Open Access Pub publishes peer-reviewed, free-to-read open-access articles. Showing
articles matching Ageing — open any to read the full text,
or download the PDF or XML.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-22-4381
Tariku Belay YilkalCorresponding author
Background Ageing is a life process in which progressive molecular, cellular, physiological and anatomical changes manifesting in humans and animals including other organisms lead to the decline of biological functions. Immunoglobulins (Igs) are glycoprotein molecules produced by white blood cells mainly B lymphocytes following signal transduction as a result of their interaction with pathogenic microbes or poisonous substances introduced into the body systems. They elicit responses against the side effects of pathogens and poisons in which their response efficiency usually declines as we are ageing. Objective Thus, the similarities between Igs’ immune response against the different amounts of xenobiotics and the biological changes associated with ageing have been systematically assessed using the reports of different study results on humans and animals. Methods First, a literature search was carried out in google, PubMed and google scholar using planned search terms related to the title of this study. Review and original articles were retrieved, downloaded and saved on a computer. And then the effects of different factors i.e. xenobiotics, age, sex and lifestyle-based practices on the levels of serum Igs (IgG, IgA and IgM) in animals and humans have been studied using a systematic review of different literature sources. Finally, the relationship between the findings of various studies has been assessed and judgment on the possible cause of ageing has been made. Results The findings of different research have demonstrated that the signaling efficiency of immunoglobulin M (IgM) has been limited by the amount of test compounds administered to study Balb c mice in the oral route. The response efficiency of IgM immune response against the lower doses of test compounds were high compared to the higher doses of test compounds which was low. The results of different other studies also demonstrated that the decline of serum IgM levels was associated with ageing. The relationship between alcohol consumption and the concentration of serum Igs was also described in the report of different studies. These studies have shown that there was lower level of IgG in the blood serum of alcohol consumers compared to non-consumers. The study has also demonstrated a lower level of serum IgM with higher alcohol consumption and higher serum concentration with moderate beer consumption. Conclusion The trajectory of Igs’ immune response against different amounts of xenobiotics was highly associated with the trajectory of biological changes during ageing. These research findings might be the possible evidence to conclude that ageing is caused by the foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs we usually consume, the lifestyles we usually experience and the way of life we usually live in the environment which gradually defiling the natural processes of the body.
Nov 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-16-1274
James Power JohnCorresponding author
Dr John J. Power The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast
Ageing whilst an inevitable process in the human being, does not have to be marked by progressive decline and social withdrawal. `Ageism’ can generate a number of negative and at times destructive perspectives, labelling the elderly and possibly encouraging them to reflect the attitudes and behaviour of the label. This discussion paper addresses concerns about the `demographic time-bomb’ in some advanced economies from a sociological and policy perspective; exploring briefly functional, critical and social action theory. The paper concludes by suggesting that social perspective significantly translate to social behaviour and interaction with and by the elderly. Many of the ageist preconceptions are not necessarily supported by research, and that advancing age should be marked by empowerment, participation, choice and more effective social integration or reintegration. Importantly, the ageing process and perspectives on ageing need to be addressed, both politically and structurally within societies.
Jul 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-24-5017
V K SashindranCorresponding author
Background Frailty is an ageing-associated state linked to poor prognostic outcomes. Chronic inflammation due to HIV-infection, AIDS-related infections. and the adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) all contribute to frailty in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Frailty has been comprehensively studied in populations comprising predominantly of Caucasian PLHA. However, there remains a dearth of such data in Indian populations, especially in younger PLHA. Methodology This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of frailty in PLHA (18 - 50 years) who had been on ART for 24-60 months and identify markers linked to frailty. Frailty was assessed in 152 subjects using the Fried frailty-index. Parameters measured included the mid-upper arm and calf circumferences, pain-severity (using the Brief Pain Inventory), highly-sensitivity C-reactive protein, d-dimer, and interleukin-6. Results The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty were 6.58% and 23.02%, respectively. Reduced grip strength and self-reported exhaustion were associated with frailty (15.79% and 13.16%, respectively). Low calf-circumference and mid-upper arm circumference were not significantly associated with frailty/pre-frailty. The prevalence of pain was 21.7% and both pain severity and pain interference were significantly associated with frailty/pre-frailty. CD-4 counts at the time of assessment showed an inverse association with frailty. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP of 0.04 associated with 0.49 probability of frailty (95% CI 0.40 – 0.59), CRP of 0.12 associated with 0.63 probability of frailty (95% CI 0.47 – 0.76)). D-dimer levels were not significantly associated with frailty /pre-frailty. Conclusion In this first-of-its-kind study on frailty in young PLHA (mean age 37 years) from the Indian sub-continent, the prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty was 6.58% and 23.02%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed a strong association of frailty with pain severity, CD4 count at time of assessment, hs-CRP levels and duration of ART.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-19-2608
W. Harvey PeterCorresponding author
Conjoint Clinical Professor, Deakin University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health
In the light of various complaints about the quality of care provided by and operation of aged care facilities across Australia, the Commonwealth Government has announced a Royal Commission into the activities of the sector. As the proportion of Australians over 65 continues to grow with the ageing of the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation, more Australians are seeking secure aged care arrangements to meet their increasingly complex living and healthcare needs. We hear much comment today about the concept of healthy ageing and the importance of older people staying connected to and active in their communities. Not only does this ongoing connectivity support better lifestyles and health status, it provides an avenue for older people to contribute to the support of others once their more formal working lives are concluded. Unfortunately, the gap between the rhetoric and the reality of ageing in Australia is strained and it appears that much about the operations of the aged care sector today is less than satisfactory. While some well-funded retirees can afford comfortable and fulfilling living arrangements, many others are left in less ideal circumstances. With aged care organisations currently building the next generation of ‘hotel’ style living arrangements for cashed up self-funded retirees, others are being left behind financially and in terms of the quality of their care. At the same time, maltreatment and abuse of residents is coming to light, as in the ‘Oakden Nursing Home’ situation in South Australia, for example. Consequently, the Federal Government has now launched a formal inquiry into the activities of organisations running aged care facilities in Australia. The inquiry is designed to assess the operation of this industry with a focus on the economics of aged care centres, the quality of care, the food and recreational activities provided and the challenge of staffing these facilities to keep residents safe and well as they age in dignity.
Jun 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-16-1354
Frumence GastoCorresponding author
Department of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania.
Tanzania is among the developing countries experiencing rapid growth of an ageing population, which has an implication in healthcare expenditure especially in resource poor settings where majority of elderly people cannot afford to pay for the cost of accessing health services. The country has developed the Tanzania National Health Policy (2007) and National Ageing Policy (2003), which, among other things, recognize the importance of having a healthcare system that provides free basic services to the vulnerable elderly population. This study aimed at exploring health service providers’ and managers’ perspectives on the factors facilitating or prohibiting access to health services among elderly people in Tanzania. The study adopted a qualitative approach and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. A total of 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with district healthcare managers, heads of public healthcare facilities, and health service providers. The data generated were analysed for themes and patterns. The results show that Tanzania’s healthcare system has made some efforts to implement the national exemption policy to ensure better access to health services for the elderly. Some of these efforts include: having in place a system to identify and exempt elderly people from paying for health services and giving them special priority during treatment. However, there are some barriers hindering elderly people’s access to health services. Among others include: lack of specific consultation rooms and doctors for serving the elderly, and lack of sufficient drugs and other medical equipment in most government-owned healthcare facilities. In summary, the healthcare system has created a good environment for the implementation of exemption policy aiming at enhancing accessibility of health services among the elderly population in the country. However, such environment cannot function effectively without addressing the identified barriers. It is recommended that the government should allocate adequate human and non-human resources to the healthcare system to enable it to function effectively, including the provision of health services to the elderly.
Mar 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-15-903
Arlappa NimmathotaCorresponding author
Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Objectives: Accurate measurement of height is difficult in older adults because of the reduction in height that occurs during the ageing process. Therefore, several western studies have demonstrated the arm span as an alternative anthropometric measurement to height among older adults, as the length of arm span is less affected by aging. The aim of the study was to use arm span as an alternative to standing height for calculation of body mass index (BMI) amongst older adults. Methodology: A community-based cross sectional study was carried out during 2011-12 among 400 (Men: 180; Women: 220) urban geriatric population (age 60-years and over)of the town of Khammam. Weight, height and arm span were measured with standard procedures. Nutritional status of older adults was calculated by body mass index (BMI) classification using both height and arm span. Key Results: The mean (SD) height and arm span among men were 164.5 cm (6.6) and 175.3cm (7.9), respectively, while among women were 149.5cm (5.8) and 158.7cm (8.6). The mean difference between arm span and height was 10.8cm (10.1,11.4)in men and 9.2cm (8.3,10.0) in women (p<0.001). Similarly, significant (p<0.001) differences were observed between the BMIs derived using both height and arm span among both the genders. Conclusion: The conventional height is not a reliable anthropometric measurement for the assessment of nutritional status of older adults, where the BMI-height model over estimated the nutritional status of older adults compared to the BMI- arm span model. Therefore, arm span is the best alternative to height for calculation of body mass index (BMI) in older adults.