Search

Background: Studies revealed unidirectional associations between frailty and medication‐related problems (MRPs) among older adults. Less is known about the association between frailty and the risk of MRPs. We aimed to assess the bi‐directional association between frailty and the risk of MRPs in community‐dwelling older adults in five European countries. Methods: Participants were 1785 older adults in the population‐based Urban Health Centres Europe project. Repeated assessments were collected at baseline and one‐year follow‐up, including frailty, the risk of MRPs, and covariates. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the unidirectional associations. A cross‐lagged panel modeling was used to assess bi‐directional associations. Results: The unidirectional association between frailty at baseline and the risk of MRPs at follow‐up remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (β = 0.10, 95%CI:0.08, 0.13). The association between the risk of MRPs at baseline and frailty at follow‐up shows similar trends. The bi‐directional association was comparable with reported unidirectional associations, with a stronger effect from frailty at baseline to the risk of MRPs at follow‐up than reversed path (Wald test for comparing lagged effects: p < 0.05). Conclusion: This longitudinal study suggests that a cycle may exist where older adults with higher frailty levels are more likely to have a higher risk of MRPs, which in turn contributes to developing a higher level of frailty. Further research is needed to validate our findings and explore underlying pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventing oral health problems can be crucial for maintaining physical independence in older adults. We aimed to examine the associations of a range of oral health problems with incidence of disability in older adults. Methods: We used prospective data from the British Regional Health Study (BRHS) (N = 2147, 71–92 years), and the Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) study (USA) (N = 3075, 71–80 years). Oral health measures included tooth loss, periodontal disease, self‐rated oral health, and self‐reported dry mouth. Participants were followed for onset of disability over a follow‐up period of 3 years. Onset of disability was assessed through new cases of mobility limitations, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds of incident disability. Results: In the BRHS, tooth loss was associated with greater odds of mobility limitations and ADL difficulties. Periodontal disease was associated with greater incidence of mobility limitations. Self‐report of ≥3 dry mouth symptoms was associated with increased odds of incident mobility limitations and ADL difficulties (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.27–3.42; OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.03–2.90). Fair/poor self‐rated oral health was associated with greater incidence of IADL difficulties. In the HABC study, complete tooth loss was associated with greater incidence of mobility limitations (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.13–3.06), and fair/poor self‐rated oral health was associated with increased odds of incident ADL difficulties (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04–1.94). Conclusions: Oral health problems in older adults, particularly tooth loss, self‐reported dry mouth and self‐rated oral health were associated with greater incidence of disability. Poor oral health plays a potentially important role in the development of disability in older populations, which in turn is an essential part of quality of life and healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES To examine the longitudinal association between frequency of moderate physical activity (PA) and overall, physical, psychological, and social frailty among community‐dwelling older adults older than 70 years. Second, we assessed the association between a 12‐month change in frequency of moderate PA and frailty. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING Community settings in Spain, Greece, Croatia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1735 participants (61.1% female; mean age = 79.6 years; SD = 5.5 years). MEASUREMENTS The frequency of self‐reported moderate PA was measured and classified into two categories: "regular frequency" and "low frequency." The 12‐month change in frequency of moderate PA between baseline and follow‐up was classified into four categories: "continued regular frequency," "decreased frequency," "continued low frequency," and "increased frequency." The 15‐item Tilburg Frailty Indicator assessed overall, physical, psychological, and social frailty. RESULTS: Participants who undertook moderate PA with a regular frequency at baseline were less frail at 12‐month follow‐up than participants with a low frequency. Participants who undertook moderate PA with a continued regular frequency were least frail at baseline and at 12‐month follow‐up. After controlling for baseline frailty and covariates, compared with participants with a continued regular frequency, participants with a decreased frequency were significantly more overall (B = 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99‐1.63), physically (B = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.58‐1.03), psychologically (B = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.30‐0.56), and socially frail (B = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.04‐0.23) at 12‐month follow‐up; participants with a continued low frequency were significantly more overall (B = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.84‐1.49), physically (B = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.51‐0.96), psychologically (B = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.29‐0.55), and socially frail (B = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.04‐0.23) at 12‐month follow‐up; the 12‐month follow‐up frailty level of participants who undertook moderate PA with an increased frequency was similar to those with a continued regular frequency. CONCLUSION: Maintaining a regular frequency of PA as well as increasing to a regular frequency of PA are associated with maintaining or improving overall, physical, psychological, and social frailty among European community‐dwelling older adults older than 70 years. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1484‐1493, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate longitudinal associations between polypharmacy and cognitive and physical capability and to determine whether these associations differ with cumulative exposure to polypharmacy. Design: Prospective birth cohort study. Setting: England, Scotland, and Wales. Participants: An eligible sample of men and women from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development with medication data at age 69 (N=2,122, 79%). Measurements: Cognitive capability was assessed using a word learning test, visual search speed task, and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination, Third Edition (ACE‐III). Physical capability was measured using chair rise speed, standing balance time, walking speed, and grip strength. Results: Polypharmacy (5–8 prescribed medications) was present in 18.2% of participants at age 69 and excessive polypharmacy (≥9 prescribed medications) in 4.7%. Both were associated with poorer cognitive and physical capability in models adjusted for sex, education, and disease burden. Stronger associations were found for excessive polypharmacy (e.g., difference in mean ACE‐III scores comparing polypharmacy=−2.0, 95% CI=−2.8 to −1.1 and excessive polypharmacy=−2.9, 95% CI=−4.4 to −1.4 with no polypharmacy). Participants with polypharmacy at age 60 to 64 and at age 69 showed stronger Negative associations with cognitive and physical capability were stronger still in participants with polypharmacy at both age 60 to 64 and at age 69 (e.g. difference in mean chair rise speed, comparing polypharmacy with no polypharmacy at both ages=−3.9, 95% CI=−5.2 to −2.6 and at age 60–64 only=−2.5, 95% CI=−4.1 to −0.9). Conclusion: Polypharmacy at age 60 to 64 and age 69 was associated with poorer physical and cognitive capability, even after adjusting for disease burden. Stronger negative associations were seen in participants with longstanding polypharmacy, suggesting a cumulative, dose‐dependent relationship (where dose is the number of prescribed medications). Future research aiming to improve cognitive and physical capability should consider interventions to reduce the duration and level of polypharmacy at younger ages, in addition to optimizing disease control with appropriate medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether the association between impaired cognition and greater risk of incident stroke is also observed when cognitive impairment is defined using different criteria for mild cognitive impairment ( MCI). Design Prospective cohort study with 10 years of follow-up. Setting Large multicentre study in the United Kingdom. Participants Individuals (aged 64-105) from the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (N = 13,004). From this, a subsample of 2,640 individuals was selected based on age, center, and cognitive ability to undergo a detailed cognitive assessment. Measurements Information on sociodemographic characteristics, health, cognition, and functional ability was collected in an interview. The Geriatric Mental State Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination were used to determine cognitive status. Stroke incidence was derived from self-report, informant report, and death certificates. Participants were divided into no, mild, moderate, and severe cognitive impairment according to their baseline Mini-Mental State Examination ( MMSE) score. MCI criteria were used to classify persons into four groups: no cognitive impairment, MCI, severe impairment (i.e. other cognitive impairment no dementia: OCIND) and dementia. Results Over 10 years, 703 incident strokes occurred. Lower MMSE score at baseline was associated with greater risk of incident stroke. When cognitive status was determined according to MCI criteria, those with severe impairment (odds ratio ( OR) = 1.5, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.0-2.2) and dementia ( OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.6-3.4) had a significantly greater risk of stroke than those with no cognitive impairment. Conclusion Criteria for MCI, defined using MMSE scores or clinical criteria, can capture individuals at greater stroke risk. The results highlight the need to focus on stroke risk in individuals even with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine the associations between self-reported nighttime sleep duration and daytime sleep and incident heart failure ( HF) in men with and without preexisting cardiovascular disease ( CVD). Design Population-based prospective study. Setting General practices in 24 British towns. Participants Men aged 60-79 without prevalent HF followed for 9 years (N = 3,723). Measurements Information on incident HF cases was obtained from primary care records. Assessment of sleep was based on self-reported sleep duration at night and daytime napping. Results Self-reported short nighttime sleep duration and daytime sleep of longer than 1 hour were associated with preexisting CVD, breathlessness, depression, poor health, physical inactivity, and manual social class. In all men, self-reported daytime sleep of longer than 1 hour duration was associated with significantly greater risk of HF after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted hazard ratio ( aHR) = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.06-2.71) than in those who reported no daytime napping. Self-reported nighttime sleep duration was not associated with HF risk except in men with preexisting CVD (<6 hours: aHR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.31-6.45; 6 hours: aHR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.89-4.03; 8 hours: aHR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.61-2.71; ≥9 hours: aHR = 1.80, 905% CI = 0.71-4.61 vs nighttime sleep of 7 hours). Snoring was not associated with HF risk. Conclusion Self-reported daytime napping of longer than 1 hour is associated with greater risk of HF in older men. Self-reported short sleep (<6 hours) in men with CVD is associated with particularly high risk of developing HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP) on napping behavior in adults aged 60 and older with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS). Design Retrospective cohort study using questionnaires. Setting Sleep center. Participants Individuals starting CPAP treatment between April 2010 and March 2012 (mean age 65.2 ± 4.7; M:F = 3.9:1; N = 107). Measurements All subjects underwent sleep studies, clinical reviews, and CPAP adherence checks and completed a questionnaire regarding CPAP adherence, current employment status, sleep patterns before and after CPAP, and factors affecting their current sleep patterns. Results CPAP treatment duration was 82.7 ± 30.0 weeks, and objective adherence was 5.4 ± 2.0 hours per night overall. Daytime nap frequency before CPAP treatment was higher in those with a history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Both sexes had a significant reduction in daytime napping (men, P < .001; women, P = .008), evening napping (men, P < .001; women, P = .02), and daily nap duration (men, P < .001; women, P = .02). Logistic regression analysis showed that the reduction in self-reported daily nap duration was associated with younger age (odds ratio ( OR) = 0.86, P = .04), a decrease in ESS score ( OR = 1.20, P = .03), and longer self-reported daily nap duration at baseline ( OR = 31.52, P < .001). Conclusion Long-term CPAP treatment in older adults with OSAHS can play a significant role in reducing nap frequency and daily nap duration. Aging or shorter baseline daily nap duration may attenuate this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To evaluate whether low glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure ( BP), and total cholesterol ( TC) are associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in very old individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design Population-based cohort study. Setting Primary care database in the United Kingdom. Participants Individuals aged 80 and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N = 25,966). Measurements Associations between baseline HbA1c, BP, and TC and all-cause mortality were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, duration of diabetes mellitus, lifestyle variables, HbA1c, BP, TC, comorbidities, prescribing of antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs, and participants' general practice. Results There were 4,490 deaths during follow-up (median 2.0 years; mortality 104.7 per 1,000 person-years). Mortality in participants with low (<6.0% (<42 mmol/mol)) or high (≥8.5% (≥69 mmol/mol)) HbA1c was similar to that in those with the reference HbA1c (8.0-8.4% (64-68 mmol/mol)). Mortality was lowest in individuals with HbA1c of 7.0-7.4% (53-57 mmol/mol) (80.9 per 1,000 person-years, adjusted hazard ratio ( aHR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 0.70-0.91, P = .001). Mortality was higher in individuals with lower BP (e.g., <130/70 mmHg, 151.7 per 1,000 person-years, aHR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.34-1.72, P < .001 vs reference BP <150/90 mmHg) and in the lowest TC category (<3.0 mmol/L, 138.7 per 1,000 person-years, aHR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24-1.64, P < .001 vs reference TC 4.5-4.9 mmol/L). The relationship between TC and mortality varied according to sex and prescription of lipid-lowering drugs. Conclusion Low HbA1c, BP, and TC may be associated with higher mortality in very old adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further research is required to understand these associations and to identify optimal treatment targets in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine whether delirium in individuals with hip fracture is associated with high C-reactive protein ( CRP), interleukin-6 ( IL-6), and soluble IL-6 receptor ( sIL-6R) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Two university hospitals in Oslo, Norway, and Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Participants Individuals admitted with acute hip fracture (N = 151). Measurements Participants were assessed for delirium pre- and postoperatively using the Confusion Assessment Method. Prefracture cognitive impairment was detected using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly ( IQCODE). Serum was collected preoperatively and CSF just before the onset of spinal anesthesia. Cytokine levels in serum and CSF samples were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Student t-tests or Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for between-group comparisons. Spearman rho was used for correlations. Results Sixty participants had prior cognitive impairment ( IQCODE score ≥3.44). Delirium was diagnosed in 46 participants (77%) with prior cognitive impairment and 25 (29%) without. In participants without prior cognitive impairment, CSF CRP levels were higher in participants with delirium (median 0.05 μg/mL, interquartile range ( IQR) 0.02-0.12 μg/mL) than in those without delirium (median 0.01 μg/mL, IQR 0.00-0.06 μg/mL) ( P = .01); there were no differences in participants with prior cognitive impairment. In secondary analyses, in participants with prior cognitive impairment, the concentration of CSF sIL-6R was higher in those participants who developed delirium than in the other subgroups, but this difference was not statistically significant. Serum levels of CRP, IL-6, and sIL-6R were not different according to delirium in participants with or without prefracture cognitive impairment. Conclusion High CSF levels of CRP and sIL-6R may be associated with delirium. Different pathophysiological mechanisms may operate in different subgroups, notably in relation to the presence of prior cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To use primary care electronic health records ( EHRs) to evaluate prescriptions and inappropriate prescribing in men and women at age 100. Design Population-based cohort study. Setting Primary care database in the United Kingdom, 1990 to 2013. Participants Individuals reaching the age of 100 between 1990 and 2013 (N = 11,084; n = 8,982 women, n = 2,102 men). Measurements Main drug classes prescribed and potentially inappropriate prescribing according to the 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. Results At the age of 100, 73% of individuals (79% of women, 54% of men) had received one or more prescription drugs, with a median of 7 (interquartile range 0-12) prescription items. The most frequently prescribed drug classes were cardiovascular (53%), central nervous system ( CNS) (53%), and gastrointestinal (47%). Overall, 32% of participants (28% of men, 32% of women) who received drug prescriptions may have received one or more potentially inappropriate prescriptions, with temazepam and amitriptyline being the most frequent. CNS prescriptions were potentially inappropriate in 23% of individuals, and anticholinergic prescriptions were potentially inappropriate in 18% of individuals. Conclusion The majority of centenarians are prescribed one or more drug therapies, and the prescription may be inappropriate for up to one-third of these individuals. Research using EHRs offers opportunities to understand prescribing trends and improve pharmacological care of the oldest adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To use primary care electronic health records ( EHRs) to evaluate the health of men and women at age 100. Design Population-based cohort study. Setting Primary care database in the United Kingdom, 1990-2013. Participants Individuals reaching the age of 100 between 1990 and 2013 (N = 11,084, n = 8,982 women, n = 2,102 men). Measurements Main categories of morbidity and an index of multiple morbidities, geriatric syndromes and an index of multiple impairments, cardiovascular risk factors. Results The number of new female centenarians per year increased from 16 per 100,000 in 1990-94 to 25 per 100,000 in 2010-13 ( P < .001) and of male centenarians from four per 100,000 to six per 100,000 ( P = .06). The most prevalent morbidities at the age of 100 were musculoskeletal diseases, disorders of the senses, and digestive diseases. Women had greater multiple morbidity than men (odds ratio ( OR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.42-1.89, P < .001). Geriatric syndromes, including falls, fractures, hearing and vision impairment, and dementia, were frequent; 30% of women and 49% of men had no recorded geriatric syndromes. Women had greater likelihood of having multiple geriatric syndromes ( OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.90-2.41, P < .001). Conclusion Fewer men than women reach the age of 100, but male centenarians have lower morbidity and fewer geriatric syndromes than women. Research using EHRs offers opportunities to understand the epidemiology of aging and improve care of the oldest old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine, using data from the Newcastle 85+ Study, whether there is an association between modern diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cognitive function in very old adults (≥85) and whether inflammation, physical activity, or diabetes mellitus status affects this association. Design Longitudinal, population-based cohort study. Setting Newcastle and North Tyneside, United Kingdom. Participants Community-dwelling and institutionalized men and women recruited through general practices (N = 845). Measurements MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program ( NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III ( ATP III) criteria. Cross-sectional and prospective (up to 5 years of follow-up) associations between MetS and global cognitive function (assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination ( MMSE)) and between MetS and attention and episodic memory (assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research battery) were performed. Results MetS was not associated with cognitive function at baseline or cognitive change over time. Lack of association was not because MetS was predictive of subsequent mortality. Of the individual components of the MetS criteria, high blood pressure was associated with better cognitive function at baseline ( MMSE: β (standard error ( SE)) = −0.716 (0.152), P < .001), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with poorer global cognitive function at baseline ( MMSE: 0.436 (0.131), P = .001). Conclusion The association between MetS and cognitive decline, which has been described in younger populations (<75), was not apparent in this population of individuals aged 85 and older at baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]