scholarly journals Sphingolipids and physical function in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danni Li ◽  
Aniqa B. Alam ◽  
Fang Yu ◽  
Anna Kucharska-Newton ◽  
B. Gwen Windham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Aric Study ◽  
Long Chain

AbstractLong-chain sphingomyelins (SMs) may play an important role in the stability of myelin sheath underlying physical function. The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of long-chain SMs [SM (41:1), SM (41:2), SM (43:1)] and ceramides [Cer (41:1) and Cer (43:1)] with physical function in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Plasma concentrations of SM (41:1), SM (41:2), SM (43:1), Cer (41:1) and Cer (43:1) were measured in 389 ARIC participants in 2011–13. Physical function was assessed by grip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4-m walking speed at both 2011–13 and 2016–17, and the modified Rosow-Breslau questionnaire in 2016–2017. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed, controlling for demographic and clinical confounders. In cross-sectional analyses, plasma concentrations of SM 41:1 were positively associated with SPPB score (β-coefficients [95% confidence internal]: 0.33 [0.02, 0.63] per 1 standard deviation [SD] increase in log-transformed concentration, p value 0.04), 4-m walking speed (0.042 m/s [0.01, 0.07], p value 0.003), and negatively with self-reported disability (odds ratio = 0.73 [0.65, 0.82], p value < 0.0001). Plasma concentrations of the five metabolites examined were not significantly associated with longitudinal changes in physical function or incidence of poor mobility. In older adults, plasma concentrations of long-chain SM 41:1 were cross-sectionally positively associated with physical function.

scholarly journals Endogenous Testosterone and its Relationship to Preclinical and Clinical Measures of Cardiovascular Disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 1602-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reshmi Srinath ◽  
Sherita Hill Golden ◽  
Kathryn A. Carson ◽  
Adrian Dobs
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiac Mortality ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Aric Study

Context: Epidemiologic studies suggest that endogenous testosterone (T) levels in males may be implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD), however further clarification is needed. Objective: We assessed the cross-sectional relationship between endogenous plasma T and mean carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), and the longitudinal relationship with incident clinical CVD events, cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality using male participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Design: This study involved a subset of men from visit 4 of the ARIC study. Setting: The study was conducted in a community based cohort. Participants: Males who provided a morning blood sample excluding those taking androgen therapy, with prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, or heart failure (HF) (n = 1558). Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measures: Plasma T by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and carotid IMT using high resolution B-mode ultrasound were obtained at visit 4. Incident CHD, HF, cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality were identified by surveillance through 2010 (median 12.8 years). Results: Lower T was significantly associated with higher body mass index, greater waist circumference, diabetes, hypertension, lower HDL, and never smoking (P = 0.01). T was not associated with mean cIMT in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Following multivariable adjustment, there was no association of quartile (Q) of T with incident CHD [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.87 (95% CI = 0.60–1.26) for Q1; 0.97 (95% CI = 0.69–1.38) for Q2; 0.97 (95% CI = 0.69–1.36) for Q3 compared to reference of Q4] or for incident HF [HR = 0.77 (95% CI = 0.46–1.29) for Q1; 0.72 (95% CI = 0.43–1.21) for Q2; 0.87 (95% CI = 0.53–1.42) for Q3 compared to reference of Q4]. Similarly there was no association of Q of T with mortality or cardiac-associated mortality. Conclusions: Low male plasma T is cross-sectionally associated with key CVD risk factors, but after adjustment there was no association with mean cIMT, incident cardiac events, or mortality. Our results are reassuring that neither high nor low T levels directly predict atherosclerosis, but are a marker for other cardiovascular risk factors.

scholarly journals Loneliness and its predictors among older adults prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional and longitudinal survey findings from participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort in the USA

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053542
Author(s):  
Anna Kucharska-Newton ◽  
Kunihiro Matsushita ◽  
Yejin Mok ◽  
Melissa Minotti ◽  
Elizabeth C Oelsner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Aric Study

ObjectivesWe aimed to ascertain the prevalence of perceived loneliness among older adults following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine factors contributing to the perception of loneliness.DesignCross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort.SettingThe ARIC Study cohort, a prospective cohort that recruited (1987–1989) participants from four distinct communities in the USA.Participants2984 ARIC cohort members.Primary and secondary outcomesPerceived loneliness assessed using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) UCLA three-item Loneliness Scale telephone interviews conducted May–October 2020 and prior to March 2020.ResultsOf the total 5037 participants alive in 2020, 2984 (56.2%) responded to the UCLA three-item questionnaire (mean age 82.6 (SD 4.6) years, 586 (19.6%) black participants, 1081 (36.2%) men), of which 66 (2.2%) reported having had a COVID-19 infection during the observation period. The proportion of participants reporting feeling lonely was 56.3% (n=1680). Among participants with repeat measures of loneliness (n=516), 35.2% (n=182) reported feeling more lonely following pandemic onset. Self-rated health and emotional resilience were strongly associated with self-perceived loneliness. The burden of COVID-19 infections, concern about the pandemic and decreased self-reported physical activity were greater among black as compared with white participants and among those with an educational attainment of less than high school as compared with high school or more.ConclusionFindings from this study document the increase in perceived loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.

Abstract 052: Genome-wide Methylation Study of Body Mass Index (BMI) in African American Adults: Preliminary Data from the ARIC Study

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen W Demerath ◽  
Weihua Guan ◽  
James S Pankow ◽  
Megan L Grove ◽  
Kari E North ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
African American ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
P Value ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
Cpg Sites ◽  
Aric Study

Background and Objective: DNA methylation patterns are influenced by environmental factors, alter gene expression, and can point to genomic regions affected by behavioral and lifestyle factors, such as obesity. However, analytic strategies for high dimensional methylation data are still evolving. Here we present preliminary analyses examining cross-sectional associations between DNA methylation level and BMI in African-American adults enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Methods: BMI was measured at the same study visit as the DNA sample used for analysis. We used the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to measure average methylation levels (beta values) in bisulfite-converted peripheral blood DNA obtained from participants from the Jackson, MS and Forsyth County, NC field centers. After excluding outlier samples and CpG sites using quality control filters, a model adjusting BMI (continuous) for batch (plate) and a model additionally adjusting for a small set of potential confounders (age, sex, center, smoking) were tested, with average beta value as the dependent variable. Robust standard errors were used for statistical testing and Bonferroni-corrected p value for significance was p<1 x 10 -7 . Results: A total of 2,873 individuals and 473,788 CpG sites entered the analysis. In the minimally-adjusted analysis, there were over 300 regions distributed across all 22 autosomes with at least one significant association between BMI and CpG methylation. Adjusting for confounders sharply reduced the evidence for association to a total of approximately 20 regions on 11 autosomes. Conclusion: Use of the 450K methylation BeadChip in large epidemiologic cohorts has potential to help identify genes that are transcriptionally altered by common behavioral factors such as obesity, leading to improved understanding of related diseases. However, whereas genetic associations with disease are generally unconfounded by demographic and other covariate factors, methylation associations can be strongly affected by selection of covariates as well as other analytic choices.

scholarly journals Hearing Loss and Frailty Among Older Adults: The ARIC Neurocognitive Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 811-811
Author(s):  
Nicholas Reed ◽  
Emmanuel Garcia-Morales ◽  
Priya Palta ◽  
Frank Lin ◽  
Josef Coresh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
Aric Study ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Hearing Loss (HL) is common among older adults and is associated with factors (e.g., walking speed and social isolation) that may mediate an association with frailty. In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, frailty was defined as a composite variable (unintentional weight loss, energy expenditure, walking speed, low energy, and grip strength) while HL was measured using pure-tone audiometry. Among, 3179 participants in 2015-2017, 251 (7.9%) were frail. In a model adjusted for demographic and clinical risk factors, mild HL (n=1263; Odds Ratio[OR]=1.42; 95%Confidence Interval[CI]=1.01-2.01) and moderate HL (n=854; OR=1.67; 95%CI=1.09-2.55) were associated with higher odds of frailty relative to those without HL (n=1063). Among participants who completed an ARIC visit 2-years later, the odds of developing frailty tended to be higher among those with mild (OR=1.46; 95%CI=0.91-2.33) and moderate HL (OR=1.43; 95%CI=0.77-2.67). Future research should focus on mechanisms underlying association and determine the impact of treatment of HL. Part of a symposium sponsored by Sensory Health Interest Group.

scholarly journals The Association Between Hearing and Physical Functioning in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 531-531
Author(s):  
Pablo Martinez-Amezcua ◽  
Pei-Lun Kuo ◽  
Kevin Sullivan ◽  
Priya Palta ◽  
A Richey Sharrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk

Abstract Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults and has deleterious effects on health. However, its association with physical functioning is not well defined. We investigated the cross-sectional association between hearing and physical function in 3,339 community-dwelling participants (mean age: 79 years, 59% women) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Hearing was measured by pure-tone average ([dB]) of 4 frequencies [0.5,1,2,4 kHz] and physical function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), which consisted of 3 performance-based tests (balance, gait speed, and chair stands) each scored ranging from 0-4, resulting in a total possible score of 0-12 (higher scores indicating better physical function). We estimated the association between hearing and physical function using continuous scores for each component of the battery, and the overall SPPB score categorized into high [10-12], intermediate [7-9], and low [≤6]) using ordinal logistic regression models. The SPPB scores were reversed for an easier interpretation of the odds ratios (OR). The category with better physical functions was the reference group for each model. After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, poorer hearing (+10 dB in PTA) was associated with worse physical functioning: OR for lower balance score=1.17, 95% CI [1.08, 1.26]; OR for lower gait speed score=1.15, 95%CI [1.06, 1.25]; OR for lower chair stand score=1.07, 95% CI [1.04, 1.11]; and OR for lower overall SPPB category=1.15, 95%CI [1.07, 1.24]. Hearing loss is associated with poorer physical functioning, highlighting the potentially negative impact of hearing loss on mobility at older ages.

scholarly journals The association between dietary choline and betaine with the risk of type 2 diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Dibaba ◽  
Karen C. Johnson ◽  
Anna M. Kucharska-Newton ◽  
Katie Meyer ◽  
Steven H. Zeisel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
P Value ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
Choline Intake ◽  
Aric Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Dietary Choline

Objectives: To examine the association between dietary intake of choline and betaine with the <h3>risk of type 2 diabetes.</h3> <h3>Methods: Among 13,440 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study participants, the prospective longitudinal association between dietary choline and betaine intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes was assessed using interval censored Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models adjusted for baseline potential confounding variables.</h3> <h3>Results: Among 13,440 participants (55% women, mean age 54 (SD 7.4) years) 1396 developed incident type 2 diabetes during median follow up of 9 years from 1987 through 1998. There was no statistically significant association between every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in dietary choline and risk of type 2 diabetes, HR = 1.01 (95% CI:0.87, 1.16), nor between dietary betaine intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes, HR = 1.01 (0.94, 1.10). Those in the highest quartile of dietary choline intake did not have a statistically significant higher risk of type 2 diabetes than those in the lowest choline quartile, HR = 1.09 (0.84, 1.42); similarly, dietary betaine intake was not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes comparing the highest quartile to the lowest, HR = 1.06 (0.87, 1.29). Among women, there was a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, comparing the highest to lowest dietary choline quartile, HR = 1.54 (1.06, 2.25); while in males the association was null, HR = 0.82 (0.57, 1.17). Nevertheless, there was a non-significant interaction between high choline intake and sex on the risk of type 2 diabetes (<i>P-value </i>= 0.07). The results from logistic regression were similar. </h3> <h3>Conclusion: Overall and among male participants, dietary choline or betaine intakes were not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Among female participants, there was a trend for a modestly higher risk of type 2 diabetes among those with the highest as compared to the lowest quartile of dietary choline intake. Our study should inform clinical trials on dietary choline and betaine supplementation in relationship with the risk of type 2 diabetes. </h3>

Abstract 10804: Incidence and Prognostic Significance of Silent Versus Clinically Manifest Myocardial Infarction in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu-ming Zhang ◽  
Pentti M Rautaharju ◽  
Ronald J Prineas ◽  
Carlos J Rodriguez ◽  
Laura Loehr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
P Value ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Baseline Visit ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
Aric Study

Background: Differences in the incidence and prognostic significance of silent myocardial infarction (SMI) vs. MI with clinical manifestations (CMI) are not well-established in racially diverse populations. Methods: We compared the incidence of SMI and CMI and their associations with coronary heart disease (CHD) death and death from all causes in 9,498 participants (mean age 54 years, 56.9% women, 20.3% African-American) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline visit (1987-89). Incident SMI was defined as ECG evidence of MI without documented CMI occurring after the baseline visit until visit 4 (1996-98). CHD and all-cause deaths were ascertained starting from ARIC visit 4 until 2010 (median follow up 12 years). Results: There were 386 (4.1%) incident CMIs and 317 (3.3%) SMIs. Both CMI and SMI were more common in men (6.8% and 4.3%, respectively) than in women (2.0% and 2.6%, respectively) p<0.001. Although SMI rates were comparable in blacks and whites (3.8% vs.3.2%, respectively), CMI was higher in whites (4.4% vs. 2.8%, respectively), p=0.003. In multivariable adjusted Cox Proportional models, both SMI and CMI (compared to no MI) were associated with increased risk of CHD and all-cause deaths, but the risk was higher in the CMI group ( Table ). A significant interaction by sex was observed; SMI and CMI were associated with higher risk of CHD and all-cause deaths in women compared to men (interaction p-value= 0.014). No significant interactions by age or race were detected. Conclusions: SMI is as common as CMI, and both are associated with increased risk of CHD and all-cause mortality. Racial and sex differences in the distribution of SMI and CMI, as well as sex differences in the prognostic significance of SMI and CMI exist. These findings suggest that an ECG finding of MI in persons without a history of MI may warrant consideration in personalized CHD prevention risk management efforts particularly in women.

Clinically recognized varicose veins and physical function in older individuals: the ARIC study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yejin Mok ◽  
Junichi Ishigami ◽  
Yingying Sang ◽  
Anna M Kucharska-Newton ◽  
Maya Salameh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Aric Study ◽  
Incident Cases ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Although a few studies reported an association between varicose veins and physical function, this potentially bi-directional association has not been systematically evaluated in the general population. Methods In 5,580 participants (aged 71-90 years) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, varicose veins were identified in outpatient and inpatient administrative data prior to (prevalent cases) and after (incident cases) visit 5 (2011-2013). Physical function was evaluated by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, score ranging from 0-12). We evaluated 1) cross-sectional association between prevalent varicose veins and physical function, 2) association of prevalent varicose veins with subsequent changes in physical function from visit 5 to visits 6 (2016-2017) and 7 (2018-2019), 3) association of physical function at visit 5 with incident varicose veins during a median follow-up of 3.6 years (105 incident varicose veins among 5,350 participants without prevalent cases at baseline). Results At baseline, varicose veins were recognized in 230 (4.1%) participants and cross-sectionally associated with reduced physical function. Longitudinally, prevalent varicose veins were not significantly associated with a decline in SPPB over time. In contrast, a low SPPB ≤6 was associated with a greater incidence of varicose veins compared to SPPB ≥10 (adjusted hazard ratio 2.13 [95% CI 1.19, 3.81]) . Conclusion In community-dwelling older adults, varicose veins and low physical function were associated cross-sectionally. Longitudinally, low physical function was a risk factor for incident varicose veins, but not vice versa. Our findings suggest an etiological contribution of low physical function to incident varicose veins.

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