We close this volume with five articles about physical conditions that are associated with age in older women. Each of the studies was conducted in a specific location, meaning that results cannot be generalized to global populations. Nevertheless, the researchers are investigating issues that affect older women everywhere, so that each study should have international appeal. The first two articles were based on research conducted in Iran.
Bagheri and colleagues studied restless leg syndrome among post-menopausal women. The researchers used a scale created and validated for an international population, confirming that the syndrome increases with age. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is also associated with reduced estrogen. Women on hormone replacement therapy are less likely to suffer from RLS in this Iranian sample as in populations of older women globally. From this study we also learn the syndrome is associated with poverty, unemployment, history of smoking, high body mass index and several chronic diseases including hypertension, anemia and diabetes.
Anvar and colleagues from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, conducted a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a self-management program, for older women with rheumatoid arthritis. While the authors found women in their intervention group reported more self-efficacy than did the control group and were in somewhat less pain, they caution that the study was conducted over a short period of time and more research is necessary to see whether the effects of exercise and educational support are long-lasting.
In Pakistan, Sundus Tariqa, Saba Tariqc, and Khalid Parvez Lonee investigated associations of Vitamin D and Vitamin B-12 with bone density. This is an important study as the researchers compared their findings with those of researchers in other parts of the world. They explain based on their results that giving Vitamin D and Vitamin B-12 supplements to older women may not be helpful when attempting to increase bone density.
Researchers in Belgrade, Serbia (Tatjana Gazibara et al.) studied middle-aged women who were employed. They were interested in whether quality of life centered around employment was affected by menopause. They found that having chronic illnesses was not associated with professional activity, but insomnia was most predictive of quality of life.
Finally, in a UK study, Alcock and colleagues investigated what contributes to problems in equilibrium and balance. As a social scientist who knows more about social groups than the human body, I was quite appreciative of how well they explained that no single biological system is responsible for maintaining balance. I also learned that I am not unique in distributing my weight asymmetrically to maintain balance.
As always, read and learn!
Editor-in-Chief
February 15, 2019