The association between epigenetic clocks and physical functioning in older women: a three-year follow-up

Abstract Background Epigenetic clocks are composite markers developed to predict chronological age or mortality risk from DNA methylation (DNAm) data. The present study investigated the associations between four epigenetic clocks (Horvath’s and Hannum’s DNAmAge and DNAm GrimAge and PhenoAge) and physical functioning during a three-year follow-up. Methods We studied 63–76-year-old women (n = 413) from the Finnish Twin Study on Aging. DNAm was measured from blood samples at baseline. Age acceleration (AgeAccel) i.e. discrepancy between chronological age and DNAm age was determined as residuals from linear model. Physical functioning was assessed under standardized laboratory conditions at baseline and at follow-up. A cross-sectional analysis was performed with path models, and a longitudinal analysis was conducted with repeated measures linear models. A nonrandom missing data analysis was performed. Results In comparison to the other clocks, GrimAgeAccel was more strongly associated with physical functioning. At baseline, GrimAgeAccel was associated with lower performance in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the six-minute walk test. At follow-up, significant associations were observed between GrimAgeAccel and lowered performance in the TUG, six-minute and 10-meter walk tests, and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion strength tests. Conclusions The DNAm GrimAge, a novel estimate of biological aging, associated with decline in physical functioning over the three-year follow-up in older women. However, associations between chronological age and physical function phenotypes followed similar pattern. Current epigenetic clocks do not provide strong benefits in predicting the decline of physical functioning at least during a rather short follow-up period and restricted age-range.

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Does physical activity lower the risk for metabolic syndrome: a longitudinal study of physically active older women

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01952-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Izabela Zając-Gawlak ◽

Jana Pelclová ◽

Dorota Groffik ◽

Miroslava Přidalová ◽

Agnieszka Nawrat-Szołtysik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Older Women ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

High Density Cholesterol

Abstract Background The associations between physical activity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been mainly found in cross-sectional studies. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between meeting step-based guidelines and changes in the risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods This study included data from older women (baseline age 62.9 ± 4.3 years) from a 7-year longitudinal study in Central Europe. At baseline and follow-up, physical activity was measured by an accelerometer, and the risk for MetS was assessed according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria. In 59 women, multivariate repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare differences in changes in the risk of MetS in groups based on meeting step-based guidelines (10,000 steps/day and 9000 steps/day for women aged <65 and ≥ 65 years, respectively). Results Over 7 years, steps/day increased from 10,944 ± 3560 to 11,652 ± 4865, and the risk of MetS decreased from 41 to 12% in our sample. Women who longitudinally met step-based guidelines had a significantly higher mean concentration of high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) (64.5 and 80.3 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively) and a lower concentration of triglycerides (TGs) (158.3 and 123.8 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively) at follow-up compared to baseline. Moreover, women who increased their daily steps over 7 years to the recommended steps/day value significantly decreased the concentration of TGs (158.3 mg/dL and 123.8 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively). Conclusions Our study might suggest that the long-term meeting of step-based guidelines or an increase in daily steps/day to achieve the recommended value could be related to a lower risk of MetS, specifically in concentrations of HDL-C and TG. These findings may help in designing interventions aiming to decrease the risk of MetS in older women.

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Long-term trajectory of cognitive performance in people with bipolar disorder and controls: 6-year longitudinal study

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.66 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Timea Sparding ◽

Erik Joas ◽

Caitlin Clements ◽

Carl M. Sellgren ◽

Erik Pålsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Time Interaction

Background Cross-sectional studies have found impaired cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder, but long-term longitudinal studies are scarce. Aims The aims of this study were to examine the 6-year longitudinal course of cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Subsets of patients were examined to investigate possible differences in cognitive trajectories. Method Patients with bipolar I disorder (n = 44) or bipolar II disorder (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 59) were tested with a comprehensive cognitive test battery at baseline and retested after 6 years. We conducted repeated measures ANCOVAs with group as a between-subject factor and tested the significance of group and time interaction. Results By and large, the change in cognitive functioning between baseline and follow-up did not differ significantly between participants with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Comparing subsets of patients, for example those with bipolar I and II disorder and those with and without manic episodes during follow-up, did not reveal subgroups more vulnerable to cognitive decline. Conclusions Cognitive performance remained stable in patients with bipolar disorder over a 6-year period and evolved similarly to healthy controls. These findings argue against the notion of a general progressive decline in cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder.

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Association between cognitive phenotype in unaffected siblings and prospective 3- and 6-year clinical outcome in their proband affected by psychosis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720000719 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Thijs J. Burger ◽

Frederike Schirmbeck ◽

Jentien M. Vermeulen ◽

Piotr J. Quee ◽

Mariken B. de Koning ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Cognitive Vulnerability ◽

Familial Risk ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Cognitive Alterations ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Cognitive alterations are a central and heterogeneous trait in psychotic disorders, driven by environmental, familial and illness-related factors. In this study, we aimed to prospectively investigate the impact of high familial risk for cognitive alterations, unconfounded by illness-related factors, on symptomatic outcomes in patients. Methods In total, 629 probands with non-affective psychosis and their sibling not affected by psychosis were assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-year follow-up. Familial cognitive risk was modeled by three cognitive subtypes (‘normal’, ‘mixed’ and ‘impaired’) in the unaffected siblings. Generalized linear mixed models assessed multi-cross-sectional associations between the sibling cognitive subtype and repeated measures of proband symptoms across all assessments. Between-group differences over time were assessed by adding an interaction effect of time and sibling cognitive subtype. Results Probands affected by psychosis with a sibling of the impaired cognitive subtype were less likely to be in symptomatic remission and showed more disorganization across all time points. When assessing differences over time, probands of siblings with the impaired cognitive subtype showed less remission and less improvement of disorganization after 3 and 6 years relative to the other subtypes. They also showed less reduction of positive, negative and excitement symptoms at 6-year follow-up compared to probands with a sibling of the normal cognitive subtype. Conclusions Cross-sibling pathways from higher levels of familial cognitive vulnerability to worse long-term outcomes may be informative in identifying cognition-related environmental and genetic risks that impact psychotic illness heterogeneity over time.

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Cognitive therapy v. usual treatment for borderline personality disorder: prospective 6-year follow-up

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.109.074286 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 197 (6) ◽

pp. 456-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Kate M. Davidson ◽

Peter Tyrer ◽

John Norrie ◽

Stephen J. Palmer ◽

Helen Tyrer

Keyword(s):

Borderline Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorder ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Linear Models ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Borderline Personality ◽

Treatment As Usual

BackgroundLonger-term follow-up of patients with borderline personality disorder have found favourable clinical outcomes, with long-term reduction in symptoms and diagnosis.AimsWe examined the 6-year outcome of patients with borderline personality disorder who were randomised to 1 year of cognitive–behavioural therapy for personality disorders (CBT–PD) or treatment as usual (TAU) in the BOSCOT trial, in three centres across the UK (trial registration: ISRCTN86177428).MethodIn total, 106 participants met criteria for borderline personality disorder in the original trial. Patients were interviewed at follow-up by research assistants masked to the patient's original treatment group, CBT–PD or TAU, using the same measures as in the original randomised trial. Statistical analyses of data for the group as a whole are based on generalised linear models with repeated measures analysis of variance type models to examine group differences.ResultsFollow-up data were obtained for 82% of patients at 6 years. Over half the patients meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder at entry into the study no longer did so 6 years later. The gains of CBT–PD over TAU in reduction of suicidal behaviour seen after 1-year follow-up were maintained. Length of hospitalisation and cost of services were lower in the CBT–PD group compared with the TAU group.ConclusionsAlthough the use of CBT–PD did not demonstrate a statistically significant cost-effective advantage, the findings indicate the potential for continued long-term cost-offsets that accrue following the initial provision of 1 year of CBT–PD. However, the quality of life and affective disturbance remained poor.

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Characterizing Objective and Self-Reported Levels of Physical Activity Among Florida Firefighters Across Weight Status Category: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079920925505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 68 (11) ◽

pp. 513-518

Author(s):

Hannah Kling ◽

Katerina Santiago ◽

Leonor Benitez ◽

Natasha Schaefer Solle ◽

Alberto J. Caban-Martinez

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Weight Status ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Difference ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Probabilistic Sample

Background: Firefighters suffer from a disproportionally high burden of chronic diseases that could be prevented from regular bouts of physical activity (PA). The goal(s) of this pilot study were to (a) describe typical PA levels in professional paid firefighters, and (b) assess their ability to estimate their own levels of PA. Methods: A repeated measures study design was used to assess self-reported and objectively measured levels of PA from a non-probabilistic sample of firefighters ( n = 18) over 1 week. Objective measures of PA, measured by accelerometry were defined as the number of minutes spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Firefighters completed a follow-up questionnaire recording their self-reported levels of PA. Results: Obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) firefighters spent 8,033 ± 2,543 minutes/week in sedentary activity, overweight (BMI = 25–29 kg/m2) firefighters 6,533 ± 1,587 minutes/week, and healthy weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) firefighters 5,846 ± 1,160 minutes/week. The difference in self-reported weekly minutes spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity and objectively measured minutes in activity was calculated. Healthy weight firefighters reported the least difference (1,924 minutes/week), followed by the overweight (3,884 minutes/week) and obese (5,749 minutes/week). Conclusion/Application to Practice: Firefighters poorly estimated their true level of PA compared with their objectively measured PA and obese firefighters reported the greatest inconsistency. Occupational health nurses should aim to support firefighters in achieving PA levels that assist firefighters to achieve a healthy weight and educate them about what it means to be engaged in each level of PA.

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Effect of Mouth Rinse Treatments on Bleached Enamel Properties, Surface Morphology, and Tooth Color

Operative Dentistry ◽

10.2341/17-250-l ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 178-187

Author(s):

WF Vieira-Junior ◽

LN Ferraz ◽

MCC Giorgi ◽

GMB Ambrosano ◽

FHB Aguiar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Peroxide ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Linear Models ◽

Mouth Rinse ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tooth Color ◽

Color Changes ◽

Mouth Rinses

SUMMARY Objective: To evaluate, in vitro, the effect of mouth rinse exposure on bleached enamel. Methods: Enamel/dentin bovine blocks (4×4×2 mm) were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and were submitted to immersion twice daily for 14 days with different rinses (n=10), including those involving: distilled water (C [control]), 225-ppm NaF (FM, Colgate Plax Classic), essential oil (EM, Listerine Tartar Control), 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (HPM, Colgate Plax Whitening), and 2% hydrogen peroxide, pyrophosphates, and 225-ppm NaF (HPM+P, Colgate® Luminous White). The specimens were stored in a remineralizing solution during all experiments. Analyses of color (ΔE, L*, a*, b*) and roughness (Ra) were performed at the baseline, after HP, and after exposure to the rinse. The cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) and images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were assessed at the end. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (ΔE), repeated measures ANOVA (Ra), and split-plot ANOVA (CSMH), followed by the Tukey test. The L*, a*, and b* values were analyzed by generalized linear models (α=0.05). Results: Color changes were not statistically different in the groups. Ra increased in all groups after bleaching; however, it was reestablished in C, FM, and HPM+F and increased in EM after 14 days of the rinse. EM and HPM reduced the CSMH values differing from C and promoted alterations on the enamel surface visualized by SEM. Conclusion: The mouth rinses did not affect the whitening efficacy or promote benefits on bleached enamel properties. Moreover, the 1.5% hydrogen peroxide– or essential oil–based mouth rinses affected the bleached enamel properties, promoting an alteration in morphologic surface and mineral loss in depth.

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Is chronic low back pain a risk factor for diabetes? The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ◽

10.1136/bmjdrc-2018-000569 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000569 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ingrid Heuch ◽

Ivar Heuch ◽

Knut Hagen ◽

Elin Pettersen Sørgjerd ◽

Bjørn Olav Åsvold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Linear Models ◽

Age Groups ◽

Health Study ◽

Low Back ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the risk of diabetes associated with the presence or absence of chronic low back pain, considering both cross-sectional and cohort data.Research design and methodsAnalyses were based on the Norwegian HUNT2 and HUNT3 surveys of Nord-Trøndelag County. The prevalence of diabetes was compared in groups with and without chronic low back pain among 45 157 participants aged 30–69 years. Associations between low back pain at baseline and risk of diabetes were examined in an 11-year follow-up of 30 380 individuals with no baseline diagnosis of diabetes. The comorbidity between diabetes and low back pain was assessed at the end of follow-up. All analyses were carried out considering generalized linear models incorporating adjustment for other relevant risk factors.ResultsCross-sectional analyses did not reveal any association between low back pain and diabetes. With adjustment for age, body mass index, physical activity and smoking, the cohort study of women showed a significant association between low back pain at baseline and risk of diabetes (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.54, p=0.003). The association differed between age groups (p=0.015), with a stronger association in relatively young women. In men, no association was found in the whole age range (RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.86 to 1.21, p=0.82). No association was observed between diabetes and chronic low back pain at the end of follow-up.ConclusionAmong younger women, those with chronic low back pain may have an increased risk of diabetes.

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The Moderating Effect of Chronological Age on the Relation Between Neuroticism and Physical Functioning: Cross-Sectional Evidence From Two French Samples

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbu083 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 35-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Brice Canada ◽

Yannick Stephan ◽

Alban Jaconelli ◽

Paul R. Duberstein

Keyword(s):

Physical Functioning ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Cross Sectional

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Functional Aging Index Complements Frailty in Prediction of Entry Into Care and Mortality

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glz155 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (12) ◽

pp. 1980-1986 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Deborah Finkel ◽

Ola Sternäng ◽

Juulia Jylhävä ◽

Ge Bai ◽

Nancy L Pedersen

Keyword(s):

Predictive Value ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Biological Aging ◽

Growth Curve Models ◽

Aging Index ◽

Hazard Ratios

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to develop a functional aging index (FAI) that taps four body systems: sensory (vision and hearing), pulmonary, strength (grip strength), and movement (gait speed) and to test the predictive value of FAI for entry into care and mortality. Method Growth curve models and Cox regression models were applied to data from 1,695 individuals from three Swedish longitudinal studies of aging. Participants were aged 45–93 at intake and data from up to eight follow-up waves were available. Results The rate of change in FAI was twice as fast after age 75 as before, women demonstrated higher mean FAI, but no sex differences in rates of change with chronological age were identified. FAI predicted entry into care and mortality, even when chronological age and a frailty index were included in the models. Hazard ratios indicated that FAI was a more important predictor of entry into care for men than women, whereas it was a stronger predictor of mortality for men than women. Conclusions Measures of biological aging and functional aging differ in their predictive value for entry into care and mortality for men and women, suggesting that both are necessary for a complete picture of the aging process across genders.

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