Intensive nutrition counseling as part of a multi-component weight loss intervention improves diet quality and anthropometrics in older adults with obesity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obesity significantly impacts older adults. Intensive nutrition counseling can aid in weight reduction and improve diet quality, but data are sparse in this population. The objective of this intervention is to determine how intensive nutrition counseling affects diet quality and anthropometric measures during a multi-component weight loss intervention in rural older adults with obesity.

METHODS

A series of 12-week, single-arm feasibility pilots were conducted in fall 2017 and winter/spring 2018 in a community aging center in rural Northern New England. Adults were eligible if ≥ 65 years old with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m². Exclusion criteria included dementia/cognitive impairment, uncontrolled psychiatric illness, weight-loss surgery, weight loss >5% in previous 6-months, life-threatening illness, palliative/hospice services, current participation in another weight-loss study/program, obesogenic medications, or presence of major chronic conditions. Participants received once-weekly nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), and twice-weekly exercise sessions by a physical therapist (PT). Primary outcomes were diet quality changes measured by total Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Patients-Short Version (REAP-S) and Automated Self-Administered 24-h dietary recall (ASA-24). Secondary outcome measures were changes in weight (kilograms) and waist circumference (centimeters). McNemar test was conducted for all paired categorical data while paired t-tests were conducted for all paired continuous data. All analyses were conducted in R; p-value<0.05 was significant.

RESULTS

Total n = 23. Mean age was 72.2 (5.8) years (73.9% female); mean BMI was 35.9 ± 5.0 kg/m². At 12 weeks, diet quality significantly improved. REAP-S scores increased by 3.53 ± 3.13 points (p < 0.001). Kilocalories, grams fat, grams saturated fat, milligrams sodium, grams added sugar, and grams alcohol via ASA-24 significantly decreased (all p < 0.05). Significant reductions in weight (-5.22 ± 3.13 kg) and waist circumference (-6.88 ± 5.67 cm) were observed (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Intensive nutrition counseling significantly enhances diet quality and reduces weight and waist circumference in rural older adults with obesity.

A Community-Based Feasibility Study of Weight-Loss in Rural, Older Adults with Obesity

This study was a 12-week feasibility weight-loss intervention consisting of caloric restriction and aerobic/resistance exercise in older adults with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) in a geographically isolated area. Primary outcomes assessed weight and physical function. Mean age was 71.0 ± 5.1 years (67% female). Individuals completed 100% of all assessments, attended 88% of the physical therapy classes and 89% of the nutrition sessions. Level of satisfaction (5-point Likert) was high (5.0, 1 - low; 5 - high). Weight decreased from 93.7 ± 9.7 to 89.4 ± 4.0 kg (p < 0.001). Mean BMI and waist circumference decreased, respectively, from 35.4 ± 3.4 to 33.6 ± 3.7 (p < 0.001), and 116.3 ± 7.5 to 108.7 ± 9.2 cm (p = 0.002). Grip strength, gait speed, and 5-times sit-to-stand time all improved from 29.2 ± 7.5 to 35.2 ± 6.7 kg (p = 0.006), 1.16 ± 0.21 to 1.35 ± 0.23 m/s (p = 0.004), and 12.5 ± 4.0 to 9.6 ± 1.7s (p = 0.02). The intervention was feasible and acceptable, and holds promise in promoting weight loss with a concomitant improvement in physical function in older adults.

Weight change and risk of the foundation of National Institute of Health Sarcopenia-defined low lean mass: Data from the National Health and Nutrition examination surveys 1999-2004

BACKGROUND

Self-reported weight change may lead to adverse outcomes. We evaluated weight change with cutpoints of low lean mass (LLM) in older adults.

METHODS

Of 4984 subjects ≥60 years from NHANES 1999-2004, we applied LLM cutoffs of appendicular lean mass (ALM):body mass index (BMI) males<0.789, females<0.512. Self-reported weight was assessed at time of survey, and questions asked participants their weight one and 10 years earlier, and at age 25. Weight changes were categorized as greater/less/none than 5%. Logistic regression assessed weight change (gain, loss, no change) on LLM, after adjustment.

RESULTS

Of 4984 participants (56.5% female), mean age and BMI were 71.1 years and 28.2 kg/m2. Mean ALM was 19.7 kg. In those with LLM, 13.5% and 16.3% gained/lost weight in the past year, while 48.9% and 19.4% gained/lost weight in the past decade. Compared to weight at age 25, 85.2 and 6.1% of LLM participants gained and lost ≥5% of their weight, respectively. Weight gain over the past year was associated with a higher risk of LLM (OR 1.35 [0.99,1.87]) compared to weight loss ≥5% over the past year (0.89 [0.70,1.12]). Weight gain (≥5%) over 10-years was associated with a higher risk of LLM (OR 2.03 [1.66, 2.49]) while weight loss (≥5%) was associated with a lower risk (OR 0.98 [0.76,1.28]). Results were robust compared to weight at 25 years (gain OR 2.37 [1.76,3.20]; loss OR 0.95 [0.65,1.39]).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported weight gain suggests an increased risk of LLM. Future studies need to verify the relationship with physical function.

Reported Weight Change in Older Adults and Presence of Frailty

OBJECTIVE

A 5% change in weight is a significant predictor for frailty and obesity. We ascertained how self-reported weight change over the lifespan impacts rates of frailty in older adults.

METHODS

We identified 4,984 subjects ≥60 years with body composition measures from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. An adapted version of Fried's frailty criteria was used as the primary outcome. Self-reported weight was assessed at time current,1 and 10 years earlier and at age 25. Weight changes between each time point were categorized as ≥ 5%, ≤5% or neutral. Logistic regression assessed the impact of weight change on the outcome of frailty.

RESULTS

Among 4,984 participants, 56.5% were female, mean age was 71.1 years, and mean BMI was 28.2kg/m2. A weight loss of ≥ 5% had a higher association with frailty compared to current weight, age 25 (OR 2.94 [1.72,5.02]), 10 years ago (OR 1.68 [1.05,2.69]), and 1 year ago (OR 1.55 [1.02,2.36]). Weight gain in the last year was associated with increased rate of frailty (1.59 [1.09,2.32]).

CONCLUSION

There is an association between frailty and reported weight loss over time while only weight gain in the last year has an association with frailty.

MethylNet: an automated and modular deep learning approach for DNA methylation analysis

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation (DNAm) is an epigenetic regulator of gene expression programs that can be altered by environmental exposures, aging, and in pathogenesis. Traditional analyses that associate DNAm alterations with phenotypes suffer from multiple hypothesis testing and multi-collinearity due to the high-dimensional, continuous, interacting and non-linear nature of the data. Deep learning analyses have shown much promise to study disease heterogeneity. DNAm deep learning approaches have not yet been formalized into user-friendly frameworks for execution, training, and interpreting models. Here, we describe MethylNet, a DNAm deep learning method that can construct embeddings, make predictions, generate new data, and uncover unknown heterogeneity with minimal user supervision.

RESULTS

The results of our experiments indicate that MethylNet can study cellular differences, grasp higher order information of cancer sub-types, estimate age and capture factors associated with smoking in concordance with known differences.

CONCLUSION

The ability of MethylNet to capture nonlinear interactions presents an opportunity for further study of unknown disease, cellular heterogeneity and aging processes.

Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Functional Limitations in Older Adults from 2005-2014 NHANES

Background: Food insecurity refers to the physical, social, and economic inability to access and secure sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Food insecurity has been found to be associated with poor health status, obesity, and chronic disease. To date, a relationship between food insecurity and functional limitations has not been described in of older adults. Methods: We examined 9309 adults ≥60 years old from the 2005-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Food security was categorized as full, marginal, low, and very low. Functional limitations were assessed as having difficulty in physical, basic or instrumental activities of daily living. Results: Of adults ≥60 years old (mean age: 70.5 ± 0.08, 51% female), the prevalence of full, marginal, low, or very low food insecurity was 7572 (81%), 717 (7%), 667 (8%), and 353 (4%), respectively. The prevalence of any functional limitations was 5895 (66.3%). The adjusted odds (OR [95%CI]) of having any functional limitation in marginal, low, and very low food security levels compared to full food security are: 1.08 [1.02-1.13], 1.16 [1.10-1.22], 1.14 [1.07-1.21], respectively. The association between levels of food insecurity and functional limitation is modified by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Functional limitation is significantly associated with increasing food insecurity in older adults.

Varying Levels of Food Insecurity Associated with Clinically Relevant Depressive Symptoms in U.S. Adults Aged 60 Years and Over: Results from the 2005-2014 National Health and Nutrition Survey

Food insecurity refers to restricted or uncertain access to and ineffective utilization of nutritious and safe foods. Although food insecurity is linked to poorer physical health consequences among older adults, national estimates are not well known on food insecurity and depression. Using the 2005-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study examines the associations between varying food insecurity levels and clinically relevant depressive symptoms (defined by PHQ-9 ≥ 10) among adults ≥60 years old (n = 7969). Rates of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in marginal, low, and very low food security were 12.3, 16.3, and 25.2%, respectively. Marginal, low, and very low food security were significantly associated with clinically relevant depressive symptoms: odds ratio (OR) = 1.12 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.07-1.18), OR = 1.07 (95% CI 1.03-1.12), and OR = 1.24 (95% CI 1.16-1.32), respectively. Given the intersection of food insecurity and depression, geriatric health professionals should work to improve health and nutrition programs for older adults at risk for or experiencing both public health concerns.

Development and Implementation of a Person-Centered, Technology-Enhanced Care Model For Managing Chronic Conditions: Cohort Study

Background

Caring for individuals with chronic conditions is labor intensive, requiring ongoing appointments, treatments, and support. The growing number of individuals with chronic conditions makes this support model unsustainably burdensome on health care systems globally. Mobile health technologies are increasingly being used throughout health care to facilitate communication, track disease, and provide educational support to patients. Such technologies show promise, yet they are not being used to their full extent within US health care systems.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of staff and costs of a remote monitoring care model in persons with and without a chronic condition.

Methods

At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, 2894 employees volunteered to monitor their health, transmit data for analysis, and communicate digitally with a care team. Volunteers received Bluetooth-connected consumer-grade devices that were paired to a mobile phone app that facilitated digital communication with nursing and health behavior change staff. Health data were collected and automatically analyzed, and behavioral support communications were generated based on those analyses. Care support staff were automatically alerted according to purpose-developed algorithms. In a subgroup of participants and matched controls, we used difference-in-difference techniques to examine changes in per capita expenditures.

Results

Participants averaged 41 years of age; 72.70% (2104/2894) were female and 12.99% (376/2894) had at least one chronic condition. On average each month, participants submitted 23 vital sign measurements, engaged in 1.96 conversations, and received 0.25 automated messages. Persons with chronic conditions accounted for 39.74% (8587/21,607) of all staff conversations, with higher per capita conversation rates for all shifts compared to those without chronic conditions (P<.001). Additionally, persons with chronic conditions engaged nursing staff more than those without chronic conditions (1.40 and 0.19 per capita conversations, respectively, P<.001). When compared to the same period in the prior year, per capita health care expenditures for persons with chronic conditions dropped by 15% (P=.06) more than did those for matched controls.

Conclusions

The technology-based chronic condition management care model was frequently used and demonstrated potential for cost savings among participants with chronic conditions. While further studies are necessary, this model appears to be a promising solution to efficiently provide patients with personalized care, when and where they need it.

Comparing Three Methods for Reducing Psychotropic Use in Older Demented Spanish Care Home Residents

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

In nursing homes across the world, and particularly in Spain, there are concerns that psychotropic medications are being overused. For older Spanish nursing home residents who had dementia, we sought to evaluate the association between applying interventions designed to reduce inappropriate psychotropic medication use and subsequent psychotropic use.

DESIGN

Retrospective, propensity score-matched, controlled, patient-level observational analysis.

SETTING

A total of 45 nursing homes in Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1653 nursing home residents, aged 70 to 99 years, who had dementia and were prescribed an antipsychotic, anxiolytic, or antidepressant medication, 606 of whom received an intervention; the remainder served as propensity score-matched controls.

INTERVENTION

Team Rounds, Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria, or a Patient Decision Aid.

MEASUREMENTS

At 2 and 4 weeks following intervention: change from baseline drug class-specific milligram-equivalent daily dose (MEDD); at 2 weeks: patient falls and restraint use.

RESULTS

Within each intervention/drug-class cohort, intervention patients and matched controls had similar baseline demographic characteristics, Charlson scores, lengths of admission, and drug class-specific MEDDs. Compared to controls, patients exposed to Team Rounds experienced a 23.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 13.9%-32.8%) reduction in antipsychotic and a 23.1% (95% CI = 18.3%-28.0%) reduction in anxiolytic MEDDs; those exposed to Patient Decision Aids had a 24.8% (95% CI = 15.6%-33.9%) reduction in antipsychotic and a 31.8% (95% CI = 25.5%-38.2%) reduction in anxiolytic MEDDs; and those exposed to STOPP/START application had a 27.7% (95% CI = 22.4%-33.0%) reduction in antipsychotic and a 39.5% (95% CI = 35.5%-43.5%) reduction in anxiolytic MEDDs. Intervention-associated antidepressant MEDD reductions were statistically significant but less dramatic. Interventions were associated with higher rates of medication discontinuation, but not higher rates of deaths, patient falls, or physical restraints.

CONCLUSION

We found strong evidence that the interventions we studied were associated with reduced psychotropic use without commensurate harms, suggesting that such interventions should be incorporated into Spanish nursing home care models. Public reporting of psychotropic medication use in Spanish care homes may encourage care homes to regularly monitor psychotropic medication use and implement such instruments. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2019.

Development and Usability Assessment of a Connected Resistance Exercise Band Application for Strength-Monitoring

Resistance exercise bands are a core component of any physical activity strengthening program. Strength training can mitigate the development of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass or strength and function with aging. Yet, the adherence of such behavioral exercise strategies in a home-based setting are fraught with issues of monitoring and compliance. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band capable of transmitting data to an open-source platform. In this work, we developed an application to capture this information in real-time, and conducted three usability studies in two mixed-aged groups of participants (n=6 each) and a group of older adults with obesity participating in a weight-loss intervention (n=20). The system was favorable, acceptable and provided iterative information that could assist in future deployment on ubiquitous platforms. Our formative work provides the foundation to deliver home-based monitoring interventions in a high-risk, older adult population.

Development and Usability Assessment of a Connected Resistance Exercise Band Application for Strength-Monitoring

Resistance exercise bands are a core component of any physical activity strengthening program. Strength training can mitigate the development of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass or strength and function with aging. Yet, the adherence of such behavioral exercise strategies in a home-based setting are fraught with issues of monitoring and compliance. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band capable of transmitting data to an open-source platform. In this work, we developed an application to capture this information in real-time, and conducted three usability studies in two mixed-aged groups of participants (n=6 each) and a group of older adults with obesity participating in a weight-loss intervention (n=20). The system was favorable, acceptable and provided iterative information that could assist in future deployment on ubiquitous platforms. Our formative work provides the foundation to deliver home-based monitoring interventions in a high-risk, older adult population.

Bring on the Machines: Could Machine Learning Improve the Quality of Patient Education Materials? A Systematic Search and Rapid Review

PURPOSE

Clear and trustworthy information is essential for people who are ill. People with cancer, in particular, are targeted with vast quantities of patient education material, but of variable quality. Machine learning technologies are popular across industries for automated tasks, like analyzing language and spotting readability issues. With the experience of patients with cancer in mind, we reviewed whether anyone has proposed, modeled, or applied machine learning technologies for the assessment of patient education materials and explored the utility of this application.

METHODS

We systematically searched the literature to identify English-language articles published in peer-reviewed journals or as conference abstracts that proposed, used, or modeled the use of machine learning technology to assess patient education materials. Specifically, we searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Compendex. Two reviewers assessed study eligibility and performed study screening.

RESULTS

We identified 1,570 publications in our search after duplicate removal. After screening, we included five projects (detailed in nine articles) that proposed, modeled, or used machine learning technology to assess the quality of patient education materials. We evaluated the utility of each application across four domains: multidimensionality (2 of 5 applications), patient centeredness (1 of 5 applications), customizability (0 of 5 applications), and development stage (theoretical, 1 of 5 applications; in development, 3 of 5 applications; complete and available, 1 of 5 applications). Combining points across each domain, the mean utlity score across included projects was 1.8 of 5 possible points.

CONCLUSION

Given its potential, machine learning has not yet been leveraged substantially in the assessment of patient education materials. We propose machine learning systems that can dynamically identify problematic language and content by assessing the quality of patient education materials across a range of flexible, customizable criteria. Assessment may help patients and families decide which materials to use and encourage developers to improve materials overall.

Detection and Monitoring of Repetitions Using an mHealth-Enabled Resistance Band

Sarcopenia is defined as an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength which impairs physical function leading to disability and frailty. Resistance exercises are effective treatments for sarcopenia and are critical in mitigating weight-loss induced sarcopenia in older adults attempting to lose weight. Yet, adherence to home-based regimens, which is a cornerstone to lifestyle therapies, is poor and cannot be ascertained by clinicians as no objective methods exist to determine patient compliance outside of a supervised setting. Our group developed a Bluetooth connected resistance band that tests the ability to detect exercise repetitions. We recruited 6 patients aged 65 years and older and recorded 4 specific, physical therapist-led exercises. Three blinded reviewers examined the findings and we also applied a peak Ending algorithm to the data. There were 16.6 repetitions per exercise across reviewers, with an intraclass correlation of 0.912 (95%CI: 0.853-0.953, p<0.001) between reviewers and the algorithm. Using this novel resistance band, we feasibly detected repetition of exercises in older adults.

Personal history of proliferative breast disease with atypia and risk of multifocal breast cancer

BACKGROUND

A history of proliferative breast disease with atypia (PBDA) may be indicative of an increased risk not just of breast cancer but also of a more aggressive form of breast cancer.

METHODS

Multifocal breast cancer (MFBC), defined as 2 or more tumors in the same breast upon a diagnosis of cancer, is associated with a poorer prognosis than unifocal (single-tumor) breast cancer. PBDA, including atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia, is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Using New Hampshire Mammography Network data collected for 3567 women diagnosed with incident breast cancer from 2004 to 2014, this study assessed the risk of MFBC associated with a previous diagnosis of PBDA.

RESULTS

Women with a history of PBDA were found to be twice as likely to be subsequently diagnosed with MFBC as women with no history of benign breast disease (BBD; odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-4.61). Ductal carcinoma in situ on initial biopsy was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of MFBC in comparison with invasive cancer (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.58-2.88). BBD and proliferative BBD without atypia were not associated with MFBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with a history of previous PBDA may be at increased risk for MFBC. Women with a history of PBDA may benefit from additional presurgical clinical workup. Cancer 2018;124:1350-7. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Usability testing of a prototype Phone Oximeter with healthcare providers in high- and low-medical resource environments

To increase the use of pulse oximetry by capitalise on the wide availability of mobile phones, we have designed, developed and evaluated a prototype pulse oximeter interfaced to a mobile phone. Usability of this Phone Oximeter was tested as part of a rapid prototyping process. Phase 1 of the study (20 subjects) was performed in Canada. Users performed 23 tasks, while thinking aloud. Time for completion of tasks and analysis of user response to a mobile phone usability questionnaire were used to evaluate usability. Five interface improvements were made to the prototype before evaluation in Phase 2 (15 subjects) in Uganda. The lack of previous pulse oximetry experience and mobile phone use increased median (IQR [range]) time taken to perform tasks from 219 (160-247 [118-274]) s in Phase 1 to 228 (151-501 [111-2661]) s in Phase 2. User feedback was positive and overall usability high (Phase 1--82%, Phase 2--78%).

Evaluation of left ventricular mass measured by 3D echocardiography using magnetic resonance imaging as gold standard

OBJECTIVE

Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but can be reversed with proper treatment of the underlying cause. Therefore accurate as well as reproducible methods for diagnosis and follow-up are needed. We evaluated different modalities by which to measure LVM in patients with no known LVH using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard: ECG using the formulae proposed by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell, 2D echocardiography and 3D echocardiography.

METHODS

34 subjects were included in the study; 17 had a history of myocardial infarction, 7 had pulmonary hypertension and 10 were healthy. All patients and controls had a standard 12-lead ECG, a transthoracic 2D and 3D echocardiographic study and a cardiac MRI.

RESULTS

ECG estimates of LVM correlated poorly with LVM by MRI (r = 0.18, NS and 0.16, NS for Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell, respectively), whereas a moderate correlation between 2D and 3D echocardiography and MRI was observed (r = 0.63, p<0.001 and r = 0.74, p<0.001, respectively). All methods were reproducible with no significant bias.

CONCLUSION

LVM measured by 3D echocardiography is highly accurate compared to LVM measured by MRI. LVM calculated from 2D echocardiography also proved useful, whereas estimates of LVM by ECG are inaccurate in a non-hypertrophic population.

Comparison between two artificial shelter units and timed manual collections for detecting peridomestic Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in rural northwestern Argentina

A new artificial shelter unit was compared with segments of bamboo cane lined with pleated filter paper for detecting peridomestic Triatoma infestans Klug at Amamá and nearby rural villages in northwestern Argentina. The new shelter unit consisted of a black plastic, wide-mouthed jar with a screw cap on the top, and a removable central structure made of pleated corrugated paper. In devices exposed from February to December 1999 at 24 sites positive for T. infestans by timed manual collections with an irritant in April 1999, the cumulative percentage of sites with any sign of infestation detected by the shelter unit increased from 71% after 2 mo to 96% after 10 mo, whereas bamboo cane units concurrently detected only 12-42% of the sites. Sensitivity increased with time of exposure and the abundance of T. infestans per site. In 19 sites negative for T. infestans by inspection, shelters increasingly detected infestation at 16-63% of sites after 10 mo, whereas the bamboo canes only detected one infestation. Shelter units inspected three times over an 11-mo period were significantly more sensitive than a single manual search with an irritant performed in March 2000. Our study provided conclusive field evidence that the shelter unit was more sensitive for detecting peridomestic T. infestans than were timed manual searches, the standard reference method, or bamboo cane units. Rapid timed searches by skilled bug collectors during the early surveillance phase overlooked many peridomestic populations that, in the absence of control, inevitably would increase in abundance and repopulate treated areas.

Serial changes in atrial natriuretic peptide and endothelin-1 concentrations. Their relationships to the cardiac performance of patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction

AIM

The study was designed to assess temporal changes in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and endothelin-1 (ET) concentrations in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and their relationships to cardiac performance determined by radionuclide ventriculography.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

20 patients with first AMI were studied. Blood samples were drawn within the first 4-18 h, after 18-24 h, and on days 2, 3 and 6. Plasma concentrations of ANP and ET were measured in blood samples taken simultaneously. Radionuclide ventriculography was performed on the day of discharge to determine left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left-ventricular end-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index and left-ventricular stroke volume index.

RESULTS

Median concentrations of ET decreased from 2.15 pmol/l on admission to 1.45 pmol/l at discharge (32%, p < 0.001). Median ANP rose from 29 to 79 pg/ml (172%, p < 0.001). The increment in ANP and the decrease in ET concentrations from admission to discharge was inversely correlated (r = -0.81, p < 0.005). ANP was inversely correlated to LVEF (r = -0.82, p < 0.001) and to the end-systolic volume index at discharge (r = -0.73, p < 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic and inverse fluctuations in ET and ANP occur within the 1st week of AMI. The magnitude of endocrine activation in the ANP-ET system seems to reflect an impairment in the left-ventricular systolic performance.

Reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale in the assessment of plantarflexor muscle spasticity in patients with traumatic brain injury

Although the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is commonly used to assess the severity of muscle spasticity for ankle plantarflexors, its reliability has only been established for elbow muscles. Interrater reliability, intrarater reliability and temporal (between-days) reliability were examined in this study. Also, interrater reliability for use of the scale with plantarflexors was compared with reported results from the measurement of elbow flexors. Thirty adult volunteers with traumatic brain injuries participated. There were 20 men and 10 women; the mean age was 28.3 years (SD = 10.8). Two physical therapists used the MAS to score the subjects independently. Measurements were repeated to yield multiple scores for intrarater reliability assessment. Twenty-one of the subjects returned individually on separate days to be measured again, so that temporal reliability could be assessed. Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.73 for interrater reliability 0.74 and 0.55 for intrarater reliability, and 0.82 for temporal reliability. Overall, reliability of the MAS for assessing plantarflexor spasticity in patients with traumatic brain injury was found to be minimally adequate to support its continued use. However, interrater reliability was less than that which has been reported for elbow flexors, and intrarater reliability findings were mixed.

[Embolic episodes after treatment of atrial fibrillation in a patient with thyrotoxicosis]

Thyrotoxic artrial fibrillation is well known and occurs in 10-30% of all patients with thyrotoxicosis. The risk of systemic embolism has been found to be 10-40% in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation. We present a case of 53 year-old man, a healthy and active athlete, with atrial fibrillation and thyrotoxicosis. He was treated with a beta-blocking agent (sotalol) and sent home. Seven days later, he suffered systemic arterial emboli, one in the right arm and one in the left leg. After embolectomy the patient started anticoagulation and no further complications occurred. Previous studies are discussed, and the following conclusions made. When taken together the data suggest that the rate of embolism in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation exceeds that of non-thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation unassociated with rheumatic heart disease. The majority of clinically evident embolic events that occur in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation involve the central nervous system. The rate of embolic events appears to be greatest early in the course of thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation, but may persist for some weeks after conversion and may be particularly high in patients with associated heart failure. It is suggested that anticoagulation therapy should be considered in these patients.

Beta 2-microglobulin expression of AIDS-related and classical Kaposi's sarcoma

The expression of beta 2-microglobulin, the invariable light chain of HLA class I molecules, of Kaposi's sarcoma from 11 AIDS patients and from 11 patients without known immunodeficiency was studied by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody to beta 2-microglobulin. The staining intensity of spindle cells in these lesions was scored in a semiquantitative system. We found that the spindle cells of Kaposi's sarcomas from AIDS patients showed significantly increased staining intensity for beta 2-microglobulin compared to those of Kaposi's sarcomas from non-AIDS patients. The results may indicate that Kaposi's sarcomas developing in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, are not subject to immune selection by T cells eliminating HLA class I high-expressing tumor cells, while this may be the case in non-AIDS patients. Alternatively, the results may be caused by differences in the activity of cytokines, which upregulate the expression of HLA class I molecules on the cell surface.

Changes in left and right ventricular performance and volumes in seven-year survivors of acute myocardial infarction

We describe the spontaneous long-term changes in right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular performance during a 7-year period after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Radionuclide ventriculography was performed in the second week after AMI in 201 patients. RV and LV ejection fractions, and LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were determined. A follow-up after 7 years was performed in 55 survivors. Of these, 16 patients were also examined after 1 year. During the 7-year follow-up period, LV ejection fraction decreased from 0.49 to 0.45 (p < 0.01). LV end-diastolic volume increased from 161 to 210 ml (30%) (p < 0.01), and LV end-systolic volume from 83 to 123 ml (48%) (p < 0.01). In patients without recurrent AMI, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy (n = 37) during follow-up, no change in average LV ejection fraction was observed. Nevertheless, this subgroup had substantial increases in LV end-diastolic volume, from 157 to 190 ml (21%) (p = 0.002) and in LV end-systolic volume, from 80 to 105 ml (31%) (p < 0.001). In a subgroup of patients also reinvestigated after 1 year (n = 16), there was a 15% increase in LV end-diastolic volume the first year after AMI with an additional 10% increase in LV end-diastolic volume between years 1 and 7. Corresponding figures for LV end-systolic volume were 20% and 12%, respectively. Hardly any association was apparent between LV ejection fraction, LV end-diastolic volume, and LV stroke volume at discharge for subsequent LV dilatation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)