A survey on hearing acuity of centenarians in Hainan Province

Objective: This study aimed to investigate hearing acuity of centenarians in Hainan Province and provide basis for interventional considerations.Method: Door-to-door follow-up was conducted to investigate hearing acuity of centenarians(aged 100 years or above) in Hainan Province. Physical examination, pure tone audiometry and acoustic impedance test were performed, and the results were analyzed.Result: A total of 460 centenarians(920 ears) were tested by pure tone audiometry. The rate of normal hearing was 0.2%, the rate of mild hearing loss was 1.5%, 12% for moderate hearing loss, 33.9% for moderate to severe hearing loss, 37.4% for severe hearing loss is and 15% for profound hearing loss. Acoustic impedance test was performed in 340 centenarians(668 ears). Tympanogram was type A in 41.2% of the ears, type As in 34.1% ears,type Ad in 6.4%, type B in 11.8%, and type C in 4.9% of the ears, while no response was elicited in 1.5% of the ears.Conclusion: Age related sensorineural hearing loss is prevalent among centenarians in Hainan Province. A probably beneficial intervention may be the use of hearing aids for effective communication.

CETP polymorphism confer genetic contribution to centenarians of Hainan,south of China

Objective:In this paper,we will discuss if the CETP polymorphism contributes to the centenarians in Hainan island.Methods:We tested the Taq IB and I405 V polymorphisms of CETP gene among 276 centenarians and 301 matched healthy individuals by AS-PCR and analyzed the data with SPSS software package(Version 19.0).Results:Our data indicated that allele B1 and V have the significant differences between centenarians and healthy control groups with P<0.001.Further analysis implied that genotypes B1B1(P<0.001,OR=0.148,95% CI=0.095-0.230) and VV(P<0.001 and OR=0.353,95% CI=0.237-0.525) were significantly different between centenarians and matched controls.The combination of B and V,such as B1B1-II(P<0.001,OR=0.128,95% CI=0.049-0.329),B1B1-IV(P<0.001,OR=0.115,95% CI=0.056-0.237),B1B2-VV(P<0.05,OR=0.534,95% CI=0.310-0.920),and B2B2-VV(P<0.001,OR=0.198,95% CI=0.086-0.453) have significant differences between centenarians and matched healthy individuals from Hainan.Conclusion:Our results implied that allele B1B1 and VV,as well as the combination B1B1-II,B1B1-IV,B1B2-VV and B2B2-VV may contribute to the longevity in centenarians of Hainan,south of China.

Article History Investigation and analysis of the quality of life of centenarians in Chongming area of Shanghai

Objective:To investigate the status quo and influencing factors of the quality of life of the elderly aged≥100 years old in Chongming area of Shanghai,and provide a basis for the construction of a world-class ecological island in Chongming area and promote the cause of healthy aging.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted to screen 71 elderly people who were 100 years old and reached the age of 100.The interview was conducted with a face-to-face questionnaire survey.Results:The SF-36 health questionnaire of the centenarians in Chongming area scored and in the physiological functions,physiological functions,physical pain,general health status,energy,social function,emotional function and mental health is(36.35±13.45),(36.62±38.69),(62.56±21.57),(47.04±6.06),(67.23±18.76),(71.83±25.85),(60.09±45.29),(78.70±22.20).The total physical health assessment and mental health assessment scores are(181.577±50.271)and(277.855±81.636).Univariate statistics show that different genders,education levels,marital status,economic sources,urban or rural areas,insurance categories,chronic diseases,number of children,old-age patterns,preferred forms of residence,interval between child care,and whether children are in the same city Factors such as≥2 in the family,long-term diet,diet,eating habits,drinking habits,tea drinking habits,physical examination,lack of sleep 4h,nap habits and other factors in the different dimensions of the SF-36 scale,the difference is statistically significant(P<0.05);multivariate stepwise regression showed that the relevant influencing factors were pension mode,dietary preference,location(urban/rural),chronic disease,preferred lifestyle,lack of sleep 4 h,education level,marital status(P<0.05).Conclusion:The centenarians in Chongming area have a medium quality of life rating and a high overall mental health assessment.The centenarians in Chongming have a good psychological state.The life behavior pattern of the centenarians is worth learning.It is recommended to implement the family mutual aid public service project to alleviate the problem of loneliness of the elderly.It is recommended to strengthen the chronic disease health management for the elderly,encourage regular medical examinations,and promote the improvement of the old-age care.

Diagnosing heart failure in centenarians

Background As a consequence of the demographic development with increasing proportion of older people,the prevalence of heart failure(HF)is expected to rise with considerable economic and societal costs.However,knowledge on cardiac structure and function among population-based samples of the exceptional old is lacking.Methods Population-based study of all persons(no exclusion criteria)living in the western part of Denmark and turning 100 years in the year 2015.In-home face-to-face interviews were conducted,and echocardiography and blood sampling for plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide(BNP)were offered to those who were able to give consent.Results Out of 303 eligible,238(79%)participated,of which 125(53%)accepted echocardiography.Left ventricular(LV)dysfunction was present in 68(54%)of the participants of whom less than half had HF symptoms.Pulmonary hypertension was present in 31(42%)with no correlation to LV function.The well-known association between increased level of BNP and the prevalence of LV dysfunction could not be confirmed.Conclusions This in-home echocardiographic study shows that more than half of the participants had LV dysfunction,although mostly asymptomatic.There was no association between heart failure symptoms and LV dysfunction.Furthermore,BNP seems to have lost its biomarker potential to rule out heart failure in centenarians.Due to the latter,and the questionable symptom validity among centenarians,the current criteria to diagnose HF might be less valid in a centenarian population than in younger olds.

Echocardiography in centenarians： characteristics, utility and follow-up

Background Echocardiography has been shown to be a valuable resource in the diagnosis of many cardiac conditions, and can be used in all age groups, from the fetus to the oldest old. In the context of an increasingly aging population, the impact and utility of echocar- diography in centenarians is largely unknown. This study is to determine whether echocardiography in centenarians aids in making clinical patient management decisions. Methods A retrospective review of echocardiograms from 1986 to 2014, at two affiliated tertiary centers, in individuals who were 100 years or older at the time of the examination. Patient and echocardiogram characteristics, management decisions based on echocardiography, and mortality were documented. Results 114 centenarians had echocardiograms, with ages ranging from 100 to 107 years （101 - 1.4 years）. In 82 of the centenarians evaluated （72%）, no changes in management occurred as a consequence of the echocardiogram. From all management changes directly related to the echocardiogram, 81% （n = 26） of these corresponded to medication adjustments; interventional or surgical procedures followed the echocardiogram only in 4% （n = 5） of the total number of centenarians. Echocardiogram-based changes in management were only significant in patients that were referred for congestive heart failure （P = 0.02）. After the echocardiogram was performed, 1-month and 1-year mortality were 15% and 47%, respectively. The median survival after the echocardiogram was obtained was 13 months （range 0.03 to 145 months）, with no difference if there was a change or no change in manage- ment （P = 0.21）. Conclusions Among centenarians undergoing echocardiography, despite additional diagnostic information, echocardio- grams in centenarians influence management in a minority of cases, most commonly in the form of medication changes for treatment of heart failure. A significant proportion of centenarians are deceased within a year of undergoing echocardiographic assessment. These findings may question the overall utility of echocardiography in these late survivors.

Mitochondrial haplogroups associated with Japanese centenarians, Alzheimer's patients, Parkinson's patients, type 2 diabetic patients and healthy non-obese young males

The relationships between five classes of Japanese people （i.e., 96 centenarians, 96 Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） patients, 96 Parkinson＇s disease （PD） patients, 96 type 2 diabetic （T2D） patients, and 96 healthy non-obese young males） and their mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism （mtSNP） frequencies at individual mtDNA positions of the entire mitochondrial genome were examined using the radial basis function （RBF） network and the modified method. New findings of mitochondrial haplogroups were obtained for individual classes. The five classes of people were associated with the following haplogroups： Japanese centenarians-M7b2, D4b2a, and B5b; Japanese AD patients-G2a, B4cl, and N9b1; Japanese PD patients-M7b2, B4e, and B5b; Japanese T2D patients-B5b, M8al, G, D4, and F1; and Japanese healthy non-obese young males-D4g and D4b1b. From the points of common haplogroups among the five classes, the cente- narians have the common haplogroups M7b2 and B5b with the PD patients and common haplogroup B5b with the T2D patients. In addition, the 112 Japanese semi-supercentenarians （over 105 years old） recently reported were also examined by the method proposed. The results obtained were the haplogroups D4a, B4c1a, M7b2, F1, M1, and B5b. These results are different from the previously reported haplogroup classifications. As the proposed analysis method can predict a person＇s mtSNP constitution and the probabilities of becoming a centenarian, AD patient, PD patient, or T2D patient, it may be useful in initial diagnosis of various diseases.

Prolonged course of Paxlovid administration in a centenarian with COVID-19:A case report

BACKGROUND According to the population statistics in 2023,there were 110000 people aged over 100 years in China,and the experience of using Paxlovid(nirmatrelvir/ritonavir)for centenarians is particularly valuable.This article reports our experience of using Paxlovid in a centenarian with the novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection.CASE SUMMARY A 103-year-old female with mild COVID-19 and renal insufficiency was given sufficient Paxlovid for 2 days and a half dose for 3 days.During treatment,the patient was complicated with lung infection and heart failure,and nucleic acid remained positive.After expert consultation,a full dose of Paxlovid was given again on the 9th day of admission for 2 days and a half dose for 3 days.Meanwhile,anti-heart failure and antibiotics were administered;the heart failure and pulmonary infection were improved.Finally,on the 33^(th) day of admission,nucleic acid turned negative,body temperature returned to normal,cough and sputum,fatigue,poor appetite and other symptoms basically improved.The patient was given Paxlovid via nasal feeding for 2 courses without deterioration of liver and kidney function,diarrhea,nausea and vomiting,myalgia,chest tightness and other side effects,and was discharged from hospital with good recovery.CONCLUSION This case suggests that Paxlovid can be used cautiously in centenarians with renal insufficiency and two courses of treatment can be considered in patients with persistent positive nucleic acid.

Analysis of chronic kidney disease staging with different estimated glomerular filtration rate equations in Chinese centenarians

Background: Accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and staging of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important. Currently, there is no research on the differences in several estimated GFR equations for staging CKD in a large sample of centenarians. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the differences in CKD staging with the most commonly used equations and to analyze sources of discrepancy. Methods: A total of 966 centenarians were enrolled in this study from June 2014 to December 2016 in Hainan province, China. The GFR with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Berlin Initiative Study 1 (BIS1) equations were estimated. Agreement between these equations was investigated with the k statistic and Bland-Altman plots. Sources of discrepancy were investigated by partial correlation analysis. Results: The k values of the MDRD and CKD-EPI equations, MDRD and BIS1 equations, and CKD-EPI and BIS1 equations were 0.610, 0.253, and 0.381, respectively. Serum creatinine (Scr) explained 10.96%, 41.60% and 17.06% of the variability in these three comparisons, respectively. Serum uric acid (SUA) explained 3.65% and 5.43% of the variability in the first 2 comparisons, respectively. Gender was associated with significant differences in these 3 comparisons (P<0.001). Conclusions: The strengths of agreement between the MDRD and CKD-EPI equations were substantial, but those between the MDRD and BIS 1 equations and the CKD-EPI and BIS 1 equations were fair. The difference in CKD staging of the first 2 comparisons strongly depended on Scr, SUA and gender, and that of CKD-EPI and BIS1 equations strongly depended on Scr and gender. The incidence at various stages of CKD staging was quite different. Thus, a new equation that is more suitable for the elderly needs to be built in the future.

A survey of the dietary nutritional composition of centenarians

Objective To make a survey of the nutritional composition of the diets of centenarians.Methods Thirty-four centenarians were selected as subjects. Retrospective surveys were made on the variety and amounts of food consumed and their nutritional composition. Physical examinations with laboratory tests such as cardiograms, ultrasonic B rays, and blood, urine and hair tests were performed.Neutron activation testing was done on hair content. The transmission turbidimetric method was used to measure apolipoprotein content.Results The main food of the centenarians showed the characteristics of low calories, protein and fat but high fiber and mineral content. Laboratory results showed that the content of the elements of Cu, Se and Mn in hair was higher ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Zn was normal. The apoA1/apoB100 ratio was higher than in the control group ( P ＜ 0.01), and total cholesterol (TC) was lower than in the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The variety of diet and its nutritional composition may be the main factors influencing not only the content of elements in body, but also the levels of apoA1 and apoB100, which may be helpful in preventing arteriosclerosis and forming and maintaining immunity. The diet of these centenarians might aid in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and malignant tumors.

Oral mucosal conditions and some related factors in 140 Uygur centenarians

Objective To investigate the condition of the oral mucosae in Xinjiang Uygur centenarians and explore some related factors Methods The oral mucosae and mucosal exfoliative cells of 140 Xinjiang Uygur centenarians were examined Saliva and blood were collected from some centenarians Salivary immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), complements (C 3 and C 4), nitrous oxide (NO), 10 trace elements, serum sex hormones, thyroid hormones and osteocalcin (OST) were analysed using immunoglobulin, complement and NO kits, an ionochromatophotometer, and the kits for sex hormones and thyroid hormones, and fluorescence enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively Results Most centenarians (64 29%) had normal labial, buccal, palatal and gingival mucosae The abnormal changes in mucosae were mainly vascular nevus patches and senile plaques Their mucosal exfoliative cells showed similar characteristics to those in elderly Han The centenarians who had normal mucosae had higher level of the trace element molybdenum (Mo) in their saliva than who had abnormal mucosae ( P <0 01) Conclusion The oral mucosal condition of Uygur centenarians was generally good The abnormal changes in oral mucosae of the centenarians were lesions not harmful to health and may be related to the lower level of Mo in their saliva

Heart failure in very elderly population-a profile of heart failure in patients over the age of eighty

Objective Heart failure is an epidemic in the elderly, but there is a striking lack of data in this clinically important patient population. We investigated the demographics, cardiac performance, and medication management of a segment of the hospital popula- tion in at least their eighth decade of life. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 75 records of heart failure patients who were 80 years of age or older. Records were reviewed for demographic information, presence or absence of diastolic dysfunction, evaluation of ejection fraction, and medication usage including angiotensin-concerting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs), beta-adrenergic blockers, digoxin, and aldosterone antagonists. Assessment for contra-indications to ACE inhibitor or ARBs use was also performed to assess co-morbidities that limit treatment of heart failure. Results The population of very elderly with heart failure is heterogeneous. We found a higher proportion of females as well as higher rates of diastolic dysfunction in patients aged ≥ 90 years compared to patients between the ages of 80-89 years. Usage of ACE inhibitors, ARBs and beta-adrenergic blockers was strikingly low throughout the very elderly population. While co-morbid conditions limited use of agents in many cases, there was a lack of explicit contra-indication in most patients not on an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. Conclusions Heart failure is not a single disease processes, but a continuum of disease processes that vary with age. The elderly with heart failure are an undertreated population, in part due to the multitude of co-morbidities that affect them. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the physiology and ideal treatment regiment in this growing population.

Time of Conception and Birth-Relation of “Big Killers” Patients and Longevity

In recent years some interrelationships between time of birth and longevity were published. Concomitant publications appeared demonstrating links between Space Weather and the timing of medical events;in part of both these studies it was shown that Space Weather indices are stronger connected with the time of conception as with the birth time. The aim of these study was to consider birth and conception month of patients suffering from a number of “big killer” pathologies, affecting human longevity and comparing with published data on centenarians—100 - 112 years old persons in the USA. Patients and Methods: We included monthly births distribution of our four papers including patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)—n-3765, and admitted in another tertiary medical facility for AMI—n-22,047, and, also patients suffering Rapid—n-1239 and Sudden Cardiac Death—n-327 and, also, patients with oncologic malignancies—n-44587. At all in this group 71,965 patients were included. Their birth and conception months were compared with analogical data of 1574 people of 100 - 112 years old using data of L.A. and N.S. Gavrilov for USA centenarians. Results: The birth months of the cardiovascular and oncology patients were maximal in January, March and April (above 10% at each of these months);their conception was maximal in April, June and July. The monthly distribution of conception and birth of the studied population is presented in Tables 1-3. The maximal birth months of the centenarians were November, September, and October;the maximal conception months were December, January, and February. Conclusion: People suffering Myocardial Infarction, Sudden Cardiac Death and Oncologic Malignancies are in higher numbers born in the first four months of the year and conception in April, June and July. The maximal birth months of the very old people were November, September and October and conception were December, January and February.

Surgical Outcome Following Hip Fracture in Patients >100 Years Old: Will They Ever Walk Again?

Introduction: Advances in medicine have led to a growth in the centenarian population (>100 years old). Centenarians are a largely unstudied population but as longevity increases, so will the cost of providing care for this group. Methods: One hundred and ten patients were admitted to SBMC 195 times between 2000 and 2009. Thirteen patients were treated for hip fracture. Data abstracted from the charts of these patients including age, gender, ethnicity, co-morbidities, advance directives (ADRs), functional status, length of stay (LOS), pre-operative and post-operative residential status and ambulatory status, ASA grade, type of anesthesia, duration of surgery and for complications of surgery or anesthesia. Results: The mean age was 101.2 years (100 to 104 years) with an M:F ratio of 2:11. The most common co-morbidities were hypertension, anemia, congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary artery disease. Among the 13 patients with hip fractures, 12 had operative intervention while one was treated conservatively. The mean ASA grade was 2.75 (1 - 4). Five patients had surgery under general anesthesia and seven received spinal anesthesia. Five patients received a bi-polar hip replacement and seven patients underwent internal fixation. The mean operative time was 47.6 min (27 - 90 min). Five (41.7%) patients required a peri-operative blood transfusion. The mean post-anesthesia recovery score was 9.42 (9 - 10). All patients, except two, were returned to their pre-operative ambulatory status. Advanced directives were held by only 30.8% of patients on admission. There were 2 post-operative morbidities and 1 mortality. Conclusions: Centenarians represent a high-risk-surgical population due to their age and associated comorbidities. Hip fracture is the cause of >10% of all admissions and accounts for 29% of all surgical procedures in this age group. Despite their age and comorbidities, surgery for hip fracture is well tolerated and nearly all patients were returned to their pre-hospital ambulatory status. Education on advanced directives is lacking.

Letters

By 2050,there will be 2.2 million centenarians[in the world,compared to 135,000 in 1998],that is one of every 5,000 people.The largest centenarian population in 2050 is projected to be in China.By 2050,Japan will have the highest proportion of centenarians,2.6 per 1,000 of the total population.

Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia in a centenarian and pathogen traceability:A case report

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are important to survival of Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes)bacteremia.Penicillin tends to be the most commonly used antibiotic.However,there are limited data on antibiotic use in elderly patients with serious complications.We describe the clinical presentation,antibiotic therapy,and traceability of L.monocytogenes in a centenarian with a history of eating frozen food.CASE SUMMARY A 102-year-old man suffered from high fever with chill after hematochezia.Tentative diagnoses were lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage and localized peritonitis.Meropenem and ornidazole were the empirical therapy.The patient did not respond and developed multiple system dysfunction even after teicoplanin was added to the therapy.L.monocytogenes was identified from blood cultures on day 5 of admission.The patient had a history of consuming frozen dumplings.Meropenem/ornidazole/teicoplanin were replaced with meropenem/linezolid.The patient gradually became afebrile.He received meropenem/linezolid for 10 d,and piperacillin/tazobactam was applied as step-down treatment for 2 wk with good clinical results.There was no sign of relapse during follow-up after discharge.L.monocytogenes isolates from the patient and frozen dumplings belonged to different serotypes and sequence types(STs):1/2b and ST5 from the patient and 1/2c and ST9 from the dumplings.CONCLUSION More awareness of listeriosis should be raised.Linezolid might be an option for listeriosis in elderly people with serious complications.

An Interciew with Chen Hansheng,a Centenarian Professor

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Epidemiological characteristics of centenarian deaths in China during 2013-2020:A trend and subnational analysis

Background:Studies that comprehensively address the characteristics of centenarian deaths are rare.The present study aimed to depict the characteristics of centenarian deaths in China and their changing trends.Methods:Data on centenarian deaths between 2013 and 2020 were obtained from the national mortality surveillance system of China,including date,place of death(PoD),and underlying cause of death(CoD).Descriptive analyses were performed to understand the epidemiological characteristics,and a joinpoint regression model was adopted to examine the changing trends in the proportions of different PoDs,CoDs among centenarians,and centenarian deaths accounting for all deaths and deaths among people aged 65 years and older.Results:There were 46,938 registered centenarian deaths between 2013 and 2020 that included 34,311 females(73.10%)and 12,627 males(26.90%).January(12.05%),February(9.99%),and December(9.74%)were the top three months with the highest number of deaths.The proportions of deaths that occurred in homes,hospitals,and nursing homes were 81.71%,13.63%,and 2.68%,respectively.The proportion of deaths in nursing homes increased by 9.60%(95%confidence intervals[CIs],6.4-12.9%)from 2014 to 2020.Heart disease(35.72%)was the leading cause of death,followed by respiratory diseases(17.63%),cerebrovascular disease(15.60%),and old age(11.22%).The proportion of respiratory diseases decreased by 4.8%(95%CI,-8.8 to-0.7%),and the proportion of deaths from old age decreased by 2.3%(95%CI,-4.4 to-0.1%)per year.Shanghai had the highest proportions of deaths in hospitals(39.38%)and nursing homes(14.68%).Sichuan had the highest proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory diseases(32.30%),while Jiangsu(26.58%)and Zhejiang(23.61%)had the highest proportions of deaths from old age.Conclusion:Unlike other countries,centenarian deaths in China are characterized by a higher proportion of home and heart disease deaths,and this death pattern differs across provinces.

Combined Therapy with Chinese Medicine and Percutaneous Transradial Coronary Intervention for a Centenarian Patient with Acute Myocardial Infarction

There are not enough clinical data about centenarians with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).A 104-year-old woman exhibited sharp chest pain and severe dyspnea.In routine examinations,her electrocardiogram showed 1-3 mm ST-segment elevation from V1 to V4 leads,the cardiac enzymes were also elevated:creatine kinase(CK)-MB was 45.7 U/L,and cardiac specific troponin I was 40μg/L.A two-dimensional echocardiography showed anteroseptal akinesia with severely depre...

FEEDBACK

"NASA's ‘Human Computer’Turns 100"(February)周建国:“Learning something new every day” is really [an] inspiration for me, especially the advice from Katherine lohnson, the centenarian.

Centenarian Looks to the Past

XIE Zhao was 72 before she retired from her nursing post at the Beijing Yucai School. Today, the 103-year-old is a great grandmother,and her family has expanded to 53 members. In recent years she has been living with her 65-year-old daughter—