Predictors of New‐Onset Widespread Pain in Older Adults: Results From a Population‐Based Prospective Cohort Study in the UK

ObjectivesPhysical inactivity is more common in older adults, is associated with social isolation and loneliness and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. We examined the effect of social restrictions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the UK (lockdown), on physical activity (PA) levels of older adults and the social predictors of any change.DesignBaseline analysis of a survey-based prospective cohort study.SettingAdults enrolled in the Cognitive Health in Ageing Register for Investigational and Observational Trials cohort from general practitioner practices in North West London were invited to participate from April to July 2020.Participants6219 cognitively healthy adults aged 50–92 years completed the survey.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported PA before and after the introduction of lockdown, as measured by metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes. Associations of PA with demographic, lifestyle and social factors, mood and frailty.ResultsMean PA was significantly lower following the introduction of lockdown from 3519 to 3185 MET min/week (p<0.001). After adjustment for confounders and prelockdown PA, lower levels of PA after the introduction of lockdown were found in those who were over 85 years old (640 (95% CI 246 to 1034) MET min/week less); were divorced or single (240 (95% CI 120 to 360) MET min/week less); living alone (277 (95% CI 152 to 402) MET min/week less); reported feeling lonely often (306 (95% CI 60 to 552) MET min/week less); and showed symptoms of depression (1007 (95% CI 612 to 1401) MET min/week less) compared with those aged 50–64 years, married, cohabiting and not reporting loneliness or depression, respectively.Conclusions and implicationsMarkers of social isolation, loneliness and depression were associated with lower PA following the introduction of lockdown in the UK. Targeted interventions to increase PA in these groups should be considered.

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Life’s simple 7 and all-cause mortality. A population-based prospective cohort study in middle-aged and older adults of Amerindian ancestry living in rural Ecuador

Preventive Medicine Reports ◽

10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101668 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 101668

Author(s):

Oscar H. Del Brutto ◽

Robertino M. Mera ◽

Bettsy Y. Recalde ◽

Denisse A. Rumbea ◽

Mark J. Sedler

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Population Based ◽

Middle Aged ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Life’S Simple 7 ◽

Life's Simple 7

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Explaining ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality: population-based, prospective cohort study

10.1101/2021.02.07.21251079 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

G. David Batty ◽

Bamba Gaye ◽

Catharine R Gale ◽

Mark Hamer ◽

Camille Lassale

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Population Based ◽

Black Study ◽

Explanatory Factors ◽

National Mortality ◽

The Uk

AbstractEthnic disparities in COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality have been reported but there is scant understanding of how these inequalities are embodied. The UK Biobank prospective cohort study comprises around half a million people who were aged 40-69 years at study induction between 2006 and 2010 when information on ethnic background and potential explanatory factors was captured. Study members were linked to a national mortality registry. In an analytical sample of 448,664 individuals (248,820 women), 354 deaths were ascribed to COVID-19 between 5th March and the end of follow-up on 17th September 2020. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, relative to White participants, Black study members experienced around seven times the risk of COVID-19 mortality (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 7.25; 4.65, 11.33), while there was a doubling in the Asian group (1.98; 1.02, 3.84). Controlling for baseline comorbidities, socioeconomic circumstances, and lifestyle factors explained 53% of the differential in risk for Asian people (1.37; 0.68, 2.77) and 27% in Black study members (4.28; 2.67, 6.86). The residual risk in ethnic minority groups for COVID-19 deaths may be ascribed to unknown genetic factors or unmeasured phenotypes, most obviously racial discrimination.

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