adults, families and caregivers; 3) Contextual, related to promote solid social networks for the wellbeing. The meaning of participating in this program was mainly centered in a gratifying professional experience, “small actions that make big gestures”. Conclusion: Gerontologist promote social solidarity through the transference and applying of the knowledge to enhance social development.

Daily Perceptions of Aging and Implications for Stress Reactivity

Awareness of one’s own aging has received increasing attention in the field of gerontology over the last decade. This study examines the role awareness of age-related change (AARC) may play in the association between daily stressors and well-being. Recently, individuals’ awareness of both age-related gains and age-related losses has been shown to vary on a day-to-day basis (Neupert & Bellingtier, 2017). We expected that increases in daily AARC-losses may be associated with increased emotional reactivity to daily stressors, whereas increases in AARC-gains may be associated with decreased reactivity. Data were collected in a daily diary study from a community-based sample of 152 Australian participants aged 53 to 86 (M = 69.18, SD = 5.73). Participants completed daily assessments of AARC, stressors and emotional affect (positive and negative) on their smartphones for 10 consecutive days. Analysis of within-person coupling using multilevel models indicated that daily increases in AARC-losses were associated with increased reactivity to daily stressors (represented by high negative affect and low positive affect). On the other hand, daily increases in AARC-gains were associated with decreased reactivity to daily stressors (represented by low negative affect). Results indicate that even short-term fluctuations in perceptions of aging may be an important factor to consider when investigating associations between daily stressors and well-being in older adulthood. Specifically, greater daily AARC-losses may contribute to lower emotional well-being, whereas an appreciation of positive age-related changes (AARC-gains) may play a role in mitigating emotional reactivity to daily stress experiences in older adulthood.

Community College Gerontology Programs: Revisiting and Re-Visioning Workforce, Career Pathways, and Transfer

The session will focus on new and existing innovative ways that Community Colleges are effectively addressing workforce needs resulting from a rapidly aging population; the ever-expanding career pathways available to students in the field of gerontology; as well as the continuing higher education needs of students transferring to bachelor’s and graduate-level gerontology programs. A panel of Community College and University gerontology professionals, representing both the GSA Community College and Aging Workforce Interest Groups, will share the innovative ways that they are working to address the three focus areas of this symposium. We will also include opportunities for discussion with participants about their experiences with and ideas for addressing these issues.

Kent and Kleemeier Award Lecture and Presentations

The Donald P. Kent Award lecture will feature an address by the 2020 Kent Award recipient, David Ekerdt, PhD, FGSA, of the University of Kansas. The Kent Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America who best exemplifies the highest standards of professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. The Robert W. Kleemeier Award lecture will feature an address by the 2020 Kleemeier Award recipient, Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, FGSA, of the University of Washington. The Kleemeier Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America in recognition for outstanding research in the field of gerontology.

The Utility of Social Media Recruitment to Achieve a More Diverse Participant Sample

The COVID-19 pandemic created an immediate, lasting impact on recruitment methods in academic research, most notably in the field of gerontology. To protect older adult participants' health during the COVID-19 crisis, the Daily Balance Project, a 30-day micro-longitudinal study of older adults' awareness of balance in daily life, shifted to complete remote administration. Our new remote protocol included developing new methodologies to recruit participants with varying degrees of fall risk and educational attainment. In this study, we present our approach to remote online recruitment and compare educational attainment, objective and subjective fall risk, and alignment of objective/subjective fall risk across three samples recruited via a) Fall Clinic registry (16 participants); b) University e-newsletter to faculty and staff (5 participants); c) social media recruitment (7 participants). Eligibility included being 65+ and wireless internet at home. For samples a and b, screening assessments were conducted via phone while baseline assessments were conducted in-person. For sample c, screener and baseline assessment were virtual. Analysis of recruitment methods aims to determine whether recruitment via social media platforms may provide a sample of participants with more variation in fall risk or alignment of subjective versus objective balance. Results demonstrate no significant differences in educational attainment (p=0.7949) or balance confidence (p=0.213), despite significant differences in the alignment of objective and subjective fall risk (p=0.031). Participants from samples a and b proved more able to accurately assess fall risk, while sample c had the most misalignment between subjective and objective fall risk assessments.

A Window to Telehealth Geriatric Social Work Job Market Landscape: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this research study is to explore current Telehealth geriatric social work by describing its most recent job market characteristics. As part of a larger longitudinal research, data for this cross- sectional study was collected in January 2021. Three top job search engines, Google, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed, were used to collect data on Telehealth social work job openings. On each search engine, five searches were completed with the five key words: "social work" Telehealth jobs, LCSW Telehealth jobs, remote LCSW jobs, Telehealth "social work" jobs, and Telehealth "social worker" jobs. It analyzed 112 Telehealth geriatric social work job ads, 12.8% of total 873 ads from these fifteen searches. Results from descriptive and thematic data analysis show large, for-profit organizations are dominating the Telehealth geriatric social work field while small private practices are emerging during the pandemic. The study found Telehealth geriatric social work is providing vital continuum services to older people in communities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities at individual, family, and group levels. The results document innovative technological tools present new methods to engage, assess, and intervene, particularly with mental health needs. The Telehealth organizations are making the pitch to attract competitive professionals. While nearly 1/3 of the sampled organizations stated they intended to make Telehealth/remote positions temporary, the study concludes Telehealth has built its infrastructure and workforce to become an indispensable and ongoing part of gerontological and geriatric social work. Social work education, research, and practice must pay close attention to its implications in skill building.

Social Work Graduates Entering the Field of Gerontology During COVID-19: Exploring Perceived Readiness and Needs

Gerontological social workers (GSW) are on the frontlines supporting the biopsychosocial needs of older adults in hospitals, communities, and long-term care settings. However, it is unclear whether social workers (SW) are trained to meet the emerging needs of older adults during COVID-19. This study describes training received, perceived readiness, and training needs of GSWs new to the field during 2020. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with recent graduates from U.S. SW programs. Survey questions explored training received and ongoing needs, perceived self-efficacy (adapted from the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale), demographics, and confidence in ability to work with populations 55+. A total of 15 recent SW graduates specializing in gerontology completed the survey. Fifty-three percent of the sample held MSWs and over half (53.3%) were licensed social workers or registered interns. Nearly all participants (73.3%) reported taking an introductory aging course, and almost half (46.7%) completed coursework in aging and diversity, aging policy, and end-of-life care/bereavement; 80% completed fieldwork in aging. Participants report moderate skill in assessing issues related to losses or transitions (46.7%), and physical functioning (53.3%), and advanced skill in assessing cognitive functioning (60.0%), and caregiver stress/needs (53.3%). Nearly half of respondents who rated their training as good-excellent indicate being very-extremely confident (42.8%) in their ability to practice with older adults. Training needs among participants include disaster preparedness, telehealth, and coordination of scarce resources. Curriculum development and continuing education are necessary to support emerging gerontological social workers in their practice during COVID-19 and other emergencies.

Aging Into Disability: A Conceptual Challenge for Gerontology

One of the most fraught subjects facing a fast growing aging population is the subject of aging into disability. This paper examines the processes of aging into disability as a distinct challenge for not only older persons, but also for the field of gerontology, and public policy-makers. Disability in youth and in middle age has largely defined the disability rights agenda, and elders aging into disability have not been the subject of much attention from scholars in the field of disability. Surprisingly, however, scholars and policy-makers in gerontology have also by and large avoided the subject of older persons aging into disability—a complex process that involves impairment, environmental disablement, and changes in social relationships. This process accelerates with advancing age, and disproportionately affects women. Moreover, when older adults develop mobility limitations, experience falls, become hard of hearing, or experience other such impairments of age related disability, they do not think of themselves as aging into disability, or being disabled. This lack of disability identity may protect them from stigma and from low self-esteem. At the same time, it stands in the way of seeking accommodations and from developing a bond with other older adults who are aging into disability. This paper explores the dynamics of disability avoidance as an ideal that can harm older adults and their caregivers. It aims to bring disability more fully into the normal life-course, and to suggest lines of inquiry for gerontological research, to broaden the field, and to make service communities more inclusive .

Physical activity and subjective well-being in old age in Indonesia

Old age is characterized by many problems including physical health, psychological health, and overall well-being problems. Most studies indicate a decline in subjective well-being in the geriatric population. Although many studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being in old age, few have been conducted among the aging Indonesian population. This study was aimed at investigating the association between physical activity and measures of subjective well-being among older adults in Indonesia using data from a community survey. After restricting the sample to individuals aged 60 and older, a sample of 1,813 old individuals was yielded. Two models of multiple regression were estimated. In the first model, subjective well-being was predicted by physical activity. The second model added to the first model a wide range of confounding variables in order to check whether the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being was still significant after adjusting for covariates. The main findings revealed that staying physically active was associated with high levels of life satisfaction but not with happiness beyond the contribution of gender, education, marital status, religiosity, personality, and self-rated health. Physical activity yields well-being benefits in old age and these findings are relevant for policymakers, health professionals in the geriatric field, and public health professionals.

Applying a deep learning approach focusing on spatiotemporal features in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder (Vally & Kathrada, 2019), the most common type of dementia in the elderly population (Kim, 2020) and is a great challenge in the geriatric field. Cognitive impairment is one of the features shown by Alzheimer’s dementia patients, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are predictors of cognitive impairment as proven by several research works. Over the past few years, deep learning has had a tremendous improvement effect on diverse science areas, inclusive of healthcare (Farouk & Rady, 2020). This study aims to explore a non‐invasive and novel approach with the use of deep learning towards the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.MethodTo measure cognitive impairment, IADL are objectively recorded, capturing data from egocentric videos using wearable cameras that are attached to a glass frame of each participant, mainly focusing on hands use while performing these activities. Obtained images are analyzed based on human‐object interaction and human‐environment interaction. To make precise analysis while performing these activities, we propose the use and relationship of the anatomical planes (coronal, sagittal and transverse planes) and healthy human functional patterns [Martínez‐Velilla, 2018], in a quantitative way using deep learning. In the coronal plane, patterns involving displacement movements and object manipulation were identified with an accuracy of 87%. The information from the sagittal and transverse planes is developed with a deep learning model, which provides the required depth data to link the IADL's quality. By analyzing these planes, we can get more information about the distance of the hand and body motion while performing these activities.ResultFrom our work, we obtained an accuracy of 87% recognizing movement patterns of displacement and object manipulation, and a good prediction of the depth of the anatomical planes.ConclusionOur model serves as a tool for proactive prediction of Alzheimer’s dementia and support in clinical decision‐making.

Bachelor programs in gerontology offered in Mexico: An analysis from the perspective of the competencies recommended by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education

ABSTRACT Gerontology programs in higher education are needed and offered all around the world. In the past two decades, in Mexico there has been a rapid spread of bachelor programs in gerontology, and the number of programs continues to increase. The aim of this paper is to analyze the orientation of the bachelor programs in gerontology offered in Mexico from the perspective of the competencies suggested by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) for bachelor programs in gerontology. Seventeen bachelor programs in gerontology officially recognized by the Secretary of Public Education were analyzed, their curricula were classified into the categories and domains of the gerontology competencies recommended by the AGHE. As a result, it was found that programs were mainly oriented to contextual competencies across fields of gerontology, specifically in domains related to health, mental health, social health, and well-being. The understanding of gerontology as a broader scientific field, the need for recognition of the gerontologist as a professional, and the relevance of education in the field of gerontology is discussed.

Gynecological aspects as a component of comprehensive geriatric assessment: A study of self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse among community-dwelling elderly women in Japan

ObjectivesDespite the reported ‘male-female health-survival paradox’, no components of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) routinely used in the field of geriatrics focus on female-specific symptoms. To investigate the impact of gynecological factors among elderly women, we noted the gynecological history and examined the association between self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and CGA. Study designThis community-based, cross-sectional study in Japan included 164 community-dwelling women aged ≥75 years. Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measures were the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6), activities of daily living (ADL), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Self-rated symptoms of POP were assessed using POPDI-6, and the participants were dichotomized into POPDI-6 >0 (symptom group) and POPDI-6 = 0 (no-symptom group). Several components of the CGA were compared between the groups with and without symptoms of POP and the association with POPDI-6 score was analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. ResultsCompared with the no-symptom group, the symptom group had significantly longer TUG test time (≥13.5 s) (P = 0.024) and difficulty in basic ADL (score <21) (P = 0.02). In multiple logistic regression analysis, basic ADL <21 and TUG time ≥13.5 s were significantly associated with POPDI-6 >0 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10–7.06 and OR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.01–1.24). ConclusionsSelf-rated POP symptoms were associated with CGA components among community-dwelling elderly women. Evaluating POP symptoms as part of the CGA could be meaningful for improving physical and psychological health in elderly women.