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Objective: The elderly living in Africa are prone to malnutrition which is complicated by the high prevalence of poverty. This study assessed the nutritional status of the elderly and factors associated with malnutrition. Method: In a cross-sectional survey, the nutritional status of 300 participants aged 65 years and older was determined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire consisting of 18 questions. Socio-demographic data was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Sixty-six percent were at risk of malnutrition, while 14.6% (n = 44) were malnourished. Participants that did not use electricity as a fuel for cooking versus those that did, had higher odds of being malnourished/ at risk of malnutrition (OR = 1.85 [1.04; 3.31]). Those that did not experience psychological stress or acute disease versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.33 [0.12; 0.90]). Participants that did not perceive nutritional problems versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.18 [0.09; 0.34]). Similarly, those that did not perceive their health status as poor versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.17 [0.08; 0.34]). Discussion: The findings indicate that the elderly with more resources, less stress, and better actual and perceived health were less likely to be malnourished. In such communities, routine screening in the elderly is required to identify those with compromised health and nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The socio-demography, anthropometry and food intake of women residing in rural and urban areas of Lesotho were determined. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Basotho women from four randomly selected villages in Maseru and Berea, which includes both urban and rural areas. Subjects: A total of 452 women were included in the study. Outcome measures: Socio-demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire completed in an interview with each participant. Standard methods were used to determine anthropometric measurements, while usual food intake was determined using a short unquantified food frequency questionnaire. Results: A large percentage of participants were unemployed with a significantly higher percentage in urban compared with rural areas (65.5 vs. 49.2%; CI 6.8%; 25.4%). A higher percentage of urban than rural participants had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (53.5 vs. 44.4%, respectively) and waist circumference ≥ 88 cm (62.7 vs. 54.1%, respectively). For both rural and urban participants, stiff maize-meal porridge was commonly consumed with all meals, often with moroho (cooked green leafy vegetables). Although a variety of vegetables (onions, cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes, turnips and potatoes) were frequently eaten by most participants, quantities of intake were not determined. Protein sources consumed almost every day by more than 50% of all participants were dried beans. Chicken, eggs and full cream milk were consumed significantly more frequently by urban participants. Significantly more urban participants had access to a variety of fruits and vegetables, and they were also more likely to consume foods such as polony, russians (sausage containing pork and beef), sausage, sweetened drinks, mayonnaise and margarine more frequently than rural participants. Conclusions: A nutrition transition associated with the frequent intake of processed, sugary and high-fat foods was identified in urban participants. These unhealthy dietary practices may lead to an increased risk of obesity and poor health outcomes. The development of culturally acceptable and relevant interventions is thus recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The possible association of increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with increased serum Ca(2+) was observed in our clinic. Six patients with confirmed primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia were studied prospectively. Tc-99m sestamibi gated SPECT was done pre- and postoperatively. The LVEF was abnormally high in all the patients pre-operatively, i.e. above the normal reference range (47-61%) as used in our clinic. It decreased in all of them postoperatively, yet in only three patients to values within the normal range. This was associated with normalisation of the serum Ca(2+) values. The median of the pre-operative LVEF was 74% and postoperative it was 61.5%. The median difference was 9% with a 95% CI for the median difference for paired data (6; 26). This was statistically significant. Increased LVEF was not previously described as part of the clinical picture of primary hyperparathyroidism. The in vivo effect of chronic hypercalcaemia on LV pump function my need to be revisited.