28/Aug/2025
Elderly patients in crisis: unveiling outcomes and management approaches in severe COVID-19 cases – a retrospective analysis from Brazil
einstein (São Paulo). 28/Aug/2025;23:eAO1428.
View Article28/Aug/2025
Elderly patients in crisis: unveiling outcomes and management approaches in severe COVID-19 cases – a retrospective analysis from Brazil
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2025AO1428
Highlights ■ The elderly had higher severity, more comorbidities, and longer intensive care unit and hospital stays than adults. ■ They required more assistance resources and had higher hospital mortality. ■ Independent mortality predictors: age ≥60, frailty, arrhythmia, transplant, acute kidney injury, vasopressors and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, therapeutic resources, and mortality rates of elderly patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients […]
Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Aged; COVID-19; Critical care outcomes; Hospital mortality; Intensive care units; Length of stay; Mortality
17/Mar/2025
Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong intervention on anxiety and stress in diabetic and hypertensive Brazilian patients: a randomized controlled trial
einstein (São Paulo). 17/Mar/2025;23:eAO1076.
View Article17/Mar/2025
Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong intervention on anxiety and stress in diabetic and hypertensive Brazilian patients: a randomized controlled trial
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2025AO1076
Highlights ■ A 13-week Tai Chi/Qigong program significantly reducedanxiety and stress in Brazilian patients with diabetes and hypertension. ■ Tai Chi/Qigong offers an effective complementary therapy to improve health outcomes in primary care settings. ■ This study highlights the potential of Tai Chi/Qigong for enhancing mental and physical well-being in chronic disease management. ABSTRACT Objective: This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi/Qigong practice over 13 weeks on anxiety and perceived stress levels in middle-aged or older Brazilian hypertensive and […]
Keywords: Aged; Anxiety; Complementary therapeutic methods; Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Middle aged; Outcome assessment (Health care); Perceived stress scale; Primary Health Care; Qigong; Stress, psychological; Tai ji
26/Nov/2024
Frailty over the rainbow: a cross-sectional study of LGBT+ adults aged over 50 years
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0937
Highlights The FRAIL scale is a validated instrument for the diagnosis of frailty syndrome. LGBT+ people are subject to different stressors throughout their lives, which can affect their health. Being an LGBT+ man aged ≥60 and an LGBT woman aged ≥50 was independently associated with frailty. ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate differences in the prevalence of frailty between LGBT+ and non- LGBT+ older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving Brazilians aged 50 and over was performed. The participants were invited to […]
Keywords: Aged; Frailty; Middle aged; Minority health; Sexual and gender minorities; Survey and questionnaire
10/Sep/2024
Blood concentrations of α-Klotho and FGF-23 exhibit no correlation with bone mineral density in elderly individuals
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0412
Highlights Klotho controls cellular pathways and is a key factor in senescence and longevity. FGF-23 regulates phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism in a Klotho-dependent manner. Bone formation in Klotho-deficient mice decreased similar to that in aged humans. Renal function and lumbar spine bone mineral density were related to Klotho and FGF-23, respectively. ABSTRACT Objective: To investigating the relationship between α-Klotho and FGF-23 with bone biochemical markers and bone density findings in extremely aged individuals. Methods: A total of 55 individuals […]
Keywords: Aged; Biomarkers; Bone density; FGF-23 protein; Human; Klotho protein; Longevity
10/Jul/2024
Cost and time of hospitalization for elderly people with bone fractures in a reference hospital
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024GS0493
Highlights Bone fractures were more frequent in women. The mortality rate among patients was 9.6%. The main trauma mechanism was falling from standing height. The total hospitalization cost ranged from R$2,006.53 to R$106,912.74. The mean daily cost was R$4,478.64. The longer the hospital stay for treatment, the higher the total cost. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and analyze the aspects regarding the cost and length of stay for elderly patients with bone fractures in a tertiary reference hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional […]
Keywords: Aged; Costs and cost analysis; Femoral neck fractures; Fractures, bone; Health care costs; Hip fractures; Hospitalization; Length of stay; Pandemics
09/May/2024
Low grip strength and gait speed as markers of dependence regarding basic activities of daily living: the FIBRA study
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0637
Highlights A total of 11.7% had concomitant limitations in activities of daily living, slow gait speed, and low muscle strength. Grip strength was not associated with limitations in activities of daily living. Slow gait speed increases the likelihood of limitations in activities of daily living. Gait speed is an essential variable for screening functional decline in older people. ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether low muscle strength and low gait speed increase the risk of disability related to basic activities of […]
Keywords: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Gait; Muscle strength; Risk factor; Walking speed
Algorithm for screening and management of locomotive syndrome in elderly individuals and development of a short version of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese

21/Nov/2022
Algorithm for screening and management of locomotive syndrome in elderly individuals and development of a short version of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese
einstein (São Paulo). 21/Nov/2022;20:eAO6349.
View Article21/Nov/2022
Algorithm for screening and management of locomotive syndrome in elderly individuals and development of a short version of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6349
ABSTRACT Objective To develop a short version of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese and to create an algorithm for locomotive syndrome screening and management. Methods The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese was applied to individuals aged 60 years or older seen at the Geriatrics and Gerontology Department of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, between 2016 and 2018. Items of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale-Portuguese were submitted to exploratory factor analysis using the principal component method. Internal consistency was […]
Keywords: Aged; Algorithms; Locomotion; Surveys and questionnaires; Validation study
28/Jun/2022
Use of potentially inappropriate medications and adverse events in older outpatients with acute conditions
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO8024
ABSTRACT Objective To examine associations between potentially inappropriate medication, use and the risk of falls, unplanned hospitalization and death in older patients receiving initial care in a geriatric day hospital due to acute conditions. Methods Cohort study with older adults referred to a geriatric day hospital from 2014 to 2017 due to acute conditions. Patients were submitted to comprehensive geriatric assessment. Use of medications was analyzed according to Beers Criteria 2019. Outcome assessment was based on monthly follow-up telephone calls […]
Keywords: Aged; Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions; Frail elderly; Potentially inappropriate medication list
29/Mar/2022
Factors associated with the identification of drug therapy problems among older patients in Primary Health Care
einstein (São Paulo). 29/Mar/2022;20:eAO6544.
View Article29/Mar/2022
Factors associated with the identification of drug therapy problems among older patients in Primary Health Care
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6544
ABSTRACT Objective To determine the frequency of drug therapy problems among older adults in Primary Health Care, and to analyze the factors associated with their identification in the initial patient assessment, carried out by pharmacists offering medication therapy management services. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted with data from 758 older adults followed up in medication therapy management services in Primary Health Care in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Betim, and Lagoa Santa (MG, Brazil). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed […]
Keywords: Aged; Medication therapy management; Pharmaceutical services; Polypharmacy; Primary Health Care
17/Mar/2022
Epidemiological characteristics and adherence of a cohort of elderly people with HIV/AIDS in the Public Health System
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6474
ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the epidemiological profile of patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed as HIV/AIDS, in a Specialized Service of the Public Health System. Methods A retrospective cohort study using secondary data from medical records in the period 2014 to 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and features related to treatment adherence were organized in a database. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (or median) ± standard deviation (or interquartile range), and categorical variables expressed as number and percentage […]
Keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Aged; AIDS; Antiretroviral therapy, highly active; HIV; Immunity, cellular; Treatment adherence and compliance