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Background: Obesity is pathophysiologically complex in older adults compared to that in young and middle-aged adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the appropriate body mass index (BMI) range based on geriatric evaluation parameters in which complications can be minimized in older adults. Methods: A total of 1,051 older adult patients who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment were included. The patients’ demographic characteristics, comorbid diseases, number of drugs, BMI, basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL), Tinetti balance and walking scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, Mini-Mental State Examination, Time Up and Go test, and handgrip strength measurement were extracted from patient records.Results: Of the patients who took part, 73% were female, and the mean age was 77.22±7.10 years. The most negative results were observed in those with a BMI <25 kg/m2 and in those with a BMI >35 kg/m2. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the optimum BMI cutoff levels to detect the desirable values of geriatric assessment parameters was found to be 31–32 and 27–28 kg/m2 for female and male, respectively.Conclusion: Older adults with BMI <25 and >35 kg/m2 were at a higher risk of a decrease in functional capacity, and experienced gait and balance problems, fall risk, decrease in muscle strength, and malnutrition. Data from this study suggest that the optimum range of BMI levels for older adults is 31–32 and 27–28 kg/m2 for female and male, respectively.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between fear of falling/the degree of fear of falling (FoF) and orthostatic hypotension (OH) in older adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 314 older outpatients. If the total score of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International scale was 16-19, 20-27 and ≥28, it was assumed that there was low FoF, moderate FoF, and high FoF, respectively. OH was evaluated for the 1st (OH1) and 3rd (OH3) minutes, after transitioning from the supine position to standing. Participants were aged 65 to 93 years (mean age 74.2±8.5 years) and 193 (61.5%) were female. Among FoF groups, significant differences were found for age, gender, education, marital status, who the patient lived with, the history of falling and hypertension, Timed Up-Go test score, and hemoglobin levels (p <0.005). The prevalence of OH1 and OH3 were found to be significantly higher in those with a FoF score of 20 and above than those below 20 (p <0.005). After adjustment for potential confounders, participants who reported a high FoF had higher risk for OH1 and OH3 (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.14-4.0, p=0.017; and OR:2.72, 95% CI:1.46-5.09, p=0.002, respectively), but those with moderate FoF had no increased risk of having OH compared to low FoF (p>0.05). There is a close relationship between high FoF and OH in older adults.Therefore, when evaluating an older patient with OH, FoF should be evaluated, or FoF should also be questioned in older patients with OH.

Introduction: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are predictive of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. We investigated LDH isoenzyme levels to identify the tissue responsible for serum LDH elevation in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with serum LDH levels exceeding the upper limit of normal were included. LDH isoenzymes were detected quantitatively on agarose gels. The radiological severity of lung involvement on computed tomography was scored as 0–5 for each lobe (total possible score, 0–25). Disease severity was determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical progression scale. Results: In total, 111 patients (mean age, 59.96 ± 16.14), including 43 females (38.7%), were enrolled. The serum levels of total LDH and all five LDH isoenzymes were significantly higher in the severe group. The levels of all LDH isoenzymes excluding LDH5 positively correlated with the WHO score. LDH3 levels correlated with chest computed tomography findings (r2 = 0.267, p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, LDH3 was an independent risk factor for the deterioration of COVID-19. Discussion: LDH3 appears to be an independent risk factor for deterioration in patients with COVID-19. LDH elevation in patients with COVID-19 predominantly resulted from lung, liver and muscle damage.