Anxiety disorders and age-related changes in physiology

Background Anxiety disorders are leading contributors to the global disease burden, highly prevalent across the lifespan and associated with substantially increased morbidity and early mortality. Aims The aim of this study was to examine age-related changes across a wide range of physiological measures in middle-aged and older adults with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders compared with healthy controls. Method The UK Biobank study recruited >500 000 adults, aged 37–73, between 2006 and 2010. We used generalised additive models to estimate non-linear associations between age and hand-grip strength, cardiovascular function, body composition, lung function and heel bone mineral density in a case group and in a control group. Results The main data-set included 332 078 adults (mean age 56.37 years; 52.65% women). In both genders, individuals with anxiety disorders had a lower hand-grip strength and lower blood pressure, whereas their pulse rate and body composition measures were higher than in the healthy control group. Case–control group differences were larger when considering individuals with chronic and/or severe anxiety disorders, and differences in body composition were modulated by depression comorbidity status. Differences in age-related physiological changes between females in the anxiety disorder case group and healthy controls were most evident for blood pressure, pulse rate and body composition, whereas this was the case in males for hand-grip strength, blood pressure and body composition. Most differences in physiological measures between the case and control groups decreased with increasing age. Conclusions Findings in individuals with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders differed from a healthy control group across multiple physiological measures, with some evidence of case–control group differences by age. The differences observed varied by chronicity/severity and depression comorbidity.

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Functional Polymorphism and Hand Grip Strength Impact the Association between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognition in Older Adults in the United States

Introduction Aging is associated with subtle cognitive decline in attention, memory, executive function, processing speed, and reasoning. Although lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been linked to cognitive decline among older adults, it is not known if the association differs among individuals with various BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) genotypes. In addition, it is not clear whether these associations vary by hand grip strength or physical activity (PA). Methods A total of 2904 older adults were included in this study using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Associations between serum BDNF and measures of cognitive function were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models stratified by Met allele status. PA and hand grip strength were added to the model to evaluate whether including these variables altered associations between serum BDNF and cognition. Results Mean age was 71.4 years old, and mean body mass index was 28.3 kg/m2. Serum BDNF levels were positively associated with higher total cognitive score (beta = 0.34, p = .07), mental status (beta = 0.16, p = .07), and word recall (beta = 0.22, p =.04) among Met carriers, while serum BDNF levels were negatively associated with mental status (beta = −0.09, p = .07) among non-Met carriers. Furthermore, associations changed when hand grip strength was added to the model but not when PA was added to the model. Conclusions The BDNF Val66Met variant may moderate the association between serum BDNF levels and cognitive function in older adults. Furthermore, such associations differ according to hand grip strength but not PA.

Influence of low, medium and high BMI on hand grip strength among community dwelling elderly population

ABSTRACT: - Aim of the study is to find out the influence of low, medium and high body mass index on hand grip strength among community dwelling elderly population. Methodology: - This was an observational cross-sectional study performed on 30 community dwelling elderly population with age groups 60 and above 60. Out of total 30 participants 8 were having low BMI, 9 were having medium BMI and 13 were having high BMI. BMI was calculated by taking weight (in kg) by using weighing machine and height in (meters). Hand grip strength was measured by using hand held (JAMER) dynamometer. Result: - Data has summarized by using descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation. Then Pearson correlation test was used to measure relation between hand grip strength and BMI.ANOVA technique was used for multiple group comparison by using graph pad software. By using Pearson corelation we got the result that there is positive corelation between High BMI with HGS and negative corelation between HGS with low and medium BMI. By using one-way ANOVA test we got (p value>0.05) which is non-significant. One way ANOVA shows comparison of hand grip strength of low, medium and high BMI and it is like H>M>L for both dominant and non-dominant. CONCLUSION: - Our study concludes from the above result that there is corelation between Hand grip strength and body mass index.

Stunting does not impair physical fitness in Indonesian school children

Background Physical fitness is decreased in malnourished children and adults. Poor appearance and muscular flaccidity are among the first signs of malnutrition. Malnutrition is often associated with stunting. Objectives We test the hypotheses that stunted children of low social strata are physically less fit than children of high social strata. Sample We investigated 354 school girls and 369 school boys aged 5.83 to 13.83 (mean 9.54) years from three different social strata in Kupang (West-Timor, Indonesia) in 2020. Methods We measured height, weight, and elbow breadth, calculated standard deviation (SDS) of height and weight according to CDC references, and the Frame index as an indicator of long-term physical fitness, and we tested physical fitness in standing long jump and hand grip strength. Results Children of low social strata are physically fittest. They jump longer distances, and they have higher values in the Frame index. No association exists between height SDS and physical fitness, neither in respect to standing long jump, nor to hand grip strength. Conclusion Stunting does not impair physical fitness in Indonesian school children. Our results support the concept that SEPE (social-economic-political-emotional) factors are involved in the regulation of human growth.

Correlation of dietary intake and physical activity with nutritional status, body composition and hand grip strength in elderly

ABSTRACT Background: Increased life expectancy has both positive and negative impacts. Elderly group are prone to nutritional issues and body function disorder such as sarcopenia. Factors including dietary intake and physical activity are contributors of sarcopenia.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation of dietary intake and physical activity with nutritional status, body composition and hand grip strength (HGS) in elderly.Materials and Methods: The study was held on July-October 2020 at the Panti Wredha Dharma Bakti Surakarta. This was a cross-sectional study of 54 elderly subjects. Subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. The data included height was measured using microtoise, while weight and body composition was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA). Dietary intake was obtained through comstock observation. Physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Hand grip strength values was measured by hand grip dynamometer. Data normality analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Bivariate test analyzed by Rank Spearman test.Results: Energy, carbohydrate and fat intake had no correlation with nutritional status, total body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass percentage (p value > 0.05), but there was a relationship between energy (p value = 0.33), carbohydrate (p value = 0.016) and fat intake (p value = 0.047) with visceral fat percentage. Physical activity had relation with nutritional status (p = 0.048) but had no relationship with total body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, subcutaneous fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass percentage. Protein intake also had no relationship with HGS value (p value> 0.05).Conclusions: Dietary intake only correlated with visceral fat percentage, but had no correlation with other body composition parameters. Physical activity correlated with nutritional status, but had no correlation with all of body composition parameters. Protein intake also had no correlation with HGS.

Association between Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Physical Functioning in Middle-aged and Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

Background Exposure to air pollution is associated with several chronic diseases and subclinical processes that could subsequently contribute to physical disability. However, whether and to what extent air pollution exposure is associated with objective measures of physical functioning remains understudied. Methods We used longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and included 10,823 participants who were surveyed at least twice. Annual average exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was assessed using a state-of-the-art estimator. Physical functioning was assessed with four objective tests covering hand-grip strength, balance, repeated chair stands, and gait speed. Mixed-effects models with participants as a random term were used to estimate associations with multiple adjustments. Results We found a significant and robust association between exposure to increased PM2.5 and the reduction in hand-grip strength and balance ability. Each 10-μg/m 3 increase in annual averaged concentrations of PM2.5 was associated with a 220-g (95% confidence interval [CI]: 127, 312 g) reduction in hand-grip strength per 60 kg of body weight and a 5% risk (95% CI: 2, 7) of reduced balance ability. The estimated effect of each 10-μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5 on hand-grip strength and balance ability was equivalent to the effect of aging [1.12 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.48) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.50) years, respectively]. Conclusions PM2.5 may be differentially associated with various dimensions of physical functioning. Improving air quality can prevent physical disability.

Association of Age with Hand Grip Strength, Pinch Strength and Reaction Time in Gynaecologists and Obstetricians

According to scientific literature, evidence of relationship exists between dexterity and age. With increasing age, the performances get slower, less smooth, less coordinated and less controlled. Lesser the reaction time, better is the achievement seen sports, music, driving, academics and also in day-to-day activities. We can always predict reacting abilities of an individual based on his reaction time. In case of surgeons, this helps us to identify the surgeons with prolonged reaction time and identify the cause. Some studies suggest that there is direct relationship that exists between muscle strength and increased age. Aim: This study aimed in assessing the association of age with hand grip strength, pinch strength and reaction time in Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. Methods: This study involved 30 Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. Hand grip strength, Pinch Grip Strength and Reaction time were assessed on both dominant and non- dominant hand. Results: The result showed positive correlation of age with hand grip strength and pinch strength and negative correlation of age with reaction in Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. Conclusion: There is low association of age with hand grip strength and pinch strength, there is reduction in reaction time as age increases in Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. Key words: Age, Hand grip strength, Pinch Grip Strength, Reaction time, Gynecologists.