Women Of Various Age Groups Research Articles

Detection of cardiovascular risk factors by anthropometric measures in Tehranian adults: receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

To determine optimal cutoff points of anthropometric measures as cardiovascular indicators in an Iranian adult population. : Population-based cross-sectional study. Tehran, the capital of Iran. A total of 10 522 subjects (4449 men and 6073 women) aged 18-74 y. Demographic data were collected and anthropometric indices were measured. Blood pressure was evaluated and hypertension was defined based on JNC VI. Biochemical measurements were done. Diabetes was considered as FBS> or =126 mg/dl (> or =7.0 mmol/l) and dyslipidemia was defined according to ATP II. Risk factors were considered as: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, 'hypertension or diabetes', 'hypertension and diabetes', 'hypertension or dyslipidemia', 'hypertension and dyslipidemia', ' diabetes or dyslipidemia', 'diabetes and dyslipidemia', 'at least one risk factor' and 'at least two risk factors'. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine optimal cutoff values-where the sensitivity approximates specificity. Younger men (the age category of 18-34 y) had higher WC than women. Men had higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and lower waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) than women in all age categories. Dyslipidemia, 'hypertension or dyslipidemia', 'diabetes or dyslipidemia' and 'at least one risk factor' were more prevalent risk categories in both genders. Range of areas under ROC curves for BMI and WC was 0.55-0.94 and 0.56-0.93 for men and 0.41-0.94 and 0.53-0.92 for women in various age groups, respectively. Range of areas for WHpR and WHtR in men was between 0.58-0.87 and 0.56-0.94, respectively, and for women varied between 0.53-0.91 and 0.53-0.90 in various age groups, respectively. Cutoff points of BMI for various risk factors were between 24 and 29 kg/m(2) in men and 25-31 kg/m(2) in women. Range of WHpR was between 0.86 and 0.97 in men and between 0.78 and 0.92 in women. Cutoff points for WC and WHtR were between 80 and 93 cm and 0.47 and 0.56 for men and between 79 and 96 cm and 0.50 and 0.63 for women in different age groups to detect various risk factors, respectively. In general, values were lowest for the most prevalent risk factors and highest for less prevalent conditions. The results suggested cutoff points of anthropometric measures as indicators of cardiovascular risk factors. It seems that these cut-points are higher for Iranians than for other Asian populations. Endocrine Research Center, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

Bone status in healthy Estonian women assessed with quantitative ultrasonometry.

We assessed age-related changes of bone status in healthy Estonian women in various age groups with quantitative ultrasonometry. The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI) of the calcaneus were measured in 288 women. BUA and SI values peaked at 30-39 years of age while SOS peaked at 20-29 years and decreased thereafter. We detected no statistically significant changes between the age groups of 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years. The total age-related decrease was 18% for BUA, 3% for SOS and 29% for SI. We found a statistically significant correlation between bone status and calcium intake, as well as physical activity in the age group over 40 years.

Marriage rate and number of children among young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Japan

The main purpose of our study was to identify the social circumstances and lifestyle of IDDM patients in Japan. The present study focused on the marriage status of both men and women with IDDM as well as the number of children of women with IDDM. A questionnaire was sent to hospitals across the country. Doctors handed it or mailed it to IDDM patients aged 18 years or older. Unsigned answer sheets were returned directly by the patients. Data on the marriage rate and number of children were obtained, and possible factors affecting these indices were assessed. One thousand and thirteen patients (354 men and 659 women) answered the questionnaire. Both men and women with IDDM were less likely to be married in comparison with age-matched Japanese. The number of children of married IDDM women in various age groups was also lower in comparison with the general Japanese female population. Several factors other than diabetes complications including job discrimination, high medical costs, and psychological pressures, were thought to be responsible for these results.

Hypertensive renovasculopathies and the rise of blood pressure with age in Japan and USA.

Arterial intimal fibroplasia in renal interlobular arteries but not arteriolar hyalinization was reported to be proportional to the rise of blood pressure with age in the data from all populations examined so far. New findings from Japan offer further insights into the disparities between the two types of renovasculopathy, both of which are called by the same name, 'arteriolosclerosis'. PAS stained paraffin sections were prepared from specimens obtained at autopsy in Tokyo and New Orleans, emphasizing basal subjects, i.e. those with no cause of death known to be related to hypertension. Severities of fibroplastic vasculopathy, in units of intimal thickness as % of outer diameter, and hyaline vasculopathy, in units of affected arterioles per cm2 of tissue sectional area, were measured morphometrically. Blood pressure data were taken from published population surveys. Fibroplastic renovasculopathy was found to provide a proxy for mean blood pressure (MBP) when comparing groups of men and women of various age groups in the USA and Japan. Hyaline renovasculopathy did not reproduce these patterns. Some of these findings confirm similar results from prior studies, and this reproducibility increases confidence that a true biological difference may exist between these populations.

The incidence of osteoporotic fractures at the University Hospital of Tartu, Estonia.

The incidence of typical osteoporotic bone fractures in 1351 women of various age groups was investigated, using the records of the traumatologic service and the census data. The fracture rates of different localization according to patients age were analyzed. The life style of the patients, previous diseases, used drugs etc. were clarified by questionnaire. The results of study indicated that the risk of falling may be related to menopausal status, self-reported arthritis and use of corticosteroids and diuretics. The most effective preventive measures of osteoporosis are discussed.

The Psychological Effects of Exercise on Non-Clinical and Clinical Populations of Adult Women

A critical review of the research indicates that studies examining the psychological effects of exercise on both non-clinical and clinical populations of adult women of various age groups have increased and improved since the late 1970's/early 1980's. In general, positive results are implied in terms of alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood, and reactivity to psychosocial stressors as well as improving cognition for both populations. Overall, however, even the more recent research continues to suffer qualitative shortcomings. Virtually absent are studies specific to minority and/or lower class non-clinical or clinical female subjects, studies specific to clinical female subjects in general, empirical studies with comparable control groups, and longitudinal and/or follow-up studies. Moreover, the positive results of existing research are limited due to the use of small sample sizes, the use of surveys rather than outcome measures, and the use of personality measures (normally administered to de...

Women and Aerobic Exercise: Directions for Research Development

Abstract Women in Western societies participate in exercise to a much lesser extent than men of similar educational level and social class. This difference tends to increase with age. This article reviews studies examining the physiological and psychological effects of exercise programs, and concludes that middle-aged and older women have the potential to benefit from exercise to much the same degree as men. However, it also identifies a number of limitations to the research reviewed and suggests the need for more systematic programs of investigation. A clearer understanding of the types of exercise which are most appropriate and beneficial to women of various age groups and initial fitness levels would provide a factual basis for the promotion of safe and healthy exercise for women at all stages of the life cycle.

Delayed diagnosis of gynecologic tumors in elderly women: Relation to national medical practice patterns

purpose: To evaluate the hypothesis that less aggressive cancer screening practices might result in later diagnosis of cancer in the elderly, we analyzed the stage of diagnosis of tumors by age in the Connecticut Tumor Registry. patients and methods: Using Registry data from 1960 to 1975 and 1976 to 1983, we compared the proportion of tumors that were diagnosed at a localized stage among white women of various age groups. Thirteen specific tumor sites were analyzed, accounting for 55,688 tumors between 1960 and 1975 and 38,715 tumors between 1976 and 1983. results: Only gynecologic cancers demonstrated a sigificant inverse relationship between the relative proportion of tumors that were diagnosied at a localized stage and advancing patient age during both time periods. Specifically, when the youngest women (aged 25 to 34) were compared with the oldest women (aged 85 and over), between 1960 and 1975, the relative proportion of localized cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer dropped from 98 percent to 59 percent, 92 percent to 77 percent, and 59 percent to 27 percent, respectively. Similar declines were also seen between the intermediate-age groups, and data from 1976 to 1983 demonstrated identical age-related trends. conclusion: Our study reveals that the probability of diagnosing cancer of the cervix, uterus and ovaries at a localized and potentially curable stage decreases with advancing age. Published national health practice patterns demonstrated a similar age-related decline in gynecologic examinations and Pap smears even after adjustment for the exclusion of women who would have undergone previous hysterectomy. This decreasing use of gynecologic examinations may in part explain the age-related decline in localized gynecologic cancers.

Irish Population in the Pre-Famine Period: Evidence from County Antrim

A detailed analysis of data from the 1851 Census of Ireland Enumerators returns suggests that very early marriage was not common in County Antrim during the first half of the nineteenth century. A computer-assisted examination of over 7500 individual marriage partners indicates that the average age of first marriage for men was approximately 26 and for women 24. The proportions of the population never married [are] also examined and clear differences between the marriage rates for men and women of various age groups become apparent. Links between economic status and age at marriage are also investigated and the data suggest that male farmers married considerably later than other occupational groups. (EXCERPT)

Myocardial infarction in women.

In the industrialized countries, the incidence and mortality of myocardial infarction (MI) in young women is much lower than in men of equal ages. This difference decreases with advancing age without any abrupt change at menopause. Scotland and Northern Ireland have the highest mortality rates from coronary heart disease in women, and Scotland the highest in men. Studies on the age variation of the sex ratio based on vital statistics have suggested that male behavior may make a contribution to the elevated mortality in males compared to females regarding not only coronary heart disease but also other causes of death. Studies have shown that uncomplicated angina pectoris has the highest incidence of the various coronary disease manifestations in women. Risk factors include hypertension, serum lipids, smoking, diabetes, obesity, oral contraceptive (OC) use, noncontraceptive estrogen use, and menopause. In a series of 145 women with MI and angina pectoris only 8% had been taking OCs at the time of onset of coronary heart disease. Evidence has been accumulating recently that women using OCs run a higher risk of coronary heart disease with the relative risk increasing with an increasing number of other factors, such as hyperlipemia, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. In 1 study the death rate from circulatory diseases in women who had used OCs was 5 times greater than that of controls who had never used OCs. These findings relate mainly to preparations containing 50 mcg of estrogen. The excess death rate increased with age up to 50 years and with smoking. OCs influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in ways similar to those induced by glucocorticoids such as impairment of oral glucose tolerance with hyperinsulinemia and elevated serum pyruvate levels. Serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels seem to remain relatively unchanged in OC users with a low estrogen content. In 1 study HDL cholesterol levels appeared to be directly related to the estrogen and conversely related to the progestogen content. OCs with both estrogens and progestogens have an intermediate effect on the level of HDL cholesterol. After menopause, estrogen use has not been conclusively linked with an increased risk, but the importance of estrogen in the causation of the disease should not be ignored. There is support for familial aggregation of coronary heart disease in women but the role of environmental and genetic contributions to this is unclear. Further studies are needed of the sex-related differences in coronary heart disease among men and women of various age groups so that understanding of basic disease factors may be gained.

AN INTERIM AUSTRALIAN VERSION OF THE JEBSEN TEST OF HAND FUNCTION

An objective test of hand function, standardized for adults in the USA, has been adapted and standardized for the normal adult population of the Brisbane metropolitan area. Test items have been chosen to correspond as accurately as possible with the original test items, and all are readily available. The Australian version is quick to administer, and comprises eight test items, chosen to provide a broad sampling of hand function. Percentile norms are provided for dominant and non-dominant hands for men and women in various age-groups, ranging from 16 to 90 years.

Serum protein-bound carbohydrates in aging men and women.

Carbohydrate components of serum glycoproteins were analysed in 162 men and 48 women of various age groups. All components studied, namely amino-sugars, hexoses and neuraminic acid increased with age in men. In women only the hexoses level increased with age while the contents of amino-sugars and of neuraminic acid decreased with age, especially after the age of 30. The statistical analysis showed that women had a higher content of hexoses and a lower one of neuraminic acid than the men of the same age groups. The amino-sugar content was higher in women up to 30 years and lower in older women in comparison to men. It is assumed that these changes are due to changes in the steroid hormones with age.

The Huggins cancer test on 700 normal persons.

SummaryThe iodoacetate index was determined on 700 apparently healthy men and women of various age groups and found to be greater than 9.3 in all instances except in six cases in which normal values were obtained on repetition of the test. Seventy-five percent of the persons tested were less than 24 years of age.