Health Of Elderly Individuals Research Articles

The Effect of Forced Migration on Mental Health in Elderly Individuals: A Struggle in the Shadow of Disasters

Natural disasters are social crises that affect people together with their environment, which are unpredictable where and when they will occur worldwide. Natural disasters are a process that deeply affects people's lives, often necessitating relocation. Natural disasters affecting individuals from all age groups significantly affect elderly individuals, who are a vulnerable and fragile group due to physical limitations, chronic diseases and other age-related factors. Uncertainty and anxiety together with difficult experiences and change of location after the disaster is a traumatic process that especially affects elderly individuals. The fact that elderly individuals constitute the majority of the increasing population on a global scale and the increasing number of natural disasters today makes it a priority to address the mental health of elderly individuals and to carry out more studies on survival strategies. From this point of view, this review study aims to provide strategies for the protection, development and rehabilitation of the mental health of elderly individuals by focusing on the mental health problems and coping methods of elderly individuals who try to establish a new life by having to relocate due to natural disasters and natural disasters. Pre-disaster preparation and post-disaster intervention programs should be prepared specifically for elderly individuals and should be structured taking into account cultural/geographical differences.

Unveiling the hidden impact: Subclinical hypercortisolism and its subtle influence on bone health.

In recent years, advancements in imaging technologies have led to an increased detection rate of adrenal incidentalomas (AI), with age demonstrating a significant correlation with their incidence. Among the various forms of functional adrenal incidentalomas, subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) stands out as a predominant subtype. Despite the absence of typical symptoms associated with Cushing's syndrome, both domestic and international research consistently establishes a robust link between SH and diverse metabolic irregularities, including hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders, glucose metabolism abnormalities, and disruptions in bone metabolism. Individuals with SH face an elevated risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, highlighting the clinical significance of addressing this condition. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels poses a significant threat to bone health, contributing to bone loss, alterations in bone microstructure, and an increased susceptibility to fractures. However, comprehensive reviews addressing bone metabolism changes and associated mechanisms in SH patients are currently lacking. Furthermore, the profound impact of concurrent SH on the overall health of the elderly cannot be overstated. A comprehensive understanding of the skeletal health status in elderly individuals with concomitant SH is imperative. This article aims to fill this gap by offering a detailed review of bone metabolism changes and associated mechanisms in SH patients arising from AI. Additionally, it provides a forward-looking perspective on research concerning skeletal health in elderly individuals with concurrent SH.

Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBoth osteoporosis and cognitive impairment affect overall health in elderly individuals. This study aimed to investigate the association between cognitive impairment and the risk of osteoporosis.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies on the association between osteoporosis and cognitive impairment from their inception until August 2023. The random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) of osteoporosis in patients with cognitive impairment. Subgroup analysis was used to detect the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of the pooled results. Funnel plots, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test were used to test publication bias.ResultsTen studies involving 9,872 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that patients with cognitive impairment had an increased risk of osteoporosis (RR = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30–1.87, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are at 1.7-fold risk of osteoporosis compared with the control group (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.23–2.37, p = 0.001), and sex, cognitive classification, study region, study design, and study quality might be the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis showed robustness of the pooled results. No significant publication bias was found (Begg’s test, p = 0.474; Egger’s test, p = 0.065).ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that patients with cognitive impairment are at increased risk of osteoporosis, especially patients with AD.

SCH 644343 alleviates ischemic stroke-induced neuroinflammation by promoting microglial polarization via the IL-4/SREBP-1 signaling pathway

Ischemic stroke (IS), a kind of acute cerebrovascular disease, is one of the most common diseases, and it endangers the lives and health of elderly individuals. Inflammation is a key factor leading to stroke, making it a potential therapeutic target. Previous studies have found that neuroinflammation is closely associated with microglial polarization. Due to the various side effects of current drugs used to treat neuroinflammation, it is important to explore alternative drugs with anti-inflammatory activity for neuroinflammation treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effect of SCH 644343 (SCH), a natural compound, on neuroinflammation induced by IS and explored the mechanism. We found that SCH meliorated the phenotypes of IS in vivo, which was correlated with the increased percentage of infiltrated M2 macrophages in brain after stroke. SCH exerted a significant effect against oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in BV2 cells in vitro by inhibiting M1 microglial polarization and promoting M2 microglial polarization. Furthermore, suppression of SREBP-1 expression by pretreatment with the SREBP-1 inhibitor 25-HC attenuated the effect of SCH on IS in vitro. Taken together, SCH exerts anti-IS effect by promoting microglial polarization via the IL-4/SREBP-1 signaling pathway.

The role of exosomes and their enhancement strategies in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

With the increasingly prominent problem of population aging, osteoarthritis (OA), which is closely related to aging, has become a serious illness affecting the lives and health of elderly individuals. However, effective treatments are still lacking. OA is typically considered a low-grade inflammatory state. The inflammatory infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, and other cells is common in diseased joints. These cells create the inflammatory environment of OA and are involved in the onset and progression of the disease. Exosomes, a type of complex vesicle containing abundant RNA molecules and proteins, play a crucial role in the physiological and pathological processes of an organism. In comparison to other therapeutic methods such as stem cells, exosomes have distinct advantages of precise targeting and low immunogenicity. Moreover, research and techniques related to exosomes are more mature, indicating a promising future in disease treatment. Many studies have shown that the impact of exosomes on the inflammatory microenvironment directly or indirectly leads to the occurrence of various diseases. Furthermore, exosomes can be helpful in the management of illnesses. This article provides a comprehensive review and update on the research of exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, in the treatment of OA by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. It also combines innovative studies on the modification of exosomes. In general, the application of exosomes in the treatment of OA has been validated, and the introduction of modified exosome technology holds potential for enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.

Development of a physiotherapy rehabilitation protocol for promoting cognitive health in elderly individuals

The global population in developed countries is increasing, especially in the age group of 80 years or older, leading to an increase in demand for health services. With aging, there is a decrease in brain activity, which can lead to a reduction in reflexes and sensitivity, changes in attention, and the development of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in maintaining and recovering a healthy and active lifestyle, seeking aging with greater functional independence, and delaying the progression of cognitive decline. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a physiotherapy protocol for cognitive rehabilitation in the elderly based on a literature review. The protocol can optimize occupational performance and delay the conversion of dementia in elderly people with MCI. In the multidisciplinary team, the physiotherapist can conduct individual or group strategies and interventions with elderly individuals with normal cognitive function, aiming to improve performance in mnemonic tasks and daily activities that require greater cognitive attention. Protocols serve as guides for professionals, leading them to the desired path, and focus on observation and evaluation, aiming at significant contributions to institutions, elderly people, and their families.

Mulberry leaf and konjac compound powder improves the metabolic capacity of old mice on a high-protein diet by regulating the structure of the intestinal microbiota.

The health of elderly individuals is closely linked to their protein intake and the abundance of intestinal microbiota. To investigate the impact of a compound powder made from mulberry leaf and konjac (hereinafter referred to as 'compound powder') on regulating the structure of intestinal microbiota in 15-month-old BALB/c mice that were fed a high-beef-protein diet, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase reaction, western blot, and other biochemical methods were used to analyze the differences in intestinal microbiota, protein metabolism-related genes, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content, and serum cytokines. The results showed that the compound powder increased the content of SCFAs, reduced the inflammatory reaction of the body, adjusted the abundance of intestinal microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes), and increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B). Moreover, the compound powder could increase the abundance of Lactobacillus and some non-dominant bacteria that were related to amino acid metabolism and beneficial to human health, such as Eubacterium coprostanoligenes. These beneficial bacteria competitively reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria to protect the intestinal barrier and promote intestinal health, and upregulated the activities of aminopeptidase, proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1, and glutamate dehydrogenase at the transcription and translation levels. The compound powder could balance the abundance of intestinal microbiota, which may improve the metabolic capacity of old mice on a high-protein diet, and ultimately promoting the well-being of elderly individuals. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Football training as a non-pharmacological treatment of the global aging population-A topical review.

In the present topical mini-review, the beneficial impact of small-sided game football training for the increasing elderly global population is presented. As a multicomponent type of physical activity, football training executed on small pitched with 4-6 players in each team is targeting a myriad of physiological systems and causes positive adaptations of relevance for several non-communicable diseases, of which the incidence increases with advancing age. There is strong scientific evidence that this type of football training promotes cardiovascular, metabolic and musculo-skeletal health in elderly individuals. These positive adaptations can prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, sarcopenia and osteoporosis, and lower the risk of falls. Also, football training has been proven an efficient part of the treatment of several patient groups including men with prostate cancer and women after breast cancer. Finally, regular football training has an anti-inflammatory effect and may slow the biological aging. Overall, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that recreational football training can promote health in the elderly.

Retirement and elderly health in China: Based on propensity score matching.

The relationship between retirement and health is important to the formulation of retirement related policies but is a controversial topic, perhaps because selection bias has not been well-addressed in previous studies through traditional analysis methods. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study explored the potential impact of retirement on the health of elderly Chinese individuals, adjusting for selection bias. We balanced the baseline differences between retirement groups and working groups based on nearest neighbor matching and genetic matching with a generalized boosted model (GBM), and regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of retirement on the health of elderly individuals. No significant difference was found in any of the covariates between the two groups after matching. Genetic matching performed better than nearest neighbor matching in balancing the covariates. Compared to the working group, the retirement group had a 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65-0.94, P = 0.026) times higher probability of self-reported physical pain, a 0.76 (95% CI: 0.62-0.93, P = 0.023) times higher probability of depression, and a 0.57-point (95% CI: 0.37-0.78, P < 0.001) improvement in cognitive status score. Among male, the retirement group had a 0.89-point (95% CI: 0.45-1.33, P < 0.001) improvement in cognitive status score for low education, a 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46-0.92, P = 0.042) times higher probability of self-reported physical pain for middle education. For female with low education, the cognitive status of the retirement group was significantly higher by 0.99 points (95% CI: 0.42-1.55, P = 0.004), the probability of depression was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.36-0.87, P = 0.031) times higher in the retirement group than in the working group. There was no difference for the middle and high education. Retirement can exert a beneficial effect on the health of elderly individuals. Therefore, the government and relevant departments should consider this potential effect when instituting policies that delay retirement.

Oral health-related multiple outcomes of holistic health in elderly individuals: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Along with an aging population, exploring the impact of oral health on holistic health and determining exact outcomes in elderly individuals are important in both scientific research and clinical practice. Significant increase in the number of systematic reviews shows that oral health can directly or indirectly affect the overall health of elderly people physically, mentally and socially. To systematically collate, appraise, and synthesize the current evidence, we carried out an umbrella review of the impacts of oral health on holistic health in elderly individuals. A systematic reviews and meta-analyses search was performed in the major databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 1, 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses was referred to assess methodological quality, and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, assessment, Development, and Evaluation working group classification) was used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome included in the umbrella review. Out of 1,067 records, a total of 35 systematic reviews were included. Respiratory diseases, malnutrition, age-related oral changes, frailty, cognitive impairment, depression and poor quality of life were identified as seven key outcomes that affect the physical, mental and social health of elderly individuals. Meanwhile, three intervention measures of oral health were summarized as (i) more rigorous and universal scales, (ii) dental cleaning and denture installation, and (iii) improving self-awareness regarding oral care. Evidence showed that oral health can significantly affect holistic health, and the diverse oral diseases directly lead to multiple health outcomes in elderly individuals. Clear high-quality evidence revealed that oral health is strongly associated with seven health outcomes covering physical, mental, and social levels, which directly corresponds to holistic health, and impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Such the results remind the importance of oral care in public health, and further studies need to be conducted to verity more specific association between oral health and other chronic diseases. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, identifier: CRD42022315315.

Effects of taekwondo on health in older people: a systematic review

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects of taekwondo on health in elderly individuals. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA recommendations and registered on PROSPERO, as number CRD42021279561. The electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched, with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “martial arts” and “aged” and the alternative terms “taekwondo”, “elderly”, and “older”. We included studies that analysed the effects of taekwondo on health-related variables in older adults of both sexes. The risk of bias of the included experimental and quasi-experimental studies were analysed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies – of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool, respectively. Results: Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. The interventions of the included studies ranged from 6 to 17 weeks, with 45 to 90 minutes per training session, and frequency from 3 to 5 times a week. The total sample number was 160 participants, with a predominance of females in the samples. After the taekwondo intervention, the protocols demonstrated improvement in muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and body composition. Conclusion: The investigated studies showed that taekwondo can effectively maintain health and develop physical qualities in the older population. Nevertheless, these findings should be considered preliminary due to the relatively small sample and heterogeneity of the interventions of the identified studies.

Yoga and Rasayana for Mental Health in Age-related Cognitive Decline - A Controlled Trial

Background: Age-related cognitive impairment has a negative impact on mental health in the elderly. Ayurveda Rasayana and yoga positively impact cognition and mental health among the elderly. Aims: Present study evaluated the efficacy of Ayurveda Medhya Rasayana (AMR) and Integrated Yoga (IY) on mental health in elderly individuals who had mild cognitive impairment. Materials and Methods: This is a three arms-matched control trial. The study involved 72 elderly subjects who had a mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Of these, 25 received IY, 23 received AMR and, 24 persons received combined (IY plus AMR) intervention for 8 weeks. Stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep were assessed by using Perceived Stress Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Quality of Life in the elderly (CASP- 19) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index respectively at baseline and after eight weeks. Results: ANOVA shows significant improvement (p<0.05) in quality of life, stress, anxiety, and sleep at eight weeks compared to baseline for all three groups. Depression was significantly improved only in IY plus AMR group. In the between-group comparison, ANCOVA was performed as baseline variable scores were not matched. It shows there was significant difference in groups for stress F (2, 69) = 6.439(p<0.003), anxiety F (2, 69) = 7.581 (p<0.001) and sleep Quality (2, 69) = 4.0449 (p<0.022). Bonferroni post hoc test shows IY plus AMR significantly better than AMR intervention in improving stress, anxiety, and sleep. Conclusion: Combined Ayurveda Medhya Rasayana and Integrated Yoga intervention are better to improve stress, anxiety, and sleep among elderly having mild cognitive impairment than individual treatment. However, further studies are warranted. Keywords: Yoga; Traditional Herbal medicine; Medhya Rasayana; mental health; Brahmi; geriatric care

Gender-Related Differences in Social Participation Among Japanese Elderly Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Introduction/Objectives:The health of elderly individuals is known to benefit from maintaining societal involvement and relationships with other people, such as through social participation. We aimed to determine trends in the percentage of Japanese elderly people who engaged in social participation before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in one municipality in Japan, and compared differences in this status by gender.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 3000 people aged 65 to 85 years who were randomly selected by the administrative staff of the city. Participant characteristics (age, gender, working status, residential status) and their economic status, daily physical activity, and social participation status were obtained at 3 time points: (1) before the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020; (2) immediately prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in April 2020; and (3) in January 2021, 1 year after (1).Results:A total of 1301 people responded to the survey. The mean age was 73.3 (SD 5.5) years, and 690 (53.0%) were women. There were significant gender differences in terms of living alone, employment status, and amount of physical activity. The number of people reporting social participation gradually decreased from 543 respondents (41.7%) at (1) to 319 (24.5%) at (2) and 251 (19.3%) at (3). Women were more likely to demonstrate reduced social participation.Conclusions:Elderly individuals, particularly women, reported decreased social participation during the pandemic.

Relationship between Psychological Distress and Prolonged Sedentary Bouts in the Elderly: Four Period Analysis.

Background: Too much sitting is associated with low mental health in elderly individuals. We clarified the relationship between psychological distress and the rate of prolonged sedentary bouts (PSBs) among the elderly over four periods. Methods: In a secondary analysis, a sample population of 68 adults aged 65 years or older in Japan was used. The following proxy variables were used: PSB (mental health) and the Kessler 6 scale; K6 scores (psychological distress). Results: Using the cross-lagged effects models, from “2016 K6” to “2017 PSB” (p = 0.004), from “2017 K6” to “2018 PSB” (p < 0.001), and from “2018 K6” to “2019 PSB” (p = 0.021) were all significant; however, the reverse were not all significant in one period. In four periods, from “2016 PSB” to “2019 K6” (p = 0.025) was significant; however, the reverse was not significant. Fit indices were obtained: χ2 = 7.641 (p = 0.182), goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.891, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.901, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.121 in structural equation modelling. Conclusions: Psychological distress may affect the rate of PSB after one year, and the rate of PSB may affect the rate of psychological distress after three years in elderly individuals.

Rural-urban and gender differences in the association between community care services and elderly individuals\u2019 mental health: a case from Shaanxi Province, China

BackgroundWhile community care services have been developing rapidly as a new way to meet the growing demands of elderly individuals in China, their health benefits are virtually unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the Chinese elderly individuals’ utilisation of community care services and its association with the mental health with comparing rural-urban and gender differences.MethodsFor this 2019 cross-sectional study, 687 elderly people from 7 counties (districts) of China’s Shaanxi province were enrolled. Respondents’ mental health level was assessed using a self-reported mental health measure. Four categories of community care services utilisation were examined: daily care services, medical care services, social and recreational services and spiritual comfort services. The binary logistic regression model was used in examining the association between community care services utilisation and mental health.ResultsOur results showed that there was a noted difference in mental health level between the male and female groups. Utilisation of medical care services and social and recreational services was significantly higher in the rural group than that in the urban group. Regression analysis showed that utilisation of daily care services (β = 0.809, p = 0.008) and social and recreational service (β = 0.526, p = 0.035) was significantly and positively associated with elderly individuals’ mental health level. Specifically, daily care services utilisation predicted a better mental health of the rural elderly (β = 1.051, p = 0.036) and the male elderly (β = 1.133, p = 0.053), while social and recreational services utilisation predicted a better mental health of the urban elderly (β = 0.927, p = 0.008) and the female elderly (β = 0.864, p = 0.007).ConclusionsOur findings indicated varied levels of community care services utilisation and mental health are common among the elderly people in China. Community care services utilisation has a positive, albeit selective, association with elderly individuals’ mental health. Further policies should strengthen the equitable development of high-quality community care services in urban and rural areas to improve the mental health of elderly individuals, and focus more on gender differences in terms of community care services needs.

Evaluation of Climatic Condition Suitability for Elderly Care Industry Development in Prefecture-Level Cities in China

The demand for elderly care in China is growing, and the elderly care industry has great development prospects. Climatic conditions are important factors that affect the health of elderly individuals and the development of the elderly care industry. This study will have important guiding significance for the layout of China’s elderly care industry. This paper utilizes ArcGIS and the spatial fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to analyze the climatic suitability for the development of the elderly care industry in China’s four municipalities, the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions, and 333 prefecture-level administrative regions based on six factors: temperature, humidity, airflow, air pressure, sunshine, and precipitation. In addition, development suggestions are proposed. The results show the following. (1) The areas with highly suitable climatic conditions for the development of the elderly care industry in China are concentrated in the eastern and southern areas of Southwest China and the southern areas of Central and East China, mainly in the Yangtze and Pearl River Basins. Slightly suitable areas are distributed around highly suitable areas, concentrated in the central and southern regions of China. Low-suitability areas are clustered, including an area spanning northern North China and East China, southern Northeast China, and central Northwest China, and there is another cluster in Xinjiang. The non-suitable area resembles a strip extending from Northeast China along the Inner Mongolia Plateau to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. (2) In Central and Southwest China, there are 57 prefecture-level administrative units with highly suitable temperature conditions that can develop an elderly care industry for patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Twenty-eight prefecture-level administrative regions with comprehensively suitable temperature and humidity conditions scattered throughout the country can develop an elderly care industry for elderly patients suffering from rheumatic and respiratory diseases.

Factors Influencing Self-Rated Oral Health in Elderly People Residing in the Community: Results from the Korea Community Health Survey, 2016

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the factors influencing perceived oral health in elderly individuals residing in the community.MethodsThis study used raw data from the Korea community health survey, 2016. Of the 64,223 participants that were elderly (aged ≥ 65 years), 61,280 (95.4%) were included for analysis. Self-rated oral health was the dependent variable and 6 independent variables including age, gender, type of area of residence (metropolitan or provincial), educational level, income, and living status with spouse were assessed. Oral function was studied based on mastication, pronunciation, and use of dentures, and oral health behavior included brushing teeth after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before sleep). The EQ-5D questionnaire measured health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression).ResultsAmong the general characteristics, age, gender, educational level, income, and living status with spouse were the factors that affected self-rated oral health. Mastication, pronunciation, use of dentures, and brushing after lunch, dinner, and before sleep were the factors that influenced self-rated oral function. All domains of the EQ-5D (pain/discomfort, mobility, self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression) were factors that affected self-rated oral health.ConclusionThe results of the current investigation suggest that the development of management and education strategies for oral health promotion in the elderly, should focus on improving oral function and oral health behavior, taking into account the socio-economic and demographic characteristics that have been shown to be associated with poor self-rated oral function.

Relationship between radiological severity and physical and mental health in elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between radiological severity, as assessed by the individual grades and grouped grades (grades “0 and 1” and “2 to 4”) of the Kellgren-Lawrence scale (K&Ls), and depression symptoms, cognitive loss, risk of falls, and quality of life in relation to knee osteoarthritis, as assessed by other instruments.MethodsData recorded between 2013 and 2014 in Amparo (São Paulo, Brazil) were retrieved for analysis. A total of 181 elderly patients who had knee osteoarthritis and underwent a radiologic exam were evaluated for depressive symptoms, cognitive loss, quality of life, and risk of falls by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). For statistical analyses, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s coefficient analysis were used.ResultsThere was no significant relationship between the scores of the instruments investigated and the individual K&Ls grades. However, when the K&Ls scores were assessed by groups, grades “2 to 4” were associated with the worst WOMAC score and the highest frequency and risk of falls according to the BBS but not according to TUG. For the GDS and MMSE, no significant relationships with the K&Ls grades were found. In addition, the K&Ls grade was correlated with the WOMAC score, regardless of the domain.ConclusionThe radiological scores of the Kellgren-Lawrence (K&L) scale were associated with poorer WOMAC and BBS scores only when the K&Ls scores were evaluated in groups, and the WOMAC score was associated with an increase in the radiological grade.

Effects of a lifestyle development program designed to reduce the risk factors for cognitive decline on the mental health of elderly individuals.

The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) along with depression is high in the elderly. In the present study, a program that allows the elderly individuals to voluntarily manage and develop lifestyles that may reduce the risk factors for cognitive decline was applied to the participants to evaluate its effect on the mental health of these individuals. The participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. The program was conducted during 7 months in the intervention group, and it had seven times of group activities, performed once a month for about 1 h, and individual activities to reduce the risk factors for cognitive decline, performed every day. To evaluate the effects of the program on the mental health of the participants, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGC) were used. These two scales were applied twice to the intervention and control groups. The GDS score revealed no change in the score in the intervention group before and after the 7-month program implementation; however, in the control group, the score was significantly higher after program implementation than that before. The PGC score revealed no change in the intervention group before and after 7-month program implementation; however, in the control group, the score was significantly lower after program implementation than that before. Additionally, it revealed no change in the GDS score in the depression-prone control group before and after 7-month program implementation; however, in the depression-prone intervention group, the GDS score was significantly lower after program implementation than that before. The intervention program that allows the elderly individuals to voluntarily manage and develop lifestyles that may reduce the risk factors for cognitive decline is expected to maintain mental health in elderly individuals.

Association of oral health and activities of daily living with cognitive impairment

This study compared the oral health status between elderly individuals with and without cognitive impairment and explored the association of oral health and activities of daily living (ADL) with cognitive impairment. We conducted convenience sampling on patients aged more than 65years and analysed data from 630 participants. Data were collected and analysed via a survey evaluating general characteristics, oral health behaviour, subjective oral health status, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and ADL. The path analysis and regression analysis of the association of oral health and ADL with cognitive impairment showed that the OHIP-14 was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment, whereas the GOHAI and ADL had significant associations with cognitive impairment. A 1-point increase in the GOHAI was associated with a 0.024-point increase in the cognitive impairment score, and a 1-point increase in the ADL was associated with a 0.006-point decrease in the cognitive impairment score (normal=0, cognitive impairment=1). Poor oral health and ADL were associated with cognitive impairment. Therefore, oral hygiene management is important in maintaining oral health in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment.