Background: Balance is defined as the ability to maintain the centre of gravity within the base of support during human daily life activities’. Due to physiological process of ageing, there’s decreased ability to generate force in the lower extremity muscles resulting in falls which have a deep impact on functional activity performance. The purpose of this study is to see the improvement in stability and performance of ADL’s in response to ankle exercise program and proprioceptive training in community-dwelling elderly population and to compare the effect of both. Method: This comparative experimental study included 40 ambulatory elderly individuals, both male and female of the age group of >65 years. The individuals with known neurological or cardiac condition were excluded. Then the subjects were recruited in 2 groups, 20 each. Group 1: Ankle exercise program (strengthening and stretching exercise for ankle musculature). Group 2: Proprioceptive training (proprioceptive exercise of the foot). The intervention period was for four weeks (5 sessions per week). Result: On the statistical analysis of data by using SPSS v16, level of significance kept at <0.005 it was found that on Wilcoxon test the difference was significant post-intervention (p= 0.000) for both groups. On Mann Whitney U test, the change wasn’t significant (p = 0.069 for POMA and 0.3 for ABC). Conclusion: The study concludes that there’s a significant improvement in stability and functional activity for the performance of ADL’s after the ankle exercise program and proprioceptive training.

Background: Malnutrition is often overseen and not considered in a treatment program for the elderly patient. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly patients attending the out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was done to assess the nutritional status of 1000 elderly patients (≥65 years) attending the Geriatric medicine out-patient department in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India between May and July 2011. The subjects were interviewed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Questionnaire. The results were tabulated and analysed. Results: According to the MNA score, the prevalence of malnutrition in elderly patients was 31.3%, those at risk of malnutrition was 54.8% and those normally nourished was 13.9%. The mean MNA-Short Form (screening) score was 8.7±2.3 (2-14) and the mean Total Assessment score was 17.8±3.3 (6-26). The correlations between the total MNA score and the anthropometric variables— BMI (r=0.438, p<0.001), mid-arm circumference (r=0.388, p<0.001) and calf circumference (r=0.408, p<0.001) were all significant. The sensitivity and specificity of the MNA was 93% and 68% respectively. The results of the study also showed that older age and being a woman were associated with lower MNA scores. Conclusion: More than 85% of the elderly patients are either at risk or malnourished. The focus should be to evaluate the nutritional status of the elderly at their very first approach to medical help to improve their ability to overcome disease and enhance their clinical outcome.

Introduction: Ageing is an irreversible and continuous process which results in a decline of functioning in all systems including the skin, thereby predisposing the elderly persons to develop various skin ailments. Proper knowledge of different dermatoses prevalent in this population in different geographic regions help the health care providers in better health care policymaking. Objective: The present study was conducted to delineate the spectrum of various dermatoses and the factors contributing to those dermatoses amongst the geriatric patients in a Tertiary care hospital, Salem. Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional prospective study, conducted in Dermatology Out-Patient department in a tertiary care hospital between March 2015 and June 2016. A total of 250 patients of age sixty years and above were included in the study. They were examined for diseases of the skin and appendages. Data were coded and analyzed. Results: Almost 84 types of skin lesions were identified among the geriatric age group. Nail disorders (48.8%), Degenerative conditions (42.4%) and Eczema (29.2%) occupied the top three common dermatoses in our study. Regarding specific disorders loss of nail lusture (17.6%) was the most common dermatoses followed by Allergic contact dermatitis (16%), Seborrhoeic keratosis (14.8%), Pruritus (12%) and Fungal infections (11.6%). Conclusion: Nail disorders(48.8%), Degenerative conditions(42.4%), and eczema(29.2%) occupied the top three common dermatoses in our geriatric study population.

Background: With increasing age agility starts declining. Use of an assistive device hopefully aids in improving balance, agility, and confidence. There are fewer studies of objective quantification of agility with the use of the assistive device. This study aims to determine the agility in elderly using an assistive device by 8 foot up and go test. Methods: A comparative, experimental study was done on 60 Healthy adults of age 75 to 85 years. Subjects were asked to perform 8 foot up and go agility test initially without assistive device and then with an assistive device. The time in seconds was noted respectively. The mean of the two trials each was calculated. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in mean agility score on 8 foot up and go test between subjects without an assistive device (12.33 ± 3.21 seconds) and with an assistive device (13.33 ± 3.39 seconds). Subjects when given assistive device took a longer time to complete the 8 foot up and go agility test than they required for completing it without an assistive device. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in agility in elderly using an assistive device as shown by the increase in time taken to complete the 8 foot up and go agility test. There is a need for cautious clinical prescription practice for mobility aids.

A case is reported of P. vivax infection with unilateral Facial nerve palsy of Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) type, an unusual complication P. vivax. Temporary demyelination due to ischemia and immunological injury is the possible explanation.