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Purpose: There is growing recognition of the importance of managing sleep disorders in the elderly, particularly given their complexity within a multidimensional framework. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether sleep quality and daytime sleepiness are associated with the risk of falls in older adults., Methods: This study included patients aged 75 years or older who were consecutively evaluated at the Geriatric Service, University Hospital of Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy. Participants underwent geriatric assessment, including sleep analysis using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), as well as an assessment of risk of falls with Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)., Results: The study included 206 subjects, of whom 70.4% were women, with a median age of 83 years. A total of 141 participants (68.4%) had poor sleep quality, and 43 (20.9%) had excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Among people at high risk of falls, 85 participants had bad sleep quality, and 24 a satisfying one (χ 2 : 8.23, p = 0.0029); additionally, 77 participants did not exhibit daytime sleepiness, while 32 did (χ 2 : 9.03, p = 0.0027). To further explore these results, we designed logistic regressions, considering dichotomized PSQI and dichotomized ESS as independent variables, and dichotomized POMA as the dependent variable, and finally adjusted them for confounders. The adjusted model for PSQI yielded OR: 2.04 (95%CI 1.02-4.10), and the adjusted model for ESS yielded OR: 2.56 (95%CI 1.17-5.91)., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that an increased estimated risk of falling is associated with poor sleep quality and EDS in older adults, independently of the confounders., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Geriatric Medicine Society.)

Background and Objectives : Sex differences are unclear in geriatric sleep medicine, and most evidence comes from inference from preclinical bases or clinical studies conducted on younger people. The aim of this study is to explore sex differences in sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in a cohort of elderly people. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional study involved subjects aged 65 years or older undergoing multidimensional evaluation, including sleep quality and daytime sleepiness assessment with validated tools. Results : This study included 226 subjects (69.5% women), the majority of whom showed poor sleep quality (64.2%). A logistic regression model put one before the other sleep quality and gender. It initially showed that men were about half likely as women to have poor sleep quality (OR 0.48, 95%CI 0.27-0.86). Nonetheless, after adjusting for cognitive status and mood, the difference became smaller and insignificant (OR 0.72, 95%CI 0.38-1.38). Conclusions : Sex differences in elderly people's sleep quality seem to not be independent, appearing to be affected by alterations in cognitive status and mood.

Puerto de Cajas serves as a vital high-altitude passage in Ecuador, connecting the coastal region to the city of Cuenca. The stability of this rocky massif is carefully managed through the assessment of blocks and discontinuities, ensuring safe travel. This study presents a novel approach, employing rapid and cost-effective methods to evaluate an unexplored area within the protected expanse of Cajas. Using terrestrial photogrammetry and strategically positioned geomechanical stations along the slopes, we generated a detailed point cloud capturing elusive terrain features. We have used terrestrial photogrammetry for digitalization of the slope. Validation of the collected data was achieved by comparing directional data from Cloud Compare software with manual readings using a digital compass integrated in a phone at control points. The analysis encompasses three slopes, employing the SMR, Q-slope, and kinematic methodologies. Results from the SMR system closely align with kinematic analysis, indicating satisfactory slope quality. Nonetheless, continued vigilance in stability control remains imperative for ensuring road safety and preserving the site's integrity. Moreover, this research lays the groundwork for the creation of a publicly accessible 3D repository, enhancing visualization capabilities through Google Virtual Reality. This initiative not only aids in replicating the findings but also facilitates access to an augmented reality environment, thereby fostering collaborative research endeavors.

A timely detection of visual hemifield deficits (VHFDs; hemianopias or quadrantanopias) is critical for both the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. The present study determined the sensitivity and specificity of four qualitative visual field tests, including face description, confrontation tests (finger wiggle), and kinetic boundary perimetry, to screen large and dense VHFDs in right-brain-damaged (RBD) stroke patients. Previously, the accuracy of qualitative visual field tests was examined in unselected samples of patients with heterogeneous aetiology, in which stroke patients represented a very small fraction. Building upon existing tests, we introduced some procedural ameliorations (incl. a novel procedure for kinetic boundary perimetry) and provided a scoresheet to facilitate the grading. The qualitative visual field tests' outcome of 67 consecutive RBD stroke patients was compared with the standard automated perimetry (SAP; i.e., reference standard) outcome to calculate sensitivity and specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), both for each individual test and their combinations. The face description test scored the lowest sensitivity and NPV, while the kinetic boundary perimetry scored the highest. No test returned false positives. Combining the monocular static finger wiggle test (by quadrants) and the kinetic boundary perimetry returned the highest sensitivity and specificity, in line with previous studies, but with higher accuracy (100% sensitivity and specificity). These findings indicate that the combination of these two tests is a valid approach with RBD stroke patients, prompting referral for a formal visual field examination, and representing a quick, easy-to-perform, and inexpensive tool for improving their care and prognosis.