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__Abstract__ Background: Favorable effects of formal pulmonary rehabilitation in selected moderate to severe COPD patients are well established. Few data are available on the effects and costs of integrated disease management (IDM) programs on quality of care and health status of COPD patients in primary care, representing a much larger group of COPD patients. Therefore, the RECODE trial assesses the long-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of IDM in primary care.Methods/design: RECODE is a cluster randomized trial with two years of follow-up, during which 40 clusters of primary care teams (including 1086 COPD patients) are randomized to IDM or usual care. The intervention started with a 2-day multidisciplinary course in which healthcare providers are trained as a team in essential components of effective COPD IDM in primary care. During the course, the team redesigns the care process and defines responsibilities of different caregivers. They are trained in how to use feedback on process and outcome data to guide implement guideline-driven integrated healthcare. Practice-tailored feedback reports are provided at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. The team learns the details of an ICT program that supports recording of process and outcome measures. Afterwards, the team designs a time-contingent individual practice plan, agreeing on steps to be taken in order to integrate a COPD IDM program into daily practice. After 6 and 12 months, there is a refresher course for all teams simultaneously to enable them to learn from each other's experience. Health status of patients at 12 months is the primary outcome, measured by the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ). Secondary outcomes include effects on quality of care, disease-specific and generic health-related quality of life, COPD exacerbations, dyspnea, costs of healthcare utilization, and productivity loss.Discussion: This article presents the protocol and baseline results of the RECODE trial. This study will allow to evalu

Item does not contain fulltext, PURPOSE Because cutaneous warts resolve spontaneously and available treatments often fail, family physicians and patients may consider a wait-and-see policy. We examined the natural course of cutaneous warts and treatment decisions in a prospective observational cohort of primary schoolchildren. METHODS We inspected the hands and feet of children aged 4 to 12 years from 3 Dutch primary schools for the presence of warts at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 15 months. Parental questionnaires at follow-up provided information on inconvenience caused by warts and any treatments used. RESULTS Of the 1,134 eligible children, 1,099 (97%) participated, of whom 366 (33%) had cutaneous warts at baseline. Among these children with warts, loss to follow-up was 9% and the response rate to the parental questionnaires was 83%. The complete resolution rate was 52 per 100 person-years at risk (95% CI, 44-60). Younger age (hazard ratio = 1.1 per year decrease; 95% CI, 1.0-1.2) and non-Caucasian skin type (hazard ratio = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9) increased the likelihood of resolution. During follow-up, 38% of children with warts at baseline treated their warts: 18% used over-the-counter treatment only, 15% used a family physician-provided treatment only, and 5% used both. Children were more likely to initiate treatment if the warts measured at least 1 cm in diameter (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.9-5.3) and especially if parents reported that the warts caused inconvenience (odds ratio = 38; 95% CI, 16-90). CONCLUSIONS One-half of primary schoolchildren with warts will be free of warts within 1 year. Young age and non-Caucasian skin type enhance resolution. Children with large or inconvenient warts are more likely to start treatment. These findings will be useful in the process of shared decision making with parents and children.

Contains fulltext : 125984.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) there is considerable variation in symptoms, limitations and well-being, which often complicates medical care. To improve quality of life (QoL) and exercise tolerance, while reducing the number of exacerbations, a multidisciplinary program including different elements of care is needed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of integrated disease management (IDM) programs or interventions in people with COPD on health-related QoL, exercise tolerance and number of exacerbations. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Register of trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL for potentially eligible studies (last searched 12 April 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials evaluating IDM programs for COPD compared with controls were included. Included interventions consisted of multidisciplinary (two or more health care providers) and multi-treatment (two or more components) IDM programs with a duration of at least three months. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data; if required, we contacted authors for additional data. We performed meta-analyses using random-effects modeling. We carried out sensitivity analysis for allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessment, study design and intention-to-treat analysis. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 26 trials involving 2997 people were included, with a follow-up ranging from 3 to 24 months. Studies were conducted in 11 different countries. The mean age of the included participants was 68 years, 68% were male and the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)% predicted value was 44.3% (range 28% to 66%). Participants were treated in all types of healthcare settings: primary (n = 8), secondary (n = 12), tertiary care (n = 1), and in both primary and secondary care (n = 5). Overall, the studies were of high to moderate methodological quality.Compared with cont

Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous warts are common in primary schoolchildren; however, knowledge on the routes of transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) causing warts is scarce. This study examines the association between the degree of HPV exposure and incidence of warts in primary schoolchildren to support evidence-based recommendations on wart prevention. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, the hands and feet of all children in grades 1 to 7 (aged 4-12 years) of 3 Dutch primary schools were inspected for the presence of warts at baseline and after 11 to 18 months of follow-up. Data on the degree of HPV exposure included information obtained from parental questionnaires: preexistent warts, warts in family, prevalence of warts at baseline in the class, and use of public places (eg, swimming pools). RESULTS: Of the 1134 eligible children, 97% participated; the response rate from parental questionnaires was 77%, and loss to follow-up was 9%. The incidence for developing warts was 29 per 100 person-years at risk (95% confidence interval [CI] 26-32). Children with a white skin type had an increased risk of developing warts (hazard ratio [HR] 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9). Having family members with warts (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.52-2.86) and wart prevalence in the class (HR 1.20 per 10% increase, 95% CI 1.03-1.41) were independent environmental risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of HPV exposure in the family and school class contributes to the development of warts in schoolchildren. Preventive recommendations should focus more on limiting HPV transmission in families and school classes, rather than in public places.

Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND: Cryotherapy is effective for common warts, but for plantar warts available treatments often fail. OBJECTIVES: Within a pragmatic randomised controlled trial, we examined whether subgroups of common and plantar warts have a favourable natural course or response to treatment based on wart-associated HPV type. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive patients with new common or plantar warts were recruited in 30 Dutch family practices. Patients (n=250) were randomly allocated to liquid-nitrogen cryotherapy, 40% salicylic acid self-application, or wait-and-see policy. Before treatment, swabs were taken from all separate warts and analysed by a broad spectrum HPV genotyping assay. At 13 weeks, cure rates with 95% confidence intervals of common and plantar warts on intention to treat basis were compared between treatment arms for the different wart-associated HPV types. RESULTS: In total, 7% of swabs tested negative for HPV DNA and 16% contained multiple types, leaving 278 of 371 common swabs (75%) and 299 of 373 plantar swabs (80%) with a single type for analysis. After wait-and-see policy, cure rates were 2/70 (3%, 95% confidence interval 1-10) for HPV 2/27/57-associated common warts, 4/58 (7%, 3-16) for HPV 2/27/57-associated plantar warts, and 21/36 (58%, 42-73) for HPV 1-associated plantar warts. After cryotherapy, cure rates were 30/44 (68%, 53-80), 6/56 (11%, 5-21), and 15/23 (65%, 45-81); after salicylic acid 16/87 (18%, 12-28), 15/60 (25%, 16-37), and 24/26 (92%, 76-98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HPV type influenced the natural course and response to treatment for plantar warts. HPV testing potentially optimises wart treatment in primary care.

Item does not contain fulltext, AIMS: To investigate whether low systolic blood pressure is predictive for increased mortality risk in 90-year-old subjects without heart failure, defined by low levels of NT-proBNP, as well as in 90-year-old subjects with high levels of NT-proBNP. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was embedded in the Leiden 85-plus Study, an observational population-based prospective study. All 90-year-old participants (n = 267) were included between 2002 and 2004 and followed up for mortality for at least 5 years. Differences in mortality risks were compared between participants with low systolic blood pressure (150 mmHg) within strata of low NT-proBNP (<284 pg/mL for women and <306 pg/mL for men = lowest tertile) vs. high NT-proBNP (middle and highest tertile) at age 90 years. During maximal follow-up of 7.2 years, 212 participants (79%) died. Among participants with low NT-proBNP, low systolic blood pressure gave a two-fold increased risk (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1-3.4) compared with participants with high systolic blood pressure. For participants with high NT-proBNP, low systolic blood pressure provided a 1.7 increased mortality risk (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.3) compared with high systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Low systolic blood pressure is predictive for increased mortality risk in 90-year-old subjects, irrespective of the NT-proBNP level. Therefore, the absence or presence of heart failure as determined by NT-proBNP does not influence the prognostic value of low systolic blood pressure with regard to mortality in the oldest old.

Contains fulltext : 117437.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Hepcidin, an important regulator of iron homeostasis, is suggested to be causally related to anemia of inflammation. The aim of this study was to explore the role of plasma hepcidin in anemia among older persons from the general population. The Leiden 85-Plus Study is a population-based study of 85-year olds in Leiden, the Netherlands. Eighty-five-year old inhabitants of Leiden were enrolled between September 1997 and September 1999. At the age of 86, plasma hepcidin was determined with time of flight mass spectrometry in 490 participants [160 (32.7%) male, 114 (23.3%) with anemia]. Anemia was defined according to criteria of the World Health Organization (hemoglobin level <13 g/dL for men and hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women). The median plasma hepcidin level was 3.0 nM [interquartile range (IQR) 1.8-4.9]. We found strong correlations between plasma hepcidin and body iron status, C-reactive protein and erythropoietin levels. Significantly higher hepcidin levels were found in participants with anemia of inflammation (P<0.01), in participants with anemia of kidney disease (P=0.01), and in participants with unexplained anemia (P=0.01) than in participants without anemia. Participants with iron-deficiency anemia had significantly lower plasma hepcidin levels than participants without anemia (P<0.01). In conclusion, older persons with anemia of inflammation have higher hepcidin levels than their counterparts without anemia. The potential clinical value of hepcidin in future diagnostic algorithms for anemia has to be explored.

Contains fulltext : 117528.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: Favorable effects of formal pulmonary rehabilitation in selected moderate to severe COPD patients are well established. Few data are available on the effects and costs of integrated disease management (IDM) programs on quality of care and health status of COPD patients in primary care, representing a much larger group of COPD patients. Therefore, the RECODE trial assesses the long-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of IDM in primary care. METHODS/DESIGN: RECODE is a cluster randomized trial with two years of follow-up, during which 40 clusters of primary care teams (including 1086 COPD patients) are randomized to IDM or usual care. The intervention started with a 2-day multidisciplinary course in which healthcare providers are trained as a team in essential components of effective COPD IDM in primary care. During the course, the team redesigns the care process and defines responsibilities of different caregivers. They are trained in how to use feedback on process and outcome data to guide implement guideline-driven integrated healthcare. Practice-tailored feedback reports are provided at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. The team learns the details of an ICT program that supports recording of process and outcome measures. Afterwards, the team designs a time-contingent individual practice plan, agreeing on steps to be taken in order to integrate a COPD IDM program into daily practice. After 6 and 12 months, there is a refresher course for all teams simultaneously to enable them to learn from each other's experience. Health status of patients at 12 months is the primary outcome, measured by the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ). Secondary outcomes include effects on quality of care, disease-specific and generic health-related quality of life, COPD exacerbations, dyspnea, costs of healthcare utilization, and productivity loss. DISCUSSION: This article presents the protocol and baseline results of the RECODE trial. This study will allow to evaluate whether

Item does not contain fulltext, There are indications that in persons of older age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) is no longer associated with mortality. This raises the question whether the predictive value of SBP changes from younger to older age groups. Analysis in the Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study among 4,612 participants aged >/=55 years without previous cardiovascular disease and with a median follow-up of 14.9 (interquartile range, 11.1-15.8) years. Within four age groups (55-64, 65-74, 75-84, >/=85 years), the predictive value of baseline SBP for mortality was studied. From age 55 to >/=85 years, risk of all-cause mortality associated with SBP >/=160 mmHg decreased from HR 1.7 (95%CI 1.2-2.2) to HR 0.7 (95%CI 0.4-1.1), p for trend <0.001. For participants with SBP 140-159 mmHg, the risk decreased from HR 1.2 (95%CI 0.9-1.5) to HR 0.7 (95%CI 0.5-1.1), p for trend <0.001. Analyses in the 5-year age groups showed an increased risk with higher SBPs up to age 75 years. After 75 years, a trend towards SBP no longer being associated with an increased mortality risk was seen in our study. These findings need to be considered with recently reported beneficial effects of antihypertensive treatment in this age group.

Item does not contain fulltext, OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the independent contributions of both the trend in SBP and the SBP value at age 90 to the prediction of mortality in nonagenarians. METHODS: The trend in SBP between 85 and 90 years and SBP at age 90 years were assessed in a population-based sample of 271 participants (74 men and 197 women) aged 90 years of the Leiden 85-plus Study, an observational population-based prospective follow-up study (started 1997). Primary endpoint, followed up over 5 years (median 3.6 years), was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A decreasing trend in SBP between 85 and 90 years (decline >/=2.9 mmHg/year) was associated with increased mortality compared to an average SBP trend (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.02-2.06), independent of SBP at age 90. The effect was stronger in institutionalized participants compared to those living independently [hazard ratio 1.87 (1.10-3.19) and hazard ratio 1.30 (0.81-2.09)]. After analysis with a fully adjusted model, the estimate approached unity [hazard ratio 1.08 (0.60-1.86)]. Overall, 90-year-old participants with SBP of 150 mmHg or less had a 1.62 times increased mortality risk compared to those with SBP more than 150 mmHg (1.21-2.20), independent of the SBP trend in preceding years. This applied to those with and without antihypertensive drugs and those with and without history of cardiovascular disease or noncardiovascular disease. In the fully adjusted model, the estimate was 1.47 (0.90-2.40). CONCLUSION: In very old age, both decreasing trend in SBP over the previous 5 years and the current SBP value independently contribute to prediction of all-cause mortality. Therefore, in individual patients, all available preceding SBP measurements should be taken into account.

There are indications that in persons of older age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) is no longer associated with mortality. This raises the question whether the predictive value of SBP changes from younger to older age groups. Analysis in the Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study among 4,612 participants aged ≥55 years without previous cardiovascular disease and with a median follow-up of 14.9 (interquartile range, 11.1-15.8) years. Within four age groups (55-64, 65-74, 75-84, ≥85 years), the predictive value of baseline SBP for mortality was studied. From age 55 to ≥85 years, risk of all-cause mortality associated with SBP ≥160 mmHg decreased from HR 1.7 (95%CI 1.2-2.2) to HR 0.7 (95%CI 0.4-1.1), p for trend <0.001. For participants with SBP 140-159 mmHg, the risk decreased from HR 1.2 (95%CI 0.9-1.5) to HR 0.7 (95%CI 0.5-1.1), p for trend <0.001. Analyses in the 5-year age groups showed an increased risk with higher SBPs up to age 75 years. After 75 years, a trend towards SBP no longer being associated with an increased mortality risk was seen in our study. These findings need to be considered with recently reported beneficial effects of antihypertensive treatment in this age group.

01 januari 2012, Item does not contain fulltext, OBJECTIVES: To identify appropriate screening conditions, stratified according to age and vulnerability, to prevent functional decline in older people. DESIGN: A RAND/University of California at Los Angeles appropriateness method. SETTING: The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A multidisciplinary panel of 11 experts. MEASUREMENTS: The panelists assessed the appropriateness of screening for 29 conditions mentioned in guidelines from four countries, stratified according to age (60-74, 75-84, >/=85) and health status (general, vital, and vulnerable) and received a literature overview for each condition, including the guidelines and up-to-date literature. After an individual rating round, panelists discussed disagreements and performed a second individual rating. The median of the second ratings defined the appropriateness of screening. RESULTS: The panel rated screening to be appropriate in three of the 29 conditions, indicating that screening was expected to prevent functional decline. Screening for insufficient physical activity was considered appropriate for all three age and health groups. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors and smoking was considered appropriate for the general and vital population aged 60 to 74. Of the 261 ratings, 63 (24%) were classified as uncertain, of which 42 (67%) concerned the vulnerable population. The panelists considered conditions inappropriate mainly because of lack of an adequate screening tool or lack of evidence of effective interventions for positive screened persons. CONCLUSION: The expert panel considered screening older people to prevent functional decline appropriate for insufficient physical activity and smoking and cardiovascular risk in specific groups. For other conditions, sufficient evidence does not support screening. Based on their experience, panelists expected benefit from developing tests and interventions, especially for vulnerable older people.

Item does not contain fulltext, Many rating scales can be self-administered or interviewer-administered, and the influence of administration method on scores is unclear. We aimed to study this influence on scores of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), used as a screening instrument in general practice. In two general practices 376 registered patients aged 75 years and older were asked to participate. Exclusion criteria were dementia and current treatment for depression. The GDS-15 was administered twice within 1 month: self-administered by mail, and interviewer-administered during home visits. The sequence of administering the methods was different for the two practices. We analyzed differences in total and item GDS-scores. Of 141 subjects who participated (response rate 55%) 59 were men (42%). Mean age was 81.4 years (SD 4.8). When the GDS-15 was self-administered, 33 subjects (23.4%) left items unanswered. There were no items unanswered when the GDS-15 was interviewer-administered. On average the self-administered total GDS scores were 0.70 points higher than interviewer-administered scores (95% confidence interval=0.41; 0.98), with a large range of variation in the scores (limits of agreement -2.69 to 4.08). Item-item comparisons showed high percentages of agreement. Chance-corrected agreement (kappa) was moderate to fair, but three items showed only slight agreement (kappa values <0.21). In conclusion, compared to interviewer-administered scores, scores on the GDS-15 when self-administered were higher. The method of administration should be taken into account when interpreting scores.

Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND: Screening can increase detection of clinically relevant depressive symptoms, but screen-positive persons are not necessarily willing to accept a subsequent unsolicited treatment offer. Our objective was to explore limiting and motivating factors in accepting an offer to join a "coping with depression" course, and perceived needs among persons aged >/=75 years who screened positive for depressive symptoms in general practice. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, in which 101 persons who had screened positive for depressive symptoms were offered a "coping with depression" course, a sample of 23 persons were interviewed, of whom five (22%) accepted the treatment offer. Interview transcripts were coded independently by two researchers. RESULTS: All five individuals who accepted a place on the course felt depressed and/or lonely and had positive expectations about the course. The main reasons for declining to join the course were: not feeling depressed, or having negative thoughts about the course effect, concerns about group participation, or about being too old to change and learn new things. Although perceived needs to relieve depressive symptoms largely matched the elements of the course, most of those who had been screened were not (yet) prepared to accept an intervention offer. Many expressed the need to discuss this treatment decision with their general practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: Although the unsolicited treatment offer closely matched the perceived needs of people screening positive for depressive symptoms, only those who combined feelings of being depressed or lonely with positive expectations about the offered course accepted it. Treatment should perhaps be more individually tailored to the patient's motivational stage towards change, a process in which general practitioners can play an important role.

Item does not contain fulltext, Subclinical hypothyroidism is a common finding in older persons. Clinical guidelines are inconsistent in providing recommendations for the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism, especially in older persons. To date, there is no high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials about the effects of treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in older persons. Any definitive recommendations on treatment should be based on data from large randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on cutaneous wart-associated HPV types are rare. OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of cutaneous wart-associated HPV types and their relation with patient characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Swabs were taken from all 744 warts of 246 consecutive immunocompetent participants and analysed by a broad spectrum HSL-PCR/MPG assay. Patient details including location, duration, and number of warts were recorded. RESULTS: No HPV DNA was detected in 49 (7%) swabs, a single HPV type in 577 (78%) swabs, and multiple HPV types in 118 (16%) swabs. HPV 2, 27 and 57 (alpha genus), HPV 4 (gamma genus) and HPV 1 (mu genus) were the most frequently detected HPV types, and HPV 63 (mu genus) was only frequently detected together with other HPV types. Less frequently detected HPV types were HPV 3, 7, 10 and 28 (alpha genus), 65, 88 and 95 (gamma genus) and 41 (nu genus). Warts containing HPV 1 showed the most distinct clinical profile, being related to children aged <12 years, plantar location, duration <6 months, and to patients with <4 warts. CONCLUSIONS: HPV 27, 57, 2 and 1 are the most prevalent HPV types in cutaneous warts in general population. Warts infected with HPV 1 have a distinct clinical profile.

Item does not contain fulltext, OBJECTIVES: to determine (cost)-effectiveness of a stepped-care intervention programme among subjects >/= 75 years who screened positive for depressive symptoms in general practice. DESIGN: the pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. SETTING: sixty-seven Dutch general practices. SUBJECTS: two hundred and thirty-nine subjects >/= 75 years screened positive for untreated depressive symptoms (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale >/= 5). METHODS: usual care (34 practices, 118 subjects) was compared with the stepped-care intervention (33 practices, 121 subjects) consisting of three steps: individual counselling; Coping with Depression course; and-if indicated-referral back to general practitioner to discuss further treatment. Measurements included severity of depressive symptoms [Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)], quality of life, mortality and costs. RESULTS: at baseline subjects mostly were mildly/moderately depressed. At 6 months MADRS scores had improved more in the usual care than the intervention group (-2.9 versus -1.1 points, P=0.032), but not at 12 months (-3.1 versus -4.6, P=0.084). No significant differences were found within two separate age groups (75-79 years and >/= 80 years). In intervention practices, 83% accepted referral to the stepped-care programme, and 19% accepted course participation. The control group appeared to have received more psychological care. CONCLUSIONS: among older subjects who screened positive for depressive symptoms, an offered stepped-care intervention programme was not (cost)-effective compared with usual care, possibly due to a low uptake of the course offer. Trial registration: www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN 71142851v.

Item does not contain fulltext, Background: the relationship between proximity to death and the amount of care provided by general practitioners (GPs) is largely unknown. Objective: to examine the influence of the proximity to death on the frequency and length of GP contacts in the oldest old. Study design: this population-based follow-up study included 599 inhabitants of Leiden, the Netherlands. At ages 85-90 years, the frequency and length of GP contacts during the previous year were collected. Methods: the influence of age and proximity to death on contact frequency and time was analysed with linear mixed modelling. Results: in a model including 'age' alone, mean contact frequency during surviving years increased with 0.25 contacts/year [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.45, P = 0.019] and mean contact time with 11.04 min/year (95% CI: 5.42-16.67, P < 0.001). In a model including 'age' and 'proximity to death', those who died compared with those who survived had 11.94 contacts (95% CI: 10.86-13.01) more that year and 323 min (95% CI: 294-353, P < 0.001) more time, with no effect of 'age'. Conclusions: the observed increase in utilisation of GP care of the oldest old depends more on the proximity to death and less on age alone. Being old only results in a small increase in the GP's workload.

Total hip or knee replacement is effective in improving joint function, quality of life, and pain reduction. The oldest old population with joint replacements (TJR) is underrepresented in current literature. We compared health-related and functional characteristics of oldest olds with and without TJR. Participants (aged 85 years) were divided into a group with and without TJR. Comorbidity, physical and joint functioning, daily living activities, quality of life, and mortality were recorded. Thirty-eight of 599 participants (6.3%) received a TJR in the past. Participants with a TJR had slightly less comorbidities, walked slower (P = 0.006), and complained more about hip-pain (P = 0.007). Mortality of those with a TJR was lower during the first 8-year followup (P = 0.04). All other characteristics were comparable between groups. We conclude that subjects with a TJR performed equally well, besides showing a lower gait speed and a higher frequency of hip-pain. Except for the lower gaitspeed, having a TJR is not associated with poorer health.