Manifestation of Novel Social Challenges of the European Unionin the Teaching Material ofMedical Biotechnology Master’s Programmesat the University of Pécs and at the University of DebrecenIdentification number: TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011

DISORDERS AND DISEASES OF LOCOMOTOR ORGANSPART 1

Gyula Bakó and Erika PéterváriMolecular and Clinical Basics of Gerontology – Lecture 6

Manifestation of Novel Social Challenges of the European Unionin the Teaching Material ofMedical Biotechnology Master’s Programmesat the University of Pécs and at the University of DebrecenIdentification number: TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011

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Outline

• Changes of the musculoskeletal system in the elderly

• Common diseases of locomotor organs in the elderly – causes of falls, chronic immobilization and disability

• Immobilization and remobilization in the elderly

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Incompetence(Confusion)

Geriatric Giants

Immobility(Falls) Incontinence

Iatrogenicdisorders

Impairedhomeostasis

TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011Factors adversely affecting locomotor organs in the elderlyOrgan damage• Pain, rigidity of joints

and muscles • Impaired renal function• Associated chronic

diseases• Multiple medications ,

higher risk for side effects• Impaired fluid and food

intake• Failing memory,

deterioration of cognitive function

Functional disorders• Gait disturbances• Impaired self-reliance • Impaired ability to carry

out household duties • Limited leisure

activities

Social difficulties• Financial problems• Inappropriate housing • Death of

spouse/caretaker • Social isolation

(scattered family)

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Changes of the musculoskeletal system in the elderly

I Changes and dysfunction of the skeletal muscles in the elderly

II Aging-associated changes in the joints

III Aging-associated changes in the bones

TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011I: Changes of the skeletal muscles: sarcopenia in the elderlyBody weight decreases between 30-75 years of age, mainly due to a progressive decrease in the number and size of muscle fibers and that of muscle mass. Causes: • reduced physical activity• changes in CNS and peripheral nervous system within which a decreased number of active motor units are found • decrease in protein synthesis in skeletal muscle fibers• reduced protein intake in the elderly• relative scarcity of anabolic hormones (GH, IGF-I, testosterone, DHEA)

TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011Pathogenesis of skeletal muscle dysfunction in the elderlyI Neurological causes

(pronounced in peripheral neuropathies) •Reduced number and size of motor neurons in the spinal cord•Decrease in the axonal conductivity•Decrease in the neuromuscular transmission- number of neuromuscular end plates- number of acetylcholine receptors- release of neurotransmitters

TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011Pathogenesis of skeletal muscle dysfunction in the elderlyII Primary muscle damage• Injury induced by contractures • Altered signal transduction in the muscle

(impaired effects of trophic factors, hormone resistance)• Reduced number of type II muscle fibers

Age(years)

Muscle mass

Adipose tissue

Bone

25 30% 20% 10%

75 15% 40% 8%

Age-related changes in body composition: muscle loss

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Loss of type II muscle fibers

• About 50% of the muscle mass is lost by the time we develop sarcopenia due to old age. It affects mostly type II (fast twitch) muscle fibers in contrast to type I (slow twitch) muscle fibers.

• Type II muscle fibers are responsible for fast, intensive contractions, while type I fibers are responsible for slow, long lasting movements.

• Due to the loss of muscle fibers with age, 20% of the maximal isometric contraction force is lost by the age of 60. By the age of 75 the loss is about 50%.

TÁMOP-4.1.2-08/1/A-2009-0011Pathogenesis of skeletal muscle dysfunction in the elderly (cont.)III Combined neuromuscular mechanisms

• Disorders of the electric discharge of muscle fibers• The stimulus- contraction process is disrupted

IV Common abnormal biochemical processes affecting the muscle• oxidative stress•mutation in the mitochondrial DNA• vasculopathies developing with age

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II: Aging-associated changesin the jointsCartilage coating the bone endings contains chondrocytes, which produce collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans building a high water-containing, elastic substance.The proteoglycans attached to hyaluronic acid and aggregated within the collagen network are saturated with water and thus provide the cartilage with the capacity to resist compression and to re-expand after compression.In the elderly, the amount and water content of the cartilage mass decrease, its resistance against mechanical impacts is less effective. Impacts from every direction destroy the joints as the ligaments become more rigid. (Overweight.)

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Aging of the joints arthrosis• water binding of hyaluronic acid •changed composition (not the amount) of proteoglycans

Reduced water content (in arthrosis it increases) and amount of cartilage mass lead to less resilient cartilage.Without the protective effects of the proteoglycans, the collagen fibers of the cartilage become susceptible to degradation.•Decreased viscosity of the synovial fluid.

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Aging in soft tissues• Impairment of collagene synthesis, that of post-translational modification of collagene •Alterations in the quantity and quality of intercellular matrix (menisci, intervertebral discs)•Deposition of calcium crystals in connective tissue

Mechanical resistance of soft tissues are decreased

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III: Aging-associated changesin the bonesBone mass decreases from the age of 55 by around 1%/year in men and by 3-4%/year in women (peak bone mass is reached at 25-35 years of age, its value is higher in men). During the course of aging metabolic activity of osteoblasts is decreasing. Causes of deterioration of bone mass:inactivity, vitamin D deficiency; hormones: estrogen, progesterone, calcitonin, parathormone (secondary hyperparathyroidism), cortisol; alcohol; smoking.Consequences: osteopenia, osteoporosis, fractures.

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Common diseases of locomotor organs in the elderly• Osteoarthrosis, the most common disease

of locomotor organs of people over 50• Rheumatoid arthritis• Gout• CPPD arthritis (pseudo-gout)• Osteoporosis

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Osteoarthrosis (OA)degenerative joint diseaseDefinition: Each element of the joint becomes gradually and progressively injured causing swelling, pain, stiffness and functional loss. A degenerative process leads to incongruence of the articular cartilage surfaces, inflammation of the joint capsule (synovitis), muscle atrophy and a crackling noise (called “crepitus”) when the affected joint is moved.It commonly affects the large weight bearing joints (hips, knees).

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Osteoarthrosis (OA)focal degeneration of the joints

Calcification of lax

tendons (ligaments)

New bone outgrowths:•beneath the lesion (subchondral)•at the edge, called “spurs” or osteophytes narrowing of the joint space

Thickened bone

Loss of cartilage

Cartilage particles

“Spurs” or osteophytes

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Osteoarthrosis (OA)degenerative joint diseasePrevalence:It affects 30% of the adult population. 90% of people over 60 have radiological signs of arthrosis. Incidence:88 (hip joints), 20 (knee), and 300 (hand)/100,000/yearSignificance: It is the most common cause of disablement and NSAIDs’ (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) prescriptions.

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OA a multifactorial degenerative joint diseaseCauses:Basic causes: • bipedalism (erect posture and work), increased

burden on the joints at the knees• extended life spanRisk factors for faster progression:• Mechanical causes: obesity, congenital disorders,

macro- and microtrauma, overuse, previous inflammation of the joints and bone necrosis.

• Metabolic causes: defects in collagen synthesis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hemochromatosis, acromegaly, ochronosis, etc.

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Clinical signs of OA• Usually above 40 years of age• Moderate pain in one or more joints• Pain at initiation of movement• In the beginning, the pain ameliorates at rest, later it

is aggravated by rest• Morning stiffness < 30 minutes• Impaired function: instability, diminished

movements , decrease in muscle strength• Crepitation, crackling noise• Swelling, deformity• Abnormal alteration of the axis• Lack of systemic symptoms

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Therapeutic measuresPharmacological

treatment• Pain killers/analgetics• NSAID • Intra-articular steroids

Psycho-social treatment• Patient education• Improvement of life-style and diet • Psychological support• Patient clubs

Weight reductionConsultations with

patientsOrthoses(amputee knee shell, knee brace, orthotic heel support, arch support )

Other treatments• Physiotherapy• Surgical intervention