scholarly journals Gender- and age-related differences in homocysteine concentration: a cross-sectional study of the general population of China

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranran Xu ◽  
Fei Huang ◽  
Yiru Wang ◽  
Qingquan Liu ◽  
Yongman Lv ◽  
...  

Abstract The primary goals of this study were to evaluate the gender- and age-related differences in homocysteine concentration in the general population of China and possible influencing factors. A total of 7872 subjects, divided into male and female groups, participated in this retrospective study. The average homocysteine level, prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, and independent factors affecting homocysteine concentration were analyzed. The homocysteine level was significantly higher in males than in females in each age range (aged 20–30, aged 30–40, aged 40–50, aged 50–60, aged 60–80, aged over 80) (P < 0.0001), and the trend did not abate with age. The homocysteine concentration first decreased and then increased, being lowest at 30–50 years of age and significantly increased after 50 years of age. Factors associated with homocysteine concentration in males were smoking status (current smokers versus ex-smokers: β: 0.112), estimated glomerular filtration rate (β =  − 0.192), blood urea nitrogen (β =  − 0.14), diastolic blood pressure (β =  − 0.113), free triiodothyronine (β =  − 0.091), serum potassium (β =  − 0.107) and cystatin C (β = 0.173). In females, independent factors associated with homocysteine concentration were cystatin C (β = 0.319), albumin (β = 0.227), free thyroxine (β = 0.179), age (β = 0.148), free triiodothyronine (β =  − 0.217) and serum potassium (β =  − 0.153). The homocysteine level was significantly higher in males than in females and increased markedly after 50 years of age in both groups. The independent factors associated with increased homocysteine concentration differed between males and females.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 00228-2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aula Abbara ◽  
Simon M. Collin ◽  
Onn M. Kon ◽  
Kevin Buell ◽  
Adam Sullivan ◽  
...  

IntroductionAge-related immunosenescence influences the presentation of tuberculosis (TB) in older patients. Here, we explore the clinical and radiological presentation of TB in the elderly and the factors associated with time to treatment for TB.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study comparing the clinical, radiological and demographic characteristics of TB patients aged ≥65 years with TB patients aged 18–64 years in a large cohort of TB patients in the UK. Factors associated with the time to presentation and time to treatment were identified using a multivariable analysis model.Results1023 patients were included in the analyses: 679 patients aged 18–64 years and 344 patients aged ≥65 years. “Classical” symptoms of TB (cough, haemoptysis, fever, nights sweats and weight loss) were less common among older patients with pulmonary TB (PTB) (p<0.05), but dyspnoea was more common among older patients (p=0.001). Time from presenting in secondary care to starting treatment was shorter in younger compared with older patients: 3 versus 15 days (p=0.001). When adjusted for age, factors associated with shorter time to treatment from symptom onset include sex (male versus female) (hazard ratio (HR) 1.23 (95% CI 1.05–1.46)), UK born (HR 1.23 (95% CI 1.05–1.46)) and HIV (HR 2.07 (95% CI 1.30–3.29)). Only age remained an independent predictor of time to treatment in a multivariable model (HR 0.98 (95% CI 0.98–0.99)). For those with PTB, chest radiography findings showed that cavitation and lymphadenopathy were more common among younger patients (p=0.001).ConclusionsOlder patients aged ≥65 years with TB had fewer “classical” clinical and radiological presentations of TB, which may explain longer times to starting treatment from symptom onset compared with younger patients aged <65 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6966
Author(s):  
Hee-Jin Choi ◽  
Ji-Yeoun Lee

The objective of this study was to test higher-order statistical (HOS) parameters for the classification of young and elderly voice signals and identify gender- and age-related differences through HOS analysis. This study was based on data from 116 subjects (58 females and 58 males) extracted from the Saarbruecken voice database. In the gender analysis, the same number of voice samples were analyzed for each sex. Further, we conducted experiments on the voices of elderly people using gender analysis. Finally, we reviewed the standards and reference models to reduce sex and gender bias. The acoustic parameters were extracted from young and elderly voice signals using Praat and a time–frequency analysis program (TF32). Additionally, we investigated the gender- and age-related differences in HOS parameters. Young and elderly voice signals significantly differed in normalized skewness (p = 0.005) in women and normalized kurtosis (p = 0.011) in men. Therefore, normalized skewness is a useful parameter for distinguishing between young and elderly female voices, and normalized kurtosis is essential for distinguishing between young and elderly male voices. We will continue to investigate parameters that represent important information in elderly voice signals.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e043963
Author(s):  
Jorge López Fernández ◽  
Alejandro López-Valenciano ◽  
Xián Mayo ◽  
Elizabeth Horton ◽  
Ivan Clavel ◽  
...  

Objectives(1) To describe the physical activity (PA) levels of the members of a Spanish leisure centre operator according to age and gender; (2) to describe the differences in the three PA levels between the members of a Spanish leisure centre operator and the general Spanish population considering the PA Eurobarometer data according to their gender and age and (3) to explore the intensity origin of the PA either in Spanish members of leisure centres or the Spanish population considering their gender.DesignDescriptive epidemiology study.ParticipantsData from 16 Spanish leisure centres (n=3627) and from the 2017 Eurobarometer 472 for Spain (n=1002) were used for this research.Primary and secondary outcomes measuresThe PA levels were analysed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version, and respondents were grouped into physical inactivity (PIA), moderate-PA and high-PA. Moreover, gender (men or women) and age (18–29 years; 30–44 years; 45–59 years; 60–69 years; ≥70 years) were considered. Total metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week, as well as total MET-min/week for walking intensity, moderate intensity and vigorous intensity were recorded.ResultsLeisure centres showed a lower prevalence of PIA and a higher prevalence of high-PA than the general population (p<0.05). Women displayed a higher prevalence of PIA and lower prevalence of high-PA than men (p<0.05). The prevalence of PIA increases with age while the prevalence of high-PA decreases.ConclusionLeisure centres engage most of their members in regular PA, including women and older adults, and these members also perform a higher number of MET in vigorous PA, than the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Kun Lin ◽  
Jing-Yang Huang ◽  
Lung-Fa Pan ◽  
Gwo-Ping Jong

Abstract Background Some observational studies have found a significant association between the use of statin and a reduced risk of dementia. However, the results of these studies are unclear in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study is to determine the association between the use of statins and the incidence of dementia according to sex and age-related differences in patients with RA. Methods We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database (2003–2016). The primary outcome assessed was the risk of dementia by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multiple Cox regression was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio of new-onset dementia. Subgroup analysis was also conducted. Results Among the 264,036 eligible patients with RA aged > 40 years, statin users were compared with non-statin users by propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:1 (25,764 in each group). However, no association was found between the use of statins and the risk of new-onset dementia (NOD) in patients with RA (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.97–1.06). The subgroup analysis identified the use of statin as having a protective effect against developing NOD in male and older patients. Conclusion No association was observed between the use of a statin and the risk of NOD in patients with RA, including patients of both genders and aged 40–60 years, but these parameters were affected by gender and age. The decreased risk of NOD in patients with RA was greater among older male patients. Use of a statin in older male (> 60 years) patients with RA may be needed in clinical practice to prevent dementia.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Hamzaoui ◽  
Olfa Harzallah ◽  
Rim Klii ◽  
Silvia Mahjoub

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate if hyperhomocysteinaemia is a contributive risk factor for the pathogenesis and the activity of Behçet's disease (BD).Design and Methods. Fifty four patients fullfiling the criteria of the International Study Group for BD were enrolled. Fifty healthy volunteers matched for age and sex with the BD group were included as a negative control group. Patients, with any condition that might affect plasma homocysteine concentration, were excluded.Results. Mean serum homocysteine concentration was significantly higher in patients with BD than in the healthy controls (), in patients with active disease (), and in masculine gender (). There was no significant difference between homocysteine level and clinical involvement.Conclusions. We demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine level (tHcy) is increased in BD and correlated with disease activity. No association was found between homocysteine levels and clinical involvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Qi ◽  
Ting Hu ◽  
Qi-Qi Ge ◽  
Xiao-Na Zhou ◽  
Jia-Mei Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 1 year, causing far-reaching and unprecedented changes in almost all aspects of society. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression and anxiety, and explore the factors associated with it. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted to assess mental health problems from February 2 to February 9, 2021 by using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7). The insomnia severity index (ISI), demographic data and COVID-19 related variables were measured by a self-designed questionnaire. The factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms were identified by Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results In the study that 1171 participants enrolled, the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among general people was 22.6 and 21.4% respectively in the present study. Living alone was a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms, while regular exercises was a potential protective factor. The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly associated with the severity of insomnia symptoms and the negative feelings about pandemic. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic- related chronic stress has brought about profound impacts on long-term mental health in the general population. The level of insomnia and a negative attitude towards the pandemic are significantly correlated with unfavorable mental health. However, we failed to found a significant association of age and gender with the mental health symptoms, although they were recognized as well-established risk factors during the outbreak by some other studies. This discrepancy may be because the acute and chronic effects of the pandemic are influenced by different factors, which reminds that more attention should be paid to the intrinsic psychological factors and physical reactions towards COVID-19.


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