Accumulation Of Chronic Diseases Research Articles

Muscle Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Capacities Are Associated With Multimorbidity Burden in Older Adults: The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging.

The geroscience hypothesis posits that aging biological processes contribute to many age-related deficits, including the accumulation of multiple chronic diseases. Though only one facet of mitochondrial function, declines in muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic capacities may contribute to this increased susceptibility to multimorbidity. The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA) assessed ex vivo muscle mitochondrial energetics in 764 older adults (mean age = 76.4, 56.5% women, and 85.9% non-Hispanic White) by high-resolution respirometry of permeabilized muscle fibers. We estimated the proportional odds ratio (POR [95% CI]) for the likelihood of greater multimorbidity (4 levels: 0 conditions, N = 332; 1 condition, N = 299; 2 conditions, N = 98; or 3+ conditions, N = 35) from an index of 11 conditions, per SD decrement in muscle mitochondrial energetic parameters. Distribution of conditions allowed for testing the associations of maximal muscle energetics with some individual conditions. Lower oxidative phosphorylation supported by fatty acids and/or complex I- and II-linked carbohydrates (eg, Max OXPHOSCI+CII) was associated with a greater multimorbidity index score (POR = 1.32 [1.13, 1.54]) and separately with diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.62 [1.26, 2.09]), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.45 [1.04, 2.00]) and possibly chronic kidney disease (OR = 1.57 [0.98, 2.52]) but not significantly with other conditions (eg, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Lower muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic capacities were associated with a worse composite multimorbidity index score. Our results suggest that decrements in muscle mitochondrial energetics may contribute to a greater global burden of disease and are more strongly related to some conditions than others.

Posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma, and accelerated biological aging among post-9/11 veterans

People who experience trauma and develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for poor health. One mechanism that could explain this risk is accelerated biological aging, which is associated with the accumulation of chronic diseases, disability, and premature mortality. Using data from 2309 post-9/11 United States military veterans who participated in the VISN 6 MIRECC’s Post-Deployment Mental Health Study, we tested whether PTSD and trauma exposure were associated with accelerated rate of biological aging, assessed using a validated DNA methylation (DNAm) measure of epigenetic aging—DunedinPACE. Veterans with current PTSD were aging faster than those who did not have current PTSD, β = 0.18, 95% CI [0.11, 0.27], p < .001. This effect represented an additional 0.4 months of biological aging each year. Veterans were also aging faster if they reported more PTSD symptoms, β = 0.13, 95% CI [0.09, 0.16], p < 0.001, or higher levels of trauma exposure, β = 0.09, 95% CI [0.05, 0.13], p < 0.001. Notably, veterans with past PTSD were aging more slowly than those with current PTSD, β = -0.21, 95% CI [-0.35, -0.07], p = .003. All reported results accounted for age, gender, self-reported race/ethnicity, and education, and remained when controlling for smoking. Our findings suggest that an accelerated rate of biological aging could help explain how PTSD contributes to poor health and highlights the potential benefits of providing efficacious treatment to populations at increased risk of trauma and PTSD.

Trajectories of Chronic Disease and Multimorbidity Among Middle-aged and Older Patients at Community Health Centers

Health-related consequences of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases) are well documented. However, the extent and rate of accumulation of chronic diseases among US patients seeking care in safety-net clinics are not well understood. These insights are needed to enable clinicians, administrators, and policy makers to mobilize resources for prevention of disease escalations in this population. To identify the patterns and rate of chronic disease accumulation among middle-aged and older patients seeking care in community health centers, as well as any sociodemographic differences. This cohort study used electronic health record data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, on 725 107 adults aged 45 years or older with 2 or more ambulatory care visits in 2 or more distinct years at 657 primary care clinics in the Advancing Data Value Across a National Community Health Center network in 26 US states. Statistical analysis was performed from September 2021 to February 2023. Race and ethnicity, age, insurance coverage, and federal poverty level (FPL). Patient-level chronic disease burden, operationalized as the sum of 22 chronic diseases recommended by the Multiple Chronic Conditions Framework. Linear mixed models with patient-level random effects adjusted for demographic characteristics and ambulatory visit frequency with time interactions were estimated to compare accrual by race and ethnicity, age, income, and insurance coverage. The analytic sample included 725 107 patients (417 067 women [57.5%]; 359 255 [49.5%] aged 45-54 years, 242 571 [33.5%] aged 55-64 years, and 123 281 [17.0%] aged ≥65 years). On average, patients started with a mean (SD) of 1.7 (1.7) morbidities and ended with 2.6 (2.0) morbidities over a mean (SD) of 4.2 (2.0) years of follow-up. Compared with non-Hispanic White patients, patients in racial and ethnic minoritized groups had marginally lower adjusted annual rates of accrual of conditions (-0.03 [95% CI, -0.03 to -0.03] for Spanish-preferring Hispanic patients; -0.02 [95% CI, -0.02 to -0.01] for English-preferring Hispanic patients; -0.01 [95% CI, -0.01 to -0.01] for non-Hispanic Black patients; and -0.04 [95% CI, -0.05 to -0.04] for non-Hispanic Asian patients). Older patients accrued conditions at higher annual rates compared with patients 45 to 50 years of age (0.03 [95% CI, 0.02-0.03] for 50-55 years; 0.03 [95% CI, 0.03-0.04] for 55-60 years; 0.04 [95% CI, 0.04-0.04] for 60-65 years; and 0.05 [95% CI, 0.05-0.05] for ≥65 years). Compared with those with higher income (always ≥138% of the FPL), patients with income less than 138% of the FPL (0.04 [95% CI, 0.04-0.05]), mixed income (0.01 [95% CI, 0.01-0.01]), or unknown income levels (0.04 [95% CI, 0.04-0.04]) had higher annual accrual rates. Compared with continuously insured patients, continuously uninsured and discontinuously insured patients had lower annual accrual rates (continuously uninsured, -0.003 [95% CI, -0.005 to -0.001]; discontinuously insured, -0.004 [95% CI, -0.005 to -0.003]). This cohort study of middle-aged patients seeking care in community health centers suggests that disease accrued at high rates for patients' chronological age. Targeted efforts for chronic disease prevention are needed for patients near or below the poverty line.

Evaluation of the dynamics of prosthetic dental care provided to patients with the complete absence of teeth in the Perm district

Currently, one third of the world's population aged 65-74 years has partially or completely missing teeth. In our country, the data of epidemiological studies are scattered. The aim of the study is assessment of the dynamics of the volume of orthopedic care provided to patients with complete absence of teeth in the Perm Region. The study of the volume of orthopedic care provided to patients with complete absence of teeth was carried out on the basis of a detailed retrospective analysis of their referral to dental clinics in the Perm Region for the period from 2014 to 2020. To assess the long-term dynamics of indicators of the volume of orthopedic care provided to patients with complete absence of teeth, the least squares method was used-gradation of growth rates. This investigation shows the trend of increasing the volume of orthopedic care provided to patients with complete absence of teeth for the period from 2014 to 2020. The average annual growth rate was 5.2%, this situation may be partly due to the accumulation of chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity in the population. Among the patients who applied for dental orthopedic care with complete absence of teeth, women prevailed - 61.8%. The average age of patients with complete absence of teeth was 63.2±1.6 years. The trend of increasing the volume of orthopedic care provided to patients with complete absence of teeth in the Perm Region indicates unfavorable changes in the overall dental morbidity over the period 2014-2020 and increased availability of removable dentures with complete loss of teeth. Forecasting the volume of care for patients in this category is important for planning preventive measures.

Operationalizing Healthspan as an Outcome for Clinical Trials in Geroscience

Efforts targeting biological aging pathways are advancing interventions which could extend healthy lifespan. Design of clinical trials to test such interventions necessitates an operational definition of healthspan, such as slowed accumulation or progression of multiple chronic diseases, functional decline, and disability. In this talk we explore these composite measures of healthspan proposed as outcomes for clinical trials in aging. This will be examined in example cases including multimorbidity and deficit accumulation frailty indices in an 8‐Year intensive lifestyle intervention trial, and an update on multimordbity, functional, and biomarker endpoints in the trial Targeting Aging with MEtformin (TAME). Through these examples we will explore issues related to effect sizes and statistical challenges related to composite endpoints. Finally, we will discuss the role existing and emerging biomarkers of aging in clinical trials in geroscience and summarize evidence linking biomarkers to clinically meaningful outcomes.

Association of life satisfaction with disability-free survival: role of chronic diseases and healthy lifestyle.

this article investigates the association between life satisfaction and disability-free survival, and explores the roles of chronic diseases and healthy lifestyle in this association. a cohort of 2,116 functionally independent adults aged ≥60 was followed up to 12years. At baseline, life satisfaction was assessed with the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSI-A). Disability-free survival was defined as the survival till the first occurrence of either death, dementia or physical disability. Information on lifestyle factors was collected via questionnaire. Chronic diseases were ascertained through clinical examinations at baseline and each follow-up. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression models and Laplace regression. over follow-up, 1,121 participants died, developed dementia, or became disabled. High LSI-A versus Low LSI-A had a lower risk of death, dementia and physical disability (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.67-0.94), and had a longer disability-free period by 1.73 (95% CI 0.18-3.32) years. In mediation analysis, accumulation of chronic diseases mediated 17.8% of the association between LSI-A and disability-free survival. In joint effect analysis, participants with high LSI-A and a favourable lifestyle profile had a HR of 0.53 (95% CI 0.41-0.69) for the composite endpoint, and lived 3.2 (95% CI 1.35-5.11) disability-free years longer than those with low life satisfaction and an unfavourable lifestyle profile. high life satisfaction is independently associated with longer disability-free survival. This association is partially mediated by a lower burden of chronic diseases and is reinforced by healthy lifestyle.

Multimorbidity Accumulation Among Middle-Aged Americans: Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Body Mass Index.

Obesity and multimorbidity are more prevalent among U.S. racial/ethnic minority groups. Evaluating racial/ethnic disparities in disease accumulation according to body mass index (BMI) may guide interventions to reduce multimorbidity burden in vulnerable racial/ethnic groups. We used data from the 1998-2016 Health and Retirement Study on 8 106 participants aged 51-55 at baseline. Disease burden and multimorbidity (≥2 co-occurring diseases) were assessed using 7 chronic diseases: arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, and stroke. Four BMI categories were defined per convention: normal, overweight, obese class 1, and obese class 2/3. Generalized estimating equations models with inverse probability weights estimated the accumulation of chronic diseases. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in non-Hispanic Black (82.3%) and Hispanic (78.9%) than non-Hispanic White (70.9 %) participants at baseline. The baseline burden of disease was similar across BMI categories, but disease accumulation was faster in the obese class 2/3 and marginally in the obese class 1 categories compared with normal BMI. Black participants across BMI categories had a higher initial burden and faster accumulation of disease over time, while Hispanics had a lower initial burden and similar rate of accumulation, compared with Whites. Black participants, including those with normal BMI, reach the multimorbidity threshold 5-6 years earlier compared with White participants. Controlling weight and reducing obesity early in the lifecourse may slow the progression of multimorbidity in later life. Further investigations are needed to identify the factors responsible for the early and progressing nature of multimorbidity in Blacks of nonobese weight.

Physical comorbidity in Older-Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) compared to the general population - a 3-year longitudinal prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of chronic physical diseases in Older-Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) as well as in individuals from the general aging population over a 3-year period. MethodsThis prospective longitudinal study compared 101 patients with OABD receiving outpatient care (DOBi cohort) with 2545 individuals from the general aging population (LASA cohort). The presence of eight major chronic diseases was asked at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Total number of diseases was the main outcome measure. Self-rated health (SRH, scale 1-5) was examined as a secondary outcome. Multilevel linear modelling of change was performed to estimate and test the observed change in both samples. ResultsAt baseline, the number of chronic diseases was lower (b= -0.47, p<0.01) and self-rated health comparable (b=0.27, p=0.13) in DOBi than in LASA. Over 3 years the number of chronic diseases increased faster in DOBi than in LASA (b=0.51 versus b=0.35, p(interaction)=0.03). When corrected for employment, depressive symptoms, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol use, this difference was no longer significant. SRH decreased faster in DOBi than in LASA (b=-0.24 versus b=-0.02, p(interaction)=0.04). LimitationsInformation on chronic diseases was collected using self-report. ConclusionsA faster accumulation of chronic physical diseases and a faster decline in health perception was observed in OABD than in participants from the general population. The observed differences could partly be attributed to baseline differences in psychosocial, lifestyle, and health behaviour factors. Our findings urgently call for the use of integrated care in BD.

IMPACTO DA MULTIMORBIDADE NAS CONDIÇÕES DE SAÚDE BUCAL EM IDOSOS BRASILEIROS

Introdução: A ocorrência de multimorbidade, a qual corresponde ao acúmulo de doenças crônicas, é considerada um problema de saúde pública e suas consequências na saúde bucal carecem de evidências científicas em grandes populações. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da multimorbidade nas condições de saúde bucal em idosos brasileiros. Método: Realizou-se um estudo transversal e de base populacional, utilizando a base de dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS). A presença de multimorbidade em idosos foi considerada quando o mesmo possuía um diagnóstico de duas ou mais doenças crônicas. Com relação às condições de saúde bucal, essas foram coletadas a partir das variáveis estudadas na PNS. O teste Qui-quadrado foi utilizado para a análise dos dados e em seguida as razões de prevalência foram ajustadas por meio da regressão múltipla de Poisson. Resultados: Participaram 11.697 idosos e, desses, 53,1% possuíammultimorbidade. Na análise multivariada, observou-se que a presença de multimorbidade em idosos predispôs a um relato negativo da autopercepção de saúde bucal (p=0,025), à dificuldade de se alimentar devido a problemas dentários (p&lt;0,001), a perder totalmente os dentes superiores (p&lt;0,001) e a escovar os dentes ou próteses pelo menos uma vez ao dia (p=0,025). Conclusões: Diante dos resultados, conclui-se que a maioria das condições de saúde bucal, assim como a autopercepção das mesmas apresentam-se piores na presença de multimorbidade na população idosa.

Plasma proteomic biomarker signature of age predicts health and life span.

Older age is a strong shared risk factor for many chronic diseases, and there is increasing interest in identifying aging biomarkers. Here, a proteomic analysis of 1301 plasma proteins was conducted in 997 individuals between 21 and 102 years of age. We identified 651 proteins associated with age (506 over-represented, 145 underrepresented with age). Mediation analysis suggested a role for partial cis-epigenetic control of protein expression with age. Of the age-associated proteins, 33.5% and 45.3%, were associated with mortality and multimorbidity, respectively. There was enrichment of proteins associated with inflammation and extracellular matrix as well as senescence-associated secretory proteins. A 76-protein proteomic age signature predicted accumulation of chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. These data support the use of proteomic biomarkers to monitor aging trajectories and to identify individuals at higher risk of disease to be targeted for in depth diagnostic procedures and early interventions.

Psychological correlates of multimorbidity and disability accumulation in older adults.

Background/Objectivesattitudes toward life and health are emerging as important psychological contributors to health heterogeneity in ageing. We aimed to explore whether different psychological factors were associated with the rate of chronic disease and disability accumulation over time.Designpopulation-based cohort study between 2001 and 2010.SettingSwedish National study on aging and care in Kungsholmen.Subjectsadults aged 60 and older (N = 2293).Methodslinear mixed models were employed to study the association of life satisfaction, health outlook, resistance to illness, sickness orientation, and health worry with the rate of accumulation of chronic diseases and impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Models were adjusted for demographic, clinical, social, personality and lifestyle factors. Analyses were repeated after excluding individuals with multimorbidity or disability at baseline.Resultshigh life satisfaction and positive health outlook were consistently associated with a lower rate of accumulation and progression of multimorbidity (β −0.064 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.116, −0.011; β −0.065 95% CI −0.121, −0.008, respectively) and disability (β −0.063 95% CI −0.098, −0.028; β −0.042 95% CI −0.079, −0.004, respectively) over time. This was true even for people without multimorbidity or disability at baseline and after adjusting for all covariates.Conclusionspositive attitudes toward life in general and health in particular may be especially important in old age, when the cumulative effects of biological and environmental deficits lead to accelerated health decline. These findings should encourage researchers to use measures of psychological well-being to better understand the multifactorial and diverse process of ageing.

Psychosocial working conditions, trajectories of disability, and the mediating role of cognitive decline and chronic diseases: A population-based cohort study.

BackgroundUnfavorable psychosocial working conditions have been associated with cognitive decline and chronic diseases, both of which may subsequently accelerate functional dependence. This study aimed to investigate the association between job demand–control–support combinations and trajectories of disability in later life and to further explore the role of cognitive decline and the co-occurrence of chronic diseases in mediating this association.Methods and findingsIn this cohort study, 2,937 community dwellers aged 60+ years (mean age 73 ± 10.6; 62.9% female) residing in the Kungsholmen District of Stockholm, Sweden, participated in the baseline survey (2001–2004) and were followed up to 12 years. Lifelong occupational history was obtained through a standardized interview; job demands, job control, and social support at work in the longest-held occupation were graded with a psychosocial job–exposure matrix. Job control, demands, and social support were dichotomized using the median values from the matrix, respectively, to further generate demand–control–support combinations. Disability was measured by summing the number of impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Global cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination. Chronic conditions were ascertained by clinical examinations, medical history, and patient clinical records; the total number of chronic diseases was summed. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models and mediation analysis. Age, sex, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, leisure activity engagement, early-life socioeconomic status, occupational characteristic and physical demands, and baseline cognitive function and number of chronic diseases were adjusted for in the analyses. Compared with active jobs (high control/high demands; n = 1,807), high strain (low control/high demands; n = 328), low strain (high control/low demands; n = 495), and passive jobs (low control/low demands; n = 307) were all associated with a faster rate of disability progression (β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.13, p = 0.01; β = 0.10, 95% CI 0.06–0.15, p < 0.001; β = 0.11, 95% CI 0.05–0.18, p < 0.001). The association between high strain and disability progression was only shown in people with low social support at work (β = 0.13, 95% CI 0.07–0.19, p < 0.001), but not in those with high social support (β = 0.004, 95% CI −0.09 to 0.10, p = 0.93). Moreover, we estimated that the association between demand–control status and disability trajectories was mediated 38.5% by cognitive decline and 18.4% by accumulation of chronic diseases during the follow-up period. The limitations of this study include unmeasured confounding, self-reported work experience, and the reliance on a psychosocial job–exposure matrix that does not consider variabilities in individuals’ perception on working conditions or job characteristics within occupations.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that negative psychosocial working conditions during working life may accelerate disability progression in later life. Notably, social support at work may buffer the detrimental effect of high strain on disability progression. Cognitive decline and chronic-disease accumulation, and especially the former, partially mediate the association of psychosocial working conditions with trajectories of disability. Further studies are required to explore more mechanisms that underlie the association between psychosocial working conditions and disability trajectories.

Trajectories of Accumulation of Health Deficits in Older Adults: Are There Variations According to Health Domains?

ObjectivesTo analyze sex- and education-specific trajectories of health deficits accumulation (DA) throughout old age and to examine whether these trajectories differ according to health domains. DesignPopulation-based prospective cohort study. Settingand participants: In Spain, 3228 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years or older were followed up for 10 years. MeasuresAt baseline and 3 follow-up visits, a DA index (0 to 100% deficit) was calculated based on the number and severity of 52 health deficits across the domains of physical and cognitive function, self-rated health and vitality, mental health, and morbidity. Trajectories of overall and domain-specific DA indexes were estimated using mixed models for repeated measurements, allowing for homogeneous linear, piecewise linear, and smooth nonlinear DA trends over age. ResultsWomen showed greater DA than men, but differences leveled out with age: annual increments in DA index (95% confidence interval) for participants aged <70, 70-80, and ≥80 years were, respectively, 0.40 (0.30-0.50), 0.68 (0.57-0.80), and 1.30 (1.07-1.54) in men and 0.63 (0.53-0.73), 0.99 (0.89-1.10), and 1.31 (1.09-1.53) in women. These changes were mainly driven by a progressive accumulation of chronic diseases and by quadratic declines in physical and cognitive function. Both men and women showed improvements in mental health with age. In general, women and participants with lower education had decreased physical and cognitive function and accumulated morbidities faster than their counterparts. Only individuals with very fast declines in function and fast accumulation of morbidities showed a significant worsening of self-rated health and vitality over time. ConclusionsPublic health interventions aimed at promoting healthy ageing should focus on prevention and early control of chronic diseases, as well on the preservation of function and early rehabilitation, with the latter being more relevant during the latter stages of life. Post-acute and long-term care services should incorporate adequate physical therapy and nursing facilities to promote attainable levels of functionality in older adults.

Multimorbidity of Elderly Individuals in Urban and Rural Areas of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

This paper compares the prevalence of pathological changes in different organs and systems among urban and rural residents of the following ages: elderly (60–74 years for men and 55–74 years for women), senile (75–84 years), and advanced (85 years and older). The results of a continuous survey of all individuals of retirement age of one urban (7809 individuals) and two rural areas (14749 individuals) of the Nizhny Novgorod region were analyzed. The region is comparatively homogeneous in terms of the national composition of the population. In the city, the number of chronic pathologies of different organs and systems per individual of elderly age is 2.83 per man and 2.76 per woman for elderly ages, 3.06 and 3.07 for senile ages, and 2.71 and 2.75 for advanced ages, respectively. In rural areas, the analyzed indicators for men and women are respectively 1.64 and 1.58 for elderly, 1.84 and 1.78 for senile, and 1.86 and 1.84 for advanced-age individuals. Demonstrating the difference in the phenotypic manifestations of the genes of predisposition to chronic diseases in old age between the city and rural areas, the results make it possible to assume the following. First, better access to medical care does not guarantee better health status of the elderly, while it contributes to an increase in the life expectancy of men. Second, despite better access to health care, the urban lifestyle contributes to an accumulation of chronic diseases in the population of a region. Third, in case of chronic pathology of three different classes of diseases, the probability of a long life is fundamentally determined by access to health care. Fourth, the probability of longevity is significantly reduced as a result of having neoplasms, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, or genitourinary diseases at working age or the early retirement period.

Clinical Trials Targeting Aging and Age-Related Multimorbidity.

There is growing interest in identifying interventions that may increase health span by targeting biological processes underlying aging. The design of efficient and rigorous clinical trials to assess these interventions requires careful consideration of eligibility criteria, outcomes, sample size, and monitoring plans. Experienced geriatrics researchers and clinical trialists collaborated to provide advice on clinical trial design. Outcomes based on the accumulation and incidence of age-related chronic diseases are attractive for clinical trials targeting aging. Accumulation and incidence rates of multimorbidity outcomes were developed by selecting at-risk subsets of individuals from three large cohort studies of older individuals. These provide representative benchmark data for decisions on eligibility, duration, and assessment protocols. Monitoring rules should be sensitive to targeting aging-related, rather than disease-specific, outcomes. Clinical trials targeting aging are feasible, but require careful design consideration and monitoring rules.

Association Between Accelerated Multimorbidity and Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Older Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Participants without Dementia.

To explore the association between rate of physical health deterioration, operationalized as rising multimorbidity overtime, and longitudinal decline in cognitive function in older adults without dementia. Longitudinal (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)). Community. BLSA participants aged 65 and older followed for an average of 3 years and free of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline and follow-up (N = 756). Standardized neurocognitive tests evaluating mental status, memory, executive function, processing speed, and verbal fluency were administered. Multimorbidity was assessed at each visit as number of diagnosed chronic diseases from a predefined list. Faster accumulation of chronic diseases was defined as upper quartile of rate of change in number of diseases over time (≥0.25 diseases/year). Faster accumulation of chronic diseases was significantly associated with greater rate of decline on the Category (P = .01) and Letter (P = .01) Fluency Tests. Similar trends were also found for the Trail-Making Test Parts A (P = .08) and B (P = .07); no association was found with rate of change in visual and verbal memory. Although further investigations are required to validate the results and fully understand the underlying mechanisms, these findings suggest that accelerated deterioration of physical health is associated with accelerated decline with aging in specific cognitive domains in older adults without dementia.

Age-independent rise of inflammatory scores may contribute to accelerated aging in multi-morbidity.

Aging is associated with an increase in a chronic, low-grade inflammation. This phenomenon, termed "inflammaging" is also a risk factor for both morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Frequent co-occurrence of chronic diseases, known as multi-morbidity, may be explained by interconnected pathophysiology of these conditions, most of which depend on its inflammatory component. Here we present an analysis of the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected between 1999 and 2008, for the presence, and the number, of chronic diseases along with HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percent, monocyte percent, segmented neutrophils percent, eosinophils percent, basophils percent, and glycohemoglobin levels. Importantly, even after adjustment for age and BMI, many inflammatory markers continued to be associated to multi-morbidity. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) were most dramatically increased in parallel with an accumulation of chronic diseases, and may be utilized as multi-morbidity predictors. These observations point at background inflammation as direct, age-independent contributor to an accumulation of the disease burden. Our findings also suggest a possibility that systemic inflammation associated with chronic diseases may explain accelerated aging phenomenon previously observed among the patients with heavy disease burden.

Factors associated to medical consultations by elderly adults in southern Brazil: a population based study

To analyze the prevalence of medical consultations in the last three months among elderly adults and associated factors. A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out with 1,705 elderly adults (60+ years of age) in the urban region of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009 and 2010. The sampling selection was performed in two stages. The sample was complex, with census tracts as primary and households as secondary sampling units. For association analysis, Poisson regression was performed using predisposing factors, enabling factors and need as independent variables, according to Andersen's theoretical model. The response rate was 89.2%. The prevalence of medical appointments by elderly adults was 70.4% (95%CI 67.5 - 73.4). Factors associated with higher prevalence of medical consultations in the crude analysis were female gender, accumulation of chronic diseases, negative self-perception of health, and report of chronic pain. The multivariate analysis showed that having at least one chronic disease and negative self-perception of health was positively associated with the outcome. Only variables from the need dimension were associated with medical consultations, indicating an equal use of this service.

The impact of multiple chronic diseases on ambulatory care use; a population based study in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundThe prevalence of multiple chronic diseases is increasing and is a common problem for primary health care providers. This study sought to determine the patient and health system burden of multiple chronic diseases among adults in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on the ambulatory health care system (outpatient primary health care and specialist services).MethodsThis population-based study used linked health administrative data from Ontario, Canada. Individuals, aged 20 years or older, who had a valid health card, were included. Validated case definitions were used to identify persons with at least one of the following nine chronic diseases: diabetes, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, peripheral vascular disease and end stage renal failure. Prevalence estimates for chronic diseases were calculated for April 1, 2009. Ambulatory physician billing records for the two-year period, April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010, were used to identify the number of outpatient ambulatory care visits.ResultsIn 2009, 26.3% of Ontarians had one chronic disease, 10.3% had two diseases, and 5.6% had three or more diseases. Annual mean primary health care use increased significantly with each additional chronic disease. Overall, there were twice as many patient visits to primary health care providers compared to specialists across all chronic disease counts. Among those with multiple diseases, primary health care visits increased with advancing age, while specialist care dropped off. While persons with three or more diseases accounted for a disproportionate share of primary health care visits, the largest number of visits were made by those with no or one chronic disease.ConclusionsThe burden of care for persons with multiple chronic diseases is considerable and falls largely on the primary health care provider. However persons with no or one chronic disease are responsible for the largest number of ambulatory health care visits overall. Continued investment in primary health care is needed both to care for those with multiple diseases and to prevent the accumulation of chronic diseases with aging.

Visceral fat and insulin resistance--causative or correlative?

The association between abdominal fat accumulation and risk of chronic diseases, including type II diabetes and coronary heart disease, has long been recognized. Insulin resistance may be a key factor in this link. Many studies have pointed to an association between insulin resistance and intra-abdominal fat accumulation (visceral obesity). However there is no clear proof of a causal link between visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance. In assessing the probability of a causal link, it is useful to consider potential mechanisms. One such potential causal link is the release of non-esterified fatty acids from visceral fat into the portal vein, so that they have direct effects on hepatic metabolism. Visceral fat has been shown in many studies to exhibit a high rate of lipolysis compared with subcutaneous fat depots. However, if the idea that visceral fat releases fatty acids into the portal vein at a high rate is examined critically, a number of difficulties appear. Not least of these is the fact that continued high rates of lipolysis should lead to the disappearance of the visceral fat depot, unless these high rates of fat mobilization are matched by high rates of fat deposition. There is far less evidence for high rates of fat deposition in visceral adipose tissue, and some contrary evidence. Evidence for high rates of visceral lipolysis in vivo from studies involving catheterization of the portal vein is not strong. If this potential link is discounted, then other reasons for the relationship between visceral fat and insulin resistance must be considered. One is that there is no direct causal link, but both co-correlate with some other variable. A possibility is that this other variable is subcutaneous abdominal fat, which usually outweighs intra-abdominal fat several-fold. Subcutaneous fat probably plays the major role in determining systemic plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, which are relevant in determining insulin resistance. In conclusion, there is at present no proof of a causal link between visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance, or the associated metabolic syndrome. The possibility of co-correlation with some other factor, such as subcutaneous abdominal fat accumulation, must not be forgotten.