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Anthropometric assessments are commonly used to diagnose sarcopenia in older adults. However, the ongoing exploration of novel approaches aims to improve the early detection of sarcopenia. This study investigated the association between the height-changing score (HCS) and the risk of sarcopenia defined by anthropometric measurements in 340 older adults (mean age: 66.2 years). The HCS derived from the difference in height and demi-span equivalent height (DEH) was used as an indicator of declining height in the older adults. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between the HCS and the risk of sarcopenia in both male and female older adults (OR = 1.146, 95% CI [1.021, 1.286], p = 0.021). In addition, income, BMI, and nutritional status were significantly associated with the risk of sarcopenia (OR = −1.933, 95% CI [0.271, 0.986], p = 0.045; OR = −2.099, 95% CI [0.386, 0.587], p < 0.001; OR = −1.443, 95% CI [0.555, 0.866], p = 0.001, respectively). The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and HDL cholesterol were blood biomarkers significantly correlated with calf circumference. It can be suggested that the HCS acts as an indicator and screening tool for sarcopenia risk in older adults, highlighting the potential impact of decreased height on muscle mass loss. Encouraging nutritional support can help mitigate the risk of sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Musculoskeletal pain, one of the most common issues faced by older adults, has multidimensional effects including an increased risk of malnutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between pain interference and nutritional status in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from older adults (age: >60 years) using the brief pain inventory and mini nutritional assessment questionnaire. The correlation between pain interference, pain severity, and nutritional status was assessed using the chi-square test and Spearman's rank correlation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the variables associated with abnormal nutrition status. Results: Overall 241 older adults were recruited in the study. The median (IQR) age of the participants was 70 (11) years, pain severity subscale was 4.2 (1.8), and pain interference subscale was 3.3 (3.1). Abnormal nutritional status was positively correlated with pain interference (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.48; P =.004), pain severity (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02-1.53; P =.034), age (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11, P =.011), and hypertension (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.11-4.26; P =.024). Conclusions: This study reports a strong correlation between pain interference and nutritional status. Therefore, pain interference can be a useful pain assessment tool to indicate risk of abnormal nutritional status in older adults. In addition, related factors, including age, underweight, and hypertension, were associated with a higher risk of malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medication errors are a major health concern among the elderly causing a wide range of adverse events. Drug label misreading is one such problem that contributes to these errors. Therefore, evidence suggesting appropriate characters on drug labels is required as a useful instruction for improving understanding. Objective: To investigate the appropriate characters on drug labels for the elderly, both in reading accuracy and satisfaction dimensions. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 56 elderly Thai patients with a mean age of 65.9±5.2 and including 26 males and 30 females. Six drug labels were provided for all participants to read, with three different fonts, which were Angsana New, Microsoft San Serif, and TH Far Kwang, and two character-sizes at 0.22 and 0.26 cm in height. Their reading voices were recorded to examine reading accuracy, with words corrected per minute (WCM). The satisfaction scores were obtained by an opinion assessment in three components, which were ease of reading, aesthetically pleasing, and overall satisfaction. Results: The results showed that Angsana New, with a size of 0.26 cm, presented the highest score in WCM (mean±SD: 148±28.3 words per minute), and was shown to have the most satisfaction score. A generalized linear mixed model revealed that a larger character size and Angsana New, with a size of 0.26 cm, were significantly associated with higher WCM (p=0.003 and 0.005, respectively), whereas increasing age was significantly associated with lower WCM (p=0.035). Conclusion: The size of 0.26 cm of Angsana New and Microsoft San Serif were appropriate for use in drug labeling for elderly Thai patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication [PIM] prescribed among elderly patients in the primary care unit of a university hospital in southern Thailand and identify the associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively in the primary care unit of a university hospital. The medical records of all the patients aged 60 years or older that visited the primary care unit during the year of 2016 were included. PIM was identified based on the 2015 Updated Beers Criteria. The prevalence of PIM was described and the associated factors were analyzed. Results: Of 490 elderly patients, 64.1% were female and the median age was 66.3 years. The prevalence of PIM was 40.4%. The most common type of PIM was medications to avoid for many or most elderly patients (49.8%). Factors associated with PIM prescriptions were female gender, visited the PC clinic, received an increased number of medications, had some underlying disease, and presented with acute illness. Conclusion: The prevalence of PIM was high among elderly patients in the primary care unit of a university hospital in southern Thailand. This is an alarming result for a medical school. Physicians should be aware when prescribing medications to patients who have associated factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]