scholarly journals Advances and challenges in geroscience research: An update

2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Yabluchanskiy ◽  
Z Ungvari ◽  
A Csiszar ◽  
S Tarantini
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wide Range

Aging remains the most pervasive risk factor for a wide range of chronic diseases that afflict modern societies. In the United States alone, incidence of age-related diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, cancer, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoarthritis) is on the rise, posing an unsustainable socioeconomic burden even for the most developed countries. Tackling each and every age-related disease alone is proving to be costly and ineffective. The emerging field of geroscience has posed itself as an interdisciplinary approach that aims to understand the relationship between the biology of aging and the pathophysiology of chronic age-related diseases. According to the geroscience concept, aging is the single major risk factor that underlies several age-related chronic diseases, and manipulation of cellular and systemic aging processes can delay the manifestation and/or severity of these age-related chronic pathologies. The goal of this endeavor is to achieve health improvements by preventing/delaying the pathogenesis of several age-related diseases simultaneously in the elderly population by targeting key cellular and molecular processes of aging instead of managing diseases of aging as they arise individually. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the field of geroscience, highlighting their implications for potential future therapeutic targets and the associated scientific challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

scholarly journals The Centenarians: An Emerging Population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan M. Heshmati
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Infection Type ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Life Threatening

Long life is a topic of great interest in medicine and among the general public. The “successful aging” which is a high priority for individuals and societies, is aging without any disabilities and severe diseases. In several countries, the increase in life expectancy has led the very old to become the fastest growing segment of the population. Centenarians are subjects living 100 years or older. The majority of centenarians are females (female to male ratio around 3.6/1). A very small fraction of centenarians (up to 0.5%) will live 110 years or older (supercentenarians). Most centenarians have managed to avoid, postpone, or overcome the important age-related and life-threatening diseases and disabilities (e.g., ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, respiratory infection, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia). Some forecasts suggest that most babies born in developed countries since 2000 will become centenarians. In 2020, the number of centenarians in the world was approximately 573,000, mainly from the United States of America (USA). This number could reach approximately 3,676,000 by 2050. In the absence of the genetic predisposition to become centenarian, there are several ways to extend longevity (e.g., lifestyle, reduction of several life-threatening diseases and disabilities, hormonal replacement or blockade, antioxidants, maintenance of a proper autophagic activity, stem cell therapy, and gene therapy). The continuous increase of the number of centenarians has worldwide practical implications including profound impact on intergenerational interactions and significant financial challenges for any society, especially in relation to medical expenses.

scholarly journals Sexuality in Later Life and Mental Health Among Older Black Gay Men

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-314
Author(s):  
Darlingtina Esiaka ◽  
Alice Cheng ◽  
Candidus Nwakasi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Sexual Identities ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Black Gay Men

Abstract Self-acknowledgement and integration of racial and sexual identities are significant to one’s overall sense of identity because of their implications for mental health and wellbeing. These issues are important as one ages because older people experience a wide range of factors that add layers to their ability to (re)integrate subsets of their identity into their overall self-identity such as age and age-related disabilities. This study examined the intersection of race and sexual identities on overall health status in older Black gay men, a demographic group that has historically received less attention. Data from the Social Justice Sexuality (SJS) survey of LGBTQ+ people of color which occurred over a 12-month period in the United States were analyzed. Participants (N=160), 50 years and over, responded to questions about their sexuality, social identity, family dynamics, community connection and engagement, and mental and physical health. Results show an association of mental wellbeing with racial and sexual identities. Further, results show that a strong sense of connection to other sexual minorities is positively associated with mental health in older Black gay men. We discuss the implication of findings for mental health interventions targeting this gendered population.

scholarly journals Age-Related Chronic Diseases and Alzheimer’s Disease in Texas: A Hispanic Focused Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-133
Author(s):  
Shyam Sheladia ◽  
P. Hemachandra Reddy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
American Population ◽  
Hispanic American ◽  
West Texas ◽  
Age Related

The emergence of age-related chronic diseases within the United States has led to the direct increase of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as other neurological diseases which ultimately contribute to the development of dementia within the general population. To be specific, age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and kidney disease contribute greatly to the advancement and rapid progression of dementia. Furthermore, unmodifiable risk factors such as advancing age and genetics as well as modifiable risk factors such as socioeconomic status, educational attainment, exercise, and diet further contribute to the development of dementia. Current statistics and research show that minority populations such as Hispanic Americans in the United States face the greatest burden of dementia due to the increase in the prevalence of overall population age, predisposing genetics, age-related chronic diseases, low socioeconomic status, as well as poor lifestyle choices and habits. Additionally, Hispanic Americans living within Texas and the rural areas of West Texas face the added challenge of finding appropriate healthcare services. This article will focus upon the research associated with AD as well as the prevalence of AD within the Hispanic American population of Texas and rural West Texas. Furthermore, this article will also discuss the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, unmodifiable risk factors, and modifiable risk factors which lead to the progression and development of AD within the Hispanic American population of the United States, Texas, and rural West Texas.

scholarly journals Impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: burden of patients receiving therapies in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeru Honda ◽  
Yasuo Yanagi ◽  
Hideki Koizumi ◽  
Yirong Chen ◽  
Satoru Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Total Work ◽  
Healthcare Resource Utilisation ◽  
Age Related

AbstractThe chronic eye disorder, neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), is a common cause of permanent vision impairment and blindness among the elderly in developed countries, including Japan. This study aimed to investigate the disease burden of nAMD patients under treatment, using data from the Japan National Health and Wellness surveys 2009–2014. Out of 147,272 respondents, 100 nAMD patients reported currently receiving treatment. Controls without nAMD were selected by 1:4 propensity score matching. Healthcare Resource Utilisation (HRU), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and work productivity loss were compared between the groups. Regarding HRU, nAMD patients had significantly increased number of visits to any healthcare provider (HCP) (13.8 vs. 8.2), ophthalmologist (5.6 vs. 0.8), and other HCP (9.5 vs. 7.1) compared to controls after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, nAMD patients had reduced HRQoL and work productivity, i.e., reduced physical component summary (PCS) score (46.3 vs. 47.9), increased absenteeism (18.14% vs. 0.24%), presenteeism (23.89% vs. 12.44%), and total work productivity impairment (33.57% vs. 16.24%). The increased number of ophthalmologist visits were associated with decreased PCS score, increased presenteeism and total work productivity impairment. The current study highlighted substantial burden for nAMD patients, requiring further attention for future healthcare planning and treatment development.

scholarly journals Considerations for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Targeting an Elderly Population

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 624
Author(s):  
Laura M. Stephens ◽  
Steven M. Varga
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is most commonly associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children. However, RSV also causes a high disease burden in the elderly that is often under recognized. Adults >65 years of age account for an estimated 80,000 RSV-associated hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in the United States annually. RSV infection in aged individuals can result in more severe disease symptoms including pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Given the large disease burden caused by RSV in the aged, this population remains an important target for vaccine development. Aging results in lowered immune responsiveness characterized by impairments in both innate and adaptive immunity. This immune senescence poses a challenge when developing a vaccine targeting elderly individuals. An RSV vaccine tailored towards an elderly population will need to maximize the immune response elicited in order to overcome age-related defects in the immune system. In this article, we review the hurdles that must be overcome to successfully develop an RSV vaccine for use in the elderly, and discuss the vaccine candidates currently being tested in this highly susceptible population.

Abstract T P136: Potential Contributors to the Declining Impact of Stroke Risk Factors with Age: Implications for Stroke Epidemiology in the Elderly

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Howard ◽  
Mary Cushman ◽  
Maciej Banach ◽  
Brett M Kissela ◽  
David C Goff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Stroke Risk Factors ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Age Related Changes

Purpose: The importance of stroke research in the elderly is increasing as America is “graying.” For most risk factors for most diseases (including stroke), the magnitude of association with incident events decreases at older ages. Potential changes in the impact of risk factors could be a “true” effect, or could be due to methodological issues such as age-related changes in residual confounding. Methods: REGARDS followed 27,748 stroke-free participants age 45 and over for an average of 5.3 years, during which 715 incident strokes occurred. The association of the “Framingham” risk factors (hypertension [HTN], diabetes, smoking, AFib, LVH and heart disease) with incident stroke risk was assessed in age strata of 45-64 (Young), 65-74 (Middle), and 75+ (Old). For those with and without an “index” risk factor (e.g., HTN), the average number of “other” risk factors was calculated. Results: With the exception of AFib, there was a monotonic decrease in the magnitude of the impact across the age strata, with HTN, diabetes, smoking and LVH even becoming non-significant in the elderly (Figure 1). However, for most factors, the increasing prevalence of other risk factors with age impacts primarily those with the index risk factor absent (Figure 2, example HTN as the “index” risk factor). Discussion: The impact of stroke risk factors substantially declined at older ages. However, this decrease is partially attributable to increases in the prevalence of other risk factors among those without the index risk factor, as there was little change in the prevalence of other risk factors in those with the index risk factor. Hence, the impact of the index risk factor is attenuated by increased risk in the comparison group. If this phenomenon is active with latent risk factors, estimates from multivariable analysis will also decrease with age. A deeper understanding of age-related changes in the impact of risk factors is needed.

scholarly journals Introduction to the multi-author review on macular degeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu Kauppinen
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Severe Vision Loss ◽  
Author Review ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

AbstractProlonged life expectancies contribute to the increasing prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is already the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly in developed countries. In dry AMD, the disease culminates into vast retinal atrophy, whereas the wet form is characterized by retinal edema and sudden vision loss due to neovascularization originating from the choroid beneath the Bruch’s membrane. There is no treatment for dry AMD and despite intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that suppress the neovessel formation, also wet AMD needs new therapies to prevent the disease progression and to serve patients lacking of positive response to current medicines. Knowledge on disease mechanisms is a prerequisite for the drug development, which is hindered by the multifactorial nature of AMD. Numerous distinguished publications have revealed AMD mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level and in this multi-author review, we take a bit broader look at the topic with some novel aspects.

scholarly journals Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Bibliometric Review From 2001 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guozhen Yuan ◽  
Jingjing Shi ◽  
Qiulei Jia ◽  
Shuqing Shi ◽  
Xueping Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Subject Categories ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Topic Distribution

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious threat to global public health due to its high prevalence and disability rate. Meanwhile, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has attracted increasing attention for its positive effects on the cardiovascular system. There is overwhelming evidence that CR for patients with CVD is effective in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To learn more about the development of CR, 5,567 papers about CR and related research were retrieved in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2001 to 2020. Then, these publications were scientometrically analyzed based on CiteSpace in terms of spatiotemporal distribution, author distribution, subject categories, topic distribution, and references. The results can be elaborated from three aspects. Firstly, the number of annual publications related to CR has increased year by year in general over the past two decades. Secondly, a co-occurrence analysis of the output countries and authors shows that a few developed countries such as the United States, Canada, and the UK are the most active in carrying out CR and where regional academic communities represented by Sherry Grace and Ross Arena were formed. Thirdly, an analysis of the subject categories and topic distribution of the papers reveals that CR is a typical interdiscipline with a wide range of disciplines involved, including clinical medicine, basic medicine, public health management, and sports science. The research topics cover the participants and implementers, components, and the objectives and requirements of CR. The current research hotspots are the three core modalities of CR, namely patient education, exercise training and mental support, as well as mobile health (mHealth) dependent on computer science. In conclusion, this work has provided some useful information for acquiring knowledge about CR, including identifying potential collaborators for researchers interested in CR, and discovering research trends and hot topics in CR, which can offer some guidance for more extensive and in-depth CR-related studies in the future.

Integrated System for Continuous Monitoring of COPD

2016 ◽  
pp. 536-553
Author(s):  
Kostas Giokas ◽  
Dimitra Iliopoulou ◽  
Ioannis Makris ◽  
Dimitris Koutsouris
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Tobacco Smoke ◽  
Chronic Cough ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive pulmonary disease characterized by reduction in airflow and is not fully reversible. COPD is the major cause of mortality and increased levels of disability, particularly in the elderly. Symptoms vary among individuals and include breathlessness, dyspnea, abnormal sputum and chronic cough. Exposure to tobacco smoke is by far the most important risk factor in the development of COPD and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. In this chapter the authors will present a system for the integrated care of COPD focusing on prevention and intervention.

scholarly journals Preventing chronic disease risk factors: Rationale and feasibility

Medicina ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Jordan ◽  
Megan Slater ◽  
Thomas Kottke
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Chronic Disease Risk ◽  
Risk Factor Prevention

Objective. The majority of the mortality, morbidity, and disability in the United States and other developed countries is due to chronic diseases. These diseases could be prevented to a great extent with the elimination of four root causes: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, and hazardous drinking. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether efficacious risk factor prevention interventions exist and to examine the evidence that populationwide program implementation is justified. Materials and methods. We conducted a literature search for meta-analyses and systematic reviews of trials that tested interventions to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, reduce smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and reduce hazardous drinking. Results. We found that appropriately designed interventions can produce behavioral change for the four behaviors. Effective interventions included tailored fact-to-face counseling, phone counseling, and computerized tailored feedback. Computer-based health behavior assessment with feedback and education was documented to be an effective method of determining behavior, assessing participant interest in behavior change and delivering interventions. Some programs have documented reduced health care costs associated with intervention. Conclusions. Positive results to date suggest that further investments to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of chronic disease risk factor prevention programs are warranted. Widespread implementation of these programs could have a significant impact on chronic disease incidence rates and costs of health care.

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