Project description:The public health challenges associated with rapid population ageing are likely to be exacerbated by poor physical activity levels. The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical inactivity in a population-representative sample of older adults in Ireland. This paper reports a secondary analysis of data from 4892 adults aged 60+ from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). TILDA includes an assessment of the mental and physical health, and social and financial circumstances of participants assessed in a home interview and self-completion questionnaire. Chi squared statistics and forced entry logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with physical inactivity. Females were over twice as likely to be inactive as their male counterparts (Odds Ratio 2.2). Increasing old age was associated with inactivity among males and females. Those who reported above secondary level education, no reported falls in the last year and no fear of falling were less likely to be physically inactive. While older adults who noted poor/fair self-reported health, that they did not look after grandchildren, did not own a car or did not attend a course were also more likely to be inactive than those who reported positively for these items. Gender displayed a strong but often contrasting influence on factors that affect physical activity among older adults. Among females, living alone or in a rural area, retirement, fair/poor emotional health and activity being limited by illness were all significantly associated with inactivity. While cohabiting, being employed and residing in an urban area were related to low levels of activity in males. Our findings identify specific groups of the older Irish population who may be at particular risk of physical inactivity and thereby the associated physiological and psychological hazards. These results can support the development of tailored interventions to promote healthy ageing.
Project description:Objectives: We sought to determine the relative contributions of stroke, dementia, and their combination to disability and racial differences in disability among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 6848 community-dwelling older adults. We evaluated the associations of stroke, dementia, and their combination with activities of daily living (ADL) limitations (range 0-7). We then explored the impact of stroke and dementia on race differences in ADL limitations using Poisson regression after accounting for sociodemographics and comorbidities. Results: After full adjustment, ADL limitations differed among older adults with stroke and dementia. Older adults without stroke or dementia had 0.32 (95% CI 0.29-0.35) ADL limitations compared to 0.64 (95% CI 0.54-0.73) with stroke, 1.36 (95% CI 1.20-1.53) with dementia and 1.84 (95% CI 1.54-2.15) with stroke and dementia. Overall, blacks had 0.27 (95%CI 0.19-0.36) more ADL limitations than whites. Models accounting for stroke led to a 3.7% (95%CI 2.98%-4.43%) reduction in race differences, while those for dementia led to a 29.26% (95%CI 28.53%-29.99%) reduction and the stroke-dementia combination -1.48% (95%CI -2.21% to -0.76) had little impact. Discussion: Older adults with stroke and dementia have greater disability than older adults with either of these conditions alone. However, the amount of disability experienced by older adults with stroke and dementia is less than the sum of the contributions from stroke and dementia. Dementia is likely a key contributor to race differences in disability.
Project description:BackgroundBehavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) can be a prodrome of dementia, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) is widely used for BPSD evaluation.ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of BPSD according to cognitive status, and to determine NPI cutoffs that best discern individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia from those without dementia.MethodsWe included 1,565 participants (mean age = 72.7±12.2 years, 48% male). BPSD and cognitive status were assessed with the NPI and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). We used multivariable logistic regression models to investigate the association of BPSD with cognitive status. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess model discrimination, and to determine the best NPI cutoff for MCI and dementia.ResultsParticipants were cognitively normal (CDR = 0; n = 1,062), MCI (CDR = 0.5; n = 145), or dementia (CDR≥1.0, n = 358). NPI symptoms were more frequent in dementia and MCI when compared to cognitively normal. Higher odds for delusions, hallucinations, disinhibition, and psychomotor alterations were found among participants with dementia and MCI than in those who were cognitively normal. The best NPI cutoff to discern participants with dementia from those cognitively normal was 11 (AUC = 0.755). Poor discrimination (AUC = 0.563) was found for the comparison of MCI and those cognitively normal.ConclusionsWe found an increase in BPSD frequencies across the continuum of cognitive impairment. BPSD severity and frequency in MCI was more similar to individuals cognitively normal than with dementia. NPI scores≥to 11 in individuals with no diagnosis of dementia can support the decision for further investigation of dementia.
Project description:IntroductionFrailty is recognized as one of the most important global health challenges as the population is aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence and incidence of frailty, and associated factors, among the population of older adults in Slovenia compared to other European countries.MethodsThe prevalence and 4-year incidence of frailty among older adults (≥65 years) were evaluated using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Frailty was defined by the SHARE operationalization of Frailty phenotype. Multiple logistic regression model was used to explore factors associated with frailty.ResultsAge-standardized prevalence (95% CI) of frailty and pre-frailty in Slovenia were 14.9% (13.3-16.5) and 42.5% (39.8-45.2), respectively. Factors (OR, 95% CI) associated with increased frailty in Slovenia included age (7584 years: 5.03 (3.08-8.22); ≥85 years 21.7 (10.6-44.7) vs. 65-74 years), self-rated health (fair: 4.58 (2.75-7.61), poor: 54.6 (28.1-105.9) vs. excellent/very good/good), number of chronic diseases (1.20 (1.03-1.40)), and polypharmacy (yes: 3.25 (1.93-5.48) vs. no). Female gender and lower education were significantly associated with pre-frailty, but not frailty, in the adjusted model. Independently of these characteristics, age-standardized prevalence of frailty varied among geographical regions. Age-standardized 4-year incidence of frailty and pre-frailty in Slovenia were 6.6% (3.0-10.1) and 40.2% (32.7-47.6), respectively.ConclusionAmong the Slovenian population of older adults aged 65 years and older, the age-standardized prevalence of frailty is 15% and 4-year incidence of frailty is 7%. Regional differences in Slovenia show the lowest prevalence in central Slovenian regions and the highest in northeastern Slovenian regions.
Project description:To examine awareness of memory abilities by groups (healthy control, suspected dementia/mild cognitive impairment, MCI, and diagnosed dementia/MCI), and to describe group differences in the relationship between awareness and cognitive performance in a community sample.In a cross-sectional design, 183 subjects were evaluated in a community setting and categorized into 3 groups based on their cognitive performance and reported medical history. Awareness of memory abilities was quantified using a published anosognosia ratio (AR) comparing the estimated to the objective memory performance by subjects. Each group was further categorized into 'overestimators', 'accurate estimators', and 'underestimators' based on their AR scores.The suspected and diagnosed dementia/MCI groups had significantly higher AR scores than the controls. The suspected group also had a significantly larger proportion (96.2%) of overestimators than the diagnosed (73.3%) and control groups (26.1%). Impaired awareness in overestimators of the suspected and diagnosed groups was correlated with deficits in executive function, language or global cognition.Impaired awareness of memory abilities was prevalent in community-dwelling older adults with suspected and diagnosed dementia or MCI. Those with suspected dementia or MCI were more likely to overestimate their memory abilities than their diagnosed counterparts, suggesting that limited awareness of deficits may hinder utilization of dementia diagnostic services.
Project description:Objectives: To evaluate age-based differences in prescription opioid misuse (POM) motives and to evaluate substance use and mental and physical health correlates of POM motive categories in older adults.Design: Data were from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationally representative US survey.Setting: The NSDUH is a household survey.Subjects: A total of 5,826 US residents with past-year POM; 415 were 50?years and older (7.1%).Methods: Nine POM motives were assessed among those engaged in past-year POM, grouped into three categories: solely physical pain relief, solely non-pain relief, or mixed motives. Prevalence of POM motives were calculated by age group, with logistic models examining age-based differences. Finally, odds of substance use and mental and physical health correlates by motive category were calculated via logistic models in older adults.Results: POM motivated solely by physical pain relief increased from 35.1% in young adults to 65.4% in older adults; in older adults, 84.7% of POM episodes involved pain relief as a motive. POM for solely non-pain relief or mixed motives was associated with greater odds, vs pain relief only, of past-year benzodiazepine misuse (odds ratio [OR] = 4.43 and 6.15, respectively), any substance use disorder (OR = 5.57 and 5.60, respectively), and suicidal ideation (OR = 4.05 and 3.56, respectively) in older adults.Conclusions: . POM motives change over the lifespan, with increasing POM for pain relief with aging. Comprehensive nonopioid pain management is needed for those engaged in POM for pain relief, and substance use and mental health treatment are needed for those with non-pain relief motives.
Project description:ObjectiveDelay in seeking diagnosis of dementia is common in China. Misinformation and poor knowledge about dementia may contribute to it. The study was designed to explore the nationwide dementia literacy among older adults in urban China and to investigate the factors associated with overall dementia literacy.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 3,439 community-dwelling old adults aged 60 and over was recruited from 34 cities in 20 provinces between June 20 and August 20, 2014. All participants were administered the face-to-face mental health literacy questionnaire, which included the prevalence, symptoms, intention, and options for treatment of dementia. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with overall dementia literacy.ResultsThe response rate was 87.4%. The overall dementia literacy was 55.5% (SD?=?20.9%) among all respondents. The correct response rate was higher for questions on symptoms (58.7-89.6%), but lower for questions on the prevalence (22.2%) and choosing appropriate professional care personnel (22.2%). Being male [OR?=?1.256, 95% CI (1.022-1.543)], having lower per capita annual income [OR?=?1.314, 95% CI (1.064-1.623)], lower education [OR?=?1.462, 95% CI (1.162-1.839)], and suspected depression [OR?=?1.248, 95% CI (1.009-1.543)] were negatively associated with overall dementia literacy.ConclusionDementia literacy among community-dwelling older adults in urban China remains very low, in particular about the impact of dementia and appropriate treatment personnel. Community educational programs aiming to close this knowledge gap are encouraged to focus on those in the population at highest risk of low dementia literacy.
Project description:BackgroundAssociation between kidney dysfunction and dementia has been studied in western cohorts, but with inconsistent conclusions which may be due to the different measurements of kidney function. We aim to verify the hypothesis that lower levels of kidney function would be associated with increased risk of incident dementia in Chinese elderly.MethodsOne thousand four hundred twelve dementia-free participants aged 60?years or older from the Shanghai Aging Study were enrolled and followed up for 5.3?years on average. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by using combined creatinine-cystatin C CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equation. Diagnoses of incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) were established using DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria based on medical, neurological, and neuropsychological examinations to each participant. Cox proportional regression was used to analyze the association of baseline GFRcrcys levels with incident dementia/AD, adjusting age, gender, education years, APOE-?4, diabetes, hypertension, baseline Mini-Mental State Examination score, and proteinuria.ResultsA total of 113 (8%) and 84 (7%) participants developed dementia and AD. Comparing to participants with high GFRcrcys (??80?ml/min/1.73 m2), participants with low (<?67?ml/min/1.73 m2) and moderate GFRcrcys (67???GFR?<?80?ml/min/1.73 m2) had increased risk of incident dementia with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.87 (95% CI 1.02-3.44) and 2.19 (95% CI 1.21-3.95) after adjustment for confounders, respectively. Low (HR?=?2.27 [95%CI 1.10-4.68]) and moderate (HR?=?2.14 [95% CI 1.04-4.40]) GFRcrcys at baseline was also independently associated with incident AD after adjustments when comparing to high GFRcrcys. The significant association between GFRcrcys and dementia risk was observed in female but not in male participants.ConclusionsGFRcrcys may be considered as a marker of an individual's vulnerability to the increased risk of cognitive decline.
Project description:Introduction:Studies have described varying prevalences of frailty as determined by Fried's frailty phenotype. Comparability may be limited due to frailty phenotype modifications, especially the low physical activity criterion. Purpose:This study aimed to determine the variability of frailty phenotype prevalence according to the physical activity assessment method. Patients and Methods:In a cross-sectional analysis, frailty phenotype prevalence was assessed in community-dwelling older adults. The low physical activity criterion of the frailty phenotype was determined by using five different questionnaires and an accelerometer, and three different cut-point models. Results:In 47 participants, frailty phenotype prevalence varied between 14.9% and 31.9%, depending on the model used to assess physical activity. Conclusion:The method of physical activity assessment and the choice of cut-points for low physical activity considerably impact frailty phenotype prevalence. More efforts to standardize and adhere to the low physical activity criterion seem warranted. The calculation of correction factors between commonly used sets of low physical activity criteria might allow better comparisons of published prevalence rates.
Project description:Background: Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome is considered to be a pre-dementia syndrome. Although an increasing number of studies have begun to focus on this syndrome, few investigations have been launched in China. This study was performed to examine the prevalence and correlates of MCR in China. Methods: We included 5,725 adults aged over 60 years from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). MCR was defined as the presence of subjective cognitive complaints and a gait speed ≤20th percentile of the weighted population distribution adjusted for sex and height. The associations among selected modifiable associated factors and clinical measures with MCR were examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the participants, 414 met the criteria for MCR with an overall prevalence 7.29% (95% CI: 6.62-7.96%). MCR was found to be more prevalent among women than men (9.73 vs 4.85%), and more prevalent among participants ≥75 years than those <75 years (7.85 vs 5.23%). After multivariable adjustment, lower or upper extremity functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADL) disabilities, weak grip strength, exhaustion, and history of hypertension were found to be significantly associated with MCR. The multivariate analysis also showed higher levels of cystatin C and C-reactive protein were associated with increased odds for MCR. Conclusions: The present study showed that MCR syndrome is highly prevalent among Chinese community-dwelling older adults, and revealed several factors that were correlated with MCR. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further explore the modifiable risk factors of MCR.