Summary Background Frailty is a geriatric syndrome, which is highly prevalent in community-dwelling older adults and is associated with a variety of unwanted health outcomes, including dependency and institutionalization. Physical activity (PA) interventions may be of great importance in frail people to improve the frailty status, muscle strength, physical performance and muscle mass. Methods A narrative review of randomized-controlled trails was performed, including frail and prefrail community-dwelling older adults. Included were studies with different PA interventions, such as aerobic activity, strength and balance training, stretching, and a combination of these methods. Results Overall, 14 studies were included. The PA interventions led to a significant reduction in the frailty status (3/5 studies), to an increase in muscle strength (4/8 studies), to improved physical performance (7/11 studies), and to an increase in muscle mass (1/4 studies), when compared to the control group. The studies analyzed differed in various aspects of study protocols (training protocol, intensity, frequency, follow-up time, measuring tools) and delivery method of intervention (health professionals, lay volunteers, at home in health care institutions). Conclusions Although it was not consistently reported in the studies that PA interventions are successful in increasing muscle mass in frail and prefrail older people, the results support the effectiveness of PA interventions on the reduction of frailty, and the increase in muscle strength and physical performance.

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the associations between daily physical activity (DPA), handgrip strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and physical performance (balance, gait speed, chair stands) with quality of life in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older adults. Methods Prefrail and frail individuals were included, as determined by SHARE-FI. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD, DPA with PASE, handgrip strength with a dynamometer, ASMM with bioelectrical impedance analysis and physical performance with the SPPB test. Linear regression models adjusted for sex and age were developed: In model 1, the associations between each independent variable and QoL were assessed separately; in model 2, all the independent variables were included simultaneously. Results Eighty-three participants with a mean age of 83 (SD: 8) years were analysed. Model 1: DPA (ß = 0.315), handgrip strength (ß = 0.292) and balance (ß = 0.178) were significantly associated with ‘overall QoL’. Balance was related to the QoL domains of ‘physical health’ (ß = 0.371), ‘psychological health’ (ß = 0.236), ‘environment’ (ß = 0.253), ‘autonomy’ (ß = 0.276) and ‘social participation’ (ß = 0.518). Gait speed (ß = 0.381) and chair stands (ß = 0.282) were associated with ‘social participation’ only. ASMM was not related to QoL. Model 2: independent variables explained ‘overall QoL’ (R ² = 0.309), ‘physical health’ (R ² = 0.200), ‘autonomy’ (R ² = 0.247) and ‘social participation’ (R ² = 0.356), among which balance was the strongest indicator. Conclusion ASMM did not play a role in the QoL context of the prefrail and frail older adults, whereas balance and DPA were relevant. These parameters were particularly associated with ‘social participation’ and ‘autonomy’.

This study aimed to explore the association between the impaired nutritional status and frailty in acute hospitalised elderly patients by using two tools, the MNA®-SF (Mini Nutritional Assessment® short-form) and the SHARE-FI (Frailty Instrument for Primary Care of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe).

Summary: Background: There has been growing concern over the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in recent years. Although advocated as an aid to smoking cessation, there is increasing evidence of harm not just to the respiratory system, but to all other organs in the body. To give a clearer picture on how e‑cigarettes can affect our health, we gathered an overview of the literature on the various health effects of e‑cigarettes and categorized them into how they specifically affect organ systems. E‑cigarette exposure has produced a range of stress and inflammatory reactions in the pulmonary system, including shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, bronchial and pulmonary irritations, and impaired pulmonary function. In the oral and gastrointestinal system, gingival inflammation, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported. Increased tachycardia and blood pressure were reported reactions in the cardiovascular system. In the neurological system headaches, irritability, anxiety, dependence and insomnia were observed. Other effects included ocular irritation, contact dermatitis, acute renal insufficiency, toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Nevertheless, studies have found improvements in time-based memory and nicotine withdrawal associated with the cessation of conventional cigarette smoking and switching to e‑cigarette use. Also, toxic and carcinogenic metabolites were reportedly lower in e‑cigarette smokers than in conventional cigarette smokers. Conclusion: A growing number of studies are showing the adverse effects caused by e‑cigarettes on all human organ systems. Further research on the chemical components, the diverse flavors, and the long-term effects on active and passive users are needed to clarify the implications of e‑cigarette use on individual and public health.

We aimed to assess the subjective sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its correlation with disease activity, pain, inflammatory parameters, and functional disability. In a cross-sectional study, patients with confirmed RA diagnosis responded to a questionnaire (consisting of socio-demographic data, the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, and the Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale). Disease activity was assessed with the Clinical Disease Activity Index, and pain levels using the visual analogue scale. In addition, inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were analyzed. Ninety-five patients were analyzed, predominantly female, with an average age of 50.59 (9.61) years. Fifty-seven percent reported non-optimal sleep duration, where functional disability (92.7% vs. 69.8%; p = 0.006) and higher median pain levels (3.75 (2.3–6.0) vs. 2.5 (2.0–3.5); p = 0.003) were also more prevalent. No differences in sociodemographic variables, disease duration or activity, inflammatory parameters, or use of biological and corticosteroid therapy were observed. The multivariate regression analysis showed that more intense pain was associated with a lower likelihood of optimal sleep (odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47–0.98, p = 0.038). Patients with RA report a high prevalence of non-optimal sleep, which is linked to pain level. Clinicians need to be aware of this issue and the potential effects on health and functional status.