by Urs Nydegger  and Paul Imbach

Received: 18 July 2024;  Published: 23 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501297

In addition to their hemostatic functions, platelets play an essential role in immunologic interactions, which is confirmed by the observation of an increase in platelet counts in patients with immune-related thrombocytopenia and other autoimmune diseases after immunomodulatory treatment with intravenous human immunoglobulin concentrate. The mechanisms of action of this biological therapeutic option induce the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, agonists, and antagonists that target the complex pathop [...]

by Harnish P Patel  , Faidra Laskou  and Elaine M Dennison

Received: 15 February 2024;  Published: 23 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501296

Sarcopenia is characterised by progressive and generalised decline in muscle strength, function, and muscle mass. Now recognised as a muscle disease, it is highly prevalent in older adults, with estimates of up to 30% in some populations. Sarcopenia has a complex multifactorial aetiology, including cellular and molecular changes, chronic disease, lower physical activity as well as nutritional deficiency. Sarcopenia is associated with a range of adverse physical and metabolic outcomes leading to disability, morbidit [...]

by Diana Viafara  , Ana L. Jaramillo-Sierra  and Laura Sofía Vega-Plazas

Received: 15 June 2024;  Published: 12 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501295

This research article aims to address the critical gap in understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) among older women, particularly those over 60 years of age, in Colombian society. The study explores how IPV manifests during the later stages of life, providing insights specific to this age group. The research used qualitative methodology with 14 urban women who had experienced intimate partner violence in their later life. The study revealed that psychological violence was the most common type of abuse among o [...]

by Karen A. Roberto  , Pamela B. Teaster  and Imogen Fua

Received: 23 August 2024;  Published: 09 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501294

The purpose of this descriptive study was to understand the nature, extent, and challenges confronted by APS programs in the United States in providing services to older clients affected by opioids. The study design involved a two-step process: Phase I involved telephone interviews with state-level Adult Protective Services administrators from 11 states considered to be “hot-bed states” for the opioid epidemic. Findings from the administrator interviews informed questions for Phase II telephone interviews with indi [...]

by OBM Geriatrics Editorial Office

Received: 02 January 2025;  Published: 02 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501293

The editors of OBM Geriatrics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2024. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal’s editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers can sign up to the Web of S [...]

by Aileen M. Lynch  , Gabrielle McKee  , Fintan Sheerin  , Jean-Luc Bosson  , Monique Epstein  , Ariane Girault  , Carole Rolland  , Mary Harkin  , Ciaran McKinney  and Pierre Gillois

Received: 05 June 2024;  Published: 17 December 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2404292

While the facilitators/barriers for the initiation of physical activity (PA) are well documented, there is less known about these facilitators/barriers for maintenance of PA in the older population in general and not following an intervention. This study aimed to explore older adults’ perspectives on the facilitators/barriers to maintaining PA. The study used descriptive qualitative design, with three focus groups, one in Ireland and two in France. Participants were community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) 66% w [...]

by Rebecca H. Affoo  and Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald

Received: 06 August 2024;  Published: 09 December 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2404291

A conceptual model was developed to create a basis for understanding the risk factors and outcomes associated with dysphagia and to hypothesize the nature of the relationship between certain factors. The conceptual model was developed by two academic speech-language pathologists with ≥10 years research and clinical experience in swallowing and dysphagia in older adults. A comprehensive review of English-language literature was conducted, and relevant, evidence-informed factors associated with dysphagia in older adu [...]

by Mega Obukohwo Oyovwi  and Edarho Oghenevwede Oyovwi

Received: 08 May 2024;  Published: 29 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2403290

Elder abuse is a hidden epidemic, with millions of older adults experiencing physical, psychological, or financial harm each year. However, the true extent of the problem is unknown due to under-reporting and lack of reliable data. This paper aims to provide an international perspective on the hidden epidemic of elder abuse, exploring the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of this global issue. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using multiple databases. Studies from various countries were [...]

by David Bayne  , Willow Keefe  and Samantha Shune

Received: 01 July 2024;  Published: 28 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2403289

Informal caregivers play a critical role in supporting individuals with dementia, yet often face significant challenges that impact their own quality of life (QoL). This exploratory study investigates the multifaceted factors contributing to caregiver QoL, particularly focusing on care recipient factors including dysphagia, dietary restriction, dementia severity, and care recipient QoL. A total of 24 informal caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) participated in an online survey assessing various factors believ [...]

by Tammie Lee Demler  , Samantha Morales  , Geoffrey Brown  , Andrea Derosas  and Claudia Lee

Received: 18 March 2024;  Published: 14 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2403288

There are few reports that describe incidence of hypothermia in patients treated with olanzapine. We report a case of an elderly 83-year-old black male, readmitted to the state psychiatric hospital December 2023 due to psychiatric exacerbation after 6 months of successful discharge to community, who experienced a fall and profound hypothermia with bradycardia that resulted in a 10-day acute hospitalization in January 2024. Medical workup was unrevealing except for multivessel disease found on CT stroke study of the [...]