Extreme heat stress in older adults: A punch to the gut, kidneys or more?
Author Information
Author(s): Chapman Christopher L., Schlader Zachary J.
Primary Institution: United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)
Hypothesis
How does older age modify heat injury risk during heat stress, specifically with end-organ damage outcomes?
Conclusion
Older adults experience increased gastroduodenal permeability during heat stress, but this does not lead to a higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to younger adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat injury during heat waves.
- Heat injury can lead to acute kidney injury and other organ damage.
- The study matched hyperthermia levels between older and younger adults to assess differences in organ responses.
Takeaway
When older people get really hot, their stomachs can get a bit more sensitive, but it doesn't seem to hurt their kidneys more than it does for younger people.
Methodology
The study used a water-perfused suit model of controlled hyperthermia combined with cycling exercise to match hyperthermia levels in older and young adults.
Potential Biases
Older adults had reduced kidney function at baseline, which may influence the results.
Limitations
The study did not measure circulating endotoxin concentrations, which could provide further insights into the inflammatory response.
Participant Demographics
Nine older adults (aged ≥65 years) and nine young adults (aged 18–39 years) participated in the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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