scholarly journals Sex differences in multimorbidity and polypharmacy trends: A repeated cross-sectional study of older adults in Ontario, Canada

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250567
Author(s):  
Colleen J. Maxwell ◽  
Luke Mondor ◽  
Anna J. Pefoyo Koné ◽  
David B. Hogan ◽  
Walter P. Wodchis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Background Multimorbidity is increasing among older adults, but the impact of these recent trends on the extent and complexity of polypharmacy and possible variation by sex remains unknown. We examined sex differences in multimorbidity, polypharmacy (5+ medications) and hyper-polypharmacy (10+ medications) in 2003 vs 2016, and the interactive associations between age, multimorbidity level, and time on polypharmacy measures. Methods and findings We employed a repeated cross-sectional study design with linked health administrative databases for all persons aged ≥66 years eligible for health insurance in Ontario, Canada at the two index dates. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted; models included interaction terms between age, multimorbidity level, and time period to estimate polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy probabilities, risk differences and risk ratios for 2016 vs 2003. Multimorbidity, polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy increased significantly over the 13 years. At both index dates prevalence estimates for all three were higher in women, but a greater absolute increase in polypharmacy over time was observed in men (6.6% [from 55.7% to 62.3%] vs 0.9% [64.2%-65.1%] for women) though absolute increases in multimorbidity were similar for men and women (6.9% [72.5%-79.4%] vs 6.2% [75.9%-82.1%], respectively). Model findings showed that polypharmacy decreased over time among women aged < 90 years (especially for younger ages and those with fewer conditions), whereas it increased among men at all ages and multimorbidity levels (with larger absolute increases typically at older ages and among those with 4 or fewer conditions). Conclusions There are sex and age differences in the impact of increasing chronic disease burden on changes in measures of multiple medication use among older adults. Though the drivers and health consequences of these trends warrant further investigation, the findings support the heterogeneity and complexity in the evolving association between multimorbidity and polypharmacy measures in older populations.

scholarly journals Sex differences in impact of sarcopenia on falls in community-dwelling Korean older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunsoo Soh ◽  
Chang Won Won
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Falls are one of the most serious health problems among older adults. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Due to potentially age-related conditions, both falls and sarcopenia have common risk factors. However, the association between sarcopenia and falls is controversial. Moreover, the sex differences in the impact of sarcopenia on falls is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the sex differences in the impact of sarcopenia, defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), on falls in Korean older adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study; 2323 community-dwelling older adults (1111 males and 1212 females) aged 70–84 years were recruited in this cross-sectional study. To evaluate sarcopenia, the AWGS diagnostic algorithm was used. We compared the faller and non-faller groups. We performed unadjusted and fully adjusted logistic regression analyses to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia, falls, and fall-related fractures. Results A total of 239 (24.1%) females in the faller group had a history of falls in the past year, which was statistically higher than that in males (176, 15.8%). In the fully adjusted model, handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 1.508, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028–2.211), and short physical performance battery (OR = 2.068, 95% CI = 1.308–3.271) were significantly lower in the male faller group. However, in the fully adjusted model, the female faller group only showed a significantly low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (OR = 1.419, 95% CI = 1.058–1.903). Conclusions This large cohort study aimed to identify the sex differences in the incidence of sarcopenia in the older Korean population, using the AWGS diagnostic algorithm, and its correlation with falls and fall-related fractures. The incidence of falls did not increase in the sarcopenia group. Among the sarcopenia components, sex differences affect the history of falls. Therefore, when studying the risk of falls in old age, sex differences should be considered.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of a Hilly Environment on Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4520
Author(s):  
Takafumi Abe ◽  
Kenta Okuyama ◽  
Tsuyoshi Hamano ◽  
Miwako Takeda ◽  
Masayuki Yamasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Although some neighborhood environmental factors have been found to affect depressive symptoms, few studies have focused on the impact of living in a hilly environment, i.e., land slope, on depressive symptoms among rural older adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether a land slope is associated with depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural areas. Data were collected from 935 participants, aged 65 years and older, who lived in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and defined on the basis of an SDS score ≥ 40. Land slopes within a 400 m network buffer were assessed using geographic information systems. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 215 (23.0%) participants reported depressive symptoms. The land slope was positively associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) after adjusting for all confounders. In a rural setting, living in a hillier environment was associated with depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

scholarly journals Sex differences in psychophysical and neurophysiological responses to pain in older adults: a cross-sectional study

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd B. Monroe ◽  
John C. Gore ◽  
Stephen P. Bruehl ◽  
Margaret M. Benningfield ◽  
Mary S. Dietrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Understanding Driving as an Everyday Activity: International Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 730-730
Author(s):  
Anne Dickerson ◽  
Isabelle Gelinas ◽  
Moon Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Fitness To Drive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Everyday Activity ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
International Perspectives ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This international symposium brings together leading occupational therapy researchers from around the world with a shared focus is on evaluating and improving the driving performance of older adults to decrease their crash risk and facilitate their community participation. In this session, five groups of international scholars will share their collective and individual research outcomes for driving as a means of community mobility. The first presentation will outline their collective international, cross-sectional study of 247 older adults from seven countries where the impact of driving on out-of-home mobility was compared. Each presentation that follows will then present results from innovative studies of ways in which to assess and address fitness to drive in older adulthood. Our discussant will summarize the potential expansion of the current work and engage the audience through interactive questions. Transportation and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals Sex Differences In Impact of Sarcopenia On Falls In Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Won Won ◽  
Yunsoo Soh
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: Falls are one of the most serious health problems among older adults. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Due to potentially age-related conditions, both falls and sarcopenia have common risk factors. However, the association between sarcopenia and falls is controversial.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study; 2,323 community-dwelling older adults (1,111 men and 1,212 women) aged 70–84 years were recruited in this cross-sectional study. To evaluate sarcopenia, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) diagnostic algorithm was used. We compared the faller and non-faller groups. Unadjusted and fully adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and falls.Results: A total of 239 (24.1%) women in the faller group had a history of falls in the past year, which was statistically higher than that in men (176, 15.8%). In the fully adjusted model, handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR]=1.508, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.028–2.211), short physical performance battery (OR=2.068, 95% CI=1.308–3.271), and 4-m walking speed (OR=3.499, 95% CI=2.044–5.991) were significantly lower in the male faller group. However, the female faller group only showed a significantly low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (OR=1.419, 95% CI=1.058–1.903) in the fully adjusted model.Conclusions: This large cohort study aimed to identify the incidence of sarcopenia in older Korean population using the AWGS diagnostic algorithm and its correlation with falls. The incidence of falls did not increase in the sarcopenia group. Among the sarcopenia components, sex differences affect the a history of falls. Therefore, when studying the risk of falls in old age, sex differences should be considered.

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