Elderly Polish Population Research Articles

Prevalence of Risk of Sarcopenia in Polish Elderly Population-A Population Study.

Sarcopenia in the elderly population is a public health challenge, and there are few data on its prevalence in Europe. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly Polish population and its association with the level of obesity and co-existing diseases. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study involving 823 men and 1177 women aged 65 years and older, randomly selected from the population living in the territory of the Republic of Poland between 2017 and 2020. We analyzed the results of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Risk of sarcopenia was assessed with the simple questionnaire to rapidly diagnose sarcopenia (SARC-F), and sarcopenic obesity risk was defined as the combination of anthropometry and SARC-F results. In addition, we collected disease data with an author questionnaire. The prevalence of risk of sarcopenia was 18.6% (22.3% in women and 13.2% in men), and its incidence significantly increased with age in both sexes. The risk of sarcopenic obesity was more common in women than in men, and it was higher in the older age group, except for sarcopenic obesity diagnosed by the WHR criteria. The group of elderly with concomitant diseases had a higher risk of developing sarcopenia, which emphasizes the need to monitor sarcopenia when concomitant diseases are diagnosed. In both groups, risk of sarcopenia was associated with motor and respiratory system diseases, type 2 diabetes, and neurological diseases. This study highlights that the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly population affects women to a greater extent than men. It is important to identify the elderly at risk of sarcopenia in routine clinical practice to develop long-term prevention strategies.

Socioeconomic Risk Factors of Poor Nutritional Status in Polish Elderly Population: The Results of PolSenior2 Study.

Poor nutritional status (PNS) threatens successful aging. Identifying potentially modifiable predictors of PNS is essential for elaborating a preventive strategy for the population at risk. To assess the prevalence of PNS in the Polish elderly population and analyze its socioeconomic correlates based on the data from the nationwide PolSenior2 project. Special emphasis was put on potentially modifiable factors among the identified PNS predictors. Nutritional status was assessed in 5698 community-dwelling older adults with the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form. We evaluated the effect of age, sex, level of education, marital status, place of residence, subjective loneliness, and self-reported poverty on the nutritional status of the studied subjects. PNS was found in 25.3% of studied subjects (27.7% women and 21.9% men; p < 0.001). Female sex, older age, unmarried status (in men), subjective loneliness, and self-reported poverty were independent correlates of PNS. The two last above-mentioned predictors were identified as potentially modifiable. Based on our results, we recommend preventive interventions (e.g., performing regular screening), particularly in unmarried (men), poorly educated individuals, self-reporting poverty, complaining of loneliness, and the oldest old. PNS preventive strategies should include social support (both emotional and instrumental) to reduce the effect of poverty and subjective loneliness.

The Association of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Ingredients and Lifestyle Exercise with Inflammaging.

One of the latest theories on ageing focuses on immune response, and considers the activation of subclinical and chronic inflammation. The study was designed to explain whether anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle exercise affect an inflammatory profile in the Polish elderly population. Sixty individuals (80.2 ± 7.9 years) were allocated to a low-grade inflammation (LGI n = 33) or high-grade inflammation (HGI n = 27) group, based on C-reactive protein concentration (<3 or ≥3 mg/L) as a conventional marker of systemic inflammation. Diet analysis focused on vitamins D, C, E, A, β-carotene, n-3 and n-6 PUFA using single 24-h dietary recall. LGI demonstrated a lower n-6/n-3 PUFA but higher vitamin D intake than HGI. Physical performance based on 6-min walk test (6MWT) classified the elderly as physically inactive, whereby LGI demonstrated a significantly higher gait speed (1.09 ± 0.26 m/s) than HGI (0.72 ± 0.28 m/s). Circulating interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-13, TNFα and cfDNA demonstrated high concentrations in the elderly with low 6MWT, confirming an impairment of physical performance by persistent systemic inflammation. These findings reveal that increased intake of anti-inflammatory diet ingredients and physical activity sustained throughout life attenuate progression of inflammaging in the elderly and indicate potential therapeutic strategies to counteract pathophysiological effects of ageing.

Selected sociodemographic and clinic alpredictors of the clock drawing test performance in Polish community dwelling seniors

Objectives: The clock drawing test (CDT) is a commonly used cognitive screening test. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle factors on the CDT performance in the Polish elderly population. Methods: CDT performance was assessed in 399 elderly subjects randomly selected out of all participants of a nationwide study on aging, PolSenior2, who met the inclusion criteria. CDT was scored using the Manos–Wu method. The short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (15-item GDS) was used as a mood measuring tool. Results: Our study revealed a significant relationship between CDT performance and age. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated also that interactions between reading newspapers and gender and between playing games and GDS score were independent predictors of an incorrect CDT. Of note, even though years of education were related to the CDT score (0–10) in the correlation analysis, education did not predict the global CDT score in the regression analysis. Conclusions: Advanced age was related to incorrect CDT performance. Engagement in some leisure activities may predict the CDT score, while global CDT performance, as assessed by the Manos–Wu method, is relatively unaffected by education.

Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine-Induced Antibody Response and Influencing Determinants in Patients ≥ 55 Years of Age in the 2018/2019 Season.

The effects of immunization with subunit inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) are not generally well assessed in the elderly Polish population. Therefore, this study evaluated vaccine-induced antibody response and its determinants. Methods: Consecutive patients ≥ 55 years old, attending a Primary Care Clinic in Gryfino, Poland, received QIV (A/Michigan/ 45/2015(H1N1)pdm09, A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2), B/Colorado/06/2017, B/Phuket/ 3073/2013) between October-December 2018. Hemagglutination inhibition assays measured antibody response to vaccine strains from pre/postvaccination serum samples. Geometric mean titer ratio (GMTR), protection rate (PR) and seroconversion rate (SR) were also calculated. Results: For 108 patients (54.6% males, mean age: 66.7 years) the highest GMTR (61.5-fold) was observed for A/H3N2/, then B/Colorado/06/2017 (10.3-fold), A/H1N1/pdm09 (8.4-fold) and B/Phuket/ 3073/2013 (3.0-fold). Most patients had post-vaccination protection for A/H3N2/ and B/Phuket/3073/ 2013 (64.8% and 70.4%, respectively); lower PRs were observed for A/H1N1/pdm09 (41.8%) and B/Colorado/06/ 2017 (57.4%). The SRs for A/H3N2/, A/H1N1/pdm09, B Victoria and B Yamagata were 64.8%, 38.0%, 46.8%, and 48.2%, respectively. Patients who received QIV vaccination in the previous season presented lower (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively) response to B Victoria and B Yamagata. Conclusions: QIV was immunogenic against the additional B lineage strain (B Victoria) without significantly compromising the immunogenicity of the other three vaccine strains, therefore, adding a second B lineage strain in QIV could broaden protection against influenza B infection in this age group. As the QIV immunogenicity differed regarding the four antigens, formulation adjustments to increase the antigen concentration of the serotypes that have lower immunogenicity could increase effectiveness. Prior season vaccination was associated with lower antibody response to a new vaccine, although not consistent through the vaccine strains.

Serologic antibody response to quadrivalent influenza vaccination in Polish elderly patients

Abstract Background The effectiveness of immunization with subunit inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in the elderly has not been sufficiently estimated. The study objective was to evaluate QIV-induced antibody response and influencing determinants in Polish elderly patients. Methods Consecutive patients ≥55 years old attending the Primary Care Clinic in Gryfino, Poland, received QIV (A/Michigan/45/2015 [A/H1N1/pdm09], A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 [A/H3N2/], B/Colorado/06/2017 [Victoria lineage], B/Phuket/3073/2013 [Yamagata lineage]) between October-December 2018. Hemagglutination-inhibition assays measured antibody response to vaccine strains before/after vaccination. Geometric mean titer (GMT)/titers ratio (GMTR), protection (PR) and response (RR) rates were calculated. Results Among 108 participants (45.4% females; age 55-85, median 67 years) the highest GMTR after vaccination was observed for A/H3N2/(61.5-fold) followed by Victoria lineage (10.3-fold), A/H1N1/pdm09 (8.4-fold) and Yamagata lineage (3.0-fold). Most participants had a post-QIV protection for A/H3N2/and Yamagata lineage vaccine strains (64.8%, 70.4% respectively); lower PR were observed for Victoria lineage (57.4%) and A/H1N1/pdm09 (41.8%). The RR was high for A/H3N2/(91.7%) and Victoria lineage (68.5%), however, not satisfactory for A/H1N1/pdm09 and Yamagata lineage (59.3%, 52.8% respectively). Patients who received influenza vaccination in the previous year presented lower response to the both B strains compared to those who did not (p &amp;lt; 0.0001 and p = 0.03 respectively). Conclusions Although vaccine-induced antibody response in the elderly Polish population was more effective against A/H3N2/and B Victoria, this introductory study supports the use of QIV. Prior season vaccination was associated with lower antibody response to the current vaccination; this was not consistent to vaccine strains. Further research to better investigate QIV effectiveness determinants in the elderly would be of value. Key messages Subunit inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) is effective in elderly people and should be used. The response to vaccination is not consistent and depends on the strain of influenza virus.

Possible association of the TERT promoter polymorphisms rs2735940, rs7712562 and rs2853669 with diabetes mellitus in obese elderly Polish population: results from the national PolSenior study

One of the markers of aging is lymphocyte telomere length (LTL), which is affected by genetic constitution of the organism and environmental conditions, such as development and diseases, including diabetes. The relationship of the later seems to be bilateral. The enzyme responsible for the maintenance of telomere length is a subunit of telomerase—telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The aims of the present study were to (1) determine the influence of the TERT promoter sequence SNP variants on relative telomere length (RTL) in an elderly Polish population and (2) explore the potential associations of the SNPs with the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the obese individuals. Two highly homogenous subgroups of PolSenior participants were investigated, the first constituted 70 relatively healthy respondents and the second 70 individuals with T2DM. Telomere length ratio (T/S value) was measured; 1.5 kb part upstream of the transcription start site of the TERT promoter was sequenced, and the frequencies of polymorphisms were calculated and compared against analysed data. Low-frequency SNPs were evaluated but excluded from further comparative analyses to RTL and glucose metabolism markers. No significant difference in telomere length was found between the two studied subgroups. Univariate statistical analyses showed only a weak association of environmental or genetic factors altering this marker of aging. Approximate frequency of four SNPs in TERT promoter sequence was assessed in Polish population aged 65–95 years, but three of them (rs2735940, rs7712562 and rs2853669) were selected for further analyses. The SNP selection was based on their minor allele frequencies in general population and on published data. The univariate analysis has revealed that carriers of CC SNP (rs2853669) have had the shortest RTL in the T2DM group. Multivariate analysis has also revealed that the genetic effect of TERT promoter CC SNP was strengthened by the incidence of T2DM. The additional variation in RTL in paired groups indicates that in addition to T2DM and genetics, there are other factors contributing to development of the age-related diseases.

Prevalence of anemia in relation to socio-economic factors in elderly Polish population: the results of PolSenior study.

Anemia is an independent risk factor for functional decline and mortality among older adults. Since mild anemia in older people is often under-diagnosed and ignored, its prevalence needs precise determination and recognition of predisposing factors. None of the previous studies based on the data obtained from the representative elderly population identified the influence of socio-economic factors on the prevalence of anemia. PolSenior was a cross-sectional population-based study performed on the nationally representative sample of Polish seniors. Complete blood count was assessed in 4003 respondents aged 65 years or above (1910 women) divided into six five-year cohorts and a reference group of 622 people aged 55 - 59 years (333 women). Anemia was defined based on the WHO criteria: Hb < 12.0 g/dL in women and Hb < 13.0 g/dL in men. The following socio-economic factors were evaluated through the multiple logistic regression analysis: education level, marital status, place of residence, living arrangements and self-reported poverty. The prevalence of anemia in older persons standardized for the population was 10.8% (17.4% of the study group) and was more frequent in men than in women (20.8% versus 13.6%). The frequency of anemia progressed with age from 5.3% in the youngest to 37.7% in the oldest cohort, and the progression was higher in men. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the link between anemia and age in both genders, as well as unmarried status and urban dwelling in men. When age was not taken into account, logistic regression showed the link between anemia and unmarried status, urban place of residence (both genders), and low level of education (women only). Among seniors, those poorly educated, unmarried and city inhabitants require intense screening for anemia.

Chronic kidney disease in Polish elderly population aged 75+: results of the WOBASZ Senior Survey

PurposeKidney filtration decreases with age, which results in an increased frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the elderly population. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and epidemiology of CKD in the Polish elderly population.MethodsA representative sample of the Polish elderly population, composed of 918 people (F 452, M 466) in the age of ≥75 years, was chosen. All participants had their history, anthropometric measures and biochemical parameters (creatinine, fasting glucose, complete cholesterol) evaluated. CKD was diagnosed when eGFR was <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. The comorbidities, anthropometric and social factors connected with the onset of CKD were also analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of CKD in the analyzed population was 26.9% (F 32.0%, M 15.8%), which gives an estimated number of 495,590 (95% CI 396,363–594,817) patients in the study subpopulation. The majority of these people were in the G3A category—70.1%, while the remaining fell under the G3B—25.7%, G4—3.1% and G5—1.1% categories. Disease awareness among the participants was found to be at 17%. Arterial hypertension (AH) was more frequent in people with CKD (91.0 vs. 80.3%, P < 0.001), whereas diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence was comparable in both CKD and non-CKD groups (11.7 vs. 11.4%, ns). In the examined group, DM had no influence on the frequency of CKD. In contrast, the presence of cardiovascular diseases substantially increased the chances of developing CKD (OR 1.87, P < 0.05).Conclusion1. The prevalence of CKD in the Polish elderly population was 26.9%. 2. Awareness of CKD is low. 3. DM, increasing age and AH did not increase the risk of CKD. 4. Coexistence of cardiovascular diseases increased the risk of having CKD.

Prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly Polish population - results of the PolSenior study.

IntroductionPain is the most common complaint of elderly people. In Poland, no large studies on the prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly were conducted until recently.Material and methodsThe study was a part of the PolSenior project, a cross-sectional multidisciplinary study on ageing of the Polish population, and included a randomly selected group of 716 people aged 55–59 years, and 4979 people over 65 years. The survey was conducted through a standardized questionnaire. An evaluation of pain occurrence, location, intensity and coexistence of pains in relation to gender, age and use of health care was performed.ResultsChronic pain affected 42.0% of respondents aged 65 years and over (48.6% of women and 35.8% of men) as compared to 35.2% of the pre-elderly. The most common pain locations were the lumbar region (51.6%) and knees (41.0%). The average number of pain sites was 3.1 ±2.3. Average intensity of pain was 6.2 points on the VAS scale in people over 65 years and 6.0 points in the pre-elderly (NS). Average pain intensity increased significantly from 5.7 points in patients reporting pain in one place to 7.2 points in those reporting six pain sites. Elderly respondents with pain compared to those without pain more frequently reported physician visits performed at least once a month (54.6% vs. 48.4%, p < 0.001).ConclusionsPolish elderly most frequently complained of low back and lower limb pain. In respondents reporting many sites of pain, an increase in the intensity of pain was observed. Elderly patients with chronic pain often use medical care.

Socioeconomic determinants of prostate-specific antigen testing and estimation of the prevalence of undiagnosed prostate cancer in an elderly Polish population based on the PolSenior study.

IntroductionSocioeconomic determinants of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and prevalence of undiagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) in the Polish population are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with PSA testing in elderly Polish men, and estimate the size of the population at risk of PCa related to PSA non-testing.Material and methodsWe analyzed questionnaire-derived data concerning PSA testing, obtained in 2567 elderly and 332 younger (age: 55–59) participants of the population-based PolSenior study. Additionally, PSA was measured in 2414 subjects.ResultsThe PSA had previously been tested in 41.2% of elderly and in 24.8% of younger participants. Non-smoking status (OR = 2.06, p < 0.001), higher personal income (OR = 1.56, p < 0.001), better education (OR = 1.49, p = 0.001), previous white-collar work (OR = 1.37, p = 0.005), alcohol abstinence (OR = 1.28, p = 0.02), married status (OR = 1.24, p = 0.04), dependence in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) but not in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (OR = 0.65, p < 0.001), and dependence in ADL (OR = 0.55, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of previous PSA testing in elderly participants. There were 31 elderly previously treated for PCa (calculated standardized prevalence: 935 per 100,000 elderly population). The PSA levels > 4 ng/ml were found in 12.8% of 65–74-year-old and 4.5% of 55–59-year-old previously non-tested participants. We calculated the standardized prevalence rate of undiagnosed PCa as approximately 1370 and 2352 cases per 100,000 population aged 55–59 and 65–74 years, respectively.ConclusionsIn Poland, 58.8% of elderly men have never had PSA tested. These were less likely to be functionally independent, married, better educated, non-smokers or to have previous office employment or higher than average personal income. Our data suggest substantial underdiagnosis of prostate cancer among Polish men.

Epidemiologia chorób alergicznych u ludzi starszych w Polsce

BackgroundThere is a growing allergy problem in elderly patients. The epidemiology of atopic bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis was analyzed in an elderly Polish population. MethodsSubject recruitment was conducted at 16 sites representative of Polish rural and urban areas, and 7711 subjects, including 4246 women with a mean age of 67.1±6.4 years and 3465 men with a mean age of 65.9±8.4 years, were screened. Medical examinations, an original questionnaire, skin prick testing with common aeroallergens and appropriate serum-specific IgE assays were performed. ResultsSuspicion of atopy was diagnosed in 1943 (25.2%) of the 7711 analyzed patients. The average morbidity associated with age and sex in this population was 6.1% (95%CI: 5.7–6.4) for bronchial asthma, 1.4% (95%CI: 1.1–1.7) for atopic dermatitis/eczema, 10.7% (95%CI: 8.5–13.8) for seasonal allergic rhinitis and 18.5% (95%CI: 15.3–20.4) for perennial allergic rhinitis. The most frequent positive results were recorded for the following allergens: D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and grasses. ConclusionThis study confirms the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in elderly Polish patients. These findings are comparable to those involving groups of younger individuals with allergies.

Association between vitamin D concentration and levels of sex hormones in an elderly Polish population with different genotypes of VDR polymorphisms (rs10735810, rs1544410, rs7975232, rs731236)

BackgroundVitamin D co-regulates the synthesis of sex hormones in part by interaction with its nuclear receptor. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association of vitamin D concentration vs the level of sex hormones in elderly Polish individuals with different genotypes of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Materials and methodsRs10735810, rs1544410, rs7975232, and rs731236 polymorphisms of VDR, the serum sex hormone level, free estrogen index (FEI) and free androgen index (FAI) as well as vitamin D, were evaluated in 766 persons (362 women and 404 men) selected from 5695 Polish population, aged 65–90years from the PolSenior survey. ResultsWe observed that women with GG (rs731236), TT (rs7975232), BB (rs1544410) and FF (rs10735810) genotypes were characterized by a significant correlation between vitamin D vs testosterone concentration and FAI value. We found a significant correlation between testosterone level and FAI vs vitamin D concentration in men with heterozygote AG in the rs731236 polymorphism and in the GG (rs7975232), the BB (rs1544410), and the Ff (rs10735810) genotypes. ConclusionIn elderly selected Polish population with different genotypes of VDR polymorphisms, a statistically significant relationship between vitamin D concentration vs testosterone level was observed.

Social and economic correlates of malnutrition in Polish elderly population: the results of PolSenior study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in Polish elderly population and analyse its social and economic correlates based on the data from the PolSenior project, the first large-scale study of a representative group of Polish seniors. A cross-sectional population-based study. All territorial provinces in Poland. 4482 community-dwelling respondents aged 65 years or above (women: n=2142, age=79.0±8.4 years; men: n=2340, age= 78.3±8.6 years). The nutritional status of participants was assessed through the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (the revised MNA-SF). Out of social and economic correlates we evaluated age, sex, level of education, marital status, place of residence, living conditions and economic status. Economic status of the respondents was determined on the basis of questions on how well they could manage their own budgets. Those who could afford only the cheapest food or clothes were considered the group of self-reported poverty. Frequency of malnutrition in the PolSenior population accounted for 7.5% (in 5.0% men and 9.0% women; p<0.001). The risk of malnutrition was present in 38.9% (33.3% men and 42.4% women; p<0.001). In our study female sex, older age, unmarried status, living in a rural area and self-reported poverty were independent correlates of malnutrition. Our data showed high prevalence of malnutrition and the risk of its development among the community-dwelling elderly people in Poland. Screening with MNA-SF should focus in particular on unmarried, poorly educated individuals, in late old age, living in rural areas and self-reporting a poor financial state, especially women.

Plasma visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase levels in hypertensive elderly – results from the PolSenior substudy

Visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is a 52 kDa adipokine with proinflammatory properties produced mostly by macrophages and adipocytes from visceral adipose tissue. It seems that visfatin/NAMPT plays a role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. As this condition is frequently present in the elderly, the aim of the study was to assess the plasma visfatin/NAMPT levels in normotensive and hypertensive subjects from the Polish elderly population. Visfatin/NAMPT levels were measured by specific enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay method in plasma samples from 2789 elderly subjects (1338 females, 1451 males) without heart failure, the PolSenior study participants, in addition to previously estimated serum concentrations of insulin, glucose, creatinine, C–reactive protein, and interleukin–6. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance was calculated and used as a marker of insulin resistance. In the study group, 591 subjects were normotensive, 449 had untreated hypertension, and 1749 had treated hypertension. Plasma visfatin/NAMPT levels were not related to the presence of hypertension or the use of antihypertensive drugs, including angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists. The regression analysis revealed that plasma visfatin/NAMPT concentration variability is increased in subjects with high–sensitivity C–reactive protein concentration above 3 mg/L and with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance ≥2.5, and decreased in those aged over 80 years. Our study shows that the presence of hypertension is not associated with the plasma levels of visfatin/NAMPT in elderly subjects. Plasma visfatin/NAMPT concentrations positively correlate with inflammation and insulin resistance, and are decreased in the oldest.

Socioeconomic profile of elderly Polish men treated for benign prostate hyperplasia: Results of the population-based PolSenior study

BackgroundThe socioeconomic status and the prevalence of therapy in men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in Poland are relevant for public health, but have not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with BPH pharmacotherapy and utilization of urological services in the elderly Polish population. Patients and methodsThe analysis used questionnaire data concerning pharmacotherapy for BPH, and utilization of urological services obtained from 2567 elderly male participants in the population-based PolSenior study. ResultsWe found that 645 men (25.1%) received treatment for BPH involving α1-adrenergic antagonists (ARAs) (64.7% of treated), 5α-reductase inhibitors (10.1%), or both drugs simultaneously (21.9%). Only 11 respondents (1.7%) used muscarinic receptor antagonists (MRAs). Over-the-counter drugs were used in addition to other drugs (3.9%) or as the only medication for BPH (3.4%). BPH therapy was supervised by a urologist in 80.9% of men. Men receiving pharmacotherapy for BPH were more likely to be better educated, have had white-collar jobs in the past, live in cities, be nonsmokers, and have higher current personal income. Moreover, they were more likely to utilize urological services. Dependence in activities of daily living was not significantly associated with prevalence of BPH pharmacotherapy or utilization of urological services. ConclusionsMajor socioeconomic correlates of BPH pharmacotherapy in the Polish elderly include income, type of work in the past and lifestyle, and the identified associations could reflect socioeconomic risk factors for not being treated for BPH. ARAs are the most commonly used drugs, while MRAs are underutilized in BPH pharmacotherapy in the surveyed population.

Interrelation between genotypes of the vitamin D receptor gene and serum sex hormone concentrations in the Polish elderly population: the PolSenior study

AimVitamin D co-regulates the synthesis of sex hormones. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of certain genotypes of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) is associated with the serum levels of sex hormones in the elderly Polish population. Materials and methodsThe rs10735810, rs1544410, rs7975232, and rs731236 polymorphisms of VDR, the serum levels of testosterone and estradiol, as well as free estrogen index (FEI) and free androgen index (FAI) were evaluated in 360 women and 400 men aged 65–90years selected from 5695 respondents of the PolSenior survey. ResultsOnly the rs1544410 VDR polymorphism was associated with the serum levels of sex hormones. The prevalence of rs1544410 genotypes was 38% BB, 46% Bb, and 16% bb in women and 41% BB, 44% Bb, and 15% bb in men. In women the frequency of the B allele was p=0.61 and b allele q=0.39, while in men it was p=0.63 and q=0.37, respectively. We found significant differences in the serum testosterone level (p<0.0004) and FAI (p<0.0015) between the rs1544410 genotypes in women but not in men. Higher mean testosterone level and higher mean FAI were observed in women with a rare bb genotype in comparison to a common BB genotype. ConclusionWe hypothesize that in women the increase in VDR expression associated with a rare genotype of the rs1544410 polymorphism of this gene may be associated with an increase in testosterone and FAI levels.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its relation to socioeconomic conditions in an elderly Polish population: results from the national population-based study PolSenior

Rapidly progressing ageing of worldwide populations is likely to increase the occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the next decades. However, until now little is known about the prevalence of CKD in the Polish elderly population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CKD and its relation to socioeconomic conditions in the Polish elderly population. A glomerular filtration rate estimated (eGFR) according to the CKD-EPI formula and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were determined in 3797 out of 4979 randomly selected elderly subjects from the national survey study PolSenior. Additionally, some socioeconomic factors related to the prevalence of CKD were also analysed. The prevalence of CKD in the Polish elderly population was 29.4%. Only 3.2% of elderly subjects with CKD were aware of the disease. CKD was more frequent among urban dwellers, non-smokers, alcohol abstinents and those with low physical activity. Decreased eGFR was more frequent among less educated women, better educated men, blue collar female workers and white collar male workers. Increased albuminuria was associated with low physical activity. (i) CKD affects almost one-third of the elderly Polish population. (ii) In Poland elderly subjects with CKD are usually unaware of their kidney disease. (iii) In Polish elderly population, CKD is more frequently present among urban residents, non-smokers, abstainers and less physically active people. (iv) Only in women is higher educational status related to the lower risk of CKD.

Dental status in the Polish elderly population – Results of the national survey PolSenior

women. High CRP level was strongly associated with hypertension and its more advanced stage only in women (P<0.001). Current but not former smoking was associated with higher CRP levels in the whole group (P<0.001) and in men separately (P<0.005), but not in women which might result from a low number of currently smoking females (84 subjects). Conclusions.– SerumCRP level is ageand sex-related. The high CRP level is associated with female sex, obesity, high blood pressure in women and smoking status in men. (Implemented under publiclyfunded project No. PBZ-MEIN-9/2/2006, Ministry of Science and Higher Education).

Serum C-reactive protein in the elderly Polish population: Results of a community-based study (PolSenior)

Serum C-reactive protein in the elderly Polish population: Results of a community-based study (PolSenior)