Decline In Elderly Women Research Articles

Associations of Parity With Change in Global Cognition and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Older Women.

BackgroundThe evidence of the association between parity and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia is mixed, and the relationship between parity and longitudinal cognitive changes is less clear. We investigated these issues in a large population of older women who were carefully monitored for development of MCI and probable dementia.MethodsUsing the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study, 7,100 postmenopausal women (mean age 70.1 ± 3.8 years) with information on baseline parity (defined as the number of term pregnancies), measures of global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score) from 1996–2007, and cognitive impairment (centrally adjudicated diagnoses of MCI and dementia) from 1996–2016 were included. Multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the rate of changes in global cognition. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the risk of MCI/dementia across parity groups.ResultsOver an average of 10.5 years, 465 new cases of MCI/dementia were identified. Compared with nulliparous women, those with a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 had a lower MCI/dementia risk. The HRs were 0.75 (0.56–0.99) and 0.71 (0.53–0.96), respectively (P < 0.01). Similarly, a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 was related to slower cognitive decline (β = 0.164, 0.292, respectively, P < 0.05).ConclusionHigher parity attenuated the future risk for MCI/dementia and slowed the rates of cognitive decline in elderly women. Future studies are needed to determine how parity affects late-life cognitive function in women.

Association between Gait Variability and Gait-Ability Decline in Elderly Women with Subthreshold Insomnia Stage.

This study investigates the gait characteristics of elderly women, aged more than 65 years, with subthreshold insomnia stage at various walking speeds. A total of 392 participants (insomnia: 202 and controls: 190) wearing shoe-type inertial measurement units completed walking tests on a treadmill for a duration of 1 min at slower, preferred, and faster speeds. The insomnia group indicated lower pace parameters (range of Cohen’s d: 0.283–0.499) and the single support phase (Cohen’s d: 0.237), greater gait variability (range of Cohen’s d: 0.217–0.506), and bilateral coordination (range of Cohen’s d: 0.254–0.319), compared with their age-matched controls; the coefficient of variance (CV) of the stance phase at the faster speed condition was a crucial variable for distinguishing between insomnia and control groups. In addition, the insomnia group demonstrated insufficient gait adaptation at the slower and preferred speeds, as indicated by the CVs of the stride length, stride time, and step time. In particular, participants with worsened insomnia symptoms or sleep problems showed that these worse gait patterns may increase the potential risk of falling in elderly women. Thus, elderly women with subthreshold insomnia stage need to improve their sleep quality to enhance their physical functions.

2D:4D digit ratio is associated with cognitive decline but not frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

To understand the relation between 2D:4D ratio, frailty, and cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly people. A total of 175 community-dwelling elderly people were included. To determine frailty, participants completed the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE-FI). Cognitive functioning was determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). 2D and 4D finger lengths of each hand were measured using a scanner. Barthel Index, Lawton, and Brody scale were also completed for each participant to determine the level of daily living functioning. We did not find any correlations between 2D:4D ratio and frailty measures. We found a significant correlation between 2D:4D ratio and MMSE scores in the women sampled. We cannot ascertain any contribution of prenatal exposure to androgens to the frailty status of community-dwelling elderly people. We found that reduced prenatal exposure to testosterone in women may contribute to the prevention of cognitive decline in elderly women.

Bone Mineral Density and Cognitive Decline in Elderly Women: Results from the InCHIANTI Study.

Osteoporosis and cognitive impairment, which are highly prevalent conditions in elderly populations, share several risk factors. This study aims at evaluating the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with prevalent and incident cognitive impairment after a 3-year follow-up. We studied 655 community-dwelling women aged 65+ participating in the InCHIANTI study, who had been followed for 3years. Total, trabecular, and cortical BMD were estimated by peripheral quantitative computed tomography using standard transverse scans at 4 and 38% of the tibial length. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Trail Making Tests (TMT) A and B; a MMSE score <24 was adopted to define cognitive impairment. The TMT A-B score was calculated as the difference between TMT-A and TMT-B times (ΔTMT). The association of cognitive performance after 3years with baseline indices of BMD was assessed by logistic and linear regression analyses. Cortical, but not trabecular, BMD was independently associated with incident cognitive impairment (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.98; P=0.012), worsening cognitive performance (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.98; P=0.039), and worsening performance in ΔTMT (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99; P=0.047). Increasing cortical BMD tertiles was associated with decreasing probability of incident cognitive impairment (P for linear trend =0.001), worsening cognitive performance (P=0.013), and a worsening performance below the median value (P for linear trend <0.0001). In older women, low BMD might represent an independent and early marker of subsequent cognitive impairment. Physicians should assess and monitor cognitive performance in the routine management of elderly women with osteoporosis.

Prospective analysis of the association between estrogen receptor gene variants and the risk of cognitive decline in elderly women

A plethora of data suggests a role for estrogen in cognitive function and genetic variants in the estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 have been implicated in a range of hormone-sensitive diseases. It remains unknown however, whether ESR polymorphisms are associated with the risk of decline in specific domains of cognitive function. Data came from 3799 non-demented, community-dwelling elderly women recruited in France to the 3C Study. A short cognitive test battery was administered at baseline and 2, 4 and 7 years follow-up to assess global function, verbal fluency, visual memory, psychomotor speed and executive function. Detailed socio-demographic, behavioral, physical and mental health information was also gathered and genotyping of five common ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms was also performed. In multivariable-adjusted Cox analysis, ESR1 rs2234693 and rs9340799 were not significantly associated with the risk of decline on any of the cognitive tasks. However, significant associations with ESR2 polymorphisms were identified. The A allele of rs1256049 was associated with an increased risk of substantial decline in visual memory (HR:1.64, 95% CI: 1.23–2.18, p=0.0007), psychomotor speed (HR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.12–1.83, p=0.004), and on the incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (HR:1.31, 95% CI: 1.05–1.64, p=0.02). There was also a weaker association between the A allele of rs4986938 and a decreased risk of decline in psychomotor speed. Our large multicentre prospective study provides preliminary evidence that ESR2 genetic variants may be associated with specific cognitive domains and suggests that further examination of the role of this gene in cognitive function is warranted.

Urinary incontinence and risk of functional decline in older women: data from the Norwegian HUNT-study

BackgroundThe main objective of the present study was to determine whether UI is an independent predictor of ADL decline and IADL decline in elderly women. We also aimed to find out whether incontinent subjects were at higher risk of needing help from formal home care or home nursing care during 11 year follow-up.MethodsA prospective cohort study conducted as part of the North-Trøndelag Health Study 2 and 3. Women aged 70–80 years when participating in the HUNT 2 study, who also participated in the HUNT 3 study, were included in this study. Analyses on self-reported urinary incontinence at baseline and functional decline during a11-year period were performed for incontinent and continent subjects.ResultsBaseline prevalence of urinary incontinence was 24%. At on average eleven year follow up, logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between incontinence and decline in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR =2.37, 95% CI =1.01-5.58) (P=0.04). No association between urinary incontinence and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in incontinent women compared with continent women was found (OR=1.18, CI=.75-1.86) (P=.46). Data were adjusted for ADL, IADL and co morbid conditions at baseline. No significant differences in need of more help from formal home care and home nursing care between continent and incontinent women were found after 11 years of follow-up.ConclusionsUrinary incontinence is an important factor associated with functional decline in women aged 70–80 years living in their own homes. At eleven years of follow up, no significant differences in need of more help from formal home care and home nursing care between continent and incontinent women were found.

Caffeine and Cognitive Decline in Elderly Women at High Vascular Risk

Persons with vascular disorders are at higher risk of cognitive decline. To determine whether caffeine may be associated with cognitive decline reduction in elderly at high vascular risk. We included 2,475 women aged 65+ years in the Women's Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study, a randomized trial of antioxidants and B vitamins for cardiovascular disease secondary prevention. We ascertained regular caffeine intake at baseline (1995-1996) using a validated 116 item-food frequency questionnaire. From 1998-2000 to 2005-2006, we administered four telephone cognitive assessments at two-year intervals evaluating global cognition, verbal memory, and category fluency. The primary outcome was the change in global cognitive score, which was the average of the z-scores of all tests. We used generalized linear models for repeated measures that were adjusted for various sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors to evaluate the difference in cognitive decline rates across quintiles of caffeine intake. We observed significantly slower rates of cognitive decline with increasing caffeine intake (p-trend = 0.02). The rate difference between the highest and lowest quintiles of usual caffeine intake (>371 versus <30 mg/day) was equivalent to that observed between those who were 7 years apart in age (p = 0.006). Consumption of caffeinated coffee was significantly related to slower cognitive decline (p-trend = 0.05), but not other caffeinated products (e.g., decaf, tea, cola, chocolate). We conducted interaction analyses and observed stronger associations in women assigned to vitamin B supplementation (p-interaction = 0.02). Caffeine intake was related to moderately better cognitive maintenance over 5 years in older women with vascular disorders.

Low-dose aspirin may protect against cognitive decline in elderly women

Low-dose aspirin may protect against cognitive decline in elderly women

Aspirin fails to prevent cognitive decline in elderly women

Aspirin fails to prevent cognitive decline in elderly women

Incapacidade funcional entre as mulheres idosas no Brasil

To estimate disability rates and explore associations, identifying the most significant socioeconomic markers associated with the prevalence of mobility disability among elderly women. National mobility disability rates were estimated based on information from the 1998 National Household Survey (PNAD), conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. The present study analyzes the elderly women population, totaling 16,186 subjects. Logistic regression models were constructed considering 'difficulty walking 100 meters' as the dependent variable. The prevalence of markers of mild, moderate and severe disability was greater among women, and increased with age. In logistic regression analysis, markers most strongly associated with increased prevalence of mobility disability were age, gender, low schooling, and low income. Rural residence was also associated with reduced prevalence. Our results suggest potential risk factors for the development of functional decline in elderly women, given that the associations encountered were consistent with those reported by other studies in the literature.

ACE inhibitors reduce physical decline in elderly women?

ACE inhibitors reduce physical decline in elderly women?

A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women: women who walk.

Several studies have suggested that physical activity is positively associated with cognitive function in elderly persons. Evidence about this association has been limited by the cross-sectional design of most studies and by the frequent lack of adjustment for potential confounding variables. We determined whether physical activity is associated with cognitive decline in a prospective study of older women. We studied 5925 predominantly white community-dwelling women (aged > or =65 years) who were recruited at 4 clinical centers and were without baseline cognitive impairment or physical limitations. We measured cognitive performance using a modified Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline and 6 to 8 years later. Physical activity was measured by self-reported blocks (1 block approximately 160 m) walked per week and by total kilocalories (energy) expended per week in recreation, blocks walked, and stairs climbed. Cognitive decline was defined as a 3-point decline or greater on repeated modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Women with a greater physical activity level at baseline were less likely to experience cognitive decline during the 6 to 8 years of follow-up: cognitive decline occurred in 17%, 18%, 22%, and 24% of those in the highest, third, second, and lowest quartile of blocks walked per week (P< .001 for trend). Almost identical results were obtained by quartile of total kilocalories expended per week. After adjustment for age, educational level, comorbid conditions, smoking status, estrogen use, and functional limitation, women in the highest quartile remained less likely than women in the lowest quartile to develop cognitive decline (for blocks walked: odds ratio, 0.66 [95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.82]; for total kilocalories: odds ratio, 0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.90]). Women with higher levels of baseline physical activity were less likely to develop cognitive decline. This association was not explained by differences in baseline function or health status. This finding supports the hypothesis that physical activity prevents cognitive decline in older community-dwelling women.

A clinical prediction tool that includes modifiable risk factors predicted functional decline in elderly women

(2000) J Am Geriatr Soc 48, 170. Sarkisian CA, Liu H, Gutierrez PR, et al . , for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group. . Modifiable risk factors predict...

A clinical prediction tool that includes modifiable risk factors predicted functional decline in elderly women

A clinical prediction tool that includes modifiable risk factors predicted functional decline in elderly women