Mortality In Older People Research Articles

TCL-089: Clinicopathological Presentation of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma and Their Prognostic Factors: A Single Center Experience

<h3>Background</h3> Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) represent an uncommon and heterogeneous group of diseases. They comprise 10-15% of NHL, with epidemiological majority in South American and Asian populations. Historically these groups of malignancies have presented a poor prognosis, however, with the incorporation of brentuximab and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as consolidation strategy, the overall survival has improved. <h3>Objectives</h3> Describe the clinicopathological presentation of patients with PTLCs and review their prognosis features. <h3>Design</h3> Retrospective, observational study that included patients over 18 years with diagnosis of PTLCs, between January 2010 and December 2019. All of them were followed up at the HIBA. <h3>Results</h3> We included 43 patients with PTLCs diagnosis. The median age was 58 years (range 20-90) and 65% were male. The most common histopathological subtype was PTLC-NOS in 42% (n=18) followed by ALCL ALK- and AITL with 23% (n=10) and 14% (n=6) respectively. The 81% presented III/IV stage at the diagnosis and 58% had evidence of extranodal disease. Considering IPI and PIT scores, high risk populations slightly differ from 53% in the first score to 44% in the other. Nearly 80% of the patients received protocols including anthracyclines such as CHOEP in 44% (n=19) or CHOP in 32% (n=14) as first line treatment. Another 7% used brentuximab + CHP and 41% (n=18) of the total underwent ASCT as consolidation therapy. Almost 58% achieved complete remission. The overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 37% (IC 95% 20-56) with a median of 36 months. Variables significantly associated with OS were age range (48% vs 26% in under 60 years; p=0,12) and IPI score (65% <i>vs</i> 25% in low-risk groups; p=0.0044). Moreover, ASCT was associated with better OS and PFS with 61% and 58% respectively; <i>versus</i> 26% and 28% in the group without transplant (p=0,0064). <h3>Conclusions</h3> In our experience, PTLCs represent an ominous diagnosis with high mortality in older people and high-risk groups. ASCT showed improvement in OS. Nevertheless, the implementation of brentuximab is still being studied because of the few patients receiving this therapy at the moment.

Impacts of depression subcase and case on all-cause mortality in older people: The findings from the multi-centre community-based cohort study in China.

It is unclear whether and to what extent depression subcases and cases in older age were associated with all-cause mortality. Little is known about gender differences in the associations. We assess these in older Chinese. We examined a random sample of 6124 participants aged ≥60 years across five provinces in China. They were interviewed using a standard method of the GMS-AGECAT to diagnose depression subcase and case and record sociodemographic and disease risk factors at baseline, and to follow up their vital status. We employed Cox regression models to determine all-cause mortality in relation to depression subcases and cases, with adjustment for important variables, including social support and co-morbidities. Over the 10-year follow-up, 928 deaths occurred. Compared to those without depression at baseline, participants with depression subcase (n=196) and case (n=264) had increased risk of mortality; adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.46 (95% CI 1.07-2.00) and 1.45 (1.10-1.91). The adjusted HRs in men were 1.15 (0.72-1.81) and 1.85 (1.22-2.81), and in women 1.87 (1.22-2.87) and 1.22 (0.83-1.77) respectively. In participants aged ≥65 years, the adjusted HRs were 1.12 (0.68-1.84) and 1.99 (1.28-3.10) in men, and 2.06 (1.32-2.24) and 1.41 (0.94-2.10) in women. Increased HR in depression subcases was higher in women than man (ratio of HRs was 1.84, p=0.034). Older people with depression subcase could have increased all-cause mortality to a similar extent to those with depression case. More attention should be paid to subcases of depression in women to tackle gender inequalities and improve survival.

Oral health and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory mortality in older people in the UK and USA

Preventing deterioration of oral health in older age can be crucial for survival. We aimed to examine associations of oral health problems with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and respiratory mortality in older people. We used cohort data from the British Regional Health Study (BRHS) (N = 2147, 71–92 years), and the Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) Study (USA) (N = 3075, 71–80 years). Follow-up was 9 years (BRHS) and 15 years (HABC Study). Oral health comprised tooth loss, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and self-rated oral health. Cox regression was performed for all-cause mortality, competing risks for CVD mortality, and accelerated failure time models for respiratory mortality. In the BRHS, tooth loss was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.59, 95% CI 1.09, 2.31). In the HABC Study, tooth loss, dry mouth, and having ≥ 3 oral problems were associated with all-cause mortality; periodontal disease was associated with increased CVD mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 1.49, 95% CI 1.01, 2.20); tooth loss, and accumulation of oral problems were associated with high respiratory mortality (tooth loss, time ratio (TR) = 0.73, 95% CI 0.54, 0.98). Findings suggest that poor oral health is associated with mortality. Results highlight the importance of improving oral health to lengthen survival in older age.

Vitamin D supplementation and risk of falling: outcomes from the randomized, placebo-controlled D-Health Trial.

BackgroundFalls cause considerable morbidity and mortality in older people. It is unclear how vitamin D supplementation affects falls risk, particularly when taken at high doses. We sought to determine whether monthly high‐dose vitamin D supplementation reduces risk and incidence of falls.MethodsWe used data from the randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled D‐Health Trial conducted in Australia. Between February 2014 and May 2015, 21 315 participants aged 60–84 years were randomized (1:1) to monthly doses of either 60 000 IU of colecalciferol or placebo for a maximum of 5 years. People who reported a history of osteomalacia, sarcoidosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcaemia or kidney stones or who were taking >500 IU/day supplementary vitamin D were ineligible. Each year, we collected blood samples from ~450 randomly sampled participants from each trial arm and measured 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Falls, a prespecified tertiary outcome, were ascertained using annual surveys and, for a subset of participants, 3‐month falls diaries. The primary outcome for this analysis was any fall in the month before completing an annual survey. As part of our process to maintain blinding, we used random samples of participants (surveys, n = 16 000; diaries, n = 2400), with equal numbers per group. Participants with no outcome data were excluded. Following an intention‐to‐treat approach, we analysed outcomes using logistic, ordinal and negative binomial regression. Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613000743763); registered 4 July 2013.ResultsMean treatment duration was 4.3 years (standard deviation [SD] = 1.4 years). Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations during the trial were 114.8 (SD 30.3) nmol/L and 77.5 (SD 25.2) nmol/L in the vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively. Survey and diary analytic sets included 15 416 and 2200 participants, respectively; approximately half were randomized to vitamin D (surveys: 50.1%; diaries: 50.4%). Vitamin D had no effect on falling in the past month (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–1.10). There was an interaction with body mass index (BMI) (P‐interaction = 0.001); vitamin D increased risk in participants with BMI < 25 kg/m2 (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09–1.43), but there was no effect in those with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87–1.04). Analyses of diary data were consistent with these findings. The incidence of hypercalcaemia and kidney stones did not differ between groups.ConclusionsMonthly high‐dose vitamin D supplementation did not reduce risk of falling. A possible increased risk of falling with vitamin D supplementation in people with normal BMI warrants further investigation.

Trajectories of Depression and Their Associations with Mortality in Older People in Korea over 12 Years

Background: As the course of depression and depressive symptoms over a lifetime varies between individuals, we used trajectory models based on the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging to repeatedly measure symptoms over a follow-up period of 12 years to reveal the association with mortality.Methods: Three thousand five hundred sixty-one (1,483 men and 2,078 women) subjects aged over 65 years were included. Using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10), a trajectory model was classified into different depressive symptom groups by gender. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between depression trajectory and all-cause mortality.Results: We identified four trajectories of depressive symptoms in both men and women characterized by low CES-D 10 scores throughout the study: Low trajectory (LT), Moderate high trajectory (MHT), High, but increasing trajectory (HIT), and High, but decreasing trajectory (HDT). The adjusted hazard ratios of the HIT, HDT, and MHT compared with LT in men were 2.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-3.16), 1.52 (95% CI, 0.96-2.40), and 1.58 (95% CI, 1.10-2.26), respectively. In women, ratios of each group were 1.62 (95% CI, 1.25-2.10), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.61-1.16), and 1.20 (95% CI, 0.99-1.46).Conclusions: Highly depressive symptoms that increased over the 12 years period were associated with the highest risk of mortality in the Korean elderly population. The trajectory group with remitting depressive symptoms (HDT), despite having a similar baseline level of mood symptoms as the high increasing group (HIT) experienced a lower mortality risk in both men and women.

Nutritional risk and nutritional status in hospitalized older adults living with HIV in Shenzhen, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNutrition is a crucial factor that can impact morbidity and mortality in older people living with HIV (PLWH). Studies on nutritional risk and nutritional status in all age groups in PLWH have been conducted. However, few studies have focused on nutritional risk in older PLWH. This study aimed to describe the nutritional risk and nutritional status in older PLWH, and explore factors associated with nutritional risk and undernutrition status.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study. We recruited participants aged 50 years or older from the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2016 to May 2019. Nutritional risk and nutritional status were evaluated by the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) tool, body mass index (BMI), albumin level, and prealbumin level on the first day of admission. Logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with undernutrition based on the BMI, albumin, and prealbumin criteria.ResultsA total of 196 older PLWH were included in the analysis. We found that 36% of hospitalized older PLWH had nutritional risk, and 12–56% of them had undernutrition based on the BMI, albumin, and prealbumin criteria. An increased nutritional risk score was associated with older age (β = 0.265 CI [0.021, 0.096], P = 0.002), a higher viral load (β = − 0.186 CI [− 0.620, − 0.037], P = 0.028), a lower BMI (β = − 0.287 CI [− 0.217, − 0.058], P = 0.001), and a lower albumin level (β = − 0.324 CI [− 8.896, − 1.230], P = 0.010). The CD4 count was associated with the prevalence of undernutrition based on the albumin criterion (OR = 15.637 CI [2.742, 89.178], P = 0.002).ConclusionOur study indicated that nutritional screening, assessment, and management should be routinely performed in hospitalized older PLWH. HIV-specific measures should be used to assess nutritional risk, and albumin, BMI, and other assessments should be used in combination to identify undernutrition in older PLWH.

Abstract 030: The Association Of Hypnotics With Incident Cardiovascular Disease And Mortality Among Post-menopausal Women With Sleep Disturbances

Background: Chronic insomnia is common in post-menopausal women and is associated with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Hypnotics are a second-line therapy after cognitive behavioral therapy for management of chronic insomnia. Among the hypnotics, nonbenzodiazepine GABA agonists (Z-drugs) are commonly prescribed. However, it is unclear whether Z-drug use and other hypnotic use is associated with risk of incident CVD and mortality in older people with sleep disturbances. Objectives: Among post-menopausal women with sleep disturbances, to evaluate the association of Z-drug use compared with use of other prescription hypnotics, and with non-use of any prescription hypnotics with CVD and mortality. Methods: The population studied were post-menopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study and Clinical Trials who, at baseline, scored &gt;=9 with the WHI Insomnia Rating Scale (N=40,728). Hypnotic use was ascertained from prescription medications scanned into the Medi-Span database at baseline and first follow-up clinic visit. Frequency of use was ascertained from self-report. Participants were categorized as users of Z-drugs, users of other prescription hypnotics or non-users. Outcomes were composite CVD (congestive heart failure, stroke, and fatal/non-fatal myocardial infarction) and mortality, centrally adjudicated with review of medical records and death certificates. Hazard ratios were estimated from Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographic, medical history, and sleep measures. To address potential confounding by indication, we also adjusted for propensity to be prescribed hypnotics. Results: At the first follow-up visit 1.1% (424 of 38,979) of participants were users of Z-drugs, 4.2% (1,653 of 38,979) were users of other prescription hypnotics, 3.1% (1,187 of 38,979) had discontinued prescription hypnotic use, and 91.6% (35,715 of 38,979) were non-users at both baseline and first follow-up visit. The mean age of our cohort was 63.6 years (SD = 7.2) and mean follow-up time after the initial follow-up visit was 14.0 years (SD = 6.3). Z-drug use was significantly associated with an increased risk of composite CVD (HR= 1.35, 95%CI: 1.02-1.79) and all-cause mortality (HR= 1.38, 95%CI: 1.13-1.69). Use of other prescription hypnotics and casual use (&lt;=2 times a week) of any hypnotic were not associated with either cardiovascular disease or mortality. Conclusion: Use of Z-drugs three or more times a week was associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women being treated for insomnia. Additional research is needed to evaluate association between frequency of hypnotic use and these outcomes and to investigate possible mechanisms.

Clinical trials of mTOR inhibitors to boost immunity to viral infection in older adults

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), mainly caused by viruses, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people (aged >65 years).1 During the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing age has proved to be the major risk factor for serious illness and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2. The increased susceptibility of older people to viral RTIs is at least partly driven by age-related decline in immune function, characterised by dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In particular, attenuated type I interferon (IFN) response, the first line of defence against viruses, might play a major role.

Do statins reduce mortality in older people? Findings from a longitudinal study using primary care records

ObjectiveAssess whether statins reduce mortality in the general population aged 60 years and above.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingPrimary care practices contributing to The Health Improvement Network database, England and Wales, 1990–2017.ParticipantsCohort who...

The Role of Baseline Sarcopenia Index in Predicting Chemotherapy-Induced Undesirable Effects and Mortality in Older People with Stage III or IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

To assess the predictability value of Sarcopenia index( (SI, serum creatinine value/cystatin C value×100) in determining potential chemotherapy-induced undesirable reactions and eventual death of older patients diagnosed with stage III or IV of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). General information was retrieved from health records and mortality data was obtained by phone interview. Serum Cr and CysC levels were measured before chemotherapy. The endpoints recorded were chemotherapy-induced undesirable reactions and mortality from any causes. Logit regression analysis was employed for the analysis of correlation between the SI and short-term adverse reactions to chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis was employed to analyze correlation between the SI and mortality. In this study, 664 NSCLC patients were enrolled. Among them, 83.13% were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma lung cancer and 16.87% with squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer. As of March 1, 2019, 486 patients died, including 361(74.28%) males and 125 (25.72%) females. After the first course of chemotherapy, the proportion of short-term adverse reactions, including bone marrow suppression, digestive reactions, all infection, liver function impairment, and other adverse reactions (non-infectious fever or rashes) was 16%, 4.7%, 7.4, %, 6.6%, and 2.11%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, there was no association between the SI and adverse reactions. We found that high SI was independently associated with a lower risk of mortality after adjusting for confounding factors in females (HR=0.593,95% CI: 0.382-0.92; p=0.02). There was no marked association existed between the SI and mortality in males. Among patients with stage III or IV non-small cell lung cancer, the SI is associated with mortality in females, but not in males.

Functional categories based on cognition and activities of daily living predict all-cause mortality in older adults with diabetes mellitus: The Japanese Elderly Diabetes Intervention Trial.

Although the glycemic target in older diabetes patients is based on cognition, activities of daily living and multimorbidity in the Japanese guideline, evidence of the relationships is limited. Thus, we aimed to assess the relationship between functional category and mortality in older people with diabetes. We evaluated the data of 843 older diabetes patients in a 6-year prospective study, and the association between functional categories and all-cause mortality. The patients were divided into three functional categories based on cognition, instrumental activities of daily living and basic activities of daily living using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and Barthel Index at baseline, respectively (model 1). Those with multimorbidity (≥4 of 8 morbidities) were classified into category III (model 2). The functional category assessed using eight items from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and Barthel Index was also constructed (model 3). Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated in the Cox regression analysis using age, sex, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin level, total cholesterol level, estimated glomerular filtration rate and frequency of severe hypoglycemia as covariates. During the 6-year follow up, 64 incident mortalities occurred. The hazard ratios for mortality in categories II and III (as the reference of category I) were 1.83 (95% confidence interval 1.06-3.14, P=0.030) and 3.05 (95% confidence interval 1.12-8.26, P=0.029) after adjustment for covariates, respectively (model 1). Models 2 and 3 showed similar associations between functional category and mortality. The functional categories predicted all-cause mortality in older adults with diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 512-518.

Overall mortality in older people receiving physician-led home visits: a multicentre prospective study in Japan.

BackgroundJapan has the most rapidly ageing population in the world. The Japanese government has, therefore, promoted physician-led home health care for frail and disabled people.ObjectivesTo describe mortality among older people receiving physician-led health care at home or at a nursing home in Japan and to identify risk factors.MethodsThis was a multicentre prospective cohort study. Participants were aged ≥65 years and had started to receive regular physician-led health care at home or at nursing homes from 13 facilities between 1 February 2013 and 31 January 2016. The observation period ended on 31 January 2017. We used a biopsychosocial approach for exploratory analysis of 13 variables to identify mortality risk factors.ResultsThe median (25th to 75th percentile) observation time was 417 (121–744) days. Of 825 participants, 380 died. The total cumulative survival for 180, 360, 720 and 1440 days was 73.4% (95% confidence interval: 70.2–76.3), 64.2% (60.8–67.5), 52.6% (48.8–56.3) and 34.6% (23.5–46.0). The Kaplan–Meier cumulative survival curve showed a steep drop during the first 6 months of observation. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that sex (male), high Charlson Comorbidity Index score, low serum albumin level, low Barthel Index score, receipt of oxygen therapy, high Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia score and non-receipt of public assistance were associated with mortality.ConclusionsOverall mortality in physician-led home visits in Japan was described and mortality risk factors identified. Public assistance receipt was associated with lower mortality.

Cardiovascular risk profiles and 20-year mortality in older people: gender differences in the Pro.V.A. study

The age- and gender-related cardio-metabolic changes may limit the applicability of guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in older people. We investigated the association of cardiovascular risk profile with 20-year all-cause and CVD-mortality in older adults, focusing on age- and gender-specific differences. This prospective study involved 2895 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years who participated in the Pro.V.A study. The sum of achieved target levels (smoking, diet, physical activity, body weight, blood pressure, lipids, and diabetes) recommended by the European Society of Cardiology 2016 guidelines was assessed in each participant. From this sum, cardiovascular risk profile was categorised as very high (0–2), high (3), medium (4), low (5), and very low (6–7 target levels achieved). All-cause and CV mortality data over 20 years were obtained from health registers. At Cox regression, lower cardiovascular risk profile was associated with reduced 20-year all-cause mortality in both genders, with stronger results for women (HR = 0.42 [95%CI:0.25–0.69] and HR = 0.61 [95%CI:0.42–0.89] for very low vs. very high cardiovascular risk profile in women and men, respectively). This trend was more marked for CVD mortality. Lower cardiovascular risk profile was associated with reduced all-cause and CVD mortality only in men < 75 years, while the associations persisted in the oldest old women. A lower cardiovascular risk profile, as defined by current guidelines, may reduce all-cause and CVD mortality in older people, with stronger and longer benefits in women. These findings suggest that personalised and life-course approaches considering gender and age differences may improve the delivery of preventive actions in older people.

Anxiety in heart failure patients and its association with NYHA class

IntroductionHeart failure (HF) is a worldwide public health problem and the main cause of morbidity and mortality in older people. Previous studies have demonstrated that psychological symptoms are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. Nevertheless, the research regarding the association between anxiety and HF is still scarce.ObjectivesTo analyse the levels of anxiety in HF patients and its association with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class in HF patients.MethodsThis study takes part of a wider project named Deus Ex-Machina project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-00026). HF patients were recruited from an outpatient clinic at a University Hospital. Patient with inability to communicate, with severe visual impairment or with NYHA class IV were excluded. Sociodemographic data and NYHA class were recorded. Anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).ResultsOverall, 136 patients were included, with a mean age of 57(±13) years old. Most of them were men (66%) and married (76%), with mean education of 8 years (±4). Regarding NYHA class, 36%, 49% and 15% were at class I, II and III, respectively. The mean GAD-7 total score was 6.4 (±5.2) and 32% of patients showed moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. No association between the NYHA functional class and anxiety was found (p=0.106).ConclusionsThe results reveal that anxiety is frequent among HF patients. However, as found in previous studies, it was not associated with more severe HF symptoms. The coexistence of HF and anxiety deserves further studies, in order to build a better understanding of this association.

Relationships Between Age, Frailty, Length of Care Home Residence and Biomarkers of Immunity and Inflammation in Older Care Home Residents in the United Kingdom.

Aging is associated with changes to the immune system, collectively termed immunosenescence and inflammageing. However, the relationships among age, frailty, and immune parameters in older people resident in care homes are not well described. We assessed immune and inflammatory parameters in 184 United Kingdom care home residents aged over 65 years and how they relate to age, frailty index, and length of care home residence. Linear regression was used to identify the independent contribution of age, frailty, and length of care home residence to the various immune parameters as dependent variables. Participants had a mean age (±SD) of 85.3 ± 7.5 years, had been residing in the care home for a mean (±SD) of 1.9 ± 2.2 years at the time of study commencement, and 40.7% were severely frail. Length of care home residence and frailty index were correlated but age and frailty index and age and length of care home residence were not significantly correlated. All components of the full blood count, apart from total lymphocytes, were within the reference range; 31% of participants had blood lymphocyte numbers below the lower value of the reference range. Among the components of the full blood count, platelet numbers were positively associated with frailty index. Amongst plasma inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble E-selectin and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) were positively associated with frailty. Plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), IP-10 and tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII) were positively associated with age. Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 was positively associated with length of care home residence. Frailty was an independent predictor of platelet numbers, plasma CRP, IL-1ra, IP-10, and sE-selectin. Age was an independent predictor of activated monocytes and plasma IP-10, TNFRII and sVCAM-1. Length of care home residence was an independent predictor of plasma MCP-1. This study concludes that there are independent links between increased frailty and inflammation and between increased age and inflammation amongst older people resident in care homes in the United Kingdom. Since, inflammation is known to contribute to morbidity and mortality in older people, the causes and consequences of inflammation in this population should be further explored.

Is Weight Loss More Severe in Older People with Dementia?

Weight loss, a hallmark feature of dementia, is associated with higher mortality in older people. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature as to whether the weight loss commonly observed in older people with dementia results from reduced energy intake and/or increased energy expenditure. Understanding the cause of energy imbalance in older people with dementia would allow more targeted interventions to avoid detrimental health effects in this vulnerable group. In this paper, we review studies that have considered weight change, energy intake, and energy expenditure in older people with and without dementia. We critically assess the studies' methodology and outline the various factors which may decrease and increase energy intake and expenditure respectively in older people with and without dementia. Current available literature does not support the view that there is a lower energy intake and/or a higher energy expenditure in older people with dementia when compared to those without dementia. The need for more high-quality studies is also highlighted in order to shed more light towards this issue which continues to elude researchers and clinicians alike.

Physical frailty and long-term mortality in older people with chronic heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction: a retrospective longitudinal study

BackgroundFrailty, a syndrome characterized by a decline in function reserve, is common in older patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of frailty on outcomes in older patients with preserved and reduced cardiac function.MethodsIn total, 811 adults aged ≥65 years were consecutively enrolled from 2009 to 2018. HF was diagnosed according to the ICD9 code and a 2D echocardiogram was categorized by reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The index date was registered at the time of HF. All patients received a comprehensive geriatric assessment, and clinical outcomes were examined with adjustment of the other prognostic variables.ResultsMean age was 80.5 ± 7.1 years. The prevalence of HF, HFpEF, HFrEF, Fried, and Rockwood frailty indicators was 28.5, 10.4, 9.7, 52.5, and 74.9%, respectively. At baseline, scores in the Timed Up and Go test was closely associated with the severity of HF, either with HFpEF or HFrEF. After a mean follow-up of 3.2 ± 2.0 years, we found that HF patients with low handgrip strength (HGS) had the poorest survival, followed by non-HF patients with decreased HGS, and HF with fair HGS in comparison with non-HF with fair HGS (p = 0.008) if participants were arbitrarily divided into two HGS groups. In all patients, a high Rockwood frailty index was independently associated with increased mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0004 to 1.10). In addition, the adjusted mortality HR was 3.42 with decreased HGS (95% CI: 1.03 to 11.40), 7.65 with use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (95% CI: 2.22 to 26.32), and 1.26 with associated multi-comorbidities assessed by Charlson comorbidity index (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.51).ConclusionsOur study results indicate that frailty and decreased physical functions were associated with HF. Besides, frailty and HGS predicted prognosis in the patients, and there was a combined effect of HF and low HGS on survival.

Genome-wide meta-analysis of muscle weakness identifies 15 susceptibility loci in older men and women

Low muscle strength is an important heritable indicator of poor health linked to morbidity and mortality in older people. In a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of 256,523 Europeans aged 60 years and over from 22 cohorts we identify 15 loci associated with muscle weakness (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition: n = 48,596 cases, 18.9% of total), including 12 loci not implicated in previous analyses of continuous measures of grip strength. Loci include genes reportedly involved in autoimmune disease (HLA-DQA1p = 4 × 10−17), arthritis (GDF5p = 4 × 10−13), cell cycle control and cancer protection, regulation of transcription, and others involved in the development and maintenance of the musculoskeletal system. Using Mendelian randomization we report possible overlapping causal pathways, including diabetes susceptibility, haematological parameters, and the immune system. We conclude that muscle weakness in older adults has distinct mechanisms from continuous strength, including several pathways considered to be hallmarks of ageing.

Declining mortality in older people with type 2 diabetes masks rising excess risks at younger ages: a population-based study of all-cause and cause-specific mortality over 13 years.

Excess mortality in people with vs without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has fallen, but it is unclear whether men/women at all ages have benefited and which causes of death have driven these trends. All-cause and cause-specific mortality rates and excess mortality [by mortality rate ratios (MRRs) relative to the non-diabetic general population] were examined in 1268018 Australians with T2DM registered on the National Diabetes Services Scheme (2002-2014). Age-standardized mortality decreased in men (-2.2%/year; Ptrend < 0.001) and women with T2DM (-1.3%/year; Ptrend < 0.001) throughout 2002-14, which translated to declines in the MRRs (from 1.51 to 1.45 in men; 1.59 to 1.46 in women; Ptrend < 0.05 for both). Declining mortality rates in T2DM were observed in men aged 40+ years and women aged 60+ years (Ptrends <0.001), but not at younger ages. However, the only age group in which excess mortality declined relative to those without diabetes was 80+ years (Ptrends < 0.05); driven by reductions in excess cancer-related deaths in men and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Among age groups <80 years, CVD and cancer MRRs remained similar or increased over time, despite falls in both CVD and cancer mortality rates. MRRs for non-CVD/non-cancer-related deaths increased in 60-79 year-olds, but were otherwise unchanged. Declining excess mortality attributable to T2DM from 2002-14 was driven entirely by reductions in those aged 80+ years. Declines in total mortality among those with T2DM were apparent in more age groups, but often to a lesser extent than in the general population, thereby serving to increase the excess risk associated with T2DM.

Friend or foe? ACE2 inhibitors and GLP-1R agonists in COVID-19 treatment.

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been a pandemic since WHO made the statement on March 11, 2020. The infection is causing a high mortality in old people, especially those with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) or cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Extra cautions are needed in the treatment of those patients. The CVD drugs ACEIs and ARBs, as well as the T2D drugs GLP-1R agonists, were shown to activate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in experimental animals. Elevated ACE2 expression may accelerate virus entrance into the host cells during the infection for its replication. However, expression of the soluble ACE2, may neutralize the virus to limit the infection and replication. Given that obese, diabetes and CVD patients often take those medicines in the treatment and prevention of blood pressure and glucose elevation, it remains to be determined whether those medicines represent friend or foe in the treatment of COVID-19. We suggest that retrospective studies should be conducted to determine the exact impact of those medicines in obese, diabetic, or CVD patients who had COVID-19. Results obtained will provide guidance whether those drugs can be utilized in COVID-19 patients with obesity, diabetic, or CVD.