Social Relationship and Aging-Related Disease    

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The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Aging Health examined "how different dimensions of social relationships operate through similar or distinct mechanisms to affect biophysiological markers of aging related disease over time." The authors conducted a longitudinal analysis, using data from a nationally representative sample of older adults in the US (2005-2011 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project) to examine the association between social integration and social support and change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and hypertension risk over time. The authors found that "low social support was predictive of increase in SBP, whereas low social integration was predictive of increase in risk of hypertension."

 

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Acupuncture May Not Help Chronic Knee Pain 

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A recent study published in JAMA aimed to "determine the efficacy of laser and needle acupuncture for chronic knee pain." The authors enrolled 282 patients, ages 50 and older with chronic knee pain in the

study. Participants received either needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture, sham laser acupuncture, or no treatment at all (control group) for 3 months and completed questionnaires about their knee pain. The authors found that "neither needle nor laser acupuncture significantly improved pain or function compared with sham or control groups at 3 months." Additionally, the authors found that the moderate pain improvement in patients receiving needle and laser acupuncture did not last and was gone at a year.
 

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The authors of a recent study published in Pain sought to "determine if there are differences in acute pain care for older versus younger patients." The authors conducted a "multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional observation study of 5 emergency departments across the US and evaluated the 2 most commonly presenting pain conditions for older adults - abdominal and fracture pain." The authors reviewed a total of 6,948 visits and found that "older adults, ages 65 and older were less likely to receive analgesics in comparison to younger patients. The study also found that "older abdominal pain patients were less likely to receive pain medications, while older fracture patients were more likely to receive pain medications when compared to younger patients." The authors conclude that differences in acute pain and pain care exist based on age. 

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Higher Prevalence of Falls in Older Adults with Pain  

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The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society examined "the prevalence of clinically relevant falls-related outcomes according to pain status in older adults in the US." The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study to enroll a sample of 7,601 older adults, ages 65 and older in the study. Participants were asked questions on pain, balance and coordination, fear of falling, and falls, via in-person assessments. The authors found that "falls-related outcomes were substantially more common in older adults with pain than in those without."

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Date: November 5-9, 2014

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC 

Overview: GSA's 67th Annual Scientific Meeting brings together more than 4,000 of the brightest minds in the field of aging. The conference challenges researchers to present their best evidence on aging-related connections they investigate. This meeting is the premier gathering of gerontologists from both the United States and around the world. They participate in over 400 scientific sessions including symposia, paper, and poster presentations. Several TRIPLL affiliates will be present at the conference and will be hosting meetings and presentations.  

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