AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Association between frailty status and risk of chronic lung disease: an analysis based on two national prospective cohorts
Feng GY, Li JX, Li GS, Liu J, Gao X, Yan GQ, Yang N, Huang T and Zhou HF
The association between the frailty index (FI) and the risk of chronic lung diseases (CLDs) remains unexplored, warranting further research.
Validation of the German version of the SarQoL questionnaire in sarcopenic and probable sarcopenic patients
Martini S, Held C, Schluessel S, Tausendfreund O, Schaupp A, Rippl M, Schoser B, Schmidmaier R and Drey M
The German version of the SarQoL, a sarcopenia-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, has not been validated hindering its widespread use. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the German SarQoL.
Auto-Global Examination of Mental State (Auto-GEMS): a web-based self-administered cognitive screening
Pucci V, Contemori G, Saccani MS, Arcara G, Mondini S and Bonato M
Recent methodological developments have contributed to a significant advance in computerised neuropsychological instruments and procedures, including those accessible from remote. In this paper we present Auto-GEMS, a newly developed, web-based, self-administered screening test allowing to quickly estimate an individual's cognitive state also considering their cognitive reserve. Auto-GEMS measures cognitive functioning on eleven items similarly to the in-person paper-and-pencil version (GEMS) and to the remote (phone or video call) version (Tele-GEMS) of the same screening. We collected normative data on a sample of 1308 Italian-speaking participants (age range 18-93) to verify its psychometric properties and computed regression models on demographic variables to establish clinical cut-offs. The psychometric properties of Auto-GEMS have shown good internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity. This short and user-friendly tool has a number of potential applications. For instance, it can be useful in clinical practice to monitor the cognitive profile of patients or vulnerable individuals, or even administered in a face-to-face, standard clinical setting. It can also be used in research studies to screen participants. The testing materials and the collected data are freely available in a digital archive along with a web App to visualise the test outcome with reference to its normative data.
Multimorbidity and risk of adverse outcomes in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study: does sex matter?
Westbury LD, Rambukwella R, Pearse C, Ward KA, Cooper C and Dennison EM
We examined whether admission risk increases at a certain threshold of number of systems medicated or whether any increase confers greater admission risk in either sex in a community-dwelling cohort of older persons in Hertfordshire. This study uses a longitudinal retrospective study design.
Dysmagnesemia with acute kidney injury among older adults: clinical characteristics and prognostic importance
Li Q, Hu X, Li G, Li D, Ao Q and Zhou F
The relationship between dysmagnesemia and all-cause mortality probability in individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI) have not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the correlation of varying magnesium levels with mortality in older adults undergoing AKI.
Exploring the perceptions and experiences of older people on the use of digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Tanhamira LA, Randhawa G and Hewson D
Physical inactivity is an ongoing problem throughout the lifespan. For older people, inactivity has a negative impact on wellbeing, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technologies can be employed to encourage uptake of social and physical activity through remotely delivered interventions to improve wellbeing, however, we need to understand older people's perceptions and experiences of using digital technologies before implementing these interventions.
Neuropsychology of sexuality in older adults: bridging gaps in literature and future directions in research
Taccini F, Rossi M, Mannarini S, De Rui M, Ceolin C, Volpe B, Sarlo M, Mapelli D, Sergi G and Devita M
Sexuality is a fundamental part of human existence and it encompasses thoughts, desires, behaviors, relationships, as well as neuropsychological and physiological components. However, sexuality in older adults is under-researched from the neuropsychological and psychophysiological perspectives and is often neglected by healthcare providers in the clinical practice. This article aims to explore the state of the art on the neuropsychology and psychophysiology of older adults' sexuality, proposing future research directions and emphasizing its significance. By summarizing current knowledge on the sexuality of younger individuals, it was possible to lay the groundwork for formulating research questions about older adults' sexuality. The implications proposed in this article will potentially impact both the scientific and also the clinical field. In fact, gaining insights on the neuropsychological and psychophysiological aspects of sexuality in healthy older adults can also shed light into those with neurocognitive disorders.
Can simple measures from clinical practice serve as a proxy for sarcopenic obesity and identify mortality risk?
Guandalini VR, Tofani PS, Lima SS, Silveira LC, Cochar-Soares N, da Silva TBP, de Souza TB, Luiz MM, Ramírez PC, de Oliveira Máximo R, Steptoe A, de Oliveira C and da Silva Alexandre T
Sarcopenic obesity is a condition where loss of muscle mass occurs alongside fat gain, and it is considered a risk factor for mortality. However, the use of various definitions for this condition has led to conflicting results.
Mediterranean diet and spirituality/religion: eating with meaning
Dominguez LJ, Veronese N, Ragusa FS, Petralia V, Ciriminna S, Di Bella G, Schirò P, Sabico S, Al-Daghri NM and Barbagallo M
The interest in the Mediterranean diet has grown considerably due to its potential health benefits on the prevention of diverse age-related chronic diseases and its association with longevity. This dietary pattern, considered among the healthiest in the world, is not simply a combination of healthy foods but goes further in its historical and cultural roots. Mediterranean diet is not intrinsically tied to any specific religion or spiritual system, but its cultural and geographical context has influenced the dietary practices of its inhabitants, encompassing the history of Western civilization and of the three Monotheistic religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. These religions may have some impact on dietary choices due to religious customs and practices. In 2010 the Mediterranean diet was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting it as a social and cultural expression of the different food cultures of the Mediterranean region and indicating that the importance of this dietary and lifestyle pattern lies not only in its specific foods and nutrients, but in the way in which its characteristic foods are produced, cooked, and eaten. In this narrative review we will discuss the possible connections between the main religions originated in the Mediterranean basin and their influence on the composition of the Mediterranean diet, and the links between spirituality/religion and this dietary pattern. This traditional model can represent a form of conscious healthy eating and lifestyle in contrast to the unhealthy Western lifestyle and ultra-processed food consumption widespread throughout the world.
Use of the Brief-BESTest partially instrumented with accelerometry to detect balance deterioration in middle-age
Baranes G, Hayek R, Gutman I, Frenkel-Toledo S and Springer S
Most standardized balance tests cannot detect subtle balance deterioration in middle age, or identify those at higher risk for accelerated balance decline due to a ceiling effect.
Long and short sleep durations can affect cognitive function in older adults through the chain mediation effect of ADL and depression: evidence from CHARLS2018
Zou H, Jiang L, Hou Y, Zhang L and Liu J
Both long and short sleep durations may lead to cognitive decline in the elderly individuals, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on outcomes and costs of dementia care: results from a retrospective real-world study
Weng YX, Yang CC, Hsu WC and Kuo RN
This study aims to assess the impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on dementia patients, utilizing real-world data. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate how TCM influences clinical outcomes by examining changes in the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, as well as its effect on medical expenses over a two-year period. Data from a multi-center research database spanning from 2004 to 2021 will be used to achieve these objectives, addressing the current gap in empirical data concerning intuitive outcomes and cognitive function assessments.
Predictors of non-adherence to an early in-hospital rehabilitation program after surgery for hip fracture in a co-managed orthogeriatric unit
Presta R, Brunetti E, Quaranta V, Raspo S, Cena P, Carignano G, Bonetto M, Busso C, Isaia G, Marabotto M, Massazza G and Bo M
Hip fracture is a common event in older adults, leading to an increased risk of mortality, disability, and higher healthcare costs. Early in-hospital rehabilitation after surgery within orthogeriatric units may improve outcomes with limited incident complications even in the oldest old. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to early rehabilitation in the orthogeriatric unit of an Italian tertiary hospital and its impact on outcomes and setting at discharge.
Exploring the relationship between sarcopenia and 11 respiratory diseases: a comprehensive mendelian randomization analysis
Su Y, Zhang Y, Zhang D and Xu J
Sarcopenia (SP) is an aging-related loss of muscle mass and function, affecting the respiratory system. However, the causality of the association between sarcopenia on lung diseases remains elusive.
Functional foods in Mediterranean diet: exploring the functional features of vegetable case-studies obtained also by biotechnological approaches
Bavaro AR, Tarantini A, Bruno A, Logrieco AF, Gallo A, Mita G, Valerio F, Bleve G and Cardinali A
The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is a widely recognized dietary pattern, with its effects largely attributed to "functional foods" which are able to positively influence one or more target functions, improving health and maintaining a state of well-being.In this review, three "case-study" typical of the MedDiet, such as artichokes, capers and table olives are considered as traditional functional vegetables rich in bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols. The review extensively discusses the antioxidant effects of these molecules, as well as their role in aging prevention and reduction, maintaining human health, and influencing the abundance and composition of intestinal microbiota. Additionally, this review focuses on the fate of the dietary polyphenols along the digestive tract.Among biotechnological strategies, the review explores the role of fermentation process in modifying the biochemical profile, recovery, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds present in some vegetable foods of MedDiet. Finally, the main challenges in the selection, addition, and maintenance of probiotic strains in traditional food products are also summarized, with a view to develop new probiotic carriers for "functional diets".
Association of handgrip strength and risk of cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study
Zhang F, Luo B, Bai Y, Zhang Y, Huang L and Lu W
Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple and non-invasive measure of muscle strength, which has been proposed as a potential predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, the association between HGS and CVD risk in the Chinese population remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength and the risk of cardiovascular disease using data from the 2015-2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
Association of biological aging with prostate cancer: insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Yin W, Song B, Yu C, Jiang J, Yan Z and Xie C
The link between biological aging and prostate cancer (PCa) risk, particularly as indicated by elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, remains uncertain. This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2010) to explore this association. Biological age was assessed using Klemera-Doubal method age (KDMAge) and phenotypic age (PhenoAge). PCa was identified through self-reported diagnoses, and highly probable PCa was determined by PSA levels. We analyzed the prevalence of PCa and PSA-defined highly probable PCa across quartiles of biological age measures using weighted chi-square and linear trend tests. Associations were evaluated using weighted multiple logistic regression models. Among 7,209 and 6,682 males analyzed, the overall weighted prevalence of PCa was 2.86%, increasing to 9.60% in those aged 65 and above. A significant rise in PCa prevalence was observed with higher quartiles of KDMAge or PhenoAge (P for trend < 0.001), particularly in those under 65. In this younger group, higher PhenoAge acceleration quartiles were linked to increased PCa prevalence and higher risk of PCa (OR = 1.50, P = 0.015) as well as highly probable PCa in those without a diagnosis (OR = 1.28, P = 0.031). These findings suggest that accelerated biological aging is associated with an increased risk of PCa and may indicate early risk as signaled by PSA levels, even in those without a PCa diagnosis.
Disability trends among elderly Ukrainians in war conditions: a 10-year retrospective study
Kyrychenko A, Khanyukova I, Moroz O, Sirenko O and Kuryata O
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in elderly are a significant problem in Ukraine. It is expected that the ongoing war will augment this problem. The study aimed to analyze the trends of disability due to NCDs s in newly-diagnosed elderly patients between 2013 and 2023.
The connection between anemia and limitations in daily activities among older males: the critical role of dynapenia
Karismaz A, Soysal P, Eren R, Serin I, Aslan C, Rahmati M, Yon DK and Smith L
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between anemia and basic and instrumental activities of daily living in older male patients.
Dynamic changes in hs-CRP and risk of all-cause mortality among middle-aged and elderly adults: findings from a nationwide prospective cohort and mendelian randomization
Wang Z, Xiong F, Zhang Q and Wang H
The general population experiences mortality rates that are related to high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). We aim to assess the linkage of longitudinal trajectories in hs-CRP levels with all-cause mortality in Chinese participants.
Dynapenic abdominal obesity and activities of daily living disability among older adults residing in low- and middle-income countries
Smith L, López Sánchez GF, Soysal P, Kostev K, Jacob L, Veronese N, Tully MA, Butler L, Barnett Y, Pizzol D, Shin JI and Koyanagi A
Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) may be associated with an increased risk of disability. However, to date, this has not been investigated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while the mediators are largely unknown.