scholarly journals A-031 Early Childhood Quality of Education and Late-Life Cognitive Function in a Population-Based Sample from Puerto Rico

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-821
Author(s):  
Barba C ◽  
Dávila-Roman A ◽  
Clay O ◽  
Wadley V ◽  
Andel R ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Education quality may be related to disparities in late-life cognition in the U.S. We examined whether years of education and indicators of childhood quality of education (QOE) are associated with cognitive decline and cognitive impairment (CI) in older Puerto Ricans. Method Participants included 3,883 community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ years from the Puerto Rican Elderly: Health Conditions Study without CI at baseline. A composite of QOE included school year length, student-teacher ratio, attendance, and literacy levels for each municipality from Census and education reports (1926–1945). Cognitive functioning was measured by the minimental Cabán (MMC) at baseline and four-year follow-up. CI was assigned when MMC score was < 11 points. Covariate-adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to examine incident CI and decline, respectively. Results Participants reported 8 years of education on average. Years of education (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.79, 0.90; p = < .0001) was associated with a lower risk of incident CI but QOE was not (p = .37). In covariate-adjusted models, QOE (F(8, 2482) = 96.87, p < .05, R2 = .24) was significantly associated with cognitive decline. However, when years of education was added to the model, QOE was no longer statistically significant (p = .34). Conclusions This study provides further evidence that years of education and QOE are important factors for understanding risk of negative cognitive outcomes in older age, and that for this older Puerto Rican sample, years of education and literacy largely explained associations between QOE and late-life cognition.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheyanne Barba ◽  
Alberto Garcia ◽  
Olivio J Clay ◽  
Virginia G Wadley ◽  
Ross Andel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives We examined quality of education, literacy and years of education in relation to late-life cognitive function and decline in older Puerto Ricans. Research Design and Methods Our sample consisted of 3,385 community-dwelling adults age 60 years and older from the Puerto Rican Elderly: Health Conditions (PREHCO) study. Quality of education was based on principal component analysis of variables gathered from Department of Education and Census reports. Literacy (yes/no) and years of education were self-reported. Cognitive function was assessed in participants’ homes at baseline and four years later using a previously validated Spanish-language 20-point global screening measure for dementia, the minimental Cabán (MMC). Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and life course covariates. Results Quality of education was positively correlated with both educational attainment and cognitive performance. Independent of years of education, literacy, childhood economic hardship, and adult economic hardship, compared to participants in the lowest quartile of education quality, those in the highest quartile had significantly better baseline cognitive performance (B=0.09, p < .001). Quality of education did not consistently show an association with change in cognitive function over four years. Literacy and greater educational attainment were each independently associated with better cognitive function at baseline and less cognitive decline. Discussion and Implications Quality of education, literacy, and years of education, while interrelated, also show independent associations with cognitive functioning in older Puerto Ricans. The downstream factors of literacy and years of education were more closely related to age-related cognitive decline than quality of education.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. e548-e558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Krell-Roesch ◽  
Jeremy A. Syrjanen ◽  
Maria Vassilaki ◽  
Mary M. Machulda ◽  
Michelle M. Mielke ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo investigate whether timing, number, and frequency of mentally stimulating activities in midlife and late life are associated with the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in the setting of the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging in Olmsted County, Minnesota, including 2,000 individuals aged ≥70 years who were cognitively unimpaired at baseline and were followed for a median of 5.0 years. Participants completed a self-reported survey on timing, number, and frequency of engagement in 5 mentally stimulating activities (reading books, computer use, social activities, playing games, craft activities) at baseline.ResultsThe risk of incident MCI was significantly reduced for participants who engaged in social activities (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.80 [0.64–0.99]) and playing games (0.80 [0.66–0.98]) in both late life and midlife combined. Using a computer was associated with a decreased risk regardless of timing (not late life but midlife: 0.52 [0.31–0.88]; late life but not midlife: 0.70 [0.56–0.88]; late life and midlife: 0.63 [0.51–0.79]). Craft activities were associated with a reduced risk of incident MCI only when carried out in late life but not midlife (0.58 [0.34–0.97]). Furthermore, engaging in a higher number of activities in late life was associated with a significantly reduced risk of incident MCI (any 2 activities: 0.72 [0.53–0.99], any 3: 0.55 [0.40–0.77], any 4: 0.44 [0.30–0.65], all 5: 0.57 [0.34–0.96]).ConclusionEngaging in a higher number of mentally stimulating activities, particularly in late life, is associated with a decreased risk of MCI among community-dwelling older persons.


BMC Urology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Yin Yow ◽  
John Jeh Lung Tiong ◽  
Chun-Wai Mai ◽  
Esther van der Werf ◽  
Zulkifli Md Zainuddin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nocturia is widely prevalent condition with detrimental effects on quality of life and general health. In Malaysia, there is a lack of up-to-date prevalence study on nocturia. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of nocturia and awareness pertaining to nocturia among Malaysian adults. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among Malaysian adults aged ≥ 18 years old. The data was collected by mixed mode self-administered questionnaire from May 2019 to September 2019. Nocturia was defined as one or more voids at night. Results There were a total of 4616 respondents with 74.5% of response rate. The overall prevalence of nocturia among Malaysian adults was found to be 57.3%. In multivariate analysis, respondents aged 31–40 (1.91 [1.52–2.40]) or > 60 years old (2.03 [1.48–2.71]), and those who presented with hypertension (2.84 [2.28–3.53]), diabetes mellitus (1.78 [1.42–2.25]), renal disease (3.58 [1.93–6.63]) or overactive bladder (1.61 [1.10–2.35]) were associated with higher prevalence of nocturia. A significantly lower disease prevalence (p < 0.05) was noted among those aged 41–50 (0.73 [0.59–0.91]), male (0.78 [0.69–0.88]) and Chinese (0.47 [0.30–0.74]) or Indian (0.34 [0.21–0.54]) ethnicities. A total of 37.3% of respondents with nocturia reported that they faced sleeping difficulty about half the time or more after waking up in the middle of night. Those who had ≥ 2 voids per night experienced significantly higher mean bother score than those who had 1 void per night (p < 0.001). Approximately half (56.7%) of all respondents were not aware that night time urination is a medical condition. Only 25.2% of respondents with nocturia had sought medical attention for their nocturia. Conclusions The prevalence of nocturia among Malaysian adults is high and strongly influenced by age, sex, race and comorbidities. However, the general awareness pertaining to nocturia being a health issue remains low among Malaysians. The findings also highlighted the impact of nocturia on sleep and the need for nocturia education to better address this disease.


Author(s):  
Inta Zile ◽  
Ieva Bite ◽  
Indra Krumina ◽  
Valdis Folkmanis ◽  
Lilian Tzivian

The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between final-year students’ anxiety level and quality of life (QOL) with their academic achievements. A longitudinal study was performed in regular schools and in high-rated gymnasiums at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Multiple linear regression models were built for the association between level of anxiety/QOL with academic achievements. Type of school and gender—but not the level of anxiety—were the main predictors of academic achievements of 287 adolescents (e.g., for mathematics, the effect estimates were: β = −1.71 [95% confidence interval −2.21; −1.21]; β = −0.50 [−0.95; −0.06], β = 0.09 [−0.02; 0.20] for the type of school, gender, and changes in level of anxiety, respectively). To conclude, particular efforts should be made to reduce the level of anxiety in girls, especially those that study in high-rated schools.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Tak Yu Leung ◽  
Ada Wai Tung Fung ◽  
Cindy Woon Chi Tam ◽  
Victor Wing Cheong Lui ◽  
Helen Fung Kum Chiu ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 630-640
Author(s):  
Rachel Strauss ◽  
Paul Kurdyak ◽  
Richard H. Glazier

Objective: Mental health issues in late life are a growing public health challenge as the population aged 65 and older rapidly increases worldwide. An updated understanding of the causes of mood disorders and their consequences in late life could guide interventions for this underrecognized and undertreated problem. We undertook a population-based analysis to quantify the prevalence of mood disorders in late life in Ontario, Canada, and to identify potential risk factors and consequences. Method: Individuals aged 65 or older participating in 4 cycles of a nationally representative survey were included. Self-report of a diagnosed mood disorder was used as the outcome measure. Using linked administrative data, we quantified associations between mood disorder and potential risk factors such as demographic/socioeconomic factors, substance use, and comorbidity. We also determined associations between mood disorders and 5-year outcomes including health service utilization and mortality. Results: The prevalence of mood disorders was 6.1% (4.9% among males, 7.1% among females). Statistically significant associations with mood disorders included younger age, female sex, food insecurity, chronic opioid use, smoking, and morbidity. Individuals with mood disorders had increased odds of all consequences examined, including placement in long-term care (adjusted odds ratio [OR] =2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71 to 3.02) and death (adjusted OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.63). Conclusions: Mood disorders in late life were strongly correlated with demographic and social/behavioral factors, health care use, institutionalization, and mortality. Understanding these relationships provides a basis for potential interventions to reduce the occurrence of mood disorders in late life and their consequences.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan-Yu Pan ◽  
Weili Xu ◽  
Francesca Mangialasche ◽  
Serhiy Dekhtyar ◽  
Laura Fratiglioni ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chia Wei ◽  
Li-Yuan Huang ◽  
Chih-Ken Chen ◽  
Chemin Lin ◽  
Yu-Chiau Shyu ◽  
...  

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is one of the early warning signs of objective cognition impairment and dementia. Methods: This cross-sectional study screened SCD and studied multiple domains of mental health, lifestyle, and life quality of the community-dwelling people in the northern coastal region of Taiwan. Results: Among 426 valid AD8 questionnaires, a cutoff of score 2 divided subjects into 115 with SCD (SCD+) and 311 without SCD (SCD–). Analysis of age, sex, body compositions, and blood tests revealed an older age (60.7 ± 10.9 years) of the SCD+ group than the SCD– group (57.6 ± 12.0 years, p < 0.05). Further exclusion of subjects younger than 50 years eliminated age differences and left 100 with SCD (SCD+_50) and 229 without (SCD–_50). Multidomain comparisons of the SCD+_50 group over the SCD–_50 group were made: the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire found a higher likelihood of depression; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index revealed suboptimal sleep quality; the SF-36 showed inferior function of all 8 aspects of quality of life; the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile documented a less health-seeking lifestyle of nutrition, self-actualization, and stress management. Conclusions: Aging increased the SCD risk. People with SCD had suboptimal performance in mental health and life quality in addition to subjective cognition problems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristelle Rodriguez ◽  
Emiliano Albanese ◽  
Alan Pegna ◽  
Simona Toma ◽  
Marine Ackermann ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Recent studies of cases with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) suggested that besides Alzheimer disease (AD)-related biomarkers, some personality dimensions are associated with progression to AD. To date, there are no studies addressing the psychological determinants of subtle cognitive decline in healthy elderly controls. Methods: 488 community-dwelling healthy controls were assessed with a detailed neuropsychological battery at baseline and an 18-month follow-up. Personality factors and facets were investigated at baseline using the NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R). Upon follow-up, there were 264 stable controls (sCON) and 224 deteriorating controls (dCON). Their personality data were compared to those of the 102 MCI cases using one-way analysis of variance and logistic regression models. Results: Significantly higher scores of Openness factor (as well as Aesthetics, Ideas and Values facets) were found in sCON than in both dCON and MCI cases. The three groups did not differ in the other NEO-PI-R factor and facet scores. Openess factor (and the same facets) was associated with cognitive preservation in healthy controls (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.87). Lower scores in the same factor and facets conferred higher risk to have MCI (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.79). Conclusion: Higher openness to new experiences and thoughts may be a protective factor against early cognitive decline in brain aging.


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