scholarly journals Longitudinal age-related changes in cobalamin and folate status in community-dwelling older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jungert ◽  
Carola Zenke-Philippi ◽  
Monika Neuhäuser-Berthold

AbstractAdvancing age is regarded as a risk factor for an insufficient cobalamin and folate status. However, longitudinal data are lacking and little is known on the impact of age in subjects ≥ 60 years after considering potential confounding factors. Therefore, the present study investigates age-related changes in cobalamin and folate status in older adults by using longitudinal data of 332 German subjects aged ≥ 60 years, who participated in the longitudinal study on nutrition and health status of senior citizens in Giessen (GISELA study). All subjects had complete data records on at least three follow-ups between 1997 and 2014. The mean follow-up time was 12 years. Fasting serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate were determined with SimulTRAC-SNB radio assay kit. In each follow-up, body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), dietary cobalamin and folate intakes (3-day estimated dietary record), supplement use and lifestyle factors (questionnaires) were assessed. Linear mixed models were used to analyze age-related changes in serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate by considering sex, absolute fat-free mass, supplement use, dietary intakes and smoking behavior as potential confounding variables. Furthermore, due to the metabolic interaction of cobalamin and folate, linear mixed models implemented a mutual adjustment of serum cobalamin and serum folate. At baseline, 11.4 % and 7.8 % of the subjects had cobalamin concentrations < 148 pmol/L and folate concentrations < 10 nmol/L, respectively. In contrast, dietary cobalamin intakes < 4 μg/d and folate intakes < 300 μg/d were found in 24.4 % and 76.5 % of the subjects, respectively. Without adjustments, a positive influence of age on serum cobalamin [parameter estimate (95 % CI) = 4.57 (1.67, 7.46)] and serum folate [0.29 (0.18, 0.40)] was found. After multiple adjustments, age was still a positive predictor of serum folate [0.25 (0.14, 0.36)], whereas no significant influence on serum cobalamin was found [2.73 (-0.23, 5.69)]. Similar results were noticed when the analyses were restricted to non-users of B-vitamin/multi-vitamin supplements. In conclusion, the present study in community-dwelling subjects does not confirm age-related declines in serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate between the ages of 60 and 90 years. Although a significant proportion of the subjects showed dietary intake levels below the current European references values, serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate were predominantly in reference ranges. Longitudinal investigations on other biomarkers of cobalamin and folate status are warranted.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Gillies ◽  
D. Cameron-Smith ◽  
S. Pundir ◽  
C. R. Wall ◽  
A. M. Milan

Abstract Maintaining nutritional adequacy contributes to successful ageing. B vitamins involved in one-carbon metabolism regulation (folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12) are critical nutrients contributing to homocysteine and epigenetic regulation. Although cross-sectional B vitamin intake in ageing populations is characterised, longitudinal changes are infrequently reported. This systematic review explores age-related changes in dietary adequacy of folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12 in community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years at follow-up). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases (MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, CINAHL) were systematically screened, yielding 1579 records; eight studies were included (n 3119 participants, 2–25 years of follow-up). Quality assessment (modified Newcastle–Ottawa quality scale) rated all of moderate–high quality. The estimated average requirement cut-point method estimated the baseline and follow-up population prevalence of dietary inadequacy. Riboflavin (seven studies, n 1953) inadequacy progressively increased with age; the prevalence of inadequacy increased from baseline by up to 22·6 and 9·3 % in males and females, respectively. Dietary folate adequacy (three studies, n 2321) improved in two studies (by up to 22·4 %), but the third showed increasing (8·1 %) inadequacy. Evidence was similarly limited (two studies, respectively) and inconsistent for vitamins B6 (n 559; −9·9 to 47·9 %) and B12 (n 1410; −4·6 to 7·2 %). This review emphasises the scarcity of evidence regarding micronutrient intake changes with age, highlighting the demand for improved reporting of longitudinal changes in nutrient intake that can better direct micronutrient recommendations for older adults. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018104364).


2018 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 1468-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Fukumoto ◽  
Yosuke Yamada ◽  
Tome Ikezoe ◽  
Yuya Watanabe ◽  
Masashi Taniguchi ◽  
...  

Ultrasonic echo intensity (EI), an easy-to-use measure of intramuscular fat and fibrous tissues, is known to increase with aging. However, age-related changes in EI have not been examined in a longitudinal design. The objective of this study was to investigate 4-yr longitudinal changes in the EI of the quadriceps femoris in older adults, based on difference in physical activity (PA). This study included 131 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 72.9 ± 5.2 yr. Subcutaneous fat thickness (FT), muscle thickness (MT), and EI of the quadriceps femoris were measured by ultrasound. Isometric knee extensor strength was also measured. PA was assessed using a questionnaire at baseline, and participants were classified into the high or low PA groups. In 4 yr, a significant decrease in FT, MT, and strength was observed in both groups ( P < 0.05), whereas a significant decrease in EI was observed only in the high PA group ( P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the difference in PA was a significant predictor of 4-yr changes in MT (β = 0.189, P = 0.031) and EI (β = −3.145, P = 0.045) but not in the body mass index, FT, or strength adjusted for potential confounders. The present findings suggest that greater PA has a positive effect on longitudinal changes in the MT and EI of the quadriceps femoris in older adults. In addition, greater PA may contribute to a future decrease in EI, and an increase in EI may not occur in 4 yr, even in older adults with lesser PA. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our results suggest that greater physical activity (PA) may mitigate future changes in muscle thickness and echo intensity (EI). A decrease in EI over 4 yr was observed in older adults with greater PA, and an increase in EI was not observed, even in older adults with smaller PA. Several cross-sectional studies demonstrated an increase in EI with aging. Additionally, the results of our longitudinal study suggest that an age-related increase in EI may be moderated after the old-age period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wen Koo ◽  
David L. Neumann ◽  
Tamara Ownsworth ◽  
David H. K. Shum

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to perform a planned action at a future time. Older adults have shown moderate declines in PM, which are thought to be driven by age-related changes in the prefrontal cortex. However, an age-PM paradox is often reported, whereby deficits are evident in laboratory-based PM tasks, but not naturalistic PM tasks. The key aims of this study were to: (1) examine the age-PM paradox using the same sample across laboratory and ecological settings; and (2) determine whether self-reported PM and cognitive factors such as working memory and IQ are associated PM performance. Two PM tasks were administered (ecological vs. laboratory) to a sample of 23 community-dwelling older adults (Mage = 72.30, SDage = 5.62) and 28 young adults (Mage = 20.18, SDage = 3.30). Participants also completed measures of general cognitive function, working memory, IQ, and self-reported memory. Our results did not support the existence of the age-PM paradox. Strong age effects across both laboratory and ecological PM tasks were observed in which older adults consistently performed worse on the PM tasks than young adults. In addition, PM performance was significantly associated with self-reported PM measures in young adults. For older adults, IQ was associated with time-based PM. These findings suggest that the age-PM paradox is more complex than first thought and there are differential predictors of PM performance for younger and older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Tabira ◽  
Maki Hotta ◽  
Miki Murata ◽  
Kazuhiro Yoshiura ◽  
Gwanghee Han ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Age-related changes in impairments in activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults with very mild Alzheimer’s disease (vmAD) have been scarcely explored. We clarified the characteristics of ADL impairment and examined how ADL impairments differed by age in such patients compared with community-dwelling cognitively normal older adults. Methods: The participants were 107 older adults with vmAD (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score ≥24), all of whom were first-visit outpatients at the Dementia Clinic of the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kumamoto University Hospital. The controls were 682 community-dwelling older adults who participated in the 3rd Nakayama Study with MMSE score ≥24. We examined the association of instrumental and basic ADL (IADL and BADL, respectively) independence with the odds of vmAD using multiple logistic regression analysis and determined differences in ADL impairment by age using age- and sex-matched analysis. Results: Impairments in handling finances (OR 57.08), managing medication (OR 5.13), and dressing (OR 3.35; BADL) were associated with greater odds of vmAD. Among those aged 65 years and above, there were fewer patients with vmAD than healthy controls who could independently handle finances and medication. Among patients with vmAD, the percentages of those who could independently manage shopping, food preparation, and housekeeping only decreased after age 74. Age-related decreases in independence were observed in few BADL items; these, however, were temporary. Conclusions: Patients with vmAD show significantly decreased IADL independence from early old age.


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. S78
Author(s):  
T.H. Kim ◽  
H.-G. Jeong ◽  
J.J. Lee ◽  
J.H. Park ◽  
S.B. Lee ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 975-976
Author(s):  
Shaoqing Ge ◽  
Kuan-Ching Wu ◽  
Hillary Frey ◽  
Maryam Saudagaran ◽  
Derick Welsh ◽  
...  

Abstract Engaging with Aging is an emerging framework proposed by Carnevali which provides a new lens to understand an active, conscious daily living process of coping with age-related changes (ARCs) taken on by older adults. Study aims were to 1) describe the ARCs experienced by community-dwelling older adults; 2) identify the strategies and resources used by older adults to accommodate the daily living challenges caused by the associated ARCs; and 3) evaluate the framework of EWA based on findings from aims 1 and 2. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 participants aged 64 to 98 online due to COVID-19 restrictions. We used a virtual card sort to assist data gathering. Fifteen ARCs (e.g., changes in hearing, changes in stability, changes in sleep, etc.) were mentioned by participants and their corresponding adaptations were discussed. We found that older adults linked their adaptations to their ARCs based on their changing capacities and needs. Commonly used adaptations included conserving energy, utilizing tools or technology, and being more conscious before and while taking actions. The challenges caused by COVID-19 in implementing the adaptations were also discussed (e.g., increased difficulty in understanding others due to mask-wearing). Our study substantiates the EWA framework by showing the commonality among older adults in linking ARCs with adaptations. Implications for clinicians and researchers include using EWA to help older adults identify personalized solutions that fit their capacities. Our study is late-breaking as we recently finished data analysis and the information included was not yet available by the previous submission deadline.


Author(s):  
Ryota Sakurai ◽  
Yoshinori Fujiwara ◽  
Hiroyuki Suzuki ◽  
Susumu Ogawa ◽  
Takahiro Higuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives There is a growing body of literature examining age-related overestimation of one’s own physical ability, which is a potential risk of falls in older adults, but it is unclear what leads them to overestimate. This study aimed to examine 3-year longitudinal changes in self-estimated step-over ability, along with one key risk factor: low frequency of going outdoors (FG), which is a measure of poor daily physical activity. Method This cohort study included 116 community-dwelling older adults who participated in baseline and 3-year follow-up assessments. The step-over test was used to measure both the self-estimated step-over bar height (EH) and the actual bar height (AH). Low FG was defined as going outdoors either every few days or less at baseline. Results The number of participants who overestimated their step-over ability (EH&gt;AH) significantly increased from 10.3% to 22.4% over the study period. AH was significantly lower at follow-up than at baseline in both participants with low and high FGs. Conversely, among participants with low FG, EH was significantly higher at follow-up than at baseline, resulting in increased self-estimation error toward overestimation. Regression model showed that low FG was independently associated with increased error in estimation (i.e., tendency to overestimate) at follow-up. Discussion The present study indicated that self-overestimated physical ability in older adults is not only due to decreased physical ability but also due to increased self-estimation of one’s ability as a function of low FG. Active lifestyle may be critical for maintaining accurate estimations of one’s own physical ability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1866
Author(s):  
Javier López ◽  
Maria Inés Serrano ◽  
Isabel Giménez ◽  
Cristina Noriega

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of forgiveness interventions in older adults was conducted. International databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for studies published from 1990 to 2020 that attempted to promote forgiveness in older adults. Most intervention studies are group treatments targeted towards community-dwelling older adults. Participants in these studies are mainly women. The intervention objectives and contents vary widely and often criteria are not well-defined. Participants that received forgiveness interventions reported significantly higher levels of forgiveness than participants that did not receive treatment. Additionally, forgiveness interventions resulted in more changes in depression, stress and anger than no intervention conditions. Forgiveness treatment also enhances positive states (satisfaction with life, subjective happiness, and psychological wellbeing). The reported effects are moderate. The specific treatment model (e.g., Enright’s, Worthington’s) and format (e.g., group-based interventions and individually delivered programs) do not differentially predict better outcomes. In conclusion, future intervention studies should include more male participants and utilize a broader range of follow-up periods. Caution must be exercised because of the limited number of studies developed to date; researchers must be cautious when generalizing the results.


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