Declining daily functioning as a prelude to a hip fracture in older persons-an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Daily functioning is known to decline after a hip fracture, but studies of self-reported functioning before the fracture suggest this decline begins before the fracture.

Objective: Determine whether change in functioning in the year before a hip fracture in very old (80+) differs from change in those without a hip fracture.

Design: Two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis including data from the Towards Understanding Longitudinal International older People Studies (TULIPS)-consortium.

Patterns of multi-morbidity and prediction of hospitalisation and all-cause mortality in advanced age.

Background: multi-morbidity is associated with poor outcomes and increased healthcare utilisation. We aim to identify multi-morbidity patterns and associations with potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), subsequent hospitalisation and mortality in octogenarians.

Methods: life and Living in Advanced Age; a Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) examined health outcomes of 421 Māori (indigenous to New Zealand), aged 80-90 and 516 non-Māori, aged 85 years in 2010.

What is the relationship between visual impairment and cognitive function in octogenarians?

Aims: To examine direct and indirect pathways between visual and cognitive function in advanced age.

Methods: We analysed cross-sectional baseline data from Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand, which recruited equal sample sizes of Māori (n=421) and non-Māori (n=516) octogenarians. The Modified Mini-Mental State Examination assessed cognitive function.

Vitamin D status of Māori and non-Māori octogenarians in New Zealand: a Cohort Study (LiLACS NZ).

Background And Objectives: This study assessed vitamin D status and its determinants in a cohort of octogenarians living within New Zealand's Bay of Plenty and Lakes Districts.

Methods And Study Design: Serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration was measured in 209 Māori (aged 80-90 years) and 357 non-Māori (85 years), along with demographic, lifestyle, supplement use and other health data.

Results: Mean [95% CI] 25(OH)D concentration was 69 [67 to 72] nmol/L, with 15% >100 nmol/L and 6 individuals >150 nmol/L.

Left ventricular geometry and all-cause mortality in advanced age.

Background: Abnormalities of cardiac structure and function are common in a wide range of populations including those with and without established clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study reports the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the four patterns of LV geometry and establishes clinical characteristics and five-year outcomes of each group in people of advanced age.

Method: A study conducted in general practices and Māori Health Services in three New Zealand North Island locations.

Which cardiovascular risk factors are associated with cardiovascular disease and predict future events in advanced age in New Zealand?

Aim: To examine the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular health at baseline, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events 28 months later, in advanced age.

Methods: 108 adults in advanced age were recruited. Data were collected through a standardised questionnaire including a measure of physical activity, comprehensive physical assessment and fasting blood samples.

Nutrition risk: cultural aspects of assessment.

Aim: To assess a nutrition risk screening tool amongst Maori and non-Maori of advanced age.

Method: A cross sectional feasibility study was conducted in three North Island locations. One hundred and eight community-living residents aged 75- 85 years were assessed for nutrition risk using 'the validated questionnaire 'Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition', Version II (SCREENII) and level of physical activity using the 'Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly' (PASE).