The Functional Independence Measure proved to be a promising tool for monitoring the functional status of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, especially in the subgroup with complications.

Déficit Cognitivo: mais uma Complicação do Diabetes Melito?RESUMO com o envelhecimento da população, as doenças crônicas serão mais prevalentes, como o diabetes melito (dM) e aquelas caracterizadas por disfunções cognitivas, como as demências. Alguns estudos mostraram associação do dM e outros fatores de risco cardiovascular associados a distúrbios cognitivos. Além das complicações vasculares, estudos sugerem ação da hiperglicemia e dos produtos avançados finais de glicação (PAFg) em estresse oxidativo e acúmulo de substân-cia β-amilóide intracerebral. outros fatores também vêm sendo investigados, como o papel da insulinemia, da genética e do igF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). estudos mostraram que o bom controle glicêmico e a ingestão de dieta rica em gordura poliinsaturada, ômega-3 ou alimentos antioxidantes podem ter papel protetor contra os déficits cognitivos. esclarecimentos sobre a associação entre dM e cognição e sua fisiopatologia podem ser essenciais para a prevenção e o tratamento de déficits cognitivos, levando a impacto positivo sobre a qualidade de vida dos pacientes idosos com dM. As the population getting older, the chronic diseases will be more prevalent as diabetes mellitus (dM) and diseases characterized by cognitive deficits, as dementia. studies have already shown an association between dM and cardiovascular risk factors associated with cognitive impairment. Besides the vascular complications of dM, studies have proposed the role of hyperglycemia and advanced glycosilation end products (AgeP) causing oxidative stress and β-amiloid protein brain deposition. other factors have also been investigated, such as the role of insulinemia, genetic and igF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). some studies showed that good glucose control and intake of poli-unsaturated fat, Ômega-3 or anti-oxidative food can play a protector role against cognitive deficits. improving knowledge about the association between dM and cognition and its physiopathology, can be essential for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment, leading to a beneficial impact on the quality of life of elderly patients with dM. (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2008; 52/7:1076-1083)

The association between total mortality, lipoproteinS, and inflammatory markers, and their implications with aging and longevity are often controversial. Among the most often studied markers are low HDL cholesterol and high C-reactive protein. Particularly in octogenarians, it is expected that the impact of the inclusion of HDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein will improve the stratification of absolute cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we performed a literature review in PubMed about the relation between HDL cholesterol, inflammation and longevity. Applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria adopted, we selected 30 studies, among which one systematic review on the relation between HDL cholesterol and stroke, one meta-analysis on the relation between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol with mortality, 22 longitudinal studies, and six cross-sectional studies. The results show an inverse association between HDL cholesterol and total mortality, and between cardiovascular mortality and C-reactive protein, as well as a positive association between C-reactive protein and mortality in longevous individuals. C-reactive protein and HDL cholesterol displayed promising characteristics as predictors of cardiovascular mortality in longevous elderly persons.

Background: Because the consequences of the lifestyle changes in older adults associated with the social isolation imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not fully understood, here, we investigated the effects of one year of social isolation imposed by COVID-19 on the metabolic parameters and functional physical capacity of older women who regularly practiced physical exercises before the pandemic. Methods: Systemic lipid and protein profiles, estimated creatinine clearance (ECC), and functional physical capacity (FPC) were assessed before (January-February 2020) and 12 months after social isolation in 30 older women (mean age 73.77 ± 6.22) who were engaged in a combined-exercise training program for at least 3 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this group, we observed increased plasma levels of triglycerides and creatinine, an increase in the time necessary to perform gait speed and time-up-and-go tests, and reduced muscle strength assessed by the handgrip test and ECC post-COVID-19 pandemic relative to values recorded pre-pandemic. In addition, we observed significant correlations (both negative and positive) between anthropometric, some metabolic parameters, and physical tests. Conclusion: One year of interruption of physical exercise practice imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered some systemic metabolic parameters and worsened ECC and FPC in older women.

Background: The Brazilian population has aged rapidly. The oldest old, defined as persons aged 80 years or older, is the fastest growing segment of the Brazilian population. Several instruments have been used to assess the cognitive performance of the older people and predict dementia. One of the most commonly used is the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between baseline MMSE score and the incidence of dementia in a Brazilian cohort of independent oldest old. Methods: Sociodemographic data and serial cognitive assessment of 248 older adults were analyzed. Results: Mean follow-up time of subjects was 4.0(±1.9) years, 71.4% were women, and mean MMSE score at entry was 25(±3.5). Mean MMSE scores at baseline were significantly higher (p=0.001) in the cognitively intact group than in those who developed dementia. The logistic regression showed that for a one point increase in MMSE score at baseline there was a 10% reduction in the probability of dementia. Conclusions: In the Brazilian scenario of a rapidly growing population of oldest old, the extensive use of the MMSE gives rise to the need not only to determine its effectiveness for screening dementia, but also to interpret its score in terms of future conversion to dementia.