2025, Kimatova, Kerbez, Yermukhanova, Lyudmila, Talarska, Dorota, Dworacka, Marzena, Sultanova, Gulnar, Sarsenbayeva, Gulzat, Bazargaliyev, Yerlan, Aitmaganbet, Perizat, Suwalska, Aleksandra, Wieczorowska-Tobis, Katarzyna, Philp, Ian, Tobis, Slawomir

BackgroundStudies about the needs of older individuals in Central Asia are very sparse. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the needs of older adults in Kazakhstan with the EASYCare Standard 2010 (EC) questionnaire.MethodsThe study involved 524 participants aged 65 and older from various regions in Kazakhstan. Data were collected by trained research staff, and the participants’ needs were examined using median split with the three summarizing indexes of the EC system (Independence score, Risk of breakdown in care, and Risk of falls).ResultsSubjects with primary education had approximately double odds of scoring above the median compared to those with higher education in Independence score (p < 0.01) and Risk of breakdown in care (p < 0.01). Individuals with primary education also had 60% higher odds of scoring above the Risk of falls scale threshold, indicating a risk in this category (p < 0.05). For the Risk of falls scores, financial situation was also significant; individuals having not enough to make ends meet had 75% higher odds than the remaining ones (p < 0.01).ConclusionOur analysis highlights the importance of tailored interventions to address the unmet needs of the Kazakh population, particularly among those with lower education and those with financial concerns. The study also underscores the need for sustainable, comprehensive eldercare policies in Kazakhstan that account for the growing older population.

2024, Kaluźniak-Szymanowska, Aleksandra, Talarska, Dorota, Tobis, Sławomir, Styszyński, Arkadiusz, Cofta, Szczepan, Wieczorowska-Tobis, Katarzyna, Deskur-Śmielecka, Ewa

PurposeChanges in nutritional status are important extrapulmonary manifestations of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study aimed to assess the prevalence of different body composition phenotypes in older patients with COPD and to investigate the relationship between these phenotypes and the severity of the disease, as well as physical performance of the subjects.Patients and methodsThe study included 124 subjects aged ≥60 with COPD. In all of them body composition analysis and muscle strength measurement were performed. Additionally, data from patients’ medical records were analyzed. Study sample was divided into four groups based on the phenotypic body composition: normal phenotype (N), sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity (SO).ResultsIncidence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in patients with severe or very severe COPD based on GOLD in comparison with subjects with mild or moderate obstruction (p = 0.043). Participants with sarcopenia, obesity and SO had lower results of the 6-min walk test than subjects with N (225.77 m, 275.33 m, 350.67 m, 403.56 m, respectively). Moreover, sarcopenia and SO had lower results than obesity (p = 0.001, p = 0.041, respectively).ConclusionSarcopenia is common in patients with advanced COPD. Sarcopenia and SO are associated with poorer physical performance. All older people with COPD should routinely have their body composition assessed, instead of simply measuring of body weight or body mass index (BMI).