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Immunosenescence is a phenomenon caused by changes in the immune system, and part of these changes involves an increase in circulating immunological biomarkers, a process known as “Inflammaging.” Inflammaging can be associated with many diseases related to older people. As the older population continues to grow, understanding changes in the immune system becomes essential. While prior studies assessing these alterations have been conducted in countries with Caucasian populations, this investigation marks a pioneering effort. The object of the study is to describe for the first time that the distribution of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors serum levels, assessed by Luminex platform, has been examined in a Brazilian population-based study of older adult females and males by age. Blood samples from 2111 participants (≥50 years old) were analyzed at the baseline (2015/2016) of the ELSI-Brazil study. The exploratory variables considered in the study were age, sex, educational level, residence area, geographic region, alcohol and smoking consumption, physical activity, and self-reported medical diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and cancer. The association between serum biomarker levels and age was assessed by a quantile regression model adjusted in the total population and stratified by sex. The significance level considered in the analysis was 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 62.9 years, with a slight majority of female (52.7 %). Differences were found between the sexes in the median circulating levels of the CCL11, CXCL10, and FGF biomarkers. Eight biomarkers showed significant associations with age, including the pro-inflammatory CXCL10, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-2; and type 2/regulatory CCL11 and IL-4, showing positive associations, and anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra showing a negative association. The results suggest similar associations between the sexes, revealing an inflammatory profile characterized by types 1 and 2. Remarkably, these findings reinforce the concept of the Inflammaging process in Brazilian population. These findings add novel insights to about the immunosenescence aspects in middle-income countries and help define biomarkers capable of monitoring inflammation in older adults.

Este trabalho, baseado em amostra nacional representativa da população com 50 anos ou mais, objetivou estimar a prevalência da fragilidade entre homens e mulheres, identificar fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados e estimar a fração atribuível populacional. Foram utilizados dados da segunda onda (2019-2021) do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). A fragilidade foi classificada pelo número de itens positivos entre perda de peso não intencional, exaustão, baixo nível de atividade física, lentidão da marcha e fraqueza. As análises principais foram baseadas na regressão logística multinomial estratificada por sexo. A prevalência da fragilidade foi menor nos homens (8,6%; IC95%: 6,9; 10,7) do que nas mulheres (11,9%; IC95%: 9,6; 14,8), sendo o item mais frequente o baixo nível de atividade física em ambos. A idade e a escolaridade foram os fatores sociodemográficos associados à pré-fragilidade e à fragilidade entre homens e mulheres. Houve diferença da fração atribuível populacional para fragilidade entre os sexos. Nos homens, a maior fração atribuível populacional foi para não ter companheiro (23,5%; IC95%: 7,7; 39,2) e escolaridade baixa (18,2%; IC95%: 6,6; 29,7). Nas mulheres, maiores frações atribuíveis populacionais foram para déficit de memória (17,1%; IC95%: 7,6; 26,6), déficit da visão (13,4%; IC95%: 5,1; 21,7) e diabetes mellitus (11,4%; IC95%: 4,6; 18,1). Observou-se fração atribuível populacional semelhante para doença cardíaca (8,9%; IC95%: 3,8; 14,1, em mulheres; e 8,8%; IC95%: 2,0; 15,6, em homens). Estratégias voltadas para a prática de atividade física têm o potencial de prevenir a fragilidade em ambos os sexos, enquanto a prevenção de condições crônicas é mais importante nas mulheres.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate associations between neighborhood perception and sleep problems in older Brazilian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 5,719 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil, 2019-2021). The outcomes were self-reported sleep problems: poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, primary insomnia complaints, difficulty staying asleep, and waking up at dawn. The exposure variables were questions about the perception of participants about the physical and social environment of the neighborhood. Logistic regression was used in data analysis. Garbage, rubbish, or tall grass on the streets and the desire to move were associated with higher odds of poor sleep quality. Concern about falling due to damaged sidewalks, concern about having difficulties taking transportation, and concern about having difficulties crossing the street were associated with higher odds of all sleep problems. Sound/noise of buses and cars was associated with higher odds of some sleep problems. Perceiving the neighborhood as a good place to live was associated with lower odds of daytime sleepiness and primary insomnia complaints. Trusting most people in the neighborhood and perceiving that kids and younger people treat adults with respect were associated with lower odds of daytime sleepiness, primary insomnia complaints, and waking up at dawn. Being a good place for kids to play and raise teenagers was associated with lower odds of daytime sleepiness. These results can assist public administrators in creating urban planning policies aimed at improving neighborhood environments as a means of health promotion.

Os objetivos foram descrever a prevalência de baixo peso e excesso de peso, avaliados pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC), estratificada por sexo e faixa etária, e analisar as características sociodemográficas associadas ao IMC em mulheres e homens mais velhos. Trata-se de uma análise transversal de 8.974 participantes com ≥ 50 anos da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil, 2015-16). O IMC foi classificado em baixo peso, eutrofia e excesso de peso de acordo com a idade do participante. Foi utilizado modelo de regressão logística multinominal, considerando-se as características sociodemográficas de mulheres e homens. Os resultados evidenciaram maior prevalência de excesso de peso nas mulheres em comparação aos homens (64,1% vs. 57,3%). Em ambos os sexos, a prevalência de baixo peso foi maior nos mais longevos, enquanto que o excesso de peso foi menor. Nas mulheres, a chance de baixo peso foi maior do que a chance de eutrofia naquelas solteiras/viúvas/divorciadas (OR = 1,95; IC95%: 1,42-2,66) e nas residentes na área rural (OR = 1,58; IC95%: 1,01-2,49), ao passo que a chance de excesso de peso foi menor do que a chance de eutrofia nas residentes na área rural (OR = 0,78; IC95%: 0,62-0,97) e em todas as macrorregiões geográficas relativas à Região Sul. Para os homens, a chance de excesso de peso foi menor do que a chance de eutrofia entre solteiros/viúvos/divorciados (OR = 0,58; IC95%: 0,48-0,69). Os mais ricos apresentaram menor chance de baixo peso (OR = 0,59; IC95%: 0,38-0,90), bem como maior chance de excesso de peso (OR = 1,52; IC95%: 1,20-1,92). Em conclusão, as características sociodemográficas associadas ao IMC diferiram entre os sexos.

Summary: Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of death and disability globally and impacts individuals of African ancestry (AFR) or with ancestry in the Americas (AMS) who are under-represented in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of kidney function. To address this bias, we conducted a large meta-analysis of GWASs of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 145,732 AFR and AMS individuals. We identified 41 loci at genome-wide significance (p

The spatial and frontal QRS-T angles are electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors for arrhythmia. This work used genetic analyses to identify associated loci and pathways, and explore their relationships with other ECG traits and cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, early awakening with failure to continue sleep, and altered sleep-wake cycle, are common in the general population. This cross-sectional study with 6,929 older adults (≥ 60 years) aimed to estimate the prevalence of different types of sleep problems, their associated factors, and the population-attributable fraction of associated factors among older adults. The outcome variables consisted of self-reported sleep problems: insomnia (initial, intermediate, late, and any type of insomnia), poor sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. The independent variables were sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and health conditions. The prevalence proportions were initial insomnia (49.1%), intermediate insomnia (49.2%), late insomnia (45.9%), any type of insomnia (58.6%), poor sleep quality (15.6%), and daytime sleepiness (38.4%). Female sex, presence of two or more chronic diseases, not eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and regular and bad/very bad self-rated health were positively associated with the sleep problems investigated. Consuming alcohol once a month or more was inversely associated with initial insomnia. Population attributable fraction estimates ranged from 3% to 19% considering two or more chronic diseases, not eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and regular and bad/very bad self-rated health. High prevalence of self-reported sleep problems was evinced in older adults. These results can be useful to guide public health services in the creation of informational, evaluative, and screening strategies for sleep problems in older Brazilian adults.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate differences in determinants of active aging between older Brazilian and English adults and to verify the association of behavioral, personal, and social determinants with physical health. This cross-sectional study was based on the ELSI-Brazil (2015-2016) and ELSA (2016-2017) cohorts. Active aging determinants included behavior (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and poor sleep quality), personal (cognitive function and life satisfaction), and social determinants (education, loneliness, and volunteering), according to the World Health Organization. Physical health included activities limitation and multimorbidity. We estimated age- and sex-adjusted prevalence for each indicator and mean score, and used the negative binomial regression for statistical analysis. We included 16,642 participants, 9,409 from Brazil and 7,233 from England. Overall, all active aging determinants were worse in Brazil than in England, except for life satisfaction (no difference). The most remarkable difference was found for social determinants score in Brazil (mean difference of 0.18; p < 0.05), mainly due to a significantly lower education level in Brazil (70.6%; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI: 69.7-71.5) than England (37.1%; 95%CI: 35.1-39.1). All determinants (behavioral, personal, and social) were associated with health in Brazil and in England. However, the behavioral domain was stronger associated with health in England (coefficient = 2.76; 95%CI: 2.46-3.10) than in Brazil (coefficient = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.26-1.50; p < 0.001). Older English adults beneficiate more from healthier behaviors than Brazilians, which depend more on social policies.

Abstract Background Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple, quick, inexpensive, and highly reliable method for the assessment of muscle strength in clinical practice and epidemiological studies. This study aimed at describing the HGS values by age group and sex in Brazilians aged 50 years and over, determining age group- and sex-specific cutoff points for muscle weakness, and investigating sociodemographic and anthropometric variables associated with muscle weakness for each sex. Methods Data from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) were analyzed. HGS was measured in the dominant hand using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Fractional polynomial regression models were fitted to estimate the percentiles (P5, P10, P20, P25, P50, P75, P90, and P95) of HGS by age group and sex. The P20 of the maximum HGS by age group and sex was used to define muscle weakness. Associations between sociodemographic (racial self-classification, place of residence, schooling, and monthly household income per capita in tertiles) and anthropometric variables (body mass index and waist circumference) and muscle weakness, by sex, were evaluated using logistic regression. Results The analytical sample included 7905 participants (63.1 ± 9.1 years; 60% women). HGS reduced with increasing age in both sexes. Men presented higher HGS than women in all age groups. The cutoff points for muscle weakness ranged from 28 to 15 kg for men and from 17 to 9 kg for women. In the adjusted analyses, low schooling (0–4 years) was positively associated with muscle weakness in both sexes (in men, odds ratio (OR) 2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46–4.12; in women, OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.18–3.06). Low and middle monthly household income per capita also had a positive association with muscle weakness among women (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.37–2.32; OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.01–1.73, respectively). Overweight had a negative association with muscle weakness among men (OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.52–0.83), and obesity was inversely associated with muscle weakness in both sexes (in men, OR 0.49, 95%CI 0.31–0.78; in women, OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.52–0.92). Conclusions This study provides HGS values and cutoff points for muscle weakness by age group and sex from a nationally representative sample of older Brazilian adults. The variables associated with muscle weakness slightly differed between men and women. HGS values and cutoff points generated can be used as benchmarks in clinical settings and foster future epidemiological research.

The QT interval is a heritable electrocardiographic measure associated with arrhythmia risk when prolonged. Here, the authors used a series of genetic analyses to identify genetic loci, pathways, therapeutic targets, and relationships with cardiovascular disease.

Objetivou-se identificar diferenças alimentares e antropométricas entre adultos mais velhos brasileiros (≥ 50 anos) residentes em áreas urbano-rurais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados da segunda onda (9.949 participantes) do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), de 2019-2021. Foram avaliados: consumo alimentar semanal de fruta/hortaliça, feijão e peixe; autopercepção do consumo de sal; ambiente alimentar (disponibilidade de fruta/hortaliça na vizinhança e produção própria de alimentos); e parâmetros antropométricos objetivos (índice de massa corporal [IMC] e circunferência da cintura [CC]). As análises foram ajustadas por escolaridade. Em comparação com as áreas urbanas, observaram-se nas rurais: menor consumo de fruta/hortaliça em cinco dias da semana ou mais (74,6% vs. 86,4%) e maior consumo adequado de sal (96,8% vs. 92,1%) - diferenças observadas para homens e mulheres. A CC elevada foi menor nas áreas rurais (61,9% vs. 68%), sendo significativa somente para homens. Houve menor disponibilidade de fruta/hortaliça na vizinhança (41,2% vs. 88,3%) e maior produção própria de alimentos (38,2% vs. 13,2%) nas áreas rurais. O consumo de fruta/hortaliça em cinco dias da semana ou mais foi menor nas áreas rurais quando houve disponibilidade de fruta/hortaliça na vizinhança e ausência de produção própria de alimentos. Há diversidade alimentar e nutricional entre áreas urbano-rurais. O incentivo ao consumo de fruta/hortaliça nas áreas urbanas deve considerar a disponibilidade de fruta/hortaliça na vizinhança, enquanto nas áreas rurais deve ser em conjunto com a produção do próprio alimento. O consumo adequado de sal e a manutenção da CC nos valores ideais devem ser reforçados nas áreas urbanas.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables and their associated factors in a national sample representative of the Brazilian population aged 60 or over. Baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted from 2015 to 2016, including 4,982 older individuals, were used. The recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was assessed based on questions on the weekly and daily frequency of fruits, natural fruit juice, and vegetables. Intake of five or more servings of these foods on five or more days per week was considered as recommended consumption. Exploratory variables included socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health conditions, and use of health services. Univariate and multiple logistic regression were used to examine the factors associated with the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables. The prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was 12.9% (95%CI: 11.5-14.3). This consumption showed associations with gender (women - OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.08-1.82), age group (80 years or older - OR = 1.66; 95%CI: 1.16-2.37), education level (8 years or more - OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.51-2.86), smoking (former smokers - OR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.55-0.85 and current smokers - OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33-0.77) and medical appointments in the previous 12 months (OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.31-2.71). Our findings showed a low prevalence of the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables among older Brazilian adults, drawing attention to the need for policies aimed at increasing this consumption in the studied population.

BackgroundThe natural history of Chagas disease (ChD) in older ages is largely unknown, and it is a matter of controversy if the disease continues to progress in the elderly.ObjectiveTo investigate the evolution of electrocardiographic abnormalities in T. cruzi chronically infected community-dwelling elderly compared to non-infected (NChD) subjects and how it affects this population's survival in a follow-up of 14 years.Methods and resultsA 12-lead ECG of each individual of the Bambui Cohort Study of Aging was obtained in 1997, 2002, and 2008, and the abnormalities were classified using the Minnesota Code. The influence of ChD on the ECG evolution was assessed by semi-competing risks considering a new ECG abnormality as the primary event and death as the terminal event. A Cox regression model to evaluate the population survival was conducted at a landmark point of 5.5 years. The individuals of both groups were compared according to the following categories: Normal, Maintained, New, and More by the development of ECG major abnormalities between 1997 and 2002. Among the participants, the ChD group had 557 individuals (median age: 68 years) and NChD group had 905 individuals (median age: 67 years). ChD was associated with a higher risk of development of a new ECG abnormality [HR: 2.89 (95% CI 2.28-3.67)]. The development of a new major ECG abnormality increases the risk of death ChD patients compared to those that maintain a normal ECG [HR: 1.93 (95% CI 1.02-3.65)].ConclusionChD is still associated with a higher risk of progression to cardiomyopathy in the elderly. The occurrence of a new major ECG abnormality in ChD patients predicts a higher risk of death.

Summary: Background: Pain has a significant impact on people's quality of life. The use of prescription opioids to treat pain is associated with an increased risk of opioid use disorders and overdose death. We measured the prevalence of recurrent pain, prescription opioid use, and associations between chronic conditions and prescription opioid use among Brazilian older adults. Methods: We used data from the first population-based longitudinal study of aging in Brazil (ELSI-Brazil), 2019–2020 (mean age = 63.3; 54.4% female). Outcomes were: (1) experience of recurrent pain and (2) use of opioid analgesics in the past three months among those who experience pain. Exposures included selected health conditions, history of falls, and hospitalizations. Findings: Prevalence of pain (n = 9234) was 36.9% (95% CI: 32.6–41.1). Pain was reported more frequently by female participants, low-income individuals, and those with a previous diagnosis of arthritis, chronic back pain, depressive symptoms, history of falls, and hospitalizations. Prevalence of opioid use among those reporting pain (n = 3350) was 30% (95% CI: 23.1–38.0). Prevalence of opioid use was higher among female and single individuals. In adjusted models, arthritis, chronic back pain, and presence of depressive symptoms were associated with prescription opioid use. Interpretation: Prescription opioid use was reported by a sizable portion of the older adults who suffer from pain in Brazil. In a context of growing consumption of prescription opioids, opioid misuse has the potential to increase in the future. Surveillance of prescription opioid use is critical to prevent their harmful consequences. Funding: ELSI-Brazil was funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) data on non-European and admixed individuals remains scarce. Here, the authors analyse WGS data from 1,171 admixed elderly Brazilians from a census cohort, characterising population-specific genetic variation and exploring the clinical utility of this expanded dataset.

Genetic and omics analyses frequently require independent observations, which is not guaranteed in real datasets. When relatedness cannot be accounted for, solutions involve removing related individuals (or observations) and, consequently, a reduction of available data. We developed a network-based relatedness-pruning method that minimizes dataset reduction while removing unwanted relationships in a dataset. It uses node degree centrality metric to identify highly connected nodes (or individuals) and implements heuristics that approximate the minimal reduction of a dataset to allow its application to complex datasets. When compared with two other popular population genetics methodologies (PLINK and KING), NAToRA shows the best combination of removing all relatives while keeping the largest possible number of individuals in all datasets tested and also, with similar effects on the allele frequency spectrum and Principal Component Analysis than PLINK and KING. NAToRA is freely available, both as a standalone tool that can be easily incorporated as part of a pipeline, and as a graphical web tool that allows visualization of the relatedness networks. NAToRA also accepts a variety of relationship metrics as input, which facilitates its use. We also release a genealogies simulator software used for different tests performed in this study.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To present the methodological aspects of the Brumadinho Health Project and to describe the epidemiological profile of participants in the baseline cohort. Methods: Prospective, population-based cohort study in a representative sample of residents (aged 12 and over) of Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, after a mining tailings dam failure. Information for the baseline was collected in 2021, two years after the mining tailings dam collapsed, including sociodemographic, health and service use aspects, among others. Prevalence estimates of health outcomes were described in Brumadinho, as well as in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais, using data from the 2019 National Health Survey. All analyses were performed in the software Stata 17.0, considering the sampling weights and design effect. Results: 3,080 (86.4%) residents participated in the study, most of them being females (56.7%) and with a mean age of 46.1 years. The diseases more frequently reported were arterial hypertension (30.1%), high cholesterol (23.1%) and depression (22.5%), similarly to what was observed in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais, although the prevalence in Brumadinho was higher. At least one medical appointment and one hospitalization occurred in 75.2% and 9.4% of residents in the past year, respectively. Conclusion: It is important to monitor health, physical and mental conditions of residents after the occurrence of a disaster of this magnitude. This information can contribute with risk management of these processes, not only in the affected municipality, but also in other areas where populations are at risk of major disasters.

Summary: Background: While efforts have been made to validate intrinsic capacity (IC) as a multidimensional indicator of healthy aging in high-income countries, we still need evidence from lower-income countries. We examined associations of IC with wide ranges of activities of daily living in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged≥50 years. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 7175 participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging. IC domains (cognitive, psychological, sensory, locomotor, and vitality) were determined using self-reported and physical performance measures. IC was operationalized through factorial analysis. We investigated associations of IC and its domains with functional ability in basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living (ADL, IADL, and AADL) using logistic regressions adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and modifiable risk factors. Findings: The IC bi-factorial model revealed satisfactory goodness-of-fit. Preserved ability in ADL and IADL, respectively, ranged from 69% and 29% to 89% and 74% across IC quartiles. In adjusted analyses, every standard deviation increment in IC composite score was associated with almost twice the odds of preserved ADL (OR=1·72; 95%CI=1·54-1·93), preserved IADL (OR=1·95; 95%CI=1·77-2·16), and high performance in AADL (OR=1·79; 95%CI=1·59-2·00). Similar results were reported using the IC domains as predictors. Although age, race/ethnicity, and education did not modify associations of IC with functional ability, we found sex differences with stronger relationships of IC with preserved ADL or IADL in females. Interpretation: Our results support IC validity and reliability to measure healthy aging in diverse socioeconomic and cultural settings. Incorporating IC in routine practices can promote holistic and person-centered care approaches in aging societies. Funding: The Brazilian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication.

Abstract Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic loci associated with cross-sectional blood pressure (BP) traits; however, GWAS based on longitudinal BP have been underexplored. We performed ethnic-specific and trans-ethnic GWAS meta-analysis using longitudinal and cross-sectional BP data of 33,720 individuals from five cohorts in the US and one in Brazil. In addition to identifying several known loci, we identified thirteen novel loci with nine based on longitudinal and four on cross-sectional BP traits. Most of the novel loci were ethnic- or study-specific, with the majority identified in African Americans (AA). Four of these discoveries showed additional evidence of association in independent datasets, including an intergenic variant (rs4060030, p = 7.3 × 10–9) with reported regulatory function. We observed a high correlation between the meta-analysis results for baseline and longitudinal average BP (rho = 0.48). BP trajectory results were more correlated with those of average BP (rho = 0.35) than baseline BP(rho = 0.18). Heritability estimates trended higher for longitudinal traits than for cross-sectional traits, providing evidence for different genetic architectures. Furthermore, the longitudinal data identified up to 20% more BP known associations than did cross-sectional data. Our analyses of longitudinal BP data in diverse ethnic groups identified novel BP loci associated with BP trajectory, indicating a need for further longitudinal GWAS on BP and other age-related traits.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência e fatores associados à intenção de se vacinar contra a COVID-19 entre idosos brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo seccional, baseado em entrevistas telefônicas de participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (60 anos ou mais), conduzidas em 70 municípios, em março de 2021. As análises foram realizadas mediante regressão logística multinomial. Resultados: Entre 4.364 participantes (idade média = 70,1 anos), 91,8% pretendiam se vacinar ou já haviam sido vacinados, 2,5% não tinham essa intenção e 5,7% estavam indecisos. Residentes do Norte e Sudeste brasileiros apresentaram maiores propensões para se vacinar, assim como aqueles com duas ou mais doenças crônicas. Os que se informam sobre a COVID-19 com amigos/familiares/mídia social foram mais propensos a estarem indecisos acerca da vacinação (odds ratio = 3,15; IC95% 1,28;7,77). Conclusão: Identificou-se uma das mais altas prevalências da intenção de se vacinar contra a COVID-19 descritas até a presente data.

Abstract Little is known about vitamin D status in older adults in South America, where exposures to ultra-violet radiation are high. We examined the distribution of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and its determinants in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 years and older. Explanatory variables included environment and individuals’ characteristics from the ELSI baseline survey (2015–16). Among the 2,264 participants (mean age = 62.6 years), the geometric mean of 25OHD concentration was 66.8 nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (

On the electrocardiogram, the PR interval reflects conduction from the atria to ventricles and also serves as risk indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Here, the authors perform genome-wide meta-analyses for PR interval in multiple ancestries and identify 141 previously unreported genetic loci.

Abstract Background Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America and still represents an important public health problem in the region. Chronic cardiomyopathy is the most significant chronic form due to its association with morbidity and mortality. The last decade has seen increasing evidence that inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are responsible for the generation of inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage, with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy patients presenting a pro-inflammatory immune response. Although studies have evaluated the role of chemokines in experimental T. cruzi infection, few have addressed their systemic profile, especially for human infection and in aging populations. The present work aimed to use the data from a large population based study of older adults, conducted in an endemic area for Chagas disease, to examine the association between serum levels of cytokines and chemokines, T. cruzi infection and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality. Methods The present work evaluated serum levels of CCL2, CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL5, CXCL8, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, IL-12 and IL-10 by Flow Cytometric Bead Array assay (CBA) and the results expressed in pg/ml. The baseline survey started in January 1st 1997, with 1284 participants of an aged population-based cohort. Participants signed an informed consent at baseline and at each subsequent visit and authorized death certificate and medical records verification. Results Our results demonstrated that Chagas disease patients had higher serum levels of CXCL9, CXCL10 and IL-1β and lower serum levels of CCL5 than non-infected subjects. Moreover, our data demonstrated that CXCL9 and CXCL10 increased in an age-dependent profile in Chagas disease patients. Conclusion Together, this study provided evidences that serum biomarkers increase along the age continuum and may have potential implications for establishing clinical management protocols and therapeutic intervention in Chagas disease patients.

ABSTRACT: Background: Estimates of the burden of cardio-metabolic risk factors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) rely on relative risks (RRs) from non-LAC countries. Whether these RRs apply to LAC remains unknown. Methods: We pooled LAC cohorts. We estimated RRs per unit of exposure to body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC) and non-HDL cholesterol on fatal (31 cohorts, n=168,287) and non-fatal (13 cohorts, n=27,554) cardiovascular diseases, adjusting for regression dilution bias. We used these RRs and national data on mean risk factor levels to estimate the number of cardiovascular deaths attributable to non-optimal levels of each risk factor. Results: Our RRs for SBP, FPG and TC were like those observed in cohorts conducted in high-income countries; however, for BMI, our RRs were consistently smaller in people below 75 years of age. Across risk factors, we observed smaller RRs among older ages. Non-optimal SBP was responsible for the largest number of attributable cardiovascular deaths ranging from 38 per 100,000 women and 54 men in Peru, to 261 (Dominica, women) and 282 (Guyana, men). For non-HDL cholesterol, the lowest attributable rate was for women in Peru (21) and men in Guatemala (25), and the largest in men (158) and women (142) from Guyana. Interpretation: RRs for BMI from studies conducted in high-income countries may overestimate disease burden metrics in LAC; conversely, RRs for SBP, FPG and TC from LAC cohorts are similar to those estimated from cohorts in high-income countries. Funding: Wellcome Trust (214185/Z/18/Z)

O presente trabalho objetivou examinar a associação entre a síndrome de fragilidade e a percepção de problemas em indicadores de atributos da atenção primária à saúde (APS) entre idosos brasileiros. É um estudo transversal envolvendo 5.432 participantes, com 60 anos ou mais, da primeira onda do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), realizado entre 2015 e 2016. A fragilidade, variável independente, foi definida com base no marco teórico do fenótipo de fragilidade, e os indicadores de problemas em atributos da APS, variáveis dependentes, foram obtidos baseando-se em perguntas relacionadas ao uso de serviços de saúde. Acesso, longitudinalidade, coordenação, integralidade, orientação familiar e adequação cultural foram os atributos avaliados. Utilizou-se modelos de regressão logística ajustados por fatores predisponentes, facilitadores e de necessidade de uso de serviços de saúde para a análise dos dados. Entre os participantes, 55,1% eram do sexo feminino, 57,9% tinham entre 60 e 69 anos e 51,8% referiram multimorbidade. Idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis representaram 13,4% e 54,5% da amostra, respectivamente. Resultados da análise multivariada mostraram que os idosos frágeis em comparação com os robustos apresentaram mais chances de apontar problemas de acesso (OR = 1,45; IC95%: 1,08-1,93), longitudinalidade (OR = 1,54; IC95%: 1,19-2,00) e integralidade (OR = 1,45; IC95%: 1,14-1,85), além de maior número de problemas em atributos da APS (OR = 1,38; IC95%: 1,05-1,82, para 5 ou mais). O estudo sugere a ocorrência de iniquidades na assistência prestada pela APS brasileira aos idosos frágeis, particularmente no âmbito dos atributos acesso, longitudinalidade e integralidade.

Abstract Background Research on discrimination and health focused on older adults has been scarce, comparatively with younger and middle-aged adults. Considering where people live matters, accurate measures of perceived discrimination might consider how the place of residence interferes on discriminatory experiences. This study aimed to assess the association between perceived discrimination and urban/rural place of residence among a representative sample of older adults in Brazil. Methods Data came from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted in 2015/2016, with individuals aged 50 years and older. Perceived Discrimination was measured by means of the following question: “In the past 12 months have you felt a victim of any type of discrimination” with five possible answers: (1)“when you sought medical services or health care?”, (2)“in social gatherings?”, (3)“in the work place?”, (4)“within the family?”, (5)“due to where you live?”. Participants who answered yes for any of the five domains were coded as having reported an experience of discrimination. The main exposure variable was the urban-rural classification of the households, carried out according to the methods employed by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics during the 2010 Population Census. Other covariates included: age, sex, skin color, household wealth and education. Multiple Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence interval for the association between discrimination and independent variables. Results Prevalence of any perceived discrimination among Brazilian older adults was 16.8%. Regardless the place of residence (either urban or rural), participants reported health care settings as the most common domain where discriminatory experiences occurred and the work place as the least common. According to the adjusted model, perceived discrimination was significantly higher among urban dwellers when compared to their rural counterparts, independent of sociodemographic characteristics, health status and neighborhood social environment. The outcome was significant associated with skin color, education and health status. Conclusions Urban environment plays a core role in perceived discrimination and health care settings constitute the most common domain where discriminatory experiences occurred. Our findings may contribute to fulfill the knowledge gap on discrimination among older adults living in developing countries.

Background: Genetics influence the vulnerability to alcohol use disorders, and among the implicated genes, three previous studies have provided evidences for the involvement of LRRK2 in alcohol dependence (AD). LRRK2 expression is broadly dysregulated in postmortem brain from AD humans, as well as in the brain of mice with alcohol dependent-like behaviors and in a zebrafish model of alcohol preference. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of variants in the LRRK2 gene with AD in multiethnic populations from South and North America.Methods: Alcohol-screening questionnaires [such as CAGE and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)] were used to determine individual risk of AD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were done in three independent populations (898 individuals from Bambuí, Brazil; 3,015 individuals from Pelotas, Brazil; and 1,316 from the United States). Linkage disequilibrium and conditional analyses, as well as in silico functional analyses, were also conducted.Results: Four LRRK2 variants were significantly associated with AD in our discovery cohort (Bambuí): rs4768231, rs4767971, rs7307310, and rs1465527. Two of these variants (rs4768231 and rs4767971) were replicated in both Pelotas and US cohorts. The consistent association signal (at the LRRK2 locus) found in populations with different genetic backgrounds reinforces the relevance of our findings.Conclusion: Taken together, these results support the notion that genetic variants in the LRRK2 locus are risk factors for AD in humans.

This article aims to evaluate the joint and separate association between abdominal and general adiposity indicators and mortality. Data was collected from 1,366 older adults in the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging with complete information for all variables of interest. The outcome variable was all-cause time until death; exposure variables were a body shape index (ABSI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI), assessed at the beginning of the study, and at the 3rd, 5th and 11th year of follow-up. Association between the quartiles of anthropometric indicators and mortality was calculated using an extended Cox proportional hazards model and adjusted for socioeconomic and behavioral confounding factors. Older adults in the 4th ABSI quartile had a higher risk of mortality regardless of BMI (1.27; 95%CI: 1.01-1.58), but this association was not observed in sensitivity analyses. Older adults in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th BMI quartiles had a lower risk of mortality, even when adjusted for WC or ABSI. WC and WHtR showed no association consistent with all-cause mortality after adjustment for confounding factors. Considering the loss of significance in the sensitivity analyses, ABSI’s predictive capacity for mortality is still weak. Thus, adopting ABSI in clinical practice or in epidemiological surveys, in conjunction or replacing BMI and WC, requires more in-depth studies.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relation between catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and multimorbidity in a national representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 50 year or older. METHODS: This study used data from 8,347 participants of the Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI – Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging) conducted in 2015–2016. The dependent variable was CHE, defined by the ratio between the health expenses of the adult aged 50 years or older and the household income. The variable of interest was multimorbidity (two or more chronic diseases) and the variable used for stratification was the wealth score. The main analyses were based on multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of CHE was 17.9% and 7.5%, for expenditures corresponding to 10 and 25% of the household income, respectively. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 63.2%. Multimorbidity showed positive and independent associations with CHE (OR = 1.95, 95%CI 1.67–2.28, and OR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.11–1.76 for expenditures corresponding to 10% and 25%, respectively). Expenditures associated with multimorbidity were higher among those with lower wealth scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results draw attention to the need for an integrated approach of multimorbidity in health services, in order to avoid CHE, particularly among older adults with worse socioeconomic conditions.

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver um modelo conceitual e explorar associações diretas e indiretas entre trabalho remunerado e fatores que operam ao longo da vida em amostra nacional representativa da população brasileira com 50 anos e mais. A análise foi baseada em 8.903 participantes da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). Os fatores de exposição foram sociodemográficos, de saúde, trabalho e interação social. Utilizando modelo de equações estruturais, observou-se que o trabalho remunerado apresentou associação total com a condição social ao longo da vida entre mulheres (coeficiente de padronização - CP = 0,489) e associação direta com a capacidade para o trabalho entre homens (CP = 0,527). Apenas para as mulheres, associação indireta e negativa foi observada com o esforço físico intenso no trabalho ao longo da vida, via aposentadoria (CP = -0,156). Homens com trabalho remunerado foram mais propensos à participação social, aferida pelo pertencimento a grupos ou associações (CP = 0,209). Entre as mulheres, essa participação ocorreu por meio de interações com família e amigos (CP = 0,047), via capacidade para o trabalho. Tanto entre homens quanto entre mulheres, a condição de saúde ao longo da vida mostrou associação indireta e positiva (CP = 0,298 homens; CP = 0,142 mulheres) com o trabalho remunerado, via capacidade para o trabalho. Todos os fatores mencionados apresentaram associação significativa com o trabalho remunerado. Os resultados do estudo mostraram que a participação de homens e mulheres mais velhos no mercado de trabalho ocorre por mecanismos diferentes, principalmente ao considerar os fatores relacionados ao trabalho e interação

O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a ocorrência de multimorbidade e estimar o número de indivíduos na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais em risco para COVID-19 grave. Estudo transversal de base nacional com dados do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), conduzido em 2015-2016, com 9.412 indivíduos com 50 anos ou mais. A multimorbidade foi caracterizada como ≥ 2 condições crônicas com base em uma lista de 15 morbidades consideradas de risco para COVID-19 grave. As análises incluíram cálculo de prevalência e estimativa do número absoluto de pessoas na população em risco. Autoavaliação do estado de saúde, fragilidade e atividades básicas da vida diária foram utilizadas como marcadores da situação de saúde. Sexo, idade, região geopolítica e escolaridade foram usados como covariáveis. Cerca de 80% dos indivíduos da amostra apresentaram pelo menos alguma das morbidades avaliadas, o que representa cerca de 34 milhões de indivíduos; a multimorbidade foi referida por 52% da população em estudo, com maior proporção nas regiões Centro-oeste, Sudeste e Sul. Doenças cardiovasculares e obesidade foram as condições crônicas mais frequentes. Estima-se que 2,4 milhões de brasileiros estejam em risco grave de saúde. Desigualdades segundo a escolaridade foram observadas. O número de pessoas com 50 anos ou mais que apresentam morbidades de risco para COVID-19 grave é elevado tanto em termos relativos quanto absolutos. A estimativa apresentada é importante para planejar as estratégias de monitoramento das pessoas com morbidades crônicas e de prevenção no enfrentamento do novo coronavírus.

Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over half a million deaths worldwide. Brazil has been particularly impacted, registering more than 1.3 million infections and 57,000 deaths by late June 2020. Aggregate numbers of cases are essential in modeling the epidemic and planning responses; however, more detailed analysis of risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are needed. Our study provides an initial examination of characteristics associated with receiving a doctor’s diagnosis of COVID-19 among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over. Data are derived from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey to ELSI-Brazil participants, known as the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. The telephone survey was conducted between 26 May and 8 June 2020. Results show that about 2.4% (n = 70) of the sample reported being told by a doctor they had COVID-19, however, only about half of these individuals (n = 37) reported receiving a diagnostic confirmation from viral testing (RT-PCR). Demographic factors (aged 50-60 years), socioeconomic factors (lower household income), health-related factors (obesity, three or more chronic conditions), and geography (living in the Northern region of the country) were positively associated with reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite the descriptive and preliminary nature of these findings, results reported here suggest the need for more targeted approaches to enhance personal protection and provide greater viral testing options, especially for older, sicker and more vulnerable adults in Brazil.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se os comportamentos saudáveis determinam a adoção de medidas protetivas individuais para o combate à COVID-19. Os dados foram obtidos da iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19, inquérito telefônico conduzido entre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), que inclui amostra nacional representativa da população com 50 anos ou mais. Os desfechos avaliados foram três medidas protetivas (não ter saído de casa na última semana, usar máscara quando saiu de casa e higienizar as mãos quando retornou para casa) e as variáveis explicativas foram os comportamentos em saúde (tabagismo, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, consumo de frutas e hortaliças e prática de atividade física). As associações foram avaliadas por modelos logísticos, considerando-se o ajuste por potenciais fatores de confusão. Participaram da análise 5.827 indivíduos; 32,2% não saíram de casa na última semana; e entre os que saíram de casa, 97,5% usaram máscara facial e 97,3% higienizaram as mãos quando retornaram ao domicílio. A prática de atividade física nos níveis recomendados foi associada com menor chance de não sair de casa na semana anterior. Os ex-fumantes apresentaram maior chance de usar máscara e aqueles que praticavam atividade física tinham menor chance de adotar esta medida protetiva. Indivíduos com consumo de baixo risco de bebidas alcoólicas apresentaram maior chance de higienizar as mãos. Ações que visem ao aumento da adoção das medidas protetivas para o combate ao novo coronavírus devem considerar a existência de grupos vulneráveis, que podem ser identificados pela distribuição de outros comportamentos em saúde na população.

Objetivou-se medir a ocorrência de comportamentos de proteção contra a COVID-19 e fatores sociodemográficos segundo a ocorrência de multimorbidade na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de inquérito telefônico entre participantes do ELSI-Brasil (Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros), conduzido entre maio e junho de 2020. Avaliou-se o uso de medidas de prevenção não farmacológica para COVID-19, motivos para sair de casa segundo a presença de multimorbidade e variáveis sociodemográficas. Participaram do estudo 6.149 pessoas. Multimorbidade foi mais frequente no sexo feminino, em casados, na faixa etária 50-59 anos de idade e em moradores da zona urbana. A maior parte da população saiu de casa entre uma e duas vezes na última semana, percentual que aumentou segundo o número de morbidades (22,3% sem morbidades e 38% com multimorbidade). Sair de casa todos os dias teve menor ocorrência entre indivíduos com multimorbidade (10,3%), e 9,3% saíram de casa na última semana para obter atendimento de saúde. Higienização de mãos (> 98%) e sempre usar máscara ao sair de casa (> 96%) foram hábitos quase universais. Observou-se maior adesão ao isolamento social entre as mulheres com multimorbidade quando comparadas com os homens (RP = 1,49; IC95%: 1,23-1,79); esta adesão aumentou proporcionalmente com a idade e inversamente ao nível de escolaridade. O comportamento de proteção em pessoas com multimorbidade parece ser maior em relação aos demais, embora questões relacionadas ao isolamento social e cuidado em saúde mereçam ser destacadas. Esses achados podem ser úteis na customização de estratégias de enfrentamento atual da pandemia.

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2) is a public health emergency of international concern that particularly affects older people. Brazil is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, ranking second with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide as of mid-June 2020. The ELSI-COVID-19 initiative is based on telephone interviews with participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted on a nationally representative sample of the population aged 50 or older. This initiative aims to provide information on adherence to preventive measures (social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing/hygiene); reasons for leaving the house, when that was the case; difficulties obtaining medications, medical diagnosis of COVID-19, and receipt of confirmatory results; use of health-care services (recent care-seeking, care-seeking location, care receipt, among other aspects); and mental health (sleep, depression, and loneliness). The first round of telephone interviews was conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020. The second and third rounds are expected to occur within the coming months. This article presents this initiative methodology and some sociodemographic characteristics of the 6,149 participants in the survey first round, relative the Brazilian population within the same age group.

The continent of the Americas has the greatest number of people infected and deaths associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the world. Brazil occupies the 2nd position in numbers of infected cases and deaths, preceded only by the United States. Older adults and those with pre-existing chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the consequences of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has serious consequences for health services. Therefore, an assessment of the pandemic’s effect on the older Brazilian population is urgently needed. The study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 related symptoms, care-seeking, and cancellation of surgery or other scheduled medical care among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over derived from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey (the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative) between late May and early June 2020. About 10.4% of older adults reported any fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing in the 30 days prior to the interview, with the highest prevalence in the North region (50%). Among individuals with symptoms, only 33.6% sought care. Individuals living in the South or Southeast regions were significantly less likely to seek care for COVID-19 related symptoms. Nearly one in six participants had to cancel scheduled surgery or other medical care; this proportion was higher among women, those with more education, and people with multiple chronic conditions. This paper is among the first to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on health care use in Brazil among older adults. Results highlight the need to adapt health care delivery (such as through telemedicine) to ensure the continuity of care as well as the urgent need for wide dissemination of information to guide the population on disease prevention measures and how to obtain healthcare when needed.

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência do distanciamento social, do uso de máscaras e da higienização das mãos ao sair de casa entre adultos brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 6.149 entrevistas telefônicas, conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 junho de 2020 dentre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). O distanciamento social foi definido por não ter saído de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Somente 32,8% dos participantes do estudo não saíram de casa no período considerado, 36,3% saíram entre 1 e 2 vezes, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 vezes e 15,7% saíram todos os dias. As principais razões para sair de casa foram comprar remédios ou alimentos (74,2%), trabalhar (25,1%), pagar contas (24,5%), atendimento dem saúde (10,5%), fazer exercícios (6,2%) e encontrar familiares ou amigos (8,8%). Entre os que saíram de casa, 97,3% usaram sempre máscaras faciais e 97,3% sempre higienizaram as mãos. As mulheres saíram menos de casa que os homens. Esses saíram com mais frequência para trabalhar e fazer exercícios. Elas saíram mais para atendimento em saúde. Os homens (odds ratio - OR =1,84) aqueles com escolaridade mais alta (OR = 1,48 e 1,95 para 5-8 e 9 anos, respectivamente) e os residentes em áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) saíram mais para realizar atividades essenciais, independentemente da idade e de outros fatores relevantes. Os resultados mostram baixa adesão ao distanciamento social, mas altas prevalências nos usos de máscaras e higienização das mãos.

Background Risk stratification of Chagas disease patients in the limited‐resource setting would be helpful in crafting management strategies. We developed a score to predict 2‐year mortality in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy from remote endemic areas. Methods and Results This study enrolled 1551 patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from the SaMi‐Trop cohort (The São Paulo‐Minas Gerais Tropical Medicine Research Center). Clinical evaluation, ECG, and NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) were performed. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to develop a prediction model based on the key predictors. The end point was all‐cause mortality. The patients were classified into 3 risk categories at baseline (low,

Abstract Objectives: To examine the accuracy of waist circumference to predict two or more metabolic syndrome (MS) components among the elderly and to compare it with the recommendations of the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) for adults. Method: The study was conducted among participants of the baseline of the Bambuí (Minas Gerais) Cohort Study. The best waist circumference cut-off point for the outcome was determined by the Younden Index. The accuracy of such cut-off points was assessed by the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) and the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. Results: The prevalence of MS was 63.8% among women and 43.4% among men. Of these, the waist circumference cut-off that best predicted two or more components of MS (≥88 cm) was similar to that recommended by JIS (≥90 cm) (AUROC=0.673 and 0.672, respectively). Among women, the corresponding value was higher (≥92 cm) than recommended by the JIS (≥80 cm) (AUROC=0.605 and 0.560, respectively). Conclusion: The overall accuracy of waist circumference (AUROC) for the outcome was low for both genders, indicating that this measure is not an effective predictor of other components of MS in the study population.

BackgroundWith no effective treatments for cognitive decline or dementia, improving the evidence base for modifiable risk factors is a research priority. This study investigated associations between risk factors and late-life cognitive decline on a global scale, including comparisons between ethno-regional groups.Methods and findingsWe harmonized longitudinal data from 20 population-based cohorts from 15 countries over 5 continents, including 48,522 individuals (58.4% women) aged 54-105 (mean = 72.7) years and without dementia at baseline. Studies had 2-15 years of follow-up. The risk factors investigated were age, sex, education, alcohol consumption, anxiety, apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE*4) status, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure and pulse pressure, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, self-rated health, high cholesterol, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, physical activity, smoking, and history of stroke. Associations with risk factors were determined for a global cognitive composite outcome (memory, language, processing speed, and executive functioning tests) and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Individual participant data meta-analyses of multivariable linear mixed model results pooled across cohorts revealed that for at least 1 cognitive outcome, age (B = -0.1, SE = 0.01), APOE*4 carriage (B = -0.31, SE = 0.11), depression (B = -0.11, SE = 0.06), diabetes (B = -0.23, SE = 0.10), current smoking (B = -0.20, SE = 0.08), and history of stroke (B = -0.22, SE = 0.09) were independently associated with poorer cognitive performance (p < 0.05 for all), and higher levels of education (B = 0.12, SE = 0.02) and vigorous physical activity (B = 0.17, SE = 0.06) were associated with better performance (p < 0.01 for both). Age (B = -0.07, SE = 0.01), APOE*4 carriage (B = -0.41, SE = 0.18), and diabetes (B = -0.18, SE = 0.10) were independently associated with faster cognitive decline (p < 0.05 for all). Different effects between Asian people and white people included stronger associations for Asian people between ever smoking and poorer cognition (group by risk factor interaction: B = -0.24, SE = 0.12), and between diabetes and cognitive decline (B = -0.66, SE = 0.27; p < 0.05 for both). Limitations of our study include a loss or distortion of risk factor data with harmonization, and not investigating factors at midlife.ConclusionsThese results suggest that education, smoking, physical activity, diabetes, and stroke are all modifiable factors associated with cognitive decline. If these factors are determined to be causal, controlling them could minimize worldwide levels of cognitive decline. However, any global prevention strategy may need to consider ethno-regional differences.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados à percepção da qualidade dos serviços de atenção primária à saúde (APS) por idosos. Métodos: estudo transversal com 893 idosos de 60 anos ou mais, residentes na Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil; os desfechos do estudo foram os indicadores dos atributos essenciais da APS, e as variáveis explicativas incluíram condições sociodemográficas, uso de serviços de saúde e condições de saúde; utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: os idosos com 80 anos ou mais, as mulheres e aqueles de maior escolaridade avaliaram melhor o acesso e a longitudinalidade, enquanto a avaliação foi pior entre os que relataram maior uso dos serviços e condições crônicas, sobretudo para os atributos de coordenação do cuidado e orientação familiar e comunitária. Conclusão: piores condições de saúde e maior uso dos serviços estão associados à percepção mais negativa dos atributos da APS entre idosos.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze whether inflammatory markers are associated with falls among older adults living in Bambuí. METHODS Study that analyzed baseline data from a Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging, involving 1,250 participants. Data about falls were collected from previous 12 months, classified as single or multiple occurrence and severity (participant seeking health services). Information about sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors and health condition was also collected and used as confounding factors. The exposures of interest included interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) and chemokines (CXCL9, CCL5, CCL10, MCP1). Data were processed through logistic regression, obtaining odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS The prevalence of falls was 27.1%; 40.1% of the older adults reported multiple falls and 33.3% sought health services. After adjustments, the following elevated levels were associated with falls: us-CRP (OR = 1.46, 95%CI 1.04–2.03), CCL5 (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.01–1.90) and CXCL9 (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.02–2.02). An association was observed between the number of elevated markers and the occurrence of falls: two (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.02–2.12) and three (OR = 2.08, 95%CI 1.12–3.87) elevated biomarkers indicated fall probability of 32.0% and 39.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of us-CRP, CCL5 and CXCL9, which were associated with falls, may contribute to a proper understanding of the mechanism associated with the occurrence of falls among older people.

RESUMO: Introdução: A inflamação exerce um importante papel no processo de envelhecimento. Objetivo: Este estudo transversal objetiva examinar a associação entre marcadores inflamatórios e a ocorrência de hospitalizações entre idosos, considerando fatores predisponentes e facilitadores do uso de serviços de saúde e condições de saúde como potenciais fatores de confusão. Métodos: Foram utilizados dados de 1.393 participantes (≥ 60 anos) da linha de base da coorte de Bambuí. Os marcadores considerados foram dez citocinas e quimiocinas (interleucina (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, fator de necrose tumoral (TNF), CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9 e CXCL10). A variável de desfecho foi a ocorrência de uma ou mais hospitalizações nos 12 meses precedentes. Resultados: Níveis séricos elevados da IL-6 apresentaram associações significantes com a ocorrência de hospitalizações (razão de prevalência - RP = 1,38; intervalo de confiança - IC95% 1,01 - 1,87; e RP = 1,38; IC95% 1,01 - 1,88, para os tercis intermediário e superior, respectivamente). Níveis elevados da CXCL9 também apresentaram associações independentes com o desfecho (RP = 1,38; IC95% 1,02 - 1,89 e RP = 1,46; IC95% 1,07 - 2,00, respectivamente). Os demais marcadores não apresentaram associações estatisticamente significantes com a ocorrência de hospitalizações. Conclusão: Entre os 10 marcadores examinados, IL-6 e CXCL9 apresentaram associação com a ocorrência de hospitalizações.

O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar os pontos de corte dos marcadores inflamatórios que melhor discriminassem a ocorrência da síndrome metabólica entre idosos residentes na comunidade. Foram utilizados os dados da linha de base da coorte de idosos conduzida na cidade de Bambuí, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A exposição de interesse foi a presença da síndrome metabólica, definida pelo critério Adult Treatment Panel III, e os desfechos incluíram os seguintes marcadores inflamatórios: citocinas (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 e TNF), quimiocinas (CXCL8, CXCL9, CCL2, CXCL10 e CCL5) e proteína C-reativa (PCR). A definição dos pontos de corte dos marcadores inflamatórios foi baseada no método Classification and Regression Tree (CART). As associações entre esses marcadores e a síndrome metabólica foram estimadas por modelos de regressão logística, obtendo-se odds ratio e intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%), considerando o ajustamento por fatores de confusão. A prevalência da síndrome metabólica foi de 49,1%, e os níveis de IL-1β, IL-12 e TNF não se mostraram associados a essa exposição. Após ajustamento, a presença da síndrome metabólica foi associada a maiores valores de IL-6 e PCR e a menores valores de CXCL8 e CCL5. Associações significativas ainda foram observadas com níveis séricos intermediários de CXCL9 e CXCL10. Além disso, a combinação dos marcadores apresentou associação significativa e consistente com a síndrome metabólica. Além de demonstrar associação entre síndrome metabólica e uma ampla gama de biomarcadores, alguns ainda não descritos na literatura, os resultados ressaltam que essa associação ocorre em níveis muito inferiores aos já demonstrados, sugerindo que a síndrome metabólica desempenha importante papel no perfil inflamatório dos idosos.

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se o capital social seria um preditor da mortalidade por todas as causas entre idosos brasileiros residentes em comunidade. Participaram 935 idosos sobreviventes da coorte idosa do Projeto Bambuí em 2004, que foram acompanhados até 2011. O desfecho foi a mortalidade por todas as causas e a exposição de interesse foi o capital social, mensurado em seus dois componentes, o cognitivo (coesão social e o suporte social) e o estrutural (participação social e satisfação com a vizinhança). Variáveis sociodemográficas, de condições de saúde e tabagismo foram incluídas na análise para o propósito de ajuste. A análise dos dados baseou-se no modelo dos riscos proporcionais de Cox, que fornece hazard ratios (HR) e intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). O componente estrutural do capital social, na dimensão da participação social, foi o único independentemente associado à mortalidade: os idosos que não participavam de grupos sociais ou associações apresentaram um risco de morte duas vezes maior (HR = 2,28; IC95%: 1,49-3,49) que suas contrapartes. Os resultados desta investigação evidenciam a necessidade de estender as intervenções direcionadas à promoção da longevidade para além do campo específico de atuação da saúde, voltando-se também para características ambientais e sociais.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether the use of psychoactive drugs would be a predictor of incidence of functional disability among seniors living in community. METHODS: It is a population-based longitudinal study, developed between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2011, with older adults living in community. The association between the use of psychoactive drugs and the development of functional disability for instrumental (IADLs) and basic (BADLs) activities of daily living was tested using the extended Cox proportional hazards model, which considers the measure of exposure of interest throughout the follow-up period. The analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior and health conditions. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, the use of two or more psychoactive drugs in the female stratum was associated with disability for both IADLs (HR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.17–2.13) and BADLs (HR = 1.43; 95%CI 1.05–1.94), the use of benzodiazepines was associated with disability for IADLs (HR = 1.32; 95%CI 1.07–1.62), and the use of antidepressants was associated with disability for both IADLs (HR = 1.51; 95%CI 1.16–1.98) and BADLs (HR = 1.44; 95%CI 1.10–1.90). In the male stratum, the use of antipsychotics was associated with disability for IADLs (HR = 3.14; 95%CI 1.49–6.59). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a prospective association between the use of psychoactive drugs and functional disability. These results indicate the need to carefully assess the prescription of psychoactive drugs for older adults and monitor their usage in order to detect damages to the health of users.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate macroregional variations in cognitive function in a national sample representative of the Brazilian population aged 50 years and older. METHODS Data from the baseline of the Longitudinal Study of Brazilian Elderly (ELSI-Brazil), collected between 2015 and 2016, were used. Memory was measured by means of a 10-word list and executive function, by semantic verbal fluency, based on the naming of animals. Gender, age, education, and rural or urban residence were potentially confounding RESULTS Among the 9,412 ELSI-Brazil participants, 9,085 were included in the analysis; 53.9% were women and the average age was 63.0 (0.42) years. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, average scores for memory and verbal fluency were lower in the Northeast region and higher in the Midwest and Southeast, respectively. In the South region, higher scores were found for immediate and combined memory. In all regions, older participants and those with lower schooling had worse scores for memory and verbal fluency. CONCLUSIONS There are differences in cognitive function among older adults in the different macroregions, independent of age, gender, schooling, and rural or urban residence.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of adequate control of hypertension among older adults and to examine its association with predisposing and enabling factors and the need to use health services. METHODS The analysis was carried out with 4,148 participants (≥ 50 years) from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), who reported being hypertensive and using antihypertensive medication. Adequate control of hypertension was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg, respectively. The following exploratory variables were included: age, sex, health behaviors, and body mass index (predisposing factors); region of residence, rural or urban residence, education level, socioeconomic status of the household, and coverage by private health plan (enabling factors); and medical diagnosis of diabetes (need). The multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression and binary logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of adequate control of hypertension was equal to 51.1% (95%CI 48.5–53.6). After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for education level > 4 years [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.12 in relation to the lowest level], highest quintile of the socioeconomic status (PR = 1.22 in relation to the lowest quintile), coverage by private health plan (PR = 1.13), residence in the South (PR = 1.19) and Midwest regions (PR = 1.20) in relation to the Southeast region, and obesity (PR = 1.10). CONCLUSIONS Half of the population studied had adequate control of hypertension. The improvement of this control is an important challenge, which should consider overcoming social and regional inequalities associated with it.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of the physical and social surroundings of the neighborhood, which are presented as facilitators or barriers for the social participation of Brazilian older adults. METHODS The study was conducted in a probabilistic representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 50 years and older and who lived in urban areas (n = 7,935). The response variable was social participation, which was defined from two questions about activities performed with other persons: visited friends or relatives in their homes in the last 12 months (yes, no); went out with other persons to public places, such as restaurant, movies, club, park, in the last 12 months (yes, no). The explanatory variables included fear of falling because of defects in sidewalks, concern about the difficulty to get on a bus, subway, or train, difficulty to cross streets, and perception of violence in the neighborhood. Potential confounding variables included age, marital status, education level, self-rated health, living in an asphalted or paved street, time living in the municipality, and socioeconomic position score. Prevalence ratios and respective confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULT Difficulty to cross streets presented an independent association with restricted social participation (PR = 0.95; 95%CI 0.93–0.98) among both women (PR = 0.96; 95%CI 0.92–0.99) and men (PR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.90–0.99). Concern about the difficulty to get on a bus, subway, or train was associated with the outcome only among men (PR = 0.95; 95%CI 0.91–0.99). The fear of falling because of defects in sidewalks and the perception of violence in the neighborhood were not associated with social participation. CONCLUSIONS Urban characteristics that hinder the crossing of streets and accessibility to public transport can be inferred as important barriers for the social participation of Brazilian older adults.