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Objective Magnetic femoral nerve stimulation to test muscle function has been largely unexplored in older people. We assessed acceptability, feasibility, along with reproducibility and correlation with other physical function measures. Results Study 1 recruited older people with sarcopenia. Stimulation was performed at baseline and 2 weeks along with six minute walk (6MW), maximum voluntary quadriceps contraction, short physical performance battery and grip strength. Acceptability was measured using visual analog scales. Study 2 used baseline data from a trial of older people. We correlated stimulation results with 6MW, maximal voluntary contraction and muscle mass. Maximum quadriceps twitch tension was measured in both studies, evoked using biphasic magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve. In study 1 (n = 12), magnetic stimulation was well tolerated with mean discomfort rating of 9% (range 0–40%) on a visual analog scale. Reproducibility was poor (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.06; p = 0.44). Study 2 (n = 64) showed only weak to moderate correlations for maximum quadriceps twitch tension with other measures of physical function (6 minute walk test r = 0.24, p = 0.06; maximal voluntary contraction r = 0.26; p = 0.04). We conclude that magnetic femoral nerve stimulation is acceptable and feasible but poorly reproducible in older, functionally impaired people.

BackgroundInterventions that improve muscle function may slow decline in physical function and disability in later life. Recent evidence suggests that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may maintain muscle function. We evaluated the effect of aldosterone blockade on physical performance in functionally impaired older people without heart failure.MethodsIn this parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, community-dwelling participants aged ≥65 years with self-reported problems with activities of daily living were randomized to receive 25 mg spironolactone or identical placebo daily for 20 weeks. The primary outcome was change in 6-minute walking distance over 20 weeks. Secondary outcomes were changes in Timed Up and Go test, Incremental Shuttle Walk Test, Functional Limitation Profile, EuroQol EQ-5D, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale over 20 weeks.ResultsParticipants’ mean (standard deviation) age was 75 (6) years. Of the 93% of participants (112/120) who completed the study, 106 remained on medication at 20 weeks. There was no significant difference in change in 6-minute walking distance at 20 weeks between the spironolactone and placebo groups (mean change, −3.2 m; 95% confidence interval, −28.9 to 22.5; P = .81). Quality of life improved significantly at 20 weeks, with an increase in EuroQol EQ-5D score of 0.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.18; P < .01) in the spironolactone group relative to the placebo group. There were no significant differences in between-group change for other secondary outcomes.ConclusionsSpironolactone was well tolerated but did not improve physical function in older people without heart failure. Quality of life improved significantly, and the possible mechanisms for this require further study.

Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been associated with a number of age-related pathologies including hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. More recently, it has been suggested that alterations within the RAAS may contribute to the development of sarcopenia and subsequent decline in physical function. There is growing interest in developing interventions to prevent age-associated decline in muscle function. We postulate that inhibition of the RAAS with the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone may have a role in countering the effects of physical impairment in older people by improving skeletal muscle function. Spironolactone may prevent skeletal myocyte apoptosis, improve vascular endothelial function and enhance muscle contractility by increasing muscle magnesium and sodium-potassium pumps. This article will review the literature underpinning the hypothesis that spironolactone may have a role in maintaining muscle function in older people.

Louise A Burton, Deepa SumukadasAgeing and Health, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United KingdomAbstract: Sarcopenia is the progressive generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function which occurs as a consequence of aging. With a growing older population, there has been great interest in developing approaches to counteract the effects of sarcopenia, and thereby reduce the age-related decline and disability. This paper reviews (1) the mechanisms of sarcopenia, (2) the diagnosis of sarcopenia, and (3) the potential interventions for ­sarcopenia. Multiple factors appear to be involved in the development of sarcopenia including the loss of muscle mass and muscle fibers, increased inflammation, altered hormonal levels, poor ­nutritional status, and altered renin–angiotensin system. The lack of diagnostic criteria to identify patients with sarcopenia hinders potential management options. To date, ­pharmacological ­interventions have shown limited efficacy in counteracting the effects of sarcopenia. Recent evidence has shown benefits with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; however, further randomized controlled trials are required. Resistance training remains the most effective intervention for sarcopenia; however, older people maybe unable or unwilling to embark on strenuous exercise training programs.Keywords: aged, muscle function, sarcopenia

Background hospital-acquired pneumonia poses a hazard to older people who are hospitalised, yet few data exist on the incidence or risk factors in non-intensive care patients. This study aimed to determine the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in a sample of hospitalised older people. Methods prospective survey of hospitalised older patients (>65 years) at a single centre over a 12-month period. Casenote and chart data were collected on acute medical, orthopaedic and Medicine for the Elderly wards. HAP was defined in accordance with the European and Scottish National Prevalence Survey 2011 definition. Key analyses were incidence of clinically suspected and case definition clinically confirmed HAP. Results one thousand three hundred and two patients were included in the analysis. Five hundred and thirty-nine (41%) were male; mean age was 82 years (SD 8). Median length of hospital stay was 14 days (IQR 20). One hundred and fifty-seven episodes of HAP were clinically suspected in 143 patients (10.9% of admissions), but only 83 episodes in 76 patients met the diagnostic criteria (5.8% of admissions). The risk of HAP was 0.3% per day in hospital. Reasons for failure to meet the diagnostic criteria in 75 cases were lack of radiographic evidence in 60/75; lack of evidence of inflammation in 42/75, and lack of respiratory signs or symptoms in 13/75; 35/75 (47%) of cases lacked evidence in two or more domains. Conclusion HAP is common but over-diagnosed in older hospitalised patients.

Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been associated with a number of age-related pathologies including hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. More recently, it has been suggested that alterations within the RAAS may contribute to the development of sarcopenia and subsequent decline in physical function. There is growing interest in developing interventions to prevent age-associated decline in muscle function. We postulate that inhibition of the RAAS with the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone may have a role in countering the effects of physical impairment in older people by improving skeletal muscle function. Spironolactone may prevent skeletal myocyte apoptosis, improve vascular endothelial function and enhance muscle contractility by increasing muscle magnesium and sodium-potassium pumps. This article will review the literature underpinning the hypothesis that spironolactone may have a role in maintaining muscle function in older people.

Introduction and objectives Older people are at risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Few data exist on the incidence or risk factors for HAP in non-intensive care patients. Our aim was to determine the incidence and key risk factors for HAP in a sample of older people. Methods A prospective survey of people >65 years admitted to Acute Medical, Medicine for the Elderly and Orthopaedic wards in NHS Tayside (Dundee, UK) over a 12 month period. HAP was defined in accordance with the European and Scottish National Prevalence Survey of Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Prescribing, June 2011. Key analyses included: incidence of case-defined HAP, risk factors for development using Cox regression analysis and the percentage of clinically diagnosed HAP that met the diagnostic criteria for case-defined HAP. Results A total of 1302 patients were included in the survey, 539 (41%) male, and mean age 82 years (SD 8). Median length of hospital stay was 14 days (IQR 20). 157 episodes of HAP were suspected clinically in 143 patients (incidence 10.9%), but only 83 episodes (53% of total) in 76 patients met the diagnostic criteria (incidence 5.8%). Case fatality rate was 29% in patients with confirmed HAP, and 19% in patients with suspected but not confirmed HAP. Risk of HAP increased by 0.3% per day spent in hospital. Swallowing problems were the single most important risk factor; HR 3.7 (95% CI 2.2 to 6.1, p Conclusion HAP is common but overdiagnosed in older hospitalised patients. Older patients with swallowing problems have a greater risk of developing HAP. Given the high mortality rate, knock on effects on antibiotic use and length of hospital stay, ways of preventing HAP would be of potential importance to health services.