Profiles of functional deficits in mild cognitive impairment and dementia: benefits from objective measurement

AbstractThe magnitude of functional impairment that may indicate the threshold between MCI and incipient Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has not been clearly defined. The objective was to examine the pattern of functional impairment in the continuum MCI-AD. Eighty-nine older adults (32 cognitively unimpaired, 31 MCI, and 26 AD patients) were examined with the Brazilian version of the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR) at a university-based memory clinic. MCI patients were sub-divided according to the progression to AD upon follow-up, and had baseline cognitive, functional and biological variables analyzed. MCI patients displayed mild deficits in functional abilities, with intermediate scores as compared to controls and AD. The DAFS-BR items that differentiated MCI from controls involved the ability to deal with finances and shopping skills. At baseline, scores obtained by MCI patients who converted to AD were not significantly different from scores of nonconverters. The magnitude of functional deficits was associated with AD-like pathological findings in the CSF. In conclusion, MCI patients present with early functional changes in complex, instrumental abilities that require the integrity of memory and executive functions. The objective measurement of the functional state may help identify older adults with increased risk of developing dementia in the MCI-AD continuum. (JINS, 2010, 16, 297–305.)

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Effect of fractures on overall survival in cancer patients: The NHANES database.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e23024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e23024-e23024

Author(s):

Beatrice Jara-Almonte Edwards ◽

Xiaotao Zhang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Solid Tumors ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Hematologic Malignancies ◽

Spine Fractures ◽

Increased Risk

e23024 Background: Fractures are a significant cause of morbidity, institutionalization and mortality in older adults who are cancer-free. We evaluated the effect of fractures on overall survival in older patients with cancer. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Study (NHANES) assessed the health and nutritional status of the U.S. The NHANES database is publicly available, and this study was exempt from approval by an institutional review board. All participants provided informed consents both before the interview and examination stages. A total of 62,160 individuals participated in NHANES during 1999-2010. We restricted our analyses to older adults (65 years of age and older) with self-reported cancer diagnosis, with a follow-up till 2011. Results: In total, 1,718 older adults with cancer and with available follow up were included for final analysis. There were 303 participants with fractures (17.6%) and 581 deaths (33.8%) that occurred over a median follow up 4.3 years (range 0.1-12.8 years). Mean age was 74.8 ± 0.2, with females 49.6%. Cancer types included solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Among solid tumors, colorectal 9.0%, breast cancer 17.4%, prostate cancer 17.7%, lung 3.0%. Among hematologic malignancies, lymphoma 1.6%, myeloma 7.2%, CLL 1.2%. Hip fractures were associated with advanced age, obesity, diabetes, stroke, functional impairment, and mortality. Spine fractures were associated with advanced age, cardiovascular disease, functional impairment and mortality. Univariate analysis for factors associated with overall survival in older adults in NHANES revealed an increased risk with spine fractures H.R. = 1.89, (95% CI 1.11, 3.2, p = 0.02) and hip fractures H.R. = 2.66, (95% CI 1.41, 5.02, p < 0.01). Conclusions: In older cancer patients vertebral and hip fractures were associated with an increased risk for mortality.

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Elevated plasma growth and differentiation factor 15 predicts incident anemia in older adults aged 60 years and older

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa324 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuko Yamaguchi ◽

Marta Zampino ◽

Toshiko Tanaka ◽

Stefania Bandinelli ◽

Yusuke Osawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Proportional Hazards Model ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽

Differentiation Factor ◽

Hazards Model ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Anemia is common in older adults and associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The causes of anemia in older adults have not been completely characterized. Although elevated circulating growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been associated with anemia in older adults, it is not known whether elevated GDF-15 predicts the development of anemia. Methods We examined the relationship between plasma GDF-15 concentrations at baseline in 708 non-anemic adults, aged 60 years and older, with incident anemia during 15 years of follow-up among participants in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study. Results During follow-up, 179 (25.3%) participants developed anemia. The proportion of participants who developed anemia from the lowest to highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 was 12.9%, 20.1%, 21.2%, and 45.8%, respectively. Adults in the highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 had an increased risk of developing anemia (Hazards Ratio 1.15, 95% Confidence Interval 1.09, 1.21, P<.0001) compared to those in the lower three quartiles in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, serum iron, soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, vitamin B12, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Conclusions Circulating GDF-15 is an independent predictor for the development of anemia in older adults.

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Virtual reality intervention to improve apathy in residential aged care: protocol for a multisite non-randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e046030

Author(s):

Dimitrios Saredakis ◽

Hannah A D Keage ◽

Megan Corlis ◽

Tobias Loetscher

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Passive Control ◽

Aged Care ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Laptop Computer ◽

Reminiscence Therapy ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Secondary Outcomes

IntroductionApathy is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom for older adults residing in aged care. Left untreated, apathy has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of mortality. Reminiscence therapy is commonly used in aged care and has demonstrated to reduce apathy. Traditional methods of reminiscence use physical objects and more recently technology including tablets and laptop computers have demonstrated potential. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been used to treat psychological disorders; however, there is little evidence on using VR for behavioural symptoms such as apathy in older adults. Using VR to deliver reminiscence therapy provides an immersive experience, and readily available applications provide access to a large range of content allowing easier delivery of therapy over traditional forms of therapy. This study aims to identify changes in apathy after a reminiscence therapy intervention using head-mounted displays (HMDs).Methods and analysisParticipants will be allocated to one of three groups; reminiscence therapy using VR; an active control using a laptop computer or physical items and a passive control. A total of 45 participants will be recruited from residential aged care (15 in each group). The three groups will be compared at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome is apathy, and secondary outcomes include cognition and depression. Side effects from using HMDs will also be examined in the VR group. Primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and follow-up will be analysed using linear mixed modelling.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee. The results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and national/international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001510134.

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The Association of Sensory Impairment With Incident Disability-Related Cessation of Employment in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.697 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 216-216

Author(s):

Ahmed Shakarchi ◽

Emmanuel Garcia Morales ◽

Nicholas Reed ◽

Bonnielin Swenor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Population Based ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard Regression ◽

Study Participants ◽

Adjusted Model

Abstract Sensory impairment (SI) is common among older adults, and it is an increasingly important public health challenge as the population ages. We evaluated the association between SI and incident disability-related cessation of employment in older adults using the population-based Health and Retirement Study. Participants employed in 2006 completed biennial interviews until self-reported incident disability-related cessation of employment. Participants were censored at loss to follow-up, retirement, or 2018. Participants rated their vision and hearing, using eyeglasses or hearing aids if applicable, on a Likert scale (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent). SI was defined as poor or fair ability, and SI was categorized as neither SI (NSI), vision impairment alone (VI), hearing impairment alone (HI), and dual SI (DSI). Cox proportional hazard regression assessed the association between SI and incident disability-related cessation of employment, adjusting for demographic and health covariates. Overall, 4726 participants were included: 421 (8.9%) were with VI, 487 (10.3) with HI, and 203 (4.3%) with DSI. Mean age was 61.0 ± 6.8 years, 2488 (52.6%) were women, and 918 (19.4) were non-White. In the fully adjusted model, incident disability-related cessation of employment over the 12-year follow-up period was higher in VI (Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.92, 1.85), HI (HR=1.60, CI=1.16, 2.22), and DSI (HR=2.02, CI=1.38, 2.96). These findings indicate that employed older adults with SI are at increased risk of incident disability-related cessation of employment, and that older adults with DSI are particularly vulnerable. Addressing SI in older adults may lengthen their contribution to the workforce.

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Vascular lesions and functional limitations among older adults: does depression make a difference?

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610214000829 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (9) ◽

pp. 1501-1509 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Celia F. Hybels ◽

Carl F. Pieper ◽

Lawrence R. Landerman ◽

Martha E. Payne ◽

David C. Steffens

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

White Matter ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Late Life ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Cerebral White Matter ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Increased Risk

ABSTRACTBackground:The association between disability and depression is complex, with disability well established as a correlate and consequence of late life depression. Studies in community samples report that greater volumes of cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) seen on brain imaging are linked with functional impairment. These vascular changes are also associated with late life depression, but it is not known if depression is a modifier in the relationship between cerebrovascular changes and functional impairment.Methods:The study sample was 237 older adults diagnosed with major depression and 140 never depressed comparison adults, with both groups assessed at study enrollment. The dependent variable was the number of limitations in basic activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADLs, and mobility tasks. The independent variable was the total volume of cerebral white matter lesions or hyperintensities assessed though magnetic resonance imaging.Results:In analyses controlling for age, sex, race, high blood pressure, and cognitive status, a greater volume of WMH was positively associated with the total number of functional limitations as well as the number of mobility limitations among those older adults with late life depression but not among those never depressed, suggesting the association between WMH volume and functional status differs in the presence of late life depression.Conclusions:These findings suggest older patients with both depression and vascular risk factors may be at an increased risk for functional decline, and may benefit from management of both cerebrovascular risk factors and depression.

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Sensory loss and suicide ideation in older adults: findings from the Three-City cohort study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s104161021800056x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 139-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

S. Cosh ◽

I. Carrière ◽

V. Daien ◽

C. Tzourio ◽

C. Delcourt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sensory Loss ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Increased Risk

ABSTRACTObjectives:To examine the longitudinal risk of vision loss (VL) or hearing loss (HL) for experiencing suicidal ideation in older adults.Design:The Three-City study, examining data from three waves of follow-up (2006–2008, 2008–2010, and 2010–2012).Setting:Community-dwelling older French adults.Participants:N = 5,438 adults aged 73 years and over.Measurements:Suicidality was assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Major Depressive Disorder module. Mild VL was defined as Parinaud of 3 or 4 and severe VL as Parinaud >4. Mild HL was self-reported as difficulty understanding a conversation and severe HL as inability to understand a conversation.Results:Severe VL was associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation at baseline (OR = 1.59, 95% CIs = 1.06–2.38) and over five years (OR = 1.65, 95% CIs = 1.05–2.59). Mild and severe HL were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation, both at baseline (OR = 1.29, 95% CIs = 1.03–1.63; OR = 1.78, 95% CIs = 1.32–2.40) and over five years (OR = 1.47, 95% CIs = 1.17–1.85; OR = 1.97, 95% CIs = 1.44–2.70).Conclusion:Sensory losses in late life pose a risk for suicidal ideation. Suicidality requires better assessment and intervention in this population.

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Physical Functioning Decline and Mortality in Older Adults With Multimorbidity: Joint Modeling of Longitudinal and Survival Data

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/gly038 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 226-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Melissa Y Wei ◽

Mohammed U Kabeto ◽

Andrzej T Galecki ◽

Kenneth M Langa

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Survival Data ◽

Short Form ◽

Joint Modeling ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Multimorbidity is common among older adults and strongly associated with physical functioning decline and increased mortality. However, the full spectrum of direct and indirect effects of multimorbidity on physical functioning and survival has not been quantified. We aimed to determine the longitudinal relationship of multimorbidity on physical functioning and quantify the impact of multimorbidity and multimorbidity-attributed changes in physical functioning on mortality risk. Methods The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a nationally representative population-based prospective cohort of adults aged 51 or older. In 2000, participants were interviewed about physician-diagnosed chronic conditions, from which their multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) was computed. Between 2000 and 2011, participants reported their current physical functioning using a modified Short Form-36. With MWI as a time-varying exposure, we jointly modeled its associations with physical functioning and survival. Results The final sample included 74,037 observations from 18,174 participants. At baseline, participants had a weighted mean MWI of 4.6 ± 4.2 (range 0–36.8). During follow-up, physical functioning declined: −1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.77, −1.67, p < .001) HRS physical functioning units per point MWI in adjusted models. Over follow-up, 6,362 (34%) participants died. Mortality risk increased 8% (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.07–1.08, p < .001) per point MWI in adjusted models. Across all population subgroups, MWI was associated with greater physical functioning decline and mortality risk. Conclusions Multimorbidity and its associated decline in physical functioning were significantly associated with increased mortality. These associations can be predicted with an easily interpreted and applied multimorbidity index that can better identify and target adults at increased risk for disability and death.

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88 Prospective Association of Obesity and Falls among Malaysian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz164.88 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. iv18-iv27

Author(s):

Sheng Hui Kioh ◽

Sumaiyah Mat ◽

Phyo Myint ◽

Shahrul B Kamaruzzaman ◽

Maw Pin Tan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Body Fat ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Percentage Body Fat ◽

Waist Hip Ratio ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Prospective Association ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Cross-sectional studies linking the association between obesity and falls are limited and their results are somewhat conflicting. The inconsistent evidence between obesity and falls could be explained by the utilization of different measures of obesity including BMI, WC, waist hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) in different studies. Aims To examine the prospective association between various measures of obesity and falls among community-dwelling older adults. Methods We utilized data from the wave 1 and wave 2 of the Malaysian Elder’s Longitudinal Research Study (MELoR). Basic demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle factors and falls history in preceding 12 months was recorded by computer assisted questionnaire in participant’s home while anthropometric measurements, body composition assessments and physical performance were collected at the hospital during a hospital check-up at baseline. The main exposure variables were increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) and the main outcome was self-report falls in the preceding 12 months at time of follow-up. Results Among 746 participants at baseline and follow-up (mean age 68.9 ± 7.3 years, old, 56.7% women), 150(20.1%) individuals had ≥1 time of fall at follow-up. No differences in mean age and proportion of men and women among fallers and non-fallers. However, fallers were found to have higher WHR, lower percentage muscle mass and performed poorer in physical performance (p-value<0.01). Of the four obesity indicators, higher WHR at baseline was associated with increased risk of fall 12 months later even after adjustment for all potential confounders (aOR= 2.01; 95%CI= 1.26-3.18). Conclusions In conclusion, our findings suggest that WHR is the measure of adiposity most likely to differentiate fallers from non-fallers prospectively. Future studies should evaluate the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of falls associated with increased WHR.

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Periwound skin care considerations for older adults

Practice Nursing ◽

10.12968/pnur.2020.31.8.326 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (8) ◽

pp. 326-333

Author(s):

Samantha Holloway ◽

Kirsty Mahoney

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Callus Tissue ◽

Skin Care ◽

Dry Skin ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Epidermal Turnover ◽

Adult Skin

Samantha Holloway and Kirsty Mahoney discuss the unique ageing effects on adult skin and how these changes can cause the skin to be more prone to damage This article discusses the effects of ageing on the skin, particularly the main structural and functional changes that occur in the epidermis and dermis that make the skin more vulnerable to damage. Specific alterations that occur with ageing include slower epidermal turnover, flattening of the epidermal-dermal junction, loss of moisture and hydration as well as reduced immunity placing the skin at increased risk of damage. The discussion will also examine common periwound complications associated with ageing including; maceration, excoriation, dry skin, hyperkeratosis, callus, contact dermatitis and eczema. Strategies to manage these problems and interventions to reduce the risk of these complications include moisturising the skin to make it more resilient, debriding keratinised and callus tissue in the periwound area, appropriate choice of dressings to manage excessive exudate, careful removal of dressings as well as treating inflammatory conditions of the periwound skin.

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The role of a geriatrician in a cancer center.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.39 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 39-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki ◽

Sung W. Sun ◽

Armin Shahrokni ◽

Koshy Alexander ◽

Soo Jung Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Transitional Care ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

Increased Risk

39 Background: Older adults are likely to have coexisting health conditions, polypharmacy and functional limitations. The geriatrician may have a pivotal role in risk assessment, prevention and treatment of comorbidities and addressing geriatric syndromes. The purpose of this study is to describe the growth and development of, and the role of a Geriatrics Service (GS) in a cancer center. Methods: A GS was founded in MSKCC in 2009. Since then it has grown to provide inpatient (IP) and outpatient (OP) care for older adults undergoing cancer diagnosis, surveillance or active treatment. It offers preoperative evaluations, geriatric assessment (GA) and follow-up shared- care. Recently, a Transitional Care Management (TCM) program was established for patients at increased risk of rehospitalization. The GS strives to develop an interprofessional educational geriatrics curriculum and to participate in quality and research projects focused on cancer and aging. Results: Between 2009 and 2014 a total of 6679 new patients were evaluated by the GS. 16% of the patients were 65-75, 70% were 76-85 and 14% were older than 85. 46% were male and 84% were white. 15% were IP and 85% were OP consultations. 13% of the OP consults were for GA, the rest were preoperative evaluations. All patients seen preoperatively who are admitted after surgery, are followed postoperatively by the IP geriatrics team. In total, 4 Geriatricians, 2 Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNP) and 3 RNs were recruited. The number of follow-up visits increased from 143 in 2009 to 733 in 2014. The new TCM program based on close communication between the IP and OP GNP has been successful in keeping frail patients from frequent rehospitalizations. Noon conferences on geriatrics for the house staff, a biannual course on “Advancing Nursing Expertise in the Care of Older Adults with Cancer” and a monthly interprofessional meeting for the discussion of Geriatric Clinical Complex Cases (GCCC) are ongoing. Research has focused on risk assessment and the use of telemedicine in geriatric patient care. Conclusions: The establishment of a GS in a cancer center was very well received and embraced by the oncologists showing an unmet need in the care of the older cancer patient. The potential reproducibility beyond the cancer center will be discussed.

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