scholarly journals Multimorbidity patterns and their relationship to mortality in the US older adult population

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245053
Author(s):  
D. Diane Zheng ◽  
David A. Loewenstein ◽  
Sharon L. Christ ◽  
Daniel J. Feaster ◽  
Byron L. Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cognitively Impaired ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Respiratory Condition ◽  
The Us ◽  
Older Adult Population

Background Understanding patterns of multimorbidity in the US older adult population and their relationship with mortality is important for reducing healthcare utilization and improving health. Previous investigations measured multimorbidity as counts of conditions rather than specific combination of conditions. Methods This cross-sectional study with longitudinal mortality follow-up employed latent class analysis (LCA) to develop clinically meaningful subgroups of participants aged 50 and older with different combinations of 13 chronic conditions from the National Health Interview Survey 2002–2014. Mortality linkage with National Death Index was performed through December 2015 for 166,126 participants. Survival analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between LCA classes and all-cause mortality and cause specific mortalities. Results LCA identified five multimorbidity groups with primary characteristics: “healthy” (51.5%), “age-associated chronic conditions” (33.6%), “respiratory conditions” (7.3%), “cognitively impaired” (4.3%) and “complex cardiometabolic” (3.2%). Covariate-adjusted survival analysis indicated “complex cardiometabolic” class had the highest mortality with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 5.30, 99.5% CI [4.52, 6.22]; followed by “cognitively impaired” class (3.34 [2.93, 3.81]); “respiratory condition” class (2.14 [1.87, 2.46]); and “age-associated chronic conditions” class (1.81 [1.66, 1.98]). Patterns of multimorbidity classes were strongly associated with the primary underlying cause of death. The “cognitively impaired” class reported similar number of conditions compared to the “respiratory condition” class but had significantly higher mortality (3.8 vs 3.7 conditions, HR = 1.56 [1.32, 1.85]). Conclusion We demonstrated that LCA method is effective in classifying clinically meaningful multimorbidity subgroup. Specific combinations of conditions including cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms have a substantial detrimental impact on the mortality of older adults. The numbers of chronic conditions experienced by older adults is not always proportional to mortality risk. Our findings provide valuable information for identifying high risk older adults with multimorbidity to facilitate early intervention to treat chronic conditions and reduce mortality.

The Effect of Gender on Foot Anthropometrics in Older People

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Paiva de Castro ◽  
José Rubens Rebelatto ◽  
Thaís Rabiatti Aurichio
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Arch Index ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Older Men And Women

Context:Some questions remain regarding the anthropometric differences between the feet of young men and women, but the gap is much greater when dealing with older adults. No studies were found concerning these differences in an exclusively older adult population, which makes it difficult to manufacture shoes based on the specific anthropometric measurements of the older adult population and according to gender differences.Objective:To identify differences between the anthropometric foot variables of older men and women.Design:Cross-sectional.Participants:154 older women (69.0 ± 6.8 y) and 131 older men (69.0 ± 6.5 y).Main Outcome Measures:The foot evaluations comprised the variables of width, perimeter, height, length, 1st and 5th metatarsophalangeal angles, the Arch Index (AI), and the Foot Posture Index (FPI). A data analysis was performed using t test and a post hoc power analysis.Results:Women showed significantly higher values for the width and perimeter of the toes, width of the metatarsal heads, and width of the heel and presented significantly lower values for the height of the dorsal foot after normalization of the data to foot length. The 1st and 5 th metatarsophalangeal angles were smaller in the men. There were no differences between men and women with respect to AI and FPI.Conclusions:Overall, the current study shows evidence of differences between some of the anthropometric foot variables of older men and women that must be taken into account for the manufacture of shoes for older adults.

scholarly journals Use of potentially inappropriate medication and polypharmacy in older adults: a repeated cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine Thorell ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Johan Fastbom ◽  
Anders Halling
Keyword(s):  
Older Adult ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

Abstract Background: Potential inappropriate medications (PIM) have an increased risk for adverse drug reactions (ADR) in an older adult population. With increasing age, multimorbidity is growing along with the use of medications. For several years, polypharmacy has been found to increase in western societies. Polypharmacy is associated with an increased risk of ADR. In this study, we analysed the prevalence of PIM in an older adult population and in different strata of the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy and how that prevalence changed over time. Methods: This is a registry based repeated cross-sectional study including two cohorts. Individuals aged 75 or older listed at a primary care centre in Blekinge on the 31st March 2011 (cohort 1) or on the 31st December 2013 (cohort 2) were included in the respective cohorts. Using a chi2 test, the two cohorts were compared on the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Use of five or more medications at the same time was the definition for polypharmacy. Results: Use of PIM decreased from 10.60% to 7.04% (p-value 0.000) between 2011 and 2013, while prevalence of five to seven chronic conditions increased from 20.55% to 23.66% (p-value 0.000). Use of PIM decreased in all strata of the variables age, gender number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Except for age 80 to ≤ 85 and males, where it increased, prevalence of polypharmacy was stable in all strata of the variables. Conclusions: Use of potentially inappropriate medications had decreased in all variables between 2011 and 2013. Polypharmacy does not increase significantly compared to the rest of the population.

scholarly journals COLAEVA: Visual Analytics and Data Mining Web-Based Tool for Virtual Coaching of Older Adult Populations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7991
Author(s):  
Jon Kerexeta Sarriegi ◽  
Andoni Beristain Iraola ◽  
Roberto Álvarez Sánchez ◽  
Manuel Graña ◽  
Kristin May Rebescher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Virtual Coaching ◽  
Evolution Analysis ◽  
Older Adult Population

The global population is aging in an unprecedented manner and the challenges for improving the lives of older adults are currently both a strong priority in the political and healthcare arena. In this sense, preventive measures and telemedicine have the potential to play an important role in improving the number of healthy years older adults may experience and virtual coaching is a promising research area to support this process. This paper presents COLAEVA, an interactive web application for older adult population clustering and evolution analysis. Its objective is to support caregivers in the design, validation and refinement of coaching plans adapted to specific population groups. COLAEVA enables coaching caregivers to interactively group similar older adults based on preliminary assessment data, using AI features, and to evaluate the influence of coaching plans once the final assessment is carried out for a baseline comparison. To evaluate COLAEVA, a usability test was carried out with 9 test participants obtaining an average SUS score of 71.1. Moreover, COLAEVA is available online to use and explore.

Communicating with the Older Adult Cancer Patient

2021 ◽  
pp. 678-684
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Parker ◽  
Smita C. Banerjee ◽  
Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Multiple Morbidity ◽  
Older Adult Population

The older adult population continues to increase. Among all known risk factors for developing cancer, the most important is growing old. Thus, caring for older adults with cancer is of increasing importance. This chapter describes important considerations involved in communicating with cancer patients including sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, multiple morbidity, polypharmacy, and psychological distress. It also describes how stereotyping and ageism affect communication with older adults with cancer. Finally, the chapter discusses ways to facilitate communication with older adult cancer patients and their families and provides an example of a training program that was created specifically to enhance communication between healthcare providers and older adult cancer patients and their families.

Developing a model of resilience in older adulthood: a qualitative meta-synthesis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Claire A. Wilson ◽  
Deanna Walker ◽  
Donald H. Saklofske
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Qualitative Literature

Abstract The study of resilience in an older adult population is expanding rapidly. However, most theoretical models of resilience have been developed with children or young to middle-aged adults. The objective of the present study was to review systematically the qualitative literature examining resilience in older adults, and to develop a comprehensive model of resilience in older adulthood. A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to review the qualitative literature examining resilience from older adults’ perspectives. An exhaustive search of the literature revealed 1,752 articles. From these articles, 34 studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Across the 34 studies analysed, eight themes were revealed as important for achieving resilience later in life: perseverance and determination, self-efficacy and independence, purpose and meaning, positive perspective, social support, faith and prayer, previous experience and being proactive. These themes can be organised into a four-factor model: (a) Intrapersonal Protective Factors; (b) Interpersonal Protective Factors; (c) Spiritual Protective Factors; and (d) Experiential Protective Factors. This study presents a new model of resilience in older adulthood that is grounded in qualitative literature and is relevant and appropriate for an older adult population. This research may be useful for clinicians, support workers and researchers working with older individuals through improving our understanding of what contributes to resilience later in life.

scholarly journals Association between the Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilo Gómez ◽  
Miguel German Borda Borda ◽  
Mario Ulises Pérez ◽  
Pamela Tella Vega ◽  
Carlos Alberto Cano Gutiérrez
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Proton Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Risk Increase ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
State Examination

Objective: The objective was to describe the association between the presence of cognitive impairment and the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the older adult population in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: We analyzed the SABE Bogotá study. This study included 2,000 people over 60 years, in a cross-sectional sample. The variable of interest was the alteration in the modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-M). It was related to the use of PPI. This analysis was adjusted for factors such as sex, age, years of schooling and marital status. Results: The average age was 71.17±8.05 years, 63.4% were women. We found that 20.7% used PPIs, with an average duration of use of 74.8±93.76 months. 12.6% of older adults had altered MMSE-M, with a higher prevalence in PPI users (25.4% vs. 20.02%; p: 0.049). In the multivariate analysis, an association of adjusted risk increase was found between cognitive impairment and the use of PPIs for ≥24 months (OR: 1.90; CI: 1.11-3.24; p = 0.018). Conclusions: This study shows an association of a significant increase in the risk between using PPIs for ≥ 24 months and developing cognitive impairment. More studies are needed to conclude a direct causality relationship.

scholarly journals Characteristics and Circumstances of Falls in the Community-Dwelling Older Adult Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272094050 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Pilar Molés Julio ◽  
Ana Lavedán Santamaría ◽  
Teresa Botigué Satorra ◽  
Olga Masot Ariño ◽  
Aurora Esteve Clavero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Randomized Sampling ◽  
Older Adult Population

Objective: The study aimed to describe the characteristics and circumstances of falls in the community-dwelling older adult population. Design: This was a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study involving primary health care centers in Lleida and Castellón de la Plana, Spain. Randomized sampling was used to include 966 individuals aged 75 years or older residing in single-family homes and in possession of a health care card. Data were obtained using the Survey on Fragility in Older People in Lleida (FRALLE survey). Study variables included the occurrence of falls in the past year and fall characteristics such as whether it was a first or successive fall, cause, season, and time of the day the fall occurred, whether the respondent fell flat on the ground, and time the participant remained on the floor. Other variables involved the circumstances of the fall, including the general location of the fall and specific location within the home if applicable, lighting/weather conditions, objects which may have precipitated the fall, floor conditions, and type of footwear. Results: The prevalence of falls was 25.9% with regard to the previous year, with 70% of these participants reporting having fallen previously. Falls most often occurred by accident, during the daytime, and in the winter. Variables that showed statistical significance with regard to age group were: falling flat on the ground ( P = .031), fall location ( P = .000), presence of an object favoring the fall ( P = .039), floor conditions ( P = .011), and type of footwear ( P = .029). By sex, variables that showed statistical significance included the need for assistance to get up ( P = .045) and type of footwear ( P = .028). Conclusions: The prevalence of falls was found to be similar in the studied cities. The results show the most common characteristics and circumstances of falls in older adults in the community, making it possible to guide future preventive strategies.

scholarly journals BMI, waist-to-height ratio and body fat mass in older adults: results from the Pronutrisenior project

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Correia ◽  
Bruno M. P. M. Oliveira ◽  
Rui Poínhos ◽  
Anzhela Sorokina ◽  
Cláudia Afonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Body Fat Mass ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Waist To Height Ratio ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Geographical Characteristics

AbstractNear 20% of the Portuguese population is aged 65 years or above, a value similar to most developed countries. This older adult population also suffers from obesity and obesity-related pathologies. The environment encompasses a set of obesity determinants and knowing the associations between the environment and obesity may help health professionals and caregivers to provide for the older adults.In this study, we aimed to relate anthropometric measures with socio-demographic data in older adults.This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Pronutrisenior project, collected in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. The sample consists of 456 older adults, aged 65 to 92 years without cognitive impairment. The sample consisted of older adults living at their homes. Socio-demographic, clinical, geographical, and anthropometric data was collected. The statistical analysis used IBM-SPSS-22.0 and consisted on descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and UniANOVA. Significantly results (p < 0.05) are reported.These older adults were mostly females (54.2%) with a mean age of 73.8 years (sd = 6.3), mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.1kg/m2 (sd = 4.8), mean waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of 0.623 (sd = 0.073) and mean percentage of body fat mass (%BFM) of 40.7% (sd = 8.9%) for females and 30.2% (sd = 8.5%) for males. BMI, WHtR and %BFM were positively correlated. In this sample of older adults, higher values of these measures were associated to being female, younger, less educated; to having articular pains and respiratory problems, and not having insomnia, hypertension, chewing problems nor hearing problems; to drink more liquids but not consuming dairy products daily; to not take nutritional supplements but to take more medicines; to be without somebody to talk to and to be more dependent; and to live in a house without stairs to climb and to live near other older adults, and in a more urbanized area with streets with steeper slopes.In this sample of older adults, obesity is related with health characteristics and those are related with socio-demographic and geographical characteristics of the area of residence. Besides the identification of risk factors for the older adult population, this information may help designing health care policies that takes in consideration the physical and geographical characteristics of the neighbourhood of the area of residence of the older adults.

A Survey of Mobile Phone Use in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Older Adult Population

Mobile phone adoption by older adults is radically increasing. As a part of multiple empirical studies to improve older adults' experiences with mobile phones, a survey was conducted to investigate a number of specific aspects of mobile phone use in the older adult population including motives of ownership, usage patterns, preferences on mobile phone features, and perceived usability of their own phones. A total of 154 older adults from 20 states of the United States who owned a mobile phone participated in this study. Results indicated that participants used a few basic features of mobile phones since they used them mainly for personal communication and safety reasons. Overall, participants perceived that their current phones offered marginal “ease of use”, but they found most usability problems with understanding error messages, inputting text, and understanding user manuals. The majority of older adults (over 50%) desired a phone with basic features that include making /receiving a call, phonebook, emergency call, voice message checking, speed dial, ringer change, and clock. However, effects of age and gender were found on mobile phone usage patterns and design preferences, which suggest a need of focusing on diverse groups within the older adult population.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document