scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Vision Impairment and Its Association With Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults in India: An Epidemiological Study

Author(s):  
Muhammad T ◽  
Drishti Drishti ◽  
Shobhit Srivast

Abstract BackgroundLike other major chronic diseases, vision impairment is an independently associated risk factor of cognitive decline among older individuals. We in this study, aim to investigate what are the predictors of vision impairment in old age and how impaired vision is associated with cognitive impairment among the aging population.MethodsThe present research used data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India. The effective sample size for the present study was 9541 older adults. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis was used to find the preliminary results. Further, binary logistic regression analysis was been done to fulfil the objective of the study.ResultsAbout 6 in every 10 older adults had a problem of vision impairment. Further, nearly 60% of older adults had cognitive impairment in India. Diabetes [OR: 1.55, CI: 1.32-1.81], hypertension [OR: 1.60, CI: 1.42-1.80], heart disease [OR: 1.43, CI: 1.16-1.76] and cataract [OR: 5.97, CI: 4.83-7.38] were the risk factors for vision impairment among older adults. It was revealed that the older adults who had vision impairment were 11% significantly more likely to have cognitive impairment when compared with the older adults who do not suffer from vision impairment [OR: 1.11, CI: 1.01-1.23]. Low psychological health [OR: 1.55; CI: 1.36, 1.77], low ADL [OR: 1.80; CI: 1.43, 2.27], low IADL [OR: 1.26; CI: 1.14, 1.40], poor self-rated health [OR: 1.28; CI: 1.15-1.41] and chronic morbidity [OR: 1.27; CI: 1.14, 1.41] were the significant factors for cognitive impairment among older adults in IndiaConclusionsAdditional efforts in terms of advocacy, availability, affordability, and accessibility especially in a country with a greater illiteracy rate are mandatory to increase the reach of eye-care services and reduce the prevalence of avoidable visual impairment and vision losses that lead to cognitive deficits among the older population.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shobhit Srivastava ◽  
Paramita Debnath ◽  
Neha Shri ◽  
T. Muhammad

AbstractWidowhood is a catastrophic event at any stage of life for the surviving partner particularly in old age, with serious repercussions on their physical, economic, and emotional well-being. This study investigates the association of marital status and living arrangement with depression among older adults. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the effects of factors such as socio-economic conditions and other health problems contributing to the risk of depression among older adults in India. This study utilizes data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-2017–18). The effective sample size was 30,639 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis have been performed to determine the prevalence of depression. Further, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association between marital status and living arrangement on depression among older adults in India. Overall, around nine percent of the older adults suffered from depression. 10.3% of the widowed (currently married: 7.8%) and 13.6% of the older adults who were living alone suffered from depression. Further, 8.4% of the respondents who were co-residing with someone were suffering from depression. Widowed older adults were 34% more likely to be depressed than currently married counterparts [AOR: 1.34, CI 1.2–1.49]. Similarly, respondents who lived alone were 16% more likely to be depressed compared to their counterparts [AOR: 1.16; CI 1.02, 1.40]. Older adults who were widowed and living alone were 56% more likely to suffer from depression [AOR: 1.56; CI 1.28, 1.91] in reference to older adults who were currently married and co-residing. The study shows vulnerability of widowed older adults who are living alone and among those who had lack of socio-economic resources and face poor health status. The study can be used to target outreach programs and service delivery for the older adults who are living alone or widowed and suffering from depression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Shekhar Chauhan ◽  
Ratna Patel ◽  
Shobhit Srivastava

Abstract Background Anaemia is a global health concern and is also a common comorbidity in multiple medical conditions. Very limited research is available examining anaemia among family members in India and across various countries. The present study aimed to examine the co-existence of the triple burden of anaemia among mother-father-child pairs in a family. Methods The data utilized was from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–16. The effective sample size for the study was 26,910 couples, along with children aged 6–59 months. The bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis were applied to assess the factors associated with family-level anaemia. In bivariate analysis, a chi-square test was performed to determine the association of socio-demographic factors with anaemic family. Results More than half of the mothers (57.5%) and their children (58%), along with 10% of fathers, were found to be anaemic; however, the co-existence of triple burden of anaemia among mother-father-child pairs was 4.7% in the study. The likelihood of family-level anaemia was low when both the parents were educated [OR: 0.69, CI: 0.58–0.81], and it was high when both the parents were employed [OR: 1.40 CI: 1.10–1.80]. Families from the Scheduled Tribe had a 62% higher likelihood to suffer from anaemia [OR: 1.62, CI: 1.33–1.97]. Conclusions The suggested interventions include early diagnosis, effective management, and treatment of anaemia. Moreover, adequate complementary feeding practices for children shall also be promoted. Parental education on nutrition is also required, and community interventions are needed to improve parental education on nutrition. At last, there is a need for greater policy and program attention to improving nutritional knowledge among mothers so as to tackle the triple burden of anaemia among mother-father-child pairs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Panat Piyakhunakorn ◽  
Nithimar Sermsuti-anuwat

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between periodontitis and oral health literacy among the older population in Thailand. MATERIAL & METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed between July 1 and September 30, 2020, in Panare district, Pattani province, Thailand. The inclusion criteria were older individuals more than 60 years of age who had at least six remaining teeth. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and oral health-related behaviors were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Oral health literacy was categorized using the Thai version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (HeLD‐Th). A trained examiner performed clinical periodontal examinations. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 216 independently living older adults participated and completed the study protocol. The initial analyses indicated significant associations between severe periodontitis and low oral health literacy (p = 0.029) and insufficient toothbrushing duration (p < 0.001). However, in multivariate analysis, only toothbrushing duration showed significant association (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Oral health literacy interventions and oral hygiene practices for improving periodontal health status among the Thai older adults are necessary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 644-644
Author(s):  
Takashi Amano ◽  
Carlos Andres Gallegos ◽  
William Waters ◽  
Wilma Freire

Abstract Early and timely diagnosis of dementia has been recognized as key to improving health outcomes. However, underdiagnosis among the indigenous population has not been adequately investigated. This study examines the association between indigenous ethnic identity and receiving a diagnosis of dementia and identifies factors associated with receiving a diagnosis of dementia. Data were drawn from Ecuador’s Survey of Health, Welfare and Aging (SABE) – 2009, based on a probability sample of households in Ecuador with at least one person 60 years or older. This is a robust data set that allows for understanding ethnic dimensions and disparities, especially because of the successful recruitment of indigenous households. The final sample consisted of 1,437 people who had cognitive impairment. Whether participants had ever been told that he/she had dementia was compared between the groups of people who identified themselves either as indigenous or others. Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized. Indigenous participants had a lower probability than others of receiving a diagnosis of dementia after controlling for health and function related covariates. This association became statistically insignificant after including socioeconomic factors in the model. The final model revealed that people who had higher educational attainment were more likely to receive a diagnosis of dementia. Findings suggest that underdiagnosis among indigenous older adults can be explained by their lower socioeconomic status rather than by health and functional status. This finding implies the possibility of developing strategies to promote timely diagnosis by targeting populations who are especially susceptible to underdiagnosis of dementia.


Author(s):  
Giovana Navarro Bertolini ◽  
Vanessa Ribeiro dos Santos ◽  
Marcelo José Alves ◽  
Paulo Cesar Marini Cervellini ◽  
Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro ◽  
...  

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p713 Sedentary behavior refers to activities with low energy expenditure, usually performed in sitting or lying positions, and includes behavior belonging to the current lifestyle, such as watching television. In the course of aging, this activity is performed for longer periods by individuals on a daily basis. This is worrying, since aging associated with sedentary behavior accentuates functionality decline. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between high leisure-time sedentary behavior and low functionality in older adults. The sample consisted of 375 older adults aged 60-97 years (70 ± 7 years), and of these, 114 (30%) were men and 261 (70%) women. Functionality was assessed by two functional tests and information related to sedentary behavior was obtained using the self-reported physical activity questionnaire proposed by Baecke et al. The chi-square test was used to verify the association between sedentary behavior and functionality, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to build the multiple model. Older individuals with high leisure-time sedentary behavior were more likely to have low functionality [OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.40 to 4.71] and [OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.29 to 4.29] regardless of gender, age, smoking, osteoporosis, arthritis / osteoarthritis, low back pain and physical activity. Extended permanence in sedentary behavior was associated with low functionality in older subjects. Preventive measures to stimulate the practice of physical activities and encourage the reduction of time spent in sedentary activities such as watching television should be adopted by health professionals in an attempt to maintain functionality among older adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282199770
Author(s):  
Prem Shankar Mishra ◽  
Debashree Sinha ◽  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Shobhit Srivastava ◽  
T. S. Syamala

The present study investigated linkages between multiple socio-economic vulnerabilities with infant and child mortality in India and its specific regions. Data from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16) was used for calculating the key-outcome variables, namely infant mortality and child mortality. The effective sample size for the study was 259,627. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were employed to examine three dimensions of vulnerabilities such as education, wealth, and caste on infant and child mortality. Children born to women with multiple-vulnerabilities were more likely to die than those born to non-vulnerable women. Women who were vulnerable in all the three-dimensions were more likely to have their children die as infants than those who were not vulnerable in any dimensions (predicted probabilities; 0.054 vs 0.026). The predicted probability for child mortality was 0.063 for women who were vulnerable and 0.028 for non-vulnerable women.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Muhammad ◽  
Shobhit Srivastava

Abstract Background Losing teeth has been considered as part of normal aging. However, in developing countries, tooth loss among older adults is shown to be more negatively associated with self-image and quality of life compared to their western counterparts. This study examines the association of tooth loss with self-rated health and psychological and subjective wellbeing among older adults in India. Methods Data were derived from the "Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India" (BKPAI) survey which was carried out in 2011. The final sample size for the analysis was 9231 older adults. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis along with binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to fulfil the objective of the study. Results A proportion of 12.3% of older adults reported complete tooth loss. It was found that older adults who reported tooth loss were 2.38 times significantly more likely to have poor self-rated health (SRH) [2.38; CI: 1.99,2.83] than older adults who did not report tooth loss. The odds of low psychological health were high among older adults who suffered from tooth loss than their counterparts [OR: 1.59; CI: 1.33,1.91]. Older adults who reported tooth loss had 65% significantly higher odds of low subjective well-being than older adults who did not report tooth loss [OR: 1.65; CI: 1.38,1.97]. Conclusion Complete loss of teeth is associated with older individuals’ poor SRH as well as low psychological and subjective well-being, but such a consequence is avoidable by practising the efforts to maintain good oral health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Muhammad ◽  
Shobhit Srivastava ◽  
T. V. Sekher

Abstract Background Greater cognitive performance has been shown to be associated with better mental and physical health and lower mortality. The present study contributes to the existing literature on the linkages of self-perceived income sufficiency and cognitive impairment. Study also provides additional insights on other socioeconomic and health-related variables that are associated with cognitive impairment in older ages. Methods Data for this study is derived from the 'Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India'. The final sample size for the analysis after removing missing cases was 9176 older adults. Descriptive along with bivariate analyses were presented to show the plausible associations of cognitive impairment with potential risk factors using the chi-square test. Also, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to provide the relationship between cognitive impairment and risk factors. The software used was STATA 14. Results About 43% of older adults reported that they had no source of income and 7.2% had income but not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Older adults with income but partially sufficient to fulfil their basic needs had 39% significantly higher likelihood to suffer from cognitive impairment than older adults who had sufficient income [OR: 1.39; OR: 1.21–1.59]. Likelihood of cognitive impairment was low among older adults with asset ownership than older adults with no asset ownership [OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72–0.95]. Again, older adults who work by compulsion (73.3%) or felt mental or physical stress due to work (57.6%) had highest percentage of cognitive impairment. Moreover, older adults with poor self-rated health, low instrumental activities of daily living, low activities of daily living, low subjective well-being and low psychological health were at increased risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion The study highlights the pressing need for care and support and especially financial incentives in the old age to preserve cognitive health. Further, while planning geriatric health care for older adults in India, priority must be given to financially backward, with no asset ownership, with poor health status, older-older, widowed, and illiterate older individuals, as they are more vulnerable to cognitive impairment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yang Jiang ◽  
Juan Li ◽  
Frederick A. Schmitt ◽  
Gregory A. Jicha ◽  
Nancy B. Munro ◽  
...  

Background: Early prognosis of high-risk older adults for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), using noninvasive and sensitive neuromarkers, is key for early prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. We have developed individualized measures in electrophysiological brain signals during working memory that distinguish patients with aMCI from age-matched cognitively intact older individuals. Objective: Here we test longitudinally the prognosis of the baseline neuromarkers for aMCI risk. We hypothesized that the older individuals diagnosed with incident aMCI already have aMCI-like brain signatures years before diagnosis. Methods: Electroencephalogram (EEG) and memory performance were recorded during a working memory task at baseline. The individualized baseline neuromarkers, annual cognitive status, and longitudinal changes in memory recall scores up to 10 years were analyzed. Results: Seven of the 19 cognitively normal older adults were diagnosed with incident aMCI for a median 5.2 years later. The seven converters’ frontal brainwaves were statistically identical to those patients with diagnosed aMCI (n = 14) at baseline. Importantly, the converters’ baseline memory-related brainwaves (reduced mean frontal responses to memory targets) were significantly different from those who remained normal. Furthermore, differentiation pattern of left frontal memory-related responses (targets versus nontargets) was associated with an increased risk hazard of aMCI (HR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.03, 2.08). Conclusion: The memory-related neuromarkers detect MCI-like brain signatures about five years before diagnosis. The individualized frontal neuromarkers index increased MCI risk at baseline. These noninvasive neuromarkers during our Bluegrass memory task have great potential to be used repeatedly for individualized prognosis of MCI risk and progression before clinical diagnosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 3518-3538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice M Harper ◽  
Lauren Clayson ◽  
Joanna M Wardlaw ◽  
Maria del C Valdés Hernández ◽  

Objective To analyse brain microbleed (BMB) progression, its possible underlying factors, and the influence of inter-observer differences, in older individuals with none or mild vascular pathology. Methods This study analysed magnetic resonance images, cognitive, demographic and laboratory data from all individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Neuroimaging Initiative database who had the required sequences for identifying BMBs over three consecutive years at the time the database was accessed (January 2016). BMBs were assessed independently by two observers with similar levels of experience. Results A total of 291 patients were included in the study. The number of individuals with BMBs and the number of BMBs per individual slightly and nonsignificantly increased across three consecutive years (Y1: 55/291 [19%]; Y2: 61/291 [21%]; Y3: 66/291 [23%]) with 1–2 BMBs and (Y1: 11/291 [4%]; Y2: 12/291 [4%]; Y3: 14/291 [5%]) with ≥ 3 BMBs. Both observers identified a similar pattern of BMB prevalence and progression in each cognitive group (normal < early/late mild cognitive impairment (MCI) > AD patients) despite inter-observer differences (1.5 BMBs, 95% confidence interval –3.7, 6.2], κ=0.543), which were mainly in the cortex. Serum cholesterol was the main predictor of change in BMB count between time-points but did not predict overall progression. Conclusions Inter-observer differences are always present and it is difficult to ascertain their influence in the analysis of BMB progression, which was observed in cognitively normal and MCI individuals, but not in AD patients. This should be confirmed in further studies.


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