Community-dwelling Japanese People Research Articles

Ten-Year Incidence of Sarcopenia in a Population-Based Cohort: Results From the ROAD Study

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence and incidence rates of sarcopenia in Japanese community-dwelling people according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 recommendations, using a large-scale population-based cohort over a 10-year follow-up period. DesignProspective cohort study. Setting and ParticipantsThis study was conducted using data from the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) study. In total, 1551 participants (521 men and 1030 women; mean age, 65.8 years) from the second ROAD survey (2008–2-10) were included in this study. MethodsThe participants from the second survey were followed-up at 4, 7, and 10 years. Skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, and walking speed were assessed. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. The incidence of sarcopenia was calculated using the person-year method. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess risk factors for incident sarcopenia. ResultsThe prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.1% (8.8% in men and 7.7% in women), and the prevalence of severe sarcopenia was 2.9% (2.7% in men and 3.1% in women). The incidence rates of sarcopenia were 17.8 per 1000 and 14.5 per 1000 person-years in men and women, respectively. Additionally, the incidence rates of severe sarcopenia were 6.4 per 1000 and 4.2 per 1000 person-years in men and women, respectively. The significant risk factors for the incidence of sarcopenia were age (+1 year; hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.08-1.12) and body mass index (−1 kg/m2; HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.20-1.35). The significant risk factors for the incidence of severe sarcopenia were age (+1 year; HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.14-1.22) and body mass index (−1 kg/m2; HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.10-1.33). Conclusions and ImplicationsThe prevalence and incidence rates of sarcopenia in Japan were clarified in this study.

Association of Habitual Green Tea Consumption with Sarcopenia Assessed Using SARC-F in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To ascertain whether habitual green tea consumption is associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults, using the screening tool for sarcopenia (SARC-F). This cross-sectional study in Mukawa, Hokkaido, Japan, was conducted between June and September 2022 and included 364 Japanese participants older than 65 y. Habitual green tea consumption and energy intake were ascertained using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the SARC-F. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of sarcopenia risk across participant tertiles of green tea consumption, with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, living alone, habitual exercise, walking hours, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption status, energy intake, protein intake, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. In this study of 364 participants (154 men and 210 women), the prevalence of sarcopenia risk was 9.3%. The multivariable-adjusted OR [95% CI] of green tea consumption for ≥1 cup/d compared with that of <1 cup/wk of sarcopenia was 0.312 [0.129-0.752]. Higher habitual green tea consumption was inversely associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.

Low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are not associated with a high risk of recurrent falls in community-dwelling Japanese adults: the Murakami cohort study.

Findings of cohort studies on the association between plasma 25-hydoxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and fall risk have been mixed, and long-term follow-up studies are lacking. The present study investigated whether low plasma 25(OH)D levels are longitudinally associated with a high risk of recurrent falls in adults. This 5-year cohort study included 5,343 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74years. Baseline blood collection and a questionnaire survey were conducted in 2011-2013. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were determined and divided into quintiles after stratification by season, sex, and age group. Information on recurrent falls occurring in the year before the survey 5years later was obtained, and participants with two or more falls were considered to have experienced recurrent falls. Covariates were sex, age, marital status, education, occupation, BMI, total physical activity levels, calcium intake, vitamin K intake, smoking, drinking, and disease history. Mean age and 25(OH)D levels were 60.9years and 50.9nmol/L, respectively. In the follow-up survey, 209 recurrent falls were reported. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were not significantly associated with the occurrence of recurrent falls in men, women, or men/women-combined (adjusted P for trend = 0.1198, 0.8383, and 0.2355, respectively). In men and men/women-combined, adjusted ORs for recurrent falls in the lowest quintile were significantly lower (adjusted OR = 0.42 and 0.59, respectively) than the middle quintile (reference). Low plasma 25(OH)D levels are not associated with a high risk of recurrent falls in middle-aged and older people. Further longitudinal studies will be needed to confirm our findings in other populations.

Self-Reported Oral Diseases and Their Association with the Frailty index among Older Japanese People: Four-Year Follow-Up.

Oral health is a relevant component for overall health. Oral disease onset at an early age and may harm several health dimensions, especially among older people, and has been associated with frailty. To evaluate associations between the Frailty Index (FI) and self-reported oral diseases among older, community-dwelling Japanese people. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses were performed. We analyzed data from 2,529 participants at the baseline and four-year follow-up of the Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging, which had a four-year follow-up. We used the self-reported number of teeth, self-reported satisfaction with dentures, and self-reported ability to chew hard food as independent variables. We computed an FI that included 40 deficits as the dependent variable. The FI score ranged from 0 to 1, with a higher score associated with adverse health outcomes and mortality. Considering a gamma distribution and controlling for age, gender, marital status, education, working status, and residence area, we fitted generalized linear models. We found that dissatisfied denture users had a 2.1% (95% CI 1.006-3.279) higher frailty score than non-denture users at the baseline and a 2.1% (95% CI 0.629-3.690) higher frailty score than non-denture users at the four-year follow-up. In the cross-sectional analysis, with each additional reported tooth at the baseline, the FI score was lower by 1.5% (95% CI -2.878 to -0.208) at the four-year follow-up. In both the cross-sectional and the prospective analyses, the FI scores increased as the ability to chew hard food decreased. Self-reported oral diseases are associated with the FI score cross-sectionally and prospectively. Identifying factors prospectively associated with frailty may improve strategies for the next generation of older people. Considering oral diseases may help clinicians personalize treatment plans for older people.

Body mass index, height, and osteoporotic fracture risk in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74 years.

The association between body size and fracture risk is complex and varies by sex and ethnicity. This study aimed to examine associations of body mass index (BMI) and height with osteoporotic fracture risk in middle-aged and older people. This 10-year cohort study included 13,151 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74years. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted at baseline to obtain information on demographic characteristics, body size, lifestyle, and disease history. BMI (kg/m2) was categorized as underweight (< 18.5), low-normal (18.5-21.7), high-normal (21.8-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥ 30.0). Height was categorized into quartiles. All incident cases of major osteoporotic fractures, including fractures of the distal radius, neck of the humerus, neck or trochanter of the femur, and vertebrae, were obtained from medical records during follow-up. Mean participant age was 58.8years. In men, the underweight group had a significantly higher hazard ratio (HR) for total fracture (adjusted HR = 2.46), and the obese group had significantly higher HRs for total (adjusted HR = 3.01) and vertebral (HR = 3.77) fractures relative to the reference (overweight) group. No significant associations were observed between BMI and risk of any fracture in women. Higher quartiles of height were associated with higher vertebral fracture risk (adjusted P for trend = 0.023) only in women. BMI and osteoporotic fracture risk showed a U-shaped association in men, whereas higher height was associated with higher vertebral fracture risk in women, suggesting sex-dependent differences in these associations.

Chronic Pain in the Lower Extremities and Low Back is Associated With Recurrent Falls in Community-Dwelling Japanese People Aged 40-74 Years

ObjectiveTo determine the longitudinal association between chronic pain in the lower extremities and low back and the odds of recurrent falls in middle-aged and older people. DesignA cohort study. SettingCommunities in Japan. ParticipantsParticipants were 7540 community-dwelling volunteers aged 40-74 years (N=7540). The baseline survey was a self-administered questionnaire conducted between 2011-2013. Predictors were presence of chronic pain in the knee, foot or ankle, and low back, with the degree of pain categorized as none, very mild/mild, moderate, or severe/very severe. Covariates in the multivariate model of chronic pain in a site were demographics, body mass index, physical activity level, disease history, and chronic pain in the other 2 sites. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). InterventionsNone. Main Outcome Measure(s)Recurrent falls in the year before the 5-year follow-up survey. ResultsMean participant age was 60.2 years. Higher degrees of chronic pain were associated with higher odds of recurrent falls for the knee (P=.0002) with a higher OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.11-1.97), for the foot or ankle (P=.0001) with a higher OR of 1.97 (95% CI: 1.36-2.86), and for the low back (P=.0470) with a higher OR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.09-1.91) in those with any degree of pain relative to those without pain. Higher degrees of chronic knee pain were associated with higher odds of recurrent falls in women (P=.0005), but not in men (P=.0813). Meanwhile, higher degrees of chronic low back pain were associated with the odds of recurrent falls in men (P=.0065), but not in women (P=.8735). ConclusionsChronic pain in the knee, foot or ankle, and lower back was independently and dose-dependently associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls. A marked sex-dependent difference was also noted in the association.

Effects of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure on physical frailty development among community-dwelling older adults in Japan: Evidence from a 10-year population-based cohort study.

This study explored longitudinally the relationship between smoking and secondhand smoke and the incidence of physical frailty in community-dwelling Japanese older people. Data collected from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging database from 2002 to 2012 (third to seventh wave) among older adults aged ≥65 years were analyzed. Participants with physical frailty at baseline, as determined by the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, missing data or who failed to attend follow ups were excluded. Data on current cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure were collected from the third wave results. The generalized estimating equation model was used to examine the longitudinal relationships between smoking, secondhand smoke and subsequent frailty. The final analysis included 540 participants with a mean age of 71.4 years (standard deviation 4.6). The generalized estimating equation analysis showed that, compared with non-smokers, smokers were at significant risk of physical frailty (odds ratio [OR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-4.74) after adjustment for multiple covariates; especially men (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.76-8.00) and older adults aged ≥75 years (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.43-11.87). Participants exposed to both smoking and secondhand smoke had a higher risk of physical frailty (OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.56-7.73) than non-smokers without secondhand smoke exposure. Smokers exposed to secondhand smoke were associated with more risk of physical frailty (OR 9.03, 95% CI 2.42-33.77) compared with smokers without secondhand smoke exposure. Smoking, especially when combined with secondhand smoke exposure, is associated with future physical frailty among older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 142-149.

Alcohol consumption, smoking, and risk of dementia in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74years: The Murakami cohort study.

Alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking have impacts on lifestyle-related diseases, but their association with dementia remains a debated topic. This study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between alcohol consumption, smoking, and dementia risk in middle-aged and older Japanese people. This study used a cohort design with an 8-year follow-up. Participants were community-dwelling Japanese people (N=13,802) aged 40-74years. The baseline survey, including a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted in 2011-2013. Predictors were alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. The outcome was incident dementia obtained from a long-term care insurance database. Covariates were demographics, lifestyle factors, body mass index, general health status, and history of stroke, diabetes, and depression. Participant mean age was 59.0years. The 1-149, 150-299, and 300-449g ethanol/week groups had significantly lower adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (0.62, 0.59, and 0.47, respectively) compared with the reference group, with no significant linear association. HRs increased toward 1 when past-drinkers and those with poor health status and a disease history were excluded (0.80, 0.66, and 0.82, respectively). Higher smoking levels were dose-dependently associated with a higher HR (adjusted P for trend=0.0105), with the ≥20 cigarettes/day group having a significantly higher adjusted HR (1.80). Heavy drinkers (≥449g ethanol/week) with smoking habits, but not those without smoking habits, had higher dementia risk (P for interaction=0.0046). Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased dementia risk, and smoking is dose-dependently associated with increased dementia risk, with an interaction between high alcohol consumption and smoking on dementia risk.

Sex Differences in the Association Between Body Mass Index and Dementia Risk in Community-Dwelling Japanese People Aged 40-74 Years.

The association between body mass index (BMI) and dementia risk is heterogeneous across age groups and might be influenced by sex. This study aimed to clarify sex differences in the association between BMI and dementia risk in community-dwelling people. This cohort study with an 8-year follow-up targeted 13,802 participants aged 40-74 years at baseline in 2011-2013. A self-administered questionnaire requested information on body size, including height, weight, and waist circumference (the values of which were validated by direct measurement), socio-demographics, lifestyle, and disease history. BMI was calculated and categorized as < 18.5 (underweight), 18.5-20.6 (low-normal), 20.7-22.6 (mid-normal), 22.7-24.9 (high-normal), 25.0-29.9 (overweight), and≥30.0 kg/m2 (obese). Incident cases of dementia were obtained from the long-term care insurance database. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). The mean age of participants was 59.0 years. In men, higher BMI was associated with lower dementia risk (fully-adjusted p for trend = 0.0086). In women, the association between BMI and dementia risk was U-shaped; the "underweight," "low-normal," and "overweight" groups had a significantly higher risk (fully-adjusted HR = 2.12, 2.08, and 1.78, respectively) than the reference ("high-normal" group). These findings did not change after excluding dementia cases which occurred within the first four years of the follow-up period. Overweight/obese women, but not men, had an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that sex differences in adiposity might be involved in the development of dementia.

Survey on the Acceptance of Ambient Sensors in Solo and Older Couple-Only Households in Japan.

For this study, an online survey was conducted to discover the preferences of older adults when they used sensors in their households, rather than the preferences of the researchers who developed them. The sample size was 400 Japanese community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older. The numbers of samples for men and women, household composition (single-person/couple-only household), and younger senior (younger than 74 years old) and older senior (older than 75 years old) were equally assigned. The survey results showed that "informational security" and "constancy of life" were considered more important than other factors when installing sensors. Furthermore, looking at the results regarding the type of sensors that face resistance, we found that both cameras and microphones were evaluated as facing slightly strong resistance, while doors/windows, temperature/humidity, CO2/gas/smoke, and water flow were evaluated as not facing such strong resistance. The elderly who are likely to need sensors in the future also have various attributes, and the introduction of ambient sensors in elderly households may be further advanced by recommending applications that are easy to introduce based on the attributes of the target population, rather than discussing all of them in general.

Low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling Japanese people aged between 40 and 74 years: The Murakami cohort study

BackgroundAssociation between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of depression are not always consistent. The present cohort study aimed to determine this association in older adults, using a method for measuring vitamin D levels which is more accurate than those used in previous studies. MethodsParticipants were 3447 individuals aged 40–74 years without depressive symptoms at baseline who participated in the 5-year follow-up survey. The baseline investigation, including a self-administered questionnaire survey and blood collection, was conducted in 2011–2013. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured, and divided into overall quartiles summed up by sub-quartiles and stratified by age, sex, and season. The outcome was depressive symptoms determined by the CES-D (11-item, cut-off score of 6/7) 5 years later. Covariates were demographics, lifestyles, baseline CES-D score, and disease history. ResultsMean plasma 25(OH)D levels were 58.0 nmol/L in men and 45.7 in women (P < 0.0001), and cumulative incidences of depressive symptoms were 249/1577 (15.8 %) in men and 313/1870 (16.7 %) in women (P = 0.4526). The lower 25(OH)D quartile group had higher adjusted ORs in men and women combined (P for trend = 0.0107) and women (P for trend = 0.0003), but not in men. Adjusted ORs of the lowest quartile group were significantly higher than the highest group in men and women combined (OR = 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.06–1.81) and women (OR = 1.89, 95 % CI: 1.31–2.72). LimitationDepressive symptoms were self-reported. ConclusionsLow vitamin D levels were associated with a high risk of depressive symptoms, especially in women. Women are thus considered a major target for preventing vitamin D deficiency to address depression.

PS-BPP06-7: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SALT INTAKE AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER PEOPLE: THE SONIC STUDY

Objective: It is well known that excessive salt intake is associated with hypertension (HT) and salt intake reduction lowers blood pressure. However, the knowledge of salt intake and blood pressure in the older people is not sufficient. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling Japanese older people. Design and method: This study was cross-sectional design based on a prospective cohort study called the SONIC (Septuagenarians, Octogenarians and Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians) study. We used data collected from 2010 to 2012. The dependent variable was the blood pressure at the venue and the independent variable was salt intake. Salt intake was calculated using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). After adjustment for energy using the residual method, Salt intake was classified into quartiles. Blood pressure values for each quartile were compared by Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Results: The number of participants was 2,163 (female: 53.3%). Persons who may have over- or under-reporting nutrition and had no blood pressure data was excluded. Participants of 70 ± 1 years old were 947 (HT: 50.2%), 80 ± 1 years old were 951 (HT: 63.9%), 90 ± 1 years old were 265 (HT: 50.6%). There was no clear difference of systolic blood pressure among the four quartiles of salt intake. Participants taking angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) were 448, and mean systolic blood pressure in the four quartiles of salt intake were Q1:142.1 ± 17.7mmHg, Q2: 145.2 ± 17.3, Q3: 146.1 ± 17.2, and Q4: 147.8 ± 18.8. There was a stepwise increase in systolic blood pressure with increasing salt intake quartile (p = 0.018 for trend). Conclusions: For the elderly taking ARBs, salt reduction was shown to improve blood pressure control, but for the other elderly, no effect of salt intake was observed. Further studies are needed to examine including other factors what affects blood pressure for older population.

Interactive effect of serum uric acid and handgrip strength on all-cause mortality among Japanese community-dwelling people

BackgroundUric acid is both a pro-oxidant and an antioxidant. This study examined whether serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular biomarkers in members of the general population who had varying levels of handgrip strength (HGS). MethodsThe analysis is based on 1736 participants, of whom 785 were male (69 ± 11 years old) and 951 were female (69 ± 9 years old). We obtained adjusted relative risk estimates for all-cause mortality from the Japanese Basic Resident Registry and used a Cox proportional hazards model (adjusted for possible confounders) to determine the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsThe results indicated a significant interaction between the effects of SUA levels and HGS on all-cause mortality risk. Among participants with low HGS (<30.0 kg in males, <20.0 kg in females), low SUA levels (<3.5 mg/dL in males, <3.0 mg/dL in females; HR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.07–5.40) and high SUA levels (≥8.0 mg/dL in males, ≥7.0 mg/dL in females; HR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.41–6.59) were associated with a significantly higher HR for all-cause mortality than medium SUA levels (3.5–7.9 mg/dL in males, 3.0–6.9 mg/dL in females). Among participants with high HGS (≥30.0 kg in males; ≥20.0 kg in females), there was no difference between the HR for all-cause mortality between the three SUA-category groups. ConclusionsThe association between SUA and the risk of all-cause mortality was U-shaped for this population of community-dwelling adults. This was primarily true for those with low HGS.

Associations between salivary testosterone levels and cognitive function among 70-year-old Japanese elderly: A cross-sectional analysis of the SONIC study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between salivary testosterone concentrations and cognitive function in 70-year-old Japanese elderly people without dementia and stroke. Participants were 197 Japanese community-dwelling people aged 69-71 years. Their salivary samples were collected, and their cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Participants were also administered a 10-item recall and a 24-item recognition test. The data for 179 (106 men and 73 women) individuals were analyzed, excluding individuals with a past history of stroke and dementia. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed after adjusting for lifestyle factors and analyzing data separately for men and women. MoCA-J scores showed that men with low testosterone concentrations had a significantly greater risk of low cognitive performance than those with high testosterone concentrations (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-21.00), while no significant association was found in women. The 10-item recall test scores showed that higher testosterone concentrations were significantly associated with greater recall in the second trial in women (standardized beta=0.24, P=0.040), whereas no significant association was found in men. Salivary testosterone concentrations were positively associated with better cognitive performance in older men and women. The associations between salivary testosterone concentrations and cognitive function were shown by different tasks for men and women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 1040-1046.

Physical activity and recurrent fall risk in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40–74 years: the Murakami cohort study

BackgroundFalls are important causes of injury and mortality in older people, and associated medical costs can be enormous. Physical activity (PA) is a potential preventive factor for falls. However, few studies have examined the effect of different types of PA on fall prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PA levels and the incidence of recurrent falls by type of PA in middle-aged and older people.MethodsThis cohort study targeted 7,561 community-dwelling individuals aged 40–74 years who did not experience recurrent falls in the year before baseline. Information on PA levels, demographics, body size, lifestyle, and fall/disease history was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire in the baseline survey. Levels of total PA, leisure-time PA, and non-leisure-time PA (occupation, commuting, and housework) were estimated using metabolic equivalent (MET) scores (MET-h/day; hours spent on a given activity per day multiplied by its MET intensity). PA levels were categorized into four groups. Falls were recorded as none, once, or twice or more (recurrent falls). The outcome of the study was the incidence of recurrent falls in the past year before a survey conducted 5 years after the baseline survey. Logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios for recurrent falls.ResultsHigher total PA and non-leisure-time PA levels were associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls (P for trend = 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively), with the highest total PA and non-leisure-time PA groups having a significantly higher adjusted OR (1.96 [95%CI:1.33–2.88] and 2.15 [95%CI:1.48–3.14], respectively) relative to the lowest group (reference). As for leisure-time PA, the medium group had a significantly lower adjusted OR (0.70 [95%CI:0.49–0.99]) relative to the reference group. By sex, the adjusted OR in the medium leisure-time PA group was significantly lower relative to the reference group in women (0.50 [95%CI: 0.29–0.85]) but not in men.ConclusionsMedium level leisure-time PA reduces the risk of recurrent falls in middle-aged and older people, whereas higher level non-leisure-time PA is associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls.

The association between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and changes in brain volumes among older community-dwelling Japanese people

The relationship between age-related brain atrophy and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) intake is not fully understood. This study investigated the association of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) intake and brain atrophy in non-demented older Japanese people (n = 810, aged 60–89 years) using data sets of a 2-year longitudinal study. Brain volumes were measured using 3D-MRI in the baseline and follow-up periods. The associations of multivariate-adjusted changes in brain volumes with baseline LCPUFA intake were assessed using a general linear model. Higher ARA intake was associated with a smaller decrease in frontal cortex volumes, which was accompanied by a lower risk of cognitive decline among the participants. In the subgroup analysis for low DHA and EPA intake, accounting for one-third of Japanese intake, DHA and EPA intake was positively correlated with preservation of the temporal cortex volume. These findings suggest that appropriate intake of LCPUFA may decelerate age-related brain atrophy and lead to the maintenance of brain health in older people.

Alcohol drinking patterns have a positive association with cognitive function among older people: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe relationship between moderate alcohol drinking or other alcohol drinking patterns such as frequency, beverage type, and situation of drinking and cognitive function is not sufficiently clear in older people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between alcohol drinking patterns and cognitive function in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 75 and over.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional design based on a prospective cohort study called the SONIC study. Subjects were older people aged 75-77 or 85-87 who voluntarily participated in 2016-2017. Drinking information was collected for daily drinking frequency, daily drinking intake, beverage type, and non-daily drinking opportunity. Cognitive function was measured using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Other potential confounding factors evaluated were age, sex, medical factors, and psychosocial factors. An analysis of covariance was performed to evaluate the MoCA-J score relative to drinking frequency or alcohol intake. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between beverage type or non-daily drinking opportunity and the MoCA-J score.ResultsThe final number of participants analyzed was 1,226. The MoCA-J score for participants who reported drinking alcohol 1–6 days/week was significantly higher than that for those who reported drinking none or every day. No significant difference in the MoCA-J score was observed relative to daily alcohol intake. In terms of beverage type, wine was associated positively with the MoCA-J score. Non-daily drinking opportunity was also associated positively with the MoCA-J score.ConclusionsModerate-frequency drinking, wine consumption, and non-daily drinking opportunities were associated with higher cognitive function in community-dwelling Japanese aged 75 and over. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships.

Questionnaire-assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior among community-dwelling Japanese people: The Minami-Izu Study

Questionnaire-assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior among community-dwelling Japanese people: The Minami-Izu Study

Characteristics of the Passive Muscle Stiffness of the Vastus Lateralis: A Feasibility Study to Assess Muscle Fibrosis.

Skeletal muscle fibrosis occurs with aging and has been suggested to impair muscle performance, thereby decreasing quality of life. Recently, muscle stiffness, a surrogate measure of muscle fibrosis, was noninvasively quantified as the shear modulus using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in humans. We aimed to investigate thigh muscle stiffness in females and males, respectively, across a broad range of ages by using SWE. Eighty-six community-dwelling Japanese people who were aged 30 to 79 years and did not regularly exercise participated in this study. The vastus lateralis (VL) shear modulus was measured at three different knee joint angles: full extension, 90° of flexion, and full flexion. There were no significant main effects of sex or age on the VL shear modulus in full extension or 90° of flexion of the knee. However, the VL shear modulus in knee full flexion was significantly smaller in females than in males and increased with age from 47.9 years. The results suggest that the accelerated increase in VL stiffness that occurs after an individual passes their late 40s may be an important therapeutic target for developing effective treatments and programs that preserve and improve quality of life.

Subgroup characteristics of the association between volunteering and the risk of functional disability among older Japanese people: The Tsurugaya project

Background and objectiveAlthough it has been well known that volunteering is associated with a significantly decreased risk of incident disability among older people, it remains unanswered which subgroups of older people the above association is most remarkable. We aimed to identify such subgroups by conducting subgroup analyses for age, sex, chronic medical condition, and socio-demographic factors. MethodsParticipants were 826 Japanese community-dwelling people aged ≥70 years who lived in Tsurugaya, Sendai. Volunteering status was assessed with a baseline survey conducted in 2003. Incident functional disability was defined as the first certification of Long-term Care Insurance until 2017. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident functional disability. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to sex, age, medical history, marital status, and educational level. ResultsThe association between current volunteering and the risk of incident functional disability was not significant (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.56–1.06) compared to non-volunteers. In the subgroup analysis, the association between current volunteering and the risk of incident functional disability was significant among participants who were women (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30–0.91), those who were aged 75 years or over (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36–0.91), and those living without a spouse (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24–0.91). ConclusionThe association between volunteering and a decreased risk of incident functional disability was remarkable among vulnerable groups such as women, those aged 75 years or over, those living without a spouse.