Nutritional profiles in middle-aged trained and untrained women were compared both before and after menopause. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups : (1) pre-menopausal trained (Pre-T: n=14, aged 43±5 years, running distance 56±27 km/week, Vo₂max 49±4ml/ kg/min, mean±SD), (2) pre-menopausal untrained (Pre-UT: n=25, 42±5 years, 34±5 ml/kg/ min), (3) post-menopausal trained (Post-T: n=19, 53±3 years, 49±17 km/week, 42±6 ml/ kg/min), (4) post-menopausal untrained (Post-UT: n=26, 54±3 years, 31±3 ml/kg/min) . There were no significant differences in hematocrit (range 38.7 to 39.3%), hemoglobin (12.8 to 13.1 g/dl) and total protein (6.9 to 7.1 g/dl) among the four groups. Serum iron concentrations in the post-menopausal women (Post-T: 97±30μg/dl, Post-UT: 106±29μg/dl) were relatively higher than in the pre-menopausals (Pre-T: 85±35 pg/dl, Pre-UT: 78±33 pg/dl) . Mean total iron binding capacity in Post-UT (326 pg/dl) was lower than other groups (352 to 361 pg/dl) . Higher serum ferritin levels were observed in the post-menopausal women (Post-T : 35.8±27.5 ng/ml, Post-UT : 60.4±47.1 ng/ml) than the pre-menopausals (Pre-T: 18.3±13.1 ng/ml, Pre-UT: 16.6±10.7ng/ml) . Intake levels of the four groups with regard to the major nutrients were sufficient as compared with the recommended dietary allowance appropriate for age, sex and physical activity level. Intakes of calcium, iron and vitamins B₁, B₂ and niacin were higher in the trained groups than in the untrained. Regularly performed endurance exercise resulted in higher protein and iron intakes associated with higher energy intakes both before and after menopause. These results suggest that nutritional status of middle-aged women who regularly perform vigorous endurance running could be adequate for maintaining their health in a good state.

Conventional footplates place physical burden on helpers due to various incidents with the footplates and the need to bend over to operate the footplate. Therefore, we examined the introduction of a semi-automated retractable footplate with a ratchet mechanism (hereafter, semi-automated retractable footrest) and investigated its safety and convenience. Both patients and staff reported that the semi-automated retractable footrest was useful. We also found that the semi-automated retractable footrest was free of incidents, reduced physical burden, and enabled helpers to avoid contamination of their hands. However, we also found aspects of the semi-automated retractable footrest that need to be improved.

A total of 78 patients were operated on for senile cataract in our hospital in 1985. The number almost doubled to 142 in 1992, more than 90 percent of whom received the intraocular lens. We asked each patient postoperatively to submit a questionnaire, and found the greatest inconvenience suffered before surgery was the difficulty in reading the letters. Patients with senile cataract have anxiety due to extremely weak eyesight, therefore, we believe it is very important for them to receive orientation before the operation. Until recently, we used the B5-sized (10.12″×7.17″) leaflet for a guide to the operation, but the type was too small for them to read. We renewed the guide by using a F8-sized (17.95″× 14.96″) sketch book. We put them in the sickrooms Just before they patients left our hospital, we asked them for their opinion about the guide. 90 percent of the patients said that they were satisfied with the size of the type, all of them said that the contents are easy to understand, and 50 percent said they read the guide more than twice.
In conclusion, we found that the sketch book, full of illustrations, was quite convenient for senile patients and read repeatedly. It was also a great help to them, because it gave them encouragement and made it easy for them to prepare themselves for the operation.

Background: Muscle weakness in older adults elevates mortality risk and impairs quality of life, with the phase angle (PhA) indicating cellular health. Polypharmacy, common in geriatric care, could influence PhA. This investigates whether the number of medications and polypharmacy with PhA as a biomarker of muscle quality in older inpatients aged ≥65 and determines the extent to which multiple medications contribute to the risk of reduced muscle quality. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from older inpatients requiring rehabilitation. PhA was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The number of medications taken by each patient was recorded at admission. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications at admission. Results: In this study of 517 hospitalized older adults (median age 75 years; 47.4% men), 178 patients (34.4%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Polypharmacy was present in 66% of patients. The median PhA was 4.9° in men and 4.3° in women. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed separately for men and women. In men, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.104, p=0.041) and polypharmacy (β=–0.045, p=0.383). In women, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.119, p=0.026) and polypharmacy (β=–0.098, p=0.063). Analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, sarcopenia, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin levels. Conclusion The number of medications at admission negatively impacted PhA in older inpatients, highlighting the importance of reviewing prescribed drugs and their interactions.

Background: Muscle weakness in older adults elevates mortality risk and impairs quality of life, with the phase angle (PhA) indicating cellular health. Polypharmacy, common in geriatric care, could influence PhA. This investigates whether the number of medications and polypharmacy with PhA as a biomarker of muscle quality in older inpatients aged ≥65 and determines the extent to which multiple medications contribute to the risk of reduced muscle quality. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from older inpatients requiring rehabilitation. PhA was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The number of medications taken by each patient was recorded at admission. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications at admission. Results: In this study of 517 hospitalized older adults (median age 75 years; 47.4% men), 178 patients (34.4%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Polypharmacy was present in 66% of patients. The median PhA was 4.9° in men and 4.3° in women. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed separately for men and women. In men, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.104, p=0.041) and polypharmacy (β=–0.045, p=0.383). In women, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.119, p=0.026) and polypharmacy (β=–0.098, p=0.063). Analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, sarcopenia, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin levels. Conclusion The number of medications at admission negatively impacted PhA in older inpatients, highlighting the importance of reviewing prescribed drugs and their interactions.

Background: Muscle weakness in older adults elevates mortality risk and impairs quality of life, with the phase angle (PhA) indicating cellular health. Polypharmacy, common in geriatric care, could influence PhA. This investigates whether the number of medications and polypharmacy with PhA as a biomarker of muscle quality in older inpatients aged ≥65 and determines the extent to which multiple medications contribute to the risk of reduced muscle quality. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from older inpatients requiring rehabilitation. PhA was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The number of medications taken by each patient was recorded at admission. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications at admission. Results: In this study of 517 hospitalized older adults (median age 75 years; 47.4% men), 178 patients (34.4%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Polypharmacy was present in 66% of patients. The median PhA was 4.9° in men and 4.3° in women. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed separately for men and women. In men, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.104, p=0.041) and polypharmacy (β=–0.045, p=0.383). In women, PhA was negatively correlated with the number of medications (β=–0.119, p=0.026) and polypharmacy (β=–0.098, p=0.063). Analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, sarcopenia, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin levels. Conclusion The number of medications at admission negatively impacted PhA in older inpatients, highlighting the importance of reviewing prescribed drugs and their interactions.