Oral diadochokinesis is related to decline in swallowing function among community-dwelling Japanese elderly: a cross-sectional study

Schizophrenia is a mental disease that often leads to chronicity. Social support could reduce the severity of psychotic symptoms; therefore, its influence on remission should be examined. This study investigated the remission rates in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients and examined the association between social support and remission status. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 129 schizophrenia patients in Taiwan. Remission rates were evaluated, and the level of social support, clinical characteristics, sociodemographic variables, and healthy lifestyle status were compared between the remission and nonremission groups. The association between social support and remission was analyzed after adjusting for confounding factors. The mean illness duration is 12.9 years. More than 95% of the participants lived with their families, 63% were unemployed, and 43% achieved remission. Higher social support was observed in the remission group, and a significant correlation was observed between family domain of social support and remission status. Family support was a protective factor of symptomatic remission in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients in Taiwan. The results reflect the effects of a family-centered culture on patients during illness. Consequently, reinforcing family relationships and the capacity of families to manage the symptoms of patients and providing support to families are recommended.

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Role of non–face-to-face social contacts in moderating the association between living alone and mental health among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

Public Health ◽

10.1016/j.puhe.2021.02.016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 194 ◽

pp. 25-28

Author(s):

T. Noguchi ◽

I. Nojima ◽

T. Inoue-Hirakawa ◽

H. Sugiura

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Contacts ◽

Face To Face ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Relationship between Oral Hypofunction and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Otassha Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126666 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6666

Author(s):

Yoshihiro Kugimiya ◽

Masanori Iwasaki ◽

Yuki Ohara ◽

Keiko Motokawa ◽

Ayako Edahiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Albumin Level ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Tongue Pressure ◽

Swallowing Function ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

The Relationship

Oral hypofunction, resulting from a combined decrease in multiple oral functions, may affect systemic-condition deterioration; however, few studies have examined the association between oral hypofunction and general health among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. We included 878 adults (268 men and 610 women, mean age 76.5 ± 8.3 years). Tongue coating index, oral moisture, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis (/pa/,/ta/,/ka/), tongue pressure, mas-ticatory function, and swallowing function were evaluated as indicators of oral hypofunction. Grip strength, gait speed, and skeletal muscle mass index were measured as diagnostic sarcopenia parameters. The association between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia was examined via logistic regression using sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Oral hypofunction prevalence was 50.5% overall, 40.3% in men, and 54.9% in women. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.6% overall, 9.7% in men, and 22.5% in women. A logistic regression showed oral hypofunction, age, body mass index, higher-level functional capacity, and serum albumin level were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia occurred at an increased frequency in patients diagnosed with oral hypofunction (odds ratio: 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.47); accordingly, oral hypofunction appears to be significantly associated with sarcopenia.

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Co‐living with migrant domestic workers is associated with a lower level of loneliness among community‐dwelling older adults: A cross‐sectional study

Health & Social Care in the Community ◽

10.1111/hsc.13520 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ken Hok Man Ho ◽

Daphne Sze Ki Cheung ◽

Paul Hong Lee ◽

Simon Ching Lam ◽

Rick Yiu Cho Kwan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Domestic Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Migrant Domestic Workers

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Perceived anxiety and physical activity behaviour changes during the early stages of COVID-19 restrictions in community-dwelling adults in Canada: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050550 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e050550

Author(s):

Gavin R McCormack ◽

Patricia K Doyle-Baker ◽

Jennie A Petersen ◽

Dalia Ghoneim

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Sectional Study ◽

High Anxiety ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic changed daily routines, including physical activity, which could influence physical and mental health. In our study, we describe physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns in relation to the pandemic and estimate associations between anxiety and physical activity and sedentary behaviour in community-dwelling adults.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingCalgary, Alberta, Canada.ParticipantsBetween April and June 2020, a random sample of 1124 adults (≥18 years) completed an online questionnaire.Primary and secondary outcomesThe online questionnaire captured current walking, moderate intensity, vigorous intensity and total physical activity and sedentary behaviour (ie, sitting and leisure-based screen time), perceived relative changes in physical activity, sedentary and social behaviours since the pandemic, perceived seriousness and anxiety related to COVID-19, and sociodemographic characteristics. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics, perceived relative change in behaviour and current physical activity and sedentary behaviour were compared between adults with low and high anxiety.ResultsOur sample (n=1047) included more females (60.3%) and fewer older adults (19.2%). Most participants (88.4%) considered COVID-19 as extremely or very serious and one-third (32.9%) felt extremely or very anxious. We found no differences (p>0.05) in current physical activity or sedentary behaviour by anxiety level. The largest perceived change in behaviours included social distancing, driving motor vehicles, use of screen-based devices, watching television and interactions with neighbours. We found anxiety-related differences (p<0.05) in perceived changes in various behaviours.ConclusionsChanges in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and social behaviour occurred soon after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and some of these changes differed among those with low and high anxiety.

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