| 1. |
- Calderón-Larrañaga, Amaia, et al.
(author)
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Body mass trajectories and multimorbidity in old age : 12-year results from a population-based study
- 2021
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In: Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0261-5614 .- 1532-1983. ; 5, s. 52-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & aims: Body weight changes reflect and impact several health conditions in older age, but little is known about its relationship with multimorbidity. We aimed to study the association of long-terms trajectories of body mass index (BMI) with contemporaneous changes in multimorbidity −and multimorbidity type− development in a population-based cohort of older adults.Methods: Twelve-year BMI trajectories (2001–2013) were identified in subjects aged 60+ years from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) using growth mixture models (N = 2189). Information on 60 chronic diseases and multimorbidity was ascertained based on clinical examinations, lab tests, medications, and inpatient and outpatient medical records. Linear mixed models were used to study the association between BMI trajectories and the speed of chronic disease accumulation, in general and by groups of cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases.Results: Eighty percent of the study population was included in what we defined a stable BMI trajectory, 18% in a slow-decline trajectory with an accelerated BMI decline from age 78 onwards, and 2% in a fast-decline trajectory that reached underweight values before age 85. A significantly higher yearly rate of chronic disease accumulation was observed in the fast-decline versus stable trajectory (β = 0.221, 95% CI 0.090–0.352) after adjusting the model for age cohort, sex, education and time to death. Subjects in the slow-decline trajectory showed a significantly higher yearly rate of cardiovascular disease accumulation (β = 0.016, 95% CI 0.000–0.031); those in the fast-decline trajectory showed a faster accumulation of both cardiovascular (β = 0.020, 95% CI -0.025, 0.064) and neuropsychiatric diseases (β = 0.102, 95% CI 0.064–0.139), even if the former association did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion: Our results provide further evidence of the importance of carefully monitoring older adults with sustained weight loss, which is an early indicator of accelerated health deterioration, reflected in our study by a faster accumulation of chronic −especially neuropsychiatric− diseases.
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| 2. |
- Grande, Giulia, et al.
(author)
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Multimorbidity burden and dementia risk in older adults : The role of inflammation and genetics
- 2021
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In: Alzheimer's & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 17:5, s. 768-776
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: We investigate dementia risk in older adults with different disease patterns and explore the role of inflammation and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.Methods: A total of 2,478 dementia-free participants with two or more chronic diseases (ie, multimorbidity) part of the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) were grouped according to their multimorbidity patterns and followed to detect clinical dementia. The potential modifier effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype was tested through stratified analyses.Results: People with neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, and sensory impairment/cancer multimorbidity had increased hazards for dementia compared to the unspecific (Hazard ration (HR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.42; 1.61, 95% CI 1.17-2.29; 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.71, respectively). Despite the lack of statistically significant interaction, high CRP increased dementia risk within these patterns, and being APOE epsilon 4 carriers heightened dementia risk for neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular multimorbidity.Discussion: Individuals with neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, and sensory impairment/cancer patterns are at increased risk for dementia and APOE epsilon 4, and inflammation may further increase the risk. Identifying such high-risk groups might allow tailored interventions for dementia prevention.
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| 3. |
- Imahori, Yume, et al.
(author)
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Electrocardiographic Predictors of Cognitive Decline and Dementia : A Systematic Review
- 2021
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 84:3, s. 1303-1322
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Markers of altered cardiac function might predict cognitive decline and dementia. Objective: This systematic review aims to review the literature that examines the associations of various electrocardiogram (ECG) markers with cognitive decline and dementia in middle-aged and elderly populations. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science through 1 July 2020 for literature and conducted a systematic literature review. We included studies examining the associations of ECG markers (e.g., left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH], spatial QRS-T angle, and QT prolongation) with cognitive function and dementia in adult populations regardless of study setting and design, but excluded studies examining atrial fibrillation and heart rate variability. Results: Fourteen community-based cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were identified. ECG markers were investigated in association with dementia in four prospective studies, and with cognitive decline in ten prospective studies. ECG-assessed LVH was associated with dementia in one study while five heterogeneous prospective studies yielded inconsistent associations with cognitive decline. Regarding ventricular repolarization markers, spatial QRS-T angle was associated with cognitive decline in one study while another study found no association between QT prolongation and cognitive decline. High resting heart rate was associated with both dementia and cognitive decline in one study but not associated with dementia in another study. P-wave abnormality was significantly associated with incident dementia and cognitive decline in one prospective study. Conclusion: Some ECG markers were associated with incident dementia and cognitive decline. However, limited number of heterogeneous studies did not allow us to make firm conclusions. Further studies are needed.
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| 4. |
- Liau, Shin J., et al.
(author)
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Medication Management in Frail Older People : Consensus Principles for Clinical Practice, Research, and Education
- 2021
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In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-8610 .- 1538-9375. ; 22:1, s. 43-49
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Frailty is a geriatric condition associated with increased vulnerability to adverse drug events and medication-related harm. Existing clinical practice guidelines rarely provide medication management recommendations specific to frail older people. This report presents international consensus principles, generated by the Optimizing Geriatric Pharmacotherapy through Pharmacoepidemiology Network, related to medication management in frail older people. This consensus comprises 7 principles for clinical practice, 6 principles for research, and 4 principles for education. Principles for clinical practice include (1) perform medication reconciliation and maintain an up-to-date medication list; (2) assess and plan based on individual's capacity to self-manage medications; (3) ensure appropriate prescribing and deprescribing; (4) simplify medication regimens when appropriate to reduce unnecessary burden; (5) be alert to the contribution of medications to geriatric syndromes; (6) regularly review medication regimens to align with changing goals of care; and (7) facilitate multidisciplinary communication among patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams. Principles for research include (1) include frail older people in randomized controlled trials; (2) consider frailty status as an effect modifier; (3) ensure collection and reporting of outcome measures important in frailty; (4) assess impact of frailty on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; (5) encourage frailty research in under-researched settings; and (6) utilize routinely collected linked health data. Principles for education include (1) provide undergraduate and post-graduate education on frailty; (2) minimize low-value care related to medication management; (3) improve health and medication literacy; and (4) incorporate evidence in relation to frailty into clinical practice guidelines. These principles for clinical practice, research and education highlight different considerations for optimizing medication management in frail older people. These principles can be used in conjunction with existing best practice guidelines to help achieve optimal health outcomes for this vulnerable population. Implementation of the principles will require multidisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, organizational leaders, and policymakers.
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| 5. |
- Liperoti, Rosa, et al.
(author)
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Association between frailty and ischemic heart disease : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2021
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In: BMC Geriatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2318. ; 21:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Frailty is increasingly reported among older adults with cardiovascular diseases and it has been demonstrated to increase negative health outcomes and mortality. To date, no systematic review of the evidence is available regarding the association between frailty and ischemic heart disease (IHD). We performed a systematic review of literature and a meta-analysis to assess the association between frailty and IHD.Methods: We selected all the studies that provided information on the association between frailty and IHD, regardless of the study setting, study design, or definition of IHD and frailty. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched for relevant papers. Studies that adopted the Fried definition for frailty were included in the meta-analyses. For each measure of interest (proportions and estimates of associations), a meta-analysis was performed if at least three studies used the same definition of frailty. Pooled estimates were obtained through random effect models and Mantel-Haenszel weighting.Results: Thirty-seven studies were included. Of these, 22 adopted the Fried criteria to define frailty and provided estimates of prevalence and therefore they were included in meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence of IHD in frail individuals was 17% (95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] 11-23%) and the pooled prevalence of frailty in individuals with IHD was 19% (95% CI 15-24%). The prevalence of frailty among IHD patients ranged from 4 to 61%. Insufficient data were found to assess longitudinal association between frailty and IHD.Conclusions: Frailty is quite common in older persons with IHD. The identification of frailty among older adults with IHD should be considered relevant to provide individualized strategies of cardiovascular prevention and care. Further research should specifically explore the association between frailty and IHD and investigate the potential common biological ground.
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| 6. |
- Marengoni, Alessandra, et al.
(author)
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Patterns of multimorbidity and risk of disability in community-dwelling older persons
- 2021
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In: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1594-0667 .- 1720-8319. ; 33:2, s. 457-462
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim was to analyze the association between specific patterns of multimorbidity and risk of disability in older persons. Data were gathered from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K); 2066 60 + year-old participants living in the community and free from disability at baseline were grouped according to their multimorbidity patterns and followed-up for six years. The association between multimorbidity patterns and disability in basic (ADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living was examined through multinomial models. Throughout the follow-up, 434 (21.0%) participants developed at least one ADL and 310 (15.0%) at least one IADL. Compared to the unspecific pattern, which included diseases not exceeding their expected prevalence in the total sample, belonging to the cardiovascular/anemia/dementia, the sensory impairment/cancer and the musculoskeletal/respiratory/gastrointestinal patterns was associated with a higher risk of developing both ADL and IADL, whereas subjects in the metabolic/sleep disorders pattern showed a higher risk of developing only IADL. Multimorbidity patterns are differentially associated with incident disability, which is important for the design of future prevention strategies aimed at delaying functional impairment in old age, and for a better healthcare resource planning.
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| 7. |
- Saadeh, Marguerita, et al.
(author)
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Mobility and muscle strength trajectories in old age : the beneficial effect of Mediterranean diet in combination with physical activity and social support
- 2021
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In: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1479-5868. ; 18:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Decline in physical function varies substantially across older individuals due to several extrinsic modifiable factors such as dietary patterns, physical activity and social support. We aimed to determine the association of these factors and their interaction with mobility and muscle strength decline.Methods: We analyzed data from 1686 functionally healthy individuals aged 60 + from the population-based Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). The Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was calculated based on a validated food frequency questionnaire. Self-reported physical activity was categorized based on current recommendations, and social support was measured according to participants' perceived material and psychological support from relatives and friends. Participants' physical function was assessed over 12 years through changes in walking speed (m/s) and chair stand time (s). Linear mixed models adjusted for socio-demographic and clinical factors were used. In order to explore the combined effect of the different exposures, two indicator variables were created by cross-classifying individuals' levels of Mediterranean diet adherence and social support or physical activity.Results: Participants with a high adherence to Mediterranean diet were primarily < 78 years (82.3%), women (56.1%), married (61.1%), with university education (52.8%), high levels of social support (39.3%) and health-enhancing levels of physical activity (51.5%). A one-point increase in MDS (score range 0-9) was associated with less annual deterioration in walking speed (beta*time[year] = 0.001; p = 0.024) and chair-stand time (beta*time[year] = -0.014; p = 0.008). The potential protective effect of Mediterranean diet was highest among participants reporting high social support (beta*time[year] = -0.065, p = 0.026 for chair stands) and high physical activity (beta*time[year] = 0.010, p = 0.001 for walking speed), beyond the effect of each exposure individually.Conclusion: A higher adherence to Mediterranean diet, especially in combination with recommended levels of physical activity and high social support, may contribute to delay the decline in physical function observed with aging.
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| 8. |
- She, Rui, et al.
(author)
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Health-related quality of life after first-ever acute ischemic stroke : associations with cardiovascular health metrics
- 2021
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In: Quality of Life Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0962-9343 .- 1573-2649. ; 30, s. 2907-2917
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose To investigate the associations between cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among patients with ischemic stroke in China, and further explore the role of physical and cognitive function in their associations.Methods This hospital-based study included 1714 patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke (age >= 40 years; 36.7% women) who were admitted to two university hospitals in Shandong, China. We collected information on seven CVH metrics (smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose) through interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. EQ-5D-3L was used to assess HRQL. Cognitive and physical functioning was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and Barthel index, respectively. Data were analyzed using the general linear regression models.Results The average score (SD) was 0.746 (0.23) for HRQL index and 72.7 (15.8) for self-rated health. Optimal levels of four individual CVH metric components (diet, physical activity, blood pressure, and blood glucose) and a higher composite CVH score were significantly associated with a greater HRQL index and better self-rated health (p < 0.05 for all). Physical dependence and cognitive impairment were associated with a lower HRQL index and poorer self-rated health status (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the relationships between CVH metrics and HRQL index varied by functional status, such that their associations were statistically significant only among people who had physical dependence or cognitive impairment.Conclusion Achieving a better cardiovascular health profile is associated with better quality of life among ischemic stroke survivors, primarily in those with physical or cognitive impairment.
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| 9. |
- Vetrano, Davide L., et al.
(author)
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Comorbidity status of deceased COVID-19 in-patients in Italy
- 2021
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In: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1594-0667 .- 1720-8319. ; 33, s. 2365-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Most COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in older persons with comorbidities. Specific patterns of comorbidities related to COVID-19 deaths have not been investigated.Methods A random sample of 6085 individuals in Italy who died in-hospital with confirmed COVID-19 between February and December 2020 were included. Observed to expected (O/E) ratios of disease pairs were computed and logistic regression models were used to determine the association between disease pairs with O/E values ≥ 1.5.Results Six pairs of diseases exhibited O/E values ≥ 1.5 and statistically significant higher odds of co-occurrence in the crude and adjusted analyses: (1) ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, (2) atrial fibrillation and heart failure, (3) atrial fibrillation and stroke, (4) heart failure and COPD, (5) stroke and dementia, and (6) type 2 diabetes and obesity.Conclusion In those deceased in-hospital due to COVID-19 in Italy, disease combinations defined by multiple cardio-respiratory, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric diseases occur more frequently than expected. This finding indicates a need to investigate the possible role of these clinical profiles in the chain of events that lead to death in individuals who have contracted SARS-CoV-2.
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| 10. |
- Vetrano, Davide L., et al.
(author)
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Fostering healthy aging : The interdependency of infections, immunity and frailty
- 2021
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In: Ageing Research Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1568-1637 .- 1872-9649. ; 69
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Untangling the interdependency of infections, immunity and frailty may help to clarify their roles in the maintenance of health in aging individuals, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted such priority. In this scoping review we aimed to systematically collect the evidence on 1) the impact of common infections such as influenza, pneumonia and varicella zoster on frailty development, and 2) the role played by frailty in the response to immunization of older adults. Findings are discussed under a unifying framework to identify knowledge gaps and outline their clinical and public health implications to foster a healthier aging. Twenty-nine studies (113,863 participants) selected to answer the first question provided a moderately strong evidence of an association between infections and physical as well as cognitive decline – two essential dimensions of frailty. Thirteen studies (34,520 participants) investigating the second aim, showed that frailty was associated with an impaired immune response in older ages, likely due to immunosenescence. However, the paucity of studies, the absence of tools to predict vaccine efficacy, and the lack of studies investigating the efficacy of newer vaccines in presence of frailty, strongly limit the formulation of more personalized immunization strategies for older adults. The current evidence suggests that infections and frailty repeatedly cross each other pathophysiological paths and accelerate the aging process in a vicious circle. Such evidence opens to several considerations. First, the prevention of both conditions pass through a life course approach, which includes several individual and societal aspects. Second, the maintenance of a well-functioning immune system may be accomplished by preventing frailty, and vice versa. Third, increasing the adherence to immunization may delay the onset of frailty and maintain the immune system homeostasis, beyond preventing infections.
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