Disease In Older People Research Articles

Nutrition and inflammaging : unveiling the impact of diet on healthy aging

Aging is a declining process which leads to a poorer state of human health. The process involved immune system, known as immunosenescence, which is a multifactorial and dynamic process, involving both innate and acquired immunity. It is characterized by a progressive reduction in the ability to trigger immune responses against infections and vaccinations and lead to inflammaging. Immunosenescence plays a critical role in most chrocic diseases in older people, therefore, attempts are made to slow down or reverse the process.

Impact of Immunosenescence on Viral Infections with an Emphasis on COVID-19.

During aging, the immune system (IS) undergoes remarkable changes known as immunosenescence, a multifactorial and dynamic phenomenon that affects both natural and acquired immunity and plays an important role in most chronic diseases in older people. Among the determinants of immunosenescence, we find a low-grade sterile chronic inflammation, known as "inflamm-aging". This condition of chronic inflammation causes a progressive reduction in the ability to trigger antibody and cellular responses effective against infections and vaccinations. In this review, we wanted to explore the role of immunosenescence and inflamm-aging as determinants of the immunological aging process and predisposing viral infections phenomena, with a particular reference to cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), influenza virus (IFV) diseases and SARS-CoV2. IS aging is also reflected in a reduction in the antibody response to vaccinations, hence there is a need to expand trials to elderly patients, in order to identify the most appropriate methods for developing effective and safe vaccination and preventive strategies.

Factors related to dietary quality among older stroke high-risk population in Tianjin community, China: a multicenter study

BackgroundStroke is a common and frequently-occurring disease in older people. It has the characteristics of high morbidity, high mortality, high recurrence rate and high disability rate. Most stroke risk studies are based on pathophysiology, however psychosocial factors such as diet quality are often understudied. The aim of this study was to assess stroke risk in urban community residents in Tianjin and investigate the factors that affect the dietary quality of older stroke high-risk populations.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional, multicenter study, recruit people aged 60 to 80 in Tianjin. Dietary intake data were obtained through a validated food frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) and to analyze its association with sociodemographic characteristics, stroke risk factors and health marker variables.ResultsA total of 1068 participants from 4 community health service centers in Tianjin were recruited, including 300 low-risk individuals and 768 high-risk individuals. Compared with the low-risk group (62.75 ± 3.59), the AHEI-2010 mean score of the high-risk group (56.83 ± 6.54) was significantly lower. The top three most common risk factors among participants were dyslipidemia (80.3%), hypertension (60.6%), and physical inactivity (58.2%). Multiple logistic regression showed that diet quality was independently and significantly associated with stroke risk (OR = 0.765; 95%CI: 0.690–0.848, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe diet quality of high-risk stroke population in Tianjin is far from ideal. At the same time, public health knowledge needs to be disseminated and educated, especially among those at high risk of cerebrovascular disease, with a focus on improving psychosocial factors such as diet quality.

Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of the Eye Tissue of Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice at an Early Pathological Stage.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease in older people. Despite some consensus on pathogenesis of AD established by previous researches, further elucidation is still required for better understanding. This study analyzed the eye tissues of 2- and 6-month-old triple transgenic AD (3×Tg-AD) male mice and age-sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice using a targeted metabolomics approach. Compared with WT mice, 20 and 44 differential metabolites were identified in 2- and 6-month-old AD mice, respectively. They were associated with purine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, lysine degradation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyrimidine metabolism pathways. Among them, 8 metabolites presented differences in both the two groups, and 5 of them showed constant trend of change. The results indicated that the eye tissues of 3 × Tg-AD mice underwent changes in the early stages of the disease, with changes in metabolites observed at 2months of age and more pronounced at 6months of age, which is consistent with our previous studies on hippocampal targeted metabolomics in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Therefore, a joint analysis of data from this study and previous hippocampal study was performed, and the differential metabolites and their associated mechanisms were similar in eye and hippocampal tissues, but with tissue specificity.

The effect of “smoky” coal bans on chronic lung disease among older people in Ireland

Globally, coal is still widely used for heating. However, there are concerns about its effect on ambient air quality and health. We estimated the effect of bans prohibiting the sale and use of so-called “smoky coal” on the prevalence of chronic lung disease in older people. Our identification strategy relied on the phased extension of smoky coal bans to Irish towns after 2010. We examined five waves of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a large nationally representative survey containing detailed information on health, housing, and socio-economic status. Controlling for relevant factors, smoky coal bans reduced the probability that an older person reports being diagnosed with chronic lung disease by between three and five percentage points. In models where we estimated the effect of the ban on the incidence of new cases of chronic lung disease, rather than existing cases, we found the effect was between -0.96 and -2.5 percentage points. Our findings were robust to estimating the model using different sub-samples and control variables. Furthermore, to address potential endogeneity of the ban, we examined subsamples defined by whether participants lived in towns within a range of the population threshold at which the ban was imposed. Estimating our model using these subsamples showed a consistently negative effect of the ban. We also showed parallel trends in health outcomes before the treatment, and that the treatment did not affect attrition from the sample.

The Multi-Strain Probiotic OMNi-BiOTiC® Active Reduces the Duration of Acute Upper Respiratory Disease in Older People: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Immunosenescence is the adverse change in the human immune function during aging, leaving older people more prone to an increased risk of infections and morbidity. Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are very common among older people, often resulting in continued morbidity and mortality. Therefore, approaches, such as consuming probiotics, that shorten the duration or even reduce the incidence of URTIs in older people are being studied. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a multi-strain probiotic OMNi-BiOTiC® Active, which contains 11 live probiotic strains, on the incidence, duration, and severity of URTIs in older people. In this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study, 95 participants, with an average age of 70.9 years in the probiotic group and 69.6 years in the placebo group, were randomly allocated to two groups: 1010 cfu per day of the multi-strain probiotic intervention OMNi-BiOTiC® Active (49) or placebo (46). The incidence of URTIs in older people after 12 weeks supplementation with OMNi-BiOTiC® showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.5244). However, the duration of the URTI infections was statistically significantly different between the groups (p = 0.011). The participants that consumed the probiotic had an average duration of illness of 3.1 ± 1.6 days, whilst participants that received the placebo had symptoms for an average of 6.0 ± 3.8 days (p = 0.011). Statistically significant differences in lymphocyte counts in both groups after supplementation (p = 0.035 for the probiotic group and p = 0.029 for the placebo group) and between both groups were found (p = 0.009). Statistically significant differences in eosinophil (p = 0.002) and basophil counts (p = 0.001) in the probiotic groups before and after supplementation with probiotics were also found. Supplementation with the multi-strain probiotic OMNi-BiOTiC® Active may benefit older people with URTIs. Larger randomised controlled clinical trials are warranted. Clinical Trial Registration; identifier NCT05879393.

Analysis of Elderly Group Community Nursing Practices with Education Innovation Interventions of LSM (Lansia Sehat Merata) among Elderly with Hypertension

Elderly is a natural process accompanied by a decrease in physical, psychological and social conditions that interact with each other. The attachment of conditions that influence each other causes the elderly to be included in a vulnerable group that needs more monitoring than other age groups. High blood pressure is considered a major risk factor for developing heart disease and various vascular diseases in older people. Through health education efforts, people behave or adopt health behaviors by way of persuasion, appeals, solicitations, and so on. The purpose of this paper is to analyze community nursing care for elderly groups with educational innovation interventions (NGOs) for hypertensive elderly people on the level of knowledge in Sodong Hamlet, Tambaksari Village, Tambaksari Health Center Working Area in 2022. The population used is all hypertensive elderly in Sodong Hamlet, Tambaksari Village, as many as 155 people. The sampling method for nursing care is non-probability sampling. While the technique used is accidental sampling. The results of the nursing analysis found that there was an effect of health education on the level of knowledge in elderly hypertensives after educational interventions were carried out Lansia Sehat Merata.

Highlighting the characteristics of TB disease in older people.

Highlighting the characteristics of TB disease in older people.

Body composition and musculoskeletal fitness: A cluster analysis for the identification of risk phenotypes for pediatric sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is primarily a disease in older people characterized by reduced muscle mass and strength. Nevertheless, sarcopenia may, at least partially, have pediatric origins. The study aimed to identify risk phenotypes for sarcopenia in healthy young people using clustering analysis procedures based on body composition and musculoskeletal fitness. We conducted a cluster cross-sectional analysis of data from 529 youth aged 10-18yr. Body composition was assessed using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), determining: lean body mass index (LBMI, kg/m2), fat body mass index (FBMI, kg/m2), abdominal FBMI (kg/m2), and lean body mass/fat body mass ratio (LBM/FBM); body mass index was also calculated (BMI, kg/m2). Musculoskeletal fitness was assessed using handgrip strength (kg) and vertical jump power (W) tests. Results were presented as absolute values and adjusted by body mass. Plank endurance (s) was also assessed. All variables were sex and age in years standardized (Z-score). LBMI or LBM/FBM ratio≤-1 SD were used to identify participants at risk for sarcopenia. Maturity was estimated as the years of distance from the peak height velocity (PHV) age. Using the Z-score means for body composition and musculoskeletal fitness and having LBMI or LBM/FBM ratio as the categorical variables (at risk vs. not at risk), the cluster analyses indicated three homogeneous groups (phenotypes, P): P1, risk body composition and unfit; P2, non-risk body composition and non-fit, and P3, non-risk body composition and fit. With the LBMI as a categorical variable, the ANOVA models showed that the body composition and absolute values of musculoskeletal fitness were in P1<P2<P3 and the estimated PHV age of P1>P3 in both sexes (p<0.001). Having the LBM/FBM as a categorical variable, higher values of BMI, FBMI, and abdominal FBMI, and lower values of handgrip strength and vertical jump power both adjusted for body mass and plank endurance were observed in P1 than in P2 and/or P3 and the P2 than in the P3 in boys and girls (p<0.001). Two risk phenotypes for sarcopenia were identified in apparently healthy young people: I. a low LBMI phenotype with low BMI and II. a low LBM to FBM phenotype with high BMI and FBMI. In both risk phenotypes I and II, musculoskeletal fitness was low. For screening, we suggest using absolute measures of handgrip strength and vertical jump power in phenotype I and body mass adjusted measures of these markers, as well as the plank endurance time in phenotype II.

Design and implementation of an Android-based medication reminder APP

In the prevention and control of disease in older people, particularly in the management of chronic diseases, patient adherence to medication has a significant impact on treatment outcomes and healing. Low medication adherence may worsen the condition and lead to increased morbidity mortality and healthcare costs. Therefore, in order to help remind the elderly population to take their medication on time to ensure relief and treatment, the project team will design an Android medication reminder app for the elderly, which will provide a simple and convenient medication reminder service for the elderly and reduce the associated burden for their children.

Cardiovascular disease in older people with serious mental illness: Current challenges and future directions.

Cardiovascular disease in older people with serious mental illness: Current challenges and future directions.

Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults Living With HIV.

Inflammation is an indicator of oxidative stress that may contribute to cardiovascular diseases in older people living with HIV (OPWH). Physical activity (PA) may reduce these biomarkers in OPWH, but little is known about the association of PA with inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. We sought to examine the inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarker correlates of PA and sedentary behavior in OPWH. We included 101 OPWH with complete assessments of PA, sedentary behavior, and biomarker data to examine the association between the volume of PA and inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. In this cohort of OPWH (mean age 55.9y), 68% were male and 83% were African American/Black. Among OPWH, greater volume of PA (ie,walking, moderate, vigorous, and/or total) was associated with lower systolic (P < .05) and diastolic blood pressure (P < .05), pulse pressure (P < .05), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P < .05). Greater duration of sitting was associated with greater triglycerides, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P < .05). Although adherence to regular PA among OPWH is low and sedentary behavior is high, the associations between biomarkers and PA suggest a greater volume of PA could attenuate the inflammatory and cardiovascular derangements experienced by OPWH.

Reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease in older people with cancer: a qualitative study of healthcare providers

PurposeCancer survivors are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than cancer-free controls. Despite evidence-based guidelines recommending CVD risk factor assessment, surveillance and risk-reduction, many people with cancer do not receive adequate CVD care. To address potential barriers and enablers of care, we examined healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions and experiences of CVD risk assessment and management in people with cancer.MethodsWe conducted one focus group and 12 individual interviews to examine HCPs’ perceptions and experiences of CVD care in care. We used reflexive thematic analysis to collect and analyse the qualitative data to construct and understand themes.ResultsTwenty-one HCPs participated (8 oncologists, 5 nurses, 3 general practitioners, 2 dietitians, 1 cardiologist, 1 haematologist and 1 physiotherapist). Majority of HCPs were aware of CVD risk in cancer but were concerned they could not deliver CVD care alone due to system-level barriers including lack of time and training. HCPs also perceived patient-level barriers including socioeconomic disadvantage and fatalistic outlook. Despite barriers, HCPs suggested diverse solutions for improving CVD care in cancer including new models-of-care, clinical pathways, risk assessment/management tools and education.ConclusionsThe diversity of perceived barriers and suggested solutions identified by HCPs suggests the need for a multilevel approach tailored to context. Future research involving people with cancer is needed to co-design acceptable interventions.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsImproved understanding of HCP’s perceptions can inform the development of new interventions to deliver CVD care to people with cancer to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Can Smart Home Technologies Help Older Adults Manage Their Chronic Condition? A Systematic Literature Review.

The management of chronic diseases requires personalized healthcare that allows older adults to manage their diseases at home. This systematic review aimed to describe the smart home technologies used in the management of chronic diseases in older people. A systematic literature review was conducted on four databases and was reported following the PRISMA statement. Nineteen articles were included. The intervention technologies were classified into three groups: smart home, characterized by environmental sensors detecting motion, contact, light, temperature, and humidity; external memory aids, characterized by a partnership between mobile apps and smart home-based activity learning; and hybrid technology, with the integration of multiple technologies, such as devices installed at patients' homes and telemedicine. The health outcomes evaluated are vital signs, medication management, ADL-IADL, mobility, falls, and quality of life. Smart homes show great potential in the management of chronic diseases by favouring the control of exacerbations and increasing patients' safety by providing support in disease management, including support for cognitively impaired older people. The use of smart homes in the community could bring numerous benefits in terms of continuity of care, allowing the constant monitoring of older people by local and hospital health services.

The glymphatic system and biomarkers of the cerebrospinal fluid in idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus

Idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus is one of the most common brain diseases in older people. The most urgent issue in the study of normotensive hydrocephalus is its differential diagnosis with other neurodegenerative and vascular pathologies of the brain. Currently, more studies have examined the concentration of biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus and other brain diseases to understand the pathophysiological processes in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The overwhelming majority of these studies have focused on the biomarkers of the cerebrospinal fluid in only one anatomical area: the ventricles of the brain or the lumbar subarachnoid space. However, only a few studies have conducted a comparative assessment of the composition and concentrations of biomarkers in ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid in the same patients. We believe that the difference in the content of biomarkers in different areas may be crucial in the choice of treatment methods for patients with idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus. The lumbar cerebrospinal fluid is more pollutedthe content of nearly all biomarkers in the lumbar subarachnoid space is higher than that of the cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Of the two most commonly used basic surgical techniques for the treatment of idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus, ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal bypass surgery, preference is given to lumboperitoneal bypass surgery, which avoids complications associated with damage to the parenchyma of the brain and, most importantly, drains the dirtier cerebrospinal fluid with a higher concentration of proteins from the lumbar space. Instead of lumboperitoneal bypass surgery, we proposed a new combination of two surgical proceduresthe combination of endoscopic triventriculocysternostomy and ventriculoperitoneal bypass surgery. With such a combination, we believe that drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles and the subarachnoid space of the cisterns of the base of the brain will be more effective than the traditional ventriculoperitoneal shunting because the concentration of proteins involved in the progression of degenerative diseases of the brain will decrease more actively.

A retrospective multicenter study of oral and maxillofacial lesions in older people.

Few studies on the distribution of oral diseases in older people are available in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and demographic characteristics of oral and maxillofacial lesions in geriatric patients (age ≥ 60 years). A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Biopsy records were obtained from archives of three Brazilian oral pathology centers over a 20-year period. Data on sex, age, anatomical site, skin color, and histopathological diagnosis were collected and analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in the frequency of the different oral and maxillofacial lesion groups. A total of 7,476 biopsy records of older patients were analyzed. Most cases were diagnosed in patients aged 60 to 69 years (n = 4,487; 60.0%). Females were more affected (n = 4,403; 58.9%) with a female-to-male ratio of 1:0.7 (p < 0.001). The tongue (n = 1,196; 16.4%), lower lip (n = 1,005; 13.8%), and buccal mucosa (n = 997; 13.7%) were the most common anatomical sites. Reactive and inflammatory lesions (n = 3,840; 51.3%) were the most prevalent non-neoplastic pathologies (p < 0.001), followed by cysts (n = 475; 6.4%). Malignant neoplasms were more frequent (n = 1,353; 18.1%) than benign neoplasms (n = 512; 6.8%). Fibrous/fibroepithelial hyperplasia (n = 2,042; 53.2%) (p < 0.001) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1,191; 88.03%) (p < 0.001) were the most common oral lesions in older adults. Biopsy data allow the accurate characterization of the prevalence of oral and maxillofacial lesions, supporting the development of public health policies that can enable the prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these lesions. Also, they bring valuable information that helps dentists and geriatricians diagnose these diseases.

Body mass index cutoff points and their relationship to chronic non-communicable diseases in older people

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre estado nutricional segundo diferentes pontos de corte para índice de massa corporal (IMC) e ocorrência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) em idosos. Métodos Estudo transversal, realizado com 365 idosos de ambos os sexos, utilizando-se um questionário contendo variáveis sobre saúde e medidas de peso e estatura. A associação entre classificação do estado nutricional pelo IMC e ocorrência de DCNT foi estimada pelo Odds Ratio (OR) e Intervalos de 95% de Confiança (IC95%). Resultados A partir dos critérios de classificação do IMC, o estado nutricional variou entre: adequado (24,9%-32,3%), excesso de peso (57,3%-73,2%) e baixo peso (1,9%-15,3%). Segundo a classificação do estado nutricional por Lipschitz, o baixo peso se associou à menor ocorrência de doenças osteoarticulares (OR=0,38; IC95%:0,15-0,93) e cardiometabólicas (OR=0,42; IC95%:0,19-0,94); o sobrepeso se associou à maior ocorrência de doenças cardiometabólicas (OR=2,26; IC95%:1,30-3,93). Segundo critérios da Organização Mundial de Saúde, o baixo peso se associou à menor ocorrência de doenças cardiometabólicas (OR=0,09; IC95%:0,01-0,61), sobrepeso à menor ocorrência de doenças neuropsicológicas (OR=0,47; IC95%:0,26-0,87), obesidade à maior ocorrência de doenças osteoarticulares (OR=1,95; IC95%:1,08-3,52) e cardiometabólicas (OR=3,02; IC95%: 1,54-5,93). Pelos critérios da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde, o baixo peso se associou à menor ocorrência de doenças cardiometabólicas (OR=0,45; IC95%:0,22-0,91), obesidade à maior ocorrência de doenças osteoarticulares (OR=1,91; IC95%:1,16-3,15), cardiometabólicas (OR=2,58; IC95%:1,36-4,85) e respiratórias (OR=1,96; IC95%:1,16-3,16). Conclusão Os critérios de classificação do IMC associaram-se negativamente (baixo peso) e positivamente (excesso de peso) à ocorrência de DCNT, verificando-se maior força na associação quando se diferenciou sobrepeso de obesidade.

Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy: An increasingly recognized comorbidity.

Both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy are common chronic diseases in older people. Seizures and epileptiform discharges are very prevalent in AD and can occur since any stage of AD. Increasing evidence indicates that AD and epilepsy may be comorbid. Several factors may be related to the underlying mechanism of the comorbidity. Identifying seizures in patients with AD is a challenge because seizures are often clinically non-motor and may overlap with some AD symptoms. Not only seizures but also epileptiform discharges may exacerbate the cognitive decline in AD patients, highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of seizures in AD from multiple aspects to provide more insight.

Geriatric Medicine in the Medical Curriculum: A MUST in the Globally Aging World

Geriatrics is a branch of medicine concerned with diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases in older people and problems specific to aging. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of people aged 65 or older is projected to grow from an estimated 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2050. The burden of diseases in the aging population will dramatically impact healthcare expenses in low- and middle-income countries and even developed ones. A preventive approach is essential. The role of medical institutions and inclusion of geriatrics in the medical curriculum have become important. However, incorporating geriatrics into the medical curriculum is associated with various issues and challenges: compact pre-existing curriculum, attitudes of teachers and students, and shortage of teaching geriatricians. An individualized institutional approach to curricular integration guided by the American Geriatrics Society’s minimum required competencies for the undergraduate will circumvent these challenges.

Perspective: Role of Micronutrients and Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Immune Outcomes of Relevance to Infections in Older Adults—A Narrative Review and Call for Action

ABSTRACTThe immune system is weakened by advancing age, often referred to as immunosenescence, increasing the vulnerability to, and frequently the severity of, infectious diseases in older people. This has become very apparent in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for which older people are at higher risk of severe outcomes, even those who are fully vaccinated. Aging affects both the innate and adaptive immune systems and is characterized by an imbalanced inflammatory response. Increasing evidence shows that optimal status of nutrients such as vitamins C, D, and E and selenium and zinc as well as the omega-3 (n–3) fatty acids DHA and EPA can help compensate for these age-related changes. While inadequate intakes of these nutrients are widespread in the general population, this is often more pronounced in older people. Maintaining adequate intakes is a challenge for them due to a range of factors such as physical, physiological, and cognitive changes; altered absorption; and the presence of noncommunicable diseases. While nutritional requirements are ideally covered by a balanced diet, this can be difficult to achieve, particularly for older people. Fortified foods and nutritional complements are effective in achieving adequate micronutrient intakes and should be considered as a safe and cost-effective means for older people to improve their nutritional status and hence support their defense against infections. Complementing the diet with a combination of micronutrients, particularly those playing a key role in the immune system such as vitamins C, D, and E and selenium and zinc as well as DHA and EPA, is recommended for older people. Optimal nutrition to support the immune system in older people will remain essential, particularly in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic and, thus, developing strategies to ensure adequate nutrition for the growing number of older adults will be an important and cost-effective investment in the future.