Elderly Chinese Population Research Articles

Analysis of the Impact of Chinese Population Aging on Economic Growth and Coping Strategies

Population aging has become a frequent occurrence due to changes in the global population structure, and it has a significant impact on the economic growth of many nations. Particularly in China, with the decline in fertility rates and the extension of life expectancy, the aging problem is further intensifying. The phenomenon of "fewer children and an aging population" is gradually becoming the norm, posing severe challenges to China's economic development. By searching for the relevant population data of the National Bureau of Statistics, this paper analyzes the current situation of Chinese population structure, analyzes the causes of population aging from four aspectsfertility policy, economic and social development, culture and education, and population migration. It also puts forward the impacts of population aging on economic growth, including the decrease in labor supply, the decline in consumption level and the increase in social pension pressure. This paper argues that even though the aging population structure has had a certain impact on China's social economy, people can turn challenges into opportunities. Furthermore, this paper proposes the coping strategies for China's population aging and promoting high-quality economic development, such as improving the elderly consumer market, giving full play to the leading role of government planning, improving the quality of the labor force, and forming an age-appropriate society. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for China to cope with the challenges of population aging and the healthy development of population and economy.

Inside Front Cover: Development and validation of a machine learning‐based model of ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese elderly hypertensive population (View 6/2024)

Inside Front Cover: Development and validation of a machine learning‐based model of ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese elderly hypertensive population (View 6/2024)

Longitudinal changes in plasma Cystatin C and all-cause mortality risk among the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

ObjectiveElevated plasma Cystatin C levels are associated with an increased mortality risk among middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals. This study explores whether tracking the longitudinal changes in Cystatin C can improve the prediction of mortality risk and allow better risk stratification, jointly with baseline measurements. Design & MethodsThis analysis includes 3,195 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study who completed plasma Cystatin C measurements in two waves (2011 and 2015) and were followed through 2020. To evaluate the association between Cystatin C levels/changes and mortality risk, multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were employed, adjusting for potential confounders. Survival probabilities were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests, while restricted cubic splines were utilized to illustrate any nonlinear relationships between Cystatin C levels and hazard ratios. ResultsParticipants in the highest quartile of baseline Cystatin C show an increased risk of mortality compared to those in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio (HR): 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.02–2.24, p = 0.04). Including longitudinal changes in Cystatin C further strengthens this association (HR: 1.81, 95 % CI: 1.20–2.74, p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier plots show that baseline levels effectively stratify both the entire cohort and gender-specific subgroups (p < 0.001). Moreover, integrating baseline levels with the longitudinal changes in Cystatin C levels provides additional stratification benefits. The predictive performance significantly improves by including longitudinal changes in Cystatin C in baseline-only models, with the concordance index increasing from 0.745 to 0.839 and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve rising from 0.751 to 0.845. Additionally, significant nonlinear relationships between changes in Cystatin C and HR are observed in the entire population, the males and the females (p = 0.003, 0.018, 0.025). ConclusionsDynamic monitoring of changes in Cystatin C could enhance the prediction of mortality risk among middle-aged and elderly individuals.

The nonlineard association between triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and long-term heart disease risk: findings from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. CVD has high morbidity and mortality in China, with 5.09 million CVD deaths in 2019 and a mortality rate of 364.5 cases per 100,000 people. Existing studies have focused on specific populations and lack studies on the general population.MethodsThis study used data from the China Health and Aged Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) to analyse the middle-aged and elderly population between 2011 and 2020. The exposure variable was TG/HDL-C ratio, the outcome variable was the occurrence of heart disease (including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, etc.), and the covariates included age, gender, education level, and body mass index. The final sample size was 4,551 participants. Weighted Cox regression models were used to assess the association between TG/HDL-C and CVD risk, and nonlinear associations and stratified analyses were performed.ResultsThe results demonstrated a significant association between TG/HDL-C ratios and cardiac morbidity, with a risk ratio of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.71–0.71) in the adjusted model II. Nonlinear analysis revealed a threshold effect. Within the TG/HDL-C 0.15–1.5 interval (inflection point LnTG/HDL-C 0.41), each 1-unit increase in Ln (TG/HDL-C) was associated with a 17% reduction in the risk. The inflection point was associated with a 0.83-fold reduction in the risk of CVD (95% CI: 0.75, 0.92; p = 0.0003), but beyond this point, the association was no longer significant (1.00-fold reduction in risk; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.05; p = 0.9701). In contrast, stratified analyses demonstrated that the results were more applicable to women and those younger than 65 years.ConclusionIn summary, the study found a significant inverse relationship between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population, with a nonlinear threshold effect observed at a TG/HDL-C ratio of around 1.5.

The association between circulating short-chain fatty acids and blood pressure in Chinese elderly population

The gut microbiome primarily generates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by fermenting dietary fibers. Though previous studies have linked SCFAs to blood pressure, there remains a lack of research on the relationship between SCFAs levels in the serum of elderly individuals and blood pressure. Based on this, we investigated the associations of serum SCFAs with blood pressure in Chinese older adults in a cross-sectional study. In this report, we recruited 1013 older adults over 60 years of age from June to September 2016 in Lu 'an City, China. Using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Exactive-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-Orbitrap MS), we measured the level of various SCFAs, including acetic acid (AA), propanoic acid (PA), butyric acid (BA), isobutyric acid (iso-BA), valeric acid (VA), isovaleric acid (iso-VA), and caproic acid (CA), in serum samples collected from Chinese elderly adults. The study recruited 1013 older adults in total. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows that AA (OR = 0.696, 95%CI: 0.501–0.966) and VA (OR = 0.713, 95%CI: 0.516–0.985) are negatively associated with hypertension. Linear regression analysis shows a negative correlation between AA (β = -3.89, 95% CI: -7.12 – -0.66) and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels, and a significant negative association between iso-VA (β = -2.11, 95% CI: -3.94 – -0.29) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels. Whether in unadjusted or adjusted linear regression models, we all observe significant positive associations between CA and blood pressure levels. In the Bayesian kernel-machine regression (BKMR) models, the trends between the mixture of SCFAs and hypertension, SBP are inverse, but not significant; we also observe a significant negative correlation between AA and SBP, and a significant negative association between iso-VA and DBP levels, while CA is significantly positively correlated with SBP and DBP. Collectively, our results advocate for considering SCFA as a potential intervention to lower blood pressure, and especially AA may be a possible target for research. This may provide new perspectives for understanding the role of SCFAs in hypertension.

The impact of metabolic heterogeneity of obesity and transitions on cardiovascular disease incidence in Chinese middle-aged and elderly population: A nationwide prospective cohort study.

Previous studies indicated that metabolic heterogeneity of obesity would affect the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the alterations in CVD risk associated with transitions between various metabolic health statuses influenced by obesity status remain unclear. We utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a longitudinal cohort study involving Chinese residents aged 45 years and older. Baseline data were collected in 2011-2012, with follow-up surveys conducted up to 2020. Participants in the study were categorized into four body mass index-metabolic phenotypes: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHOO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW) and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUOO). Transitions in these phenotypes over 4 years were analysed. Cox regression models were used to assess the associations of these phenotypes and their transitions with CVD incidence. Among 7721 participants, 1353 (17.5%) developed CVD during the follow-up period. Both overweight/obese and metabolically unhealthy statuses were associated with increased CVD risk. The highest risk was observed in the MUOO group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50-2.09, p < 0.0001), followed by the MUNW (HR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13-1.66, p < 0.001) and MHOO (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08-1.56, p = 0.002) groups compared to the MHNW group. The deteriorations of obesity and metabolic health status elevated the incidence of CVD, whereas improvements in these statuses reduced the risk of CVD. Additionally, alterations in metabolic health status conferred greater benefits in overweight/obese individuals compared to those with normal weight. The study highlights the importance of maintaining and promoting metabolic health, particularly in overweight/obese individuals, to reduce CVD risk. Metabolic health status plays a more crucial role than obesity status in predicting CVD incidence.

Education attainment and nutritional status in the prevention of cognitive impairment in the hospitalized Chinese elderly.

Effect of education attainment and nutritional status on the development of cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly has not been reported. To investigate the role of education and nutrition in preventing cognitive impairment in the hospitalized Chinese elderly. Cognitive function was examined using the scoring system of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) domains performed under instruction of Physicians of Geriatrics. Generalized linear mixed-effect regression was used for analyzing the association of demographic factors (age and gender), socioeconomic factors (education attainment and monthly income), as well as health-related factors (nutritional status, comorbidity, anxiety, and depression) and MMSE scores. Total 246 hospitalized Chinese elders were enrolled into this study. Of them, 96 participants were 60-70 years old, 65 participants were 71-80 years old, and 85 of them were 81 years or older. Of the examined factors, we found that age, education attainment, and nutritional status were significantly associated with the outcome of MMSE scores, while monthly income and health condition (comorbidity, anxiety, and depression) were not significantly associated with MMSE score. Furthermore, education attainment was significantly associated with majority of the MMSE domains, including orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and most of language sub-domains. Education attainment and nutritional status were significantly associated with MMSE scores in the hospitalized Chinese elderly. Higher education and better nutritional status are protective factors for the development of cognitive impairment in the hospitalized elderly Chinese population.

A Study on the Influence of Health Literacy of Chinese Elderly Populations Under the Background of the Elderly Care Industry

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of health literacy, economic status, healthcare access, family support, and digital health information on the health behaviour of elderly individuals in China. Methodology: Data were collected from elderly populations in Beijing and Wuhan, with a sample size of 560 participants analysed using the JASP statistical software. Results: The results indicated that health literacy and economic status did not significantly influence the health behaviour of the elderly in China. In contrast, healthcare access, family support, and digital health information were found to have a substantial effect on health behaviour among this demographic. Conclusion: These findings offer both theoretical and practical contributions, enriching the existing body of knowledge and providing valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers.

Effect of Magnesium Intake on Hypertension in Chinese Elderly Population

Existing studies have found that the prevalence of hypertension in people aged 70 and above is as high as 70%. At present, the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in China is rising sharply, and these are closely related to magnesium deficiency. This is a review article to demonstrate the association between magnesium deficiency and hypertension by reviewing the literature in recent years. According to the Dietary Recommendations for the Elderly in China, the recommended daily consumption of magnesium for adults would be 330 milligrams (mg), while 74.8% of the population did not meet the recommended intake. Due to the traditional dietary patterns of older Chinese people, who do not have a high uptake of foods such as nuts and seeds, which increases the risk of magnesium deficiency. At the same time, incomplete absorption of magnesium can lead to magnesium deficiency as the absorption rate of gastrointestinal function decreases with age. Studies have found that changing dietary patterns and consuming magnesium supplements are effective in increasing magnesium intake and thus reducing the prevalence of hypertension.

The trajectory of frailty index among spousal caregivers: longitudinal evidence from China

Abstract Background Very few studies have investigated the association between providing unpaid caregiving to a spouse and the frailty of caregivers. This study aims to examine the impact of providing spousal care on frailty among the middle aged and older Chinese population. Methods Data were derived from the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) including 4,008 participants aged 50 and above. Frailty was assessed using a composite mean score based on 41 indicators according to Rockwood frailty criteria, including self-reported health, medically diagnosed conditions, medical symptoms, functional activities assessment, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). A growth curve model was employed to investigate the differences in frailty among caregivers and non-caregivers. Results Compared to non-caregivers, spousal caregivers were more likely to have a higher frailty when adjusted for all covariates (Beta=0.010, SE = 0.003, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Furthermore, female caregivers exhibited a higher rate of change of frailty index over time (Beta=0.002, SE = 0.001, p &amp;lt; 0.05) compared to female non-caregivers, while no such effect was found in males. Conclusions The findings of this study reveal that providing unpaid care to a spouse is associated with an increase in the frailty index over time particularly among female caregivers. These insights underline the necessity for Chinese policymakers to develop and implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing burden on spousal caregiving, thereby preventing an increase in frailty among these caregivers. Such measures would also align with the broader objective of promoting healthy ageing. Key messages • Chinese policymakers need to develop and implement targeted interventions to reduce the burden on female spousal caregivers and prevent increased frailty. • Focusing on the frailty of female spousal caregivers is crucial for promoting healthy aging.

Association Between Dietary Diversity and Subjective Cognitive Decline in the Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between dietary diversity and risk of subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a precursor of dementia, in middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations residing in eastern China. Participants aged ≥ 45 years were recruited from a community in an eastern Chinese city after excluding potential objective cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cognitive Assessment Instrument (Mini-Cog). SCD was assessed using the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire-9 (SCD-Q9). Dietary data were collected using the Dietary Quality Questionnaire (DQQ), and the Food Group Diversity Score (FGDS) and the Consumed All Five Recommended Food Score (All-5) were calculated as indicators of dietary diversity. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to evaluate the associations of FGDS and All-5 scores with SCD after adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and health status. Among the 871 participants, 358 (41.1%) were classified as having SCD. Compared with participants with the highest FGDS (≥8) and those with the highest All-5 score (5), those with the lowest FGDS (≤4) and the lowest All-5 score (≤3) exhibited 85% (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.10-3.13; p = 0.02) and 90% (OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.21-2.97; p < 0.01) higher risk of SCD, respectively, after adjusting for all covariates. Fruits were the only food group among the All-5 components that demonstrated a significant association with SCD risk. Poor dietary diversity was associated with an elevated risk of SCD in middle-aged and older adults, and fruits were the food group with the most substantial effect.

Development and validation of a machine learning‐based model of ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese elderly hypertensive population

AbstractMachine learning (ML) has made some significant contributions to stroke prevention, but the stability and accuracy of existing models for clinical applications are uncertain. This study develops and validates an interpretable ML model using metabolic and coagulation biomarkers to predict ischemic stroke in elderly hypertensive patients in Northwest China. The prediction model used 453 electronic medical records for the model building (80% as a training set and 20% as a test set) and 132 for external validation. The final seven key features (D‐dimer, cystatin C, homocysteine, hemoglobin A1c, prothrombin time, low‐density lipoprotein C, and triglyceride glucose‐body mass index) were selected by the advanced approach, elastic net, and classical wrapping approaches. The final model, eXtreme gradient boosting, was identified as having superior performance than the other 9 classifers (random forest, Gaussian process, multilayer perceptron, logistic regression, support vector machine, K‐nearest neighbor, decision tree, Gaussian naive bayes, and ensemble model), with area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves of 0.97 and 0.94 for the test and external validation sets, respectively. The final model demonstrates excellent stability, accuracy, and clinical usefulness through various metrics and decision curve analysis. Additionally, an online human–machine interface application has been developed for clinical practice to help early identification and intervention for ischemic stroke in elderly hypertensive patients.

The impact of living environmental factors on cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment: evidence from the Chinese elderly population

ObjectivesMild cognitive impairment represents a pivotal stage in the cognitive decline of older adults, with a considerable risk of advancing to dementia. Recognizing how living environmental factors affect cognition is crucial for crafting effective prevention and intervention strategies. This study seeks to elucidate the relationship between various living environmental factors and cognitive function, with a specific focus on mild cognitive impairment, within a Chinese elderly population.MethodsThis is a cross-section and longitudinal study. Utilizing data from CHARLS, our cross-sectional analysis included 4,401 participants, while the cohort study comprised 3,177 individuals. We assessed living environmental factors based on household fuel types, water sources, indoor temperatures, residential building types, and ambient PM2.5 levels. We employed multiple linear regression for cross-sectional analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models for longitudinal assessments to determine the effects of living environments on cognitive function and MCI risk. Stratified analyses, interaction tests, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to further validate our findings.ResultsThe findings revealed that, compared to those in high-risk environments, participants in low-risk settings exhibited higher cognitive scores (β = 1.25, 95%CI: 0.85, 1.65), better mental status (β = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.48, 0.92), and improved episodic memory (β = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.41). Over a 7-year follow-up, the use of low-risk living environments (HR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.49, 0.91), including clean fuels (HR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.57, 0.95) and tap water (HR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.71, 1.00), demonstrated a protective effect against MCI development. This correlation remained significant regardless of age, gender, residence, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and depression.ConclusionThis research provides substantial evidence that living environmental factors significantly affect cognitive function and MCI risk in Chinese older adults. Enhancing living conditions may be a key strategy for promoting cognitive health and preventing MCI in this demographic. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term impacts and potential intervention strategies to optimize living environments for better cognitive outcomes in aging populations.

Individual and joint effects of diabetes and depression on incident cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: Results from a population-based cohort study

AimsTo assess the individual and joint effects of diabetes and depression on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations. Methods9105 individuals without CVD from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included and followed up for 9 years. Participants were divided into four comparative groups: diabetes alone, depression alone, both conditions, and neither condition. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were performed to compare the risks of all-cause mortality and CVD among the four groups. ResultsWhen compared to those without diabetes and depression, the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for CVD in individuals who had diabetes only, depression only, and both diabetes and depression were 1.245 (95 % CI 1.023 to 1.515), 1.318 (95 % CI 1.171 to 1.485) and 1.722 (95 % CI 1.361 to 2.178), respectively. The aORs for all-cause mortality were 1.366 (95 % CI 1.035–1.804) for diabetes alone, 1.082 (95 % CI 0.916–1.279) for depression alone, and 1.590 (95 % CI 1.152–2.195) for both conditions when compared with those with neither condition. ConclusionsIndividuals with both diabetes and depression had greater risk of CVD and all-cause mortality when compared to those with diabetes or depression alone, or those without either condition.

Insulin resistance and sarcopenia: a prognostic longitudinal link to stroke risk in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

BackgroundStroke is the leading cause of death in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Insulin resistance (IR) and sarcopenia are both closely associated with metabolic diseases. However, the relationship between these two indicators and stroke has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between IR and sarcopenia and the risk of new-onset stroke.MethodsUsing longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2018, Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between IR surrogate indicators and sarcopenia status with stroke incidence.ResultsIn the present study, during a median 7 years of follow-up, we included 7009 middle-aged and elderly residents, of whom 515 presented with stroke incidence. After adjustment for potential confounders, both baseline IR surrogates and sarcopenia independently predicted stroke risk. In addition, co-morbidities had a higher risk of stroke than other groups. The positive association between TyG-WC and sarcopenia on stroke risk was particularly significant [HR (95% CI): 2.03 (1.52, 2.70)]. In subgroups of different ages and sexes, the combination of IR and sarcopenia is associated with the highest risk of stroke.ConclusionsWe found that IR and sarcopenia synergistically increase the incidence of stroke in older adults. This finding provides new perspectives for stroke detection and intervention and highlights the importance of early detection and management of IR and sarcopenia in older adults.

Effect of particulate matter on cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China: An instrumental variable approach

Emerging studies have suggested the association of ambient air pollution with worse cognitive function; however, causal evidence remains scarce. We aimed to estimate the effect of particulate matter (PM) exposure on overall and domain-specific cognitive function. A total of 14,205 participants aged 45 years and above were drawn from the 2015 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Cognitive function was assessed using a standardized questionnaire consisting of two domains: episodic memory and mental status. Participants’ exposure to city-level PM (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) was evaluated using satellite-based spatiotemporal models. To avoid potential endogenous biases, an instrumental variable method with two-stage least squares estimation was employed to examine the effect of air pollution on overall and domain-specific cognitive function. Stratified analysis was further performed based on sociodemographic characteristics. We found PM exposure exertedsignificant adverse effects on overall and domain-specific cognitive function, with mental status being more adversely affected as compared to episodic memory. The effect of PM exposure was more pronounced with smaller particle sizes, with PM1 exhibiting the largest effect size. Moreover, participants with lower education attainment were more adversely affected by PM exposure. Our findings add additional evidence of the potential causal role of PM exposure in worsening overall and domain-specific cognitive function. Efforts to further reduce PM are needed to protect the cognitive health of the aging Chinese population.

Association of changes and cumulative measures of triglyceride-glucose index-body mass index with hypertension risk: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundTo investigate the relationships of the dynamic changes in triglyceride glucose index-body mass index (TyG‑BMI) and cumulative TyG-BMI with the risk of hypertension among middle-aged and elderly Chinese.MethodsData were used from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants who participated in the baseline study (2011–2012) and in subsequent surveys (2015–2018) were included in this study. The primary exposures were changes in TyG-BMI and cumulative TyG-BMI from 2012 to 2015. Changes in TyG-BMI were categorized using k-means clustering methods, while cumulative TyG-BMI was categorized into quartiles. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to examine the association between changes in TyG-BMI and cumulative TyG-BMI with the incidence of hypertension. Linear regression analyzes were performed to examine the association between changes in TyG-BMI and cumulative TyG-BMI with cumulative systolic blood pressure (SBP) and cumulative diastolic blood pressure (DBP).ResultsOf a total of 2,561 participants aged 56.93 ± 8.08 years old at baseline, 253 individuals (9.9%) developed hypertension during the 7-year follow-up period. The hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension were 1.50 (1.10–2.03) for class 2 (persistently medium class) and 2.35 (1.61–3.42) for class 3 (persistently high class), compared to class 1 (persistently low class). Additionally, class 2 showed increases of 7.70 mmHg (95% CI: 5.18–10.21) in cumulative SBP and 6.53 mmHg (95% CI: 4.68–8.38) in cumulative DBP, while class 3 exhibited increases of 14.10 mmHg (95% CI: 10.56–17.64) in cumulative SBP and 12.64 mmHg (95% CI: 10.03–15.25) in cumulative DBP, compared with class 1. Regarding cumulative TyG-BMI, the HR for hypertension were 1.75 (95% CI: 1.18–2.59) for quartile 3 and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.43–3.23) for quartile 4, compared with quartile 1. In quartile 2, cumulative SBP increased by 3.99 mmHg (95% CI: 0.88–7.11) and cumulative DBP by 2.74 mmHg (95% CI: 0.45–5.02). Quartile 3 showed increases of 8.32 mmHg (95% CI: 5.09–11.54) in cumulative SBP and 7.13 mmHg (95% CI: 4.76–9.49) in cumulative DBP. Quartile 4 exhibited the highest increases, with cumulative SBP rising by 13.15 mmHg (95% CI: 9.70–16.60) and cumulative DBP by 12.20 mmHg (95% CI: 9.67–14.74). Furthermore, a linear relationship was observed between cumulative TyG-BMI and the risk of hypertension.ConclusionsChanges in TyG-BMI and cumulative TyG-BMI were associated with an increased risk of hypertension, as well as higher cumulative SBP and DBP in Chinese middle-aged and elderly population.

Temporal trend and attributable risk factors of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias burden in China: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

We examined the burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADOD) and attributable factors at the national and provincial levels in China. Using the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2021, we estimated incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the ratio of years lived with disability (YLD) to DALYs for ADOD in China. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to quantify the temporal trends from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, China experienced the highest ADOD burden among Group of 20 member nations. The EAPCs for age-standardized rates for incidence, age-standardized rates for prevalence, and age-standardized mortality rate were 0.41 (uncertainty intervals [UIs] 0.34-0.49); 0.44 (UI: 0.36-0.52); and -0.19 (UI: -0.23 to -0.15), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, the number of people with ADOD increased by 322.18% and DALYs associated with ADOD increased by 272.71%; most of these increases were explained by population aging. Considering the aging Chinese population, targeted strategies to prevent dementia are urgently needed. China experienced the highest dementia burden among Group of 20 member nations. High body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and smoking were major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADOD) burden. Since 1990, the incidence and prevalence of ADOD increased substantially in China. The mortality rate related to ADOD decreased consistently. Considering the aging Chinese population, targeted strategies are urgently needed.

A - 3 The Relationship between Memory and Depression In an Elderly Chinese Cohort: a Baseline Analysis

Abstract Objective Explore the relationship between depression and memory aged 60 years and older while controlling for age, gender, and education. Method This study utilized data from the Characterization of Dementia in Asian-Pacific Islanders study by Bruce Miller, M.D., and Howie Rosen, M.D., at the Memory and Aging Center at UCSF. Inclusion criteria included participants age 60+ who completed the Benson Figure Test, GDS-30, and the Chinese Version Verbal Learning Test (CVVLT) in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Exclusion criteria included participants under age 60 and or experience history of neurological strokes or injuries, and disabilities related to memory. The final sample yielded 136 participants, including 41 (30.1%) males, 95 (69.9%) females, 120 (88.2%) right-handed, 3 (2.2%) left-handed, and 7 (5.1%) ambidextrous. Average age of participants was 71.46 (SD = 7.26). A memory composite score was computed based on average of performances on the Benson Figure Task delay and the CVVLT 10-minute delay. Raw GDS-30 scores represented depression. Results There was a weak positive correlation between memory composite scores, gender, and education, and a weak negative correlation between memory composite scores, age, and GDS-30 scores. Conclusions Findings indicate some evidence for a relationship between depression and memory in elderly Chinese populations. However, the sample was skewed, and consisted of less depressed and higher memory functioning participants. Despite these limitations, it is pertinent to explore how healthcare providers may outreach to this population to monitor risk factors, improve timeliness of dementia diagnosis, and maximize treatment of reversible causes, adherence to treatment plans, and help families care plan.

Effects of graphene far-infrared and social network interventions on depression, anxiety and dementia in older adults

BackgroundFive-guaranteed elderly individuals are a special group of the elderly Chinese population faced with unique challenges; these individuals lack any financial resources (including support by relatives), and are solely reliant on the government to provide food, clothing, medical care, and housing as well as burials. In this article, we aim to investigate mood problems (depression, anxiety) and cognitive functioning in Five-guaranteed elderly individuals, and to validate the effectiveness of two promising interventions, graphene far-infrared intervention (GFII; an exploratory and noninvasive technique) and social network intervention (SNI), for elderly people to lay the foundation for future social service work.MethodsTo address the emotional and cognitive difficulties experienced by this special group, we designed this study, which is the first to apply GFII in this population. We also administered SNI given the social isolation of these individuals, in addition to a corresponding control group. 108 elderly individuals in 3 elder care facilities were screened to evaluate eligibility to participate in the current study, including 44 from Facility A (allocated to the GFII group), 43 from Facility B (allocated to the SNI group), and 21 from Facility C (allocated to the control group). GFII lasts for four weeks, with professionally trained carers putting on and removing intervention caps for half an hour each day. SNI lasts for three weeks, three times a week, and consists of a total of nine themed activities. The length of an activity is 90 min. We also did pre- and post-test comparisons of depression, anxiety and cognition in each group of older adults.ResultsThe results showed that GFII led to immediate improvements in anxiety and cognitive impairment in the five-guaranteed elderly individuals, and the improvement in cognitive function was sustained over time. Moreover, SNI group showed significant improvements in cognitive function after the intervention period.ConclusionsThe GFII is a promising intervention that can be applied to intervene in cognitive and mood disorders in older adults. The GFII has short-term interventions for anxiety in older adults, but long-term effects for cognitive impairment. SNI also had an interventional effect on cognition.