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Abstract: Aim: The present study examined whether ethnicity independently predicted future falls among community‐dwelling older Singaporeans, and whether ethnicity moderated the relationships between falls risk factors at baseline and falls at follow up. Methods: Data from a longitudinal survey of older Singaporeans were used. Baseline assessment included handgrip strength, global cognitive function, mobility difficulties, health and psychosocial status. One‐year retrospective falls information at follow up was the primary outcome. Results: Final analysis included 1975 participants (mean age 73.6 ± 6.2 years, 53% women). Indians, followed by Malays, had a higher risk of falling compared with Chinese at follow up. This association remained after controlling for falls risk factors. Self‐reported pain and poor global cognitive function imposed a substantial increment in the risk of falling among Malays compared with Chinese, but not Indians. Conclusion: Ethnicity was a significant predictor of future falls among older Singaporeans. Falls screening and intervention should take ethnicity into account to reach and support the appropriate target population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 72–79. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We aimed to evaluate the relationship between living arrangements, and strength of social network with onset and progression of chronic pain over 2 years in elderly Singaporeans. Methods We used data from the Social Isolation Health and Lifestyles Survey, a nationally representative survey of community-dwelling older Singaporeans aged >60 years ( n = 4990) in 2009 and follow up in 2011. We used binomial logistic regression models to examine factors associated with self-reported onset and progression of chronic pain over time. Results A total of 3103 participants (53.8% women) completed both surveys (weighted response rate 63.7%). The mean age ( SD) was 69.4 (0.5) years. The prevalence of mild and moderate-extreme chronic pain at baseline were 27.7% and 12.8%. A total of 20.1% and 3.9% of the participants reported having chronic pain onset and progression over 2 years, respectively. In the binomial regression models, lower education level, living alone and poorer self-rated health were predictors for onset of chronic pain in women. Weak social networks and disability were associated with progression of chronic pain in women. Conclusions Chronic pain is common in Singaporean older adults. Living alone and weak social network were sociopsychological factors associated with the onset or progression of chronic pain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●-●●. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of the present study was to compute total life expectancy ( TLE), active life expectancy ( ALE) and inactive life expectancy among older Singaporeans by gender, education and ethnicity. Methods Data from a longitudinal survey of older Singaporeans were used. No difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living was considered as 'active.' Transition probabilities across health states (active/inactive/dead) were assessed to develop multistate life tables, which estimated TLE, ALE and inactive life expectancy. Results At age 60 years, women, versus men, had significantly higher TLE (25.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 24.0-27.8 vs 21.6, 95% CI 20.1-23.1), but similar ALE (18.1, 95% CI 17.0-19.2 vs 18.9, 95% CI 17.7-20.2). Those with high (secondary or higher), versus low (primary or less), education had significantly higher TLE (28.5, 95% CI 25.0-32.0 vs 22.5, 95% CI 21.1-23.9) and ALE (23.5, 95% CI 21.2-25.7 vs 17.1, 95% CI 16.1-18.0) at age 60 years. Those of Chinese, versus non-Chinese, ethnicity had significantly higher ALE at age 60 years (19.4, 95% CI 18.4-20.3 vs 15.0, 95% CI 13.4-16.7). Conclusion Unlike Western nations, there was no gender difference in ALE among older adults in Singapore. However, difference in ALE by education among older Singaporeans was similar to that observed in Western societies. Policies focusing specifically on improving women's health at all ages, in addition to policies that increase population education levels, are promising approaches to improving ALE. Recognizing ethnic differences in ALE will help target policies that increase ALE in multicultural societies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 466-473. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the extent of interviewer error on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire ( SPMSQ), the association between interviewer-level variables and SPMSQ score, compare the prevalence of SPMSQ cognitive status categories before and after correction for interviewer error, and identify SPMSQ items prone to interviewer error. Methods Data of 4542 older adults from a national survey in Singapore were utilized. Multilevel models, which adjusted for respondent-level variables known to be associated with cognitive status, were utilized to determine the intraclass correlation on the SPMSQ, association of interviewer-level variables (age, ethnicity, education and number of interviews carried out) with SPMSQ and identify SPMSQ items prone to interviewer error. Results The intraclass correlation, after adjusting for respondent-level variables, was 0.265. Interviewer educational status was associated with SPMSQ score. Correction for interviewer error resulted in an 'improvement' in cognitive status of a substantial proportion of those initially classified as moderately or severely impaired. Two of the SPMSQ items, 'Please count backward from 20 by 3' and 'When were you born?' were particularly prone to interviewer error. Conclusions Investigators using the SPMSQ, and potentially, other instruments, for assessing cognitive function in surveys of older adults and using face-to-face interviews for data collection should be cognizant of the sensitivity of such instruments to interviewer error. Intensive training of interviewers to standardize instrument administration as well as assessment for interviewer error and its correction, using appropriate statistical models, such as multilevel models, is warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 372-380. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]