1. |
- Rydberg Sterner, Therese, et al.
(author)
-
The Gothenburg H70 Birth cohort study 2014-16: design, methods and study population.
- 2019
-
In: European journal of epidemiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-7284 .- 0393-2990. ; 34:2, s. 191-209
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To improve health care for older persons, we need to learn more about ageing, e.g. identify protective factors and early markers for diseases. The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies (the H70 studies) are multidisciplinary epidemiological studies examining representative birth cohorts of older populations in Gothenburg, Sweden. So far, six birth cohorts of 70-year-olds have been examined over time, and examinations have been virtually identical between studies. This paper describes the study procedures for the baseline examination of the Birth cohort 1944, conducted in 2014-16. In this study, all men and women born 1944 on specific dates, and registered as residents in Gothenburg, were eligible for participation (n=1839). A total of 1203 (response rate 72.2%; 559 men and 644 women; mean age 70.5years) agreed to participate in the study. The study comprised sampling of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, psychiatric, cognitive, and physical health examinations, examinations of genetics and family history, use of medications, social factors, functional ability and disability, physical fitness and activity, body composition, lung function, audiological and ophthalmological examinations, diet, brain imaging, as well as a close informant interview, and qualitative studies. As in previous examinations, data collection serves as a basis for future longitudinal follow-up examinations. The research gained from the H70 studies has clinical relevance in relation to prevention, early diagnosis, clinical course, experience of illness, understanding pathogenesis and prognosis. Results will increase our understanding of ageing and inform service development, which may lead to enhanced quality of care for older persons.
|
|
2. |
|
|
3. |
- Johansson, Annica, 1969, et al.
(author)
-
CYP46A1 Variants Interact with Age and APOE to Influence CSF Aβ42 and Phospho-Tau Levels in Alzheimer's Disease
- 2004
-
In: The 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 20-25 July 2004.
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Recent studies have suggested that variants of CYP46A1, encoding cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46), confer risk to Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prospect substantiated by evidence of genetic association with several quantitative traits related to AD pathology, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the 42 amino-acid cleavage product of β-amyloid (Aβ42) and the tau protein. In the present study, these claims have been explored by the genotyping of previously associated markers in CYP46A1 in three independent Northern European case-control series encompassing 1323 individuals, which include approximately 400 patients with measures of CSF Aβ42 and phospho-tau protein levels. Tests of association in case-control models revealed limited evidence that CYP46A1 variants contribute to AD risk across these samples. However, models testing for potential effects upon CSF measures suggested possible interaction of an intronic marker (rs754203) with age and APOE genotype. In stratified analyses, significant effects were evident that were restricted to elderly APOE ε4 carriers for both CSF Aβ42 (P = 0.0009) and phospho-tau (P = 0.046). Computational analyses indicate that the rs754203 marker probably does not impact the binding of regulatory factors, suggesting that other polymorphic sites underlie observed associations. Results provide an important independent replication of previous findings, supporting the existence of CYP46A1 sequence variants that contribute to variability in β-amyloid metabolism.
|
|
4. |
- Johansson, Annica, 1969, et al.
(author)
-
Variants of CYP46A1 may interact with age and APOE to influence CSF Abeta42 levels in Alzheimer's disease.
- 2004
-
In: Human genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-6717 .- 1432-1203. ; 114:6, s. 581-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent studies have suggested that variants of CYP46A1, encoding cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46), confer risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prospect substantiated by evidence of genetic association from several quantitative traits related to AD pathology, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the 42 amino-acid cleavage product of beta-amyloid (Abeta42) and the tau protein. In the present study, these claims have been explored by the genotyping of previously associated markers in CYP46A1 in three independent northern European case-control series encompassing 1323 individuals and including approximately 400 patients with measurements of CSF Abeta42 and phospho-tau protein levels. Tests of association in case-control models revealed limited evidence that CYP46A1 variants contributed to AD risk across these samples. However, models testing for potential effects upon CSF measures suggested a possible interaction of an intronic marker (rs754203) with age and APOE genotype. In stratified analyses, significant effects were evident that were restricted to elderly APOE epsilon4 carriers for both CSF Abeta42 ( P=0.0009) and phospho-tau ( P=0.046). Computational analyses indicate that the rs754203 marker probably does not impact the binding of regulatory factors, suggesting that other polymorphic sites underlie the observed associations. Our results provide an important independent replication of previous findings, supporting the existence of CYP46A1 sequence variants that contribute to variability in beta-amyloid metabolism.
|
|
5. |
- Nilsson, Kerstin, et al.
(author)
-
54 forskare: Inte alla klarar höjd pensions-ålder
- 2017
-
In: Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm. - 1101-2412.
-
Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet, så att fler klarar att arbeta i högre ålder. Att enbart genom ekonomiska åtgärder höja pensionsåldern är inte långsiktigt hållbart, skriver 54 forskare.DEBATT | PENSIONForskning visar att cirka var fjärde har en diagnos eller skada orsakad av sitt arbete. Detta gör arbetsorsakad sjukdom och skada till ett betydelsefullt folkhälsoproblem. Att då enbart genom ekonomiska åtgärder höja pensionsåldern för samtliga (yrkes)grupper utifrån deras kronologiska ålder är inte långsiktigt hållbart när individers biologiska ålder är så olika bland annat till följd av arbetslivet. Detta är en demokratifråga. Forskning om äldre i arbetslivet och hållbart arbete visar att man då främst flyttar individer från pensionssystemet till sjukförsäkringssystemet och ökar klyftorna i samhället.Debatt Det här är en argumenterande text med syfte att påverka. Åsikterna som uttrycks är skribentens egna.Vi är 54 forskare som nu gemensamt har skrivit denna debattartikel. Anledningen är att vi är oroade över att cirka var fjärde blir sjuk av sitt arbete samtidigt som man i det förslag som ligger om att senarelägga ålderspensionen i princip utgår ifrån att arbetskraftsdeltagande enbart styrs av ekonomin. Vi vill trycka på betydelsen av åtgärder i arbetslivet för att komma tillrätta med ohälsan, det vill säga inte enbart ekonomiska restriktioner som tvingar folk som inte kan, vill och orkar att stanna kvar i arbetslivet till en högre kronologisk ålder.Pensionssystemet bygger på att vi ska arbeta en viss del av våra liv för att förtjäna möjligheter till pension. Vi bör dock inte enbart utgå ifrån antalet år sedan en person föddes, då korttidsutbildade generellt träder in på arbetsmarknaden tidigare än långtidsutbildade. De har alltså varit en del av arbetskraften från en yngre ålder. Människor med kortare utbildning har oftare ett arbete som innebär påfrestningar som kan inverka negativt på hälsotillståndet och som till och med kan påskynda det biologiska åldrandet. Dessutom lever korttidsutbildade generellt sett inte lika länge som långtidsutbildade, vilket delvis även avspeglar skilda livs- och arbetsvillkor.Den svenska sjukförsäkringsreformen 2008 avsåg att få tillbaka människor i arbete. Men studien fann att den faktiskt bidrog till att fler gick i tidig ålderspension av dem som var i åldern 55–64 år. Ökningen var störst bland korttidsutbildade. Mer än 5 procent fler gick i tidig ålderspension då det blev svårare att få sjukpenning och sjukersättning. Vi kan notera att det är vanligare att manliga chefer tar ut tidig ålderspension, jämfört med kvinnliga maskinskötare inom tillverkningsindustrin. I vissa yrken är det dessutom vanligare att människor, trots pension, både orkar och faktiskt ges möjlighet att arbeta vidare om de har en specialkompetens som efterfrågas. Om vi endast kombinerar ekonomiska morötter med piskor finns en stor risk att vi ökar klyftan mellan grupper som både kan och vill fortsätta att yrkesarbeta och personer som av olika skäl inte längre kan eller orkar.Ta nytta av den forskning som vi har tagit fram. Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet. Ett hållbart arbetsliv för allt fler i vår åldrande befolkning fordrar att vi samtidigt beaktar faktorer som relaterar till biologisk/kroppslig ålder, mental/kognitiv ålder samt social ålder/livsloppsfas och våra attityder som är kopplade till ålder. Vi måste ta större hänsyn till olika förutsättningar och varierande funktionsförmåga och utifrån detta anpassa de åtgärder som gör att arbetslivet blir möjligt och hållbart för allt fler även i högre ålder.”Morötter” är viktigare för en god arbetshälsa och hög produktivitet än en piska i form av oron för en dålig ekonomi.Forskning visar att pedagogik som bygger på ”morötter” oftast är betydligt bättre än ”piskor” för att nå framgångsrika och långsiktiga mål. ”Morötter” i samhället, för organisationer, företag och individer är därför viktiga för god arbetshälsa och fortsatt produktivitet och kan bidra till ett längre arbetsliv även för grupper som tidigare inte ens klarat av att arbeta fram till pensionsåldern. Genom forskning inom området har bland annat swage-modellen utarbetats. Detta är ett verktyg som visar på komplexiteten i ett hållbart arbetsliv och tillsammans med systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete, handlingsplaner och åtgärder syftar till ett mer hållbart arbetsliv. Morötter är enligt forskningen i detta sammanhang åtgärder för en god fysisk och mental arbetsmiljö, avpassad arbetsbelastning, stödjande teknik, att man kan anpassa arbetstakten, alternativa arbetstidsmodeller vid behov. Det är viktigt att man känner sig trygg och förväntas och tillåts vara delaktig, att man blir sedd av chefen och arbetskamraterna. Att de egna arbetsuppgifterna upplevs som meningsfulla och behövda av andra skapar självförverkligande och tillfredsställelse i arbetet. Att man känner att ens arbetsuppgifter och man själv är viktig för organisationen och företaget. Att man trots högre ålder inkluderas i olika nysatsningar och får tillgång till kompetensutveckling och inte blir åsidosatt eller åldersdiskriminerad. Utvärderingar visar att de äldre medarbetarna som fick några av dessa anpassningar och möjligheter var mer effektiva, utvilade, stimulerade när de var på arbetet samtidigt som sjukfrånvaron minskade. Vilket i sin tur bidrar till ett längre arbetsliv för grupper som tidigare inte klarat av att arbeta fram till pensionsåldern. I organisationer som bygger på en deltagar- och lärandekultur rustas de anställda för att klara omställningar, nya arbetsuppgifter och vid behov även yrkesbyten.Med en åldrande befolkning där allt fler lever allt längre behöver vi arbeta till en högre ålder i framtiden för att pensionssystemet ska hålla. Men ”morötter” är viktigare för en god arbetshälsa och hög produktivitet än en piska i form av oron för en dålig ekonomi. Det kräver också att vi ändrar våra attityder och förhållningssätt till äldre på arbetsmarknaden, vilket vi bäst gör genom att organisationer och företag får incitament till och erbjuder mer individanpassade arbetsvillkor, särskilt för personer i högre ålder. Låt oss därför använda den framtagna kunskapen i praktiken för att göra arbetslivet friskt och hållbart för alla åldrar.
|
|
6. |
- Nilsson, Kerstin, et al.
(author)
-
Vi är oroade över senare ålderspension
- 2017
-
In: Dagens Samhälle. - 1652-6511.
-
Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Var fjärde person blir i dag sjuk till följd av sitt arbete. Att höja pensionsåldern för alla yrkesgrupper, utan konkreta åtgärder för att minska ohälsan, är därför problematiskt och mycket oroande. Det är, enligt forskarna, inte långsiktigt samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt att utan andra åtgärder höja pensionsåldern för alla. Vi – 54 forskare – är mycket oroade över konsekvenserna av att, som föreslagits, senarelägga ålderspensionen.Förslaget utgår i princip från arbetskraftsdeltagande i princip enbart styrs av ekonomin, medan forskningen visar att det bara är en av flera faktorer som styr hur länge och hur mycket människor väljer att arbeta.Det här sättet att lösa problemet med en åldrande befolkning och ett sviktande pensionssystem är inte samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt på lång sikt, utan riskerar bara att flytta runt folk mellan olika ersättningssystem. Pensionssystemet bygger på att vi ska arbeta en viss del av våra liv för att tjäna in vår pension. Vi bör dock inte enbart utgå ifrån ålder eller antalet år sedan en person föddes då korttidsutbildade generellt träder in på arbetsmarknaden tidigare än långtidsutbildade. De med kortare utbildningstid har alltså varit en del av arbetskraften från en yngre ålder. Människor med kortare utbildning har också oftare ett arbete som innebär påfrestningar som kan inverka negativt på hälsotillståndet och som till och med kan påskynda det biologiska åldrandet. Dessutom lever korttidsutbildade generellt sett inte lika länge som långtidsutbildade, vilket delvis även avspeglar skilda livs- och arbetsvillkor.Ta nytta av den forskning som vi har tagit fram. Ekonomin är självklart viktigt för att vi ska vilja arbeta, men den är som sagt enbart en av flera faktorer med betydelse vårt arbetsliv.Hälsotillståndet, både det fysiska och det mentala, har en avgörande betydelse för hur länge och hur mycket vi orkar arbeta. Ett fysiskt och mentalt belastande arbete är en stark riskfaktor för en nedsatt hälsa i slutet av arbetslivet. Arbetstid, arbetstakt och möjlighet till återhämtning spelar en allt större roll ju äldre vi blir. Andra aspekter är arbetsinnehåll, hur meningsfulla och stimulerande arbetsuppgifterna är, balansen mellan arbete och familjesituation och fritidsaktiviteter. Organisationskultur, ledarskapet, stöd i arbetet och kompetens har stor betydelse för om vi ska kunna och vilja arbeta till en högre ålder. Vi måste ta större hänsyn till olika förutsättningar och varierande funktionsförmåga och utifrån detta anpassa de åtgärder som gör att arbetslivet blir möjligt och hållbart för allt fler även i högre ålder.Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste därför utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet. Ett hållbart arbetsliv för allt fler i vår åldrande befolkning fordrar att vi samtidigt beaktar faktorer som relaterar till biologisk/kroppslig ålder, mental/kognitiv ålder samt social ålder/livsloppsfas samt de attityder som är kopplade till ålder.
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- Sindi, S., et al.
(author)
-
Sleep disturbances and dementia risk: A multicenter study
- 2018
-
In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 14:10, s. 1235-1242
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Few longitudinal studies assessed whether sleep disturbances are associated with dementia risk. Methods: Sleep disturbances were assessed in three population-based studies (H70 study and Kungsholmen Project [Sweden]; Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia study [Finland]). Late-life baseline analyses (3-10 years follow-up) used all three studies (N = 1446). Baseline ages 70 years (Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia, H70), and approximate to 84 years (Kungsholmen Project). Midlife baseline (age approximate to 50 years) analyses used Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (21 and 32 years follow-up) (N = 1407). Results: Midlife insomnia (fully adjusted hazard ratio = 1.24, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.50) and late-life terminal insomnia (fully adjusted odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval = 1.08-3.49) were associated with a higher dementia risk. Late-life long sleep duration (>9 hours) was also associated with an increased dementia risk (adjusted odds ratio = 3.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.87-8.48). Discussion: Midlife insomnia and late-life terminal insomnia or long sleep duration were associated with a higher late-life dementia risk. (C) 2018 the Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
9. |
- Sindi, S., et al.
(author)
-
Sleep disturbances and later cognitive status: a multi-centre study
- 2018
-
In: Sleep Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-9457 .- 1878-5506. ; 52:December, s. 26-33
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate the associations between sleep disturbances in mid-life and late-life and late-life cognitive status. Methods: In four population-based studies (three Swedish studies: H70 study, Kungsholmen Project (KP) and The Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD); and one Finnish study: Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE)), participants provided self-reports on insomnia, nightmares and general sleep problems. Late-life cognitive status was measured by the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). The associations between late-life sleep disturbances and cognition 3-11 years later were investigated across all studies (n = 3210). Mean baseline ages were 70 (CAIDE, H70 and SWEOLD), and 84 years (KP). Additional analyses examined the association between midlife sleep and late-life cognition using CAIDE (21 and 31 years follow-up, n = 1306, mean age 50 years), and SWEOLD (20-24 years follow-up, n = 2068, mean age 58 years). Ordered logistic regressions, adjusted for potential baseline confounders, were used in the analyses. Results: Late-life sleep disturbances were associated with poorer cognition after 3-11 years (fully adjusted beta = -0.12, 95% CI = -0.24 to -0.01). Midlife nightmares and insomnia were also associated with lower MMSE scores (fully adjusted beta = -0.28, 95% CI = -0.49 to -0.07 and beta = -0.20, 95% CI = -0.39 to -0.01), although the latter association was attenuated after adjusting for lifestyle/health-related confounders. Midlife general sleep problems were not associated with late-life MMSE performance. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances and midlife nightmares were associated with lower MMSE scores, which suggests that sleep disturbances in earlier life stages can be associated with worse late-life cognition. (c) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.
|
|
10. |
- Vala, CecilieHongslo, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
Increased risk for hip fracture after death of a spouse-further support for bereavement frailty?
- 2020
-
In: Osteoporosis International. - : SPRINGER LONDON LTD. - 0937-941X .- 1433-2965. ; 31:3, s. 485-492
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Death of a spouse is associated with poorer physical and mental health. We followed all married individuals, born from 1902 to 1942, during the period from 1987 to 2002, and found that widows and widowers had higher risk for hip fracture, compared with still married women and men. Introduction Spousal bereavement can lead to poorer physical and mental health. We aimed to determine whether married women and men had an elevated risk of hip fracture after death of a spouse. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, we followed all Swedish married individuals aged 60 to 100 years (n = 1,783,035), from 1987 to 2002. Data are presented as mean with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results During the follow-up period, 21,305 hip fractures among widows and 6538 hip fractures among widowers were noted. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in widows compared with married women was 1.34 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.37) and for widowers compared with married men 1.32 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.35). The HR for hip fracture in the first 6 months after death of a spouse was in widows compared with married women 1.62 (95% CI 1.53 to 1.71) and in widowers compared with married men 1.84 (95% CI 1.68 to 2.03). The elevated risk was especially prominent in young widowers in the age range 60-69 years. During the first 6 months they showed a HR of 2.76 (95% CI 1.66 to 4.58) for a hip fractvure compared with age matched married men. Widows aged 60-69 years showed a HR of 1.59 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.99) compared with age matched married women. Conclusion Our observation of a higher hip fracture risk in both genders in connection with the death of a spouse indicates a possible effect of bereavement on frailty.
|
|
11. |
- Vala, CecilieHongslo, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
Increased risk of hip fracture among spouses-evidence of a homogamy effect
- 2017
-
In: Osteoporosis International. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-941X .- 1433-2965. ; 28:1, s. 95-102
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spouses tend to share habits and therefore have an increased risk of same diseases. We followed all married couples in Sweden, born 1902 to 1942, in hospital records from 1987 to 2002, and found that individuals whose spouse had a hip fracture had an increased risk of hip fracture. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine whether spouses of hip fracture patients have an elevated risk of hip fracture. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all couples married for at least 5 years in Sweden and born between 1902 and 1942 (n = 904,451) and all patients registered with a hip fracture (n = 218,285) in the National Inpatients Register in Sweden from 1987 to 2002. RESULTS: During the period 1987 to 2002 hip fractures occurred among spouses in 4212 married couples. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in a married woman following hip fracture in the husband was 1.11 (95 % confidence interval 1.07 to 1.16) compared to a woman whose husband did not have hip fracture. The corresponding HR for a married man was 1.20 (1.15 to 1.26) compared to a man whose wife did not have hip fracture. The risk was significantly elevated over the age range 60 to 90 years. The increased risk for hip fracture among spouses remained after adjustments for income, education, geographical latitude and urbanisation. In a common model with spouses and their siblings, the HR for spousal effect were 1.63 (1.01 to 2.64) and for sibling effect 2.18 (1.55 to 3.06) compared to married with spouse and sibling respectively without hip fracture. CONCLUSION: The novel finding of an increased risk for hip fracture among spouses provides evidence indicating that there is a homogamy effect due to common social and lifestyle factors but could also be due to assortative mating.
|
|
12. |
|
|
13. |
|
|
14. |
- Andel, R, et al.
(author)
-
Physical exercise at midlife and risk of dementia three decades later: a population-based study of Swedish twins.
- 2008
-
In: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. ; 63:1, s. 62-6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: With the number of people with dementia increasing, identifying potential protective factors has become more important. We explored the association between physical exercise at midlife and subsequent risk of dementia among members of the HARMONY study. METHODS: Measures of exercise were obtained by the Swedish Twin Registry an average of 31 years prior to dementia assessment. Dementia was diagnosed using a two-stage procedure--screening for cognitive impairment followed by full clinical evaluation. We used two study designs: case-control analyses included 264 cases with dementia (176 had Alzheimer's disease) and 2870 controls; co-twin control analyses included 90 twin pairs discordant for dementia. RESULTS: In case-control analyses, controlling for age, sex, education, diet (eating fruits and vegetables), smoking, drinking alcohol, body mass index, and angina, light exercise such as gardening or walking and regular exercise involving sports were associated with reduced odds of dementia compared to hardly any exercise (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.91 for light exercise; OR = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.16-0.72 for regular exercise). Findings were similar for Alzheimer's disease alone. In co-twin control analyses, controlling for education, the association between higher levels of exercise and lower odds of dementia approached significance (OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.23-1.06; p =.072). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise at midlife may reduce the odds of dementia in older adulthood, suggesting that exercise interventions should be explored as a potential strategy for delaying disease onset
|
|
15. |
- Andel, Ross, et al.
(author)
-
Work-related exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and dementia: results from the population-based study of dementia in Swedish twins.
- 2010
-
In: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1758-535X .- 1079-5006. ; 65:11, s. 1220-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: We examined the association between extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (EMF) and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease using all 9,508 individuals from the Study of Dementia in Swedish Twins (HARMONY) with valid occupational and diagnostic data. METHODS: Dementia diagnoses were based on telephone screening followed by in-person clinical workup. Main lifetime occupation was coded according to an established EMF exposure matrix. Covariates were age, gender, education, vascular risk factors, and complexity of work. Based on previous research, data were also analyzed separately for cases with disease onset by age 75 years versus later, men versus women, and those with manual versus nonmanual main occupation. We used generalized estimating equations with the entire sample (to adjust for the inclusion of complete twin pairs) and conditional logistic regression with complete twin pairs only. RESULTS: Level of EMF exposure was not significantly associated with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. However, in stratified analyses, medium and high levels of EMF exposure were associated with increased dementia risk compared with low level in cases with onset by age 75 years (odds ratio: 1.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-3.65 for medium, odds ratio: 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-3.65 for high) and in participants with manual occupations (odds ratio: 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-3.09 for medium, odds ratio: 1.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-3.05 for high). Results with 42 twin pairs discordant for dementia did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational EMF exposure appears relevant primarily to dementia with an earlier onset and among former manual workers.
|
|
16. |
|
|
17. |
- Andel, Ross, et al.
(author)
-
Work-Related Stress May Increase the Risk of Vascular Dementia
- 2012
-
In: Journal of The American Geriatrics Society. - : Wiley. - 0002-8614 .- 1532-5415. ; 60:1, s. 60-67
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To examine job control, job demands, social support at work, and job strain (ratio of demands to control) in relation to risk of any dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD). DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: The population-based Study of Dementia in Swedish Twins. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty-seven people with dementia (167 AD, 46 VaD) and 9,849 without. MEASUREMENTS: Dementia diagnoses were based on telephone screening for cognitive impairment followed by in-person clinical examination. An established job exposure matrix was matched to main occupation categories to measure work characteristics. RESULTS: In generalized estimating equations (adjusted for the inclusion of complete twin pairs), lower job control was associated with greater risk of any dementia (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.31) and VaD specifically (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.07-1.81). Lower social support at work was associated with greater risk of dementia (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03-1.28), AD (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.00-1.31), and VaD (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.02-1.60). Greater job strain was associated with greater risk of VaD only (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.02-1.60), especially in combination with low social support (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.11-1.64). Age, sex, and education were controlled for. Work complexity, manual work, and vascular disease did not explain the results. No differences in work-related stress scores were observed in the 54 twin pairs discordant for dementia, although only two pairs included a twin with VaD. CONCLUSION: Work-related stress, including low job control and low social support at work, may increase the risk of dementia, particularly VaD. Modification to work environment, including attention to social context and provision of meaningful roles for employees, may contribute to efforts to promote cognitive health.
|
|
18. |
- Archer, Trevor, 1949, et al.
(author)
-
Exercise Alleviates Parkinsonism: Clinical and Laboratory Evidence
- 2010
-
In: Acta Neurol Scand.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present review examines the putative benefits for individuals afflicted with Parkinsonism, whether in the clinical setting or in the animal laboratory, accruing from different exercise regimes. The tendency for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to express either normal or reduced exercise capacity appears regulated by factors such as fatigue, quality-of-life and disorder severity. The associations between physical exercise and risk for PD, the effects of exercise on idiopathic Parkinsonism and quality-of-life, the effects of exercise on animal laboratory models of Parkinsonism and dopamine (DA) loss following neurotoxic insults, and the effects of exercise on the DA precursor, L-Dopa, efficacy are examined. It would appear to be case that in view of the particular responsiveness of the dopaminergic neurons to exercise, the principle of “use it or lose” may be of special applicability among PD patients.
|
|
19. |
- Archer, Trevor, 1949, et al.
(author)
-
Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2013
-
In: Omics for Personalized Medicine. - : Springer. ; , s. 289-308
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, neurodegenerative disorders accompanied by progressive deterioration of cognitive capacity, every-day behavior abilities, and integrity of brain tissue, present an ever- growing, worldwide dilemma due to aging populations confronted by a related neuropathology. The “amyloid cascade hypothesis,” that pathophysiology is driven by the ever-increasing burden of β-amyloid in the brains of afflicted patients, involves a poorly understood orchestration encompassing multitudes of enzymes and signaling pathways arranged in vast and diverse arrays of cellular processes, and vascular considerations all of which are under the control of predictive genes and susceptibility genes that describe genetic and genes x environmental epigenetic interactions. Genetic aspects of these disorders and the intricacies of pharmacogenomics implicated several neurotransmitter pathways, circuits and regional brain developments, and metabolism that reinforce the growing requirements for personalized medicine. The search for individual-based medication, in addition to genomic assay and biomarker identity, seeks to establish a “reregulation” of destructive β-amyloid pathways, an understanding and application of Aβ-linked immunotherapy, the initiation and formulation of pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomics principles and methodologies, the emergence of the role of apolipoprotein (APOE) in therapeutic endeavor, the assessment and treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms, the therapies focused upon frontotemporal dementia, and the interventions centered around instrumental activities of daily activities.
|
|
20. |
- Aronsson, Gunnar, et al.
(author)
-
Healthy workplaces for women and men of all ages
- 2017
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this knowledge compilation is to contribute with knowledge about the work environment in relation to the ever-older workforce. How do employee needs and possibilities change from a course of life perspective? What should the employer and other work environment actors think about in order for the workforce to be able to and want to work to a high age?The Swedish Work Environment Authority wishes to give an overarching knowledge profile of different aspects of the work environment and the ageing workforce, and we therefore asked seven researchers to summarise the research-based knowledge within each of their areas, from a course of life and gender perspective. An eighth researcher acted as an editor for the anthology, and has also written the preface.In summary, the report shows that we are becoming even healthier, living ever longer and working to an ever higher age. Older people in the workforce are positive for the economy because productivity increases, and the business sector can make use of competent and experienced staff for a longer time. But for the older labour force to be healthy and want to work at higher ages, one needs to take into consideration how ageing influences health and the capacity to work. With age, all people are affected to different degrees by reduced vision, hearing and physical capacity, as well as longer reaction times. Even their cognitive capacity changes. Certain cognitive abilities are strengthened with rising age, while others deteriorate. With an ageing workforce, more employees have chronic illnesses, which, however, seldom affect the actual working ability. Changes in working life also affect health and wellbeing, for example deregulated work and the technical development. Age and previous experiences impact upon our ability to adapt to these changes. One factor that promotes adaptation is partly resilience (that is to say, resistance and the ability to adapt to the new), partly compensation strategies when the mental and physical resources change. There are no great differences between gender when it comes to the consequences of ageing on health and wellbeing in the work. On the other hand, the public health trend shows increasing differences in health between the lower educated and the higher educated - a difference increasing more quickly among women than among men. The gender-segregated labour market also means that more women than men work in physical and mentally burdensome work. Attitudes at the workplace also affect wellbeing and the will to continue working at higher ages. Men tend to be more sensitive to age discrimination while women run the risk of double discrimination, that is to say based upon both gender and age. Work environment and the attitude to an older workforce are central to the considerations that an employee makes in the choice between continuing to work and retiring. Other prerequisites that influence the decision are one’s own health, private finances and self-fulfilling activities.The employer can do a great deal to lengthen and improve their employees’ working life. Systematic work environment management benefits everyone, and it can contribute to everyone keeping their working ability and to older people wanting to and being able to work for longer. Occupational health services of good quality also play an important role. Technical aids and adaptation of the working pace and working tasks are other measures that improve the work environment for the older workforce. The employer can also contribute to stimulating work arrangements and organisational support for the employees in order to strengthen their resilience and promote the development of compensation strategies.
|
|
21. |
|
|
22. |
- Badache, Andreea, 1991-
(author)
-
Beyond the Years : Exploring the role of sensory functions and cognitive abilities in shaping the patterns of old age disabilities and successful aging in an aging population in Sweden and Denmark: An epidemiological perspective of disability
- 2023
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- AIMS: This research project aims to review the lay perspectives of older adults 75 and above regarding successful aging, as well as estimate the prevalence of sensory difficulties by different subgroups, explore the role of cognition and sensory function in explaining decreasing disability trends over time in Sweden and Denmark and, lastly, longitudinally examine the sensory-cognitive relation in older adults. METHODS: For Study I, a systematic review was conducted, while for Study II the prevalence of sensory functions was estimated. For Study III, the Karlson Holm Breen method was used, whereas Study IV applied a cross-lagged panel model. RESULTS: This research indicates that younger and older adults have different definitions of successful aging, with themes of life, death, and environmental/system influences being important for those aged 75 and above (Study I). Study II shows that the prevalence of sensory difficulties in old age varies among subgroups, and Study III reveals a decreasing prevalence of disability in Sweden and Denmark, attributed to cognitive function, education, reading ability, and hearing ability. Finally, Study IV highlights a reciprocal relationship between sensory functions and cognition among older adults, with better cognitive function associated with better hearing and vision scores over time. DISCUSSION: This research underlines the need for policymakers to cater to the diverse needs of different generations based on gender differences, environmental factors, and access to healthcare and social services. Study II reveals a higher prevalence of sensory difficulties among certain subgroups, which could be targeted by specific interventions. Study III and IV indicate that preserving good sensory functions may mitigate cognitive decline, with interventions including vision and hearing aids and surgeries potentially delaying cognitive decline.
|
|
23. |
- Bai, Ge, et al.
(author)
-
Frailty trajectories in three longitudinal studies of aging : Is the level or the rate of change more predictive of mortality?
- 2021
-
In: Age and Ageing. - : Oxford University Press. - 0002-0729 .- 1468-2834. ; 50:6, s. 2174-2182
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: frailty shows an upward trajectory with age, and higher levels increase the risk of mortality. However, it is less known whether the shape of frailty trajectories differs by age at death or whether the rate of change in frailty is associated with mortality.OBJECTIVES: to assess population frailty trajectories by age at death and to analyse whether the current level of the frailty index (FI) i.e. the most recent measurement or the person-specific rate of change is more predictive of mortality.METHODS: 3,689 individuals from three population-based cohorts with up to 15 repeated measurements of the Rockwood frailty index were analysed. The FI trajectories were assessed by stratifying the sample into four age-at-death groups: <70, 70-80, 80-90 and >90 years. Generalised survival models were used in the survival analysis.RESULTS: the FI trajectories by age at death showed that those who died at <70 years had a steadily increasing trajectory throughout the 40 years before death, whereas those who died at the oldest ages only accrued deficits from age ~75 onwards. Higher level of FI was independently associated with increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.47-1.91), whereas the rate of change was no longer significant after accounting for the current FI level. The effect of the FI level did not weaken with time elapsed since the last measurement.CONCLUSIONS: Frailty trajectories differ as a function of age-at-death category. The current level of FI is a stronger marker for risk stratification than the rate of change.
|
|
24. |
- Bakaysa, S.L., et al.
(author)
-
Telomere length predicts survival independent of genetic influences
- 2007
-
In: Aging Cell. ; 63:6, s. 769-774
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Telomeres prevent the loss of coding genetic material during chromosomal replication. Previous research suggests that shorter telomere length may be associated with lower survival. Because genetic factors are important for individual differences in both telomere length and mortality, this association could reflect genetic or environmental pleiotropy rather than a direct biological effect of telomeres. We demonstrate through within-pair analyses of Swedish twins that telomere length at advanced age is a biomarker that predicts survival beyond the impact of early familial environment and genetic factors in common with telomere length and mortality. Twins with the shortest telomeres had a three times greater risk of death during the follow-up period than their co-twins with the longest telomere measurements [hazard ratio (RR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.3, P = 0.03].
|
|
25. |
- Bendayan, R., et al.
(author)
-
Decline in memory, visuospatial ability, and crystalized cognitive abilities in older adults: normative aging or terminal decline?
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2017
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study is to explore the pattern of change in multiple measures of cognitive abilities in a sample of oldest-old adults, comparing two different time metrics (chronological age and time to death) and therefore examining both underlying conceptual assumptions (age-related change and terminal decline). Moreover, the association with individual characteristics as sex, education, and dementia diagnosis was also examined. Measures of cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination and the Swedish Clock Test) and tests of crystallized (knowledge and synonyms), memory (verbal memory, nonverbal long-term memory, recognition and correspondence, and short-term memory), and visuospatial ability were included. The sample consisted of 671 older Swedish adult participants of the OCTO Twin Study. Linear mixed models with random coefficients were used to analyse change patterns and BIC indexes were used to compare models. Results showed that the time to death model was the best option in analyses of change in all the cognitive measures considered (except for the Information Test). A significant cognitive decline over time was found for all variables. Individuals diagnosed with dementia had lower scores at the study entrance and a faster decline. More educated individuals performed better in all the measures of cognition at study entry than those with poorer education, but no differences were found in the rate of change. Differences were found in age, sex, or time to death at baseline across the different measures. These results support the terminal decline hypothesis when compared to models assuming that cognitive changes are driven by normative aging processes. © 2017 R. Bendayan et al.
|
|