scholarly journals The association between recently diagnosed cancer and incidence of falling in older adults: An exploratory study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Daniel Tough ◽  
Alan Batterham ◽  
Kirsti Loughran ◽  
Jonathan Robinson ◽  
John Dixon ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: More than one in three older adults (≥65 years) fall within a two-year period. Over one third of cancer diagnoses are among people aged ≥75 years. Falls research in the UK cancer population is limited and contradictory. The aim of this study was to explore the association between a cancer diagnosis and incidence of falls in older adults in England. METHODS: Data were extracted from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (an ongoing panel study) collected between 2002 and 2014, consisting of a representative cohort of older adults living in England. Baseline data were collected within two-years of a cancer diagnosis. Falls data were extracted from the subsequent two-year period. The unexposed group included those with no chronic conditions. The fully adjusted logistic regression analysis model included age, sex, wealth, and education level as covariates. We defined odds ratios between 0.67 and 1.5 as the region of practical equivalence. RESULTS: A total of 139 people had a type of cancer (exposed group) (Breast = 18.7%, Colon, Rectum or Bowel = 14.4%, Melanoma or Skin = 7.2%, Lung = 4.3%, Somewhere else = 51.8%) (70.6±7.1 years; 58.3%male) with 3,899 in the unexposed group (69.5±7.3 years; 54.6%male). The fully-adjusted odds ratio was 1.21 (95%CI: 0.81 to 1.82; P = 0.348). The probability of falling among the exposed group was 22.7%versus 19.5%for the unexposed group. CONCLUSION: The cancer and control groups were not statistically equivalent for falls incidence, and a meaningful positive association between cancer and falls cannot be ruled out. Further research is required to elucidate this relationship.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Herle ◽  
Andrea Smith ◽  
Feifei Bu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Daisy Fancourt

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of stay-at-home and lockdown measures. It is currently unknown if the experience of lockdown leads to long term changes in individual’s eating behaviors.Objective: The objectives of this study were: i) to derive longitudinal trajectories of change in eating during UK lockdown, and ii) to identify risk factors associated with eating behavior trajectories. Design: Data from 22,374 UK adults from the UCL COVID-19 Social study (a panel study collecting weekly data during the pandemic) were analyzed from 28th March to 29th May 2020. Latent Class Growth Analysis was used to derive trajectories of change in eating. These were then associated with prior socio-economic, heath-related and psychological factors using multinomial regression models. Results: Analyses suggested five trajectories, with the majority (64%) showing no change in eating. In contrast, one trajectory was marked by persistently eating more, whereas another by persistently eating less. Overall, participants with greater depressive symptoms were more likely to report any change in eating. Loneliness was linked to persistently eating more (OR= 1.07), whereas being single or divorced, as well as stressful life events, were associated with consistently eating less (OR= 1.69). Overall, higher education status was linked to lower odds of changing eating behavior (OR= 0.54-0.77). Secondary exploratory analyses suggest that participants self-reported to have overweight were most common amongst the consistently overeaters, whereas underweight participants persistently ate less. Conclusion: In this study, we found that one third of the sample report changes in quantities eaten throughout the first UK lockdown period. Findings highlight the importance of adjusting public health programs to support eating behaviors in future lockdowns both in this and potential future pandemics. This is particularly important as part of on-going preventive efforts to prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
Fatma Özpamuk-Karadeniz ◽  
Yusuf Karadeniz ◽  
Adnan Kaya ◽  
Servet Altay ◽  
Günay Can ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Mortality may increase in hypouricemia as well as inhyperuricemia. We assessed the predictive value of low serum uric acid (SUA) levels on the risk of overall mortality or a composite endpoint of death and nonfatal events. Materials and Methods: In 1013 community-based middle-aged adults, free of uncontrolled diabetes and coronary heart disease at baseline, the association of sex-specific SUA tertiles with defined outcomes was evaluated prospectively by logistic regression, stratified to gender and presence of type-2 diabetes, using recent criteria. Results: Totally, 43 deaths and additional incident nonfatal events in 157 cases were recorded at a median 3.4 years’ follow-up. Multivariable linear regression disclosed SUA to be significantly associated among non-diabetic individuals positively with creatinine, triglycerides, and body mass index in women further with fasted glucose. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis, sex-specifically dichotomized baseline uric acid (<5.1 and <4.1 mg/dL vs. higher values) significantly predicted the non-fatal events in the whole sample (relative risk (RR) 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02; 2.26]), as well as in men, while composite endpoint in the whole sample tended to rise (RR 1.38). Compared with the intermediate one, the top and bottom SUA tertiles combined tended to confer mortality risk (RR 2.40 [95% CI 0.89; 6.51]). Adverse outcomes in diabetic women were predicted by tertiles 2 and 3. Conclusions: Inverse association of SUA with adverse outcomes, especially in men, is consistent with the involvement of uric acid mass in autoimmune activation. The positive association of uric acid with adverse outcomes in diabetic women is likely mediated by concomitant high-density lipoprotein dysfunction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Jun-Hong Chen ◽  
Sojung Park

Abstract Solid evidence has shown financial resources play important roles in housing decisions among older adults. Despite the growing research on the joint assessment of income and assets as valid economic well-being, little attention is paid to its role in relocation in old age. Drawing from the Behavioral Model of Elderly Migration, this study examined to what extent financial resources are associated with the likelihood of moving in later years. The data came from the 2017 Panel Study of Income Dynamic (PSID). A sample of 1354 people, 65 years and older, was used in the analyses. We used the annuitized approach, which is different from conventional approaches that assume people draw down all available assets to satisfy daily needs and leave no assets for use in later years. We (1) assessed annuitized assets based on the 2019 IRS Mortality Table, (2) assessed yearly income using supplementary income (i.e. income plus non-discretionary expense). A final indicator of the summed score was used in a logistic regression to predict the likelihood of moving. A set of covariates known to affect later- year relocation at an individual level (e.g. health condition, living arrangement change), environmental level (e.g. rural, non-metro area) are controlled for. In clear conflict with previous studies, we found annual financial resources did not significantly influence relocation among older adults. The notable absence of the well-known role of the economic factor provides critical initial evidence about the importance of simultaneous assessment of financial resources for the literature on later year relocation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S700-S701
Author(s):  
Cristina Carias ◽  
Susanne Hartwig ◽  
M Nabi Kanibir ◽  
Ya-Ting Chen

Abstract Background While the burden of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) is well recognized in young children, it is less so in older adults. However, older adults are also at high-risk of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) severe outcomes. In this review, we thus aimed to comprehensively assess RGE burden and vaccination impact in older individuals. Methods We performed a systematic literature review with PubMed and Scopus, from 2000 to 2019, using MESH and free-range terms. We included only studies that reported the incidence, and/or RV vaccination impact, in adults aged 60 and above and using regional specific data-sources. Results We analyzed 11 manuscripts for individuals aged 60 and above (Figure 1). Studies spanned Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada (2), Germany (2), UK (2), and the US (2). Yearly inpatient RV incidence varied between 1.6 per 100,000 in Australia for those 65+ (retrospective database analyses, pre-vaccine); and 26 per 100,000 for those 85+ in Canada (modeling estimates for 2006-10, pre-vaccine). The incidence rate ratio for inpatient RGE between the post and pre-vaccine periods for those 65+ was 0.57 [95% CI: 0.10 – 3.15] in Canada, but 2.24 [95%CI: 1.78-2.83] in Australia, which may be due to increased testing for RV in the elderly post-vaccine. Reductions in the post-vaccination burden of RV and AGE among 60+ were reported in the UK (2 studies), and the US (2 studies) via retrospective database analyses In the UK, post-vaccine reductions in AGE health care-utilization were reported in the Emergency Department (21%), and outpatient centers (walk-in centers: 47%; general practice consultations: 36%). Retrospective database analyses documenting the incident rate ratio (IRR) of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in older adults between the pre and post-vaccine period. Retrospective database analyses documenting the incident rate ratio (IRR) of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in older adults between the pre and post-vaccine period. Conclusion While the burden of RGE mainly falls on young children, it also affects older adults. Retrospective database analyses reveal that, likely due to indirect vaccination benefits, increases in RV vaccination coverage have had an impact on lowering RGE, and AGE cases and healthcare utilization in older adults, a group at high-risk of severe outcomes for AGE. Disclosures Cristina Carias, PhD, Merck (Employee, Shareholder) Susanne Hartwig, n/a, MSD Vaccins (Employee) M.Nabi Kanibir, MD, Merck/MSD (Employee, Shareholder) Ya-Ting Chen, PhD, Merck & Co., Inc. (Employee, Shareholder)


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 673-673
Author(s):  
Isabel Margot-Cattin ◽  
Sophie Gaber ◽  
Nicolas Kuhne ◽  
Camilla Malinowski ◽  
Louise Nygard

Abstract For older adults to “age in place”, they need to keep engaged and mobile in their communities, whatever their health condition. The impact of age and cognitive decline on community mobility is a growing problem in Europe and worldwide. Engaging in occupations outside home implies being able to get to those places where activities are performed. Yet little is known regarding the types of places visited, maintained or abandoned for older adults with/without dementia. This study addresses community mobility needs through the places people visit, maintain or abandon. People with and without dementia, aged 55+, were interviewed using the Participation in ACTivities and Places OUTside the Home (ACT-OUT) questionnaire across Switzerland (n=70), Sweden (n=69) and the UK (n=128). Results show that people with dementia experience a higher rate of abandonment for more places than regular older adults. Insights about driving cessation and access to travel passes will be presented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Badenes-Ribera ◽  
Matteo A. Fabris ◽  
Claudio Longobardi

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of elder mistreatment (EM) in an Italian population and to determine the risk factors. The sample consisted of 393 older adults ( Mage = 77.07; standard deviation = 9.45) of whom 60.1% were females. The prevalence of EM was of 20.1%. Older elders who were separated, divorced, with a poor state of health, and problems of autonomy were more likely to experience EM. The most common forms of EM were physical/sexual (9.9%) and emotional mistreatment (9.9%). The most common perpetrators were paid caregivers and members of the victim’s family. A path analysis model suggested that limited autonomy and poor perceived health status appeared to be predictors of EM. We conclude that the results of this study have important implications in terms of reducing mistreatment of older adults. Understanding EM is essential to promoting equality, tolerance, and supportive attitudes and developing better prevention policies and practices.


Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Cutter A. Lindbergh ◽  
Heather Romero-Kornblum ◽  
Sophia Weiner-Light ◽  
J. Clayton Young ◽  
Corrina Fonseca ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives: The relationship between wisdom and fluid intelligence (Gf) is poorly understood, particularly in older adults. We empirically tested the magnitude of the correlation between wisdom and Gf to help determine the extent of overlap between these two constructs. Design: Cross-sectional study with preregistered hypotheses and well-powered analytic plan (https://osf.io/h3pjx). Setting: Memory and Aging Center at the University of California San Francisco, located in the USA. Participants: 141 healthy older adults (mean age = 76 years; 56% female). Measurements: Wisdom was quantified using a well-validated self-report-based scale (San Diego Wisdom Scale or SD-WISE). Gf was assessed via composite measures of processing speed (Gf-PS) and executive functioning (Gf-EF). The relationships of SD-WISE scores to Gf-PS and Gf-EF were tested in bivariate correlational analyses and multiple regression models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, and education). Exploratory analyses evaluated the relationships between SD-WISE and age, episodic memory performance, and dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortical volumes on magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Wisdom showed a small, positive association with Gf-EF (r = 0.181 [95% CI 0.016, 0.336], p = .031), which was reduced to nonsignificance upon controlling for demographics, and no association with Gf-PS (r = 0.019 [95% CI −0.179, 0.216], p = .854). Wisdom demonstrated a small, negative correlation with age (r = −0.197 [95% CI −0.351, −0.033], p = .019), but was not significantly related to episodic memory or prefrontal volumes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that most of the variance in wisdom (>95%) is unaccounted for by Gf. The independence of wisdom from cognitive functions that reliably show age-associated declines suggests that it may hold unique potential to bolster decision-making, interpersonal functioning, and other everyday activities in older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-171
Author(s):  
Eka Putri Rahmadhani ◽  
Ani Margawati ◽  
Apoina Kartini

Background: A work environment that is exposed to heavy metals, such as a coal mining environment, can change fat metabolism in the body. Changes in fat metabolism will lead to cardiovascular disease. Consumption of dairy products, e.g. whey protein, can reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.Objectives: To test and analyze the differences in triglyceride levels before and after whey protein intervention to field workers with different working conditions.Materials and Methods: This experimental research with pretest and posttest was conducted on field workers at PT Bukit Asam Tbk. Tarahan Port Unit, Lampung as an Arsenic exposed group and PTPN VII Way Berulu Business Unit as an Arsenic unexposed group. Both groups received 24 grams of whey protein daily for 28 days. The triglyceride levels before and after the intervention were measured by laboratory analysis using the enzymatic calorimetry method. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Wilcoxon test.Results: The average triglyceride levels increased by 50.48 ± 98.09 mg/dL in the exposed group and 16.78 ± 67.67 mg/dL in the unexposed group. There was a significant difference in triglyceride levels before and after the whey protein intervention in the two groups.Conclusions: The whey protein intervention increased the triglyceride level in the exposed group and decreased it in the unexposed group.


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