Pace of Aging in older adults matters for healthspan and lifespan

As societies age, policy makers need tools to understand how demographic aging will affect population health and to develop programs to increase healthspan. The current metrics used for policy analysis do not distinguish differences caused by early-life factors, such as prenatal care and nutrition, from those caused by ongoing changes in people's bodies due to aging. Here we introduce an adapted Pace of Aging method designed to quantify differences between individuals and populations in the speed of aging-related health declines. The adapted Pace of Aging method, implemented in data from N=13,626 older adults in the US Health and Retirement Study, integrates longitudinal data on blood biomarkers, physical measurements, and functional tests. It reveals stark differences in rates of aging between population subgroups and demonstrates strong and consistent prospective associations with incident morbidity, disability, and mortality. Pace of Aging can advance the population science of healthy longevity.

Patients' experiences of a suppoRted self-manAGeMent pAThway In breast Cancer (PRAGMATIC): quality of life and service use results

PURPOSE

To describe trends and explore factors associated with quality of life (QoL) and psychological morbidity and assess breast cancer (BC) health service use over a 12-month period for patients joining the supported self-management (SSM)/patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) pathway.

METHODS

Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months that measured QoL (FACT-B, EQ 5D-5L), self-efficacy (GSE), psychological morbidity (GHQ-12), roles and responsibilities (PRRS) and service use (cost diary).

RESULTS

99/110 patients completed all timepoints; 32% (35/110) had received chemotherapy. The chemotherapy group had poorer QoL; FACT-B total score mean differences were 8.53 (95% CI: 3.42 to 13.64), 5.38 (95% CI: 0.17 to 10.58) and 8.00 (95% CI: 2.76 to 13.24) at 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The odds of psychological morbidity (GHQ12 >4) were 5.5-fold greater for those treated with chemotherapy. Financial and caring burdens (PRRS) were worse for this group (mean difference in change at 9 months 3.25 (95% CI: 0.42 to 6.07)). GSE and GHQ-12 scores impacted FACT-B total scores, indicating QoL decline for those with high baseline psychological morbidity. Chemotherapy patients or those with high psychological morbidity or were unable to carry out normal activities had the highest service costs. Over the 12 months, 68.2% participants phoned/emailed breast care nurses, and 53.3% visited a hospital breast clinician.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that chemotherapy patients and/or those with heightened psychological morbidity might benefit from closer monitoring and/or supportive interventions whilst on the SSM/PIFU pathway. Reduced access due to COVID-19 could have affected service use.

Effect of long-term caloric restriction on DNA methylation measures of biological aging in healthy adults from the CALERIE trial

The geroscience hypothesis proposes that therapy to slow or reverse molecular changes that occur with aging can delay or prevent multiple chronic diseases and extend healthy lifespan1-3. Caloric restriction (CR), defined as lessening caloric intake without depriving essential nutrients4, results in changes in molecular processes that have been associated with aging, including DNA methylation (DNAm)5-7, and is established to increase healthy lifespan in multiple species8,9. Here we report the results of a post hoc analysis of the influence of CR on DNAm measures of aging in blood samples from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial, a randomized controlled trial in which n = 220 adults without obesity were randomized to 25% CR or ad libitum control diet for 2 yr (ref. 10). We found that CALERIE intervention slowed the pace of aging, as measured by the DunedinPACE DNAm algorithm, but did not lead to significant changes in biological age estimates measured by various DNAm clocks including PhenoAge and GrimAge. Treatment effect sizes were small. Nevertheless, modest slowing of the pace of aging can have profound effects on population health11-13. The finding that CR modified DunedinPACE in a randomized controlled trial supports the geroscience hypothesis, building on evidence from small and uncontrolled studies14-16 and contrasting with reports that biological aging may not be modifiable17. Ultimately, a conclusive test of the geroscience hypothesis will require trials with long-term follow-up to establish effects of intervention on primary healthy-aging endpoints, including incidence of chronic disease and mortality18-20.

Cross-sectional observational analysis of the genetic referral practices across pediatric ophthalmology outpatient departments in an urban setting

Purpose

To analyze the genetic referral practices of pediatric ophthalmologists in an urban setting.

Methods

(1) The first limb of the study: cross-sectional, observational study among children visiting the outpatient department of pediatric ophthalmology across five centers in Mumbai. All pediatric patients were screened separately by pediatric ophthalmologists and a clinical geneticist for their ophthalmic and systemic complaints. Children were marked for referral to genetics (RTG) by both the specialists based on identification of distinctive features (red flag) and were requested to meet a local geneticist. (2a) Twenty-three months later, patients who had been marked for RTG were contacted telephonically to follow-up if they had met the geneticist. (2b) Additionally, the last 20 proformas from each center were checked retrospectively to note the RTG marked by the ophthalmologist alone.

Results

(1) In the first aspect of the study, 126 patients (male: female = 1.2:1) were included. Forty-nine (38.3%) patients were referred for genetic evaluation, of which three (6.1%), 31 (63.26%), and 15 (30.6%) cases were referred by the ophthalmologist alone, geneticist alone, and by both the specialists, respectively. Glaucoma (100%), nystagmus (86%), and leukocoria (83%) were the most prominent ocular diagnoses in cases referred for genetic evaluation. Facial dysmorphism (55.1%) and neurodevelopmental delays (51%) were among the most common systemic red flags found in patients referred to genetics. (2a) Twenty-three months later, on contacting the 49 patients marked for RTG, only one family had met the geneticist. (2b) Retrospective evaluation of 100 proformas: only three patients were marked for RTG by ophthalmologist alone.

Conclusion

This study found that the genetic referrals by pediatric ophthalmologist were far lesser than those by geneticist. The study highlights an area of knowledge gap among pediatric ophthalmologists, prompting a need for heightened awareness in this area.

Uveitis, glaucoma, and cataract with mevalonate kinase deficiency

We report 7 years of follow-up data on ocular findings in a 2-month-old boy who presented with early-onset bilateral granulomatous panuveitis with subsequent development of secondary glaucoma and total cataract, along with multisystem involvement. He was diagnosed with mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), with a homozygous missense variant in exon-6 of the mevalonate kinase (MVK) gene on chromosome-12 that resulted in the substitution of aspartic acid for asparagine at codon 205 (p.Asn205Asp). Despite being managed with topical/systemic steroids and immunosuppression therapy with methotrexate and a short course of adalimumab, the patient continued to develop recurrent episodes of uveitis along with multisystem manifestations. The occurrence of early-onset uveitis is rare, as is the diagnosis of MKD.

Convergence excess consecutive esotropia associated with 0.01% atropine eye drops usage in patients operated for intermittent exotropia

To report convergence excess esotropia (CEET) following 0.01% atropine eye drops (Low dose atropine [LDA]). Children who developed CEET that resolved promptly after discontinuation of LDA are described. Three myopes aged 5.3 ± 1.2 years and mean sphere -4.5D were included. All were operated for intermittent exotropia earlier. Mean esotropia was +28.3PD for near and 10.6PD for distance. LDA induced high AC/A ratio and fusion normalized in 3 weeks after discontinuation of LDA. LDA should be used with caution in patients with esophoria or previously operated for intermittent exotropia. Any evidence of the emergence of a CEET should warrant discontinuation of LDA.

Estimation Dynamic Distance Direct Ophthalmoscopy (eDDDO): A novel, objective method for the quantitative assessment of accommodation in young children

Purpose

To describe estimation dynamic distance direct ophthalmoscopy (eDDDO) and compare it with the monocular estimation method of dynamic retinoscopy (eDR) for the assessment of accommodation in children.

Methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, an ophthalmologist performed eDDDO followed by eDR in children with normal eyes, and then under the partial effects of cyclopentolate and tropicamide to assess performance of eDDDO with eDR under the condition of pharmacologically induced accommodation failure. Only one eye of each child was recruited in the study. To study the inter-observer variation, two masked pediatric ophthalmology fellows performed eDDDO in the similar manner.

Results

For the comparison of eDDDO with eDR, 60 eyes of 60 patients were recruited. The mean age of the patients was 10.4 years. The mean accommodation on eDDDO was 3.0D, 5.1D, 9.8D, and 11.3D at 40 cm, 25 cm, 10 cm, and 8 cm, respectively and 3.0D, 5.0D, 9.5D, and 11.0D on eDR. The eDDDO overestimated accommodation by a mean 0.17D (95% CL 0-0.48D, P = 0.5). The correlation of eDDDO with eDR was excellent (Pearson r 0.98, T value 76.0). The inter-observer difference with eDDDO was not significant (mean 1D, 95% CL 0-2.6D, P = 0.9) and the correlation between two observers was excellent (Pearson r 0.9, T value 12.7). The eDDDO and eDR were also performed on 12 eyes of 6 children with a mean age of 8.5 years (range 8-12 years) under the partial effect of cyclopentolate and tropicamide, where eDDDO overestimated the accommodation by a mean 0.3D (95% CL 0- 1.2D, P = 0.7) and the correlation was excellent (Pearson r 1.0, T value 45).

Conclusion

eDDDO is a simple, reliable, quantitative, and objective technique of accommodation assessment for children. Further studies with larger sample are required to assess its performance in disorders of accommodation affecting younger children and in children with ocular comorbidities.

Allergic reactions to atropine eye drops for retardation of progressive myopia in children

Purpose

To report clinical manifestations of ocular allergy to atropine eye drops used for retardation of progressive myopia in children.

Methods

Myopic children, who developed bothersome itching that subsided promptly after cessation of atropine eye drops, were included. History of systemic or ocular allergy, preexisting ocular conditions, and clinical features of allergy were noted.

Results

Six children, age 5-15 years, were included. Four developed allergy to 1% atropine sulfate eye drops and two to 0.01% concentration of atropine sulfate. The onset of allergy was within a month to as late as 4 years after using atropine eye drops. The severity of allergy was higher with 1% concentration. The most common symptoms of atropine allergy were itching and burning. The most common signs were lid swelling and hyperemia. The allergic manifestations promptly reversed with the stoppage of eye drops. Reintroduction was possible in three patients, either by reducing the concentration of atropine or using benzalkonium free formulation.

Conclusion

Allergy to atropine eye drops in children may develop within a few weeks or after many years of usage. Prompt cessation followed by a reintroduction and continuation of therapy may be possible in few patients.

Efficacy of 1% atropine eye drops in retarding progressive axial myopia in Indian eyes

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of 1% atropine eye drops for the retardation of progressive axial myopia in Indian eyes.

Methods:

This prospective interventional cohort study included children aged 5–16 years. Both the eyes of myopic children with progressive increase of ≥−0.5D sphere/year with the best-corrected vision of ≥6/6 were treated with once a day application of 1% atropine eye drops and progressive addition photogray lenses. The progression of myopia after 1-year follow-up was analyzed.

Results:

Sixty eyes of thirty myopes were included in the study. The mean age was 10 years and 15 were girls. The mean baseline sphere was −5.2D (−2.5D–−13D). Mean duration of follow-up was 23 months (12–36 months). The baseline rate of progression was reduced from −0.6D/year (range −0.5D/year to −3D/year) to −0.2D/year (range 0D/year to −1.5D/year) after atropine therapy. Seventeen patients (57%) had to use the atropine in the daytime to reach the target progression of <−0.5D/year. There was no difference between the efficacy of atropine drops in the boys and girls (P = 0.6). The efficacy of atropine drops did not have a correlation with the age of the patients or the magnitude of baseline myopia (Pearson's r = 0).

Conclusion:

1% atropine eye drops was well tolerated and efficacious for the retardation of progressive myopia in Indian eyes. Effectiveness was better with daytime application. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of 1% atropine in the rapid progressors and patients poorly responding to low-dose atropine.

Reliability of surface electromyography measurements from the suprahyoid muscle complex

Assessment of swallowing musculature using motor evoked potentials (MEPs) can be used to evaluate neural pathways. However, recording of the swallowing musculature is often invasive, uncomfortable and unrealistic in normal clinical practice. To investigate the possibility of using the suprahyoid muscle complex (SMC) using surface electromyography (sEMG) to assess changes to neural pathways by determining the reliability of measurements in healthy participants over days. Seventeen healthy participants were recruited. Measurements were performed twice with one week between sessions. Single-pulse (at 120% and 140% of the resting motor threshold (rMT)) and paired-pulse (2 ms and 15 ms paired pulse) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were used to elicit MEPs in the SMC which were recorded using sEMG. ≈50% of participants (range: 42-58%; depending on stimulus type/intensity) had significantly different MEP values between day 1 and day 2 for single-pulse and paired-pulse TMS. A large stimulus artefact resulted in MEP responses that could not be assessed in four participants. The assessment of the SMC using sEMG following TMS was poorly reliable for ≈50% of participants. Although using sEMG to assess swallowing musculature function is easier to perform clinically and more comfortable to patients than invasive measures, as the measurement of muscle activity using TMS is unreliable, the use of sEMG for this muscle group is not recommended and requires further research and development.

Reliability of "Google" for obtaining medical information

Internet is used by many patients to obtain relevant medical information. We assessed the impact of "Google" search on the knowledge of the parents whose ward suffered from squint. In 21 consecutive patients, the "Google" search improved the mean score of the correct answers from 47% to 62%. We found that "Google" search was useful and reliable source of information for the patients with regards to the disease etiopathogenesis and the problems caused by the disease. The internet-based information, however, was incomplete and not reliable with regards to the disease treatment.

The perceived personality traits of adults with digitally induced large angle strabismus and the impact of its correction

Purpose:

To ascertain the effect of digitally induced large angle strabismus and its correction on social bias against strabismic adults.

Subjects and Methods:

This prospective, observational study included 10 orthotropic subjects whose face photographs were digitally altered to produce esotropia, exotropia, and hypertropia. Three batches of non-medical professionals, each consisting of 14 subjects, adjudged personality traits of the altered face photographs on a 10-item questionnaire. The same evaluators effected the appraisal of the orthotropic photographs. The personality score of the strabismic photograph of a subject was compared with its own orthotropic photograph.

Subjects and Methods:

This prospective, observational study included 10 orthotropic subjects whose face photographs were digitally altered to produce esotropia, exotropia, and hypertropia. Three batches of non-medical professionals, each consisting of 14 subjects, adjudged personality traits of the altered face photographs on a 10-item questionnaire. The same evaluators effected the appraisal of the orthotropic photographs. The personality score of the strabismic photograph of a subject was compared with its own orthotropic photograph.

Results:

The 10 subjects whose photographs were digitally modified were of the same age (21 years) and had equal gender distribution. The evaluation of the photographs was performed by 42 evaluators aged 38.3 ± 14.9 years, of whom 21 were males. Different personality traits were rated negatively in the strabismic photographs. The statistically significant negative impact was apparent on more number of personality traits for esotropia (7 out of 10) as compared to exotropia (4 out of 10) or hypertropia (3 out of 10). Rating of the strabismic photographs was significantly lower by female evaluators (P = 0.006). However, there was no difference whether the subject evaluating the photograph of the strabismic individual was of the same gender or the opposite gender. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was excellent (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.81).

Conclusion:

There was a significant negative impact of strabismus on the perceived personality traits of the digitally altered face photographs of the adults when compared to their orthotropic photograph.

Bilateral sensory deprivation of trigeminal afferent fibres on corticomotor control of human tongue musculature: a preliminary study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has demonstrated changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in human limb muscles following modulation of sensory afferent inputs. The aim of this study was to determine whether bilateral local anaesthesia (LA) of the lingual nerve affects the excitability of the tongue motor cortex (MI) as measured by TMS. The effect on MEPs after bilateral LA of the lingual nerve was studied, while the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle served as a control in ten healthy participants. MEPs were measured on the right side of the tongue dorsum in four different conditions: (i) immediately prior to anaesthesia (baseline), (ii) during bilateral LA block of the lingual nerve, (iii) after anaesthesia had subjectively subsided (recovery) and (iv) 3 h after bilateral lingual block injection. MEPs were assessed using stimulus-response curves in steps of 10% of motor threshold (T). Eight stimuli were given at each stimulus level. The amplitudes of the tongue MEPs were significantly influenced by the stimulus intensity (P < 0·001) but not by condition (P = 0·186). However, post hoc tests showed that MEPS were statistically significantly higher during bilateral LA block condition compared with baseline at T + 40%, T + 50% and T + 60% (P < 0·028) and also compared with recovery at T + 60% (P = 0·010) as well as at 3 h after injection at T + 50% and T + 60% (P < 0·029). Bilateral LA block of the lingual nerve seems to be associated with a facilitation of the corticomotor pathways related to the tongue musculature.

Recurrent progressive anterior segment fibrosis syndrome following a descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty in an infant with congenital aniridia

Progressive anterior segment fibrosis syndrome (ASFS), after intraocular surgery in older children (≥9 years) and adults with congenital aniridia, is described in the literature. In this report, we describe an unique case of ASFS in an infant with congenital aniridia following a combined trabeculotomy-ectomy and its recurrence after a descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty. The ophthalmologists should be well aware of this entity and warn the parents about its possibilities. Use of immunomodulators or prolonged anti-inflammatory therapy may be considered to prevent its occurrence.

Converting a conventional wired-halogen illuminated indirect ophthalmoscope to a wireless-light emitting diode illuminated indirect ophthalmoscope in less than 1000/- rupees

Aim:

To report the “do it yourself” method of converting an existing wired-halogen indirect ophthalmoscope (IO) to a wireless-light emitting diode (LED) IO and report the preferences of the patients and the ophthalmologists.

Subjects and Methods:

In this prospective observational study, a conventional IO was converted to wireless-LED IO using easily available, affordable electrical components. Conventional and the converted IO were then used to perform photo-stress test and take the feedback of subjects and the ophthalmologists regarding its handling and illumination characteristics.

Results:

The cost of conversion to wireless-LED was 815/- rupees. Twenty-nine subjects, mean age 34.3 ± 10 years with normal eyes were recruited in the study. Between the two illumination systems, there was no statistical difference in the magnitude of the visual acuity loss and the time to recovery of acuity and the bleached vision on photo-stress test, although the visual recovery was clinically faster with LED illumination. The heat sensation was more with halogen illumination than the LED (P = 0.009). The ophthalmologists rated wireless-LED IO higher than wired-halogen IO on the handling, examination comfort, patient's visual comfort and quality of the image. Twenty-two (81%) ophthalmologists wanted to change over to wireless-LED IO.

Conclusions:

Converting to wireless-LED IO is easy, cost-effective and preferred over a wired-halogen indirect ophthalmoscope.

Occlusion-amblyopia following high dose oral levodopa combined with part time patching

Part time occlusion therapy is not reported to cause occlusion (reverse) amblyopia. However, when combined with high dose oral levodopa, an increase in the plasticity of the visual cortex can lead to occlusion amblyopia. In this case report, we describe a six year old child who developed occlusion amblyopia following part time patching combined with oral levodopa.

Scope and limitations of therapies: a neomillennial epistemological evaluation for helping medical practices

Medical practice is in crisis - the sophistications are enormous and expensive, and the outcomes leave much to be desired. An epistemologic evaluation that weighs the scope and limitations of any -pathy or any procedure seems to be the need of the day. As an example, described herein is the logic of such an exercise; and a sample of the exercise itself, taking cancer as an example.

Dynamic distance direct ophthalmoscopy, a novel technique to assess accommodation in children

Aim:

To describe and compare dynamic distance direct ophthalmoscopy (DDDO) with dynamic retinoscopy (DR) in assessment of accommodation in children.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective observational study had four components. Component 1: to understand the characteristic digital images of DDDO. Component 2: to compare DDDO with DR for detection of accommodative defects in children (1–16 years). Component 3: to compare DDDO with DR for the detection of completeness of pharmacologically induced cycloplegia in children (5–16 years) and Component 4: to assess which one of the two techniques was more sensitive to detect onset of cycloplegia after instillation of 1% cyclopentolate eye drops.

Results:

Component 1: image analysis of DDDO on two subjects (7 years and 35 years) demonstrated superior pupillary crescent that progressively disappeared with increasing accommodation. Concurrently an inferior crescent appeared that became bigger in size with increasing accommodation. Component 2: the prevalence of defects in accommodation was 3.3% (33/1000 children). Three had unilateral accommodation failure. Sensitivity of DDDO was 94%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 99%, and clinical agreement (kappa) 0.97. Component 3: in the detection of completeness of pharmacologically induced cycloplegia (n=30), the sensitivity of DDDO was 94%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 97%, negative predictive value 93% and kappa 0.9. DR had two false positives. DDDO had one false negative. Component 4: DDDO detected onset of pharmacologically induced cycloplegia 5 min earlier than DR (n=5).

Conclusion:

DDDO is a novel, simple, clinical and reliable method to assess accommodation in young children. This test can assess the accommodative response of both eyes simultaneously.

Use of atropine to predict the accommodative component in esotropia with hypermetropia

This cohort study included children with esotropia and hypermetropia of ≥ +2.0 diopters (D). The deviation was measured at presentation, under atropine cycloplegia and 3 months after full refractive correction. Of 44 children with a mean age of 5.2 ± 2.4 years, 25 were males. Eighteen (41%) had fully refractive accommodative esotropia (RAE), 10 (23%) had partial accommodative esotropia (PAE), and 5 (11%) had nonaccommodative esotropia (NAE). Eleven (25%) had convergence excess (CE). Under cycloplegia, all with RAE and RAE with CE had orthotropia. There was no significant change in the deviation in the patients with NAE. The deviation under cycloplegia and that with full refractive correction in PAE and PAE with CE (with +3.0 D addition) were not different. The intraclass correlation coefficient for deviation under cycloplegia and after full refractive correction (+3.0 D addition for CE) was 0.89. It was concluded that ocular deviation under cycloplegia can help to predict the accommodative component in esotropia with hypermetropia.

Feed back of the parents and / or relatives witnessing a squint surgery of their ward in the operation theater

The aim of the study was to know the response of the relatives attending the squint surgery of their ward. A trained secretary administered an eight item questionnaire by live / telephonic interview. Of the 44 attendees, two left the Operation Theater before completion of the surgery. Mean age of the patients was 7.2 years ± 7.8 and that of the attendees was 36.1 years ± 8.5. Forty patients had a surgery under general anesthesia and four under local anesthesia. Eleven (25%) attendees experienced an increase in anxiety. Thirty-six (82%) attendees reported increased transparency, 38 (86%) reported increased confidence, and 43 (98%) reported increased awareness. None found any disadvantage. Twenty-seven (61%) recommended this practice for all and 16 (36%) recommended the practice selectively. The internal validity of the questionnaire was fair (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.6). It was concluded that the presence of relatives in the Operation Theater during the surgery could bring in more transparency, accountability, confidence, awareness, and trust.