scholarly journals Cardiovascular health and cognitive function among Mexican older adults: cross-sectional results from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1827-1836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Perales ◽  
Ladson Hinton ◽  
Jeffrey Burns ◽  
Eric D. Vidoni

ABSTRACTObjectives:To assess the association between cardiovascular health and cognitive function among Mexican older adults.Design:Nationally representative cross-sectional survey.Setting:Households in Mexico.Participants:Individuals aged 50 years and older (n= 1,492) from the Mexico-SAGE project Wave 1.Measurements:A continuous and a categorical index of cardiovascular health was calculated based on exercise, smoking, body mass index, and blood pressure ranging from 0 to 4. Cognitive function was obtained by averaging the standardized scores (zscores) of five psychometric tests. Associations were conducted using linear regression.Results:The continuous index of cardiovascular health was not associated with cognitive function. Using the categorical index, participants with the best levels of cardiovascular (score of 4) health performed better on global cognitive function than groups with lower cardiovascular health (scores of 0, 0.41SD; 1, 0.39SD; and 2, 0.56SD). The association was moderated by age, reaching significance only among those 50–64 years old.Conclusions:If longitudinal research confirms these findings, results would suggest that dementia-related policies in Mexico need to focus on achieving optimal levels of cardiovascular health, especially in midlife.

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-263
Author(s):  
Carmen D Ng

AbstractObjective:Within- and across-country nutritional disparities were examined among older adults in six different countries at varying levels of development.Design:Cross-sectional study.Participants:Older adults (aged 50 years or over) in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa using the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).Results:While the distribution of BMI categories varied by country, development-related characteristics were generally related to BMI category in a similar way: urban-living, educated and wealthier individuals were typically more likely to be in a higher BMI category. However, there were some exceptions that corroborate findings in more developed countries. Indeed, a pooled partial proportional odds model which included gross domestic product per capita interactions made the case for intertwining processes of development and the nutrition transition.Conclusions:Population segments to be targeted by nutrition policy and programme implementation might need to change over the course of development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 78-78
Author(s):  
Desiree Rachel Azizoddin ◽  
Andrea Catherine Enzinger ◽  
Alexi A. Wright ◽  
Miryam Yusufov ◽  
Fangxin Hong ◽  
...  

78 Background: Cancer patients are increasingly using medical marijuana (MM) to manage symptoms and treatment side effects. Although cancer disproportionately affects the elderly, little is known about oncologists’ attitudes toward MM in this population. We surveyed US oncologists’ beliefs about the benefits of MM for older adults, and examined their associations with oncologists’ perceptions of MM efficacy and safety. Methods: 232 out of 400 randomly selected U.S. oncologists (63% response rate) completed a cross-sectional survey about their beliefs and recommendations regarding MM for cancer patients. Using Chi-square tests, we examined associations between oncologists’ demographics, their perceptions of geriatric MM use, as well as beliefs about comparative effectiveness of MM for cancer related symptoms, and comparative risks of MM to prescription opioids. Results: Among 232 oncologists included in this cohort, 109 (47.0%) reported that MM had at least some benefit for elderly cancer patients, 66 (28.4%) responded it was rarely or never beneficial, and 57 (24.6%) reported not knowing. There were no significant associations between oncologists’ beliefs about MM’s benefit for older adults and their sociodemographic characteristics. Those who believed MM was beneficial for the elderly were significantly more likely to report that MM was at least as effective as standard treatments for the following indications: coping (58.3% vs. 26.6%), appetite (83.3% vs 58.5%), depression (46.3% vs 25.0%), and nausea (66.7% vs 33.9%), respectively ( p < 0.001). In contrast, oncologists’ beliefs about MM for the elderly were not significantly associated with perceptions of the comparative risks of MM ( p > 0.05). Conclusions: In this nationally-representative sample of US oncologists, about half thought MM was beneficial for older adults with cancer. Oncologists’ support of MM for older adults was associated with perceptions of MM’s efficacy but was not associated with perceptions of MM’s risks. More research is needed regarding the safety and efficacy of MM to guide oncologists’ recommendations about its use in older adults.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai Koyanagi ◽  
Nicola Veronese ◽  
Brendon Stubbs ◽  
Davy Vancampfort ◽  
Andrew Stickley ◽  
...  

There are no studies on the association between food insecurity and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, cross-sectional, community-based data on individuals aged ≥50 years from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in South Africa (2007–2008) were analyzed to assess this association. The definition of MCI was based on the National Institute on Ageing-Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Past 12-month food insecurity was assessed with two questions on frequency of eating less and hunger due to lack of food. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. The sample consisted of 3,672 individuals aged ≥50 years [mean (SD) age 61.4 (18.3); 56% females]. The prevalence of MCI was 8.5%, while 11.0% and 20.8% experienced moderate and severe food insecurity, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, moderate and severe food insecurity were associated with 2.82 (95%CI = 1.65–4.84) and 2.51 (95%CI = 1.63–3.87) times higher odds for MCI compared with no food insecurity, respectively. The OR for those aged ≥65 years with severe food insecurity was particularly high (OR = 3.87; 95%CI = 2.20–6.81). In conclusion, food insecurity was strongly associated with MCI among South African older adults. Future longitudinal research is required to assess whether addressing food insecurity may reduce risk of MCI and subsequent dementia.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Tachi ◽  
John Tetteh ◽  
Alfred Edwin Yawson ◽  
Adwoa Agyei-Nkansah ◽  
Timothy Archampong

BackgroundAlcohol consumption and inadequate fruits and vegetable (FnV) intake are major reasons for the shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the years. The older Ghanaian adult is at high risk of NCD and data on alcohol and FnV consumption are required to guide policy to mitigate its effect. This analysis aimed to determine the factors associated with alcohol consumption and assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and FnV intake among Ghanaians aged 50 years and older.MethodsThis analysis used WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 2, Ghana data set conducted between 2014 and 2015. Data on demographic characteristics, FnV intake, and alcohol consumption were collated and analysed. Multivariable Poisson, logistic and probit regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between alcohol consumption and inadequate FnV intake.ResultsA total of 3533 Ghanaians aged 50 years and older, 41.0% men and 59.0% women, were included in this study. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption was 22.8% (95% CI 20.7% to 25.1%). Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with sex, age group, marital status, religion, place of residence and history of smoking. The prevalence of adequate FnV intake was 52.6% with a mean daily intake of 6.45 servings: 2.98 for fruits and 3.47 for vegetables. There was a significant positive correlation between inadequate FnV intake and alcohol consumption. Inadequate FnV consumption was significantly higher among lifetime alcohol consumers compared with non-alcohol consumers. (Poisson estimate; adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR) (95% CI)=1.35 (1.12 to 1.63), logistic estimate; adjusted Old Ratio (aOR) (95% CI)=1.13 (1.05 to 1.21) and probit estimate; adjusted normalized coefficient (aβ) (95% CI)=0.19 (0.07 to 0.31))ConclusionAbout a quarter and nearly half of older Ghanaian adults consume alcohol and inadequate FnV, respectively. Alcohol consumption is significantly associated with inadequate FnV intake. Interventions to address inadequate FnV intake among older adults in Ghana should also include policies that regulate the use of alcohol in this population.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2021-318864
Author(s):  
Lee Smith ◽  
Jae Il Shin ◽  
Yvonne Barnett ◽  
Peter M Allen ◽  
Rosie Lindsay ◽  
...  

BackgroundThere is currently limited literature on the association between visual impairment and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, especially among older adults from low/middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we aimed to investigate the associations of objectively measured distance visual impairment with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adults aged ≥50 years from six LMICs and to identify potential mediators.MethodsCross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analysed. Objective distance visual acuity was measured using the tumbling E logMAR chart, and vision impairment was categorised as none, mild, moderate and severe. Self-reported information on past 12-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was also collected. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analysis were conducted.ResultsData on 34 129 individuals aged ≥50 years (mean (SD) age, 62.4 (16.0) years; 47.9% men) were analysed. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with no visual impairment, severe visual impairment was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR=9.50; 95% CI=2.47 to 36.52). Moderate and severe visual impairment were significantly associated with a 2.22 (95% CI=1.14 to 4.35) and 11.50 (95% CI=1.44 to 91.88) times higher odds of suicide attempts, respectively. Disability, poor self-rated health, mobility and loneliness explained 14.0%, 9.3%, 7.2% and 6.3% of the association between moderate/severe visual impairment and suicide attempts, respectively.ConclusionInterventions to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among older adults with visual impairment in LMICs are required, targeting identified mediators, while using tested strategies for suicide prevention per se in LMICs may yield beneficial outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Zhang ◽  
Yaohua Gu ◽  
Yupeng Zhang ◽  
Xiangxiang Liu ◽  
Yanan Zhang ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 030006052110687
Author(s):  
Madeline R. Farron ◽  
Mohammed U. Kabeto ◽  
Deborah A. Levine ◽  
Caroline R. Wixom ◽  
Kenneth M. Langa

Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between blood pressure and cognitive function among older adults in India. Methods In this study, we analyzed cross-sectional data of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) and cognitive testing from 3690 adults aged 60 years and older participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study in India—Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia from 14 states in India. Results After controlling for key sociodemographic, health, and geographic factors, higher SBP and lower DBP were each independently associated with worse cognitive function. Older age, female sex, lower education level, being widowed, residing in a rural area, being a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, having a low level of economic consumption, being underweight, and a history of stroke were all independently associated with worse cognitive function scores. Conclusions Both SBP and DBP were independently associated with cognitive function among older adults in India in diverging directions. Clinical interventions targeting high SBP and low DBP may benefit both cognitive health and cardiovascular health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Shreyan Kar ◽  
Tushar Kanti Das ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Mohapatra ◽  
Brajaballav Kar ◽  
Anupama Senapati ◽  
...  

Background: While it is apparent that old age is associated with multiple health concerns, the extent of its multiplicity and burden is often not clear. It was intended to find out self-reported health concerns for one month and cardiovascular risk factors in middle and older adults. Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, attendees of a Healthy Ageing Conference were approached with a semi-structured questionnaire about their health concerns and cardiovascular risks. Risk of a cardiovascular event in 10 years based on QRISK3 was calculated. Results: A considerable proportion of older adults had a range of physical symptoms, depressive mood state and memory problems. Mean number of health problems reported were 4.8±3.3 (male 4.4±3.1 and female 5.0±4.3). Cardiovascular risk was high, mean QRISK3 score for males were 22.2% (±14.4), and for females 10.3% (±6.6) (p<0.05). On average, the heart age was increased by 7.9±6.2 years (8.6±6.6 years for males and 5.0±3.3 for females). The relative risk of participants was 2.1 for males and 1.5 for females for heart attack or stroke within the ten years, compared to healthy persons. The symptoms and risk factors were elicited easily, and the process probably facilitated improving the awareness about the health concerns holistically. The survey also identified issues related to the engagement of older adults in the existing health care systems. Conclusions: The results suggested that questionnaire-based health screening in a community can identify a range of health concerns and identify multi-morbidity in general and cardiovascular risks in particular. This process may help to focus on the appropriate public health awareness and intervention programmes required in the community.


Author(s):  
Tran Dai Tri Han ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino ◽  
Vo Nu Hong Duc ◽  
Thang Van Vo

This study examined the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults in central Vietnam and the roles of communication (with or without communication devices) in the association between cognitive impairment and hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was performed on 725 randomly selected community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Participants attended a face-to-face survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, social interaction with or without communication devices, health status and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination were reported. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between hearing loss and cognitive function by frequency of communication with and without devices. Mild and severe cognitive impairment had prevalence rates of 23.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was more prevalent among older adults with hearing-loss, vision loss and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not significant when older adults had frequent communication with others using devices. This study presented the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. Frequent communication using devices attenuated the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Jiang ◽  
Hongmei Liu ◽  
Dongling Sun ◽  
Haixin Sun ◽  
Xiaojuan Ru ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and purpose Epidemiological data on primary brain tumours (PBTs) are lacking due to the difficulty in case ascertainment among the population. Thus, we aimed to estimate mortality due to PBTs in China nationwide and the detection rate in people with suspected symptoms. Methods A multistage, complex sampling survey regarding mortality due to PBTs in Chinese individuals was carried out by reviewing all causes of death within a year. The detection rates in people with suspected symptoms were estimated based on PBT symptom screening and neurologist reviews and compared between groups by logistic regression analysis. Results Weighted mortality due to PBT was 1.6 (0.8–3.3) per 100,000 population in Chinese individuals, 1.8 (0.7–4.6) per 100,000 population in men, and 1.5 (0.5–4.5) per 100,000 population in women. Among 14,990 people with suspected symptoms, the PBT detection rate was 306.9 (95% CI 224.7–409.3) per 100,000 population in the total population, 233.0 (95% CI 135.7–373.1) per 100,000 population in men, and 376.9 (95% CI 252.4–546.3) per 100,000 population in women. People with an unsteady gait (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.09–5.51; P=0.029), visual anomalies (3.84; 1.88–7.85; P<0.001), and headache (2.06; 1.10–3.86; P=0.023) were more likely to have a brain tumour than those without corresponding symptoms, while people with dizziness/vertigo were less likely to have a brain tumour than those without corresponding symptoms (0.45; 0.23–0.87; P=0.017). Conclusions Mortality due to PBT in China was low, with a nationwide estimate of 21,215 (10,427–43,165) deaths attributable to PBTs annually. However, the detection rate of PBTs can be greatly improved based on symptom screening in the population.


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